Sunday, August 29, 2010
Grace
Good quote I heard a long time ago, wrote on a sticky note and posted on a bulliten board above my computer. "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you." and this part I added to it from a teaching by Bob Caldwell: "Always live on the edge of grace."
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Faith of All Mankind
Every man lives in a state of faith.
But you might say only the religious, those that believe in God, a higher power, etc live in a state of faith. But I would reason that every man, atheist or christian, has faith in what he may not know. Men that believe in eternal life are criticized for a "blind faith" into that which they do not know. But may I also add that men that argue that life ends at the grave, that God and eternal life do not exist must also exercise faith in their belief? Can we know for a fact, in man's limited knowledge of the workings of our universe, that life must cease when our bodies do? That would require all knowledge, scientific proof...proof that we do not have.
Christians, on the other hand, have proof. We have a witness that have been to the grave and back, who holds eternal life. The very resurrection of Christ proves this and the reality is that there is life beyond the grave. It sets the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ apart from any other in all of history. No other man, moral or not, has risen from his death and then offered that to his followers. This is the good news for all of mankind. Faith is simply the position in which you have found yourself, whether with the Lord God Almighty or without Him. Either way its your choice. It's your declaration of faith. Where does your faith lie? In the Truth.. or in Darkness?
But you might say only the religious, those that believe in God, a higher power, etc live in a state of faith. But I would reason that every man, atheist or christian, has faith in what he may not know. Men that believe in eternal life are criticized for a "blind faith" into that which they do not know. But may I also add that men that argue that life ends at the grave, that God and eternal life do not exist must also exercise faith in their belief? Can we know for a fact, in man's limited knowledge of the workings of our universe, that life must cease when our bodies do? That would require all knowledge, scientific proof...proof that we do not have.
Christians, on the other hand, have proof. We have a witness that have been to the grave and back, who holds eternal life. The very resurrection of Christ proves this and the reality is that there is life beyond the grave. It sets the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ apart from any other in all of history. No other man, moral or not, has risen from his death and then offered that to his followers. This is the good news for all of mankind. Faith is simply the position in which you have found yourself, whether with the Lord God Almighty or without Him. Either way its your choice. It's your declaration of faith. Where does your faith lie? In the Truth.. or in Darkness?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Quote Anthology
I have found that I have far too many good quotes and need to put them all somewhere. So thus begins the chronicling of quotations. Some are from movies, some from pastors and some are from friends, and each one delicately weaves together a pattern of beauty and truth:Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers. --J. Sidlow Baxter
(Talking about disputes among believers) "I think Christianity is the only people that arranges its firing squads in circles. -Chuck Missler
"Tears are proper for believers, indeed they should be all the more copious, for christians are more sensitively aware of every emotion, whetether of joy or of sorrow, than those who have known nothing of the softening and enlivening grace of Christ." (gotten from an alistair begg teaching, but quoted from alec mc----?)
"I just want to be a Nobody, willing to tell Everybody,
that there is Somebody, who can save Anybody."
"You like boats but not the ocean. You go to a lake in the summer with your family up in the mountains. There’s a long wooden dock and a boathouse with boards missing from the roof and a place you used to crawl underneath to be alone. You’re a sucker for French poetry and rhinestones. You’re very generous. You’re kind to strangers and children, and when you stand in the snow, you look like an angel." Phil Conners (Groundhog Day)
"We've cheated death again, John" -Me
"Why then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having... The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that, they must be free."
-C.S. Lewis
To wrestle with God does not mean that we have lost faith, but that we are fighting for it. Sheila Walsh
It takes a whole Bible to make a whole Christian.- Sandy Adams
Don't waste good problems.- Otto Koning (missionary to
It is love that marks a true Daughter of the King!
Just enjoy Jesus.- Jon Courson
It only takes a spark to get the fire going. - K.P. Yohannan
"Kath-r-RYN!" -John Schuessler
"Of course I want John back... I want God more..." -Laura Ritchie
Travel light.- Gayle Erwin
"There is no cure for laziness, but a large family helps." -Herbert V. Prochnow
"I listen to some of you guys out there, hyper-reformed boys, you're concerned if you preach the gospel to the wrong person, the wrong person might get saved. So you don't want to preach it too good, 'well wait a minute, I don't think you should've been getting saved, I'm not sure you're in the group.' What do you mean in the group! If you breathing you're in the group! If you have ears to hear you're in the group! And if you choose not to respond it's your own fault, not God's." -Alistair Begg
Just teach the Bible.- Jack Abeelen
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" -Andrew Murray
If it is dangerous to do God's work, how much more dangerous is it to leave it undone. - Sabina Wurmbrand
Snoring is the sweetest sound on earth, ask any widow - Elisabeth Elliot
Wait, weren't we rebuking something? -Mitchell Welch, on the way back from the OneThing08 conference in the line for Taco Bueno (long story).
"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him."
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply" --- Hudson Taylor
When men divide the body of Christ, who bleeds? Disagree agreeably and don't divide. Churches should be complementary, never competing. -Chuck Smith
Just find where God's going and follow. -Chuck Smith
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot
Mousetrap, I wanted to play Mouetrap. You roll your dice you move your mice....nobody gets hurt. -Bob the Tomato, The Toy that Saved Christmas
I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure. -Eric Liddle
(Talking about disputes among believers) "I think Christianity is the only people that arranges its firing squads in circles. -Chuck Missler
"Tears are proper for believers, indeed they should be all the more copious, for christians are more sensitively aware of every emotion, whetether of joy or of sorrow, than those who have known nothing of the softening and enlivening grace of Christ." (gotten from an alistair begg teaching, but quoted from alec mc----?)
"I just want to be a Nobody, willing to tell Everybody,
that there is Somebody, who can save Anybody."
"You like boats but not the ocean. You go to a lake in the summer with your family up in the mountains. There’s a long wooden dock and a boathouse with boards missing from the roof and a place you used to crawl underneath to be alone. You’re a sucker for French poetry and rhinestones. You’re very generous. You’re kind to strangers and children, and when you stand in the snow, you look like an angel." Phil Conners (Groundhog Day)
"We've cheated death again, John" -Me
"Why then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having... The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight compared with which the most rapturous love between a man and a woman on this earth is mere milk and water. And for that, they must be free."
-C.S. Lewis
To wrestle with God does not mean that we have lost faith, but that we are fighting for it. Sheila Walsh
It takes a whole Bible to make a whole Christian.- Sandy Adams
Don't waste good problems.- Otto Koning (missionary to
It is love that marks a true Daughter of the King!
Just enjoy Jesus.- Jon Courson
It only takes a spark to get the fire going. - K.P. Yohannan
"Kath-r-RYN!" -John Schuessler
"Of course I want John back... I want God more..." -Laura Ritchie
Travel light.- Gayle Erwin
"There is no cure for laziness, but a large family helps." -Herbert V. Prochnow
"I listen to some of you guys out there, hyper-reformed boys, you're concerned if you preach the gospel to the wrong person, the wrong person might get saved. So you don't want to preach it too good, 'well wait a minute, I don't think you should've been getting saved, I'm not sure you're in the group.' What do you mean in the group! If you breathing you're in the group! If you have ears to hear you're in the group! And if you choose not to respond it's your own fault, not God's." -Alistair Begg
Just teach the Bible.- Jack Abeelen
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, ‘above all that we ask or think’. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" -Andrew Murray
If it is dangerous to do God's work, how much more dangerous is it to leave it undone. - Sabina Wurmbrand
Snoring is the sweetest sound on earth, ask any widow - Elisabeth Elliot
Wait, weren't we rebuking something? -Mitchell Welch, on the way back from the OneThing08 conference in the line for Taco Bueno (long story).
"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him."
"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply" --- Hudson Taylor
When men divide the body of Christ, who bleeds? Disagree agreeably and don't divide. Churches should be complementary, never competing. -Chuck Smith
Just find where God's going and follow. -Chuck Smith
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot
Mousetrap, I wanted to play Mouetrap. You roll your dice you move your mice....nobody gets hurt. -Bob the Tomato, The Toy that Saved Christmas
I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure. -Eric Liddle
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Playing on Swings
Today I was at a friends house with her family and I was eating as I watched some eager kids staring wide-eyed as they approached the swing-set. All they wanted was to have their mommy or daddy pick them up, place them in the seat and push them away as they soared for adventure in that simple seat of safety.
This is so like us.
Sometimes I see a swing set of my own and await God to pick me up to put me in the seat of adventure! Sometimes I'm not even old enough to sit myself in the seat...but its okay, because God can't wait to push me.
Psalm 18:19 "He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
This is so like us.
Sometimes I see a swing set of my own and await God to pick me up to put me in the seat of adventure! Sometimes I'm not even old enough to sit myself in the seat...but its okay, because God can't wait to push me.
Psalm 18:19 "He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Nothing Now But You
Lord, you would have me to let go,
To lose the control that I have exerted
Only to let you hold it, to be sovereign
All that I have held onto, built around me as a cocoon
Letting go, scared and frightened, I surrender
O, What this does to the core of my heart!
Losing control, losing self-strength,
Losing who I am in who you are
I am trading in normal for extraordinary...
To let you break my heart, to operate on my soul
Painful but exhilarating, a process, yet with Your fingerprints,
Knowing that you are the Lord who makes beautiful.
I feel like I am falling
Without sight, without knowledge
Into an opening, Your door
Into the most magnificent adventure
Learning to walk by what I know of You,
By Faith, not by what I see,
For I can see nothing now but You.
To lose the control that I have exerted
Only to let you hold it, to be sovereign
All that I have held onto, built around me as a cocoon
Letting go, scared and frightened, I surrender
O, What this does to the core of my heart!
Losing control, losing self-strength,
Losing who I am in who you are
I am trading in normal for extraordinary...
To let you break my heart, to operate on my soul
Painful but exhilarating, a process, yet with Your fingerprints,
Knowing that you are the Lord who makes beautiful.
I feel like I am falling
Without sight, without knowledge
Into an opening, Your door
Into the most magnificent adventure
Learning to walk by what I know of You,
By Faith, not by what I see,
For I can see nothing now but You.
Friday, December 26, 2008
He has turned my mourning into Dancing!
So as much as I want to sleep, and as much as I need sleep, I need to get somethings said...
GOD IS SOOOOO GREAT!!!!
I mean, its already been a year since John died, but then again it has only been a year! What was unthinkable at this very moment last year happened, John went to be with Jesus, but even greater......What was unthinkable was how God was going to prove His faithfulness, His mercy, His love, His comfort, His power, His amazing restoration. And He has. I can't explain it, but I don't imagine anybody can, because God does the impossible, its what He's good at.
I last talked to John Dec 25th, 2007 at approx 10:40 p.m. Crazy but when your brother dies you tend to remember odd details (but then again I forget some details too). It's weird, having grown up with your best friend, knowing them every second of your life, and then one day, it just goes away. But then, what an awesome testimony it is that God fills that void. Come on, He is the friend that is closer than a brother! God has done so many things in my heart alone, not to mention the countless others that have been changed as well. And for those things I would not have John in exchange. I miss John, I always will. But God is greater still, and if losing John means more of God, then I'll take it.
While John's death was devastating, it caused me to turn to the Redeemer.
While John's death broke my heart, it allowed the Healer of the broken to come in.
While John's death could have stolen my joy, God instead promised a fullness of Joy.
While John's death separated me from one that I love, it drove me closer to The Love.
While John's death dug into my heart, it gave way for overflowing waters to dwell.
I was reading a few days ago the 43rd chapter of Isaiah* (I highly recommend it!) and it was jumping off the page at me! Everything was so true to what God does and so much of it I have witnessed this past year dealing with John's death. It even starts out "But God..."! Just like what I wrote earlier, those few lines up there, about how horrible it seemed, but how with God it was created for good! And it continues.... that I am His, I have been redeemed, that when the waters come (for they will come), that they should not overcome me! Which they have not, Praise Jesus! And as I have walked through the fire, I have not been burned, nor consumed by its flame. God has protected! That He has made a way through the sea, through the mighty waters, because I know He has, He has led me through it! "Behold for He is doing a new thing" and boy when He does a new thing He does a new thing! He does not hold back. Just as He says that he will make a way and streams in the desert. Here is the blessing, but do we perceive it? Because He wants us to! And then the funny thing was that Isaiah 43 is exactly what Pastor David Reynolds taught on the Sunday after John died, and I listened to it last night and every word of comfort that God spoke through David, I could now confirm that God has been true to His promises. God has a way of doing that!
I have been finding out that God uses water (fountains, rivers, wells, etc) to speak to me often and here's just one thing that He has showed me lately. A dear friend a few weeks ago shared with me how when she looks at me she sees a deep well, which is no credit to me because it is only by what Christ has done! But the response I had came straight from God that I needed to hear: Do you know how long it took to dig that well, how empty that well had to be before it could overflow with Living waters? Zing! And ever since then it is amazing just how the picture of a water well can relate to what God is doing inside of me. God takes things, like John's death, to dig in deeper to me, even though it hurts and gets evermore closer to my center. But God wants even more room to give me His Fullness of Joy, because the deeper that He digs me, the more abundantly He can overflow :) How great! That only when we know the depths of true suffering and sacrifice (something like an empty well) it is then that we can see that much more of True Joy (A huge reservoir full of water)!!! I can sometimes get carried away with symbolism..... :o)
So Prayers are still needed for the family, because though God has done so much already, there is still much to be done! But Praise and Thank Him because prayers have already been answered!
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness!" Psalm 30:11
*Isaiah 43: 1-4, 16, 19
GOD IS SOOOOO GREAT!!!!
I mean, its already been a year since John died, but then again it has only been a year! What was unthinkable at this very moment last year happened, John went to be with Jesus, but even greater......What was unthinkable was how God was going to prove His faithfulness, His mercy, His love, His comfort, His power, His amazing restoration. And He has. I can't explain it, but I don't imagine anybody can, because God does the impossible, its what He's good at.
I last talked to John Dec 25th, 2007 at approx 10:40 p.m. Crazy but when your brother dies you tend to remember odd details (but then again I forget some details too). It's weird, having grown up with your best friend, knowing them every second of your life, and then one day, it just goes away. But then, what an awesome testimony it is that God fills that void. Come on, He is the friend that is closer than a brother! God has done so many things in my heart alone, not to mention the countless others that have been changed as well. And for those things I would not have John in exchange. I miss John, I always will. But God is greater still, and if losing John means more of God, then I'll take it.
While John's death was devastating, it caused me to turn to the Redeemer.
While John's death broke my heart, it allowed the Healer of the broken to come in.
While John's death could have stolen my joy, God instead promised a fullness of Joy.
While John's death separated me from one that I love, it drove me closer to The Love.
While John's death dug into my heart, it gave way for overflowing waters to dwell.
I was reading a few days ago the 43rd chapter of Isaiah* (I highly recommend it!) and it was jumping off the page at me! Everything was so true to what God does and so much of it I have witnessed this past year dealing with John's death. It even starts out "But God..."! Just like what I wrote earlier, those few lines up there, about how horrible it seemed, but how with God it was created for good! And it continues.... that I am His, I have been redeemed, that when the waters come (for they will come), that they should not overcome me! Which they have not, Praise Jesus! And as I have walked through the fire, I have not been burned, nor consumed by its flame. God has protected! That He has made a way through the sea, through the mighty waters, because I know He has, He has led me through it! "Behold for He is doing a new thing" and boy when He does a new thing He does a new thing! He does not hold back. Just as He says that he will make a way and streams in the desert. Here is the blessing, but do we perceive it? Because He wants us to! And then the funny thing was that Isaiah 43 is exactly what Pastor David Reynolds taught on the Sunday after John died, and I listened to it last night and every word of comfort that God spoke through David, I could now confirm that God has been true to His promises. God has a way of doing that!
I have been finding out that God uses water (fountains, rivers, wells, etc) to speak to me often and here's just one thing that He has showed me lately. A dear friend a few weeks ago shared with me how when she looks at me she sees a deep well, which is no credit to me because it is only by what Christ has done! But the response I had came straight from God that I needed to hear: Do you know how long it took to dig that well, how empty that well had to be before it could overflow with Living waters? Zing! And ever since then it is amazing just how the picture of a water well can relate to what God is doing inside of me. God takes things, like John's death, to dig in deeper to me, even though it hurts and gets evermore closer to my center. But God wants even more room to give me His Fullness of Joy, because the deeper that He digs me, the more abundantly He can overflow :) How great! That only when we know the depths of true suffering and sacrifice (something like an empty well) it is then that we can see that much more of True Joy (A huge reservoir full of water)!!! I can sometimes get carried away with symbolism..... :o)
So Prayers are still needed for the family, because though God has done so much already, there is still much to be done! But Praise and Thank Him because prayers have already been answered!
"You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness!" Psalm 30:11
*Isaiah 43: 1-4, 16, 19
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Lesson's from a Step-Ladder
So as I sit here trying to enjoy a few last moments of summer before heading off to College Station (CS) I am reminiscient of how this summer has turned out. I really wasn't looking forward to coming home this past May, with Laura being in Europe, weird stuff happening at home, and my church family and friends all in CS. But God has used this time, too, as character building/refining time and has given so many blessings while I was home in Kerrville. My Dad owns and operates a small retail paint business that I work at while I am at home (and always have). Every summer, along with our everyday work, I have projects to work on improving the store, like putting in new floors, painting the outside of the building, scrapping texture off the ceilings etc. and this summer I worked on painting quite a bit and scrapping a ceiling. It was during some of these times that I would listen to some commentary teachings about my daily bible reading. For hours painting the ceiling I would meditate on the Word or just allow God to teach me while I prayed and listened. I would get so full of God's presence up on the step-ladder I was on! God was drawing me closer towards Him during that time and it was so precious. If nothing else happened this summer, just the awesome way that God had planned for me to meet with Him everyday on that step-ladder was such a blessing to know that God is still not done with me yet and keeps molding me into the woman He wants me to be.
One of the best highlights of the summer was FCA Camp. I actually worked three: Abilene, A&M, and Baylor. Each camp was so special with just an amazing outpouring of the Spirit upon each one and so many memories and friends were made that I will always treasure in my heart. Being a huddle leader with a small group of middle/high school girls gave me so many opportunities to share the gospel and see how God can use even me to reach those who need Him. I absolutely love camp and will always have a special place in my heart for the ministries of FCA and their goal of glorifying the Saviour in all things.
So being home means confining to parental rule again which I don't really mind but it definitely took some time to get used to again. But other things with faimly issues kept getting to me. Its not that I don't have a great family who loves the Lord, but sometimes selfishness, hurt, and a lack of freedom in one generation can create confusion and disturb the peace that only God can bring and carry over to the next generation. I have had to forgive my parents from childhood, and I keep having to forgive them and honor God with my attitude and respect of them. My older brother John and I used Romans 8:28 to help us live without bitterness or rebellion towards our childhood/family issues as we would say that "all things work for good to those who are called accoding to His purpose". Even now, when trials are present in any aspect, I have to give it to the One who has offered to take my heaviness of heart and put it in my "All things together for good" file., knowing that He is using this to polish my heart and show me His faithfulness. John and I chose that the generational curse would not continue past us, that we would chose God's best and allow forgiveness even for the deepest of wounds. Sometimes I don't understand, but I want God to be able to use any situation to teach me His ways and refine me. So this summer had some downright low spots for our family but I want to put it all in my file so that God can work good out of it.
I have also had time to ponder career choices and life-decisions in those lonely moments ontop the step-ladder. While I love learing about health issues and helping others get medical help I really don't want a "career". I've thought before that God wanted me to go into missions, which still might be a possibility someday, but I know one thing that I want more than anything else and thats to be a mom. I know it sounds corny but I have always wanted to just be a Godly mom who brings her children up in the light of the Word. I want to be growing a mission field in my own home and pour God's love into my own children. I guess thats not what God has for me now, and probably not for a long time considering the state of my singleness, but it won't keep me from praying for them now. Whatever else God has for me will be great, but I know that God has made me to be a mom and putting that desire in my heart is such a great feeling. And learning about health will help me take care of my future family someday, how great :)
So just a few more hours until I leave for this upcoming semester in College Station and I can hardly wait for it to get started :D God has so many great things planned for me already and I am excited to see how God will be drawing me closer in towards Him and using me as an empty vessel to carry His good news. May I just be willing to surrender to Him in all things and allow Him to shine through me. Thank you to everyone who helped make this summer great for me =)
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