Journey Day 246

Majesty by Delirious

Here I am humbled by your majesty 
Covered by your grace oh friend
Here I am knowing that I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the lamb 
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
since you laid down your life,
The greatest sacrifice.

Majesty, majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed by alive in your hands 

Here I am humbled by the love that you give,
forgiven so that I can forgive 
So here I stand 
Knowing that I am your desire 
Sanctified by glory and fire 
And now I've found the greatest love of all is mine,
Since you laid down your life,
The greatest sacrifice.

Majesty, majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am,
Empty handed but alive in your hands. 
Singing majesty, majesty
Forever I am changed by your love 
In the presence of your majesty 
Majesty

We're singing majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am 
Empty handed but alive in your hands 
We're singing majesty, majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the beauty of your majesty
Majesty

Journey Day 245

I think that as Christians we have this idea that when God has called us to something, getting there is going to be easy peasy, but sometimes when God calls us the journey to get there is long and hard! Look at David. God called him to be the King of Israel, and annointed him around 15 or 16 years old, but David didn't actually become King until he was thirty years old! That is 15 years of waiting, running and fighting to reach God's calling. He didn't just have to play the waiting game either, his life was dangerous! Saul was often in pursuit of his life and David was often hidden! God had big plans for David but getting there certainly wasn't easy. The same applies to our lives and our callings! Just because it's hard work to reach it doesn't mean we aren't called there! What if David had said, "This is too hard, this must not really be where I am called. I'll try something else that is easier and safer." He would have missed an incredible blessing! We can't expect our calling to be served to us on a silver platter, anything worth having takes initiative and work and it isn't any different with this. When we know where and to what God is calling us we just have to pursue it and trust that in the end God will bless our efforts! King David's life is proof that when we pursue God's call with all that we are, no matter what the hurdle might be, God will certainly bless it!!

Journey Day 244

I am currently sitting in my favorite coffee shop enjoying a peanut butter chocolate cupcake and an iced coffee thinking of something that may even be semi interesting to write to you. All I can think to write is this... I doubt myself a lot. I start strong with confidence and slowly but surely it diminishes until every time I think about it I start to have a mini panic attack. Even when I know something is from God I still panic. The worst part is that when I panic I am saying to God "I know you're the creator of the world and all but I don't think you can help me raise the money to go on a mission trip, or I don't think you can make a way for me to go. I know you died on the cross for my sins and you bare them all for me, but I just don't think you can do it. Soooo I'm going to take matters into my own hands and I'm going to worry about it and panic. I just doubt you have it in you..." Even though I tell God I trust Him, by my actions I show the opposite. My actions show my doubt. I don't have all the answers, but I have to trust that God does and that he is going to fill in all the blanks!

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet none of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
    Matthew 10:29-31

Journey Day 243

Yesterday I learned an important lesson. Christ came so that I might have life and have it more abudantly but satan has come to lie, steal and destroy. He lies about who we are and who Christ is, he steals our joy and destroys our happiness. I was having an amazing day. My only class for the whole day was cancelled, I spent some awesome time in God's word, I spent hours at my favorite coffee shop and made a new friend there and I even had coffee with another friend and spent some time getting to know her better! I went to bible study, and we sang my favorite worship song. It was an incredibly inspiring and encouraging day until I was driving home from bible study. I was literally turning into my apartment complex and all the sudden I see flashing lights. CRAP! I pull to the side and roll down my window. "License and registration please. Ma'am I pulled you over because you were going 51 in a 35." And there was my cloud for the day. He went back to his car and wrote up my ticket and brought it back to me. He was truly was a nice man but the entire time I was thinking "Man, this sucks, I can't afford this, this was the last thing I needed..." and so on and so forth. I drove (slowly) back to my townhouse with a heavy heart. My almost perfect day seemed to have taken a turn for the worst. But as I sat on my bed it dawned on me... satan was trying to get control of my day and my life.  He saw that my cup was filled to the point of overflow, and he wanted to ruin it. So I collected my thoughts and just prayed "God don't let this ticket ruin my awesome day. Let me find the silver lining in the situation and let me concentrate on the good. I want satan to know he has NO power in my life." And you know what? I felt better. Sure my ticket sucks but God is still good and the ticket is my fault. I broke the law and paying a fine is the consequence. And you know something else? It could have been much worse! Four more mph and I would have been driving "recklessly" and I would have had to go to court and pay a much heftier fine! So even in my cloud God was at work! So WABAM silver lining! : ) Satan knew that yesterday I was threat to him, I was completely concentrated on Christ and he wanted to divert my attention. The bible says SO much about satan and his evil ways and about how God will rescue us from him. 1 Peter 5:8-10 says, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." We need to be aware that satan is at work to destroy our lives! The bible promises us that in Christ we are free and He will crush satan! "The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."(Romans 16:20) We just have to set our sights on him because once we lose sight that is when satan sneaks in. It would have been easy for me to just throw a pity party for myself, but I had to force myself to see God even in the "not so great", and I showed satan that he had no power in my life! So next time something comes and rains on your parade don't see it as something normal, it's much more sinister. Give satan credit where credit is due and be prepared to fight.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly."
      -John 10:10

Journey Day 242

So if you know me you know that 99.9% of the time I am a mess. I forget things, I lose things, I drop things. Basically my life is Murphy's Law 24/7, 365. Soooo when Meagan showed me this song by Francesca Battistelli it spoke right to my heart. Yeah, most weeks I'll lose my phone at least once. And sure I stain at least one clothing item a week. And yes, I will not deny it, I've locked my keys in my car TWICE in 3 weeks and both times the car was still running BUT all those small frustrating things are nothing in comparison to the blessings I have. My little annoyances are just God teaching me patience. It's what I've been praying for isn't it?

This is the Stuff by Francesca Battistelli
I lost my keys in the great unknown
Call me please, cause I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust you know exactly what you're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff you use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust you know exactly what you're doign
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff you use

So break me of impatience
Concur my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
I gotta trust you know exactly what you're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff you use

Journey Day 241

So today the name of God I learned about was Yahweh Tsuri, which means "The Lord is my Rock". Pretty cool huh? God is our firm foundation! One verse they gave us to read was Isaiah 26:3-4 and it says, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal." Today this was just the verse I needed to read! When I trust in God and trust in His plan, He is going to give me a PERFECT peace! He is my rock and will always keep me strong! I just have to trust!

Journey Day 240

You know what I think? I think American Christians are spoiled... me being one of them. Although we experience small amounts of persecution it is nothing compared to what Christians in other countries experience. For example, right now there is a man named Said Musa who is on trial for being a Christian. Because he believes in Jesus, he could be sentenced to die. All over the Middle East our brothers and sisters are being persecuted because they left a false religion to enter relationship with the one true God! In Iran, Yousef Nadarkhani, a pastor of a church there, was convicted and given a death sentence for being a Christian. The worst part? There is no Iranian statute that prohibts Christianity, the judge is basing it on "Iranian law scholars". All over the world people are dying and being tortured for the name of Jesus. Said Musa is a father of six children and he used to work for the red cross, fitting people with prosthetic legs. But Said Musa was filmed with many others, worshipping Jesus, and once he put in for leave at the Red Cross he was arrested! The deputy secretary of the Afgan parliament is calling for everyone in that video to executed publicly and the authorities tried to make Musa renounce his Chrisitanity on public television BUT he wouldn't do it!!!! He suffered every abuse you can imagine while in jail, all because of his faith in Jesus Christ. No Afgan lawyer is willing to defend him, and he has been denied access a foreign attorney. But here in America I can shout Jesus's name from a building without fear of later being arrested and executed. I can go to church in my Sunday best, and have a bible study in the middle of a coffee shop without any negative consequence. Don't we take that freedom for granted? People are DYING all over the world for the name of Christ, and I sit here in comfort. A lot of us have no real concept of what it really means to die to self everyday, or to take up our cross and follow Him. Our faith is lukewarm because we don't have to fight for it. If someone said to you, "Renounce your faith in Christ or you die!", what would you say? Would you stand firm and claim Jesus? Or when put to the test, would your faith crumble? These Christians know "to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) To read more on Said Musa and others: Musa 1 and Musa 2

Journey Day 239

This song pretty much sums up my life right now!

The Stand by Hillsong United

You stood before creation

Eternity within your hands

You spoke the earth into motion

My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure 

Carried the cross for my shame

My sin weighed upon Your shoulders

My soul now to stand

So what can I say 

What can I do

But offer this heart Oh God                                              

Completely to you 

So I'll walk upon salvation

Your spirit alive in me 

This life to declare your promise 

My soul now to stand

So what can I say 

What can I do 

But offer this heart Oh God 

Completely to you 

So I'll stand 

With arms high and heart abandoned 

In awe of the one who gave it all 

So I'll stand 

My soul Lord surrendered

All I am is yours 

Journey Day 238

I've probably posted the lyrics to this song before, but that's ok! Today it is really just speaking to my heart!

Beautiful, Beautiful by Francesca Battistelli

Don't know how it is You looked at me 
And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart 
Breaking through the dark 
Suddenly Your grace

Chorus
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need 
You are so 
Beautiful, beautiful 

Now there's a joy inside I can't contain 
But even perfect days can end in rain 
And though it's pouring down 
I see you through the clouds 
Shining on my face 

Chorus
Like sunlight burning at midnight 
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful 
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

I have come undone
But I have just begun 
Changing by your grace 

Chorus
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so
Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so
Beautiful, beautiful

Journey Day 237

I hiked Sharp Top today... I needed some alone time, just me and God! It was BEAUTIFUL! I seriously loved it! The hike up was hard, and the whole time I was thinking, "I have got to be almost there!" haha But when I finally reached the top, it was well worth it! I took some pictures during the hike to share with all of you!

But now it's bed time because I feel supa sick! Hopefully it isn't the flu, but it is feeling that way! Goodnight friends : )

Journey Day 236

So I was talking with a friend, and we were talking about faith, and acting on what God is calling us to without second guessing, or asking God "Why?" She brought something to my attention that I had never thought of before. We hear all about Abraham and how he was a LEGIT guy, filled with faith! BUT I never thought about the way Abraham approached his relationship with God. When God asked Abraham to do something for Him the chain of events didn't go, request, reason why, and then Abraham did. It went something like this, "Hey Abe, can you sacrifice your Son? I know you love him and I know you've waited a long time for me to give him to you, but I need you to do this." And Genesis 22:3 tells us his response, "Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about." And the God shows Abraham why. Did Abraham plead with God, or ask him why God would ask him to do such a thing? NO! He just did it!! How incredible!! We have it all messed up! When we feel God calling us to go somewhere we're like, "Why God? Why are you calling me there? Or why do I have to do that?" But isn't true faith just doing what God asks and trusting and believing that He is going to meet us there? Abraham didn't know that God was going to provide a replacement sacrifice but that didn't matter. He trusted that God's plan was greater than his, and IN FAITH he prepared to sacrifice his only son!! Oh to have the faith of Abraham. To go without asking, and do without question.... that is a faith I want!

Journey Day 235

My favorite quote of all time is by St. Francis of Assisi.

"Preach the gospel always, when necessary use words."

He was a strong, loving, and selfless man, and he had the right idea when it came to evangelism. People don't respond to words, they respond to action... they respond to love. When we invest in people's lives and love on them we are showing Jesus and His love. It's easy to talk a good talk, but can you walk the good walk too? If our walk doesn't match our talk then our testimony is useless. If we believe in Jesus's saving grace and speak it with our lips, and then go get trashed every weekend, or flip someone off when they cut us off on the highway, people will see that and they won't see any difference in your life. They'll think, "Why would I want Jesus? These people don't act any different from me." Our lives will speak much louder than our words, so what is your life telling people about Jesus?

Journey Day 234

So I'm obsessed with TOMS shoes! They are like my all time favorite shoe right now, because they are the three c's. Cute, Comfortable, and for a good Cause... if you don't already have a pair you should definitely invest! It's just one way to give to the least of these!

Journey Day 233

Happy Tuesday! : ) I love little things that serve as reminders in my everyday. For example I have a tattoo on my forearm that says, Zephaniah 3:17.

The verse says, "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." This tattoo is to remind me that even when times are tough and things seem bleak, God is there and He delights in me! He has brought me through hardships before and he will bring me through them again, and Zephaniah 3:17 reminds me of that!

Another thing I love are key necklaces. So lame and cheesy, I know. But I don't really care, because to me my key necklace is a reminder that whenever I am tempted to give the key to my heart away I must remember that my heart belongs to God, and that He alone has the key. So everytime I touch the small key hanging around my neck, I am reminded of who I belong to and who I represent! It reminds me to never forget my first love!

God speaks to my heart in all kinds of different ways, but things like this are the tangible ways that I am reminded of God's love! When things get tough, sometimes we need something to remind us that we have Elohim and El Shaddai to hold onto!

Journey Day 232

I love Valentines Day. I don't think it's just a day for couples to show each other how much they care, it can be a day for friends to show how they care too! Although we should love everyday, Valentines day provides us with an excuse to shower those we care about with love! Today I bought my best friend flowers, and little fun dip valentines for everyone else! Tis the season to love on EVERYONE! Maybe you don't have a valentine, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate! No need to be bitter and sad my dear single friends, embrace loving everyone in your life! Recently I realized for the first time ever I am completely happy being single, in fact I have no desire to date anyone, and I know that being single is right where I'm supposed to be. This realization made this sweet holiday even sweeter! I have had a smile plastered on my face all day long, and the gorgeous weather has certainly helped! Could we have asked for a more perfect day? I submit my dear friends, that we could not! Enjoy this day, and show love to everyone in your life!

Journey Day 231

I'm still reading through the names of God, and I'm lovin' it! The name of God I read today is Yahweh Yireh, and that means "The Lord will provide". I think this is one of my favorite names of God, because this is the part of God's nature that I have been reminded of over and over lately. I stress, and I worry, but God always comes through! Just like God provided a replacement sacrifice for Abraham, safety for David, and the Messiah to atone for my sins, God will continue to provide for me! Somehow I always doubt that God is going to come through for me, but He ALWAYS does! When I'm tempted? He provides a way out from that temptation! (1 Corinthian 10:12-13) When I put my hope in Christ and not wealth? God provides! (1 Timothy 6:17) Will I have food to eat? Or clothes to wear? God will provide every single one of my needs!! I don't need to worry! (Matthew 6:25-34) "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own."(Matthew 6:33-34) Trust and see that the Lord is good! Trust in Yahweh Yireh!

Journey Day 230

I am so stinking excited for this time in my life! I want to travel across the United States this summer, what do you think? I want to start with Virginia and end with Montana, and then turn around and come to the east coast and end either with PA or VA. I haven't worked out the kinks, but I just really really want to do it! I'm going to start saving and praying now! : )

Journey Day 229

Sometimes I feel like a failure. It's true. Sometimes I feel like I'm making progress and then I do something stupid, and I mess up again. 1 step forward, and 2 steps back, isn't that how the saying goes? But guess what?! Even in my weakness and failure God lifts me up, and tells me He loves and forgives me and I He is my strength, He picks me and dusts me off and reminds me of my worth. What a blessing!! Go read Zephaniah 3:17! It's my life verse, and such an encouragement! Go read it... NOW : )

Journey Day 228

I love my school. Don't get me wrong, it isn't perfect! It has it's flaws and faults just like any other school but it provides you with the means and opportunity to grow your relationship with God. Whether or not you do... well, that's up to you! But last night was campus church, and although I usually don't go because I'm an old lady and go to bed at like 9, I decided to go. Clayton King's sermon was on sin, and I think he defined it quite perfectly. "Sin is anything that cools your affection for God." How true is that?! Even if an action itself isn't inately wrong, if it puts a distance between you and God or "cools your affection" for Him than it is wrong for you. As a christian our goal should be to grow closer to God and to love Him more, but if we are continually sinning, how can that ever happen? We put a block between us and God when we sin, because we are ashamed to be around Him. Being in His presence makes us feel guilt, and we just don't like that feeling! Not only does sin get in the way of our relationship wtih God but it totally kills our testimony. When people look at us do they see Jesus? We are so supposed to be salt of the earth, and the light in the darkness. People are supposed to look at our lives and know who we represent! Matthew 5:13 tells us this, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses it's saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." If we aren't shining Jesus, and spreading His name what good are we? If we are allowing our sin to eat away at our relationship with God, it will start to dull our light, and we will lose our saltiness. I know that I am a sinner, and I NEED the grace of God, but grace isn't an excuse to keep on sinning. The love and grace of God is the reason to not sin. When we sin, it's like we are telling God, "I know you gave your life so we could be together forever, but I'd much rather watch this porno, or sleep with my boyfriend, or say this swear word than spend time with you." We chose the world over the lover of our soul. It's time we get back our saltiness, it's time we push aside our sin and pursue righteousness. We are human thus we will make mistakes BUT we can work hard to chose God over the world and chose light over dark.

Journey Day 227

So I'm reading a book about the different names of God, and so far I have read about two names: Elohim and El Roi. It's such a great book! Elohim is "creator God". So this is the God that made the entire universe, including you and me! When you admire the trees and the stars you are admiring the handiwork of Elohim! El Roi is the name of God that means He sees us. When you feel alone and sad remember that you can have an intimate relationship with El Roi and He sees you and your heartbreak! Such an incredible new way to see God, as I learn more and more about who he is!! : )

Journey Day 226

Do you want to know what my deepest fear is right now? I didn't put this fear into words until last night, but I am so afraid of losing myself... of losing the "me" I have become. It took so much heartache and time for me to get to where I am, and I finally discovered... me. When I lost myself, I lost sight of God. And now I know who I am, I'm transformed, and I am content with the way my life is. I've never been very good at balance, so I'm afraid that if I add anyone or anything else into my already full life it will just become a giant mess all over again, and once again I will lose myself in the ruckus. So now, because of this fear I analyze and reanalyze every aspect of my life. Afraid to be hurt, afraid to fail... I seem to be unwilling to take any kind of chance. But is writing a good story all about taking chances? There has to be a way to balance my life now, and the things I want to add in. My goal is to still have my feet firmly planted on the ground, and to have a good head on my shoulders, but to still think with my heart. I want to be logical but still emotionally driven. It's all about learning to balance, and now I have to figure out how to do that! Just another step on my journey and another chapter in my story.

Journey Day 225

"Ruin is the road to transformation"-Eat Love Pray

As I type this I am watching "Eat Love Pray", and while it doesn't exactly have a Christian theme, one thing she said really hit me. "Ruin is the road to transformation." The ruin of my life as I knew it was the driving force behind the transformation of my heart. One year and three months ago my heart was broken. At that point my heart was left in pieces, and my relationship with God was in a shambles. But out of the mess I had become God reached down and lifted me up. Not only did he lift me up but he made me new. He transformed my mess of a life into something beautiful. Something that is filled with love and peace, and contentment. Out of the ruin of my life came incredible transformation! : )

Journey Day 224

So as I've mentioned before I love my church. The preaching is solid, the worship is inspirational and the people are more family than friend. First off, I got to work with the little kiddies today... SO much fun! Then I handed out flyers for the bible study I go to, and finally I got to sit and enjoy the service. We had a guest preacher today because our usual pastor was out of town. His name is Dr Dave Early, and he is a professor at my school. He talked about how as a part of the great commission we are supposed to go forth and make disciples, but before we can do that we need to learn faith and obedience. Something that he talked about that really hit me hard was this question... "What is keeping you from obeying God?" I sat there and thought about it... what is it in my life that is keeping me from truly obeying God? And then it hit me. This is going to sound strange probably, but the thing that is keeping me from obeying God in everything is the love of my life... the love of how comfortable I am. I love comfort, and hate stepping outside of that zone. I really like my life "as is" but I know God is like "Throw aside your comfort and follow me. Step outside of your zone and see what awaits you! Yes when you jump it may sting at first, but staying where you are right now is too dangerous. Being out of My will is never right." How can I be courageous for the name of Christ? What new ways can I find to step outside my comfort zone? Will I be  willing to die to myself each day? I don't like the idea of jumping into stuff without a safety net, but I know I'm not called to a safe life so I need to push the net aside and go forth!

Journey Day 223

Oh hellllllllo my blogging friends! I wish that we could sit down and have conversations about the weather, and Jesus, and life. Doesn't that sound fantastic? Add a cup of coffee into the mix and I'd say it sounds perfect : ) I love days like today!! I slept in, and went out to lunch with my AMAZING friend Amber! She seriously always gives me the best advice, and reminds me that sometimes I need to let go and not take life too seriously (I have the tendency to do that). She's great! After lunch we went downtown and went to the Starlight Cafe, and a little boutique called Bittersweet. Then we walked around a really cute record store called Speakertree Records. A perfect afternoon, yes? And now I am laying in bed, listening to the rain, watching 30 Rock on Hulu and writing to all of you. I love Saturday... in fact I love life! Do you remember reading about that peace that passes all understanding? Yeah? Well I'm feelin it... for the first time in my life, I'm really at peace. Nothing is bothering me, I'm letting things roll off my shoulder, and I'm not worrying about stuff... this is all so new to me! Even at the beginning of my journey I was still trying to maintain control of my life even though I never had to it begin with. And now, even though there are still some things I'm still learning to let go of, I am really learning that life is better when I let go, and let God! Cliche? Yeah maybe! True? Most definitely!

Journey Day 222

I love productive days and today was one of them! I just kept checking things off of my to-do list and it was fabulous! And now I am sitting at work, counting the hours until freedom! I have two reasons to be excited. 1. One of my very best friends is coming into town for the weekend... woohoooo! and 2. I get to see her tonight while also hanging out with her fiance and my other friend. I feel like those are 2 really good incentives to pray that the hours fly by! Today I've really been meditating a lot on Jeremiah 29:11 and all the promises it holds. On days like this, where my motivation and productivity are high, it's a constant reminded that God has big plans for my life, all I have to do is take the initiative and do my part! It's all a part of writing a good "story" for your life! Every time I have the desire to be lazy I remind myself that a good story includes action and initiative so I have to get off my butt and get going! So here's to productive days will with motivation and initiative, and also here's to a lazy weekend filled with sleep ; )

Journey Day 221

I love the bible study I go to! My small group is just fantastic and I love the christian fellowship!! I feel like I'm at this place in my relationship with God where I am actually completely content in Him and in His love for me. I love it!! For the first time in my entire like I am just content in Jesus. What a glorious feeling it is!! Also as of tonight I am a sponsor of a little girl from Malawi! She is eight years old, and she likes math and playing ball games! I'm so excited to get a letter from her, and hear more about what she does, and her family!!! Ahhh : ) Well one and all I hope you have a fantastic night! bed time for me!! : )

Journey Day 220

Another day that this song simply speaks to my heart! God I need your love to be like a hurricane...

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 wild fire 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
‘Til I’m Yours alone
I am only Yours
I am Yours alone, Lord

(Chorus)

Journey Day 219

Yesterday I had lunch with my dear friend Brittney. She was on my hall my freshmen year and although we've kept in contact, last night was the first time in a while that we actually got to spend some time together! She is so great! She is bubbly and fun, but the coolest part is that it is obvious how much she has grown since I first met her! I loved the old Brittney, but I love the new Brittney even more! I'm so proud of her, and of all she is allowing God to do in her heart! It was such an encouraging dinner! Also after the concert Sunday, I downloaded a bunch of Jimmy Needhams songs! HE IS SO GOOD! On his new CD, a lot of the songs are soulful and overflowing with humility! You should check him out! : )

The Reason I Sing--Jimmy Needham

Yours To Take by Jimmy Needham
This is my second chance, this is no song and dance
You came in and renewed a right spirit
This is grace at it's best
This is taking a restless, messed up heart and having you clear it

I can feel the weight is lifting
I am barely staying on the ground
And I can feel the wait is over
Finally the lost is found

So, this is what it feels like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The son of man, he came here to give life
And in return, he's asking for mine

I've been captured by grace
I'm not going away
I'm yours to take

I was down for the count
I was up, but knocked out when I heard, "Pardon for the interuption"
Then like out of the blue, out came glorious you
You picked me up without barely any introduction

You won my heart by a landslide
You tend to do that everytime
So, everything I have is yours now
Even my very life

So, this is what it's like to live life
So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The son of man, he came here to give life
And in return he's asking for mine

Well I've been captured by grace
I'm not going away
I'm yours to take

Your kindness leads me to repentence
Leads me to the cross
Which leads me to forgiveness
So, I'm counting it all as lost

So, this is what it's like to live life

So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The son of man, he came here to give life
And in return he's asking for mine

So, this is what it's like to live life

So, this is breathing air for the very first time
The son of man, he came here to give life
And in return he's asking for mine

I've been captured by grace
I'm not going away
I'm yours to take