'Almost being exploded'

Speaking of that friend who is going to the Philippines, she's going on Thursday to live their for two years. So a group of our friends went out to her house this weekend to hang out and have one last bonfire. We were having a great time, all the friends were back together (for the most part) and the day was full of dancing, picture-taking, remembering, and eating--there's not much more you could ask for. Once it got dark after dinner, we all went down to the pasture to enjoy the bonfire. JB has a little brother, Patrick (Trecie), who is a great guy but happens to be a little mischievous. So while we're casually sitting around the fire, talking, Trecie decides to put a small propane tank in the fire, and only tells one person. Well, word gets out and spreads fast, and we start spreading faster. No one is really sure what's about to happen, but Trecie has a shotgun and is about to shoot the propane tank. Before anyone knows exactly what is happening, the tank explodes. (The fuel had begun to seep out and made a pretty big flame but the shot was the final straw.) It was like a bomb went off. The fire, which was a pretty decent sized bonfire, was then a large circle of glowing embers. And all of the chairs were full of embers. No wonder, their mom worries about them so much. But even though, the fire had gone down in size, the enjoyment did not :).

And that was the time we were 'almost exploded.'

A new approach

Not to say that my life is blog worthy by any means, but by request from a friend moving to the Philippines, I'm going to try a different approach to blogging, namely, actually blogging. So here's to living life and sharing stories.

child-like faith

"Jesus loves me. This I know for the Bible tells me so."

That's all you really need. His love that surpasses all understanding and knowledge, and how you know that. It's that simple.

How do we know anything we know about our Savior? Someone could have told you Truth, but you really don't know it until you see it for yourself.
And where do you find it? In the Bible, the very Word of our LORD.

Who knew such a simple child's song could have so much Truth in it.
It's all you need.

Forever Reign

You are good, You are good
When there's nothing good in me
You are love, You are love
On display for all to see
You are light, You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope, You are hope
You have covered all my sin

You are peace, You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true, You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy, You are joy
You're the reason that I sing
You are life, You are life,
In You death has lost its sting

Oh, I’m running to Your arms,
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

You are more, You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord, You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here, You are here
In Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, You are God
Of all else I'm letting go

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

My heart will sing
no other Name
Jesus, Jesus

Oh, I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign

He holds my heart

...I won't shield God from my anguish by claiming He's not involved in the ache of this world and Satan prowls but he's a lion on a leash and the God who governs all can be shouted at when I bruise, and I can cry and I can howl and He embraces the David-hearts who pound hard on His heart with their grief and I can moan deep that He did this--and He did.
    I feel Him hold me--a flailing child tired in Father's arms.
    And I can hear Him soothe soft, "Are your ways My ways, child? Can you eat My manna, sustain on My mystery? Can you believe that I tenderly , tirelessly work all for the best good of the whole world--because My flame of love for you can never, ever be quenched?"


-From One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp


Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. My heart and my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my Portion for ever.     Psalm 73:25-26

My Heart's Cry

Just recently I bought a Caedmon's Call CD. I've always loved them but just never got around to buying a CD or finding the right one.

Many times I can hear a song and it's just a song, but then other days I actually listen to a song and I hear the words. It's like I've never heard the song before. It comes alive.

This is what happened with Shifting Sands. I "heard" it for the first time today, and it's so beautiful. I feel as thought it's my heart's cry, right now. I don't know that I could say it better myself. So here you go...

Why? >> How? >> What?

"What gets you out of bed in the morning? You’re “why” does. And if you don’t have one, you don’t like getting up.

Finding your why, defines your how. How will I pursue my passion and dreams?
Your answer will be your “what” . You’re what can change from year to year, but your why doesn’t.

As followers of Christ, we must know our why. We must be people led by conviction for the greater story, the story of God, the story of God giving His son a bride. May we be people who are led with great purpose, full of great passion, fueled by great vision. Not for us, but for His glory.
Find you’re why, then find you’re tribe. Don’t look back."
                                                                                             -United Pursuit Band

Whispers

I love it when God speaks to my heart. There is nothing that is more comforting or exciting.

Lately, He's been showing me that I must look to Him, always. Comparing myself to others or standards I have made up will only disappoint me and discourage me. I can only fail when trying to live up to the people and things that surround me. They will fail me, but He alone is perfect and willing and able. His timing is impeccable. He alone has the power to set all things right, in me and in the world. He is the beginning and the end. He is the means and the goal. It is all for His glory.

And here's how He's been speaking:

First, through my friend Jessica, when we were hanging out one day, and then He confirmed it over and over again.

"A person who has the vision of God is not devoted to a cause or particular issue--he is devoted to God Himself." -Oswald Chambers

My Utmost for His Highest: Am I Looking To God?


"Dear Pastor,
You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward. The missionary heart cares more than some think is wise, risks more than some think is safe, dreams more than some think is practical, expects more than some think is possible. I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving him. I love you and my church family.
In His care,
Salaam,
Karen
-Karen Watson, 1973-2004, Mission worker killed by terrorists in Iraq" 
(borrowed from Our Marriage Project)



Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12:2
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose Philippians 2:13