Monday, September 21, 2009

Answer to Prayer...

God is good!! Remember the stress and frustration that I blogged about a few days ago because of my field experience class and the amount of time that I didn't know how I was going to fit into my already crazy schedule?? Well, it looks like I should be able to use my current job as my field experience!

It's just such an answer to prayer and is just a confirmation of how much God cares about even the little things in our lives. I feel like I can breath again. I didn't realize how much stress I was still under until I got the word that I could use my work as field experience. Seriously, a major weight lifted off my shoulders and I felt lighter than I have all week!

I am so glad I serve a God who cares for me!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Comment changes...

Just wanted to let everyone know that you can now comment on my blog without having a blog of your own or a google account. However, because I changed that setting, I also changed the setting that allows me to see the comment before it actually gets posted :-)

So, please let me know you're reading!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Burdens....

So tonight I went and saw a play at Bethany Baptist Church called "Baggage Claim". It was about how we carry so much baggage (a.k.a. sin) around with us and how Jesus has already offered to take it by his death on the cross if we would just give it to him.

How true this is! How many times have I found myself carrying around fear, worry, pride, or one of many other sins? It always weighs me down and tires me out. As I was sitting there watching the play and feeling rather convicted about how often I refuse to give Jesus my baggage, because after all... it's mine. A song and the scripture that part of that song is based on popped into my head and heart. Here's the scripture:

Matthew 11:29-30 (New Living Translation)
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus gives us a burden to bear, but it's one of humility and gentleness, one that gives rest and life instead of taking it. Why? Because his "yoke is easy... and the burden... is light." I think it's because he's carrying it and I'm not... he's got all the problems and I've got his grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, peace, etc. That's my burden to carry.

So now the song I have had stuck in my head (pretty sure God put it there)...notice the bridge (I'll bold it and italicize it for you):

Greater

By New Life Worship

Find rest my soul
Confess you're weary
Surrender all
Embrace your healing

I will cast my cares
You have always cared

You have always cared
You are greater
Greater than the fight
That rages for my life
I have found my rest is in
You are brighter
Breaking through the night
Lighting up my sight
I have seen my rest is in You

Find hope my soul
You know He's with you
My Savior, God
Still I will praise you

I will cast my cares
You have always cared

His yoke is easy
His burden is light
I have decided
I'm gonna fix my eyes
On the perfector
The author of my faith
Jesus Christ

You are greater
Greater than the fight
That rages for my life
I have found my rest is in
You are brighter
Breaking through the night
Lighting up my sight
I have seen my rest is in You
---------------------------------

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, our yokes and burdens become light.

So, who's with me for letting Jesus carrying our baggage and us carrying his mercies that are new every morning?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Overwheming....

Yesterday I was feeling very overwhelmed with all that I have to do... especially after I found out that I have to spend 10-12 hours a week in my field placement for 2 credit hours. I was really frustrated and on the verge of tears almost all day. So when I went in to some time alone with God, I just started pouring this out to him. Just telling him all about it made me feel somewhat better, but some of the frustration was still there. FYI I love having a God who cares about every single detail of my life... even the ones that others might view as unimportant, HE cares!! How cool is that! Anyways, back to what I was saying before... I then opened up my Bible asking God to just direct me to what I needed to read since I'm kinda between having a specific reading. He directed me to Luke 8:22-25. That happens to be the story about Jesus calming the winds and the waves. I thought it was just so cool that God directed me to that scripture because I felt like I was just in the midst of an all out storm... I was feeling completely overwhelmed. God just reminded me that he has the power over weather and nature and how much more he has the power over my life and my circumstances. Sometimes (or most of the time) it feels like I just have such little faith that God really is in charge. I'm still somewhat stressed about all that I have to do, but I know that God is in charge and can handle anything that comes my way.

As I was typing this I remembered a song along the same themes:

All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always


Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Outpouring of God...

I want to blog, but I don't know what to blog about. I am just experiencing such an outpouring of God right now... Tonight was one of the last Wednesday nights I'll be able to be at LifeBuilders for awhile. It makes me a little sad thinking that it will be several weeks (possibly even months depending on school) before I see my dear friends again. But tonight was special. Tonight God's presence was so real in that building. I think some of my favorite times are when we take time just to share what God is doing in our lives, to pray for each other, and to just share life together. That's what real community is. Frankly, the last couple of days I've been crabby for no particular reason, then when I get to LifeBuilders tonight Matt asks if I know a certain song. This song happens to be one of my favorite songs (Desert Song... I've blogged on it before) and I got to sing it and share it with my LB family. That song does something to my heart every time I sing/hear it. Look up the lyrics... they're probably just a little farther down on the page. Anyway, basically what I wanted to say was that God showed up tonight. He is good. He is on his throne. His name is I Am and mine is I am not. He is God and for simply that fact I will worship, I will sing, I will bring praise.

Thank you Jesus!