pierced.

Something to try to grasp in the next few days as we approach Easter Sunday. ONE MAN. ONE CROSS. PIERCED. WHIPPED. HURT. BETRAYED. ALL TO PAY ONE PRICE FOR US ALL:

"But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all."

Isaiah 53:5-6 (New Living Translation)

bring on the rain.

one of the first things that I think of when i think spring is the rain. rain brings new life to the flowers, soil, gardens, etc. so that spring can arrive with God's beauty. a lot of times a rainy day can be a bummer. when you think over you life - maybe you have had some "rainy days". have you ever wondered why something happened the way it did?  maybe something you really wanted to happen just didn't happen the way it was planned-- or just didn't happen at all. i have had a lot of those days lately. i found myself frustrated, scared, angry and asking WHY does this happen to me all the time? 
as i took a step back, i realized that maybe God has BIGGER and BETTER things planned for me. maybe it is his will that these "rainy days" happen to make me stronger. just like the rain bring new life and beauty- the strength i learn from these struggles make me a stronger person. 


take a look with me at Psalm 25:5---> "Guide me in your truth and teach me,for you are God my Savior,and my hope is in you all day long."

 

isn't that so true-- if you put your HOPE in HIM, there is peace. 

take another look with me at this song--> (MercyMe, Bring the Rain)

"Bring me joy, bring me PEACE
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings YOU GLORY
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
JESUS, BRING THE RAIN!"

No matter what.

Have you ever been driving and a song comes on the radio that you just needed to hear in that moment? It's those moments where I find myself cranking up the radio, tuning out life and enjoy the few minutes right then. 

Here is the song: (Kerrie Roberts- No Matter What)

"When I’m stuck in this nothing-ness by myself, I’m just sitting in silence. There’s no way I can make it without Your help, I wont even try it. I know You have Your reasons for everything, so I will keep believing. Whatever I might be feeling{{God you are my hope, and you'll be my strength}}

No matter what, I’m gonna LOVE YOU. No matter what I’m gonna NEED YOU. I know that You can find a way to keep me from the pain but if not, I’ll trust you- NO MATTER WHAT."

Be amazed-- God is so good! No matter what you are going though, no matter how tough it is-- HE IS THERE! Check this out:

Romans 8:37-39

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

love.

This guy is my best friend :) In 192 days I will be his WIFE! crazy to think about! I'm excited to share life's adventures as we grow together, closer in faith and love, down our journey of life. Since February is a month of love, I devoted my first post to you. Happy Feb. 1st everyone. :) 

MOVE.

If you haven't heard this song yet.. you NEED to! Amazing words of Christ spoken inside one incredible set of lyrics. Christ Tomlin always knows how to speak truth. What a blessing to realize what a great creator we have. Take a look at our living example:


"All your ways are GOOD

All your ways are SURE

I will trust in you ALONE

Higher than my SIGHT

High above my LIFE

I will trust in you ALONE!


Where you go, I'll GO

Where you stay, I'll STAY

When you move, I'll MOVE

I WILL FOLLOW YOU

Who you love, I'll LOVE

How you serve I'll SERVE


{{ If this life I lose, I will follow you }}

I WILL FOLLOW YOU


Light unto the world-- Light unto my life-- I will live for you alone-- You're the one I seek-- Knowing I will find-- All I need in you alone, in you alone!!"

strength.

Today, begin with committing everything you do to the Lord. He will help you and strengthen you as you walk hand in hand with him through all you do. If it is getting out of bed, or getting through a tough challenge, trust that he will guide you along every hurdle and every smile. 
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil 4:13
Happy Monday. 

NYE

happy new year everyone!


2011!! excited for a GREAT year!