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.

Spare Love?

What keeps me up at night? Perhaps it was that last cup of coffee at Bible Study tonight. Maybe the thoughts of loved ones far away. Or even just the desire to be connected to this world just a little longer before drifting off into the deep sleep I have been looking forward to since waking up so early this morning.
As I hear the wind blowing outside, and still feel the cold in my toes, I can't help but think of the people out there who have no place to sleep tonight. How do the homeless survive the -40 degrees nights? Why was I chosen to have such a comfy bed and heat and food in my fridge? I think of Art...a homeless man I met last winter who had a big bushy beard and long hair and drank sherry. He was so REAL. A decent man who tried his hardest to live well. He could be found behind Movie Village asking for spare change and wishing people a good day or Merry Christmas. Where is he tonight? Is he still alive? I don't know.
How can I turn my eyes away from these people? How can I not spare a few dollars? What is the best way to help each person? How can I love these individuals?
God help me not to forget these people. They are your creation, your loved ones. You have plans and dreams for them to. You have a deep burning desire to have relationship with them. Don't let me turn my eyes away and ignore the beauty you have created in them.