Theres no situation so chaotic that God cannot, from
that situation, create something surpassingly good...
--
Take tonight for instance. If you want to see chaotic and insane. Please be behind the scenes before/during a youth dinner at my church. I'm glad God gave me a dose of adrenaline in the form of Eggnog and NSync before i got there because if not i don't think i would have been able to make it through the night. Between the insanity of trying to fit 300+ people into our gym (and the VIP Hallway) to eat dinner and having 25 middle/high school kids serve them dinner (with side options) we all made it out alive (and relitively clean)and the line that from what i heard streched around the entire lobby of the church, and the moments where even our drink maker was starting to stress. I think we all kind of got a sense of what that quote means. you know. There is no situation so chaotic that God can't bring it peace.
Finnally at 7:30 (or what felt like 10:30) we we're all able to take a short breather. Looking back on the night, even you know... 3 hours later. I don't really think about chaos or stress or not having enough tables. I think about looking around and seeing the smiling faces of our wait staff and (wonderful) cooks just sharing the joy and humility of Jesus by serving other people. It was really awesome to see the tables rumble with excitement when they saw their food coming and they wait staff just light up when they got compliments. Looking back a whole 3 hours, it was really awesome to see what God did through the chaos.
--
Thinking about it doesn't He do the same thing with our lives?
You know at first in the moment it seems totally hectic and like there is NO possible way this will all get done. and just kinda hopeless when it seems like your trying to squeeze 300 things (or people) into such a small space. But looking back on the 'chaotic' times in my life i don't remember the stress or everything that went (or could have gone) wrong. Rather i rememeber the grace and the peace that i recieved when i just placed the situation in God's hands and stopped stressing about it. Just trusted Him enough to know that He could handle it without my help.
Maybe we should treat every sitation like a Youth dinner. Pray before we start, try our best with what we are told to do, and just let God have the chaos and insanity while we hold onto the peace and smiles. <3
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Autumn
Still I notice You when change begins, And I am braced for colder winds. I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come... ♥
--
Autumn has always been my favorite season, The changing leaves and colors and weather, but until reciently thats all it was, tangible changes. But you know God have really been working in my heart, Now not only in autumn a season of natural changes, but spirital.
--
Hmm.. yes, theres been a lot of changes in my heart lately. or at least attemptive changes, God's been trying to do great things in my life. But me allowing Him to freely work in everything is a different story. You know i have the desire to grow closer to God and let Him have every aspect of my life and work in and through me in great ways and i know in order to do that i have to be willing to lay eveything down at the cross and just COMPLETELY SURRENDER and let Him have it all. But i think that is the part that i'm not quite ready for yet. You know... I just i feel like if i let everything go then i have nothing to really hold onto. and i know every time i say that the first thing that i hear back is God saying "Hold onto me, You'll always have me" But for some selfish prideful reason i can't let everything go.
--
"If you wanted me to love you only, Why'd you make these hands able to hold on.. So tight"
Sometimes i question this. You know i see that God is trying to change things and i'm mostly okay with that. i know they will turn out better and give Him more glory when He has full control and i definitly want that but sometimes i just question. You know God if you wanted to be number one in my life, if you wanted to be my first and only love... Then why did you bless me so much, why did you give me people and experiences that i don't ever want to let go of? I understand that God blesses us because He loves us, but sometimes i think it would be so much easier if He just let it be only Him we had to hold onto and we had to rely on His lone power and love to sustain us. If we were weak all the time we would have no trouble trusting God with everything, because it would be the most logical and reasonable step. But you know when God lets us be strong. and lets us have the free will that we can choose what to do it is soooo hard to make the right choice. Hmm.... i guess it's just hard sometimes. I know that God is the right answer and the only one that will bring me joy and everything else in the world is going to fail me. But you know sometimes, my flesh and worldly desires just take over and i dont make smart choices.
--
You know in seasons of change, especially the huge one coming up in my life. There has to be a leap of faith. There has to be something that you can stand on that will sustain you. You have to have Jesus or everything is going to fall apart. Life can take unexpected turns. I never dreamed of wanting to go to Texas or thought about going into ministry, but right now it seems like thats what God is pointing me towards. I always thought that i had my whole life figured out. But its when i started looking for Gods plans and not my own that i realized that everything i was building up on my own, was falling down right before my eyes.
With seasons of life comes changes, we all have to accept that and learn that no matter where God leads us or what we are doing, If we trust in Him and give Him the power and glory in our every moment, We are doing well.
--
In this season, we all need to remember to thank God for whatever He has or is doing in our lives, and start changing and learning to give Him complete control and surrender to Him not only daily, but in every moment <3
--
I will offer thanks for what has been and whats to come. You are Autumn
--
Autumn has always been my favorite season, The changing leaves and colors and weather, but until reciently thats all it was, tangible changes. But you know God have really been working in my heart, Now not only in autumn a season of natural changes, but spirital.
--
Hmm.. yes, theres been a lot of changes in my heart lately. or at least attemptive changes, God's been trying to do great things in my life. But me allowing Him to freely work in everything is a different story. You know i have the desire to grow closer to God and let Him have every aspect of my life and work in and through me in great ways and i know in order to do that i have to be willing to lay eveything down at the cross and just COMPLETELY SURRENDER and let Him have it all. But i think that is the part that i'm not quite ready for yet. You know... I just i feel like if i let everything go then i have nothing to really hold onto. and i know every time i say that the first thing that i hear back is God saying "Hold onto me, You'll always have me" But for some selfish prideful reason i can't let everything go.
--
"If you wanted me to love you only, Why'd you make these hands able to hold on.. So tight"
Sometimes i question this. You know i see that God is trying to change things and i'm mostly okay with that. i know they will turn out better and give Him more glory when He has full control and i definitly want that but sometimes i just question. You know God if you wanted to be number one in my life, if you wanted to be my first and only love... Then why did you bless me so much, why did you give me people and experiences that i don't ever want to let go of? I understand that God blesses us because He loves us, but sometimes i think it would be so much easier if He just let it be only Him we had to hold onto and we had to rely on His lone power and love to sustain us. If we were weak all the time we would have no trouble trusting God with everything, because it would be the most logical and reasonable step. But you know when God lets us be strong. and lets us have the free will that we can choose what to do it is soooo hard to make the right choice. Hmm.... i guess it's just hard sometimes. I know that God is the right answer and the only one that will bring me joy and everything else in the world is going to fail me. But you know sometimes, my flesh and worldly desires just take over and i dont make smart choices.
--
You know in seasons of change, especially the huge one coming up in my life. There has to be a leap of faith. There has to be something that you can stand on that will sustain you. You have to have Jesus or everything is going to fall apart. Life can take unexpected turns. I never dreamed of wanting to go to Texas or thought about going into ministry, but right now it seems like thats what God is pointing me towards. I always thought that i had my whole life figured out. But its when i started looking for Gods plans and not my own that i realized that everything i was building up on my own, was falling down right before my eyes.
With seasons of life comes changes, we all have to accept that and learn that no matter where God leads us or what we are doing, If we trust in Him and give Him the power and glory in our every moment, We are doing well.
--
In this season, we all need to remember to thank God for whatever He has or is doing in our lives, and start changing and learning to give Him complete control and surrender to Him not only daily, but in every moment <3
--
I will offer thanks for what has been and whats to come. You are Autumn
Thursday, November 11, 2010
You may be the only Jesus someone sees
You may be the only Jesus someone sees.
How are you exemplifying his beauty and glory and making him famous?
Are you shining Him through every word and action and thought in your life?
Are you a mirror reflecting Him or a wall hiding Him?
Do you let your light shine for ALL to see, or are you hiding it somewhere deep inside?
Do people see you for who you portray yourself to be or do they forget your name but remember seeing something different, seeing Jesus?
Do you blend in with the crowd or do you stand up for what you believe in, do you stand up for Him even when your standing alone?
--
This has been really convicting me lately, I mean, I don't try to stand out in the crowd, i don't really want people to notice me because if i'm noticed for something that they don't like or agree with then i'll be rejected, and frankly being rejected as a senior in high school is no fun. You know i dont want to be friendless and alone at school and feel like i'm the only one standing up. But what i've come to realize is that Christ never said it would be easy; but, he overcame the world so that we would be able to stand up (John 16:33). To give us that freedom and capibility. We don't have to run and hide our light from the world because we are saved (and will be safe forever) from the devils schemes.
Jesus says, Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake.(Matt 5:10) We should count it as a blessing to be looked down on by the world for the sake of our Savior.
--
It's hard to stand, especially when it feels like your alone. But when your tired (and you will get tired). He promises rest for your sould (Matthew 11:28).
Peace. Quiet. Rest.
Our hearts will break. Our souls will hurt. We will be broken and scarred and tired and scared sometimes. But think about it, we are given REST. When you are worn out and tired, who do you turn to? who calms you? (do you believe the one who is able to calm the storms is able to calm your heart?)
Do you look to your Savior and Father, or something faltering in this world?
--
You may be the only Jesus someone sees.
Not everybody is going to take the time to know your story or current situation.
Not everybody is going to make excuses for you like your friends do.
Not everybody is going to understand you.
Now I'm not saying to put on a 'perfect' act for the world to see to make yourself look like everything is alright.
but think about this: Do you give the glory to God in every moment and every situation and every circumstance (good or bad) OR is HIs glory and your reflectant light deterrent based on your current status, mood, or trouble.
--
Jesus wants to (and will) Shine through you at every moment.
Good or Bad. Troubled or Peaceful. Crazy or Calm.
Will you allow him to turn your:
Ashes to Beauty.
Your Tears to Joy.
Your Brokenness to Wholeness.
For His Glory.
So that in every moment He can be seen through you. <3
How are you exemplifying his beauty and glory and making him famous?
Are you shining Him through every word and action and thought in your life?
Are you a mirror reflecting Him or a wall hiding Him?
Do you let your light shine for ALL to see, or are you hiding it somewhere deep inside?
Do people see you for who you portray yourself to be or do they forget your name but remember seeing something different, seeing Jesus?
Do you blend in with the crowd or do you stand up for what you believe in, do you stand up for Him even when your standing alone?
--
This has been really convicting me lately, I mean, I don't try to stand out in the crowd, i don't really want people to notice me because if i'm noticed for something that they don't like or agree with then i'll be rejected, and frankly being rejected as a senior in high school is no fun. You know i dont want to be friendless and alone at school and feel like i'm the only one standing up. But what i've come to realize is that Christ never said it would be easy; but, he overcame the world so that we would be able to stand up (John 16:33). To give us that freedom and capibility. We don't have to run and hide our light from the world because we are saved (and will be safe forever) from the devils schemes.
Jesus says, Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake.(Matt 5:10) We should count it as a blessing to be looked down on by the world for the sake of our Savior.
--
It's hard to stand, especially when it feels like your alone. But when your tired (and you will get tired). He promises rest for your sould (Matthew 11:28).
Peace. Quiet. Rest.
Our hearts will break. Our souls will hurt. We will be broken and scarred and tired and scared sometimes. But think about it, we are given REST. When you are worn out and tired, who do you turn to? who calms you? (do you believe the one who is able to calm the storms is able to calm your heart?)
Do you look to your Savior and Father, or something faltering in this world?
--
You may be the only Jesus someone sees.
Not everybody is going to take the time to know your story or current situation.
Not everybody is going to make excuses for you like your friends do.
Not everybody is going to understand you.
Now I'm not saying to put on a 'perfect' act for the world to see to make yourself look like everything is alright.
but think about this: Do you give the glory to God in every moment and every situation and every circumstance (good or bad) OR is HIs glory and your reflectant light deterrent based on your current status, mood, or trouble.
--
Jesus wants to (and will) Shine through you at every moment.
Good or Bad. Troubled or Peaceful. Crazy or Calm.
Will you allow him to turn your:
Ashes to Beauty.
Your Tears to Joy.
Your Brokenness to Wholeness.
For His Glory.
So that in every moment He can be seen through you. <3
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