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