Just Because

It don't really know what to write about but it is time that I post so I just decided to start writing. And why not? That's how conversations are, aren't they? It's not like you plan out what you are going to say to your friend when you see them the next time unless of course you've done something wrong! Don't give me that funny look you know exactly what I mean. You've either done something you wish you hadn't or someones else has done something you wish that they hadn't. You know, you run through every possible way to talk to that person even going as far as guessing what their response will be.

Okay, so that's enough of that rabbit trail. No, it wasn't really a rabbit trail because I wasn't talking about anything anyway.

I have a great idea, (it's not so great but it uses up white space.) I could write the answers a little mini survey about myself:

1 favorite movie: pride and prejudice -the newest one

2 favorite food: pizza

3 favorite interior decoration color: browns

4 what race would you be if you weren't Caucasian: Asian

5 what languages would you like to learn: french, Spanish, Italian, and if I was realllly realllly brave Chinese

6 what state would you live in if you didn't live where you are now: Colorado or Florida

7 what dog: Yorkie - name twinkie

8 what cat: Maine coone

9 favorite cartoon: Calvin and Hobbs

10 favorite christian artist: Michael W. Smith

That's all folks!!!!!!!!!!1

If you're not careful life will pass you by....

Live just seems to be in fast forward for me at times this summer. First my family and I went to CO for a week and saw the Lueckes, then it's off to Wheaton for 3 weeks, then I was home for 3 days before I going on my way to Kansas City, KS for 2 Bright Lights Conferences, and now I'm taking a little breather and enjoying family (from out of state) and friends (from out of country) for about three weeks before we leave once again for MI and 2 more conferences! Life's hardly ever dull and I enjoy being busy but I'm also grateful for the down times here at home. And I'm reminded of this wise advice: "Where ever you are, be all there".

I hope all of your summers are going well! Thanks to all of you who have been such a blessing in my life!

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...