Alison and Lexie, I love you.
It has been a wonderful week. Alison and Lexie are here, and we are having an incredible time. I love being with them. They have met my family and some friends, and it's been really cool to just hang out.
Alright I've been thinking and I have a challenege for you: everytime that you interact with other people today (no matter how small, whether it be a passing glance on the sidewalk or a short conversation at the check out,) look right into the persons eyes and smile. Don't give a half-hearted smile. Give them a real smile. A deliberate smile means: I'm thinking about you. I care about you. You are made in the image of God. You need to see the joy there is/can be in life. I'm living for Jesus, here's one of His smiles.
People, life is full of choices. Don't decide to live for yourself today. Let's live for God. Let's live for Him with all our heart. Let's love people, even in the smallest of ways. Yeah, the guys at school might think you're on the strange side when you catch their eye and then smile, but Jesus will be pleased. It's the small kindnesses that make all the difference, and the hardest of hearts are softened with love.
Really Quick
Alright, this is the beginning of a new week and I couldn't pass up the chance to give you a big encouraging smile, *smile* and challenge you to live today, and every day of your life for our King. When the last day comes, and it is coming, you will be happy you chose to serve Him. I am convinced.
May the grace and peace of God be with each of you this day. May you seek to speak of Him to believers, and to the lost. Enjoy Him. It has been made known to me that Hell is a real place, where people are really going. Jesus may come tomorrow, and in that case how would you like to spend today?
My friends Lexie and Alison are coming tonight, and if you any of you would like to meet them just come over. We're going to have quite the party because Tuesday is Levi's birthday, but I'm so excited I can't stop smiling.
I said this would be really quick, and it's not. Sorry. I'll do better next time. Hey, feel free to share the different ways you got to be a witness today on my comments. It would challenge the rest of us, and we would know how to pray. Let's be Kingdom focused!
Faith
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:29-34My faith is lacking. I so often think that when I pray, God hears me, and He could answer, but He won't, because... just because. It's sinful. I have such a hard time trusting Him. It's truly crazy. He is the most faithful Being, and I can't be sure that His promises will come true in due time?! He is the most wise, and I can't trust His discissions? He is the most loving, and I can't feel secure with HIs way?! When will I learn?
I've been nervous about future stuff recently. Jesus is right, if I put His Kingdom first then the things that I am concerned about will work out for my good and His glory. He is faithful. He will show me the way. I must pursue righteousness. It pleases Him.
I've read through the Sermon on the Mount before, but it brought so much comfort today, that I thought I should share it with you. God is teaching me faith, and I know that some of you are dealing with these things as well. Before you go, reread the promise of our Savior, maybe aloud.
Isn't He amazing?
*Smile*
I started classes today. I am really excited because the day went well. I think I am going to enjoy this year. I have a lot going, but in the end if I work hard I will have good grades and be happy. I do need to work hard. It's not about me, or the grades even. It's about: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will recieve the inheritance as you reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24. Frankly, I don't like to think about that verse when I turn in papers that aren't done to the best of my ability. I like to think that it's ok to slack off when I have a "good" reason. The truth is Christ's name is on my paper, because I bear His name. Therefore I take it in vain when I don't work heartily unto Him.
Let's try this year to work on excellence. It's so important to think about God and what He expects of us. It's not all about school, that's not what I'm saying. It's about serving God where He has you. Right now God has me at Marian to be a student. He has me as a big sister and a daughter. He has me at 2nd RP to be part of the body of Christ. He has me in different places for a reason, and it's exciting. Right now I am exactly where He wants me to be. Everything that happens in my life will work out for my good and His glory, how awesome is that?! He has promised us in Romans 8, and I believe Him.
Ok, have a great day.
Altogether Lovely
I have many thoughts to share tonight,
but I also have many papers to write.
Therefore I am going to cut a hair style.
Perhaps I will be back in a while.
Until then make sure to love God and love people.
It's why we are here.
today
Good morning! I am still alive. It's been great fun to be out on the couch all drugged up. I'm a fan. You guys will all be proud of me because I updated my picture blog. I also added a link for it with my other links. Please go check out my pictures and comment about my trip. I'm sorry it has taken me this long.
Thank you for everything.
As of Today I am having Surgery Tomorrow
Hello, we just got back from Chicago. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out there with my wonderful family. While we were there my doctor called and asked me if I was willing to get my four wisdom teeth extracted tomorrow. I was scheduled for next week, but there was a slot open, so plans have changed.
I am not really nervous right now, but please pray for me. Thanks.
On the way home I read an amazing passage of Scripture:
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him.” I John 5:1
It’s so simple. When we’re Christians we love each other. We really really love each other, because we are His. We all are His. Let’s try harder to love “whoever has been born of Him.”
Anna's 13th Birthday
Today my little sister Anna turns 13. Our family now has five teenagers, and life is getting crazy. I want to share a few things about Anna. She's been my baby sister basically since I can remember. I do have memories of life without her, but I don't remember her coming home, given that I was only four, and since she is the last of us three girls it's sorta special that she is 13 today.
Anna is a very practical girl. She doesn't get caught up in the teenaged drama like most girls her age. She isn't consumed with boys or makeup or anything meaningless like that. Anna tends to have find her nitch watching little people. She has basically taken on the responsiblity of raising Keziah, (sorta a joke, sorta not) as a result Kez loves her. Anna spends a lot of time babysitting children, and she does a great job of it. I would dare say that Anna is a better babysitter then I am. She tends to get down the level of the kids and play with them in ways that I just can't bring myself to do very often. I respect that about Anna. She never is too proud for kids.
Anna also has a very creative side. She is sorta funky in her stlye but that ok because it makes for a unique bedroom layout. The three of us girls tend to have trouble agreeing on anything. Thankfully this last summer we painted our room "a hint of cherry" and we all love it.
Anna is a very strong person. She doesn't buckle when life takes a hard turn. Unlike her older sisters Anna doesn't get overwhelmed very easily. She takes life in stride, and as long as things are going somewhere shes basically happy to be alive.
Anna also has a strong sense of justice. I don't know if this will be a deciding factor for her carreer or if she will simply use it when she becomes a mom someday, but it is a useful gift God has given her.
Another beautiful thing about Anna is that she takes pleasure in little things; mostly she doesn't need expensive stuff. Anna and I have tons of fun together when we both just relax and enjoy the interesting family God has given us. I think relaxing is the key. By relaxing I mean not demanding our own way, just allowing God to work out His plan in His good time.
Anna, I love you sweetheart. I hope you have the most amazing birthday any 13-year-old could wish for. May you enjoy every moment of everyday that God has assigned.
somethings
Have you ever wondered why in this world there is any beauty at all? We don't deserve beautiful sunsets. We didn't do anything worthy of the winds caress. There's nothing in our contract that demands grass to grow or trees to stand tall. Why does God delight our world with such things? What is it that brings Him to cares so much about the little things that we do often ignore?
I know the answer: God is glorfied with beauty,
and God loves us. Lets think about that for just a moment. God, loves us.
We are
His people. He loves us like He loves His Son. You know how much He loves His Son? He loves Jesus Christ always and forever. He loves Him with all His heart and all His soul. He loves Him. He loves Him. He loves us as He loves Him.
He does not love us because we are beautiful. We are beautiful because He loves us.
Tonight as you prepare to enter His presence tomorroe with His peeople, think about His love. Let it consume your being.
Thoughts and Gardens
The sun beats down with detrimental force. It hasn’t rained for days, yet the humidity level remains unbearable. Upon entering the garden I notice Mr. Perky my pumpkin plant. He smiles at me, almost laughing in the suns caresses. I can’t help but giggle as I pass him. He’s so proud of his seven leaves. I planted him a week before I left for New Jersey, and he’s dying for me to notice his progress.
My eyes sadly avert their attention to the seven tomato plants just ahead. They lay in the dust heavy laden with fruit. I had gently tied the branches to small bamboo rods before leaving, but their produce far exceeds the weight capacity of the support system and so now there are several broken sticks lying amidst the ripening fruit. Across from the tomato disaster stand the five peppers. Peppy obviously came from the word pepper because my peppers reach for the sky with vigor and class. Their leaves grasp the suns rays with eager delight. I almost wish I could transfer some of their order and energy across the path to the tomato patch.
The beautiful wild flower box is next. A mass of greenery is dotted with dazzling color. Plenty of butterflies and tiny birds come to drink the nectar from my wild flowers. My garden used to be strictly vegetable, but this year we have added several flowers and I am so glad. There’s something divine about the purpose of a life to be simply: live beautifully.
The corn grows tall to my right. Each plant has a funky head at this stage. There are two or three corn ears on each stock, and on the ground are four squashes growing amidst the corn rows. The Indians used to plant zucchini as a under crop with corn because it keeps raccoons away; the animals don’t like to get near the prickly leaves. I’m hopeful that my squash will serve the same purpose.
By the time I reach the watermelon plants my bare feet are burning. It is more than a hundred degrees today, and the path of my garden is scorching. Watermelon is a new addition as well, and I was pleasantly surprised with a baby fruit yesterday. It is almost the size of Kezzy’s head, and is oh-so-adorable.
My heart sunk when I caught sight of my precious cucumbers. I love cucumber plants, and all four of mine were crying. Their leaves were slumped and droopy. They begged me for water with a look of forlorn and agony. They were holding on for dear life, and their pitiful condition is heartbreaking. Yet, I had to resist their plea. If I were to water them now they would surely die, see, the sun would burn them to shreds as soon as the water touched their vines. I did try to rearrange them a bit so that they would be more comfortable. My calloused feet were burning still, so it’s no wonder they were on the brink.
As I readjusted their vines the Holy Spirit reminded me of my pitiful life. I too beg the Father for water, for answers, clinging to life with every breath. I am so often angered when He seems to pass by and ignore me, refusing to give the water I (think I) so desperately need. I do not understand it then, but it’s for my good that He has me wait. Oh, the things a gardener gets to learn about God when she’s on her hands and knees at work. If only I could soak up His wisdom like my pumpkin soaks up light.
Well for those of you who want to know, I am glad to be home in my garden. I love it. I miss New Jersey lots and lots, but I am meant to be here now, and I am content. There are days when I feel exactly like my cucumber plants, but thankfully my Father, or my Vinedresser, knows better than I. I must head His voice and abide in the Vine, then, and only then, will I be able to live.
