Journey Day 126

Today at church, I helped out with the kids program called Kidzlife. I love doing it, but waking up this morning was just killer. You have to be there at 8:30, and the church is 15 minutes away from my apartment. Which meant I had to leave at 8:15, and with my family here all weekend, it had just been a long Saturday. The idea of getting out of bed did not appeal to me, and although my desire to call them and say I was sick was strong, my desire to have a Christ-like character was stronger, so I rolled out of bed... literally... I sleep on a futon. And I got ready to play with the kiddies. And I am so glad I did! It wasn't because of some strong connection with any kid, or a powerful time of worship, it was because of seven little words on a chalk board flower, "What is keeping you from God's heart?" And for some reason those words really convicted me! What is keeping me from God's heart? My lack of ability to follow through? Lack of trust in God? The distraction of other things, like tv shows, or even facebook? Does my own brokenness keep me from getting close to the heart of the one who heals me? This week I have been in such a funk... and at first I had no idea why. Then I was talking to a friend of mine, and he mentioned how often, when gets in a funk it's because he hasn't been spending time in God's word. And it dawned on me. That must be it. Although all of the above contribute to the distance between God's heart and my own, the root cause is the lack of time I devote to spending time reading His word! I mean His words can be like water for my parched and hurting heart! Why would I not give Him that time? I guess my question tonight is, what is keeping you from the heart of God? Maybe your's is the same as mine, or maybe it's different, but whatever is it, I urge you to find it and fix it. Because I know that knowing God's heart, and being close to His heart, is the best possible place to be! Happy Halloween guys! Let your light shine, I know you're different, you know you're different, now let the world know you're different!

Journey Day 125

I have had "Hurricane" by Jimmy Needham in my head ALL day, it has been the soundtrack of day, and you know what? I totally don't mind! It's an awesome song, super encouraging and inspiring! You should definitely give it a listen! : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4yMt9H8Rpg

Hurricane, by Jimmy Needham

I have built a city here

Half with pride and half with fear

Just wanted a safer place to hide

I don't want to be safe tonight

Chorus

I need you like a hurricane

Thunder crashing, wind and rain

To tear my walls down

I'm only yours now

I need you like a burning flame

A wildfire untamed

To burn these walls down

I'm only yours now

I'm only yours now

I am yours and you are mine

You know far better than I

And if destruction's what I need

Then I'll receive it Lord from thee

Yes, I'll receive it Lord from thee

Chorus

And it's your eye in the storm

Watching over me

And it's your eye in the storm

Wanting only good for me

And if you are the war

Let me be the casualty

'Till I am yours alone

I'm only yours

I'm yours alone Lord

Journey Day 124

Your Hands, by JJ Heller

I have unanswered prayer
I have trouble I wish I wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave You when....

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave...
I never leave Your hands

I was driving to work this morning, listening to the local christian radio station, and during a commercial, a part of this song came on... "When my heart is breaking, I never leave Your hands", and it really spoke to my heart. JJ Heller wrote this song during a time in her life that she was struggling with panic attacks, and anxiety. She said, "I was at a point where I was either panicking, or wondering when my next attack would come." She prayed that God would take away that burden, that He would remove all of her symptoms. She came to this conclusion, "He chose not to answer my prayer that way. Instead, He reminded me that I have no reason to be afraid. The same hands that created the universe are holding me and leading me to where I need to go." From her heartache and brokenness, a song of grace and love was born. God won't always take our pain away, but He WILL comfort us in our moments of pain because He loves us! When our world is shaking He will be there to calm our storms, and comfort our breaking hearts! I don't know about you, but on days like today, that is exactly the comfort I am praying for! If you need some extra comfort today, just an extra dose of happy, take a listen to this song, and let God speak to your heart! : )

JJ Heller's "Your Hands"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlL8LayF0uw

Journey Day 123

You have a chance to help babies with Cystic Fibrosis breathe easier, all you have to do is go to this website, and vote!! http://www.refresheverything.com/helpbabiesbreathe The top two get 250,000 dollars, and currently it's ranked number 3! We have till the 31st to bring them up to number two, so vote each day till then! The web site breaks down how they are going to use all the money, and tells you a little bit about what they are doing. Hope you guys will go vote!! : )

Journey Day 121

To do lists help my life make sense, ridiculous... I know, but it's simply the truth! When I start to feel overwhelmed, I take a breath, say a prayer and make a to-do list, and suddenly the world makes sense again. Every time I check something off my list, I feel so productive, so useful, and like I have some kind of control over my life. But you want to know the truth? I have NO control over my life, God is going to do with it whatever he wants, and I have to trust him, and trust that he's got my back! SO does my love of to do lists mean I don't trust God? Does it mean I'm grasping for the control I never had to begin with? Maybe, but I don't think God calls me to a life of chaos, so I think I'll keep my sticky notes, and schedules, but I need to always remember that God is ultimately in control; not me and certainly not my sticky notes! I need to remember that God will catch me when I fall, and even when it seems like there is no way out, like I will be overwhelmed forever, the lover of my soul will come to my rescue, and bring me peace amidst the chaos. And you know what? Without my post-its, and schedules and to-do lists my life will still make sense, God will still be in control, but they are just a little gift to me, a way for God to help me feel his peace.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139&version=NIV

Journey Day 120

Today was day one of my 14-day no complaining challenge! So far, so good! I'm excited to see how it is going to change my attitude! I thought a good verse for the week would be Proverbs 17:22. "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." I am determined to have a cheerful heart every day, and I know it will only have a positive affect on my life! I hope you will join me in this challenge! Let's be complaint free for 14 days! I just know that each and every one of us will begin to see a difference in the way we see the world and the people in it! Goodnight my friends! : )

Journey Day 119

Today I turn 21 years old! : ) I know it's just one year older, but it feels big! Even though absolutely nothing has changed, it feels like it's all about to! 20 was certainly an interesting year, filled with it's share of trials, but also it's share of triumphs and beauty! In one year my heart was broken, and put back together by the lover of my soul; my relationship with God was dry and now it's fruitful and He makes my heart overflow with joy! I gained friendships, and strengthened some other friendships! Although I'm glad 20 is over, and I'm ready for 21 to begin, I'm grateful for all that God has done in my life this year! Through all the ups and downs of this year, I had many people that encouraged me and built me up, but two people that have been by my side my whole life, are the two people that brought me into this world: My parents!

This is Sandy and Steve

My parents have always encouraged me to follow God's will for my life! They instilled strong Christian values, and never let me take the easy route. My parents were awesome examples to me, not just talking the talk, but always walking the walk. Whenever I'm home, I'll go upstairs at night, or earlier in the morning, and my mom will be sitting on her bed, pouring over God's word, and my dad the exact same thing. They love God, and they show me the love of God each and every day! I know that they will always be there for me to love me, and listen to me. What a blessing they are! : )

Journey Day 118

There are probably about a bazillion blogs out there, some are inspirational, some inspire gossip, some tell stories, and some inspire you to better who you are and your relationship with God. Here is one such blog :http://stuffchristianslike.net/ The author of the blog is hilarious, and yet isn't afraid to hit the tough issues. He seems to speak right to your heart, softening whatever he says with a touch of humor. If you have a second you should give his website a read : )

p.s. here are two that I really liked!

http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/01/acting-surprised-when-god-doesn’t-seem-close/

http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/03/telling-someone-they-shouldn’t-tell-you-about-their-fast/

Journey Day 117

God has blessed me with some incredible friends. Today I had an amazing talk with my friend Caleb, and it was so encouraging! AND I had my accountability time with Amber! What a blessing : ) And then I had an awesome night with my friend Meagan! God is so good, and blessed me way beyond what I deserve!! : ) If you look closely, you will see every blessing God has given you, and your cup will overflow with joy : ) : )

Journey Day 116

In a few short days I am turning 21 years old! Other than excitement, I am beginning to feel something along the lines of "holy crap, I have to get my life together!" I am beginning to look at my life and realize I haven't done nearly enough, I haven't worked hard enough, or accomplished enough. It's definitely starting to overwhelm me a little bit! How do I even begin to make the decisions that are going to influence the rest of my life? Will God give me some kind of sign, or do I have to figure it out? How do I figure it out? I'm not even really sure where to begin, other than just praying about it. That is enough, isn't it? God will give me the answers, I guess I just don't know where to look! I have to take a deep breath and remember, that my God is in control, and He is going to sort out the details, I just have to keep seeking him! : )

Journey Day 115

Today was a BEAUTIFUL fall day! There was a bit of rain in the beginning, and then the sun came through and there was an awesome breeze! A total God day! I enjoyed every moment of it! I had coffee with a dear friend, who I don't get to see very often, and then I had dinner with my friend Leah! Now it's homework time with Meagan, I have lots and lots of it! But I wanted to take a quick break to write, and share a verse for the week. I've been reading Jeremiah, and there was a few verses in chapter 10 that really stuck with me. "I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, Lord, but only with justice, not in your anger." (Jeremiah 10:23-24) My biggest prayer lately has been that I would not be blind to my own faults, but that God would show me what I'm doing wrong and correct me! My prayer is the same as Jeremiah's. We can't always point out everyone else's wrongs and ignore our own. My prayer is that God will show me my own wrongs instead of me seeing the wrongs other people commit! "Correct me O Lord!"

Journey Day 114

I have a challenge for all of you and for myself. It's simple, but if you choose to take it on it will not be easy. I challenge you to 14 days of no complaining. Elisabeth Elliot tells the story of one of her friends, Nina Jean, who realized the effect that complaining had on the israelites. They continually whined to God, the God who had given them so much and freed them from slavery. Nina Jean decided that if complaininig was what kept the Israelites from recieving all that God had to offer them, then she was going to stop. 14 straight days of no complaining. When we change our attitude about the world, don't you think that sooner than later it will actually change the way the world looks to us? Elliot said, "I get the impression that the fourteen day trial was enough to kick the habit. I've never heard her complain. It's not just the sunshine and the colors that make her kitchen a nice place to be. It's that Nina Jean is there." I don't know about you, but I want people to see me that way. To see the joy that God has given me, and not a bad attitude. Now I know that sometimes we are going to have bad days, and we are going to need to cry to our friends, or just blow off some steam. I do that all the time! But I am challenging myself to 14 days free of any kind of complaining, I want to be able to find the silver lining in even the most difficult situation. I know that this challenge won't be easy, in fact I know its going to be extremely difficult, and I may stumble at times, but I am going to rely on God to change my tune, and in turn change the way I see the world around me! Will you join me in this? When people are around me I want them to see the joy that God has given me, more than they see anything else!I'm going to start October 25th and it will end November 7th. This challenge is just one more step towards controlling my tongue! Enjoy God today, delight in who He is dear ones, and He will give you the desires of you heart : )

http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/component/option,com_devotion/qid,5/task,show/resource_no,285/Itemid,75/

Journey Day 113

5 Reasons why my life is awesome (Not in any special order)

1. I have Jesus as my personal Savior... the creator of the WORLD chose to save me and love me... He paints me beautiful skies, grows beautiful flowers for me to behold, and shows me just the verse I need, right when I need it
2. I have super awesome friends who make me laugh nonstop, and constantly encourage me! What more could a girl ask for?

3. I have an awesome, gigantic, fun family. It's filled with siblings and pets, and there is never a dull moment! I'm learning to see what a true blessing they are!

4. I have the privelege of going to LU, and although it has its faults and flaws, God is here and in the hearts of so many of the students! I get to come in contact with true, honest to goodness "Jesus Freaks" that encourage and inspire me! What a blessing! : )

5. I get to read God's word whenever the heck I want! No only do I just get to read it, but I get to absorb it, and learn it, and spend time understanding it! It encourages me, and shows me how to live. It convicts me and shows me the wrong I am doing. It shows me how to correct those wrongs, and gives me the opportunity to get to know my Savior on a deeper level! I am unworthy of this privelege but you know what, God is all about grace; giving me what I don't deserve because he loves me! Come on, how awesome is that?! There are SO many more reasons why my life is awesome, I am blessed way beyond what I deserve.

honorable mention: I have a place to live, a car to drive, food to eat, ya know stuff like that ; )

Have an awesome day friends! Enjoy all the gifts God has given you! Take joy in the small things, and remember to enjoy the setting Sun, the changing colors of the leaves and all the other things God has given us! : )

Journey Day 112

Fall break is over, and I drove from one home, to my other home. Six and half hours of driving is exhausting, but luckily my driving buddy, aka my brother Zach, made things more interesting. This is Zach:
Zach just started coming to school with me, this fall, and I think through that we started getting closer! He has started to become one of my closest friends, and I always know he has my back! If I need someone to make me laugh, I know that it's guaranteed with him! Sometimes he drives me bonkers, but the good times far out weigh the bad, and I am so thankful for him! When I start to take things too seriously he shows me how to have fun, or if I'm starting to be hypocritical he calls me out on it. He is one of my biggest fans, but one of my biggest critics. He isn't afraid to call me out, and I need that! This is my (not so) baby brother, and friend! I am blessed to know him!

Journey Day 111

When you are at your lowest point God is there. God will carry you when you feel like you can't go on. Have you ever heard the saying, "God never gives you more than you can handle"? That saying is only part true, God never gives us more than we can handle when we are relying on him. He gives you the strength to handle whatever circumstance you are in! You are so special to God, He loves you more than words could ever express. No matter what you've done, or what you will do, God will never love you less! Isn't that incredible? What a comfort to know that there is nothing I can do to make God stop loving me! You can live today, empowered, and confident because God loves YOU! The creator of our universe made you, and loves you with an unquenchable love! You are that special. When you rely on yourself to be confident you will fail, when you depend on others to help you feel confident, you will fail. It may last for a moment, but ultimately the love and the confidence God gives us is the only lasting comfort. "Faithful and true forever. My love will carry you." Enjoy today, for you are loved by the savior of the world!

You're Not Alone by Meredith Andrews

I searched for love when the night came and it closed in

I was alone, but you found me where I was hiding

And now I'll never ever be the same

It was the sweetest voice that called my name, saying

You're not alone for I am here

Let me wipe away your every fear

My love, I never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

And I'm the one who loved you all your life

All your life

You cry yourself to sleep

'Cause the hurt is real, and the pain cuts deep

All hope seems lost with heartache your closest friend

And everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own

But there is a sweeter song that calls you home, saying

You're not alone for I am here

Let me wipe away your every tear

My love, I never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest night

And I'm the one who loved you all your life

All your life

Faithful and true forever

My love will carry you

You're not alone, for I am here

Let me wipe away your ever tear

My love, I never left your side

I have seen you through the darkest nights

Your darkest night

And I'm the one who's loved you all your life

All of your life

Journey Day 110

After a year of pain, I finally got my tooth pulled! Although I know that it will feel better eventually, right now I am in SO much pain! But in a few days not only will this pain be gone, but the pain from the tooth decay will be gone too. My mouth will be pain free! When I was thinking about it, that's kind of how our life and our hardships are. Right now, in this moment, all we can feel is the pain that our problems are causing us. Maybe a friendship has been broken up, maybe you've been through a tough breakup, maybe you've lost a loved one, or your job. Whatever the hardship is, it makes your life painful. It hurts your heart, and sometimes it seems like the pain is never going to go away. But we have to look at the big picture. Right now it hurts, but when we have God in our life, and we turn to Him for our comfort, He will heal our hearts and take the pain away. He will not just temporarily heal the hurt, like ibuprofen would temporarily heal my tooth ache, He will permanently take away your pain when you trust in Him and trust in His promises. Like Matthew 11:29-30 says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." I am holding tight to that promise, when I trust in God and give my cares to God, I will find rest for my soul! Right all I can see is the pain I feel now, but if I look at the big picture, I know that as a result of this I will be able to be pain free in the long run. We must learn to look at the big picture, and remember our current pain is not for nothing, God's plan is always the best plan, He always knows what is best for us. : )

Journey Day 109

Well I got my computer back!!! : ) : ) God is good! I was worried they weren't going to be able to fix it, but alas the genius at the Apple store was able to bring my baby back to life. It's so nice to be home! I'm enjoying being with my little brothers and sister. They are getting so big, I can hardly believe it!

So something I'm learning is how to not worry. I can't say that I am succeeding, but I'm trying! I'm seeing that the trick to living a life worry free, is leaving your fears, dreams, and desires at the foot of the cross. Every time I start to worry about something, or wish I had done something different, I try to catch myself, and there in that moment I pray, "God take this away from me. I know you would not have me live in a spirit of fear." And instantly I feel lighter. As strange as that sounds, it's the truth! And it's so freeing! I am learning to let go of the small things, but it's hard for me for some reason. Just ask any of my friends, I am a worrier by nature. I worry what people think of me, I worry about the way a situation will turn out, I just worry about everything. But this isn't right, this isn't of God. I don't like this part of me, so I a new part of my journey is "not sweating the small stuff". I am excited to see where this leads, and how this will improve my relationship with God, my relationships with others, and my own life! Goodnight my blogging friends, I hope that God will surround you with His love, and remind you that He delights in you! : )

Journey Day 108

Well I am home sweet home, in PA, and I'm exhausted! I'm so excited to get to spend some time at home with my family! They are awesome people, and I can't wait to see how the changes God's making in me, changes the way I interact with them! I'm not always sunshine and sweetness when it comes to mi familia, but I pray that my heart change with become obvious to them! Goodnight my fellow bloggers and friends, may you feel the love of our God each and every day this week! : )

Journey Day 107

What are the needles in your life? What is a needle you ask? It is something that is blocking your vision, something that is keeping you from giving all you are to Jesus. Read Luke 18:18-29 for a little background on what needles are. My pastor preached on this very subject on Sunday, and since then I have been praying that God will show me what my needles are. Is it spending too much time with my friends? Is it spending too much time on the computer, or shopping. Is it keeping myself so busy that I'm never still and spending time in the presence of my one and only? Is it watching t.v or watching a specific show too much? Is it spending too much time reading the works of others, and not enough time spent time reading the book God gave me? I think for me it may be a compliation of all of the above. I think that one thing God has been showing me, is that the way I spend my money is frivalous, sooo on that note I'm going to cut back on the silly things I buy, that I don't need. For example, I will no longer buy coffee that I don't just make at home. Also I will do more grocery shopping, and less eating out. God kinda took away my computer sooo that will certainly cut back on that, and I am determined to spend more time getting to know God by the reading of His word! Part of this journey is setting my priorities straight, and I think that making God the center of all my decisions will help me understand what is most important! So here's hoping that God will show me my needles, remove them from my sight, and make me new! : )

Journey Day 106

So this semester God has been using Jeremiah 29:11-13 to really speak to my heart. " '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 a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.' " How comforting is that? Sometimes I start to doubt God and His plans for me, I look around at my life and I can't help but wonder when God is going to follow through on his promises. When I start to feel that way, I read this passage, and remind myself that God knows what He's going to do with my life, and when I pray to him, when I seek Him with my whole heart, with all that I am, I will find Him, and when I find Him, I will find His heart, and I will start to see the big picture that he has for my life. On that note here's the verse of the week, "You will seek me and find me when you see me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13) This week, when you're having a hard day, or when I'm having a hard day, I will call this verse to memory and in that moment I pray that you will be comforted, and that this week we will know the ultimate comforter in new and exciting ways!

Journey Day 105

I got about half way done with my original post, and I realized that the post I had written was me finding fault in others, it was me judging others, and I realized that wasn't what I needed to write. This blog isn't about judging others, or finding fault with people, it's about Jesus, and his redemption, and his grace. It's about His mercy, and I wasn't being very merciful. That was wrong of me. So instead I want to introduce you to a friend of mine. This is Leisa:

I have known Leisa since my freshmen year, but the end of last semester we really started to develop a friendship! Leisa is sweet, and caring, she is there for me when I need her the most, and she is an awesome listener! She manages to be at peace with everyone, and that is something I hope to achieve! She has been dating her boyfriend for about 2 years, and they are an incredible example of a sound christian relationship. I have been so blessed by both of their friendships! She is basically superwoman, with all the hard work she does, but she still manages to find time for her friends, and for that I am grateful! I hope that you are blessed with a friend like Leisa, because I know that she blesses me!

Journey Day 103

God ministers to my heart alot of the time, through song. This morning it's through "Dare You To Move" by Switchfoot. There is this line that says, "Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell." Some days I can't grasp the concept that God loves me and forgives me in my brokenness. That when I fall in my walk with Him, I am overwhelmed with his forgiveness and love! He is a just God, and there are consequences for my sins, but He will not stay angry with me, He will forgive me! For some reason that line really resonates with me today, "maybe forgiveness is right where you fell." Lord knows I fall a lot, but my God is for the hurting, the broken and the sick. I don't have to have it all together, but daily I need to seek Him, and delight in Him. I have to pick myself off the floor, and move! I have to move toward a life worthy of my calling. I'm not really sure what the means yet, or what that will entail, but I know that God will show me. That eventually he will start to show me pieces of the big picture, as long as I am seeking him! : )


"Dare You To Move"

Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
Everybody's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next
What happens next

[Chorus]
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floorI dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before

Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
Tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be[Chorus]

Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fellWhere can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here

I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened
Today never happened before

Journey Day 102

I still can't believe I'm in the triple digits with this blog, and with this journey! I can admit it, I am really bad with commitments. Not just relationship commitments, but commitments of all kinds! I start something, and then I have a hard time sticking with it, but I know this is something I have to change. I need to know the value and importance of keeping my promises, not only does that show character but it's part of the territory of growing up. So thus me keeping with this journey and writing this blog consistently is a big deal for me. I know that it doesn't really sound like a big deal, but to me it is because it shows me I am changing! The fact that I am keeping to the changes I made, shows me that they weren't changes I made, but changes God made. Those are the lasting kind! I want my life to be a reflection of him, and I know I have a LONG way to go, but through this blog, and through this journey, I feel like it's getting me a few steps closer. If I am to reflect Christ with my life, than I must learn to be faithful, just as he is faithful! So even if no one reads this blog, that's totally fine, because this is just one part of my journey, and just one training tool God is using to bring me closer to him.

Journey Day 101

"So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to perservere so that when you have done the will of God, you will recieve what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36) Patience, my friends, is a virtue, one that God has to teach me daily, and this verse encouraged me, and reminded me that I can't see the big picture, I don't know all the things that God is going to do in me, or through me, I don't even know what will happen tomorrow! I just have to hold close to my confidence in Christ, and you know what, when I do that, when I wait patiently, following his will, he's going to keep his promises! Each day I have to lay my burdens and worries at his feet, and trust that he will come through, my desire is develop an incredible faith, and that God will give me ways to step out in faith. Just one more step on my journey! : )

Journey Day 100

DAY 100!!! I can't believe I have been writing this for 100 days, so much has happened since day one! God has grown me, and changed me a little more each day. It isn't always easy, and alot of the time it hurts, but my God is faithful and mighty to save. I know that when I draw near to him, he will give me the desires of my heart, because as I grow closer to him my desires will become what he has desired for me all along. I write this blog almost every day, and I talk about Jesus, and all He is doing in my life, but I want you to know that more often than not I fall short of God and his glory. I am a broken individual, BUT I am saved by his grace, and even though I make TONS of mistakes and say TONS more stupid things, He still loves me, and saves me and redeems me each and every single day! He puts people into my life to encourage me, and build me up. One of these people is my friend Amber. This is Amber:

She is my mentor, and her love for God inspires me, her desire for His direction in her life is incredible! She wants to be a missionary and her hearts desire is to go to Africa, but right now God has closed those doors. She has been through so much already, and I am blessed to receive her wisdom! We meet each and every week, and she listens and cousels me. Her advice is always Godly, and I always leave our times together feeling renewed and refreshed. She is a light in the darkness, and a blessing to my life! This is Amber: friend, mentor, and blessing! : )

Journey Day 99

When you are having a really awful day where do you go? Who or what do you turn to? What is the one thing that will turn your frown upside down? When I'm having a hard day, I tend to turn to my closest friends. When my "soul is downcast within me" my first reaction is to call or text message my "go to" friends. They know my broknness and my baggage, they know my heartbreak and my struggles, but through this journey of mine God is showing me that in those moments, when my day is going terribly, and my baggage seems heavier than usual, or I feel like the world can see my brokenness, I need to turn to Him. He alone can lighten my load, and take my broken pieces and put them back together. And that my friends brings us to "The Verse of the Week", " Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."-Lamenations 3:21-22. There will be those days were your afflictions and bitterness will be in the forefront of your mind. As Lamentations 3:20 says, your soul will be downcast within you, but right then and there remember this verse! We are not consumed by our failures, our bitterness, or our afflictions...why? Because God's love NEVER fails, and his compassions are new every morning. Can anyone or anything else give you that kind of comfort? I think not. Only my God can! Only my God can lift us when we fall, and be our light in the darkness. But my God is your God too, and he wants to do for you, what he faithfully does for me every single day. The God of comfort, our Abba, wants to be your God.

Journey Day 98

I had this huge blog planned, I was going to talk about John M. Perkins, a man of love, and peace, and more importantly a man of God, but instead God showed me something else today. I was having one of those days. My heart ached, but there was no specific reason, I just ached. I felt lonely I guess? I got in my car and I just drove, I didn't know where I wanted to be, but I knew it wasn't at home. First I went to the Starbucks near my apartment, it was too slammed, there wasn't one chair open, and I knew I needed to sit, drink coffee and spend some time with Jesus, so back in my car I got. I drove in the direction of school, towards the other Starbucks I knew of. When I got there, I got out of my car, walked in and luckily there was a table open. I sat down with my cup of coffee, a devotion on the attributes of God, and a broken humbled heart. The first section was titled, God is faithful. I started looking up each bible verse it gave, and one of them was Lamentations 3:23, which says, "They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness." So I decided I would read the verse in context. Lamentations 3:19-26 & 31-32 says, "I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I will remember them, and my soul is downcast with in me. Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope; 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. I say to myself, ' the Lord is my portion : therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord... For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." The author of Lamentations is unknown, but he was a man of wisdom. I will always remember my heart break, the memories of my brokenness with never be far from me, and my soul will be downcast within me, BUT because of God's GREAT love (not just average love but GREAT), I am not consumed by my brokenness, or my heartbreak, in those moments, God's compassion rains down on me! His compassion and love is new every morning, because he is faithful! Though he brings grief, he will show compassion because once again GREAT is his UNFAILING love! It's never ending and unconditional. On this day, when I was feeling all alone, once again God came up beside me showered me with compassion. As I sat there reading his word, enjoying my coffee, bathing in his love, in walked my good friend Krystal. And suddenly I wasn't so alone anymore. She sat at my table with me, and listened, and let me cry, and gave me sound advice. I was blessed by her today, in a moment of brokenness, God showered me with compassion. He reminded me that I can't do it alone, I need Him so I shouldn't get cocky, and He blessed me with comforting words in His book, and finally He gave me a friend when I needed it the most, she was a gift straight from God! Only my God can take what feels like a hopeless day, and fill it with love and hope and grace. Only my God! : )

Journey Day 96

I went to a Switchfoot concert tonight, and it was AMAZING! It's late, I'm tired and my brain isn't fully functioning, so thus I will write more tomorrow! I will write all about John Perkins, and how God's love is a symphony! Stay tuned blogging world : )