Shifted Focus

Somewhere inbetween applying for school and finishing up Senior semester I think I have lost track of what I wanted to use massage for. Suddenly its all about the money and freedom. What was the original intent? To help people. Lord please don't let me forget this.
It is so easy to get swept away with all the cool things I will have, things I can do and time to spare. I know it is all empty. I miss doing things for other people, serving others. Massage is a great tool to do this. I have the priveledge in giving someone better quality of life.
I want to see each client I have as a person...not as a payment.
Each person I meet has something to teach me. I don't want to stop learning-Emotionally, Spiritually, or Mentally.
Lord help me to see people through your eyes. Let me not forget the reason I am here on Earth. Continue to show me your ways.

All At Once
jack johnson

all at once
the world can't overwhelm me
theres almost nothin' that you could tell me
that could ease my mind
which way will you run
when its always all around you
and the feelin' lost and found you again
a feelin' that we have no control
around a song
some say
theres gonna be the new hell
some say
its still too early to tell
some say
it really ain't no myth at all
keep askin ourselves are we really
strong enough
there's so many things that we got
too proud of
we're too proud of
we're too proud of
i wanna take the preconceived
out from underneath your feet
we could shake it off
instead we'll plant some seeds
we'll watch em' as they grow
and with each new beat
from your heart the roots grow deeper
the branches will they reach for what
nobody really knows
but underneath it all
theres this heart all alone
what about is gone
and it really won't be so long
sometimes it feels like a heart is no place to be singin' from at all
theres a world we've never seen
theres still hope between the dreams
the weight of it all could blow away with a breeze
if your waitin on the wind
don't forget to breathe
cause as the darkness gets deeper
we'll be sinkin as we reach for love
at least somethin we could hold
but i'll reach to you from where time just cant go
what about is gone
and it really wont be so long
sometimes it feels like a heart is no place to be singin' from at all

This song touched me today. It just met me where I was at. Thanks so much Jack.

Living in Love

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

"I live not in fear but in love." This is a statement I have found myself repeating quite often in the past couple weeks. I didn't really understand it...what had I to fear? Life was good. Love was the intent behind most actions.
Monday morning everything came to a screeching halt. Suddenly fear seized me-I felt almost paralyzed. What was I doing?
The realization that I had no control and fear of the uncertainty of life could not be shaken. For those few hours I could not function...what was this I was feeling? I hadn't experienced it for so long.
I begged for God's peace over me. He does not disappoint. He directed me to Psalm 16. The promise of a delightful inheritance and eternal pleasures. If I take ahold of the truths of this psalm how might my life change? He has made known to me the path of LIFE. All I have to do is embrace it and step forward in faith. There is no room for fear in Love.

Some Things Change-Some Things Don't

Being home for the holidays brings back a flood of memories. I think I realized that some things will never change...

1. Mom will always be busy in the kitchen blessing us with her food.
2. Coffee-each person will drink at least 4 cups a day.
3. I can always expect a few bruises from James.
4. There will always be at least one gift from Avon.
5. The Games never end.

I was pleasantly surprised with a few changes this year...

1. BANG was the game of the week and revenge ran rampant for hours, everyone joined in and had a lot of fun.
2. Prayer was a gift we gave as a family to Lory who couldn't be with us this season.
3. There was an abundance of joy and laughter all around, more so then previous years.
4. As it was our first Christmas in Seven Sisters we met new people and enjoyed spending an evening with the pastor and his family.

This past week was such a blessing. I have been so encouraged in watching my family grow and change in the past couple years. Thanks guys, I love you!

Timeless...

What is my heart focused on? Eternal goals or earthly ones? Is the majority of my day spent on things that will last or things that are just getting me by? Urgent vs Necessary. When I take away all the business of my life what am I left with? What is priority in my life?
Walking out of school today at precisely 12:17pm, I took a deep breath of fresh air as the word freedom quietly escaped. After running a few errands I made my way home to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. While wrapping presents I turned on Dr. Phil and ended up staying for Oprah as well. Crisis America...unhappy people, dissatisfied nation. uhg. While watching the popular talkshows the thought that rested on my mind was "Is what I spend my time doing really worth it in the end?" What kind of treasures am I storing up in heaven? What I do...does it really bring glory and honour to God, or only to myself?
Lord, may every moment you have given me be used to glorify and honour you.

God's Good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Yes he does! I must rejoice in this truth. It is not always easy to accept the good God has for us, sometimes that requires us to leave behind what we think is best and follow in faith where he leads. But holding back on something means that we have shifted our focus from God to ourselves. When God is truly in our focus the other things seem less important. How can you not find joy in everything when your sights are set on Christ and His Kingdom? Suddenly everything becomes a gift and an opportunity to grow just a little more. What a wonderful attitude to have. May every moment of my life be used to fulfill the purpose God has for me.

I got a feeling...or two

It is very very cold outside but I got warmth all throughout my insides. The Christmas holiday season has arrived and the hustle and bustle, the excitement, the friends, family and the food are all close at hand. I can't help but feel I have been so immensely blessed by all the love that surrounds me.
One week left until complete relaxation...it almost seems unbearable. Studying seems so hard...it is so hard to care. Trying to push through it this week will be agony. So so much to do...I am a little overwhelmed...in between the states of panic and total denial of all the commitments I have made.
In all the chaos and joy this season brings for me...I know that God is constant. He is the one that gives the peace, joy and the drive to get through all the stress of it.
Thankyou Jesus. You are so wonderful. Thankyou for the gifts you have given to me in the people you have brought into my life. I am eternally grateful.