Right now I am packing for a trip I will be embarking on on Wednesday...
My school offers something like 20 missions trips a year and holds a meeting about these trips at the beginning of each fall semester. This was my third fall semester at Liberty and my first time attending one of these meetings. It has been a very long time since I have been on an overseas missions trip (about 7 years) and felt like God was telling me it was time to go on one again.
I walked into the meeting with my best friend with the intentions of going on a trip during spring break with her. We looked at the list of trips and decided on one that looked interesting for spring break, but as the meeting started both of our hearts were drawn to two different places.
One of the first trips they discussed was a trip to East Asia. When I read the description of the trip my heart was immediately stirred. I looked over to my friend and said "I want to go on this trip." As soon as the meeting was over, I headed over to the computer to print out an application because if you don't get your application in the next day you most likely won't be able to go on the trip you desire.
Well the next day I handed in my application and set up an interview for the following week. It was September 8th (ironically my birthday) when I walked out of the Light Ministries office with the news that I had been chosen for the trip and would be going to East Asia over winter break.
I leave for East Asia on Wednesday, and I cannot believe how fast time has gone. The team will be there from December 29th until January 15th. While we are there we will be teaching English in a kindergarten and also going to an orphanage. I ask that you would keep the team and I in your prays over the next two weeks. Specifically pray for my health because my body tends to rebel against me when I travel.
I know God has a lot in store for me and the team over the next two weeks, and I cannot wait to see what he does. While I am there I will be keeping a journal and when I get back I will post everything in my blog. Thank you for your prayers!
About Me
- Nicole Salerno
- My name is Nicole and I am a graduate of Liberty University. I am currently a teacher searching for a classroom. And I will forever be a slave to righteousness
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Spoiled
Well I have been studying all day and my brain feels like mush, so I am taking a break and thought I would write a little bit. Tomorrow I have my last two finals, and they are my hardest finals. I will probably be up most of the night preparing so this break is definitely needed.
I have been reading the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, and I am really enjoying. His opening note for the book says "I never liked Jazz music because Jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked Jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can live it yourself." That in itself gives you a good taste of the book. Miller takes you on his journey to falling in love with God.
The other day I was reading the chapter entitled "Gods" and towards the end of it there was a very convicting line, "Don't complain about the way God answers your prayers...Your problem is not that God is not fulfilling, your problem is that you are spoiled." Well if that is not a slap in the face then I don't know what is. I think that so many Christians today pray for things and then tell God exactly how they want Him to bring about their request. Sorry to burst your bubble, but God doesn't take orders from us. When you tell God exactly how you want something to come about you are putting Him in a box, and not allowing Him to show his power.
As Christians we are suppose to present all of our requests to God and give Him complete control of the circumstances in our life. Its such a simple concept and yet there are still so many spoiled Christians. Be willing to break out of the box of spoils and let God do whatever He pleases with your life. Your life His is to do with what He pleases, and all he asks of us to follow his plan, not your own.
I have been reading the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, and I am really enjoying. His opening note for the book says "I never liked Jazz music because Jazz music doesn't resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one night when I saw a man playing the saxophone. I stood there for fifteen minutes, and he never opened his eyes. After that I liked Jazz music. Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can live it yourself." That in itself gives you a good taste of the book. Miller takes you on his journey to falling in love with God.
The other day I was reading the chapter entitled "Gods" and towards the end of it there was a very convicting line, "Don't complain about the way God answers your prayers...Your problem is not that God is not fulfilling, your problem is that you are spoiled." Well if that is not a slap in the face then I don't know what is. I think that so many Christians today pray for things and then tell God exactly how they want Him to bring about their request. Sorry to burst your bubble, but God doesn't take orders from us. When you tell God exactly how you want something to come about you are putting Him in a box, and not allowing Him to show his power.
As Christians we are suppose to present all of our requests to God and give Him complete control of the circumstances in our life. Its such a simple concept and yet there are still so many spoiled Christians. Be willing to break out of the box of spoils and let God do whatever He pleases with your life. Your life His is to do with what He pleases, and all he asks of us to follow his plan, not your own.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
The Playlist- Part 4
It's been a while but here is the next for my playlist. "I will waste my Life" by Misty Edwards
I will waste my life,
I'll be tested and tried.
With no regrets inside of me,
Just to find I'm at your feet,
Let me find I'm at your feet.
I leave my father's house, and
I leave my Mother.
I leave all I have known, and
I'll have no other.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
Just let me cling to you, Jesus.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I
Press on, yes I press on.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I press on, yes I press on.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
just let me cling to you, Jesus,
I want to cling to you...
I was listening to this song this morning as I was running some errands and just singing it out as my prayer to Jesus. All I really need right now is to cling to Jesus and let him have all of me. So in singing this prayer I decided to dedicate the next three and half months to him and him alone.
I still find myself in moments of complete brokenness but it is a brokenness that leaves seeking Jesus. I feel like I have reached this new level of maturity because I recognize that what I want right now is the one thing I really don't need. So I'm going to turn my back on what I want, and I am going to press on and seek out what I need the most...Jesus.
I will waste my life,
I'll be tested and tried.
With no regrets inside of me,
Just to find I'm at your feet,
Let me find I'm at your feet.
I leave my father's house, and
I leave my Mother.
I leave all I have known, and
I'll have no other.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
Just let me cling to you, Jesus.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I
Press on, yes I press on.
I say goodbye to my father, my mother,
I turn my back on every other lover, and I press on, yes I press on.
For I am in love with you,
and there is no cost.
I am in love with you,
and there is no loss.
I am in love with you,
I want to take your name.
I am in love with you,
I want to cling to you, Jesus,
just let me cling to you, Jesus,
I want to cling to you...
I was listening to this song this morning as I was running some errands and just singing it out as my prayer to Jesus. All I really need right now is to cling to Jesus and let him have all of me. So in singing this prayer I decided to dedicate the next three and half months to him and him alone.
I still find myself in moments of complete brokenness but it is a brokenness that leaves seeking Jesus. I feel like I have reached this new level of maturity because I recognize that what I want right now is the one thing I really don't need. So I'm going to turn my back on what I want, and I am going to press on and seek out what I need the most...Jesus.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The Playlist- Part 3
Alrighty, this next song I want to share with you is called Deeper. It is written by Brittany Stricklin from the band Through the Veil..They are an awesome band, look them up on itunes
I just want to fly away with you,
Where nothing else matters
And all I want is You
Cause You're such a big God
And yet you make yourself
Small enough just to be with me
And I can't help but be amazed
At Your wondrous works
The beauty of Your creation draws me in
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
As the sun rises and I awake
Heaven's oceans ripple
And proclaim Your name
And as the wind blow
I hear you whisper my name
Come quickly my child
I am always there
Just to hear your cry
And to answer your prayer
So just sit with me for a little while
And wait, just wait
I first heard this song when the band was leading worship at my church this summer. Brittany talked about why she wrote the song and I felt like I really related to it. She heard God telling her to just sit with him and wait in his presence. I guess when I heard this, it was God first telling me to be patient and wait in him.
I love the last part of the song that is written from God's voice. He is calling all of his children to come quickly to his presence. He is always there and hears our every prayer. That is such an awesome thought to dwell on. The almighty God, creator of the universe is calling me to come and sit in his presence. I am so not worthy of him, yet he still calls my name.
When we ask to go deeper with God, he meets us and walks in deeper with us. Guiding our every step...
I just want to fly away with you,
Where nothing else matters
And all I want is You
Cause You're such a big God
And yet you make yourself
Small enough just to be with me
And I can't help but be amazed
At Your wondrous works
The beauty of Your creation draws me in
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
Take me deeper
And deeper
In Your presence now
As the sun rises and I awake
Heaven's oceans ripple
And proclaim Your name
And as the wind blow
I hear you whisper my name
Come quickly my child
I am always there
Just to hear your cry
And to answer your prayer
So just sit with me for a little while
And wait, just wait
I first heard this song when the band was leading worship at my church this summer. Brittany talked about why she wrote the song and I felt like I really related to it. She heard God telling her to just sit with him and wait in his presence. I guess when I heard this, it was God first telling me to be patient and wait in him.
I love the last part of the song that is written from God's voice. He is calling all of his children to come quickly to his presence. He is always there and hears our every prayer. That is such an awesome thought to dwell on. The almighty God, creator of the universe is calling me to come and sit in his presence. I am so not worthy of him, yet he still calls my name.
When we ask to go deeper with God, he meets us and walks in deeper with us. Guiding our every step...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Playlist- Part 2
The next song I would like to share with you is "Your Great Name" by The People's Church
Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise
Your great name
All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
The sick are healed, the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty
Defender, My Savior, You are my King
I first heard this song in convo(for those of you don't attend Liberty this is what we call our chapel services) and I could not stop singing it. There is something about the name of Jesus that makes you stop dead in your tracks. His name is so powerful! This song was God's way of reminding me of his awesome power. I took a trip to visit some friends in Ashville at the beginning of the summer and during the drive I must of listened to this song 30 times. I just could not stop singing of God's awesome power that is packed behind his name.
When you sing the name of Jesus it is heard not to worship. His name is so glorious. Just as the song says, at the sound of his great name the sick are healed and the dead are raised! There is nothing to be afraid of because we have the power of Jesus!
I'm not sure if I truly conveyed how much I absolutely love this song, but I feel like I can't find the words to describe how powerful Jesus is and how much I love him. Listen to the song for yourself and let God minister to you...
Lost are saved, find their way
At the sound of Your great name
All condemned feel no shame
At the sound of Your great name
Every fear has no place
At the sound of Your great name
The enemy, he has to leave
At the sound of Your great name
Jesus, worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us
Son of God and man
You are high and lifted up
And all the world will praise
Your great name
All the weak find their strength
At the sound of Your great name
Hungry souls receive grace
At the sound of Your great name
The fatherless find their rest
At the sound of Your great name
The sick are healed, the dead are raised
At the sound of Your great name
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty
Defender, My Savior, You are my King
I first heard this song in convo(for those of you don't attend Liberty this is what we call our chapel services) and I could not stop singing it. There is something about the name of Jesus that makes you stop dead in your tracks. His name is so powerful! This song was God's way of reminding me of his awesome power. I took a trip to visit some friends in Ashville at the beginning of the summer and during the drive I must of listened to this song 30 times. I just could not stop singing of God's awesome power that is packed behind his name.
When you sing the name of Jesus it is heard not to worship. His name is so glorious. Just as the song says, at the sound of his great name the sick are healed and the dead are raised! There is nothing to be afraid of because we have the power of Jesus!
I'm not sure if I truly conveyed how much I absolutely love this song, but I feel like I can't find the words to describe how powerful Jesus is and how much I love him. Listen to the song for yourself and let God minister to you...
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Playlist of a Journey
Music is a very big part of my life. I have found that it is one of the things in my life I would be lost without. Throughout the journey God has been taking me on, he has really spoken to me through different songs. At first the songs were ones that would bring comfort, but then they soon changed into songs that sing of His love.
In the next few posts I would like to share some of the songs that have really spoken to my heart and ministered to me. I have already written about two songs in previous blogs so I figured I should share some more.
The first song I would like to share is Desert Song by Hillsong.
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
I love this song because it shows the different stages we go through in our Christian life. We go through seasons that feel so dry and then God fills us up again and it is time for a harvest. In talking with a friend about this song, I shared how I loved the bridge because it says "All of my life, in every season you are still God and I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship." This line is so powerful, and I think it is so easily forgotten. No matter what we are walking through in life, God is still God. He still loves and cares for us.
I think it is so easy for Christians to forget to worship God in the seasons in our lives that feel like a desert. I believe that if we seek God out in those desert seasons, he meets us in ways that we could have never imagined! God blesses us for worshiping him in the good and the bad times in our lives. You just have to trust that everything is going to be okay because it is in God's hands.
I know how unbelievable hard it can be to give up control and put all of your trust in God, but it is the best thing that you could ever do. God continues to bless me everyday because he knows I have given him everything and trust him completely.
Remember that God is still God always. Psalm 45:11 says "because he is your Lord, worship Him"...
In the next few posts I would like to share some of the songs that have really spoken to my heart and ministered to me. I have already written about two songs in previous blogs so I figured I should share some more.
The first song I would like to share is Desert Song by Hillsong.
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
I love this song because it shows the different stages we go through in our Christian life. We go through seasons that feel so dry and then God fills us up again and it is time for a harvest. In talking with a friend about this song, I shared how I loved the bridge because it says "All of my life, in every season you are still God and I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship." This line is so powerful, and I think it is so easily forgotten. No matter what we are walking through in life, God is still God. He still loves and cares for us.
I think it is so easy for Christians to forget to worship God in the seasons in our lives that feel like a desert. I believe that if we seek God out in those desert seasons, he meets us in ways that we could have never imagined! God blesses us for worshiping him in the good and the bad times in our lives. You just have to trust that everything is going to be okay because it is in God's hands.
I know how unbelievable hard it can be to give up control and put all of your trust in God, but it is the best thing that you could ever do. God continues to bless me everyday because he knows I have given him everything and trust him completely.
Remember that God is still God always. Psalm 45:11 says "because he is your Lord, worship Him"...
Thursday, November 11, 2010
God hears me
One night last week I found myself laying in bed late at night talking with God. I was asking him for something that I have asked him for many times before and still have not gotten. As soon as I asked God the question I would then say, but I know you want me to be patient so I will. I went back and forth with the question and that statement a few times and the went to sleep.
The next day God gave me what I asked for. It was not in the form that I would have liked to have it in, but alas he still gave it to me. I kind of laughed about the situation later because I know God sure was when he gave it to me. I can just see him now with a smile on his face saying "You asked for it, so here it is...literally." I could have easily been made about the way God answered me but I wasn't. Instead I was happy to know that God heard me.
I don't think I have ever gotten an answer to my question as quickly as I did last week. God saw me pose the question, but then remind myself to be patient. I was content with being patient and God rewarded me for it. I know that God will answer my question in the way I truly mean it one day, but I'm not ready for yet.
I think I am getting better at this patience thing after all...
The next day God gave me what I asked for. It was not in the form that I would have liked to have it in, but alas he still gave it to me. I kind of laughed about the situation later because I know God sure was when he gave it to me. I can just see him now with a smile on his face saying "You asked for it, so here it is...literally." I could have easily been made about the way God answered me but I wasn't. Instead I was happy to know that God heard me.
I don't think I have ever gotten an answer to my question as quickly as I did last week. God saw me pose the question, but then remind myself to be patient. I was content with being patient and God rewarded me for it. I know that God will answer my question in the way I truly mean it one day, but I'm not ready for yet.
I think I am getting better at this patience thing after all...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Loneliness vs. Solitude
As I was listening to one of my Relient K cds, there was a line in one of the songs that really stuck out, “loneliness and solitude are two things not to get confused.” So in hearing this line I thought I would look up the definition of the two words. According to the Oxford English Dictionary loneliness means “the quality or condition of being alone”. Solitude means “the state of being or living alone; loneliness, seclusion, solitariness (of persons).”
The two have very similar definitions, so what exactly did Relient K mean by saying not to confuse the two? Well the next line of the song is “…because I spend my solitude with You.” I believe that solitude is a voluntary action in which we spend time alone with our God.
God has most certainly been teaching me the importance of solitude. A year ago I would have told you I was an extroverted person, but now I’m not so sure that I am anymore. Spending time in solitude with God is so unbelievable amazing, and I would much rather spend my time in solitude with God. He is the only one who is always there with me, and listening to my every thought. I know that I am not spending my time feeling lonely because I am choosing to spend my time with God. I am never alone, and neither are you...
…The song that inspired this is called “Therapy”. I recommend you go and listen to it for yourself.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Be Still...
So it has been a while since my last post about patience. Well what I have learned the past two months is that learning patience is frustrating. I guess that is the point though. My life has also been extremely busy the past two months as well, which I think adds to my impatience. I have reached the half way point in the semester and work always keeps me busy. Between those two things I haven't really had a lot of time to set aside for God, which I really hate.
Even though I have been so busy, I still have things that are laying very heavy on my heart. Every time I pray about my worries in life I just seem to get more frustrated when God replies with "just be patient." AHHHHH!!! I get that I have to be patient, but I am not getting answers to my questions. That is the frustrating part of this lesson.
Patience is about learning to trust God when the answers don't come quickly. If only stating that made it easier, but it doesn't. Not getting the answers I seek is hard, but it also means that God isn't ready for me to have the answers yet. As I was reading Psalm 46 the other night, God pointed out a verse that I have read so many times. Verse 10 "Be still and know that I am God." Not only does God want me to have patience, but He also wants me to chill out and just focus on the fact that he is God.
So here I am, just trying to relax and focus on God's wonders. I'm going to take the time to stop what I am doing and focus on God. I'm going to turn off all of the distractions for a while and give that time to God. That is all He is asking from me right now, and I am going to give him that. When God gets the attention he so desires from me, He will show me the answers I am seeking...
Even though I have been so busy, I still have things that are laying very heavy on my heart. Every time I pray about my worries in life I just seem to get more frustrated when God replies with "just be patient." AHHHHH!!! I get that I have to be patient, but I am not getting answers to my questions. That is the frustrating part of this lesson.
Patience is about learning to trust God when the answers don't come quickly. If only stating that made it easier, but it doesn't. Not getting the answers I seek is hard, but it also means that God isn't ready for me to have the answers yet. As I was reading Psalm 46 the other night, God pointed out a verse that I have read so many times. Verse 10 "Be still and know that I am God." Not only does God want me to have patience, but He also wants me to chill out and just focus on the fact that he is God.
So here I am, just trying to relax and focus on God's wonders. I'm going to take the time to stop what I am doing and focus on God. I'm going to turn off all of the distractions for a while and give that time to God. That is all He is asking from me right now, and I am going to give him that. When God gets the attention he so desires from me, He will show me the answers I am seeking...
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Patient Follower
Well I have spent the past five months learning how to trust in God. It has been a journey I have not always enjoyed but I'm at the point were I trust God with all of my being and I know He is in control. Learning to trust has been so amazing and I have grown so much in my walk with God, but the time has come for a new lesson...Patience.
I am such an impatient person. If you ask any of my friends they will tell you that I yell at stoplights when they take to long to change and when people drive too slow it kills me. When I'm hungry I will have the fastest thing I can make(or buy) because I don't feel like taking the time to make something healthy. This is not a very good trait that I possess, but I would like to fix it. The past few days my patience level has been pretty much non existent and it was in a moment of impatience that I realized what God was doing.
He has been telling me over and over again that His grace is enough for me, and I truly believe that it is. Yet because I know his grace is enough for me and he can fully sustain me, it is causing me to think that my journey is over. Gosh am I so wrong about that.
I am starting to realize that trust and patience go hand and hand. You can trust God all you want, but if you don't have enough patience to trust in what he says then you are going to make hasty decisions that may not end very well.
Abraham trusted God, but when God said he was going to be a father of nations, Abraham thought he had to take the situation into his own hands. If Abraham had just been a little more patient he would have prevented a lot of conflict that still occurs today. This is just an example from the Bible to back up my patience and trust theory (well I guess its not really a theory since it's true, but you see what I am saying).
I know that this next phase of my journey is not going to be easy at all, but when I make it through it I will be in such a better place. This lesson reminds me of something I heard in a sermon one time, "Sometimes we have to wait awhile for God to suddenly move." I know that if i just sit and wait in God, he is going to surprise with something amazing.
So for now I am going to be a patient follower of Christ, and listen for his voice to guide me and lead me down the path he has chosen for me.
I am such an impatient person. If you ask any of my friends they will tell you that I yell at stoplights when they take to long to change and when people drive too slow it kills me. When I'm hungry I will have the fastest thing I can make(or buy) because I don't feel like taking the time to make something healthy. This is not a very good trait that I possess, but I would like to fix it. The past few days my patience level has been pretty much non existent and it was in a moment of impatience that I realized what God was doing.
He has been telling me over and over again that His grace is enough for me, and I truly believe that it is. Yet because I know his grace is enough for me and he can fully sustain me, it is causing me to think that my journey is over. Gosh am I so wrong about that.
I am starting to realize that trust and patience go hand and hand. You can trust God all you want, but if you don't have enough patience to trust in what he says then you are going to make hasty decisions that may not end very well.
Abraham trusted God, but when God said he was going to be a father of nations, Abraham thought he had to take the situation into his own hands. If Abraham had just been a little more patient he would have prevented a lot of conflict that still occurs today. This is just an example from the Bible to back up my patience and trust theory (well I guess its not really a theory since it's true, but you see what I am saying).
I know that this next phase of my journey is not going to be easy at all, but when I make it through it I will be in such a better place. This lesson reminds me of something I heard in a sermon one time, "Sometimes we have to wait awhile for God to suddenly move." I know that if i just sit and wait in God, he is going to surprise with something amazing.
So for now I am going to be a patient follower of Christ, and listen for his voice to guide me and lead me down the path he has chosen for me.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Great Love Story
I long to have a love story people will talk about for years to come. When people talk about it, they will always be envious of what I had. Now I am not talking about a love with another human being (even though I do hope for a great love story in that aspect). I am talking about a great love story with the Father.
Something that I have been learning lately is how complete we can be in God’s love. I have always sung the songs that talked about God being enough but they were never really true in my life till now. I was always looking for something more elsewhere and assuming that I had reached my contentment in God.
There are two things wrong with that mind set. One, you should only being looking for something more in God and not other things or people. There is always more when it comes to God. Two, I was so wrong in thinking I had reached contentment with God.
God’s love is so vast that we humans cannot even begin to scratch the surface of his love. I am discovering now how fully content I can be in loving God and God alone. I can truly say now that all of God is more than enough for me. Now I am not saying that I am content in where I am now and I’m just going to stay here. I believe that being content in God is realizing that he is all we need and then continuing to go after his heart in search for more.
My love story with God is going to be great because I am never going to stop chasing after his heart. I will be content every step of the way, and still ask for more. I want to be known as someone who is after God’s own heart, and I plan to be. I am made complete in him and I truly feel it. He is all I need in my life until he says otherwise.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Mission/ Elevate
So this past week I got the opportunity to participate in our church's youth camp. I have been to camp before but this year was different. First of all I was not attending camp as a student but as a leader. Second, we spent the entire week doing community service projects during the day and services at night. The overall experience was unbelievable. God showed me so much and also challenged me.
Being a leader for the first time was not what I expected it to be. Now it was not a negative thing, but something far better then I could have imagined. I was pushed to step out of my comfort zone and be an example for my students. There were three students that I was in charge of all week, and the bond I made with each of them was God ordained. I know that God will continue to use me in their lives.
Even though I was there as a leader, God still meet with me and began to teach me another lesson. At the alter one night, Pastor Pat told the girls to ask God to dance with us. Now little did he know that I have constantly been asking God to send me someone that will dance with me, but God gave me something better...Himself. I heard God speak to me and what he said to me broke me, "I have been standing here waiting for you to let ME dance with you." I had to apologize to God for not letting him in. I was so concerned with finding something human to satisfy me that I forgot that God could satisfy me.
After this I felt such a refreshing spirit come over me. God's presence was so amazing and tangible that I did not want to move. I can't remember the last time I felt such peace, and that peace can only come from God. I have to remind myself that God is more than enough for me, and he has always been there waiting for me to let him in and to romance me.
Let God romance you and bring you closer to him...
Friday, June 18, 2010
Letting It All Go
I'm the kind of person that likes to have plan. I think I have a fear of sitting alone and missing out on something fun. This desire to always have a plan is something that makes me feel like I have control of my life. Now who doesn't like to be in control of the things going on in their life? I know I sure do, but throughout my journey I have had no control. It was killing me at first! I hate not having control over the situations in my life, especially the ones that hurt me. All I wanted was to be able to stop the pain, and get back to the plan that was in place before the pain started.
Because I had was still grasping to have control over my life, I wasn't really making any progress. I remember the moment I realized my control issue. I was laying in my bed talking to God when I said, "I just want to have control!" The next thing I heard was, "Just let me have the control." I immediately said okay. When you hear God's voice so clearly there is nothing else you can do but surrender. I realized in this moment that you have to wake up in the morning in complete surrender to God. If God is in control then you know the situation is going to be okay.
I think a good verse that backs up this lessons is Philippians 4:6-"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I have learned to rejoice in my sufferings, present my worries to God, and let him have the control. Now I didn't instantly become better, and I still had to constantly let go of the situation. Pain does not just disappear, but it does fade. (Thank God it fades!) The bad days came and went, but the good times began to grow.
God is in control of my life, and it feels good. I don't know what he has planned for my future, but I know it will be amazing! I don't worry about not having a plan because as long as I continue to keep my focus on God everything will work out for the best.
Because I had was still grasping to have control over my life, I wasn't really making any progress. I remember the moment I realized my control issue. I was laying in my bed talking to God when I said, "I just want to have control!" The next thing I heard was, "Just let me have the control." I immediately said okay. When you hear God's voice so clearly there is nothing else you can do but surrender. I realized in this moment that you have to wake up in the morning in complete surrender to God. If God is in control then you know the situation is going to be okay.
I think a good verse that backs up this lessons is Philippians 4:6-"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I have learned to rejoice in my sufferings, present my worries to God, and let him have the control. Now I didn't instantly become better, and I still had to constantly let go of the situation. Pain does not just disappear, but it does fade. (Thank God it fades!) The bad days came and went, but the good times began to grow.
God is in control of my life, and it feels good. I don't know what he has planned for my future, but I know it will be amazing! I don't worry about not having a plan because as long as I continue to keep my focus on God everything will work out for the best.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Before the Morning
For the first few weeks of my journey I felt like I was learning a lot, but there came a point where I began to feel alone. As someone was asking me how I was doing, I honestly had to tell them I felt like I was seeking out God, but I was not finding him. I was extremely frustrated. One night on my way home from work my mom told me to listen to a song that might help me. The song is called "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson and I am going to share it with you guys.
Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?
Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see
Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?
Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Persevering Through the Pain
Something I have learned in life is that when God is telling you something he usually does it more than once. About a week into my journey God showed me Romans 5:3-4, "Not only so, but also rejoice in our sufferings because suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." This verse really hit home with because I was most definitely suffering and I needed to learn to rejoice in my suffering.
Now a few days later God showed me James 1:3-4, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." After reading this verse all I could think was, WOW. Okay God I think you are trying to teach me something, perseverance. It would have been so easy if I had just curled into a ball and just shut myself down, but God was telling me that I needed to persevere through my pain.
This two verses say carry so much weight behind them. If we learn to persevere through our sufferings then we begin to develop character and hope. We also begin to mature and not lack anything. It is not easy though to persevere through the sufferings. You don't know how long the suffering is going to last, and also you have no idea what is going to happen along the way. It is so scary to get up and press on through the pain, but God rewards us for our perseverance.
Hebrews 10:35-36, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." As Christians we can walk in confidence through the hard times because when we obey God, he gives us what he promised us.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I have been walking in the will of God for the past two months, and I know God is going to reward me for my faithfulness. He has been testing my faith and trust in him, and it is a test that everyone must go through at some point. Do not give up! Persevere through the hard times because they will come to an end, and God will be there for you always!
This was lesson number two...
Now a few days later God showed me James 1:3-4, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." After reading this verse all I could think was, WOW. Okay God I think you are trying to teach me something, perseverance. It would have been so easy if I had just curled into a ball and just shut myself down, but God was telling me that I needed to persevere through my pain.
This two verses say carry so much weight behind them. If we learn to persevere through our sufferings then we begin to develop character and hope. We also begin to mature and not lack anything. It is not easy though to persevere through the sufferings. You don't know how long the suffering is going to last, and also you have no idea what is going to happen along the way. It is so scary to get up and press on through the pain, but God rewards us for our perseverance.
Hebrews 10:35-36, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." As Christians we can walk in confidence through the hard times because when we obey God, he gives us what he promised us.
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I have been walking in the will of God for the past two months, and I know God is going to reward me for my faithfulness. He has been testing my faith and trust in him, and it is a test that everyone must go through at some point. Do not give up! Persevere through the hard times because they will come to an end, and God will be there for you always!
This was lesson number two...
Monday, May 31, 2010
How He Loves Us
I'm sure that many of you have heard the song "How He Loves Us" by David Crowder, but have you really thought about the words of that song? The first lines of the song are "He is jealous for me." Do you truly know what that means? The creator of this world and universe is jealous for me!
The fact of the matter is, God was jealous for me because he was not getting all of my heart. I can honestly say that two months ago God was not high on my list of priorities and because of it He removed the things that were above him. As he began to put a tug on my heart I knew the things that needed to happen, and I knew they were not going to be easy. Its kind of like the lines from that Fray song, "sometimes the hardest things and the right things are the same." I had to let go of the things in my life that mattered the most to me.
After doing so, I found myself in one of the most vulnerable places I had ever been and I did not like it. I questioned why God needed to put me through it, but I am so thankful now that he did. I think that many of us are so afraid to let ourselves be vulnerable because when we are vulnerable we feel things that aren't always pleasant. One of the only things that helped me in this place of vulnerability was the fact that God loves me. I must have listened to this song at least fifty times and just kept singing "oh how He loves me."
Because he loves me, he wants all of me. God broke my heart so He could put it back together again. You may wonder why I phrase it that way, but I truly believe that is what happened. "Jesus has to thwart us --thwart our self-redemptive plans, our controlling and our hiding, thwart the ways we are seeking to fill the ache within us. Otherwise, we would never fully turn to him for our rescue." (Captivating) I completely agree with this statement. I turned to God for my rescue and suddenly I became aware of his glory and his affections for me! His love for me was all I had, and all I needed.
This was the first of my lessons from God...
The fact of the matter is, God was jealous for me because he was not getting all of my heart. I can honestly say that two months ago God was not high on my list of priorities and because of it He removed the things that were above him. As he began to put a tug on my heart I knew the things that needed to happen, and I knew they were not going to be easy. Its kind of like the lines from that Fray song, "sometimes the hardest things and the right things are the same." I had to let go of the things in my life that mattered the most to me.
After doing so, I found myself in one of the most vulnerable places I had ever been and I did not like it. I questioned why God needed to put me through it, but I am so thankful now that he did. I think that many of us are so afraid to let ourselves be vulnerable because when we are vulnerable we feel things that aren't always pleasant. One of the only things that helped me in this place of vulnerability was the fact that God loves me. I must have listened to this song at least fifty times and just kept singing "oh how He loves me."
Because he loves me, he wants all of me. God broke my heart so He could put it back together again. You may wonder why I phrase it that way, but I truly believe that is what happened. "Jesus has to thwart us --thwart our self-redemptive plans, our controlling and our hiding, thwart the ways we are seeking to fill the ache within us. Otherwise, we would never fully turn to him for our rescue." (Captivating) I completely agree with this statement. I turned to God for my rescue and suddenly I became aware of his glory and his affections for me! His love for me was all I had, and all I needed.
This was the first of my lessons from God...
A little about me
So the other day I decided that I wanted to start blogging. Now it was not just a spur of the moment thing, it came about because of a scripture verse...
2 Cor. 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
The past two months God has taken me on a journey (and still is) that is drawing me back to his heart. He has shown me so much and I feel like I need to share some of the important lessons he has taught me, and I hope that those lessons can help other people.
So now I would like to take you guys on the journey God has been taking me on...
2 Cor. 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
The past two months God has taken me on a journey (and still is) that is drawing me back to his heart. He has shown me so much and I feel like I need to share some of the important lessons he has taught me, and I hope that those lessons can help other people.
So now I would like to take you guys on the journey God has been taking me on...
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