At once

John 6:16-24 - In the evening (after feeding the five thousand), his disciples went down to the lake, embarked on the boat and made their way across the lake to Capernaum (just around the coast from Bethsaida). Darkness had already fallen and Jesus had not returned to them. A strong wind sprang up and the water grew very rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the water, and coming towards the boat, and they were terrified. But he spoke to them, "Don't be afraid: it is I myself."

So they gladly took him aboard, and at once the boat reached the shore they were making for.

I read this the other day and the Lord showed me that this applies so much to us!

Okay, so here the disciples are, they've been waiting for Jesus on the shore like good faithful servants right? Well, they get tired of waiting and it's getting dark, so they ditched Jesus and set out across the lake. After all, they'd had a long day and they're tired. But everything doesn't go as smoothly and they hoped. A strong wind picks up and makes it very hard to get anywhere, just what they didn't need! Then, all the sudden, in the mists of their struggle they see something or someone walking on the water?! Forgetting all else, they're terrified by the unknown. However not for long, for He speaks, and peace fills their hearts. Not only are they not frightened anymore, but the wind is no longer remembered, they're just glad He's with them again. They hurriedly beckon Him to join them. And then something strange happens, the moment He sets His foot in the boat, they're where they were headed all along?!!!! What glory!

I find it interesting how when Jesus did joined them, He didn't rebuke them or say anything about them leaving without Him. And that's how it is in our relationship with Him, He is so loving and kind and so forgiving of our faults and failures. Even when we do things our way and aren't willing to wait on Him, He still comes to us in our struggles, fear, and pain. And once we turn to Him, He lovingly puts our lives in order once again.

What a loving, kind, caring God we serve!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures

Hello From Wheaton, IL ! After church today, my roommates and I took some pics on the beautiful Wheaton College campus. I have another post in the works but I just wanted to show you all some pic from my stay here in the meantime

All I ask of you

Today, I had a song running through my head from The Phantom of the Opera, All I Ask of You, I believe. I looked it up on youtube so I could hear it and I looked the words up as well. I'm not sure when the idea hit me but I had an epiphany (I have to use big words now that I'm at college:). "This song could apply to us and God"! I've been looking at situations differently on and off over the last month or two with the mind set that Jesus is my true love. (Can I just say that I'm glad I'm a girl? As this mind set just doesn't work the same for guys:) So, I was thinking of this song and how in the movie there's this guy singing to Christine and promising her all these things but why could this not be Jesus/God singing to me?

Not only could it be, but it is at times. (I know that everything doesn't apply but you get what I'm saying.) When I'm fearful and overwhelmed with my problems that seem like mountains, He wraps His loving arms around me and beacons me to rest.

When we do finally rest and climb up into His lap letting Him speak words of truth and love to us, what wonderful peace fills our souls. He loves us just the way we are and we are His little girls.

One final thought, I think that we know in our heads that God loves us even more than our earthly fathers do, but do we know it and believe it in our hearts? Do we really trust that no matter how we mess up He still loves us the same? Or do we think that somehow we can't go to Him until we have "Christian Brownie Points" again?

So without further adieu, here's the words to the song please enjoy it and see how this applies to God's and your relationship......

God: No more talk of darkness, Forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here, nothing can harm you - my words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom, let daylight dry your tears. I'm here with you, beside you, to guard you and to guide you...

Christine: Say you love me every waking moment, turn my head with talk of summertime... Say you need me with you now and always... Promise me that all you say is true - that's all I ask of you...

God: Let me be your shelter, let me be your light. You're safe: No-one will find you - your fears are far behind you..

Christine: All I want is freedom, a world with no more night...and you, always beside me, to hold me and to hide me...

God: Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...let me lead you from your solitude....Say you need me with you here, beside you...anywhere you go, let me go too -

Christine, that's all I ask of you...

Christine: Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...say the word and I will follow you...

God & Christine: Share each day with me, each night, each morning...

Christine:Say you love me...

God: You know I do...

God & Christine: Love me - that's all I ask of you...Anywhere you go let me go too... Love me - that's all I ask of you...

A busy few weeks, trials, and blessings

Well, let's just say that a lot has happened since I lasted posted. My cousin, David got married to his fiance Kristen. They had an outdoor wedding as you can see from the photo. It looked like it was maybe going to rain but it didn't! Congratulations to you two! We also enjoyed having our family from VA come and stay with us before the wedding.



The day after the wedding, we left for the Colorado Springs and stayed with our good friends, the Lueckes. My parents attended a seminar there and we spent the week having fun and relaxing! It was so nice with no bugs or humidity and a beautiful view of the mountains. It was colder there but just because there is no humidity.

While we were gone, as all of you probably know, Cedar Rapids flooded majorly! Even though the river never go high enough to come into our house the ground was so saturated that it started leaking into some of our walls. We had so many friends who came over to take care of things while we were gone. We returned last Sunday, to find water had ruined some of our flooring and water still coming in our house. I left for Wheaton last Monday and have been at here since while my family has been working on things there day and night. We've had many people come over and help us, people have also been praying, and others have brought us meals. It's these people that I want to say a boat load of Thank yous to! We are truly blessed by God to only have little damage compared to many and people, and to have friends who will come along side of us in our time of need. (I talked to my mom today and the water has almost stop so now they just have fans going instead of wet dry vacs on all the time. Praise the Lord!)

Missin' You

Sometimes I struggle with wishing there was "someone special" in my life. It's a struggle that I believe most young adults go through at least once :). That is if they're human and have emotions and feelings. But during these times when I find myself wishing there was someone who loved me for who I am and who thinks I'm special I'm probably not really focusing on the one who really does love me just for who I am! I forget that there is someone who woos me daily and who desires my love in return. Maybe I don't really forget it in my head, but my heart seems to forget way too quickly and it commits spiritual adultery by putting my hopes, desires, and comfort above Jesus Christ. But like Hosea, Jesus lovingly rescues me and shows me that He still loves and cares for me and wraps His loving, gentle, light arms around me when I have gone and done things my own way. He reminds me that He is a jealous God who doesn't want anything before him, of the sweet fellowship I've had with him, and gently nudges me to return to my first love.

There is a song that I really like that I'd like to share with you. The name of the song is "Missing You" and it was written by Chris Rice a single Christian singer who is in his forties. This same song was also recorded by a female artist who's name is Kathy Troccoli. She is also single and I think in her forties. She has co-authored a book called "Falling in Love with Jesus" which is extremely good! If you haven't read it you need to. But now, here's the words to the song:

I heard about the day You went away
You said You had to go prepare a place
And even though I’ve never seen Your face
I’m missin’ You
I lie awake tonight and I watch the sky
And I wish it didn’t have to be so high
'Cause I’m belonging on the other side
And I’m missin’ You

‘Cause somewhere behind those stars
Is Someone who belongs to me
And I know in my deepest heart
There’s a place for You until I find the place You made for me
But still I’m missin’ You

I dream about Your promise to return
And I wake up hangin’ on Your every word
But for now my feet are planted here on earth
So I’m missin’ You
And even while they say that I’m a fool
I know you see me waiting here for You
Oh, and prayin’ that somehow You’ll get here soon
‘Cause I’m missin’ You

‘Cause somewhere behind those stars
Is Someone who belongs to me
And I know in my deepest heart
There’s a place for You until I find the place You made for me
But still I’m missin’ You

How much longer will it be
Till I get to see you
Though I know you’re right here with me
Tell me when can I be there with you

‘Cause somewhere behind those stars
Is Someone who belongs to me

And I know in my deepest heart
There’s a place for You until I find the place You made for me
But still I’m missin’ You
Oh, I’m missin’ You
Lord, I’m missin’ You

I love that song, I think it's even more precious for us singles because we can focus all our love that would be for a spouse on Jesus! He is our prince who loves us and is preparing a place for us! I believe Jesus wants to show us how much he really cares about us and loves us but we have to be listening. So just as Kathy Troccoli has found a wonderful sweetness in her Lord as a single woman that many married people will never experience, may we also fall deeply in love with Him.