Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Do not fear

I've been helping out with VBS at Stough Memorial (Lori's church) this week. Lots of kids=lots of fun! I'm helping out with the kindergarteners (of which we had 33 last night) and they are definitely wild. But, we get to sing lots of fun songs about Jesus, do silly hand movements and lots of fun crafts. Holler for being a kid again!

I'm heading to Columbia on Friday to meet up with Erin, KAD, and Russell for the Warren Barfield concert at CIU. Then KAD & I are going to spend the night at Erin's new pad! And on Saturday I am going to go visit my sweet Reaser kids--Matthew, Megan, & Patrick.

I'm going to leave you with the words of one of the songs we've been singing at VBS, which is so simple, yet so refreshing to hear...

Do not fear for I am with you
Do not be afraid
Do not fear for I am with you
Believe in the promise I made

Saturday, June 19, 2004

Trusting my Savior

So, you know how it goes...you have a wonderful week & then something really bad happens and smacks you back into reality. That's just how life is. Well, last week was a great week for me--just really good spiritually & emotionally. Then, on Monday, my dad was laid off. Let me explain. When my dad got the job at the Children's Attention Home, it was planned that he was going to start in January, but then when the director left this summer (she was resigning), he would take her place. Now, the director has decided not to resign and they don't have enough money in their budget to pay both her and my dad. So, they had to let my dad go. Yeah, it's pretty crazy and I was a little bitter at first. Now I am trusting that God has another perfect plan in store for my family. My dad is looking for a job around here, being that my family just moved here and they love the area. There is always the possibility that my family will have to move again though. That could be really hard. So, once again, we are relying on God to provide for our family. I found this verse today...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13


It was pretty cool though because I was doing my Experiencing God study yesterday and it was all about God being our Provider. He definitely knows what we need when we need it! I'm glad my God is a God full of hope!

Sunday, June 13, 2004

Turning over a new leaf

So, this summer is one of turning over a new leaf for me and lots of changes. Therefore, I decided to start a new journal...well, a blog .So, here goes the rambling...

God has been doing amazing things in my life lately. Matt left for Santa Cruz last Monday, which was difficult. But, I was pretty excited because I knew that God is going to do amazing things in each of our lives this summer & our relationship will grow because of this time. God's already proven me right. This week has been one of hardcore depending on my Savior for comfort and encouragement. On Wednesday, I bought an NIV study Bible, which I'd been wanting for a while and Experiencing God. I love the excitement of a new Bible & Bible study! It's so cool to know that God is going to work in me. I'm so ready for Him to renew my heart & spirit. Lately, I have been so consumed by living life itself that I have just settled for pushing God aside. The past few days I have just been falling on my face & realizing that I desperately need my Savior even when things seem to be going great.

I spent this weekend hanging out with KAD & Erroneous. We had lots of good talk time and stuff. Gotta love that. Last night we went to see Bethany Dillon, Casting Crowns, Mark Shultz, & FFH. It was amazing--especially Bethany Dillon & Casting Crowns. Bethany Dillon is such an inspiration. She's only 15 and has such a heart for God. I look at her and wish I was like that when I was 15, and even now. She wrote this song, All I Need, and while she was singing it last night I was just like "whoa...He is all I need." Nothing more, nothing less. Anyway, here are the lyrics for ya...and if you wanna check out any of her other stuff (which you should because it's all amazing) you can go to her website at www.bethanydillon.com.

All I Need

When the day is done
And there’s no one else around
While I’m lying here in bed
You’re in my heart, You’re in my head
You’re all I need, You’re all I need
There are a million voices
Calling out my name
But You’re the One I want to hear
So make the others disappear
You’re all I need, You’re all I need

You are all I need when I’m surrounded
You are all I need if I’m by myself
You fill me when I’m empty
There is nothing else
You’re all I need

When the morning comes
And Your mercy is renewed
There’s a fire in my bones
I’m not afraid to go alone
You’re all I need, You’re all I need
The sun on my face
I hear You whisper loud
You’re still the God that opens seas
Every flower, even me
You’re all I need, You’re all I need

I’m drawn to everything that You do
Nothing compares with You


And another cool thing. Joce shared this quote with me the other day and it smacked me in the face!

"You have not been sprinkled with forgiveness. You have not been spattered with grace. You have not been dusted with kindness. You have been immersed in it. You are submerged in mercy. You are a minnow in the ocean of his mercy. Let it change you!" ~Max Lucado

I just thought that was cool because so many times I sin & just sit there and dwell in that failure. But I should let Christ's forgiveness change my life. His forgiveness should make a difference in how I live every single minute of every day!