Oh, how often I try to tell God what He can and can't do.
"God, there's no way you can help me get through ______."
"I know you want to, but you just can't help me in this."
"God, you could bless me in this way anytime now."
So often I tell God what to do.
I try to take control.
Do I not trust Him?
Do I not understand who He is?
Obviously not, because if I truly got who God is, I would never try to take control.
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
{Jeremiah 32:27}
The answer is no. Nothing is too difficult for God.
Who am I to 'tell' God what He can and cannot do?
Who Am I?
Who Am I?
Our God is an Awesome God
Our God is an Awesome God
In case you don't already know, God is really sweet.
This year I've been studying the Old Testament.
I definitely went into it with a bad attitude.
"Come on God, the OT is boring. I can't learn anything from them, and I definitely don't know enough about the culture to be able to interpret it and apply it."
So often I try to tell God what He can't do, when in reality - He can.
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)
Looking back on the year, I've been able to see the fruit of studying the Old Testament.
I've learned from the examples of faith.
I've seen pieces of myself threaded throughout the old testament.
I've been able to see God's heart in a bigger way - His heart for His people.
Wow. Our God is incredibly merciful and gracious.
I can't even handle it.
I think I literally stopped breathing for a few minutes.
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. Foreal.
Time and time again His people turn away.
They get distracted by idols, wealth, and taking control of their future.
It'd be so easy for me to scoff at them.
I mean, who can be that dumb?
To have the Creator standing in front of them with open arms offering to lead them?
I feel like the choice between Creator and the world would be an easy one, but sadly it isn't.
How often do I see God standing in front of me with open arms, and instead turn to my idols.
How often do I put other things before God?
It's so humbling to put myself in their shoes and realize, I'm no better.
Maybe the circumstances have changed a little, and my idols aren't necessarily golden statues, but I'm just as idolatrous as the Israelites and Judeans.
If I was God, I'd have given up looong ago.
But God is patient.
He is merciful.
He is good.
He pursues His people relentlessly.
Jeremiah 32:17-19 -
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.
Jeremiah 32:38-41 -
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
Jeremiah 33:8-9 -
I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
So easily God could have wiped them out.
So easily He could have given up and left them to their sin.
But, He didn't.
He pursued them.
God has a heart for His people.
He is a God of mercy and grace.
Wow. So. Unworthy.
This year I've been studying the Old Testament.
I definitely went into it with a bad attitude.
"Come on God, the OT is boring. I can't learn anything from them, and I definitely don't know enough about the culture to be able to interpret it and apply it."
So often I try to tell God what He can't do, when in reality - He can.
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27)
Looking back on the year, I've been able to see the fruit of studying the Old Testament.
I've learned from the examples of faith.
I've seen pieces of myself threaded throughout the old testament.
I've been able to see God's heart in a bigger way - His heart for His people.
Wow. Our God is incredibly merciful and gracious.
I can't even handle it.
I think I literally stopped breathing for a few minutes.
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking. Foreal.
Time and time again His people turn away.
They get distracted by idols, wealth, and taking control of their future.
It'd be so easy for me to scoff at them.
I mean, who can be that dumb?
To have the Creator standing in front of them with open arms offering to lead them?
I feel like the choice between Creator and the world would be an easy one, but sadly it isn't.
How often do I see God standing in front of me with open arms, and instead turn to my idols.
How often do I put other things before God?
It's so humbling to put myself in their shoes and realize, I'm no better.
Maybe the circumstances have changed a little, and my idols aren't necessarily golden statues, but I'm just as idolatrous as the Israelites and Judeans.
If I was God, I'd have given up looong ago.
But God is patient.
He is merciful.
He is good.
He pursues His people relentlessly.
Jeremiah 32:17-19 -
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parents’ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.
Jeremiah 32:38-41 -
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
Jeremiah 33:8-9 -
I will cleanse them from all the sin they have committed against me and will forgive all their sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’
So easily God could have wiped them out.
So easily He could have given up and left them to their sin.
But, He didn't.
He pursued them.
God has a heart for His people.
He is a God of mercy and grace.
Wow. So. Unworthy.
Can I brag on my Lord?
Can I brag on my Lord?
Can I brag on my Lord?
What. A. Beautiful. Day.
I got to sleep in until noon.
I woke up, ate breakfast, and worked on design stuff,
then I went outside and enjoyed the sun.
Wowza. God is good.
The birds are chirping,
the sun is shining,
the grass is green,
there's a gentle breeze.
Mmm. May.
I love this time of year.
When I can just sit outside and breathe deeply of God's beautiful creation.
Man, what a beautiful world.
I can't handle how blessed I am to be able to partake in this beauty.
God is good, and He makes beautiful things.
What. A. Beautiful. Day.
I got to sleep in until noon.
I woke up, ate breakfast, and worked on design stuff,
then I went outside and enjoyed the sun.
Wowza. God is good.
The birds are chirping,
the sun is shining,
the grass is green,
there's a gentle breeze.
Mmm. May.
I love this time of year.
When I can just sit outside and breathe deeply of God's beautiful creation.
Man, what a beautiful world.
I can't handle how blessed I am to be able to partake in this beauty.
God is good, and He makes beautiful things.
Tick Tock
Tick Tock
I feel like the next week and a half is like an hour glass.
Half of me wants to shake it to make it go faster,
Half of me wants to shake it to make it go faster,
so I can just be packed and on my way home.
The other half of me, the half winning at this time,
watches the sand just so it takes longer - knowing
that the minute I take my eyes off of it,
the sand will be gone -
and I'll be done with
my time at Bethel,
and along with it won't see
certain people for a long time.
So for now, I stare at the hour glass -
refusing to blink, refusing to let one grain of
sand sink down without my knowledge.
However, watching sand in an hour glass is
somewhat similar to watching grass grow.
While it makes it go slower, you spend all
your time worrying about each grain of sand,
instead of enjoying the time you DO have.
It's a balance - and one I definitely don't have
It's a balance - and one I definitely don't have
down yet. Here we go. Tick Tock.
Brake Time
Brake Time
It's finally starting to sink in.
In two weeks, I will be home.
I will have finished my last day at Bethel.
I will be packing for the summer.
I am a quad leader.
I am a transfer student.
I am leaving a place that I like, to be a student at a place I love.
It's bittersweet.
I know that NWC holds my major and some sweet friends,
but I've really enjoyed the friendships and community I've experienced at Bethel.
Sure, it's had its frustrations.
Therve been days when I've counted down until I'm done,
but at the end of the year - I've grown here.
I've lived life here.
I'm had fellowship with some sweet people.
It's weird to think that I won't live here next year.
Somehow, that makes it harder to leave.
I love college.
College in general is just great.
I like learning.
I like studying.
I like friends.
I enjoy college a lot.
I thrive here.
What happens when I go home?
What happens at camp?
These are the questions I ask myself.
Will I truly still see these people?
I know that, as much as I'd like to, I won't be friends with most of them.
Many of the friends I've lived life with during my time at Bethel are people I will never see again.
And that is the main reason it's hard for me to think of leaving here.
I know in my heart that I'm supposed to go to NWC.
In that decision, I have major peace.
It's just the 'getting there' process that's tough.
I'll make it.
I'll survive.
It's going to hurt.
But - it's for the best.
And hey, who ever said life would be easy -
that all decisions would be a piece of cake and a pat on the back?
As much as I'd like to pretend this one will be easy,
like ripping a band aid off super quickly,
it's going to sting for a long time.
My only consolation is the knowledge that i can still visit.
It won't be the same, but it's all I have to cling onto these days.
Camp is coming. Crazy.
For the first time in my life, it's snuck up on me.
I'm certain it still will not have sunk in until I'm driving down the dirt road on May 23rd.
Not only is camp coming - but I'm a quad leader.
Wow, that makes me feel old.
I still remember my first day of camp, looking up at my counselors as if they were the wisest ladies on the planet, and the coolest for that matter.
Do kids look at me the same way?
Being on the opposite side of the looking glass, I'm not disillusioned into thinking I'm cool or wise.
Far from it.
Nothing this summer can be done without God as my rock and my cornerstone.
He is in control.
I am humbled by the knowledge that nothing will be done by me, but all by Him.
It's a gift.
A privileged.
An honor to be able to serve at camp this summer.
Mmm. May His will be done.
And may I not get in the way of His handiwork.
It's most likely my last summer at camp.
Another last.
Another hard goodbye.
Oh boy.
I'm growing up, that's for sure.
College. Quad Leading. Life.
Here we go.
In two weeks, I will be home.
I will have finished my last day at Bethel.
I will be packing for the summer.
I am a quad leader.
I am a transfer student.
I am leaving a place that I like, to be a student at a place I love.
It's bittersweet.
I know that NWC holds my major and some sweet friends,
but I've really enjoyed the friendships and community I've experienced at Bethel.
Sure, it's had its frustrations.
Therve been days when I've counted down until I'm done,
but at the end of the year - I've grown here.
I've lived life here.
I'm had fellowship with some sweet people.
It's weird to think that I won't live here next year.
Somehow, that makes it harder to leave.
I love college.
College in general is just great.
I like learning.
I like studying.
I like friends.
I enjoy college a lot.
I thrive here.
What happens when I go home?
What happens at camp?
These are the questions I ask myself.
Will I truly still see these people?
I know that, as much as I'd like to, I won't be friends with most of them.
Many of the friends I've lived life with during my time at Bethel are people I will never see again.
And that is the main reason it's hard for me to think of leaving here.
I know in my heart that I'm supposed to go to NWC.
In that decision, I have major peace.
It's just the 'getting there' process that's tough.
I'll make it.
I'll survive.
It's going to hurt.
But - it's for the best.
And hey, who ever said life would be easy -
that all decisions would be a piece of cake and a pat on the back?
As much as I'd like to pretend this one will be easy,
like ripping a band aid off super quickly,
it's going to sting for a long time.
My only consolation is the knowledge that i can still visit.
It won't be the same, but it's all I have to cling onto these days.
Camp is coming. Crazy.
For the first time in my life, it's snuck up on me.
I'm certain it still will not have sunk in until I'm driving down the dirt road on May 23rd.
Not only is camp coming - but I'm a quad leader.
Wow, that makes me feel old.
I still remember my first day of camp, looking up at my counselors as if they were the wisest ladies on the planet, and the coolest for that matter.
Do kids look at me the same way?
Being on the opposite side of the looking glass, I'm not disillusioned into thinking I'm cool or wise.
Far from it.
Nothing this summer can be done without God as my rock and my cornerstone.
He is in control.
I am humbled by the knowledge that nothing will be done by me, but all by Him.
It's a gift.
A privileged.
An honor to be able to serve at camp this summer.
Mmm. May His will be done.
And may I not get in the way of His handiwork.
It's most likely my last summer at camp.
Another last.
Another hard goodbye.
Oh boy.
I'm growing up, that's for sure.
College. Quad Leading. Life.
Here we go.
Sanctification & Romans 13
Sanctification & Romans 13
sanc·ti·fi·ca·tion
noun \ˌsaŋ(k)-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən\
noun \ˌsaŋ(k)-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən\
1.To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.
2. To make holy; purify.
<-- Romans 13:14 -->
Put on Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (NASB)
Put on Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (NASB)
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (NIV)
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ESV)
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (ESV)
<-- Romans 13:12 -->
The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of the darkness and put on the armor of light. (NASB)
The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of the darkness and put on the armor of light. (NASB)
(( Put on Christ. Put on the armor of light. Be sanctified. ))
Beautiful Moments
Beautiful Moments
I love those moments.
When all you can do is simply stand in surrender to the Lord.
When all you can do is lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross.
When all you can do is love the Lord so much that it hurts.
When God speaks directly into your heart.
Mmm. So. Good.
When all you can do is simply stand in surrender to the Lord.
When all you can do is lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross.
When all you can do is love the Lord so much that it hurts.
When God speaks directly into your heart.
Mmm. So. Good.
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