I worked Sunday morning, so I missed church, but I listened to the sermon on line and what I heard was amazing. We are still going through our Storms series, and it's incredible because I just so happen to be going through a few storms in my life.
My pastor talked about during the building of the golden gate bridge, 27 people fell to their death. After that happened, the company who was building the bridge decided to invest in a safety net they installed under the bridge, costing 100,000 dollars. It was amazing when they put it up, because they noticed that there was a 25% increase in work. Also, 10 people fell off the bridge, and 10 people survived. They were able to finish the golden gate bridge, and rejoice in that.
Did you know that that is how it is with Jesus? When things are going well in our lives, we can be thankful and give glory to God. But when we are going through storms, Jesus can be our safety net. We can fall onto Him, and He will save and protect us.
Another interesting fact is that our storms, reveal our faith and refine us, which is why we must go through them. Jesus never said it would be easy, but He did say He will be our strength, and that we do not need to be strong enough.
Song choice: Matthew West - Strong Enough
Pray for patience with healing in my storms, for it is through them God is revealed!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
"Storms"
We started a new series in church today. Called Storms. What exactly is a storm? Yeah it's a natural deal with thunder, lightening, tons of wind, and hail that may or may not cause damage, but what is a storm in our lives? Another word for storm in this context could be a trial, a struggle, a hardship. We go through many storms in our lives. Some mild, and some damaging.
How many of you get discouraged when you're in a storm? What if it has thunder stormed for the past 2 weeks and you just want to see the sun. Do you think the sun will never come out again? Let's put it this way. The weather channel tells you it's suppose to storm Monday, but the rest of the week it's suppose to be beautiful. You know because of the weather channel that the sun will shine again. It's simple, huh? What about in our lives? God tells us to trust in Him through our trials because it leads to perseverance. (Scope out James 1.) So if we can trust the weatherman, why can't we trust the most powerful of powerful? I want to share 6 things with you. These are things to remember when you are personally in a storm.
1) I am chosen by God. In vs 1-2, Peter is writing to the Christians to let them know that we as Christians have been chosen by the foreknowledge of the Lord! Meaning He knew already before we were born that we would find Him. We are chosen by the most high! Real love! Incredible grace!
2) This world is not my home. Physically we're here, however our physical selves die. The treasures that we have down here will soon be gone, so why try and find fulfillment in material things when we're caught in a storm? Our biggest treasure is the inheritance we were given by Christ's blood!
3) It took a storm to save me. Picture a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, and a volcano eruption happening at the same time. That's the storm Jesus went through when He died on the cross. For you, and for me. It was for that storm that we have a savior!
4) If I doubt God's goodness, I must look to the Cross not my storm. What do you see when you look at the cross? I see a man who died for our penalties, allowing us to be reborn into a living hope that comes from Jesus's grace! Sometimes we want to give up in our storms, we feel nothing is worth it. That's when we doubt God's goodness.
5) It is never Hopeless. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can hope to be with him in Heaven for eternity, free from pain, free from storms. So even in our physical lives, where we're experiencing the storms, we still have hope that someday we will no longer have pain.
And Lastly, 6) God is with me in every storm. Verse 5 talks about us being shielded by God's power until the coming of salvation. In our rainy days, God is our umbrella and rain coat. In our tornadoes, he is our underground shelter that keeps us safe, until the sun is out and the storm has seized.
Storms of this life can be fought through, and that's with Jesus. We are told to experience even Joy in our hardships. I highly recommend checking out James 1 if you're having trouble understanding that.
Just as you know the sun will shine after the storm passes, know that there is light even in darkness.
Lastly, I have a question for you. Our pastor asked us this before we sang worship and prayed for eachother. I want you to ask yourself this question. Am I in a storm?
If you're in a storm, focus on Jesus, not the storm. He will get you through it. And if you're sinking, cry out to Jesus. He will reach out and grab you. He won't say "I'll grab you in a second you need to suffer." He will grab you right away.
How many of you get discouraged when you're in a storm? What if it has thunder stormed for the past 2 weeks and you just want to see the sun. Do you think the sun will never come out again? Let's put it this way. The weather channel tells you it's suppose to storm Monday, but the rest of the week it's suppose to be beautiful. You know because of the weather channel that the sun will shine again. It's simple, huh? What about in our lives? God tells us to trust in Him through our trials because it leads to perseverance. (Scope out James 1.) So if we can trust the weatherman, why can't we trust the most powerful of powerful? I want to share 6 things with you. These are things to remember when you are personally in a storm.
1) I am chosen by God. In vs 1-2, Peter is writing to the Christians to let them know that we as Christians have been chosen by the foreknowledge of the Lord! Meaning He knew already before we were born that we would find Him. We are chosen by the most high! Real love! Incredible grace!
2) This world is not my home. Physically we're here, however our physical selves die. The treasures that we have down here will soon be gone, so why try and find fulfillment in material things when we're caught in a storm? Our biggest treasure is the inheritance we were given by Christ's blood!
3) It took a storm to save me. Picture a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, and a volcano eruption happening at the same time. That's the storm Jesus went through when He died on the cross. For you, and for me. It was for that storm that we have a savior!
4) If I doubt God's goodness, I must look to the Cross not my storm. What do you see when you look at the cross? I see a man who died for our penalties, allowing us to be reborn into a living hope that comes from Jesus's grace! Sometimes we want to give up in our storms, we feel nothing is worth it. That's when we doubt God's goodness.
5) It is never Hopeless. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can hope to be with him in Heaven for eternity, free from pain, free from storms. So even in our physical lives, where we're experiencing the storms, we still have hope that someday we will no longer have pain.
And Lastly, 6) God is with me in every storm. Verse 5 talks about us being shielded by God's power until the coming of salvation. In our rainy days, God is our umbrella and rain coat. In our tornadoes, he is our underground shelter that keeps us safe, until the sun is out and the storm has seized.
Storms of this life can be fought through, and that's with Jesus. We are told to experience even Joy in our hardships. I highly recommend checking out James 1 if you're having trouble understanding that.
Just as you know the sun will shine after the storm passes, know that there is light even in darkness.
Lastly, I have a question for you. Our pastor asked us this before we sang worship and prayed for eachother. I want you to ask yourself this question. Am I in a storm?
If you're in a storm, focus on Jesus, not the storm. He will get you through it. And if you're sinking, cry out to Jesus. He will reach out and grab you. He won't say "I'll grab you in a second you need to suffer." He will grab you right away.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
She Has My Attention
Copeland - You Have My Attention
Quiet now.
Your voice sings miles away
but somehow I hear your song resound
A little bit softer each day
And from my tired heart, a little bit farther away.
I’ll sing along
The whole day through.
Just do your best to hear me.
It’s all you can do.
You have my attention
Like you’ve had all the while,
Since that first day when you made my heart smile,
With loving eyes and tired sighs that follow.
You have my attention
Like a shout through an empty sanctuary.
Speak but a whisper;
I’ll hear a sermon
I’ll sing along
the whole day through.
Just do your best to hear me.
It’s all you can do.
I’ll sing along
the whole night through.
While you sleep safely,
I’ll be thinking about you.
You have my attention.
Quiet now.
Your voice sings miles away
but somehow I hear your song resound
A little bit softer each day
And from my tired heart, a little bit farther away.
I’ll sing along
The whole day through.
Just do your best to hear me.
It’s all you can do.
You have my attention
Like you’ve had all the while,
Since that first day when you made my heart smile,
With loving eyes and tired sighs that follow.
You have my attention
Like a shout through an empty sanctuary.
Speak but a whisper;
I’ll hear a sermon
I’ll sing along
the whole day through.
Just do your best to hear me.
It’s all you can do.
I’ll sing along
the whole night through.
While you sleep safely,
I’ll be thinking about you.
You have my attention.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Coffee
This song explains my emotions lately. Being patient and waiting for plans. "I'll wait for it to come."
"Well it's got to be strong to touch my heart through it's shell."
This verse speaks way more than what it shows. Relationships have been a huge struggle for me, but something is strange. Something is different, something is right. Something is so frightening yet welcoming at the same time. I really don't know how to explain it.
You're going to have to listen to the song for this one.
Artist: Copeland
Song: Coffee
"Well it's got to be strong to touch my heart through it's shell."
This verse speaks way more than what it shows. Relationships have been a huge struggle for me, but something is strange. Something is different, something is right. Something is so frightening yet welcoming at the same time. I really don't know how to explain it.
You're going to have to listen to the song for this one.
Artist: Copeland
Song: Coffee
Monday, April 11, 2011
Feelings
I asked my roommate not too long ago if it was possible to get rid of feelings. He didn't answer yes, and he didn't answer no. He just said, "Feelings are natural, so why try?" I struggled with it for a bit, but then was content with the fact that our feelings for something, especially someone, are natural. Certain characteristics, or aspects about a person or something just strike our interest. We don't choose it, and we don't not choose it, it's just well, natural. If feelings can naturally start, does that mean they can naturally end? It's been on my mind for a little bit. I suppose I have some natural feelings that have started, and I don't want them to end. But if feelings are natural, why try? Even if the result isn't what is wanted? I'm not too sure on the matter.
Pray for understanding.
Pray for understanding.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Distancing yourself from without distancing yourself.
Does that make any sense to you? It sure as heck doesn't make any sense to me...but I wish it did. I haven't really understood what it means to distance yourself without distancing yourself. Will any of you who read this pray for me? I want to know how to do this...and until I do I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place.
Prayer for Patience, and prayer for Understanding.
Prayer for Patience, and prayer for Understanding.
So much for keeping up.
I don't know why I keep slacking so much with this, but I really am going to work on making time. I promise!
One thing that I have really been learning a ton about is patience. Patience is something that we all wish we could have more of, because it is something our human nature lacks completely. However, God has really put patience on my heart in my life in many aspects right now. Through relationships, school, and work, I have found myself having to be patient. Why is being patient so hard? Well because we have a want inside of us for whatever it is we need to be patient for. The more you want but cannot have, the less patience you have. The truth is though, is being patient can only become beneficial. Waiting and seeing what God has in store for me will be completely beneficial because His plan is the best plan. Even if what I am hoping for isn't what is a part of His plan, I know that something else better for me will be, because that is how God works. In mysterious ways.
The past 2 months has just been so interesting, and an awesome experience. I am blessed for new friendships, and just new opportunities in general.
There is a chance that the past 2 months have been a preview of the next few months...then again it may not, but that is when it is important for me to cling to God and know that His plan is full of excitement. I just have to remember to be patient.
That can be a prayer request of mine, for any of you who read this. I pray for more patience, and even more trust that God has got this all figured out. I'm excited for His plan, and cannot wait where He takes this, through thick and thin.
One last thing! This is our Calling is now up and launching! We're slowly getting into editing and what not, so give us just a little slack before the updating begins. You can check out our page at www.thisisourcalling.com
Be blessed.
One thing that I have really been learning a ton about is patience. Patience is something that we all wish we could have more of, because it is something our human nature lacks completely. However, God has really put patience on my heart in my life in many aspects right now. Through relationships, school, and work, I have found myself having to be patient. Why is being patient so hard? Well because we have a want inside of us for whatever it is we need to be patient for. The more you want but cannot have, the less patience you have. The truth is though, is being patient can only become beneficial. Waiting and seeing what God has in store for me will be completely beneficial because His plan is the best plan. Even if what I am hoping for isn't what is a part of His plan, I know that something else better for me will be, because that is how God works. In mysterious ways.
The past 2 months has just been so interesting, and an awesome experience. I am blessed for new friendships, and just new opportunities in general.
There is a chance that the past 2 months have been a preview of the next few months...then again it may not, but that is when it is important for me to cling to God and know that His plan is full of excitement. I just have to remember to be patient.
That can be a prayer request of mine, for any of you who read this. I pray for more patience, and even more trust that God has got this all figured out. I'm excited for His plan, and cannot wait where He takes this, through thick and thin.
One last thing! This is our Calling is now up and launching! We're slowly getting into editing and what not, so give us just a little slack before the updating begins. You can check out our page at www.thisisourcalling.com
Be blessed.
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