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."