This song has been on my heart lately:
"Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary. Pure and holy. Tride and true. With thanksgiving, I'll be a living...sanctuary, for You."
The words of this song encourage me to look at how I am presenting myself to Christ. Have I humbled myself before the Lord, allowing Him to prepare me as a sanctuary, pure and holy, tride and true? Am I living in thanksgiving each day for the King of Kings who is mindful of me regardless of how often I fall, the One who always catches me?
Isaiah 43 has been exciting me lately. It speaks if how God is calling upon His people Israel. He has ransomed them and called them His. He promises in deep waters to be there, that they will not drown in rivers of trial, and when they walk through the fires, they will not be burned. They are precious to God and therefore He has ransomed them. His people have failed to realize the desire God has for them and have sinned against Him from the beginning of time. This chapter in Isaiah stirs something in me that creates the desire to be pure and holy, acceptable, a sanctuary for my King.
Life brings its fires, but God will take us through the fire again and again and again. He is worthy of all praise. He is good and faithful and His love endures through all circumstances. Psalm 18 speaks of God as our Rock and shield. He is our strength and supports us with His right hand.
I am overwhelmed many times with the call of my life, but to God be the glory, for great things He has done and great things is doing and great things He has planned.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
obedience...really?
As a young woman after God's heart, desiring evermore to please Him and bring glory to His name in all I do...I have been challenged in obedience. All the time I say "Yes Lord, I will follow you wherever you lead. Yes Lord, send me and I will go. I will do anything for you Lord." It is interesting how we sometimes pray away God's voice. Some people may have strange faces thinking about this thought...but what I mean is sometimes when the Lord tries to speak to us, we assume that gives us automatic right to pray about it when sometimes all we really do is cut Him off from speaking more.
Last night I was faced with a very big decision. God spoke and I had a choice. I could obey and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding or I could walk away and pretend I hadn't heard. Well God has a hold of my heart so the latter was simply not an option. This broke me. "How God? I can't do this. How?" I begged. God answered "Fear not my child, I'm with you always, I know every thought and every tear I see. Fear not my child, I'm with you always, I know how to care for what belongs to me."
I spent a lengthy time in His word. A few hours later I did the unthinkable, and God was right, "fear not my child, I'm with you always..." Returning from this emotional and heart wrenching moment, I felt at peace and puzzled by the joy which had overcome me. I spent some more time in His word and journaling and this old song came to me which I sang in an act of worship:
" I cry out for your hands of mercy to heal me. I am weak. I need your love to free me. Oh Lord, my Rock. You're my strength in weakness. Come rescue me, Oh Lord. You are my hope, and your promise never fails me. And my desire, is to follow you forever--for you are good, for you are good, for you are good to me, for you are good, for you are good, for you are good to me..."
This morning I awoke overcome with His joy and His peace. Then He assured me with the unthinkable. He had cleared the way for this situation to be mended and completed once again. "What Lord? Not even 1 day?" I asked. "I know how to care for what belongs to me." He responded.
God revealed Himself to me and brought me to a place of intimacy I have been missing and lacking since I got on campus. He has restored my heart and shown me that He alone is the King of my heart. His promises never fail.
All I can say is God is good and now I await the next step, I await His perfect timing and hand of grace to cover us once again.
Be blessed today beloved friends!
Last night I was faced with a very big decision. God spoke and I had a choice. I could obey and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding or I could walk away and pretend I hadn't heard. Well God has a hold of my heart so the latter was simply not an option. This broke me. "How God? I can't do this. How?" I begged. God answered "Fear not my child, I'm with you always, I know every thought and every tear I see. Fear not my child, I'm with you always, I know how to care for what belongs to me."
I spent a lengthy time in His word. A few hours later I did the unthinkable, and God was right, "fear not my child, I'm with you always..." Returning from this emotional and heart wrenching moment, I felt at peace and puzzled by the joy which had overcome me. I spent some more time in His word and journaling and this old song came to me which I sang in an act of worship:
" I cry out for your hands of mercy to heal me. I am weak. I need your love to free me. Oh Lord, my Rock. You're my strength in weakness. Come rescue me, Oh Lord. You are my hope, and your promise never fails me. And my desire, is to follow you forever--for you are good, for you are good, for you are good to me, for you are good, for you are good, for you are good to me..."
This morning I awoke overcome with His joy and His peace. Then He assured me with the unthinkable. He had cleared the way for this situation to be mended and completed once again. "What Lord? Not even 1 day?" I asked. "I know how to care for what belongs to me." He responded.
God revealed Himself to me and brought me to a place of intimacy I have been missing and lacking since I got on campus. He has restored my heart and shown me that He alone is the King of my heart. His promises never fail.
All I can say is God is good and now I await the next step, I await His perfect timing and hand of grace to cover us once again.
Be blessed today beloved friends!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
chorale weekend
This weekend was our first official Chorale outing and I came into the trip with high expectations of God going to work in the hearts we were able to minister to. I was blessed this weekend as I watched some reluctant, weary faces give way to the Prince of Peace, surrendering before the Lord and seeking His yoke that is easy and His burden that is light. God is faithful to show up and when we come with expectancty, He will blow us away in His goodness and faithfulness to follow through. He hears the prayers and knows the hearts of His children. I am overwhelmed with the power of Christ that dwells in me, the strength He lifts me with and His peace that surpasses all understanding.
I had the privilege of sharing my testimony twice this weekend and each time I was honored to speak words of life about a living, real and loving God who restores, heals and is awesome in power. The Lord has been challenging me and stretching me to seek first His voice and His Kingdom, through His word, and in times of quiet. He is always near, but unfortunately I forget to listen sometimes and I neglect the fact that I am first called to be a vessel for Christ, as means by which His truth may be spread throughout this world, a vessel through which His joy may be freely loosed and worship will sing through my heart. I am called to be broken and humble before the God of the universe, because He has called me.
His word is truth!
He is near!
His plans are perfect!
His grace is sufficient!
I am not worthy of the call...but called I am...by the King of King and Lord of Lords.|
I'm longing to bring honor and glory to His great and Holy name!
I had the privilege of sharing my testimony twice this weekend and each time I was honored to speak words of life about a living, real and loving God who restores, heals and is awesome in power. The Lord has been challenging me and stretching me to seek first His voice and His Kingdom, through His word, and in times of quiet. He is always near, but unfortunately I forget to listen sometimes and I neglect the fact that I am first called to be a vessel for Christ, as means by which His truth may be spread throughout this world, a vessel through which His joy may be freely loosed and worship will sing through my heart. I am called to be broken and humble before the God of the universe, because He has called me.
His word is truth!
He is near!
His plans are perfect!
His grace is sufficient!
I am not worthy of the call...but called I am...by the King of King and Lord of Lords.|
I'm longing to bring honor and glory to His great and Holy name!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Looking back...
Ushering in the new year has always been an adventure for me. I usually stay up late making a list of resolutions for the coming year and take time to reflect upon all that has happened that I enjoyed over the past twelve months.
This year brings to me a significantly different way of dealing with things. As I look back upon 2006 I'm overwhelmed. My times of reflection always lead to tears and awe at how my Savior, my God, Jesus Christ has so moved over the past year, 365 days...and how He continues to overwhelm me with Himself each day as I awaken.
For many another year has come and we're nearly 2 weeks started into the next. I don't know about you, but has it ever broken you to think about God's grace at work in your life? Have you thought about how different things would be without Him?
In April of 2004 my life changed forever. Walking through a summer of a broken family, divorce and every other issue that could throw in its two cents, I was broken and falling before the Creator of the universe, my Bestfriend in the wholewide world, the Lover of my soul, and pleading with Him, to take me as I am, committing to Him control of my life, plans and relationships. In September of that same year, I watched my family be put back together piece by piece by piece by piece by piece and my parents marriage restored. God remembered my commitment to Him and the adventure began. In this time, God told me He wanted me to go to a Christian college, to BBC in fact, He called me to counsel, He placed a man in my life that causes me to wonder everyday why I'm so blessed, and my family is whole.
This year...
In September I successfully began my college career at BBC, even making the Dean's List when marks closed in December. In April, my Daddy came home from Iraq...where he left just a few short months after our family was restored.
God has done so much and I am so unworthy, but these few, lifechanging events in my life, all promises from the LORD, have come to pass in this year. 2006 has been a time of faith for me...a time of growing in my dependency on the LORD to be abundant in my life, to be my provision, my guide, my greatest love and the center of my focus. He has overcome me with His goodness and most days I can't help but smile. He's taught me to trust Him, to take Him at His word and to hungrily chase Him for more...to draw near and to go away with Him.
The words of Numbers 23:19 assure my heart of the faithful God I serve;
" God is not man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does hee speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
This year brings to me a significantly different way of dealing with things. As I look back upon 2006 I'm overwhelmed. My times of reflection always lead to tears and awe at how my Savior, my God, Jesus Christ has so moved over the past year, 365 days...and how He continues to overwhelm me with Himself each day as I awaken.
For many another year has come and we're nearly 2 weeks started into the next. I don't know about you, but has it ever broken you to think about God's grace at work in your life? Have you thought about how different things would be without Him?
In April of 2004 my life changed forever. Walking through a summer of a broken family, divorce and every other issue that could throw in its two cents, I was broken and falling before the Creator of the universe, my Bestfriend in the wholewide world, the Lover of my soul, and pleading with Him, to take me as I am, committing to Him control of my life, plans and relationships. In September of that same year, I watched my family be put back together piece by piece by piece by piece by piece and my parents marriage restored. God remembered my commitment to Him and the adventure began. In this time, God told me He wanted me to go to a Christian college, to BBC in fact, He called me to counsel, He placed a man in my life that causes me to wonder everyday why I'm so blessed, and my family is whole.
This year...
In September I successfully began my college career at BBC, even making the Dean's List when marks closed in December. In April, my Daddy came home from Iraq...where he left just a few short months after our family was restored.
God has done so much and I am so unworthy, but these few, lifechanging events in my life, all promises from the LORD, have come to pass in this year. 2006 has been a time of faith for me...a time of growing in my dependency on the LORD to be abundant in my life, to be my provision, my guide, my greatest love and the center of my focus. He has overcome me with His goodness and most days I can't help but smile. He's taught me to trust Him, to take Him at His word and to hungrily chase Him for more...to draw near and to go away with Him.
The words of Numbers 23:19 assure my heart of the faithful God I serve;
" God is not man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does hee speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
5 dollar faith
I love how the LORD is constantly with me in every moment of everyday and how at times when I may not feel like He's near, He shows me and points me once again to Him.
This morning I went walking with my Mommy. The sun was beginning to poke out of the graying clouds and the streets were coated with a thick layer of muddy slush. The cold winter air pelted our faces with winds that increased with every step away from home we took.
Upon reaching the middle of town Mom and I began talking about school and an up and coming spring tour I will be partaking in for our college Chorale. I am required to raise $500;$250 by January 15th and the rest by February 28th. We had an option to place the money on our student bill and I honestly considered doing so,atleast a part of it, and then to raise the rest by way of support letters. That's when my LORD spoke, clear as day, "Christy, do you only believe I can raise a part of this money? Do you not believe I can raise all of this money?" I was moved by the clarity of His voice in my heart and declined putting the money on my spring school bill. In faith I sent out support letters and now I'm waiting,waiting for the LORD to prove faithful to His promise...just as He always does.
Mom and I reflected on this encounter and Mom told me she believed that we needed to practice faith more often in our lives and to believe that God can provide. Mom glanced over at me and said "You know what Christy, you already have $150 for this trip and God will provide the rest,who knows what surprise might be awaiting you when you get back to school. God will provide."
As soon as she breathed these words, I glanced up the sidewalk to see Mr. Abe Lincoln staring up at me, beneath a coating of snow. "Money!!!!!!" I squealed. My mittened hand reached down into the snow and removed my newly found treasure...a snow-caked $5 dollar bill.
Mom's eyes grew wide and she exclaimed,"It's a sign. No worries about raising this money Christy. There's $5.00 of faith for you. Who knows how many $5.00 bills you'll happen upon to raise this money!"
Even in the little moments, when you make a commitment to walk in faith, and forget that God always provide, He shows up. I now have $155.00 towards my trip and I trust and know God has the other $345 ready for me. Why? He is faithful, always.
This morning I went walking with my Mommy. The sun was beginning to poke out of the graying clouds and the streets were coated with a thick layer of muddy slush. The cold winter air pelted our faces with winds that increased with every step away from home we took.
Upon reaching the middle of town Mom and I began talking about school and an up and coming spring tour I will be partaking in for our college Chorale. I am required to raise $500;$250 by January 15th and the rest by February 28th. We had an option to place the money on our student bill and I honestly considered doing so,atleast a part of it, and then to raise the rest by way of support letters. That's when my LORD spoke, clear as day, "Christy, do you only believe I can raise a part of this money? Do you not believe I can raise all of this money?" I was moved by the clarity of His voice in my heart and declined putting the money on my spring school bill. In faith I sent out support letters and now I'm waiting,waiting for the LORD to prove faithful to His promise...just as He always does.
Mom and I reflected on this encounter and Mom told me she believed that we needed to practice faith more often in our lives and to believe that God can provide. Mom glanced over at me and said "You know what Christy, you already have $150 for this trip and God will provide the rest,who knows what surprise might be awaiting you when you get back to school. God will provide."
As soon as she breathed these words, I glanced up the sidewalk to see Mr. Abe Lincoln staring up at me, beneath a coating of snow. "Money!!!!!!" I squealed. My mittened hand reached down into the snow and removed my newly found treasure...a snow-caked $5 dollar bill.
Mom's eyes grew wide and she exclaimed,"It's a sign. No worries about raising this money Christy. There's $5.00 of faith for you. Who knows how many $5.00 bills you'll happen upon to raise this money!"
Even in the little moments, when you make a commitment to walk in faith, and forget that God always provide, He shows up. I now have $155.00 towards my trip and I trust and know God has the other $345 ready for me. Why? He is faithful, always.
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