If absence makes the heart grow fonder…

I'm not quite sure why this phrase has been in my head lately. However, me being, a girl whom has never been "in love" has been thinking about this phrase trying to figure out if there is any truth to it. Can you really become more fond or "in love" with someone when they aren't even around? I’ve thought about this thought for a couple days now- deep, pondering thoughts. (funny & dangerous you might think for someone whom will say she's never been "in love" I know). My mind immediately went into scenarios of situations I could place myself in to understand the truth (if there was any to this statement). After some thought (or a lot of thought), I decided that IF absence was to make the heart fond a couple things would probably have to happen.


1. You would have to know the person.(by know I mean REALLY know the person- not just an acquaintance)


2. Missing the person would cause you to appreciate who the person is.


3. Appreciating the person, for who they are, would most likely cause you to dwell on them and their characteristics.. You'd live like they were still with you- though you knew they weren't there, and...


4. because of the above 3 things you're heart would deepen in feelings for this person for the simple fact that you miss them for who they really are- and you see the void in your life without them.




Cheesy? Ya maybe. But think of it this way.. if all that is true- if we as humans can comprehend how to love someone from far away or even fall more in love with someone from far away.. why on Earth have we allowed our society to get to the place it has now. Because here is the deal.. Jesus lived on this Earth for 33 years, teaching equipping, living, and dying for us. SHOWING US how we are to live, and what we are to live for.. and yet.. somehow we've lost it all. 2000 years later we should be madly in LOVE with Jesus, and honestly speaking we find ourselves living in a World that rarely recognizes HIM in the simple beauty of the world we live in. At what point did we lose focus, and how on Earth do we get back to the place of recognizing Christ for who He is as if we lived right next to His time.


I think to really get an answer of how to get back there we have to look at the examples Jesus allows us to have in our lives to understand how our relationship with Him is to look. The Lord really is a genius- I love how He designed us to experience relationships in life that would help us better understand what our relationship with Him should look like. I think about marriages, parenting, and friendships and how their purpose in our lives really are two fold, an obvious blessing from the Lord but also a way for us to understand (a little better) how we are to interact with Jesus while living on this Earth. The Bible calls the Church (the body of Believers) the bride of Christ, and we get to learn what that is to look like through an Earthly marriage here on Earth. These same marriages allow us to have children, or raise kids which allows us to have a GLIMPSE of what Jesus feels for us a His child. Yet some how in the midst of those examples we've still (as a society) lost our footing and completely lost our focus of Jesus, the SAVIOR of the World, and what He's came to do for us! Personally I think this has happened because we tend to see our relationship with Jesus as a lists of cans and can'ts of living instead of constantly remembering WHY we should choose to live the way we are CALLED to live, loving and glorifying Jesus in our RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, so often we are left feeling bitter about lives circumstances & what the World tells us we are missing out on instead of feeling FULL OF LIFE, like Jesus’ Word promises. We are feeling the absence of JESUS because we are looking to all the wrong things to fulfill us. 
A great modern day example of feeling the absence of someone is looking at someone’s life who has served our country in the war. So many people over the course of our countries history has left their families to go fight for a cause they believed in. These families feel the absence of a person whom they love, know, and care for; for a period of time. These families know their loved one is going to come back in a year and integrate back into their lives (knowing so much time has passed- yet wanting to be able to live like the absence never happened). So what do they do? For the point I’m going for I’ll explain it this way. While they Father is away, the Mom must daily remember & dwell on who her husband is within that household, as her leader, her best friend and a father to her children so she doesn’t forget & begin to lose focus of life with him being physically present... She must also speak of her husband to her children so they too can continue to grown in their relationship with their Father even when he is away (as well as providing opportunities for the kids to speak with their father- in whatever way maybe possible)...so that when he comes home, everyone has grown (and though life has happened) they can continue to live as a family unit when their Father returns.


This scenario is so parallel to what our experience on Earth right now should be like as believers in our walks with the Lord. Though Jesus left the Earth over 2000 years ago, we as Believer’s are like those whose Father’s go off to war - waiting anxiously for His return. We need to remember what He taught while living on Earth and apply it to how we are living now. We need to daily spend time with Him- dwelling with Him in every aspect of life letting Him continue to sanctify us (change us) to become more like Him. (Philippians 1:6) Because like the kids at home, who were able to correspond with their Father, via email/ skype, we as Believer’s have been given the avenue of the Word, Prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. So, though Jesus’ physical body is not on Earth to be seen, He is indeed in the midst of EVERYTHING we do. We need to speak of who He is at all times (Duet 6)- teaching those around us who He is, so that though they may not have encountered Him (2 Cor 3:18) yet they can see & understand WHO HE is to us and want to KNOW HIM personally.


If absence makes the heart grow fond....with this instance we might be in trouble...We might be in trouble because if you look around at society, you’ll see a people who are looking to anything to fulfill a void that is completely empty. It's time to we (as believers) help people understand what can & will fulfill them every day of their life. (John 10:10). We need to be like the wife above who lived everyday in a way that caused her to grow in love with a man who wasn’t physically with her, so that when he returned they were united like he’d never left- a woman who taught her children about who their father was so they too would be fulfilled. We need to see our role in this WORLD to show people the LOVE of JESUS, living everyday to seek, teach, and lead people to the cross- so they in turn realize the absence they now feel doesn’t have to be with them forever. That they too can grow in their relationship with Jesus, living guided by His spirit until He comes back for His bride. BELIEVE IT, LIVE IT, TEACH IT. Be blessed!

LIVE BY FAITH- my look at John 5.

Do you ever have passages or stories of scriptures that are continually on your mind.  They just get stuck there and you can't quit thinking about the logistics of the story and how the people must have felt or why they did what they did.  I try to sit and think about how they must of felt or what I would have done if I was in their shoes.  It's an interesting thing when you put things in those perspectives and really dissect the situations they were in. 

About a week ago I was reminded of the story in John 5, and honestly it keeps popping back up in my head over and over again.  The story is about a pool called Bethesda where every so often the Angel of the Lord would come upon the water, the water would ripple, and those who got there first would be healed.  Well, there is a man who found his home near the water, waiting for the chance to touch the water and receive healing.  He had been sick for 38 YEARS!  I'm not so sure how long he had laid by the pool wishing to be healed, but I wondered what kept him there thinking at one point he would get the opportunity to touch the water.  Maybe it was simple the thought that the chance for healing was better than not ever having the chance.  Maybe he'd heard about the power of the Lord & knew at one time he would get the chance to experience the healing power.  Maybe it was just the ill man had faith...faith when things seemed impossible. 

When I looked up the definition of faith a lot of different phrases came up.  Everything came up from a belief in, a dedication to, an alligance to or duty to a person, or simply trust.  The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." In James 1:3 were told, "The testing of your faith produces endurance, " and in Luke 7:50, "He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace." 

I think about all these verses as I think about the ill man who was lying by the pool desiring to be made well.  I don't know for sure but I believe that he stayed by the pool because he had faith that at one point he was going to experience the healing he seen everyone else experience.  He believed it would happen & he did his part (as much as he could to place himself in a position to be healed). What makes this story even more crazy to me though is the fact that he expected healing, but the healing he received didn't happen the way he expected it to.  I can guarantee you, the ill man never expected Jesus to approach him and to ask him if he wanted to get well.  Sure, he apparently wanted to get well, but how was he going to get to the pool??  He told Jesus (the man was unaware it was Jesus at the time though) "yes, I'd like to be healed yes!  But I need help- I can't get to the pool by myself. I need help- and honestly I have no help."  I bet the mans jaw dropped when Jesus replied, "get up, pick up your pallet, and walk."  So as simple as that the man picked up the pallet and began to walk. 

I think about the man who was now well, and able to experience life in a completely different way than he had the 38 years prior.  I'm sure he was shocked with what had just happened to him- overjoyed with being healthy!!  Overwhelmed by the healing that had just taking place as well as in awe of how the Lord chose to heal him.  A man who had laid by the pool for years expecting for the ruffling of the water by the touch of the Angel of the Lord to be the solution to his situation- yet in the process of patiently waiting for a small chance the Lord chose to heal him in a way that would knock his socks off.  I highly doubt that the man (after being healed) wished the Lord would have chose to do it in a different way.  I can almost guarantee he would say the time he spent sick (though hard) increased his faith especially when the Lord did heal him.  I bet he walked alway with a new found since of peace. 

I am encouraged by this man and his persistance to stay right by the pool waiting for healing.  Maybe you don't think you need to experience a healing like this man, maybe you're worn down by life and what it's thrown at you.  STAND STRONG.  Wait with expectancy for the Lord to show up and show off in the midst of your situation...this man had faith enough in who Jesus was and the power which the Holy Spirit could bring to the water that he waited for a long time without even knowing how he was going to get in the water- he simply did everything he knew to do which was to stay by the pool... when it came down to it though he didn't even have to get in the water because the Lord provided a completely different way.   The Lord knows you, He knows where you are and what you need.  TRUST HIM to provide you a way in the water, or to open a door that you can simple walk through.   It's not up to us to know the how's or why's we're just simply called live by FAITH.

Exercise Gives You Endorphins. Endorphins Make You Happy...

and happy people don't just shoot their husbands!  (Can anyone name this movie??)

I will be the first to admit that my life is TONS better when I am taking the time to run every day.  With lives crazy seasons, sometimes I do a good job of making this a priority and other times I do not.  You can actually tell this by looking at this blog- when I am running more frequently blogs updates come more frequently, when I'm not running there is a dry spell.  It really is crazy how the two go hand in hand. 

As I jumped on the treadmill today, and I began thinking/ praying/ talking to Jesus He reminded me of two conversations I had yesterday with two friends.  Both these conversations were about running.  The first started when someone asked me why I had started running, or how I began to feel so strongly about it.  I rambled quite a bit to answer this question, but I think she got the jist because her response was, "Man, I wish my runs would feel like that."  The second conversation was sparked when one of my friends had decided to go for a run last night.  I asked him what had sparked the desire to go for a run his respons was as such, "Your blog.  It made running sound like a great idea.  It reminded me of how I used to love to run in Stillwater.  How it made me release all my stress and relax.  I figured if you do it and it makes you think as clearly as you do then... where's my shoes?"  As I thought about these conversations (while running today) I thought about how I often tell about what I learn while I'm running but I've never really explained why running needs to be a constant thing in my life, and ironically enough- it really has NOTHING to do with running... (am I saying we aren't called to take care of the temple of the Lord -our bodies- no!  I'm just not saying that's not the sole purpose for which I run).

Simply put, I run to spend time with Jesus.  It's the place I can find a good chunk of time where I can lay EVERYTHING out at His feet, UNINTERRUPETED, just me and Him.  This is what makes life better when I "run" consistently.  So technically what I do on the treadmill, YOU, my friend can do anywhere- it just so happens that I have found when I place myself in a position of exhausting myself it's a must easier place for me to literally let go of everything, approaching Jesus with all I've got, humbly asking for His help and His guidance.  Because you know, as well as I do- we can do this life alone.  It's His grace, His mercy, and His strength that gets us up and keeps us going. 

Running is the place where I find the balance of being a Mary and a Martha.  We need to be both! We need to be active in being a part of what the Lord is doing, but we must realize to do that we must take time to "sit and be still" in front of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  It is His guiding hand, and His Word that directs our feet- without the time with Him how will we ever know what we need to be actively doing?

So I ask you, what does your time with Jesus look like daily?  You might not be hopping on a treadmill like me, but do you have a place where you are still before the Lord? (Ps. 46:10). Maybe it's in your car on the way to work, or while sitting at your desk over lunch, or while you lay in bed at night.  It could be anywhere!  A place where you can COME TO HIM (Matthew 11:28), CAST YOUR CARES (1 Peter 5:7), CALL OUT TO HIM (2 Chronicles 7:16).  This place will allow you to HEAR from Jesus (John15:26) and be TRANSFORMED (2 Corinthians 3:18).

I believe the Lord knew exactly what He was doing when He created mankind- A people in need of a Savior, a people who He knew would be living in a fallen world.  He sent HIS Son, the ONLY PERFECT being on Earth to live & experience life on Earth before dying on a cross for you- He was and is the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.  He knew that in this world we'd experience trouble, (though He knew He'd overcome the world) so He provided His Word to help guide us, lead us, and direct us.  A Word that is living and active, without flaw or imperfection, written by man, yet through the DIVINE presence of the Lord.  Lastly, He knew that though we were growing in our relationship with Him, and learning His Word that sometimes we would still struggle in life, and therefore He created us with a longing for relationships- to do life together with people.  People who would better help us understand who Jesus is and what He is doing when we get distracted and place our focus somewhere else.  People who will remind us of what the Word says when we can't recall anything that would fit in our situations, and lastly (but not least) people who help us to live out the calling of Jesus so that we can LIVE in a way that impacts the KINGDOM for Christ.  I LOVE how the Lord provides so many layers of defense for us in the midst of HIM calling US to be a part of what HE is doing on Earth.

Simply put.  My time on the treadmill is great because it's where I get to meet Jesus, where I get to spend time with Him.  Where He speaks to me, strengthens me, and prepares me for the day at hand.  The treadmill is where I express my greatest thoughts, fears, and needs- the place where He reminds me of His Word and who He is in the midst of everything I've just expressed.  Jesus is my Counselor. 

Now, I will add.  In addition to all that great stuff listed above- I think there has been some scientific evidence that exercising does boost your mood.  That is why in Legally Blonde Elle said, "Excersice give you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.  Happy people don't just shoot their husbands."  Happiness though is built a lot on our circumstances which we don't always have that much control over.  Spending time with Jesus though provides us a lasting JOY that transcends ANY circumstance- which is better than any amount of endorphins excercising might provide.  Be blessed!

Seek Jesus, Join hands. Now let's get running!

So the other day I went to the gym to run. I was so stinking excited about getting to run (I was wearing my new shoes!) climbed on the treadmill and started running, my sister on one side, my mom on the other. As we started our run, another fella came in (a guy who I went to high school with & now he & his wife live in Chickasha where he is a youth pastor at a Church) and he began running' on the 4th treadmill. Often when I am running my mind drifts into another place, this time was no different. I began thinking about how the 4 of us love Jesus, I thought about how cool & how rare it was that we were all "in the same business." My mom teaches school/ coaches cheer, Kara (my sister) coaches cheer/ works at Kanakuk, I work in kids ministry/ coach cheer, and he works in youth ministry- though all may be different venues, the goal is still the same loving people to Jesus & helping them grow in that walk. I was stuck in that thought for a moment- we are all working for the Kingdom, so cool!


As I continued on my run, I began to notice something else about us all being on the treadmills. We weren't all running at the same pace. Not a big deal, right? Well on this particular day it wasn't a big deal to me- I was just excited to be running. However, on some days when running isn't super easy this would have been a major problem & maybe even a detriment to my run. I probably would have started focusing more on the fact that it seemed like the other 3 might have been running faster than me, or longer than me, so on so forth. I'm sure on those days I could come up with quite a few different things to whine about instead of actually just focusing in on the task at hand and running. My mind drifted again. Man, how often do we do that in our life- in our walk with the Lord?? Instead of focusing on the task at hand, what the Lord has called us to do we get caught up in not feeling equipped, not feeling worthy, thinking someone else has the better gifts. And what happens at the end of those seasons of life?? We get the hard lesson of realizing what we missed out of letting the Lord use us in because we were so focused on ourselves, or those around us to join in. The Word tells us we all have GIFTS (1 Corinthians 12:1-11), we are CALLED to live in PEACE & to do EVERYTHING for JESUS (Colossians 3:12-17), we are to PRESS ON (Philippians 3:12-14). However, how often in life as we are "running" do we look over and see someone else charging on ahead and all the sudden forget EVERYTHING we've read in the Word?? Then I had another visual....

See, when I'm running on the treadmill I'm usually watching tv. In Chickasha, they have a great channel that scrolls Bible verses all day long. I LOVE IT, and I LOVE getting to read this while I run. As I'm running on the treadmill, I can't "see" where I'm going, I'm focused on reading the scriptures (and secretly trying to guess where they are located before it tells me on the screen-ha!) Isn't that so how we should be in life too, so focused on Jesus, impacting His Kingdom, and submerged in His Word, that though that is all we see it simply guides EVERY step we take. (Proverbs 16:9). Because at the end of the day all that REALLY MATTERS is that you, me, my mom, sister, other fella, are making an impact for the Kingdom. Its not a race to see whom gets there first, or even who crosses the line last. We're told in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord wants ALL to come to repentance, and we know in Matthew 28:19 that once we know Jesus we are to make disciples. It’s not about who finishes first its simply who RAN, and who RAN well. SO PEOPLE WE JUST NEED TO SEEK JESUS & RUN! Not looking to the right or the left, only straight forward because we are ALL CALLED, were ALL GIFTED, and our STRENGTH comes from the Lord. The strength comes from those who are running alongside you, paving the way, sharing knowledge and wisdom along the way- HEROES OF THE FAITH (Hebrews 11)

I feel like this is sort of a mess of thoughts- but running on the treadmill that day it was the coolest visual of us all running towards Christ and what could be if we would simply focus on Jesus FIRST, and use those around us as support rather than LOOKING to those around us FIRST (which usually leads to comparing etc) and using Jesus as support. I pray that today you will run whole heartedly to the Lord, slowing down when He allows you the needed time to rest and rejuvenate, and charging on when He speeds up. Seek JESUS first, and join hands with those around you and TOGETHER let’s make a HUGE impact for His Kingdom… Be blessed!

Contentment. Is the glass really 1/2 empty or 1/2 full??

     Half empty or half full? Which side do you tend to lean to?  There was a time I would have answered you half full yet probably lived a litte more along the lines of hoping the glass was half full- yet preparing myself for it to be half empty.  See, I have had quite a few experiences in life that didn't pan out exactly like I expected them to.  It's these experiences that have led me to question whether the glass is really half full, or how I should approach a situation- would a half full glass veiw change my outcome  or do I need to approach not really expecting anything... more of a half empty glass view.  So I began asking people what they thought.  Most people gave me direct answers- then I asked one fella.  I asked him what he thought, half empty or half full... I think I about fell off my bed when he replied with neither of the options I gave him he said, "the cup just is."  What do you mean it just is??  I couldn't wrap my head around that thought... since then I've been dissecting what that really might look like to realize the cup just is.
     I know that in life, our formed expectations are what cause our disappointments.  When we go into a situation thinking that x, y, and z will happen and get there and a, b, and c actually happen- we get frustrated.  In a friendship when we state one thing and a friend doesn't respond exactly like we'd had planned they would we get aggravated.  Then we begin asking WHY?!  As believers, we say, Lord, WHY!??  If you are anything like me you've probably taken it to step (at some point) thinking Lord, but I've been so good- I've been reading my Bible, I've brought people to Church, etc. Why couldn't you just let me win this or experience that.  WHY, WHY, WHY??!
     But then, I started thinking about the idea that the cup just is.  If something just is, do you expect something from it or do you just let it be?  And what does that truely look like.  I know that in the Bible the Lord tells us He has given us EVERYTHING we need (2 Peter 1:2-9) for life and goodliness, He has come to give us LIFE (John 10:10), that those who hear His word do it will be BLESSED (James 1:22-25), that our cup OVERFLOWS (Ps. 23:5), and when we DELIGHT in Him, our hearts DESIRES will be met.  Then why on Earth do we sometimes feel like He's still not giving us enough? 
     Seriously- how selfish are we?  Nothing compares to what He gave while on the cross- there is nothing more anyone could give.  He was and is the perfect sacrifice for YOU, for ME (2 Cor. 5:21).  He is the BLESSING, every part of WHO He is and WHAT HE'S done for us.  Here's the cool thing though...
     Once we've realized WHAT He's done, we get to be part of WHAT HE IS TO DO.  We are so incredibly blessed to get to be a part of HIStory- seeing changed lives, and when we see changed lives He propels us on to do MORE for Him.  Sometimes we run into those situations (like I mentioned above) that don't work out quite the way I wanted them to.  THANKgoodness for a Lord who loves me enough to continually teach me, and grow me- because hind sight shows I needed those experiences to know and understand Him more, for Him to fine tune who He wants me to be. 
     To end I should probably go back to the inital thought.  "Is the glass really 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?" How about it just is.  As we approach life I pray we understand that the Lord is not our genie in a bottle to grant us Earthly pleasures but that He wants to bless us with the opportunity to TAKE PART in what He is doing- changing lives for Him.  Live life expecting the Lord to do big things, allowing you to experience things that propel you to further His KINGDOM.  FIND the middle ground of contentment stretching both arms out to the sides palms up on one side expecting the Lord to do BIG things, and in the other hand holding EVERY thought, desire, passion you have for life.  If you are really doing this you'll notice that leaves you directly in the middle, the place where contentment is found. I pray you walk in it today :) Be blessed!
  

A Desire He's Put in You

Have you ever..
Felt like you heard a voice or stirring in your Spirit,
telling you to do a simple task in the midst of a busy season.
Lord, but why? I don't have time. 
But deep down you know you do.
Because when you take time to think about it,
what He's saying is actually a desire He's put in you.

It's been awhile, since I've done this Lord
I don't know if I have things to say. 
I hear Him whisper once again
Your obedience will pave the way.

I sit at the computer,
I draw a blank- Lord its time to deliver.
With no certain thoughts I begin to move my fingers
and the words begin to paint the page.

I write about His Love,
His Word,
His Life,
and the Cross...
How His forgiveness bring life to you, to me, to us- the lost.

I sat and ponder how the words just flowed
once I gave Him control.
Why do we continually wait to stop
and simply let things go?

Were told His ways are not our ways,
His thought we can't comprehend.
Why would we wait another second
to give everything to Him?
Don't wait to move when He asks you to,
You don't wanna miss out on what He has planned.
So I'll ask this simple question once again,
to bring this poem to an end.

Have you ever..
Felt like you heard a voice or stirring in your Spirit,
telling you to do a simple task in the midst of a busy season.
Lord, but why? I don't have time.
But deep down you know you do.
Because when you take time to think about it,

You know it's a desire He's put in you.

Two worlds of blue

Sitting in this boat,

What can be seen?

A world of blue a world of green.

Okay, no green but double blue,

Two worlds of blue I see.



The blue of the air,

The blue of water

Meet together at the sun.

As I sit I ponder,

how these two worlds of blue begun.



In the beginning our God He spoke

Creation had began,

He created the birds of the air,

The mammals in sea & on land.



Back to reality in these worlds of blue

I remember I’m on a boat.

Time to stop & gaze on the beauty

That surrounds me with every stroke.



Guided through the water

Each stroke a new sight to see,

Whether the birds or the fish,

The beautiful blue worlds surround me.



Most view the world in blue and green,

Yet in a boat you’ll find,

There is no green, but double blue

Two worlds of blue I see.

"Now is the time"

The Lord lately has been speaking to me through little phrases.  This Spring I was constently thinking of the silly phrase "If life brings your lemons, make lemonaid!" I was constantly praying asking the Lord if it was worth it to make lemonaid, and if it was how I went about making lemonaid.   Remembering scriptures such as Neh 8:10 "The Joy of the Lord is my strength" and John 10:10, ".. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  I would struggle with the fact that I did have Jesus and I should have His joy, a full life in Him and geese I was trying hard a making things work (to make lemonaid of the situation I was in but it never came). As I sought the Lord He showed me a different "recipe" if you will; I thought for the longest time to make lemonaid I needed to stay where I was at and make things better.  But after seeking the Lord I I realized I didn't have to stay where I was, I had the freedom to follow my desires (the desires He'd given me) and to move in a different direction.  It wasn't an easy process to step in faith, even though it was something I so badly desired to do.  It did however end in one heaping glass of very, very sweet lemonaid.  :-)

Another phrase I had going on in my mind this Spring was  "when the going gets tough, the tough getting going!"  I thought about this often followed by my thoughts of thinking, "I've always thought I was tough, but man when the the going gets tough- I don't get tough, I get tired, I get weary.  I would think on Isaiah 40:28-31"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired  His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary."  I needed help, I had worked so hard at "making lemonaid" I was exhausted, I couldn't make it work any longer.  I needed Jesus, I needed His strength and He delivered.  I really thought that once He showed me the the direction I was supposed to go that life would get a lot easier, a little less heavy.  Little did I know making a tough decision is hard, and though I knew I was doing the right thing of moving- it was hard to take the steps to make that happen.  I was completely exhausted, mentally, spritually, emotionally, I HAD to lean on the Lord and remember what He'd shown me above through the process of seeking Him.  He would be my strength, He was my strength.  It wasn't me who got tough to get going, the Lord through me was tough and got me going.  He filled the gap, just like He's done many times before. 

Lately the phrase that has been going through my head is, "now is the time."  Transition in life is always interesting, things/ schedules get a little off course, and it takes awhile for things to get settled back into a sense of normalness.  I feel like the Lord's chanting in my ear "now is the time" coinsides with my life becoming more normal.  (if normal is even possible.)  See, my time in the boonies was great because it allowed me to get good picture of what a semi-balanced life looks like (minus a few things).  The Lord showed me some essentials that need to be in my life daily for me to experience life to the full thru Him.  Life is slowing down, things are settling and He is saying "now is the time" to get back to the basis of those things.  Orgainization of life, exercise, time in the Word, fellowship with people, etc.  As I walk through this I just wanted to throw the thought out to you, what is "now" the time for you?  What is the Lord asking you to partake in, change, or where would He like you to go? 

I know, if you are anything like me you are already thinking... Lord, what if I fail?  What if I can't make it happen just like I feel it should?  What if I can't make the time?  As I question I hear Him say, ""My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."  I have to continualy realized that it's NOT ABOUT ME, it's not about what I can do but IT IS all about Him and what He wants to do.  Just like when the going was tough and He made me strong He will once again fill the gap so that He can be glorified.  Take a step of faith today not only remembering that the Lord is sufficient for us, making us perfect in our weakness but also that we are promised that this "now is the time" moment is part of Him molding and making us to be more like Him, and ultimately letting Him be glorified. In Philippians we are told, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."  Daily the Lord is working in us and through us to make us more like Him.  Take a step today in the direction He is taking you.. Now is the time.  Be blessed!

Runs Deep

The desires of my heart,


Your will runs so deep.

It puts movement to my feet,

And tells me when to speak.

Patiently waiting Lord to see your plan,

I will seek your face-

I will rest in your hands.

Your timing is perfect,

As surely as winter turns to spring.

Like a wild flower blooming,

Which brings a smile, daily to me.

Without question we should trust and obey.

Your character never changes,

You are the one thing that stays the same.

The desires you’ve given me,

I know will come to be.

Because it’s Your will I desire,

It’s Your will that runs deep.

Red fingernail polish.

For some reason I have a lot of "phrases" going through my head right now..they have been continually flooding my brain kinda like a broken record if you will. (and I know you will).  I think they started when I painted my fingernail red.. (red romance that is-ha!)


Some of these are:
Hmmm... I don't know how I feel about that.  Funny thing is, I haven't had much to think about.

Sassy, but classy..haha (I'm feeling sassy today- whatever that means!)

Move along, move along.

Yay, buddy!

Well, mylanta! (who says this? apparently I do now..)

Really??  (that's what I said after attempting to fix my hair this morning)

I can turn a gray sky blue, I can make it rain whenever I want it too.. (that's the song thats been in my head for 3ish days)
I wonder...

Are all things really as they seem?

Sometimes you have to be willing to take a risk.


How does a pair of jeans fit the same if you've lost 20 pounds.. ya, thats weird.  Does that mean the scale is lying to me?

I wonder what those choc/ pb bars taste like that I made last night.. (the fact that the recipe says one was 216 calories has kept me from finding out).  I'm needing a jdm..

I'm not good at taking pictures yet.. i'll try to get better. :)  After posting this I thought I could post some more pictures...

I thought it might be fun to show one (whoever that one maybe) where I daily run. Most the thoughts that run through my head happen here, all other times I'm just a blank canvas. 

Me looking silly, and feeling sassy (at work mind you).. red fingernail polish will do that to you every time.

We are simply following Him...

Holy moly! What have I done?


A leap of faith, and I’m on the run.

I don’t know where this search will take me

I am confident however the Lords voice will direct me.



Taking a step can be hard, can be scary

Do I need to hurry up, or do I need slow down & tarry..

Question after question thought after thought

The mental aspect alone, for me is a lot!



Paul in Philippians gives some good advice,

Do not be anxious, take time to pray.

The words that follow go on to say:

think on these 8 words in the midst of your day.

(Think on things that are true, noble, right, pure,

Lovely, admirable, excellent & praiseworthy)



The combination of these things comes with a promise too.

Think on these things and

The peace of God will be with you!

What a promise, what a truth in the midst of seeking the Lord.

He is always with us,

He won't leave us alone.



Be strong and courageous DO NOT fear..

The book of Joshua commands and tells us the Lord will always be near.

So instead of stopping and thinking Holy Moly! What have a done?

Stop and pray not my will Lord but yours be done!



The Lord will answer, He will direct.

His timing is perfect, we must not forget.

He is the author and perfector of our faith,

In Hebrews were told He’s the

Same, yesterday, forever and today!



What a blessing,

Will you take hold?

He wants to be your Savior,

To make and to mold.

To teach you daily how to live for Him.

Where we no long have to say

Holy moly! what have I done,

We just know we are simply following Him.

the ONLY THING we need

I have gotten to where I basically run every day. Some days I am really excited about getting to run, other days its work; yet I know that when I get done I will feel so good, so I try to push through. There are also some days when I think I'm excited about running but it’s hard for me to stay focused long enough to get done what I want (or need to) get done. (Especially if I'm training for a distanced run). See most the time I run on a treadmill, in a house (that's the workout gym in the boonies) with no tv, I stare at a wall. Thank goodness for my ipod- I on most days get lost in song or thought and the time has passed before I even know it. I've had days that I easily spent 2 hours on the treadmill without even coming close to feeling like 2 hours were gone. Yet still, there are days when I can barely last 20 minutes.. I get bored.. I don't feel like running, quite frankly I'd rather be somewhere else, doing something else.




Yesterday, I had a really good run and some really good thoughts in the process. Because the run was good, it was easy, freeing, etc I was in no hurry to get off the treadmill. I only ran 5 miles, but I could have easily stayed on there for hours and loved every minute of it. This contentment made me stop and think about the other runs (like the ones listed above) which were so hard, when I couldn't help but be ready to get off the treadmill- and let’s be honest sometimes in those moments I've bowed out WAY before reaching my goal. After getting off the treadmill I often wish I'd stuck it out. Fighting boredom would be more worthwhile to me than the feeling of not doing what I set out to accomplish in the first place..



This made me start thinking about life. How often do we get in a place and when it’s not exactly what we thought it would be we want to hurry on to the next thing? I remember growing up and hearing my Mom talk to kids about growing up and how often we go from elementary school thinking life was going to be great in Junior High, or even High School. I'm sure there is some thinking that ah, I just can't wait to be on my own, independent, or life will be perfect when I get married, then the next think you know you are thinking you need kids to make things better. Or even, you think my career will be absolutely perfect if I could just get to this point, or if I'd win this price. Some might even say, Lord- I will not ask for another thing if I could just get to this point and Lord you will get the glory! Granted, all these things are wonderful. Marriage and children are definite desires of my heart- but they will never make life complete... they are blessings from the Lord, over and above what He has already given us.



John 10:10 says, "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, yet I have come to give life, and give it to the full."



When Jesus was at the well in John 4, He talks about being the living water:

”So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”



The Lord, unlike the world, provides us a way to become completely satisfied in Him. The world likes to offer us many things, many pleasures, and in all honesty not all these things are bad. Yet how often do we look to these things to base our feelings, actions, or emotions? At the end of the day, will that provide the consistency we are all looking for, or even seeking in life?



We are told in Hebrews that Jesus is the same, yesterday today and forever. When you look at the Bible from the beginning to end (even on a surface level- side note is that a friend and I were talking about how the more you study the Word, the more you realize you don't know- so I'm not claiming to know it all, just telling you what I've seen.) there is never a flaw, or inconsistency in the Character of Christ. This is completely unbelievable- the Lord will provide, protect, comfort, discipline, redeem, free, satisfy, etc .. Over and over again, that’s what He’s been doing from the beginning of time!



Why then do we constantly get distracted? Lose focus, and forget what we had set out to do? In conversation I had a friend tell me one time, “Andrea- last fall I was completely certain of what I was supposed to do, and was at peace with my decision. Now- I’m not so sure.” All I could really say in that moment… well what has changed? Has your focus changed? Have you let yourself get distracted? I can’t speak into what the Lord is telling you other than to say, seek- pray- search your heart and see if something has come in the way to make your thoughts change. Because I don’t believe the Lord will give us a desire, and a peace that He won’t fulfill.



As we run, we get distracted (like I do so easily on the treadmill). We lose our focus, which also causes us to miss out on what the Lord has for us. Maybe we miss out on growth, maybe we miss on the experience of seeing the Lord move, and even the experience of Him using us for His glory! All these things are challenging yes, and sometimes we want to jump off the treadmill- Especially when we can’t see exactly what the Lord is working on. However, I know for certain He is always working. If you don’t know Him yet.. He wants to do a work within you. He wants to change your world! And if you do know Him, He wants to continue working in you! He wants to work through you, to work in others. We serve an individual God, whose come to save the world... its not about US, its about HIM, and people coming to know HIM.



How often in this world are we waiting for or wanting the next big thing? When in all honesty if you know Jesus, you have the ONLY THING we need. Sure we'll recieve blessings (Ps. 128:5), but He is the ULTIMATE blessing. Don't jump ship in the middle of a great run, because you get distracted by something at the time that seems better... there is no better. There isn't anything that compares! Let the Lord be your focus, your ONLY THING needed. When He is the ONLY THING we need, everything else seems to look completely different. Experience that joy today.. Be blessed!





Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”



Ps. 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

MUCHNESS

So this morning as I was driving to work, I thought a lot about a movie I had seen last week. A week ago I went to go see Alice in Wonderland with a friend.. I didn't realize until I started watching the movie though, that I had actually not ever seen the original (oops, don't tell Homeboy). It was a cute little movie, that I didn't go see for a deep meaning, yet simply enjoyment. Like I said though, today I couldn't help but think of the movie and how I can relate to where Alice is in life. She continually has the same dream, yet cannot overcome it because she gets frighened in the middle, or doesn't think she can handle the situation at hand. The Mad Hatter tells her at one point, "You used to be much more..."muchier." You've lost your muchness." Such funny wording, yet I got exactly what he meant.


Due to somethings that have happened in my past I too had lost my "muchness" (sounds funny doesn't it? I can't believe I'm really using Alice in Wonderland to explain this). The missing muchness is an area of my life that has needed a major overhaul for sometime. Because: muchness is like the ump to get things going, the bait that catches the fish, the wings that fly the bird (?) haha. See the happenings of my past allowed me to come up short in a lot of different situations, frustrating situations, which after experiencing a couple times you just want to go through the motions of doing things so you don't have to deal with the hurt and frustrations anymore. And because of this attitude you quit looking to see what the Lord is doing in the midst of these situations which could help grow you into the person He has you to become. (Romans 8:28).

Through the process of the movie Alice in Wonderland, she is faced with many situations inwhich she has to overcome fears, doubts, etc. I found it interesting that usually she'd be timid approaching these situations, yet after remember something that her father had told her as a child- she would charge on and conquer. I spent a year at the Institute being taugth the Word daily which added depth to the foundation on which I stand. It also provided me Words from my Heavenly Father to face situations in the past in which I have usually ran from. Verses that tell me who He is, and who I am in Him. It's not easy to face stones left unturned, yet amazing to me that just like in Alice's case, the more that I listen to Him and His Word's and let them infiltrate my life- the stronger the force behind the way inwhich I live. I guess what I'm telling you is that the "muchness" is returning. :) As Alice would say, "How's this for muchness?" I'm living in the boonies (by myself), and the Lord is blessing my socks off daily, He is moving in me teaching me, growing me... restoring me in ways I never knew imaginable. The Lord knew I needed to be placed here, so that I could only focus on Him and allow Him to teach me knew things.

I will finish with this thought: Alice at the end has to overcome a jabawake (sorry if I spelled that wrong), and she has to use a special sword. She was basically told she just had to show up and the sword would know what to do. What a great reminder to us the Lord will fight the battle for us, we just have to pick up the sword. We basically just have to be willing to let Him lead, be willing to take action in what He is doing, and let Him do it. HE''S ALREADY WON THE BATTLE! This could apply to a lot of different areas in my life right now, and daily the Lord and I are conquering these things. It feels good to desire to do things, to see the Lords purpose throughout, and to want to be a part of it. Yet in the midst of those desires, I still get destracted. Don't we all? Since January I've been asking the Lord to show me what needs to be a part of my life and He has consistantly shown me- yet I haven't always followed through with everything. Something I have wanted to take time to do for awhile now is to work on a chidren's devotional book that I started this summer while working at Kanakuk.. Therefore with great MUCHNESS for the next 52 days (random number I know- its just the one I feel like fits the best for the plan) I will work on this devotional book and see what the Lord plans to do through it.

Do you desire more muchness in your life? Its been a long process but the Lord most certainly provides when we ask. The Lord wants to fill you up, heal your wounds, and minister to you in a new way. He wants to be behind (well and in front of) your every move. Will you let Him be? Serve Him with a new found MUCHNESS today! Be blessed!

Change.

A scary, daunting task,
One that never seems to end.

Am I making the progress I need to make?

Or is my goal just seemingly too grand.

Day by day the steps are made,

Hoping for success.

The process still seems so slow,

Maybe I should re-evaluate?

Looking back on the course of the time,

Though it seems so long,

I turn to Jesus, & gain courage to say

"Lord give me strength to finish this walk,

Even when it feels like it's a crawl."

It’s amazing how quick He can change our view,

Because suddenly I see-

This slow process that I’ve seen

Is creating depth deep within me.

In Psalm 1 it says "Blessed is the man or woman,

Whose delight is in the law of the LORD,

They are like a tree planted by streams of water,

Producing fruit when the seasons call."

Lord, so in this time of change for me,

Planting my roots in further deep.

Let my focus be only on you,

letting your Words be what lead me.

You are the life, the living stream

this Psalm is talking about.

You offer water to those who thirst &

Promise when we seek you there will be no drought.

I need your living water, Lord

To fill me daily, you see.

Your living water filling me up,

Is what's producing the change in me...





Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. "

He always know when to answer...

I have now been in the "boonies" for a week and a half straight.  I think this is a record for the longest amount of time I've been here in one stint.  In trying to really seek the Lord in His direction I have really had a positive attitude about my time here, and really just relishing in the fact that the Lord has put me here to continue teaching and growing me.  Then yesterday happened. :-).  Waking up very excited it is Wednesday and that in 2 days I get to go home and see my family I charge on with my day.

Now I'm not sure if you all are aware but it's iced/snowed a little over the weekend, and yesterday afternoon we realized our roof was saggin' a little.  At the same time, I begin hearing news that it is once again going to snow/ice (which ever way you want to put them in order) again this weekend.  I automatically thought- if I have to stay here over the weekend again... grrrr....  I was not a happy girl- at all. 

I was excited however because we got off work early and therefore I got to go run early.  On a funny sidenote, I have made it a competition to try to beat a lady to the treadmill daily (there is only one at the place I workout).  So if I make it there first I don't have to stay as late.  So yesterday I was done with my 6 miles before she even showed up.  So that was a blessing- but that didn't mean I had a good attitude at the beginning.  My attitude at the beginning of the run was horrible.  I began expressing my thoughts with the Lord.  (aren't you so glad you can present anything to the Lord?)  The Lord and I wrestled with my thoughts of frustration, the chance of snow, and why I couldn't just be content with being here. 

Lately the Lord has showed me so interesting things about life.  One of those things being that He's always provided me a "getaway" from the world.  When I was young it was the tumbling gym, in jr. high and high school it was the tumbling gym and going to Edmond for cheerleading, then in college it was my summers spent at Kanakuk.  I have been thinking about these places, and what made them be such an oasis for me- so I can figure out how to make those oasis' a way of life for me everyday.  Yesterday the picture was taken a little further. 

Aggravated that I had been so positive all week, and now was struck with a bad attitude I was thinking about "oasis" of the tumbling and realized that everyday I went into the gym didn't produce a good tumbling day.  Sometimes it just didn't happen.  Frustrated yes- but that didn't keep me from tumbling I continued to tumble even when practice wasn't going the way I wanted to.  Interesting now that when I think about the time at the gym I don't think about the number of "bad" tumbling days were in the midst of all the good ones.  I wonder if my time here in the "boonies" could be the same?

I then thought about how I started tumbling at a very young age.  I was easily doing backhandsprings by age 5.  There was a rule at my house, that you had to continue tumbling (competitively or in a class) until we were old enough to cheer, or some other sport.  My mom knew that if you learned to tumble young you had to continue tumlbing through your growth.  If you don't tumble through your growth- then you decide you are ready to tumble again things are hard, really really hard.  After growing you're having to get used to a whole new body, taller, longer, etc.  Here's what's cool though is as I thought about that I realized that even tumbling through growth is awkward, and hard.  Its just easier to keep tumbling through the growth rather than to stop and try to pick it up on the other side. 

Just like I am learning in life.  Growth, being stretched, is not comfortable, it's awkward- it'd hard.  But I would rather treck on and continue growing and learning on the truth I know.  I know that at the end I will be strengthened, and that this time is set up for me to grow and to prepare for what is to come next. 

What a resolved peace I had after leaving the treadmill yesterday.  What was frustration was brought in front of the Lord, we wrestled, I spoke honestly about my feelings.  And He answered every so sweetly helping me understand what He is doing in my life right now.  What do you need to bring before the Lord?  Are you prepared to fight through those "no good tumbling" days that make you want to quit?  Take time to give it to the Lord, He will not miss an opportunity to speak to you when you are ready to listen.  Be blessed. 

1 Peter 5:7 " Cast your cares on the Lord for He cares for you." 

Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Psalm 145:8 "The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love."

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

"Sleek and slim in 2010, simplifying your life so you can let more of the things that matter come it!"

This is my motto for 2010.  Cheesy, yes probably... but really lets be honest who wouldn't be okay with slimming somethings in our lives so we could whole heartedly focus on the things that really matter?  We live in a world that LOVES the idea of multi-tasking, overwhelming ourselves "having" lists of things to do.  Do we have responsibilities?  Yes.  Does that sometimes cause us to multitask?  Yes. So what am I trying to say?  I'm simply saying that 2010 is the year that I am going to evaluate what I do, and why I do it. 

I want to look at my life from a spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional stand point and see what the Lord is asking me to do in and for each area of my life.  A holistic serving of the Lord, a life that is continually growing and being used for the purpose of the Kingdom.  Jesus loved me so much that He sent His only son, that I could have a relationship with Him- yes.  But He did the same for everyone else on this planet as well.  We are such a small part in the midst of a HUGE purpose, yet were a BIG part when we let the Lord have complete control.  I think this is going to be the direction of my blog for a little bit.  Exploring the different areas of life, looking at desires the Lord has given me, and asking Him how He'd like them to be used- while getting rid of the things that don't need to be there... let's get back to the basics folks!  Be blessed!

Get yo ARMOR on... I got Yo BACK!

Once upon a time, I was a junior in high school (I won't tell the year, that will reveal my age) I would say I was a typical high school kid, but this is hardly true.  My life at this point consisted of a couple of avenues, school, tumbling, all-star cheer, and Church (or my relationship with the Lord).  If I wasn't at home, I was at one of these places.  Tumbling took up a lot of my time, and I loved life that way.  I think I've mentioned before how much the Lord taught me through my power tumbling career (that sounds funny to say).  Here is a trip which really stands out in my mind where the Lord taught me something that I'm daily still reminded of today. 

Like I said, I was a junior in high school- and was about to start competing to be on the USA World Power Tumbling team.  I didn't talk to people about tumbling much, not really sure why, but it was something that I was really pretty good at.  I however, felt that it was wrong to be confident in these abilities (I've now learned its not wrong to be confident in abilities when the Lord blessed you with them- the wrong is taking credit for them yourself).  I continually went into competitions doubting my abilities (duh, you can't trust yourself- I've let myself down a lot of times).  By doubting myself, I essentially was doubting the Lord and that got me no where real fast.  As I approached the first of three meets to try out for the world team, I decided I was going to do things differently.  I was going to hand this over to the Lord, I was going to trust Him, and I was going to stand on His promises.  For the first time (ever) I told people what I was doing, and that I would appreciate them praying for me.  When it was time, I hopped on an airplane and went to Las Vegas to compete. 

I practiced well, I felt confident, yet I would continually have thoughts of oh what if this happens, or what if I do like I have at most competitions (and mess up).  I would fight these thoughts with scripture thinking on things that were true, noble, honerable, etc.  But that didn't seem to be enough... then the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of my friends and family back home, that were praying for me.  I wasn't in the battle alone! 

In Ephesians 6:10-18 we are told to put on the armor of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

On this trip in Vegas I had put on my armor :-) I was ready to fight...

Well I thought I was ready to fight, yet even when I was fighting things kept sneaking up on me.  They'd come when I least expected it.  As if they were coming from behind me, where I couldn't see where they were coming from.  BUT then I remembered people were praying for me, they were fighting for me too!  The Lord showed me a real cool visual in the process of this viola! moment, and it looks something like this...

Sorry this was the only picture that would come close to showing my next thought.  I wish I could have found two people back to back in the armor then the point would have been very clear.  Have you ever used or heard the phrase, "I've got your back!"?  I was told, that this phrase came about years ago while guys were fighting in a war.  They would pair up and go out into the fields, they would sit back to back so that they could help protect one another.  Together, nothing could come towards them without one of them knowing.  Are you ready for the ah ha?  Here's the thought, we are all called to put on the armor (Genesis 4:7 says, "If you do well will not your countenance be lifted up?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.")  We have to be prepared to go to battle... but what if we put into effect the idea of accountability and went back to back with someone to fight the battle?  What if I told a friend my weak areas, and she mine and they could help me be on the look out on the battle field of life? 

Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory. 

Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Hebrews 3:13, "but encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "today" lest anyone of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" 

James 5:16, "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righeous man can accomplish much."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him!" 

Whose got your back?  Who is ready to help you fight the battle?  Whose ready to help you keep your eyes completely on the Lord?  This day was monumental for me in realizing the purpose of accountability in my life, I put on my armor, I was ready to fight,and still needed more.  THEN, I remember my friends that had my back, they knew I doubted and they were going to battle for me so that the Lord would be glorified.  And guess what, He was!  It was not only one of my best meets, ever, but it was a wonderful growing experience in my walk with the Lord.  Did you put your armor on today?  Are you ready to fight?  Cause I got your back.. Praying for you!  Be blessed!

Have you ever...

walked a mile?  done a backhandspring?  jumped on a trampoline?  been repealng?  been nervous?  experienced doubt? been in a place where you had no choice to only lean on the Lord?

Over the past couple months, even though things might have been frustrating for me- the Lord has continually taught me & grown me through the process of living in a new place (out in the middle of nowhere).  In a place where I only had the Lord to lean on.  Somethings I've learned and have been reminded of in the past couple months are:
1.  I daily wake up feeling refreshed and full of joy, ready to take on another day. 

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:22-23
2.  I am constantly reminded of what the will of the Lord is.

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.  Ephesians 5:17-18

3.  There is a difference between being filled with JOY and being happy- yet essentially they are still connected.  Do we really need more than the Lord?? 

The joy of the Lord is my strength.  Nehemiah 8:10 

4.  I was reminded this weekend that David was proclaimed as King way before it was actually fulfilled in his life.  What a promise from the Lord in Psalms that says if we "Delight in the Lord He will give us the desires of our hearts."  We are wired by the Lord, He knows exactly what we need and desire- we must walk with Him and seek Him.  Our desires come from Him when we are at that place, He will fulfill them- for He is to be glorified in them. 

5.  In my weakness' He is strong. 

He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Doubt, takes hold of my thoughts quick frequently.  I tell myself I trust the Lord, but honestly I don't trust myself or my skills.  Crazy how that happens- but who gave me my skills, who makes me who I am?  Hence the reason for this verse.  Let the Lord take control, IN ALL THINGS, He's blessed you with your gifts- move out of th way and let Him use them in you! 

Have you ever stopped to think what you've been learning lately??  Take some time to think what the Lord is teaching you, speaking to you, and telling you what to do.  Then take action!  I know the start of the new year has allowed me to reflect, redirect, and recharge as I am ready to take part in what the Lord is doing around me.  Will you do the same??  Be blessed! 

The smell that makes you want to TuRn & FoLlOw..

I don't know about you, but I have a pretty good smeller.  I can be walking through some place get a slight change of smell and it will take me to an old memory.  I love pondering on these memories.  For instance, this past summer I was at a hotel in  Branson and I smelled...tanning lotion!  Ya soo...haha, it reminded me of 2 fabulous spring break trips I took with my F.U.N friend Kacie, my twin, another Zeta sister, and some Chi-O's we literally layed on the beach sun-up to sundown.  Followed by dinner, a movie... we'd then sleep, then head right back to the beach.  Point is... smell is a big thing in my life. 
I'll get ever more personal, ladies... who doesn't love a freshly clean smelling guy?  Haha, let's not all raise our hands at one time- I'm the one whose admitting here, need not to be ashamed.    I had a kamp friend this summer who had a young girl ask him if she could have his shirt because she liked the way it smelled...weird.  But in all reality when I was younger, (much younger of course) I can recall passing a group a really nicely smelling guys and wanting to turn and follow them.  The smell alone was appealing.


2 Corinthians 2:14-15  "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."


We are to be the aroma of Christ.  We are to be the smell that causes people to want to turn from what they are doing and follow the sweet, goodness of Christ. 

2 Peter 1:3-4 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

I love these 2 verses, and I love that the phrase knowledge of Him in both of them.  I probably should have flip flopped them- see 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us we have been given EVERYTHING we need through our KNOWLEDGE of HIM.  But we must spend time with Him, in His word to grow to KNOW HIM more.  For HIM to transform us for us to have HIM smell. 

Will you spend time with HIM and in HIS word today so HE can continue to transform you, and fill you will an aroma that is a smell that makes people want to turn and follow the Jesus you know?  Trust me, the beautiful smell will lead people to you so you can lead them to the Lord.  Be the aroma of Christ today- be blessed! 

I simply did it (the first time) now I wanna do more!

As of last Sunday I have officially ran my first 1/2 marathon.  Wait maybe I should restate that (when I read it, it made me think I had ran 13.1 miles before but this was just the first time in a race)... FALSSE!  Ha, that couldn't be less than true.  Before this race I had not ran more than 8 miles- but that was last spring, and before that my Freshman year of college (which lets be honest was a LONG time ago).  I think I ran 5 miles in October but since then 4 has been my max.  I had great intentions of "training" better, but like always that didn't really follow through.  HOWEVER I was deteremined to run in the race this time and quit talking about doing one.... so ready or not here I came!

It was a fun trip, got to spend some quality time with my sister and a friend from high school.  And I think I learned some valuable lessons while on this trip and during my run. Some of these lessons are as follows...

1.  We watched Julie and Julia the night before... I didn't finish watching it beacause I fell asleep however the jist of finishing something you start was a great message the night before I thought my legs were gonna fall off.

2.  I got a little nervous because I felt as if at the first of the race there were going to be lots of hills... I hate hills.. but I also learned that at the end of every uphill climb is a downhill slope!  Which made things a little more enjoyable.  (1Cor. 10:13)

3.  I was NEVER alone!  Not only was Kara always right beside me encouraging me to keep going, but there were 20,000 runnings in this race.  PLUS the people who were lining up along the streets cheering us on. 

    Sidenote.. how often do we not take the step of faith because we 1) feel like we are going to be by ourselves or 2) don't feel prepared.  Well we know that we are never alone Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), but how often do we forget about the purpose of the Body of Christ and accountability in the midst of that.  Not only did I have a close running buddy in Kara who was running at my pace, focused on the same goals as me.. but I had people running around me (some faster, some slower) who had the same goals as me too.  All moving in the same directions-WHILE also seeing the people on the side of the roads offering encouragement.(Hebrews 3:13, 10:25, 1 Thes 5:22)  ALL these things should be seen in the midst of the Body as we are all working towards the same goal, spurring others on in persuing Christ.  It was a lovely picture and a beautiful reminder of how I need to be encouraging my fellow believers and helping support them.  I wasn't prepared for the race, however I learned a lot by running alongside these folks, and that helped me finished. 

4.  My goal was to finish in less than 3 hours, which I did.  Yet while I was running I couldn't help but think how much fun this would have been had I actually trained for this.  AND not that I want to be some super fast 1/2 marathon runner but I could have finished a lot faster.  SOOOO..

it was good to plan to do a 1/2 and finish it.  BUT kinda like when you step out and follow Jesus and He meets you there and you're left wanting more.  You then understand why being in the Word is so important, why you need fellowship, etc.  Well.. so I am wanting to not only run another 1/2 but also train for one.. I know its possible, now I want to fill in the blanks and actually prepare.  So like Julie in the movie, I'm going to document this process.. b/c we all need accountablilty right?  So thus is another step in not only doing things not because I want to, but because I know I need to.  I think that's called disciplining yourself... the more you do the more it spills out into all areas of your life.  Yet this time, doing the needed isn't enough... I want to do it well!  I simply did it (the first time) now I wanna do more! 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24 

(The Lord wants us to do all things well, holistically living completely sold out for Him, that balance is what I am striving for in every aspect of life.)

Be blessed!