Randomness…

random thought that have been floating around my head.

1. sometimes i think i spend way to much time on my laptop. it might eventually turn into another appendage if i’m not careful.

2. i have this passionate desire to paint scripture. sometimes when i read the word or hear a teaching my mind translates what i hear into painted imagery. i think it would be awesome to have a huge collection of paintings inspired by and communicating truth.

3. humility is hard to come by and truly something to be valued. i am realizing how much i lack true humility and need to grow immensely in humbling myself. recognizing this imperfection is very freeing and makes me grateful for the gospel and the power it has given me.

4. when i get a house of my own i would like it to have lots of windows and at least one room that is round instead of rectangular.

5. i really want a pair of suspenders. i will begin the hunt for these shortly.

6. i do believe i have an obsession with scarfs. i just love them.

7. fall is coming and i love it. time for jackets and sweaters.

8. i am really excited about my accountability girls this year. every time i talk with them i am all the more grateful that the Lord has put us all together. should be a fantastic year.

9. i have this thing for all lowercase letters. i’m sure you’ve noticed that already though.

10. i have so much to learn in life that its crazy. every day i am freshly reminded of how much i thought i knew and how very little i really do know. it makes me laugh.

11. one of my best friends is moving to China for a year. as the time for her departure gets closer and closer the harder it is to think about. she is my sanity many times in the midst of craziness and i am really really going to miss her.

12. i want to dabble in industrial design. the thought of wielding a metal welder and a hammer is very appealing.

13. i think i might have the gift of tongues. i discovered this recently and there are times during my worship when my tongue gets this intense desire to move on its own. sometimes when i want to praise the Lord in a better way i’ll ask him for a tongue that better communicates what i want to say.

14. i’m slowly turning into an eco geek. i’ll buy something that is more expensive because it will do less harm to the environment.

15. i really want to swing. on sunday i’ll be going to a friends house for a birthday party. they have the best tree swing and i’ve been thinking about it all week.

16. there is no number sixteen because i need to stop and finish this paper about henri matisse and his purple robe painting. so long for now and thanks for tuning in to these random ramblings.

Be killing sin…

So today I spent the early morning thinking about the John Owen quote “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” In fact, I kind of woke up thinking about it. Maybe that’s an odd thing to wake up to in the morning, I don’t know. The reason, though, that this quote was stuck in my head is because of a dream I had during the night. When I woke up and began thinking about it, this quote seemed to describe everything that happened in my dream. It was quite interesting. The dream was filled with terror and fear. Why? Because I was running. Running fast and hard from something very evil. It all began with a couple of my friends and I going about our normal every day business. As we continued to go about our day I began to sense an evil presence. I didn’t know what it was and I couldn’t see it any where near us. But I knew it was coming and if we didn’t run while we could we were going to be over taken.  As I began to share this with those around me some of my friends began to sense the evil that was  closing in on us and decided to join me in my flight. Others, decided they wanted to stay where they were, not really worried about the impending doom that would soon befall them, and, in truth, not really believing that there was any such evil. Unable to change their minds, those of us who knew of the evil that was coming set off to find a way to escape it. We traveled over various rough terrains and overcame many obstacles. But every time we thought we had made it to a safe place the evil presence would show up again. Sometimes it would even bring with it an army that would try to attack us and take us as prisoners. We were constantly on the run. Always aware that there was something following us and making sure that none of us fell behind. This is how the dream continued until I woke up. I breathed a sigh of relief when I opened my eyes as I saw that it was only  a dream. It was very real. As I continued about my day I began to think about the dream and the fear that I had in my soul when I sensed that something was after me. That’s when the John Owen quote popped into my head. “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”  Much like the evil presence in my dream sin is always around. Creeping behind corners and chasing us down as it tries to drag us back into slavery. Though most people do not see it for what it is, sin is incredibly dangerous and leads to death. Because of our fallen nature we are never in a place where we are completely safe from its presence. Because of this we must always be on the lookout for it. Running from it when we can and fighting it when we encounter it.  Thankfully, the Lord has revealed the danger of sin to His elect and provided them with ways of escape. He has also freed us from the bondage of sin and provided us with the grace to combat its evil devises. Plus, He provides us with friendships with other believers who help us to keep going even when we feel like giving up the fight. He fights for us as we battle our temptations and, because of the amazing cross of Christ, forgives us when we give in to them. Truly an amazing God. This dream was an awesome reminder of the intense danger of sin. I must, by the grace of God, be killing it, or it will kill me.

Sooooo…

I’m not dead. Just been busy and, once again, kind of forgot about the whole blog thing. Sorry about that. I hope to blog a bit more. I make no promises though ;0).  We shall see.  For now I am back and hope to be more faithful with my postings. So hopefully when you check this blog again there will be new content. Finally :0).

Disappointments…

Read this today and found it so encouraging. If you are ever tempted to walk through life disappointed because you didn’t get what you want when you want it remember this.

 

(The following is a letter of John Newton to his 13 year old adopted daughter, who was away at school) 

“The LORD does whatever pleases Him–in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths!” Psalm 135:6

My dear Betsy,
How vain are all things here below! “Vanity of vanities!” says the preacher. And you, and I, and your mamma, may say so likewise; for we all counted upon seeing you last Sunday. We listened at the door–and peeped out of the window–but no Betsy came! Now we will venture to expect you next Sunday. 

Indeed, it is not amiss that you should now and then meet with a hindrance–that you may learn, if possible–not to count too much on what tomorrow may do for you–and that you may begin to feel the impossibility of being happy, any further than your will is brought into submission to the will of God. In order to learn this–you must have your own will frequently crossed. And things do and will turn out, almost daily in one way or other–contrary to our wishes and expectations.

When such disappointments happen–most people fret and fume! They are angry and impatient! But others, who are in the Lord’s school, and desirous of being taught by Him–get benefit by these things, and sometimes find more pleasure in yielding to His appointments, though contrary to their own wills–than they would have done, if all had happened just as they had desired!

I wish for you my dear child, to think much of the Lord’s governing providence. It extends to the minutest concerns. He rules and manages all things; but in so secret a way, that most people think that He does nothing. When, in reality–He does ALL!

He appointed the time of your coming into the world. And the day and hour of your coming home from school to us–totally depends upon Him likewise! Nor can you safely travel one step of the road–without His protection and care over you! 

It may now seem a small matter to you and I, whether you came home last Sunday–or are to come home next Sunday. But we know not what different consequences may depend upon the day–we know not what hidden danger you might have escaped by staying at school last Sunday. The Lord knows all things! He foresees every possible consequence! Often what we call disappointments, are really mercies from Him to save us from harm!

If I could teach you a lesson, which, as yet, I have but poorly learned myself–I would teach you a way to be never be disappointed. This would be the case–if you could always form a right judgment of this world, and all things in it. 

If you go to a bramble-bush to look for grapes–you must be disappointed; but then you are old enough to know that grapes never grow upon brambles. So, if you expect much pleasure here in this world–you will not find it. But you ought not to say you are disappointed, because the Scripture plainly warned you beforehand, to look for crosses, trials and hindrances, every day. If you expect such things–you will not be disappointed when they happen!

“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: Naked I came from my mother’s womb–and naked I will depart. The Lord gave–and the Lord has taken away! May the name of the Lord be praised!” Job 1:20-21

 

A post on a post…

So I will post about the NEXT conference soon and all that God showed me during that time. Meanwhile though I want to post a link to a post written by a friend of mine. I met Steve in high school and he goes to a sister church not to far from GCC.  I happened to stumble upon his blog not long ago from a link on another friends blog and would encourage everyone (especially guys) to read it. He did a great post recently on how to encourage male leadership. You can read it here.

Prayer for NEXT….

So classes are over which is awesome! It is very freeing to know that I no longer have homework due.  The past week has still been pretty busy though as I have been preparing for this coming weekend. I am going to NEXT this weekend and I am super excited! This year the theme of the conference is all about Christ and the gospel. It should be absolutely wonderful. I feel I have been very distracted recently by various things in life and I am looking forward to having my focus redirected back to my Savior. Should be grand. So if you think of it this weekend please keep me and the others that are going in your prayers. Here are some things that I have personally been praying for.

❧ That God would meet us in a life changing way as we learn more and more about His glorious Son.

 

❧ That the Lord would use this time to save those who are going who don’t know Christ. I know of several people that are coming with my group of friends that do not yet know the Lord and we are praying for their salvation.

 

❧ Pray against distractions. No matter what kind. Whether it be drama or struggles or just the cares of everyday life.

 

❧ Pray that God would use us to encourage each other and build one another up during the time.

 

❧ For there to be true biblical fellowship taking place throughout the time.

 

❧ For everyone to be seeking to serve one another over the weekend and put their own personal desires aside.

 

❧ For humility when it comes to seeing sin and a proper understanding of grace afterwards.

 

❧ For a deeper knowledge and understanding of the gospel.

 

I’ll be back in a couple days. See ya!

The end is near…

so the worst is almost over. i have my second final today, which is really just handing in a project.  my other finals I’m not as worried about because I’m half done the projects already and I have a week left to finish them.  life will once again return soon.

Two words…

 finals week

And I shall fear no evil…

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD  forever.

Psalm 23

This guy was my painting professor

Trace Miller

My life story in song…

Life has been incredibly busy.  Classes are winding down so eventually things will start slowing down. Today I want to post the lyrics to a song that is very dear to me for two reasons.

 1) I love the truth that is proclaimed within this song.

2) I feel like it tells the story of my life.

The song is Jesus Paid it All.  I have sung this song to myself many times to remind myself of truth and I believe I will continue to sing it till the day I die.

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

And now complete in Him
My robe His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

I love this song. It fits so perfectly with my life. How many times do I cry out to God in weakness because a desire of mine is not met? He gently reminds me that He is working all things out for my good and that I can trust Him while I wait, finding my true satisfaction in Him. How many times do I forget that I am COMPLETELY FORGIVEN and start to try to earn my own righteousness? He reminds me that He has paid it ALL and I am now clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Or how many times do I think that I can somehow change myself when it comes to my sanctification? He reminds me that I have no power of my own but have an infinite amount of power available to me in Him. My life story in song.  How thankful I am for songs that contain truth.