November Happiness

Since I can't think of anything particularly interesting to write about, I thought I would just jot down a bit about everyday life around here. :) 

Today I got to stay home all morning!!! :D It was wonderful. . .and quite relaxing. I did school and laundry. And nothing else until 1:30 when I had to go to piano lessons with Jerusha. We decided to go to the mall after lessons. We went in through the food court area so I could introduce my sis to a few of my co-workers. Oh! I don't think I've mentioned that. . . I got a job almost four weeks ago! . . . but I'll divulge that story in a later post . . . ;)
Anyway, then Jerusha and I walked towards JCPenny, making a quick stop by Starbucks first! Speaking of which, Starbucks has come out with their Christmas flavors!!!!  I'm rather split in my opinion of that . . . On the one hand, I think it is *much* too early to be thinking about Christmas. . . On the other hand, I absolutely *love* going into the mall and seeing the beginnings of Christmas decorations and sipping on a holiday drink. So yeah, I can't make up my mind. Speaking of drinking coffee at Starbucks. . . I don't like coffee. Unless it's frozen. And steeped with sugar. And milk. And whipped cream. And chocolate. And blended together in delicious goodness. Only then (when it can't really even be called coffee anymore) do I quite enjoy coffee. :p

After shopping for a bit, Jerusha and I came home and I got ready to go on a walk with momma. It was so beautiful outside!! We had a lovely time walking and talking together. :)

THEN. . . .(it's a good sign when the description of your day is full of "then". . . . that means it was a full, most likely productive day!) ...momma, Jerusha, and I met Jessica for dinner at a restaurant here in town. Oh lands, it was delicious! We had such a great girl time together! <3

THEN. . . :) we came home, got settled down in the living room and watched a chick-flick together.

I feel so blessed! Hey. . . that's what we should be thinking about this November. I mean, THANKSgiving is first. . .Christmas isn't until December! We should be counting our blessings. . . not thinking about our "Christmas wish lists" or what we can get/want. I guess that's my challenge to y'all. . .be thankful today for how God has blessed you. On days like the one I just wrote about, being grateful should be a piece of cake. . .but what about those days that are just awful? Nothing seems to be going right. Can we really be thankful then? Well. . .hard as it may seem. Yes.

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."    1 Thessalonians 5:18
 

Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT saying that being grateful in the midst of trials is easy by any means! But the Bible *does* command it, so that is my challenge to you. And myself. Can we be thankful in everything?

Not Sure What to Call this Post.... ;)

So yeah. It's been a looonnng time (in blogging time). But I'm back! :)  Last month my parents and I took a trip to Haiti. We were there for almost 2 weeks and we stayed with some long-time missionary friends who run a clinic in Northwest Haiti. I can't really even describe the plethora of feelings during the trip. There was some culture shock...and despair...and wonder...and awe of God.  I wrote most of the following on the plane coming back from Haiti.

How can I even put it into words? Should I mention the constant noises at dusk? Should I describe the insistent knocks and phone calls for petty demands? What about the scores of children sitting by the side of the road - waving. And begging. Should I describe that? How about the worse-than-dry-creek-bed roads? The illiteracy? The shacks piled so close to each other that you can barely differentiate one from the other? The broken down huts? The hypocrisy? The wailing? The total acceptance of "spiritual" things, without any absolute knowledge of a relationship with the One True God? How can I describe this place called Haiti?

When I caught my first glimpses of Port Au Prince, the poverty of the country immediately struck me. The housing was a dilapidated mess. Did people actually live in this city? The rain barraged the window pane of the airplane, blurring my limited view. After unloading we were corralled into a maze of tunnels and security workers directing us into the customs line. Everything seemed different. The Creole wording on the signs, the immense clamour of voices, the collision of bodies while claiming our luggage.

After we climbed into the van our taxi driver brought, we closed the door and started our long trek to a Mennonite Mission where we were to stay the night. I'm not even sure how to describe Port Au Prince during "rush hour". There were very few driving rules being followed, yet - much to my amazement - we did not witness a single crash. Everyone seemed to know when the four lane road should suddenly become three lanes one way and one lane the other. And nobody seemed to care that the hundreds of motorcyclists just cruised their way in between lanes of traffic and went into just about whichever lane they could squeeze into. An hour and a half (5 miles) later, we found ourselves gazing at a hefty blue gate as it swung open, seemingly effortlessly. The land beyond the gate was entirely altered from the previous world through which we had passed. The green grass and palm trees waved to us with welcoming features. We drove up to the house. The first thing I noticed was the doors. It had actual functioning, locking, wood doors - something that I hadn't observed much at all during our drive. We opened the door and immediately felt blessed to stay in so nice a place when compared to the rest of the hectic city.

Anyway, that's as far as I've gotten in writing about our trip. I kept a journal while I was there, but it was more of a descriptive action-by-action type journal. . . At 5:00 we started a dinner of pizza type journal. lol ;) 

I'll try to post more often now that my life is seeming to settle into somewhat of a routine! :)

Don't Give In!

Have you ever had a time when you knew Satan was attacking you with lies and discouraging thoughts, but you were too weak to fight back? Too tired to even care if he pervaded your thoughts with deception? Deep down inside you probably knew it was wrong to give in to those thoughts. Actually, it's quite unlike our natural sinful self to fight against this propensity for self-indulgence. Why else would God tell us to

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9

 Apparently it's common to all of the human race to give in to the deceits of Satan. I just had this happen recently to me! I was super worn-out and all I could think of were unrighteous thoughts about myself and other people. Satan noticed this bad attitude on my part and used this small window of opportunity to drag me further down. It was then that he started building on the small deceptions in my mind and elaborating my dreadful thoughts. The sad thing was, I knew he was doing it! I just felt as if I didn't have the strength to fight back.

So what do we do in those situations?

Well, look back to what we just read. One way to resist the devil even when we're feeling overwhelmed is to remember that thousands of other Christians are having to do the same thing! You're not alone. Sometimes the fact of doing something with a person (or at least knowing that someone else is going through the same thing) is a comfort and even creates a sense of renewed determination.

In 1 Peter 5:7-9, the Bible says "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." This one verse is a tremendous help for anyone fighting the devil. When you're worn-out and beat-up, you have an advocate with Jesus. He'll never let you down! He will share your burden...He will walk the whole way with you.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11

The Earth is the Lord's . . . and events in our lives :)

Aww!! That was so nice of Spring to listen to me! This weather is incredible!! (I'm also choosing not to think of what it will be like in August...lol) Anyway, the grass is lush and green, the birds are gleefully chirping away, the trees are budding in full force, and the gorgeous flowers are blooming quite nicely. What a wonderful God we serve!!! He has created so many beautiful thing.

Speaking of beautiful things . . . my brother got engaged a couple weeks ago!!! It was super cute to see him heading out the door to go "ring shopping".  ;) Three weeks ago, he set up a whole plan of how he wanted to ask her (Joy). Joy, who was over at a good friend's house watching movies and making dinner, had no idea what was going on! Soo...Josiah hopped in his car and drove to the mutual friend's house, surprised Joy, said some sappy stuff, and they had dinner together. Okay, so that was the super super short version, but you get the picture!! lol :) Oh yeah!! She said Yes. =D

Let's see...what else has happened since I last posted...oh! I got my driver's license last month! Perfect timing too, because my mom unexpectedly needed to go to New York for 3 weeks, so I got to chauffeur Jerusha and I all around town to different events/lessons/orchestra/etc... :)

And last, but most assuredly NOT least, I wanted to share with you some things the Lord has been teaching me in the last few weeks.

My little brain only has the teeniest, tiniest little glimpse of the big picture. In reality, I have no clue of the scope of God's plans and intricate details! I'm just a little dot...a speck of nothingness in the grandeur of the whole universe. . . yet, God cares for me! He cares about what I'm worried about, what I don't understand, my sicknesses, my hopes, my disappointments, my dreams, my excitements, my joys, everything! And guess what, he understands everything about me! Why? Because He made me and He loves me dearly. <3 Recently in my Bible reading, I've been challenged to reset my thinking. I notice myself constantly stressing out about what's going to happen "down the road"....am I supposed to go to college? I'd like to go on a mission's trip, but where? and when? or should I? My heart is in ministry, but the doors don't seem to be opening (or doing much of anything) at present...aghhh!!! What should I do!? It's then that I read verses like  

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

That's just one example of the dozens of verses with which God comforts His people! Here's another another verse that really stood out to me in my personal devotions:

 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17

 Even when we're confused, especially when we're confused, the Lord wants us to bring everything to Him! Our problems, our uncertainties, our anger, our brokenness, our contrite hearts. . . He desires that we lay everything at His feet.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

How wonderful to think that the God of the universe loves and cares about every little detail of our lives!! We're not bogging Him down or depressing Him if we tell Him all our troubles...in fact, He tells us in the Bible to do that very thing!

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalm 62:8

 Trust in the Lord! Tell Him all your troubles and know that He hears you and will help you! <3
I serve a great and glorious God!

Shakespeare and Springtime :)

Spring, oh Spring. Wherefore art thou, dear Spring? Summer, hence thou be thrown off no longer. Tarry none. Prowl thither and shake from thee Winter's dull mantle. Toss forth thine head in glorious triumph. Reign once more: victor.

I think Shakespeare has warped my mind . . . lol. :) We are reading "King Lear" (a Shakespearean tragedy) in Bristish Literature. I haven't finished it yet, but there has been one major question in my mind throughout this book: Why couldn't we have read a Comedy? ;) But wait! I think this could lead to an interesting thought . . .

Yes. I really do want spring - or summer. or something with warmth, an array of colors, and sunshine.

But you know what?

Even though I would love those things right now, guess what I am going to be wanting come August...

Yep. A cold winter's day; a cozy fire casting an iridescent glow on the couch, a cup of tea with wisps of steam pervading the rim, snow falling lazily aloft a frozen ground.

Are we ever truly grateful for what we're given right now? Even if we are, how long does it last? Sure, we may enjoy what we've just been handed. . . .until it gets old or a trial arises. Take, for instance, my second paragraph. The one about the tragedy vs. the comedy. Why couldn't we have read the other one!? Why do we have to do this!? Argh, I'm so tired of this! (Read in high-pitched whiny voice for added effect.) Instead of complaining about this and exasperating everyone around me, I could look at it like this. How grateful I am that God is allowing me to take this class! Wow, this book is really expanding my mind to be able to read different things! I'm so thankful that I have the ability to read!

Anyway, that's just one example, - and not a very good one at that - but you get the point. :)

Just a little thought to leave you with today. Instead of complaining and griping about our circumstances, let's find the things to be grateful for in each situation and praise the Lord for His goodness toward us! :)

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:" Philippians 2:14

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

My Everything for Jesus

Do you have something in your life that is time-consuming? Something that is draining much of your time. Something frivolous in the light of eternity. Maybe it seems like it is invaluable to you, take a step back and look at it from a fresh perspective. Are you worshiping that thing? Idolizing it above Christ?

There are a countless number of things throughout our lives that demand or desire our attention. The only thing to which our attention should be so much attuned to that we worship, is Jesus Christ.

Let's put this in perspective. God created the earth. The Milky-Way. The Universe. And beyond. He also created every tiny cell. Every nucleus. Every atom. Every electron. Besides creating all these things without any effort whatsoever, God also knows how each one of these things work. Individually. He knows what is going on with that cell in your body that is going through mitosis right now, and at the same time, he knows exactly how many shooting stars are whizzing through the sky (and not just the ones in our solar system)! Okay, so this God that created every single thing, is -along with keeping the universe in order - listening to your petty complaints. Your pitiful pleas for help. Your scrawny thanks. Your ignorant demands.

Me: So, God. What's up?
God: Not much. I'm just holding together the atoms and molecules of your body. What about you?*

Think about it this way...

Me: God, if you get me out of this mess I've gotten myself into, I'll give you all my service.
God: Uh, what are you going to do? Bring me food or something? I own it all anyway.
                                                                ---------------------
Me: God, if you give me a million dollars today, I'll give you the rest of my life!
God: I already own your life. I'm keeping you alive right now, you are in no position to bargain with me.

I'm sure you've heard the phrases "God is omnipotent" or "God is omnipresent". Have you ever grasped the meaning of those phrases? I know I can't. He's so beyond what I could even begin to understand. SO powerful! SO awesome! All the greatest words in any dictionary ever compiled by anyone anywhere, could not begin to describe Jesus!

Now that we've touched on how great God is, let's get into how this applies to our lives. Near the end of Philippians chapter 2, Paul is writing to the Philippian church about Epaphroditus. In verse 30, Paul says,

"Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

Wow! This man was so sold out to Christ that he didn't even regard his own life! That's how I want to be...so sold out to Jesus that I'm not concerned about fleeting life issues; so sold out to Jesus that I'm perfectly content with where He has me; so sold out to Jesus that it doesn't even matter where He leads me or what I'm going through, I still trust HIM; so sold out to Jesus that I'm putting my life in His hands and giving Him complete control to do what he will.

I saw this quote on facebook from one of my sister's wall posts: ". . . read this from Beth Moore on Twitter: "It occurs to me that I sometimes pray like God is all out of ideas. Like, if I'm stumped, He is, too. He knows both what and how. Move over."

Put all of yourself into following Christ. Pour your life into His design.

*A lot of these ideas I got from a sermon by Matt Chandler on "The Cross" series.