Journey Day 156

Another rainy day, another day of school, another day closer to the end of the semester. Its not that life is bad, life is good. In fact I would say great. But there just isn't too much going on. I'm doing quite a bit for the Muse Eight-Thirty which is exciting! I'm really enjoying it so far, and I'm thinking maybe PR for non profits is where God is leading me. I'm really looking forward to Friday, because I have an event at the Muse, and I'm also hanging out with some friends that I don't often get to spend time with! But for now it's time for bed. Goodnight blogging world! : )

Journey Day 155

I was sitting at home, pondering what the verse of the week could be, and I thought, what is something I am struggling with right now? And I realized that right now I am struggling with just being content with where I am in my friendships, and circumstances. More or less I am struggling with living in the present, not the future. So I typed, "content" into the bible gateway search, and although it came up with a bunch of great ones (it is the bible after all), Hebrews 13:5 stuck out the most. It says, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.' " I'm not so much struggling with the love of money, but with remembering that God will never leave me, and never forsake me. I must be content with what I have, and where I am. I need to learn to live in the present, not in the past, and not in the future. Maybe you struggle with that too. Remember that God is always on your side. Remember to live in the here and now and not long for the past or the future. Be content. 

"Fear not for the future, weep not for the past."

Journey Day 154

Today=a LONG day!! I started the day waking up at 7:30 am, and finished packing up my stuff for the long ride home. Then I picked up a friend, and we hit the road, after 7 and half hours of driving and traffic I am home sweet home... well almost, I am sitting at work until 2 am, and then I will FINALLY be home sweet home. Luckily work is pretty slow, which should make for a pretty chill night, just what I need after a drive like today. I'm just mentally fried. But I know that my God is faithful even in the small things, and He will give me the energy I need to get through tonight. I think right now I'm kind of going through a bit of a plateau, I don't feel far from God, but I don't feel super close to Him either. I know that is something I can change, I think I have just gotten lazy. Let's be honest it takes work to keep up your relationship with God, and during Thanksgiving break I was so busy relaxing, that I didn't invest time in my relationship with God. When this happens, it is reflected in my personal life. I feel distant from people and myself, things seem drearier and less meaningful. I know that I need to start taking steps towards spending more time in prayer, and in God's word, and less time on facebook, and hulu. I've discovered that when my relationship with the creator is where it needs to be, everything else just falls into place.

Journey Day 153

Yes You Have, by Leeland

Every tree and and every stone
Every rushing wind that moans
They sing Your praise
My God, I'll sing Your praise.

Every star and open sky
Tell of Your glory divine
They shout Your praise
They shout Your praise, yeah

You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes You have

With Your love You set me free
Three nails gave me liberty
So I'll sing Your praise
My God I'll sing Your praise
Oh, with Your love You forgave my sin
Forgot my past and brought my back again
So I'll sing Your praise
I'll sing Your praise, yeah

You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes You have

BRIDGE
If I ascend into the sky, or hide behind the night
I cannot run Your love is chasing me
If I fall into the sea, Your hand will rescue me
No one will take Your place
Because

This is all for You, yes
This is all for You
You're the King of the world
You're the King of the world
You're the King of the world
You're the King of the world
You're the King of the world
You're the King of the world

You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes You have

You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've stolen my heart
Yes You have
You've wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes You have.

Journey Day 152

Earlier this week I rediscovered one of my favorite CDs of ALL time. It's called The Sound of Melodies by Leeland. I seriously love every single song on the cd, because the lyrics speak right to my heart. They speak of our humanity, how much we need God's grace, and how He willingly bestows it upon us. One of the songs that really speaks to my heart today is Carried to the Table. It's the story of Mephibosheth, a descendent of Jonathan who is the son of Saul. In chapter 4 of 2 Samuel, we find that Saul and Jonathan are both dead, and poor little Mephibosheth (Only 5 years old), has been dropped and is paralyzed by the fall. Since that day, he was hidden away to preserve his life, because the tradition was to kill all the family of the previous king, so that they could not try to have claim to your title. He grew up believing that without a doubt, he would be David's enemy. Little did he know that David WANTED to show kindness to someone from the family of Saul. SO in chapter 9 King David sends for humble Mephibosheth. This is more than a picture of David's kindness. This story is a picture of God's kindness! As human beings we show kindness to those who we think deserve it, but Mephibosheth did not deserve David's kindness, but like God shows us love and grace when we least deserve it, so did David. He brought Mephibosheth to him and said to him, "Fear not; for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." God does the exact same thing for us, he saves a place for us at his table, even though we have done nothing to deserve it. This song sings of God's grace for us and of David's grace for Mephibosheth.

Carried to the Table by Leeland

Wounded and forsaken
I was shattered by the fall
Broken and forgotten 
Feeling lost and all alone
Summoned by the king
into the Master's courts
Lifted by the savior
and cradled in His arms

I was carried to table
Seated where I don't belong
Carried to the table
Swept away by His love
And I don't see my brokenness anymore 
When I'm seated at the table of the Lord
I'm carried to the table
The table of the Lord

Fighting thoughts of fear
Wondering why He called my name
Am I good enough to share this cup?
This world has left me lame
Even in my weakness
The Savior called my name
In His holy presence 
I am healed and unashamed

You carried me, my God
You carried me

Carried to the table!

Journey Day 151

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! : )

Today is thanksgiving, the day of the year where we all celebrate all that we are thankful for. I know that I am grateful more than just one day a year, but this one day is celebrated all across the United States, and no matter how different we all are we have this one day we are have a commonality. We are all grateful for something. Whether it's a roof over our heads, food on our table, an amazing family, or group of friends, a new job, or the praise of a stable job today we come together around a table, or in spirit to give thanks for all we have. Today among many things I give thanks for the savior of the world, who loves me and extends me grace every single day! I gave thanks for His word that comforts me every single day. I know that I an underserving, but that is the beauty of grace! So thank you Lord Jesus, my Abba, thank You for Your love for me even when I am undeserving. And thank You for every blessing You give me. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Journey Day 150

Today I went home. I know I told you that I was already home, but I went to my hometown, in NJ. It was so nice to see everyone. We went to our home church, and it was so amazing to see the people that are my family! So today I am thankful for more than just one thing! Today I am thankful for the family that I chose, and the parents I was born to! I went to the same church from the time I was 9 months old, until I was 16, when my parents moved to Pennsylvania. But the people at church were more than just friends, we all became a family. We were there for each other through everything, and going back there is just like going home. I love those people, and I am so grateful for their continued influence in my life! I am also SO grateful for my loving parents. They are amazing people, who love God, and showed me what it meant to love Jesus. I am continually blessed by their never ending love for me and all my brothers and sisters! I couldn't have picked better parents out myself! : )


"Chance makes our parents, but choices make our friends."

Journey Day 149

3 days till Thanksgiving! I love being home! It's been relaxing, and it's so nice to be away from the stress that is University.  As I type I am sitting in a quiet house, with a cup of coffee, just enjoying the silence. My mom is at a bible study, my dad is at work, and most of my siblings are at school so I am left with an empty house. You have to understand with 7 kids plus my parents and a million pets, this doesn't happen very often. So I have learned to enjoy it. But you know what, when they aren't here, I wish they were. Today I am extra grateful for my little brothers and sisters. They drive me crazy sometimes, but they fill the house with fun and no matter how much we fight I know that they will always be there for me to make me laugh, or stand up for me. No matter what I will always love them, because we aren't just siblings, we are friends.

"Siblings- the definition that comprises love,
strife competition and forever friends."
   -Byron Pulsifer

Journey Day 148

4 Days till Thanksgiving!! The holiday spirit is starting to build, and I can't wait till I can start watching christmas specials, and listen to all my favorite Christmas songs! For the first time in my life, I am completely content with where I am, and I am so grateful that God brought me here! So today I am thankful for my journey. I am thankful for where God has brought me, I am thankful for the people he has brought into my life through the journey, and the peace that I have found. I can't wait to see where God is going to bring me a month, 6 months, and even a year from now. This journey isn't always easy, and sometimes it breaks my heart, but the peace I feel is worth any difficulty. This journey has been such a blessing, and one of the highlights of my year, in fact it turned my year around! SO I am forever grateful for the past 5 months, and I look forward to the next 7! It's been a year of blessing and trial, but when push comes to shove I wouldn't change any of it!

"Peace is a journey of a thousand miles, and it must be taken one step at a time."- Lyndon Johnson

Journey Day 147

So only 5 more days until Thanksgiving! Yummm turkey, mashed potatoes, and the reminder to be thankful for alllll of our blessings! So in honor of this day, for the next five days I will give one thing I am extra thankful for!

Today it's all my friends; past, present and future! My friends have gotten me through heartbreak, encouraged me in my journey, wiped away my tears, and stood by me no matter what! It's such an incredible blessing to have so many great friends! To Mary, Meagan, Leisa, Amber, Kevin, Ryan, Aaron, Ashley, Shara, Leah, David, Calvin, Nicole, Jenna, and all my other amazing friends, THANK YOU! Thank you for all you do for me, and have done for me. I would be lost without you, and I thank God for you everyday! : )

"Friends are like walls. Sometimes you lean on them, and sometimes it's just enough to know they are there."

Journey Day 146

I love being home. My family is crazy and loud and amazing. I think I didn't always used to feel that way, but the older I get the more I love them, and the more I enjoy being around them!! It's been a long but great day, so here is a lovely picture of most of mi familia (Minus my awesome padre) to end my blog post!

Journey Day 144

There are so many amazing verses on trust. Psalm 9:10, "Those who know your name trust in you, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.", and Psalm 13:5, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." And then there is Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." All of these verses tell us how important it is to trust in God! To trust that He knows what's best, to trust that His timing is perfect, and to trust that EVERYTHING is under His control! Today I was missing the past, but I have to trust that God has me right where I am supposed to be. Even though being here is hard sometimes, and I miss the past, I am trusting that God has a plan for my future. I am trusting in the promises of Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He takes great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He rejoices over you with singing." and Psalm 143:8, "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for I entrust You with my life."(verse of the week)

Journey Day 143

Today was a good day. I got to hang out with an old friend, and we had a blast! It was so nice to just spend some time with her, and have fun! I'm learning how to have a balance in my life. How to pursue a close relationship with God, but not take life too seriously. I am learning how to trust God in every single aspect of my life, and it is incredibly freeing! I was thinking about my desire for a relationship, and sure I have that desire, BUT I trust that if God has someone for me, He will bring me to him. For the first time in my life I truly trust that! It took God showing me that he could come through in a big way for me to finally see that I need to trust Him in every single aspect of my life. Tomorrow I will share a verse about trusting God, that I hope will help you remember that you need to trust God with your life too! : ) Good night one and all!

Journey Day 142

There is this song called "Let the Waters Rise" by Mike's Chair, and it's all about trusting God. It's about trusting God when life gets the hardest, and when things seem the most hopeless, but we trust that God is there, and that he has it all under control! I want this song to be the prayer of my heart, and the life that I live.

Let the Waters Rise, by Mike's Chair

Don't know where to begin

Its like my world's caving in
And I try but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here?

sometimes its so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where you want me to
God, I trust You

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
'Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You're never out of reach

God, You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

Journey Day 141

Don't you love those days where God's presence is so undeniable that all you can do is smile in relief? Today was one of those days. I have the tendency to worry a lot. It's so easy for me to get overwhelmed and than it affects my whole day. I get all worked up, and then you know what GOD COMES THROUGH! Why do I continue to doubt this? I need to trust that my God can come through in a big way, He can do whatever He wants, and I need to stop putting Him in a box. Every worry, that seemed so big yesterday, was taken care of today. I had no need to worry, but my problem was I was not trusting God. When will I learn that all I have to do is trust him, and he will be faithful!? It may not always be the answer that I am looking for, sometimes it's going to be the opposite of what I want, but the thing is God will always answer me. This is a constant struggle for me: the need to worry so I can have some "control" over my life. Slowly but surely God is teaching me to trust him, and depend on him, and not worry, because he is in control of every step I take, and everything that happens to me! Nothing happens that He does not allow, and I have to trust that. Do you trust that? Do you trust that no matter what God is in control and He wants the best for your life? Live it and trust it, just like what I am learning to do!

Journey Day 140

So from the very beginning of my journey there has been one friend who has been extremely supportive, and been there for me every step of the way, encouraging me! His name is Kevin. He is a man of many hats, and I am blessed to call him one of my best friends.
This is Kevin:

Kevin is the youth leader/worship leader at a church about an hour away from where we live. He has been doing that for about three years. He is also a supervisor at our school's computer lab... where he is also my boss. You would think two jobs is plenty, but NO there is more. He is also the internship coordinator for NAMB (North American Mission Board), AND he is co-founder of Impact Georgia. And despite his busy life, he still makes time for his friends, and still loves on us and encourages us. Kevin's heart is for people, and his heart is for God. I don't know what I'd do without him and his friendship! For info on Kevin and his ministry, you can read his blog! www.john330.com!! What are you doing reading my blog still?! Go read Kevin's!! : )

Journey Day 139

This week has been incredibly exciting! On Monday I was at my favorite local coffee shop, and I was talking with two of the baristas about the new venue that they had just opened downtown. I made a joke about how I should do the public relations for the owner, and that I'd give him a good deal. Then the more I thought about it, I thought it would be such a great opportunity. I could help them out, and get the new venue's name out there, and then I could also add it to my resume. So I typed up a cover letter, and printed out my resume, and yesterday I talked to the owner, and I am now PR rep for the Muse. I'll be working with the venue's talent booker, and I will be taking care of the facebook, and twitter. I'm also working on some promotional projects! I'm just so excited to get started on this, and see where it takes me, and where it take The Muse. It feels like such an answer to prayer! I had been wondering what to do with my life, where God wanted me to go, and I was worried about my resume not having enough meat to it. And BAM, a door opened! God is so good, and my God answers prayers!

Journey Day 138

Alive Again by Matt Maher

I woke up in darkness
Surrounded by silence
Oh where, oh where have I gone?
I woke to reality Losing its grip on me

Oh where, where have I gone?
'Cause I can see the light
Before I see the sunrise
You called and You shouted

Broke through my deafness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again
You shattered my darkness

Washed away my blindness
Now I'm breathing in and breathing out
I'm alive again

Late have I loved You
You waited for me, I searched for You
What took me so long?
I was looking outside
As if Love would ever want to hide
I'm finding I was wrong

'Cause I feel the wind
Before it hits my skin
'Cause I want You,
Yes I want You I need You, and I'll do

Whatever I have to just to get through
'Cause I love You,
Yeah I love You

Journey Day 137

Confession. I talk to God in the car... like every day. I know I know, I'm weird. But God and I have the best conversations in the car. I don't mean that God audibly speaks to me, I just mean that while I'm driving I can just pour my heart out to God, sometimes it's bargaining, sometimes it's pleading, sometimes it's praising and thanking and then sometimes it's just talking. But at the end I always feel encouraged, I feel like He was actually listening to me. And you know what? He actually was! How amazing is that?? I'm reading this book by Francis Chan that is called "Forgotten God", and it's about "reversing the neglect of the Holy Spirit", and one thing I read today was about how as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, He dwells within us, and is a part of our every day. Again I say, how amazing is that?? Part of the three in one, wants to be a part of us, all we have to do is invite Him in. I grew up going to church, I always knew that I have the Holy Spirit, but I never really thought about what that means. It means that God is always with us, like when I'm in the car singing along to praise music, and pouring out my heart to the lover of my soul. "You are not just a person living your life by human power. The Spirit of God is in you; that is why Jesus said it was better for Him to go and the Spirit to come." God chose us to be His dwelling place, and I think that is something that we tend to take lightly. We don't think about how heavy that really is. Because the reality is that the Spirit is always with us, we don't have to let our difficulties and our pain define our day. We can be encouraged by the fact that where we fail in our human nature, God steps up to the plate and turns our pain into beauty. So when I am sitting in the car, and I am talking to my savior, not only is He listening and loving me, He is dwelling within me. I pray that that this knowledge will inspire me to live a life worthy of that honor. That my life will reflect that love that God so graciously pours into me. I know that I fall short, but my goal is to be a woman after God's own heart.

Journey Day 136

So on Friday I am going to a concert for this band called, Abel. I had never heard of them before, but one of my friends really likes them, so I thought I would look them up and give them a listen before I committed to anything. THEY ARE SOO GOOD! Soo if you have some spare time you should go give them a listen. Their album is called Lesser Men, and my personal favorites are The Martyr and Saints. I couldn't find them on youtube, but you can go to comeandlive.com and download their album for free! FO FREE! Awesome, yes? So go forth and enjoy some awesome Christian music!

Journey Day 135

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with

 loving kindness. I will build you up again and you will

be rebuilt, O virgin, Israel."

Jeremiah 31:3-4

When you feel unloved, when you feel lost, alone or taken advantage of, remember this verse. In your lowest moments remember that you are loved by the creator of the universe and let that be your comfort. Remember that our God loves YOU with an everlasting love, and He draws you in with His kindness. Remember that our brokenness and sadness are simply an oportunity for God to come to our rescue and build us up. I've had my brokenness, but you know what? Maybe mine is nothing compared to yours. Maybe my scars run no where near as deep as yours do, but the intensity of the pain has nothing to do with whether or not God can handle it. Something about that "everlasting love" that God extends us gives me the chills. No matter how awful my day is going, no matter how sad I feel, or I lost I seem, there is someone who draws me to Him with an everlasting loving kindness. There are inspirational quote and speakers in abudance, but the only thing that can give you a lasting comfort is God and His word. One of my greatest fears is being unloved, and unlovable, but every time I have that fear God comes up beside me and reminds me that He loves me, and that He is enough. Sometimes I am cruel, and I act as if God's love is not enough for me, but the truth is that God's love is more than enough for me! I want it to consume me and I want it to consume you. I want to know God's love so deeply that the overflow of my life is a reflection of who He is. "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded... so there is hope for your future declares the Lord."- Jeremiah 31: 16-17

Journey Day 134

God has a beautiful sense of humor. Last night and this morning I was throwing myself a pity party, you can just ask my amazing friends who put up with me and comforted me. I was busy complaining to God, and questioning his plan for my life, when I walked outside. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and it was all mine to enjoy. It was like I could hear God saying, "Really Sarah? I've given  you ALL of this, and you're going to complain about what I haven't given you? Do you trust me? Do you trust that I have a plan for your life? I follow through on my promises, always, so hold close to them!" And I couldn't help but laugh! Mostly at how rediculous I had been acting! What was I thinking, doubting that the creator of the world had amazing plans for my life!? It's like, right now I'm staring at an abstract painting up close, and it makes absolutely no sense, and it seems so pointless, but eventually, God will begin to show me the bigger picture, and I will be able to step back and look at a beautiful work of art. But for now I'm trying to hold close to God promises and remember Lamentations 3:19-22 (which are our verses of the week). " I remember my afflictions and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I will remember them and my spirit is downcast within 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." Verse 23 continues on about how God's compassions are new every morning! Each day God is going to save me and remind me of His love for me and His promises for my life. Right now my deepest prayer is that God will give me a way to step out in faith. But I know right now He is sharpening and intensifying my trust in Him and love for Him. I am continuing to learn more and more about who He is, and the more I learn, the more reasons I have to trust him! I know that there are going to be plenty of rough nights, rough mornings, and rough days, but I also know that God is by my side the whole time, and I am resting in the warmth of His loving embrace!

Journey Day 133

Ok, so its that time of week!! I am blessed with so many friends that inspire and encourage me, but this week I'd like to give a shout out to my friend Brian! Brian is engaged to Mary, yayy! And they get married in May, and I have the privilege of being Mary's maid of honor. This is Brian (This is a picture of their little family; Brian, Mary and Charlie):

Brian is like my big brother, and we have the brother/sister relationship. We have our moments where we frustrate each other, but in the end I love Brian like family. I respect him so much, and I especially respect the changes I see God making in his life. In the past few months I have seen God make so many changes in Brian,  and it's so encouraging to see God in Brian and in all the decisions he is making. I am confident that Brian will make an amazing husband for my dear friend, and that he will lead her and love her. I am so blessed by his friendship, and encouraged by him! I don't think he has any idea what an amazing man of God he is becoming, and how evident it is to those in his life. God bless Brian and Mary and their life together. And may God bless YOU!  : )

Journey Day 131

I declare this day a success. Work, then coffee with my incredible mentor Amber, class, pay day (yayyy!), nap, and a cookout with my best friends in the whole world. And the icing on the cake: my friend Mary is here for the weekend, YAYYYY! I'm so stinking excited for her to be here. It's going to be a beautiful blessed weekend for me, and I hope it will be the same for you!! Enjoy every moment you are given my dear friends!

Journey Day 130

Today I am going to real with you. I try my absolute best to be real with you every day, but today I am going to be real with you about my latest struggle. Lately I have been wondering if in my pursuit of "Christ-like" character I acted unChrist-like to the people in my life that needed and deserved it most. I told them God was making all these changes in me, but if I didn't love them in the way they deserve, unconditionally, then I how could they possibly see those changes? Even in this journey, there are so many things I wish I could change, or go back and do differently. Sometimes it is frustrating and disheartening when I'm trying so hard to seek God's heart, and yet still I am so far from it. I am so far from seeing people the way God sees them, and I am so far from treating people the way God would. Sometimes I have what my friend and I have deemed "judgement eyes". And I judge them without even meaning to! My prayer has been that God would show me my own faults and flaws, and I guess today, that is what's happening. It isn't bad, it's what I've been asking for, it's just difficult.It's like when your pray for patience, and God puts you in a situation that requires more patience than you've ever had to have in your entire life. He puts you in a situation where the only way you'll get through it is if you fully depend on Him to give you the strength! It's never easy to look at yourself, and embrace your flaws so you can fix them, but I know that is what I have to do. I want God to correct me and correct any way that is apart from Him. I know that I am different than I was, I know that God is changing me for the best, but sometimes its good for me to remember that I still have a long way to go, and I'll only get there with the help of my loving Savior! Know that this isn't me being down on myself, I am confident that God will bring me where I need to be in His perfect timing. I pray that He will show me how to love as He loves. I know that kind of love is perfect love, and that is my goal.

Journey Day 129

So I'm reading Jeremiah still, and it's such a beautiful picture of God's love. Picture this: Israel has rebelled against God over and over again. He is getting angry, fed-up and sad! The people that he loves and has created have forgotten him, and are worshiping false gods. It's time for Judah to deal with the consequences of their actions, not because God is cruel, but because God is just. But even in this time of punishment, God promises forgiveness and redemption! In Jeremiah 24 He promises Jeremiah that He will rescuse those who have been exiled. They must pay for their deeds for 70 years, but then He will save them. He will open their hearts to Him. He will not forget forget them. Despite all they have done, it seems that Israel is still the apple of His eye. There is nothing they can do to make God love them less, but they still have to pay for what they've done, there are consequences for every action. This story still applies to us today! We make different things our "gods"; schoolwork, friends, relationship, maybe even your car, or your computer! Although the "gods" come in different forms they all have the same effect; they take our attention away from the lover of our soul! What a tragedy! : ( Despite all of that God loves us still, we must pay for our mistakes, but He will always be there holding us up and rescuing us! We have such an amazing God of grace! My dad said it right, "He is always a sucker for us... His finger is always on the trigger of the grace gun." He is just waiting for us to return to Him so he can pour his grace out on us! I know I am grateful for that! I constantly fail, and constantly make mistakes, but just as consistently I fail God is there to pick me up and dust me off and forgive me! : )

Journey Day 128

Fall is my favorite season. The colors of the leaves, the beautiful breeze, and there is just this peace and stillness in the air. I walk outside and a breeze blows and I automatically feel God, or I drive over the hill that leads to my apartment complex and there mountains as far as the eye can see, and in that moment I know God. His creation draws me in, and I long to be closer to Him when I am enjoying what He has made! Chris August has a song that sums up my feelings pretty well called, Starry Night...

Starry Night, by Christ August

From the birds that sing, in the tallest trees
To the human life, of you and me
From the Dessert sands, to the place we stand
He is God of all, He is everything

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflect the Sun
Every starry night, that was His design
I'm giving my life to the only Son, who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, cause he is everything

From the Autumn leaves, that will ride the breeze
To the faith it takes, to pray and sing
From the painted sky, to my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflect the Sun
Every starry night, that was His design
I'm giving my life to the only Son who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, cause He is everything

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
I believe
Ooohh
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
I believe

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflect the Sun
On that starry night, He changed my life
I'm giving it all to the only Son who gave me hope when I had none
So let the praises ring, Oooh let the praises ring

I'm giving my life to the only one who makes the moon reflect the Sun
Every starry night, that was his design
I'm giving my life to the only Son who was and is and yet to come
and the Angels sing, that He is heavenly

So let the praises ring
'Cause he is everything

Journey Day 127

Here are 3 things I am extra grateful for today:

1. Joe Beans coffee, and their flavor of the month coffee (pumpkin spice... yummm!)

On a beautiful fall day, there is nothing better than a delicious cup of coffee, especially Joe Beans! Coffee automatically puts me in a great mood!

2. Free red box codes

I love waking up to a text message from red box, with a code for a free movie! It's the perf

ect start to a night of homework! Tonight it's "Me and Orson Welles" with Zach Efron! It's a movie about the famous actor Orson Welles, and a teenager who gets to be with him in one of his plays. It' s a pretty good movie so far! It happens during the 1930s, and I LOVE that time period!

and finally..

3. Fall weather

I love fall! The colors of the leaves, and the smell in the air! That beautiful gentle breeze, it's just so fantastic and proof of an amazing creator!

Today is an incredible day! God filled, and God made! Go enjoy what God has given you, and be grateful for the small things : )

p.s. The verse of the week is Romans 8:28.. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." No matter what, God knows what we need, and everything in our life, whatever happens, will work out for good in our lives! Go forth and be encouraged my dear friends!!