Day 3 of the middle school mission trip! We've been working on a Christian retreat house for girls that have gotten in trouble or just simply don't fit in their homes. It's the same idea as a youth ranch but the power of the Spirit behind that staff makes it something completely different.
Today, we had a chance to hang out with some of the girls. Girls with crazy pasts and tremendous testimonies! God has used these girls to teach me the most simple things and I'm so thankful! I was blessed with the opportunity to grow closer to one of my girls that I've been teaching since 08. She had a stroke years back and lost the ability to use her left arm. But can I say that I have never met a girl with so much confidence from the Lord and so much thankfulness in her heart! Today we went off the side to read some of Matthew together! Matthew 5:14-16 was key in our study.
"you are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, it is placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so they can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
If we make no effort to affect the world around us, then we're of very tiny value to God. If we're too much like the world, we're useless. We shouldn't be blending in with everyone but instead affecting others positively.
How...how do we change the world? How do we impact and affect and revive?! It's as simple as this...
LOVE. It's a 4 letter word that we overuse and complicate and watered down. 1 John 4 tells us that God is love. So with that, if we don't know God, we have no clue what love is. In a letter to the Corinthians, Paul explains what real love is. We have turned these verses into lovey mushy wedding services, our speaker pointed out tonight. But can I tell you this...Paul wasn't intending it to be for 2 lovers but rather for a group of believers that we're performing "good" deeds for their own selfish gain. Paul is simply telling these people, hey you're not acting in love. If you were this is what it would look like...
Patience, kind, does not envy, does not boast, not proud or self seeking, it's not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs, love rejoices in the truth, it always hopes, trusts and perseveres.
Love is sacrifice. This is when I realized how much we water down the story of the cross. Do we even realize that a man who was perfect and complete left his comfort place in heaven to come here to save you? And to save me? We should've been on that cross! That is nothing to be taken lightly. Just because it's history gives us zero right to not recognize the Truth!
I have been searching for a peace providing, all consuming love and this week, God has pursued :) that's what I call a love story!!
So let me spring this prayer on you...God has really laid it on my heart to write. I'm still praying for confirmation, but I think I'm being called to write something big, a book maybe? So all through worship, I prayed. The speaker comes and goes and 1 last worship song ends the night.
However, I can't stand. I felt this empowerment to write and write. I didn't know what, so I just went with it.
"so when it seems that God is not close and my doubts are really kicking in and love in my life has come and gone..HIS love has hope. HIS love NEVER fails, gives up or runs out on me, even if everyone else does. I have God and He is all I need to fulfill this life and my purpose and His plan. He guides with His love, His love is empowering and overjoying. His love answers. His love pursues. When no one else will complete or fulfill you, that's God screaming CHOOSE ME ! Love is not just a feeling, not the butterflies in my tummy or the cheesey smile that won't go away.
Love is an injection of the Spirit! Love is an injection of hope, kindness, patience. Love is something way beyond the butterflies. Love is more real than anything we can imagine. Yes, let's complete the love checklist, patient/kind/not self-seeking... But the only way we can begin to make love a lifestyle is through knowing our Savior. Let's share this genuine joy and this TRUE LOVE that only God can provide! Accepting Gods real love is a choice. And so is settling for the norm and just letting love be the tingling in your toes. No more dull love life. Love is way more exciting than life portrays!!! My Gods love is real and powerful and it's accepted...by little ole me.
THIS IS REAL!"
Let the Lord inject His love and His spirit into your life. I can only picture emptiness and depression without this Love,
:)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Satan Tries
Spiritual warfare is a major deal in this walk with Christ. Satan... the world.. Sin...the opposing team and they're up for anything to throw us off our path, even in the smallest bit.
Tonight was our first session at Engage, middle school mission trip. Ohhhh how powerful worship was!
"His love...overwhelms and satisfies my soul. And I never ever have to be afraid"
God poured into me and just reassured me He was by my side to be my strength this week for my girls. He was next to me, painting confidence all over the Spirit inside of me. That genuine joy, the one you can't get anywhere else, took over. I can't help by smile or praise or love !! Nothing in the world can break this joy.
I promised myself id be truthful and completely open in my blogs, so here's the end of my story. It probably sounds dumb,
Roaring like a Lion was the next and last part of worship. Trent and I would blast this song, windows rolled down, hand motions and all! So with Satan whispering in my ear that I lost my best friend, I started hurting, again. And there went my joy.
People, God is faithful!! "Madison, you have been set free from this hurt, from this pain. Dont you dare let Satan make you feel this again"
Spiritual warfare is no joke. But it's up to me who wins the battlefield of my thoughts.
I'm part of a victorious army, gosh darn it! I refuse to let anymore moments from Satan be even somewhat considered. He plays our weaknesses and our struggles quite well. But do we focus on that? Or the fact that Jesus already did the suffering for us..
Now that's love.
Tonight was our first session at Engage, middle school mission trip. Ohhhh how powerful worship was!
"His love...overwhelms and satisfies my soul. And I never ever have to be afraid"
God poured into me and just reassured me He was by my side to be my strength this week for my girls. He was next to me, painting confidence all over the Spirit inside of me. That genuine joy, the one you can't get anywhere else, took over. I can't help by smile or praise or love !! Nothing in the world can break this joy.
I promised myself id be truthful and completely open in my blogs, so here's the end of my story. It probably sounds dumb,
Roaring like a Lion was the next and last part of worship. Trent and I would blast this song, windows rolled down, hand motions and all! So with Satan whispering in my ear that I lost my best friend, I started hurting, again. And there went my joy.
People, God is faithful!! "Madison, you have been set free from this hurt, from this pain. Dont you dare let Satan make you feel this again"
Spiritual warfare is no joke. But it's up to me who wins the battlefield of my thoughts.
I'm part of a victorious army, gosh darn it! I refuse to let anymore moments from Satan be even somewhat considered. He plays our weaknesses and our struggles quite well. But do we focus on that? Or the fact that Jesus already did the suffering for us..
Now that's love.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
I Don't Need You
and you don't need me. We forget that no person in this world is a need of ours. For me, I love people. lovelovelove. I love being around people and meeting new people and learning about people. But when it comes down to it...nobody you meet can fulfill you. Nobody can make you whole. Nobody can completely heal you, mend you, fix you. No guy, no best friend, no lover...except the Ultimate One.
Normally, I break into talking about how great my Ultimate Lover is...how His love letter to me takes up a whole book and how his comfort surrounds me when I let myself recognize it.
But instead, I'd like to inform you that people in the world suck. Everybody will let you down, even the closest to you. You may run into a few best friends who back stab you or a couple boyfriends that aren't what they make themselves out to be, you'll probably run into a few family members that disappoint you and a close at heart friend that will hurt you. Can I tell you why? Satan owns this world. But just because the world is his, doesn't mean we have to be. The world teaches us to hold grudges against these people that hurt us, break our hearts and plot against us. The world teaches us that once one friendship fails, the rest are all going to disappoint us. Or that once one boyfriend fails, all the rest are going to be pricks, also. (sorry) I've had the chance to speak to a lot of hurting people and just meditate on the seed of pain, the comfort of our Lover and the forgiveness and grace of our God. He has not only shown me healing, but has given me the opportunity to open peoples' eyes to His healing. His healing is the ONLY way we can be made whole and complete. Nothing or nobody in this world is going to fix you.
For the past little bit, I've relied on one of my closest friends to provide comfort and healing and reassurance in my life. He cared after me and loved me and watched out for me! Oh Lord, I am thankful for him!! But let me say this, I was looking to the wrong man to be my healer, my fixer. Because as much as this friend did for me, in the overall scene, it just distracted me. This was my deceptive heart telling me I was healed.
GOD HAS TO BE MY HEALER...you'd think I'd understand that as many times as I've heard it,
"Don't look to the right or to the left, but keep your eyes on me. You will not be shaken, you will not be moved. I am the hand to hold, I am the Truth, I am the Way. So come to me, come to me. 'Cause I'm all that you need"
God is my Ultimate lover, healer, forgiver, peacemaker. I never ever have to be afraid, His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me. The world WILL fail you, they will give up on you and God only knows who in this world will run out on you. "Don't let your happiness depend on something on something you may lose." C.S. Lewis.
PEOPLE! God and His Word and the Holy Spirit...we could never lose. We just have to be ready to rely on the Word and the Spirit to act when the world throws hurt at us! This is acting like Jesus would. This is not getting even. This is not reacting like the world tells us to... This is forgiving. This is showing mercy & continuing to love.
Forgive like Jesus forgave & love like Jesus loved. We have a path to walk in this life, and sufferings are only tiny rocks in the way.
PRAISE GOD!!!
Normally, I break into talking about how great my Ultimate Lover is...how His love letter to me takes up a whole book and how his comfort surrounds me when I let myself recognize it.
But instead, I'd like to inform you that people in the world suck. Everybody will let you down, even the closest to you. You may run into a few best friends who back stab you or a couple boyfriends that aren't what they make themselves out to be, you'll probably run into a few family members that disappoint you and a close at heart friend that will hurt you. Can I tell you why? Satan owns this world. But just because the world is his, doesn't mean we have to be. The world teaches us to hold grudges against these people that hurt us, break our hearts and plot against us. The world teaches us that once one friendship fails, the rest are all going to disappoint us. Or that once one boyfriend fails, all the rest are going to be pricks, also. (sorry) I've had the chance to speak to a lot of hurting people and just meditate on the seed of pain, the comfort of our Lover and the forgiveness and grace of our God. He has not only shown me healing, but has given me the opportunity to open peoples' eyes to His healing. His healing is the ONLY way we can be made whole and complete. Nothing or nobody in this world is going to fix you.
For the past little bit, I've relied on one of my closest friends to provide comfort and healing and reassurance in my life. He cared after me and loved me and watched out for me! Oh Lord, I am thankful for him!! But let me say this, I was looking to the wrong man to be my healer, my fixer. Because as much as this friend did for me, in the overall scene, it just distracted me. This was my deceptive heart telling me I was healed.
GOD HAS TO BE MY HEALER...you'd think I'd understand that as many times as I've heard it,
"Don't look to the right or to the left, but keep your eyes on me. You will not be shaken, you will not be moved. I am the hand to hold, I am the Truth, I am the Way. So come to me, come to me. 'Cause I'm all that you need"
God is my Ultimate lover, healer, forgiver, peacemaker. I never ever have to be afraid, His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me. The world WILL fail you, they will give up on you and God only knows who in this world will run out on you. "Don't let your happiness depend on something on something you may lose." C.S. Lewis.
PEOPLE! God and His Word and the Holy Spirit...we could never lose. We just have to be ready to rely on the Word and the Spirit to act when the world throws hurt at us! This is acting like Jesus would. This is not getting even. This is not reacting like the world tells us to... This is forgiving. This is showing mercy & continuing to love.
Forgive like Jesus forgave & love like Jesus loved. We have a path to walk in this life, and sufferings are only tiny rocks in the way.
PRAISE GOD!!!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Real Man
A real man is in love with Lord,
he's sensitive to the Holy Spirit that lives inside of him,
he sees that just having the knowledge of the Spirit means nothing without submitting to the Spirit.
A real man mimics Jesus Christ,
loves unconditionally,
genuinely cares,
selflessly gives and
eternally PROTECTS.
A real man follows in God's footsteps and remains faithful,
he says what he means and means what he says.
He knows I'm a princess of the King and treats me as such.
A real man is a leader and a teacher.
He acts & behaves in the ways of himself, the way God made him instead of the way everybody else wants to make him. He's God's own, not the world's.
A real man doesn't conform to his surroundings just to fit in, no! He stands out! He goes against the crowd, he's set apart. His qualities are nothing the world wants, but what God wants.
A real man gives his all to stay in the Word and stay focused on eternal life, instead of temporary.
A real man doesn't compare himself. Who's to judge? No one is any better than the other.
A real man humbles himself,
holds tight to his integrity &
remains faithful always.
A real man doesn't just say/do the things to please me,
because he knows that nothing on this temporary world
could give me the genuine joy that Jesus Christ does.
Therefore, his goal in making me happy...is simply
checking daily on my relationship with Jesus Christ,
teaching me new things about God's character,
holding me accountable to the Word,
embracing my spiritual walk & prayer life,
living out the example that he preaches.
This is the example that Jesus Christ has set for me...for my future husband. So I refuse to settle and just grow and grow and grow while waiting on God's timing. As for now, it's just me and the big man upstairs and it's the best relationship I could ever ask for.
Finally, a someone who genuinely loves me! and actually pursues me out of selfless ambition. A lover who wants to bless me and heal me and help me and grow me! He wants the best for me and wants to love me no matter what! HE PROTECTS ME! I have nothing to fear when He's by my side. And the best part of all? He's been waiting on me, humble & silent, to realize that I don't need anything but Him. God is my everything. And the Word is His love letter. A man who means what he says, and says what he means. Whose actions speak louder than words.
And He's been patiently waiting for me this whole time,
I think I'm in love :)
Maddie
he's sensitive to the Holy Spirit that lives inside of him,
he sees that just having the knowledge of the Spirit means nothing without submitting to the Spirit.
A real man mimics Jesus Christ,
loves unconditionally,
genuinely cares,
selflessly gives and
eternally PROTECTS.
A real man follows in God's footsteps and remains faithful,
he says what he means and means what he says.
He knows I'm a princess of the King and treats me as such.
A real man is a leader and a teacher.
He acts & behaves in the ways of himself, the way God made him instead of the way everybody else wants to make him. He's God's own, not the world's.
A real man doesn't conform to his surroundings just to fit in, no! He stands out! He goes against the crowd, he's set apart. His qualities are nothing the world wants, but what God wants.
A real man gives his all to stay in the Word and stay focused on eternal life, instead of temporary.
A real man doesn't compare himself. Who's to judge? No one is any better than the other.
A real man humbles himself,
holds tight to his integrity &
remains faithful always.
A real man doesn't just say/do the things to please me,
because he knows that nothing on this temporary world
could give me the genuine joy that Jesus Christ does.
Therefore, his goal in making me happy...is simply
checking daily on my relationship with Jesus Christ,
teaching me new things about God's character,
holding me accountable to the Word,
embracing my spiritual walk & prayer life,
living out the example that he preaches.
This is the example that Jesus Christ has set for me...for my future husband. So I refuse to settle and just grow and grow and grow while waiting on God's timing. As for now, it's just me and the big man upstairs and it's the best relationship I could ever ask for.
Finally, a someone who genuinely loves me! and actually pursues me out of selfless ambition. A lover who wants to bless me and heal me and help me and grow me! He wants the best for me and wants to love me no matter what! HE PROTECTS ME! I have nothing to fear when He's by my side. And the best part of all? He's been waiting on me, humble & silent, to realize that I don't need anything but Him. God is my everything. And the Word is His love letter. A man who means what he says, and says what he means. Whose actions speak louder than words.
And He's been patiently waiting for me this whole time,
I think I'm in love :)
Maddie
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Rise Above...
So 2 months has felt like nothing. My heart sank a little when I saw that the last post was so long ago. But I've been away, making myself my own worst enemy. I've never truly understood that concept until recently.
I think I've been battling myself. Because of past heartache, back stabs, fake Christians and doubts, my life as a daughter of the King had been revoked...by me.I felt so beat down and so worn out, I felt that I didn't have anymore to give. This is when the world became tempting to me. I lost sight of my Bible reading, journaling... And to be honest, the only thing that kept me in for Christ, even the least bit, were my middle school girls.
“God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.” C.S. Lewis
Deep down, I knew that Christ would become the center again. Because I mean, once you genuinely and truly have the Spirit inside of you, you can't completey let go. The Word says that those who really loved Christ, couldn't choose the world over Him forever. With that, I knew I had to remain an example and a leader for my girls in this dry spell and they kept me from hitting rock bottom 100 mph. I thank God so much for my girls, and for putting them in my path/plan.
Last week, the middle school boys & girls grouped together. However, in planning out a lesson, I didn't know that so I called Stephen asking if I could have a TV in my room to show part of a Louis Giglio sermon. It just so happens, that Stephen had an extra hour that he didn't know what to do with. So God allowed the Spirit to speak through me to these kids and let me tell you how amazing and rejuvenating it was to know that the Lord still had my back.
The story was of the widow who just lost her son. As people were carrying this boy on a casket to his grave, Jesus Christ came up to the widow and said, "don't worry" I imagine him saying this with a huge smile on His face as He walks up to the boy and lays a hand on him, "Get up" Jesus says, and the boy rose. The lesson was aimed to our own grave. What's our stretcher? What's carrying you away from God and to your grave? Louis Giglio asks.
My stretcher has been doubt. I've been so focused on excuses and "logic" that the world has come up with to take the place of God's existence. I was looking into coincidences and reasonable thinking...worldly standard. I've been talking more to people without the Spirit of the Lord than people with it. I wanted to live my life for me to accomplish what I wanted.
“There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.” C.S. Lewis
Low & behold, the Spirit doesn't work like that. I can't tell you how unsure I've felt of myself while being in this rut. God or the world? The world or God? We are only complete and sure of who we are when we are walking in the ways of Jesus Christ. the ONLY way I can be me. As for all those who don't believe, my hope is that they try. Just read the Bible everyday for a week, give Him a chance and fully believe in your heart because that is when God can touch your life. And THIS is when you'll feel fully you and fully found.
So, back to last Wednesday night. The girls and I split away from the group and had this wonderful time to just hang out and be together! A certain sir came to me after the mini sermon and gave me more verses to add to what the Spirit spoke.
Isaiah 59:1-4
" Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your sins have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads a case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies;
they conceive trouble and give birth to evil"
I think I've been battling myself. Because of past heartache, back stabs, fake Christians and doubts, my life as a daughter of the King had been revoked...by me.I felt so beat down and so worn out, I felt that I didn't have anymore to give. This is when the world became tempting to me. I lost sight of my Bible reading, journaling... And to be honest, the only thing that kept me in for Christ, even the least bit, were my middle school girls.
“God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.” C.S. Lewis
Deep down, I knew that Christ would become the center again. Because I mean, once you genuinely and truly have the Spirit inside of you, you can't completey let go. The Word says that those who really loved Christ, couldn't choose the world over Him forever. With that, I knew I had to remain an example and a leader for my girls in this dry spell and they kept me from hitting rock bottom 100 mph. I thank God so much for my girls, and for putting them in my path/plan.
Last week, the middle school boys & girls grouped together. However, in planning out a lesson, I didn't know that so I called Stephen asking if I could have a TV in my room to show part of a Louis Giglio sermon. It just so happens, that Stephen had an extra hour that he didn't know what to do with. So God allowed the Spirit to speak through me to these kids and let me tell you how amazing and rejuvenating it was to know that the Lord still had my back.
The story was of the widow who just lost her son. As people were carrying this boy on a casket to his grave, Jesus Christ came up to the widow and said, "don't worry" I imagine him saying this with a huge smile on His face as He walks up to the boy and lays a hand on him, "Get up" Jesus says, and the boy rose. The lesson was aimed to our own grave. What's our stretcher? What's carrying you away from God and to your grave? Louis Giglio asks.
My stretcher has been doubt. I've been so focused on excuses and "logic" that the world has come up with to take the place of God's existence. I was looking into coincidences and reasonable thinking...worldly standard. I've been talking more to people without the Spirit of the Lord than people with it. I wanted to live my life for me to accomplish what I wanted.
“There is but one good; that is God. Everything else is good when it looks to Him and bad when it turns from Him.” C.S. Lewis
Low & behold, the Spirit doesn't work like that. I can't tell you how unsure I've felt of myself while being in this rut. God or the world? The world or God? We are only complete and sure of who we are when we are walking in the ways of Jesus Christ. the ONLY way I can be me. As for all those who don't believe, my hope is that they try. Just read the Bible everyday for a week, give Him a chance and fully believe in your heart because that is when God can touch your life. And THIS is when you'll feel fully you and fully found.
So, back to last Wednesday night. The girls and I split away from the group and had this wonderful time to just hang out and be together! A certain sir came to me after the mini sermon and gave me more verses to add to what the Spirit spoke.
Isaiah 59:1-4
" Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your sins have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads a case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies;
they conceive trouble and give birth to evil"
SIN is what takes us away from Christ and what fulfills our doubts. This is why it's so easy to not see God anymore, because I let myself and my ambition get in the way of Christ & His ambition for me. I feel that I can put a check mark next to everything listed in these verses. My fingers with guilt, my lips spoken falsely & my tongue muttering wicked things. Where is Christ in this!?
Recently, I've been let down. It seems that the closest to you are the ones that can stab you the most. From people I've looked up to all the way through the list of people I've poured into.
"Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose." C.S. Lewis
However, God's taught me to rise above. Rise above the crappy situation. Rise above the fake people. Rise above a mediocre lifestyle with Christ.
Just picture a path. This path is your life. Let yourself just grow so big and tall that you can see from beginning to end of this path. See that this person/situation is only a minor step in the pathway. My yellow brick road (that's how I picture my path) has miles and miles to go and if I let one wrong step bring me down this early in the hike, how am I supposed to be fully used by Jesus Christ!? This life is so temporary. I have no time to dwell on not-so-genuine people and sticky situations. As a Christ follower, I'm here to love and forgive, help and understand, serve and grow...all while living less than I could, just as Jesus did.
My eyes are on the path of Jesus Christ and just thinking about it gives my heart this fulfilled feeling. My music will change back to worship, my thoughts will transform to pure, my actions will be like Christ, my words will be an overflow of my heart which will be filled again.
Praise the Lord for loving me when I don't care to love back. How selfish.
We are a chosen generation to spread this love, darn it! So why waste the time dwelling on me? Why waste time when I could be pouring out? poured into? reading Scripture? watching sermons? praising and worship in my room? How often do I do these things? God, test and transform this heart of yours.
Isaiah 40:28-31
"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
He gives strength to the weary
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
and his understanding no one can fathom.
and increases the power of 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 on wings like eagles,
they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint."
Love,
Me :)
Friday, April 13, 2012
Edible Sparkles and a Godly Lady
This Godly lady is my mentor. She is beautiful, inside and out. She's on fire for the Lord. She is the complete definition of a servant for the Lord. This Godly lady is an inspiration, an encourager and a fighter. She knows that the Lord is faithful and that He only has the best plans for her life. This Godly lady is strong and courageous. She surrenders everyday to our God and constantly gives herself to let the Spirit lead her in every step she takes. She can live in the moment, instead of the future or the past. This mentor of mine is thankful for every little blessing of the day...down to the breaths she's taking. Though struggles come her way, she knows and fully trusts that God's got it. This Godly lady could lead an army, hands down, because she knows the Lord is victorious and on her side. This Godly lady, my mentor, is an angel...a blessing...a Godsend.
Yesterday was a lazy day until I got a special invite. Let's call her Beautiful. A word that describes how the Lord has physically created her and how the Holy Spirit has transformed her heart and mind to be. So I get to B's place and I'm handed this red velvet cupcakes with sparkles..not sprinkles..sparkles on top, I didn't think the day could get much better. So I get a house tour and new coasters with her face in them for my college dorm. Creeperstatus. We sit and then it starts...God uses her words, her past and her heart to mend mine. This is all the Lord's doing, but it takes a willing Spirit to do what He commands. She taught me a lot in these few hours...but I'll just share a few:)
1. That God has created a man for each of His princesses that are going to love them relentlessly, and fully, and no matter what. There's a man that's going to love them in a way they didn't even know what possible. That in everything this man does, even in anger, he still shows that He loves his princess. Nothing she did could change this eternal love.
2. Jesus..I am. Not I was, not I'm going to be, but I am. In the present tense. Jesus Christ was fully present in every moment and He was performing miracles left and right. Jesus Christ has called us to be of the moment, not the future. What have we missed by living in the past?
3. A thankful heart is a joyful heart. B has a journal of all the things she's thankful for. She carries this journal around with her and writes down every single blessing of the day. You see, she taught me that before every miracle, Jesus gave thanks to the Father. I'm not even performing miracles and yet, I have a hard time giving thanks daily.
4. B showed me that if we surround ourselves with God's work, then we have nothing else to talk about. So when the world says, "What've you been up to?", there's nothing else to say besides what you've been doing for the Lord.
B is a God send. She's on fire and sets those around her on fire. She helps me to continue to see the world through God's eyes instead of my own. Please, find yourself someone like my B. A mentor, a servant. A cupcake giver, ;)
The rest of yesterday was spent at the mall, the christian bookstore, ice cream and my house. :) It was a very amazing day.
In Christ,
me
Yesterday was a lazy day until I got a special invite. Let's call her Beautiful. A word that describes how the Lord has physically created her and how the Holy Spirit has transformed her heart and mind to be. So I get to B's place and I'm handed this red velvet cupcakes with sparkles..not sprinkles..sparkles on top, I didn't think the day could get much better. So I get a house tour and new coasters with her face in them for my college dorm. Creeperstatus. We sit and then it starts...God uses her words, her past and her heart to mend mine. This is all the Lord's doing, but it takes a willing Spirit to do what He commands. She taught me a lot in these few hours...but I'll just share a few:)
1. That God has created a man for each of His princesses that are going to love them relentlessly, and fully, and no matter what. There's a man that's going to love them in a way they didn't even know what possible. That in everything this man does, even in anger, he still shows that He loves his princess. Nothing she did could change this eternal love.
2. Jesus..I am. Not I was, not I'm going to be, but I am. In the present tense. Jesus Christ was fully present in every moment and He was performing miracles left and right. Jesus Christ has called us to be of the moment, not the future. What have we missed by living in the past?
3. A thankful heart is a joyful heart. B has a journal of all the things she's thankful for. She carries this journal around with her and writes down every single blessing of the day. You see, she taught me that before every miracle, Jesus gave thanks to the Father. I'm not even performing miracles and yet, I have a hard time giving thanks daily.
4. B showed me that if we surround ourselves with God's work, then we have nothing else to talk about. So when the world says, "What've you been up to?", there's nothing else to say besides what you've been doing for the Lord.
B is a God send. She's on fire and sets those around her on fire. She helps me to continue to see the world through God's eyes instead of my own. Please, find yourself someone like my B. A mentor, a servant. A cupcake giver, ;)
The rest of yesterday was spent at the mall, the christian bookstore, ice cream and my house. :) It was a very amazing day.
In Christ,
me
Monday, April 9, 2012
Look Before You Fall
So, between no internet and a trip to Panama City...it's been a while since I've been able to write. This could potentially get long :)
This past week I got to have the best week of beach, shopping & family. This week I got to be with my little brother, most precious thing ever!!! Anywho, I went on this trip hoping that I could leave on a better track with God. I knew that I wasn't serving to my fullest potential and that I was to be used more than I was allowing Him to. So, my dad, Jax & I started on our 5 hour drive. How awesome of a drive. My dad and I grew, a lot. I always felt that we weren't too close but this time around, things have changed. :) So we get to the beach, it pours the first 2 days and we sun the next 2. Everybody else arrives...fast forward to Sunday. By today, I haven't journaled once, I haven't read once and I have yet to really motivate myself to stay in this lifestyle. I constantly feel bad for not being in the Word and for not being on fire, it was all just getting so old. Being in Panama, you see all those who live for themselves...all the parties, all the crazy spring breakers, living the life. "YOLO" or whatever that stupid saying is. How tempting, yet unfulfilling. So Sunday, we ended up with 20 minutes to spare in the morning. I felt a very strong pull to just sit outside with my journal. Unwillingly, I grabbed my pen, and wrote.
I told God I was sorry for avoiding Him and for not finding the importance of the lifestyle He wants for me. I admitted to Him that I know I'd feel lost in the world if I started down that path. I want to want Him, I want to want to admire every piece of creation as His artwork. 20 minutes pass and we head off to church.
The committed christian life is a real celebration of Easter, the pastor went on to preach. "You're here to bring His genuine joy into a lost world. Let the genuine joy He brings deepen your committment" He taught from John 20, 1 Corinthians 15 and Acts 10. "Though there is no limit to His grace, why would I want to live any different" he concluded.
By that point, I'm on fire. I'm ready to go study these passages and look deeper into them. He was talking directly to my spirit, my searching and broken spirit. Look before you fall. I write out my thoughts the best and my thoughts and my selfish drive wanted to pursue the world. But, the pastor truly opened my eyes through the Word of God to remind me that I'm here to bring the Lord's genuine joy into the world. I can't join the broken world, I had the chance to look before I fell. Praise the Lord.
So, I sat on the picnic table with Mama Sue and studied the lesson even more. I truly thought God was done teaching me for the day until we entered into the next conversation. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says, "By the grace of God, I am what I am". We started talking about God's grace and Mama Sue said this: ..even if I didn't have the Lord's grace, I would still want to live in His light. I wouldn't trade it for any other lifestyle, it's loving and fulfilling... That stuck out to me and once again, God had fed my Spirit through conversation. You see, Mama Sue and I have always been very close. She's the grandma version of me:) We have been filled with the Holy Spirit and just connect in a way that I can't explain. I look up to her. She also helped me to look before falling.
God just filled this day with surprises because next came the Truth from Aunt Trish's lips..again, another MAJOR role model in my life. We made a joke about our height and it somehow led into a relationship conversation. Let me say this...Aunt Trish and Uncle Hank are ADORABLE together. They flirt and play and joke just like they had 10 years ago. They're still so in love and I'm patiently waiting until this type of relationship comes around. SO! Jesus and Trish...she says something like this, "Madison, you know when you know. And I used to wonder that meant all the time. But then I met Hank and I just KNEW. It's this overwhelming feeling that you can't drop. You just love him. It's a feeling that you can't miss and you can't overlook. You'll just know. You two will be a team. But most of all, the man will uplift you and encourage you" I always wanted to know what "you'll know when you know" meant, but she put it into quite the words for me. With Trent, I knew that the timing wasn't right..whether it will be in a few years or never, I don't know. But I learned a lot. Trish went on to teach me that a relationship isn't controlling. That a loving and genuine relationship has no abuse. This I knew. This I will see if I ever start to fall. God's man for me is whole and complete in Himself and in Christ. The Godly man lets God control. A Godly relationship encourages and loves, trusts and pursues, runs to be the first for forgiveness and is the first to forgive. A Godly relationship is POWERFUL.
To be honest, I had given up hope that I'd get any sign from Christ on this trip. By Sunday, I was drained and cared the very least that I could. He picked me up. He motivated and strengthened me. HE PURSUED ME... He opened my eyes before I fell. Praise be to Him. Let His light shine so bright in your face, you can't see anything else but Him.
In Christ,
me
This past week I got to have the best week of beach, shopping & family. This week I got to be with my little brother, most precious thing ever!!! Anywho, I went on this trip hoping that I could leave on a better track with God. I knew that I wasn't serving to my fullest potential and that I was to be used more than I was allowing Him to. So, my dad, Jax & I started on our 5 hour drive. How awesome of a drive. My dad and I grew, a lot. I always felt that we weren't too close but this time around, things have changed. :) So we get to the beach, it pours the first 2 days and we sun the next 2. Everybody else arrives...fast forward to Sunday. By today, I haven't journaled once, I haven't read once and I have yet to really motivate myself to stay in this lifestyle. I constantly feel bad for not being in the Word and for not being on fire, it was all just getting so old. Being in Panama, you see all those who live for themselves...all the parties, all the crazy spring breakers, living the life. "YOLO" or whatever that stupid saying is. How tempting, yet unfulfilling. So Sunday, we ended up with 20 minutes to spare in the morning. I felt a very strong pull to just sit outside with my journal. Unwillingly, I grabbed my pen, and wrote.
I told God I was sorry for avoiding Him and for not finding the importance of the lifestyle He wants for me. I admitted to Him that I know I'd feel lost in the world if I started down that path. I want to want Him, I want to want to admire every piece of creation as His artwork. 20 minutes pass and we head off to church.
The committed christian life is a real celebration of Easter, the pastor went on to preach. "You're here to bring His genuine joy into a lost world. Let the genuine joy He brings deepen your committment" He taught from John 20, 1 Corinthians 15 and Acts 10. "Though there is no limit to His grace, why would I want to live any different" he concluded.
By that point, I'm on fire. I'm ready to go study these passages and look deeper into them. He was talking directly to my spirit, my searching and broken spirit. Look before you fall. I write out my thoughts the best and my thoughts and my selfish drive wanted to pursue the world. But, the pastor truly opened my eyes through the Word of God to remind me that I'm here to bring the Lord's genuine joy into the world. I can't join the broken world, I had the chance to look before I fell. Praise the Lord.
So, I sat on the picnic table with Mama Sue and studied the lesson even more. I truly thought God was done teaching me for the day until we entered into the next conversation. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says, "By the grace of God, I am what I am". We started talking about God's grace and Mama Sue said this: ..even if I didn't have the Lord's grace, I would still want to live in His light. I wouldn't trade it for any other lifestyle, it's loving and fulfilling... That stuck out to me and once again, God had fed my Spirit through conversation. You see, Mama Sue and I have always been very close. She's the grandma version of me:) We have been filled with the Holy Spirit and just connect in a way that I can't explain. I look up to her. She also helped me to look before falling.
God just filled this day with surprises because next came the Truth from Aunt Trish's lips..again, another MAJOR role model in my life. We made a joke about our height and it somehow led into a relationship conversation. Let me say this...Aunt Trish and Uncle Hank are ADORABLE together. They flirt and play and joke just like they had 10 years ago. They're still so in love and I'm patiently waiting until this type of relationship comes around. SO! Jesus and Trish...she says something like this, "Madison, you know when you know. And I used to wonder that meant all the time. But then I met Hank and I just KNEW. It's this overwhelming feeling that you can't drop. You just love him. It's a feeling that you can't miss and you can't overlook. You'll just know. You two will be a team. But most of all, the man will uplift you and encourage you" I always wanted to know what "you'll know when you know" meant, but she put it into quite the words for me. With Trent, I knew that the timing wasn't right..whether it will be in a few years or never, I don't know. But I learned a lot. Trish went on to teach me that a relationship isn't controlling. That a loving and genuine relationship has no abuse. This I knew. This I will see if I ever start to fall. God's man for me is whole and complete in Himself and in Christ. The Godly man lets God control. A Godly relationship encourages and loves, trusts and pursues, runs to be the first for forgiveness and is the first to forgive. A Godly relationship is POWERFUL.
To be honest, I had given up hope that I'd get any sign from Christ on this trip. By Sunday, I was drained and cared the very least that I could. He picked me up. He motivated and strengthened me. HE PURSUED ME... He opened my eyes before I fell. Praise be to Him. Let His light shine so bright in your face, you can't see anything else but Him.
In Christ,
me
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