He only is my rock:



source



awesomeness

a couple of days ago, i came across this awesome blog.  i have not had a lot of time to read thru earlier posts but found it very helpful that casey give links to prompt new readers to learn more.  long story short, i ended up on her husband's blog, looking thru some amazing videos and just had to share:

Identity from Chris Wiegand on Vimeo.

to see more of chris's videos, click on the link above. 

Hosanna in the highest

Heal my heart and make it clean.
Open up my eyes to the things unseen.

Show me how to love like You have loved me.

Break my heart for what breaks Yours.

Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause.

via

psst

... i would like to share a secret with you. 

on a number of occasions, i have been told that i am a bit lacking when it comes to writing.  im sure you are all thinking "duh."  i am well aware that i cannot spell and i dont like using punctuation ... but i think its more than that.  i write how i talk and not everyone gets it.

this secret is one reason i started this blog.  i am trying to get over my fear of putting my words out there.  as i read through new years resolutions from fellow bloggers, i found that several of them have vowed to be fearless in 2011.  not the "bungee jumping" kind of fearless but the kind that doesnt hold you back from reaching goals and being who you want to be.  i guess what im trying to teach myself is to get rid of this feeling that i am inadequate.  i have felt inadequate as a student, when i write, as a wife, as a Christ follower, at my job, at photographing, as a blogger, etc.  it was really inspiring to see some other bloggers, that i really look up to, feel the same at times.  think of that one person you just know has it all together ... im sure they have felt insufficient at some point too.

my biggest relief is that God makes the best out of my shortcomings ... he uses them to his advantage.  i do not have to completely rely on myself to overcome these faults.  instead, i will rely on my God to fix what he wants to, and make the best out of everything else.

2 corinthians 12:9 says:
but He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." therefore i will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  

this year, there are 4 things i want to focus on:

1. seek   (psalm 119:10) 
2. be still   (psalm 46:10)
3. listen   (proverbs 4:20-22)
4. obey   (james 1:22-25)

if i can focus on these things, i will become less fearful of what other people think.  i know God will constantly remind me that He is strong when i am weak and how He loves me no matter what.  

sitting in the dark with a friend

a great example of what it means to love like Christ from hugh hollowell with love wins ministry.

words to live by

i do not read through God's word as much as i should.  this is one of many flaws i am working on.

today i would like to share with you a few bible verses i keep hidden in my heart.  these are words i cary with me that help through good days and bad, when i feel loved and when i feel alone.  if you are a regular reader or a facebook friend of mine, you may have seen some of these already.

but God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8

trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 3:5-6

i seek you with all my heart: do not let me stray from your commands.  i have hidden your word in my heart that i might not sin against you. 
- psalm 119:10-11

be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, as in Christ God forgave you. 
- Ephesians 4:32

my soul finds rest in God alone: my salvation comes from Him.  He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, i will never be shaken.
- Psalm 62:1-2

to be a better me

God, grant me the serenity

to accept the things i cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

i have never been thru a 12 step program to help with an addiction, but man, the serenity prayer speaks volumes to me.  it is my prayer every day to accept change, people and life. i seek to be a better person ... a better wife and friend, etc.  but i remind myself constantly that the only thing i can change is me.  this helps me to be able to love people for exactly who they are right now, not the person i can love if ___.  it helps me to love more like Christ.

recently, i have decided to take control of me ... or rather take control of being able to give God control (not sure if that makes sense to you, but it does to me).  i will have a plan.  this will not be the kind of plan that i have deadlines and freak out if things dont go accordingly.  this will be a plan that i open to God in prayer and searching thru His word.  this plan will be flexible to change at a moments notice if He is in control.  its refreshing just thinking about it.  

i will seek God daily and hide his word in my heart.  because of this, life will make sense ... it will move forward and i will be a better me!  

"i know not what the future holds, but i know who holds the future"

photo by christine hall

to love like Christ

i was recently reminded what it is to love like Christ. to many christians, this is not a new concept ... He loves the whole world, right? but now stop and think, we are commanded to love our neighbor ... and not just the ones that live beside us. Jesus loves people that cannot love him back, people that have nothing ... no hope, no car, no job and no home. Jesus loves people that curse his name, people that are evil and what we would consider undeserving. is it humanly possible to love these people? the answer is "yes" or else we would not have been commanded to do so.

this past weekend, i participated in a young adult mission retreat in downtown raleigh. we met up with hugh hollowell to learn about love wins ministry. his goal is to build relationships with the poor, homeless and needy. he does not preach or pass out mass amounts of clothing and food. instead of working in a soup kitchen, he eats meals there with his friends. thats right, these people are his friends and family. he loves them and shows it every day just like we would with our friends and family. he listens when they are excited or upset, shares meals, goes for walks or just sits on a curb with them and hangs out. every day he shows them God's love. eventually, some of his friends find a home or come to know God but his main focus is to love them even if they stay the same. hugh's genuine love and compassion was such an encouragement to me. i may not have the dough to buy homes for the homeless or have the time to walk around downtown all day, every day making friends. but i know where to start, because i do have enough time to stop, acknowledge and for God sake smile at someone who most people treat as invisible.

i can't wait to serve again with hugh and the love wins crew. i look forward to seeing some new friends i met last saturday morning passing out biscuits.

... because i have been forgiven.

forgiveness is tricky. have you been in a situation where you thought you had forgiven someone? you think "i finally have a hold on this." but what happens when this "forgiven" person or situation comes up in conversation? even if you refrain from sharing hateful thoughts out loud, do these thoughts consume your heart and mind?

i have struggled with forgiveness in the past, and i am sure i will in the future. the difference is the perspective i have now. its really hard to assume that someone is unworthy of my compassion when i am so unworthy myself.

romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

colossians 3:12-13 says "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patients. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

i forgive because i have been forgiven.