Desert Song

This is a Hillsong song I heard while at the ReCreate women's conference at our church the other weekend. Even though I have heard this song a couple dozen times, this particular time it touched my heart. Especially the bridge that I have in bold below. While worshipping the Holy Spirit spoke to me and reminded me that regardless of what I am walking through at this very moment in EVERY season there is ALWAYS a reason to worship/praise/give thanks to the living God. To be honest these last two weeks have been rough, and that's probably an understatement. I have cried, been angry, stressed, & broken. But I remind myself that God never promised a perfect life without problems. He knows how we feel & what we go through because He walked this earth but did it without sin. Our pastor has spoken recently on struggles and how the valleys are where character is built. And one of my favor statements he said.....God is not worried about your comfort his focus is on your character..... He didn't create earth for us to live this perfect/comfy life. Yes, he created wonderful things for us to enjoy but what was more important than our enjoyment was to build up the body of Christ to be more like Jesus. "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love." Psalm 145:8 (I sure know I can work on these areas from time to time.... A LOT!!!) Most of the time the character traits that Jesus talks about in the bible are developed during trials. I want to learn how to suffer well...... where my circumstances & challenges don't hinder me from exuding the joy & love of Christ that lives inside of me. I want the people that I see day to day that don't know my hardships to NOT see sadness but see JOY..... not because I have it all together or not hurting but because...." He who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

My faith & hope are put in Him and I am confident in "Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory...." Ephesians 3:20-21

The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that lives inside each of us. How can that thought not be empowering..... His power that lives in us makes us CONQUERORS!!!! I am NOT trying to act/write like I have it all together, I am walking all this out day by day and at times second by second but I know that I am never alone. Worshipping Him in song and His word is honestly what keeps me sane & brings me peace. 

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be STILL." Exodus 14:14  Be STILL, that one word brings such peace & strength, it's like God is whispering to me.... "just sit back/rest/be still I got this"

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways
 and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Desert Song

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

Thank you Jesus!!

Why God doesn't tell us everything:

“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions." Deuteronomy 29:29

I am sure we have all thought at one time WHY God has not informed us of all the details that lie before us...... I have realized that we couldn't handle it!!! The scripture in Deuteronomy reminds us that their are secrets only known by God but following that we are told that we are accountable for ALL that HE has revealed to us. God gave us a manual, the BIBLE, to equip us with every circumstance of life.

Jesus walked this earth and experienced all the hardships, hurts, joys, etc that this earth brings..... But He did it ALL without sin or fault. He knows the hurts we endure & the bible comforts us with this "...Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Even though God hasn't let us "in the know" of all the trials, joys, stumbles, & praises that we will face in the future.... He has given us the greatest gift to look forward to....that at the end of our time here on earth He has prepared a place for those who know & love Him and it is for ALL of eternity. What a glorious truth!!! I praise God for giving us the HOPE of forever with Him & praise Him for his word to get us through all the unknowns.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

Celebrate the Journey...

As Josh and I walk through life I have determined over the last few weeks to celebrate our journey together..... In God's word he teaches us "to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12. This scripture urges us to take account of how rapid life here on earth passes by & with that we may gain wisdom to live life appropriately..... Not to live for our time here on this earth but for eternity. Live our numbered days on earth loving & serving the Lord that our actions here make an eternal difference. Wow, what a different mind set we all would have if we reminded ourselves of this scripture daily.

We just recently celebrated 1 year of marriage, how fast those 12 months past by. What a wonderful year it was joining together as husband and wife & navigating through this crazy world together. You see, as wonderful as our first year of marriage was, we also had trials & obstacles. There have been tears, frustration, worry, anger, but at the heart of it all we have HOPE & LOVE. Life doesn't always go as you planned.... which reminds me of why in the world I tried to plan it in the first place. He is in control. "All the days you ORDAINED for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16. 

I have realized through my adult years of one misperception I feel we all have asked ourselves & God at some point. "Why do bad things happen to good people??" But who is defining what is good and what is bad....?? You see some people (myself at one point in my life) view God as this judgmental tyrant that punishes you with "bad circumstances" to pay for your sin..... REALLY?? If this was/is the case then why did Jesus have to die on the cross?? He was bruised, beaten, mocked, & nailed to the cross for our sins..... HE PAID the price once and for all. There is no condemnation in Christ.

Even during the days when Jesus walked the earth people assumed that suffering was linked to something you did wrong.  "As Jesus went on His way, He saw a man who had been born blind. His followers asked Him, "Teacher, whose sin made this man to be born blind? Was it the sin of this man or the sin of his parents?" Jesus answered, "The sin of this man or the sin of his parents DID NOT make him to be born blind. He was born blind so the work of God would would be seen in him." John 9:1-3. This is faulty theology, we all fall short daily to the glory of God because we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. But we can find FREEDOM in Jesus and through our sufferings grow spiritually closer to Him. 

As you build a personal relationship with God and fall more in love with Him it doesn't mean you will skip through life without any problems. But with a foundation built on Christ you can begin to find JOY in the midst of heartache. Every step of life, happy or sad, God has ordained it to shape & mold us into the children of God we were created to be! "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 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 IN ANYTHING." James 1:2-4. Not in our own flesh are we able to dig deep and find joy in the middle of life's terrible heartaches, it is with His love and our faith that we can HOPE in the days ahead. 

Life has thrown us a gutting wrenching punch in the stomach.... nothing I ever expected would "happen to us" but through much prayer & trust I CHOOSE JOY! Doesn't mean I don't have moments where other emotions come alive full force but I trust in the days God has ordained for our life. And with that I have peace that I am NOT in control..... I never really was in the first place!!! I am eternally grateful to have a man who loves God to walk through this beside me. I choose to be full of joy & celebrate our journey together. 

Our 1 year Anniversary!!!

Happy ONE year anniversary (4/9/12) to the man who has filled my life with joy, laughter, happiness & love!!! It is hard for me to even begin to remember what life was like without you in it. God has far surpassed my desires and dreams for a husband & I would wait another 29 years just for YOU!!! Thank you for being my rock this past year. You are the most wonderful man I know!

To celebrate our anniversary Josh and I spent the week in Rosemary Beach. We had a blast and the weather was absolutely perfect. I think Rosemary is our new favorite beach location..... It was a relaxing week together & I am so grateful that we were able to get away and just enjoy time the two of us..... I will post pictures soon!!!

A Busy Month!

It is hard to believe that March has come and gone and now it is April 1st..... April fool's day! March was a month of many birthday celebrations..... but one important birthday was that Josh turned the big 3-0!!! We are finally the same age again. I am 9 months older then him so these three months of being the "same age" are great because he can no longer gloat that he is still in his twenties!!! Welcome to the thirties sweetie.... I am confident that it will be the most wonderful decade that we get to share together!!! What a blessing!

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Romans 12:12

I feel that these last few weeks the Lord is teaching me that during our trials we need to stand firm and confident in our faith and hope in HIM. He is the provider of our every need and has a awesome plan for each of our lives..... I need to learn to trust is His timing. Even when it's not going as "planned" or "envisioned"..... God isn't worried about our comfort He is wanting to build our character throughout our life here on earth. Because the more we are transformed to the likeness of Christ we can be the light for those who are lost and need His truth.

I need to remind myself of this DAILY! He is more than enough!

What a difference a YEAR makes

It is hard to believe that Josh and I will be celebrating our 1 YEAR anniversary on April 9th.... Time surely flies when your having fun & sharing life with the one you love!

This time last year I was having challenges with my health & "forced" out of full-time work. It definitely was an emotional time of change & confusion. But looking back a year later I am amazed what the Lord has done. He is capable to do far more than I could ever ask or imagine..... He turned what seemed to be such a "bad circumstance" at the time around for the BETTER and His best for me! What a HUGE difference a year makes.....I am so humbled and thankful for all my many blessings & to be in good health!

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

The Lord tells us in His word that "in this world you will have trouble..." John 16:33, it is not a matter of "IF" we will have trials or tribulations it is a matter of "WHEN". The verse above finishes by stating BUT take heart I have OVERCOME the world. There is nothing in this world that Jesus has not experienced and conquered.

Your hope in difficult times should come from knowing that you have a loving & merciful God who will provide you with all the strength you need to climb over that mountain.... ALL you have to do is ASK.

".... you do not have because you do not ask God." James 4:2

God knows the desires, frustrations, emotions of our hearts but He wants us to draw close to Him and be in relationship with Him.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt..." James 1:2-6