Holding Tightly::...

This past week has flown by me. Veterans day was a nice break from the norm of my schedule. It also meant only three days of school instead of four, but who's counting? I was happy on Tuesday because I heard from one of my dear friends stationed in Iraq, I had last heard from him two months ago when he shipped out. So, it was nice to hear his voice and know that he is alright and that God is still encouraging and working on him even in the middle of Iraq. That's a strange place for God to work on anyone but He can pick any place He pleases to use to teach us.

This school year God has been using my circumstances to teach me. Satan has used many things I cherish and distorted them into something heart breaking. But that has given me an option to either pull closer to God or away from Him. I could be like Job and curse God for pulling away things that I have loved for so long or I could praise God for seeing me through the rough times.

Job 6:1-3 Then Job answered: "I wish my suffering could be weighed and my misery put on scales. My sadness would be heavier than the sand of the seas. No wonder my words seem careless.

When I get upset and my relationship with God is troubled my mouth is the first thing that goes. Like the Reliant K song says, " I can conger up a phrase that can cut to the quick." I guarantee that if I was in the same place spiritually as I was this time last school year I could easily pull away from God and from others. But this semester it's not so much me struggling as thoughs around me.

Even though it's hard to see those closest to you struggle, God provides a way even when we can't see the door. Personally it has been a growing experience. Last school year God called me asking for me to trust Him for contentment. Where as this school year it seems He wants me to trust Him with my future and more importantly my dearest of friends.

1 Timothy 4:12-13 Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. Until I come, continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them.

Even though I'm young, heck I'm only 19! I can still be there for thoughs around me, love them with my words and my actions and be praying for them. Some of them that is all I'm capable of doing, is pray for them.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ.

God has placed me where I am today with a purpose and if I look to Him He will give me guidance. So many times even lately God has comforted me. And through my Heavenly Father and can show love and comfort to thoughs around me who are hurting. Just like everyone else I am human and have had my trials, and God has lead me by the hand and gotten me through each and every one. We believers are to point every hurting person whether friend or foe to that same great comforter so they too can be lead to a place of contentment.

Even with all that I have been going through and trails that Satan I'm sure will keep throwing my way, I know that my heavenly Father will guide me through. My hand is His to hold and I know that there has never been a time of more misery in my life then when I have retracted my hand from God's reach.

Psalm 91: 2 I will say to the Lord, "You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you."

When Acknowlegdement Hits the Road::..

Pain, plagues my body after a day of cleaning the yard. My family and I made a significant improvement in the front but the back still has weeds that rival the height of Jack's bean stalk.

I still have to finish Bible Institute and study for my biology quiz on Monday.

For Bible Institute this week I have to expound on last weeks ten minute lesson of Proverbs 3:5-5 and make it a twenty minute lesson.

Picking up right where I left off last week.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge in Him, and he will make your paths straight.

Looking at what the word acknowledge means opened up my whole pyridine of that verse. Let me tell you, that verse makes for a great memory verse when your in Awana's but it hits you hard when you grow up.

I know God has slowly been working on me, making it clear to me where in my life I'm not acknowledging Him. One of the HUGE things on that list is my future.

Since I was young I have been one of those people who always liked to have a plan of action. And as I've gotten older I've made attempts to stay that way. But God is slowly working my future out from my tight grasp, forcing me to turn it over to Him. Because in all honesty I don't know what else to do.

What if the plans God has for me is different then what most people had hoped for me? Will I be exiled? Trust me that has been a huge question on my mind. But even if I am exiled, I can take assurance that God has a plan and a purpose for it.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

If I acknowledge God I'm able to see that He has great plans for me. Even when those plans might not look right to me. Also I can talk to God and seek him out. Knowing that He will always be there for me no matter who else is.

God is a place of shelter. And when I need refuge I can run to Him with open arms and know that I won't be rejected like the world would have me be. Even when the people and circumstances change and I feel like I have no place to turn, God is there.

Isaiah 25:4 (NIV) You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall

There have been times in my life that I have been spiritually needy. Personally those times aren't something I enjoy and if ever possible I would like to never return to that place but I think that state is where God does some of His best work on peoples hearts.

Walking onto the college campus is like walking onto the front lines of spiritual warfare and if your not acknowledging God your going to be chewed up and spit out. Every day the enemy donnes their armor.

But what am I shielding myself with?

I've been keeping a prayer journal and trying to read a few pages of Bible each day but on days that I miss that time with God I can see a difference in my attitude. A void feeling takes over me and when my mouth opens I tend to be ugly to people. Doesn't matter who I'm speaking to everything coming out of my mouth sounds bad.

Ephesians 6:14-15 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

When I have that morning fellowship with God. I'm standing firm in God's word and I know that I'm acknowledging God. Were as on mornings that I miss out on that time, I'm like a loose cannon and who knows who might get hit.

Acknowledging God comes in all areas of your life. An intimate relationship with God starts by simply trusting Him. And slowly as the relationship grows your willingness to trust Him with more areas of your life expands. Giving over parts of your life to God to do what He wills is rough at times but you can take comfort that it will always be for your good.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Acknowledgement::..

It is yet to be six in the morning and I am up, dressed, make-up is on and there is a coffee cup full of liquid goodness sitting beside me. Some one should be proud of me. I'm not sure who, but some one. I have to leave by seven to get to work at seven forty-five and I wanted some prayer time and to blog a little. I've been praying over the last day that God would tell me what to put in this next blog because it is the start to my lesson that I'm having to teach at Bible Institute so, you poor people who are subjected to reading my blog get to be my guinea pigs for a lesson I'm having to prepare.

I have a tendency any ways to pray for guidance about what to blog about BUT the folks at Bible Institute aren't exactly my usual crowd that consists of kids and twenty year old girls. For the past week I have sat staring at this verse, just kind of hoping God would rain down a shower of enlightenment on me. Of course God in His infinite wisdom knew in eternity past where I would be at this point in my life and so strangely enough this verse is very applicable to me and my current situation. Isn't that entertaining how God does that? He gives me a verse that I am required to teach on that is incredibly blunt about the action I should take even when the road in front of me looks as whopper jawed as it's has been lately.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE him, and he will make your paths straight.

After looking at that verse I decided that the best thing to do would be to look up the definition of acknowledge. Just straight up what the Webster dictionary says, and I thought it was interesting:

Main Entry: ac·knowl·edge

1: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of
2: to disclose knowledge of or agreement with
3 a: to express gratitude or obligation for
b: to take notice of
c: to make known the receipt of
4: to recognize as genuine or valid

We are all guilty of looking over some attribute of God that is calling us to faithfully place our trust in him. But being human we are sure that our own pathetic human nature can take care of our issues just fine.

After coming to a conclusion of what Acknowledge means you can start asking yourself some questions.

· Do I recognize the rights, authority and statues of God?

· Am I honestly disclosing/telling God all there is to know about me and what is
goingon in my life? In other words am I having the right type of prayer life?

· Have I acknowledged God's son, God's ultimate gift to me?

· Am I paying attention to God?

· Do I except His love letter to me as His true unchanged word?

· Is God Himself valid to me, am I accrediting my relationship with Him as true and
important?

All of the questions in the bulletins above could be answered yes, if you are filled with the Holy Spirit which is a product of faith.

So it could be read.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways have faith in Him, and he will make your paths straight.

Strange how your definition of a verse changes when one word is put into it’s place.

Right now I’m going through first and second Samuel with my class on Sunday. It took praying for a while before God guided me to teach about the life of David. David’s life stood out to me because most of the kids in my class come from troubled families. That might sound like a weird reason to pick to study David but David’s family is one of great dysfunction. David himself didn’t always trust God BUT when ever he clearly saw he walked away from God he came right back to Him; and was considered a man after God’s own heart at the end of his life.

David wrote some of my favorite Psalms. After trying to solve problems both with and without God he wrote this.

Psalm 37:5 (New Century Version) Depend on the Lord; trust him, and he will take care of you.

In my own life I have seen God be tried and true. David saw it in both his life and the lives of the great men that trusted God before him.

Psalm 22:4-5 (New Century Version) our ancestors trusted you; they trusted, and you saved them. They called to you for help and were rescued. They trusted you and were not disappointed.

No matter what you place in God’s hands you can take assurance that it will be resolved in a way that will both bring Him honor and glory and will be the best for you.
Now I can see that the passages in proverbs are words to live by. God can lead you down any path, no matter the obstacles and yet you still have the fruits of the spirit in your life because you trust Him with where your final destination will be.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways have faith in Him, and he will make your paths straight.

Meet your enemy::...

At the end of days like today I breath a sigh of relief that tomorrow is coming and won't be like the day before. I'm blogging at a very unusual time for me. There is no coffee to be seen. Even though that might be a good idea. So Kels, I guess we can call this a break from my traditional blog openings.

Finally, I'm attempting to do what I have been looking forward to all day. Sitting here nicely touched under my fluffy comforter, next to my bible and notebook, my laptop on my knees and a heat pack on my stomach. The house is quite since all my family is in bed and I am left alone to my thoughts.

Today has been rough, mainly because of the stresses of life but there are a few more things weighing me down. God and I have been having sporadic little conversations throughout the day, which generally consists of me giving my problems and aggravations over to Him. Even with all the irritations of the day I still remember that God is in control.. Car problems mixed with pricey mechanic's bills have plagued me today. And I was greatly entertained today by God's ironic sense of humor.. I was calling my dear friend Kaiti to tell her about my frustrations, so we'll say I was calling to complain to Kaiti about all the things that were happening. But sadly like most Mondays we play phone tag all day, needless to say she didn't pick up. When I hang up though I turn on my music and what else do I hear but Mandisa's song "It's Only The Word" playing. Then after I picked back up my car from the mechanic I tried Kaiti again, this time she actually picked up which was a miracle in and of it's self. But after I hung up with Kait I turn back up the radio and the song, " Don't worry about a thing" was on. Is it just me or is God maybe trying to tell me something? I thought it was too funny in which the method God choose to comfort me.

Even with all the things that could distract me and have distracted me from God, I know that He is right there to help me through them if I will let Him. Another thing that I was thinking about today is that Spiritual warfare is not against flesh and blood. It's not what we are seeing. It's not the car problems, the relationship issues, school, fiances, etc. thoughs are the things that get us distracted so we can't take on what we were meant to. We are meant to bring glory to God and to delight ourselves in His presence. God doesn't change with circumstances, but I sure know that I do.

Here is something to think about.

Ephesians 6:12 (New International Version) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Peace Rains Down::..

Today like most mornings I'm on my second cup of coffee. I was just thinking about how much I need my coffee to wake me up physically this morning but I need my prayer time with God each morning to wake me up for the day Spiritually. So before I started typing this I had some quite-ish time with God. I could hear my brothers cartoons playing in the back round, but oh well..

I have been going to Arkansas camp for three years now and a councilor for two. Some of my absolute favorite times at Arkansas camp is getting up every morning before my body truly wants to and sneaking out of the cabin with out anyone knowing, walking down to the boxing arena at the edge of the lake and sitting on the highest point on the bleachers facing the lake and having quite time with God. It's amazing! Watching all the trees that God made sway in the gentle breeze and listening to the rolling of the water that He controls. Plus then having the added bonus of after that going to the councilors meeting with all the other crazies who dare to be called councilors. Praying with all of them for the kids God brought to camp with only a purpose known to Him and allowing us to love on the little souls for a week. Can anyone tell that camp has been on my mind a little bit?

I was talking to a dear friend on the phone the other night. And in the course of our strange and usually every lengthy conversations prayer was brought up. I think it was in relation to not praying enough. But then it evolved into not knowing what to say to God in prayer. which I know is a very normal response from most people. My kids that I teach at church had a lot of trouble at first when I asked them if they wanted to pray for the class at Church. They typical asked, "what should I say?" I would tell them to just talk to God. Maybe some are daunted by the fact that they are talking to the maker of the universe or others might think of Him as a God of Justice ready to rain down fire and brim stone on your head, but to everyone who believes Christ died on the cross for their sins He is simply Daddy. I guess I have been blessed, unlike others, with an earthly father that I have always been at ease talking to. Which might make it a little easier for me to talk to God in that sort of a manor. But while talking we also talked about lying to God in our prayers. I know I have been guilty of this MANY times. Where you really want to pray about or for something but you sort of beat around the bush and use prettier language then necessary because you don't want to offend God. After doing this for many years I finally came to the brilliant deduction that God, who knows everything probably knows what I am really thinking. It's such a profound concept!

Lately as problems have been arising in life I have had to remind myself of exactly how big God is. Even though I know that my "Big" problems of today will be the small potatoes of my tomorrow, it's still hard to see around the biggies. Thankfully I can take comfort that God is far larger then my problems no matter what they are, who they are or where they come from. For some weirdo reason this reminds me of a Veggie Tales song.

Hannah prayed what was truly on her heart and God granted it to her.

1 Samuel 1: 12-16 (NIV) As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine."
"Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief."

I really like this verse.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

And I'll finish with this.

Psalm 136:2 (NIV) Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever

At the top of this blog is a picture of Laminin. It is a protien the holds the human body together. What does it look like to you? THAT would be how big my God is!

Unknown is tomorrow...

I just finished off my second cup of coffee. It was very much welcome this morning. Last night I was talking to a good friend until about two in the morning and then finished making Biology flash cards, thus not getting into bed until around three. For some silly reason my brain just turned on at eight this morning and refuses to shut off. Thus the coffee! I've had some good prayer time this morning though with the house quite because of my family being gone to Mexico. I'm ready for them to be home, it's too quite without them. So far I don't feel like I have accomplished as much as I have wanted to in their absence. But that is neither here nor there..

Isn't it funny? For about a nano second you have the feeling that you know exactly where your headed. Then things get shaken up and making you realize that you have absolutely no idea what will happen tomorrow. The one good thing I can see about this uncertainty is that it shows me exactly how dependant I am on God. In one instant I think I have everything handled and am going down the path God would have me go and the next I feel like an invalid that needs God's help to even do the simplest thing. That's a blow to the pride! Realizing that your too weak to do or say anything that could bring about good.

As of lately I have been putting a lot of thought into this. I only see the tiniest of glimpse into the future. Where would God really have me? Where should I go and what should I do next? What's the next move? I'm aware that you can just pull the Jesus card to answer these questions and say, "Well, just trust God." but does that fully answer these questions? Without God's guidance I have no idea which doors are truly open for me by God and which are opened just to tempt me into walking away from the path God laied out for me in eternity past. Maybe the Jesus card is the answer to my question. But it's so hard to just let go and allow God handle it, especially when we're dealing with something as crucial as my future. I have been willing to give God lots of my problems over the years but am I ready to trust Him with my future?

Over the past year I have slowing been making my way through Elisabeth Elliot's book "Keep a Quite Heart". Today as I have been pondering all that is going on in life and will happen I read a quote that seemed so incredibly fitting.

'From an out-of-print book, The Life and Letters of Janet Erskine Stuart. Says one who was her assistant for some years, "She delighted in seeing her plan upset by unexpected events, saying that it gave her great comfort, and that she looked on such things as an assurance that God was watching over her stewardship, was securing the accomplishment of His will, and working out His own designs. Whether she traced the secondary causes to the prayer of a child, to the imperfection of an individual, to obstacles arising from misunderstandings, or to interference of outside agencies, she was joyfully and graciously ready to recognize the indication of God's ruling hand, and to allow herself to be guided by it.

No matter the chaos of life and the pain I might feel along the way I can still take comfort and shelter in God and His grace He showers on me everyday.

Jeremiah 29:11(NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Battle Lines..

So far this morning I have gotten little accomplished.. I spent some time with God. Talked to Kaiti. Re-read past journal entries.. Which I will say with no shame, I love doing! It reminds me of how far God has brought me and what He lead me through. Plus of how stupid I once was, but doesn't everyone feel like that?

Today is far better then yesterday so far... If your someone who knows me you will know of my disdain for my Psychology class. The world's twisted thinking is pushed on college students like McDonald's on small children. You know?... The White American Male has pushed everyone down, evolution, Feminist psychology yadyadyad. It frustrates me to no end having to sit in that class.. Most of my peers think the class teaches the truth.. But it teaches Satan's lie! Yesterday the question was posed, "Are Humans Innately Good or Evil?" Out of probably fifteen people that answered about thirteen said that people are born blank slates, not good and not evil because that is taught to you as you grow-up. So I asked who picks what is good and evil? And the unanimous response was that it's whatever society says is right.. Of course a few brought up that some Christians think it was God or Adam and Eve...

Society? Huh... Have we not yet seen what society does? Yesterday in class we also watched a video. During which the person on the video said that in the 1940's America demolished Fascism in Germany.. Hello?!?! Have you not read lately about the America government taking over some of the biggest banks and lending companies in America? People, Fascism is alive and well in the heart of Washington D.C. our nation's capital. It was bad though because I was openly giggling at that statement right when they were showing pictures of concentration camps. Our nation is going to get worse before it gets any better. This is honestly one of the most exciting times to be a Christian in America.. The tougher times get the greater the pull of people to or away from God! I know just being in college I'm feeling the heat of peoples hatred towards God. They aim it at me but I have to remind myself that it's not me that they hold hostility towards it's my Father, my Protector and my Commanding Officer that they are against, not me.

God is still in control and when this is all over, it is going to come out exactly as He had in mind... God is not taken by surprise.. He didn't say, "Oh dear, I didn't realize that things would look so bleak for America in a short two hundred years of their country as a nation." He said, " I love you, I'll provide for you, trust me."

God has given us the means to over come twisted thinking in our soul, the Holy Spirit! We must have spiritual thinking, not the twisted thinking of the world in order to enjoy our relationship with God and with one another...

We must have spiritual thinking, the fruit of the spirit in order to allow God to use us in His plan to bring honor and Glory to Him.

This is such a concept.. Really honestly I forget this from time to time.. Your not here to serve your own interest but God. You have a mission in life... You are to enjoy Spiritual freedom and Glorify God and enjoy His presence.. By Walking by in Faith In The Holy Spirit!

Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Walking by faith in the spirit will never disappoint or disillusioned you like the world will.

And if you are walking by Faith in the Spirit you can have absolute confidence that God is working in your life. I sure know He is working in mine.. No really.. Most of the stuff on here I stole from John because he taught it Wednesday night at bible study.. And then yesterday I found out that Friday Night Fellowship is on a live feed online but they also have some archived so I watched the latest one last night and Buck was talking all about spiritual warfare.. And now I'm a tad nervous what is coming my way.. :)