Journey Day 65

Where I work isn't exactly the most uplifting place, sometimes tensions are high, everyone gets stressed, and we have the tendency to take it out on one another. Recently I decided that if I ever started to feel mad, or like I was going to start having a bad attitude, I would sing a worship song to myself. I know it sounds lame, but it's really kept me from starting to have a bad attitude! I'll find myself in the cooler singing away, and last night's song was "Our God", sung by Chris Tomlin. We've been singing it alot at church lately, and it's really just an AWESOME song!

Our God, by Chris Tomlin
Water You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like you,
none like you
Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes you rise
There's no one like you
None like you

Chorus
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome and power
Our God, our God

Into the darkness you shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like you
None like you

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome and power
Our God, our God
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is healer, awesome and power
Our God, our God

Bridge
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

Journey Day 63

Today I went to a church called "One Community", which is downtown. To say that it was amazing would be an understatement, there was no way to describe how evident it was that God was in that place! The worship was moving, the preaching was convicting, and the people were friendly! At the end, the pastor did an altar call, basically just saying that if you had something you had to give to God, to bring it to the altar and leave it there. I knew that I had to go, and I sat there on my knees praying, and listening to a room full of worship, and I felt at peace. I knew that I didn't have to worry, it was all going to be fine. It isn't easy to keep it there, in the hands of Jesus where it belongs. I keep wanting to worry, I keep wanting to take it back and make it mine, but I have no control over what happens, I just have to trust that God knows best. If I stress it only hurts me, it doesn't help me. It's so easy to give my burdens to God, the hard part is letting him keep them! But why would I want them to begin with? They only make life more difficult. So here's to leaving my worries and burdens at the foot of the cross, where they belong! Easier said than done, I know, but it's mind over matter, and Jesus will take care of the rest! : )

Journey day 62

I'm beginning to realize that I was a pretty crappy person, I'm not saying that I am perfect now, but before I started this journey my priorities were just not what they should have been. Time with God was at the bottom of my to-do list, he rated second best and it was reflected in my attitude. I said some mean things about people. Things that I had no business saying, things that if the people ever heard they would be so hurt. What made me think that was ok? I have no answer for you. One of the girls that I had said cruel things about confronted me the other day, and I was so grateful! It gave me the opportunity to apologize to her, and you know what, it was really hard to hear. It was convicting, but it was just what I needed because it reminds me that I need to not be that way. My harsh words discouraged her, and brought her down, I need to encourage people, and build them up. I need to live a life that reflects Romans 13:8, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." I'm not perfect at controlling my tongue, but I am getting better, and the closer I get to God the easier it is, and the more I desire it. My calling is to love God's creation, and when I would talk about others that was not loving them, that was me hurting them. I'm not perfect, and you know what, I never will be, I'm just doing the best I can, to follow God to the best of my ability. Every single day he gives me new reason to hold tight to his promises and to live for him. "He is my rock and my redeemer, the reason that I sing. I desire to be a blessing in your eyes."(May The Words of My Mouth)

Journey day 61

I had an incredibly encouraging evening! God shows me his grace and love through showing me the changes he has made in me. I love my God, he is so good and mighty! My desire each and every day is to grow closer to him! I decided that one of the things I am going to do to get closer to him is try fasting 3 days a month. I know that you aren't supposed to talk about fasting, it is between you and God, but I feel as though this will be a large part of my journey. I won't blog about it during the fast, but after I will blog about what God shows me! I'm so excited to fast because I feel it is such an important part of the Christian walk. To fast is to sacrifice something for your relationship with Christ, even if its something as small as food, or going on facebook. My desire is to sacrifice for Christ, to give my heart completely to him, to give my desires, needs and wants to him! I lay my burdens at his feet! I want to give everything I am to my God, and that is truly what my entire journey is all about : )

Journey Day 60

I am exhausted! Between two jobs, worrying about my brother starting college and making friends, keeping up with my own friends, keeping up with schoolwork, and my relationship with God, I feel as though I could pass out any moment. But throughout the busyness, I find rest and strength in my time with Jesus. When I am weak, he is strong! God reminded me of Isaiah 40:28-31, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." How encouraging is that?! He gives strength to the weary (that would be me), and power to the weak. When I hope in God He will give me the energy I need to give everything in my life my all. The most important part is making time for my Jesus, and when I do that he will give me the strength for every other important thing in my life! That's one of the beautiful things about a relationship with Jesus, when you trust him with all your heart, he comes through in big ways! I've had this song in my head all day, He Loves Us, the David Crowder Band version, so I thought I'd enclose the link for the music video! Hope it makes you smile like it made me! : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ

Journey Day 59

More Like Falling in Love by Jason Gray

Give me rules

I will break them

Show me lines

I will cross them

I need more than a truth to believe

I need more than a truth that lives

Moves and breathes

To sweep me off my feet, it's gotta be

More like falling in love

Than something to believe in

More like losing my heart

Than giving my allegiance

Caught up, called out

Come take a look at me now

It's like I'm falling, Oooh

It's like I'm falling in love

Give me words

I'll misuse them

Obligations

I'll misplace them

'Cause all religion

Ever made of me

Was just a sinner

With a stone tied to my feet

It never set me free, It's gotta be

More like falling in love

Than something to believe in

More like losing my heart

Than giving my alligence

Caught up, called out

Come take a look at me now

It's like I'm falling, Oh

It's like I'm falling in

Love, love, love

Deeper and deeper, it was

Love that made me a believer

In more than a name

A faith, a creed

Falling in love with Jesus brought

The change in me

More like falling in love

Than something to believe in

More like losing my heart

Than giving my allegiance

Caught up, called out

Come take a look at me now

It's like I'm falling, Oh

It's like I'm falling

Journey Day 58

Revelation Song

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
[2X]

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
[3X]