25 Things To Remember

In honor of my 25th birthday which was on Sunday, I stole this from the Hubby's blog.

Numbers 1, 6, and 24 are my favorite. Which are yours?

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn’t pray. If you prayed, don’t worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God, I have a problem. It is I.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day. It is like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it’s just hearsay.
18. It is all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage.
20. The goals and dreams you’re seeking require courage and risk taking.
21. Learn from the turtle, who only makes progress when sticking out its neck.
22. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.
23.Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
24. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.
25. Leave gentle finger prints on the soul of another for the angels to read.

Finding Comfort in God/Lead Me To Rest

So for those of you that read this, I know the tone of my last two posts have been pretty much tinged with despair. And to be completely honest, that's how I've felt. I've been despairing. I've been afraid and confused.

I wouldn't say that I'm totally over it but I'm definitely working through it. I feel like I know now what it is like to have my faith tested as an adult. I know that I was tested a lot when I was younger and many times I failed those tests. I made a lot of poor choices as a teen and in my early 20's.

I guess now that I've matured some and I'm approaching my 25th birthday I feel that I'm beginning to make better choices. Instead of focusing so much on what I could do to make the situation better, I turned to God and asked Him for help and for guidance.

While not everything is better I think in some ways the situation is beginning to improve. It's amazing the peace and comfort that we can find if we just turn to God. Sometimes I wonder why I didn't do this more when I was younger. I feel like my eyes have finally be opened and I feel somewhat foolish for not realizing the power of God when I was younger. Now I wonder what my life might be like now had I turned to God in my past. However, I love my life and while it was a bumpy road getting here I'm pretty happy with it.

It's incredibly comforting to know that no matter what I will always be able to turn to God. Having a God that powerful and a God that is always there for me is the most comforting thing that I can think of.

On that note, the link I have placed on the blog is a link to my all time favorite Acapella song, Lead Me To Rest. I won't post all the lyrics here, but I did want to include my favorite part: the second verse.

What a comfort, what a deal
As I consider what you offered me how can it be real?
What should I offer in return?
When the value of your blessings no one ever could earn
Then you tell me that I'm really forgiven
Got a reason for livin'
And you made it so clear
I'm supported when the devil would charm me
Protected when the evil would harm me
Tell me how can I fear?


How incredible is that? How can I fear when God is on my side. What an amazing thought. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!!!

Jars of Clay - Much Afraid

Empty again
Sunken down so far
So scared to fall
I might not get up again

So I lay at your feet
All my brokenness
I carry all of my burdens to you

Chorus:
All of these things
I've held up in vain
No reason nor rhyme
Just the scars that remain
Of all of these things
I'm so much afraid
Scared out of my mind
By the demons I've made
Sweet Jesus, you never ever let me go
Oh, sweet Jesus, never ever let me go

So happy to love
Yet so far to go
You lead me on to where I've never been before

[Chorus]

Crying Out to the Lord

Right now I'm faced with a situation that I never thought I would have to face. I'm convinced that everyone goes through something they never thought they would at least once in their lifetime.

Things have been really shaky the last few days and for the first time in a long time I'm truly afraid. I now know what it is like to physically cry out to the Lord. I've been doing it for the last several days now.

According to dictionary.com faith as in christian theology is the trust in God and His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved.

I don't know how much of that is accurate but I know that I have faith. I know that my faith isn't as strong as I would like for it to be, but now I need to call upon all of the faith I have to help me through this dark time.

I know that having faith in God and asking him for help will get me through this, but sometimes I feel so weak. I feel like I don't know enough or work hard enough for Him to have my prayers answered. Logically I know it doesn't work like that but sometimes I feel that way.

I know that I'm going to have some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks and that I must prayerfully consider them. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm scared to death about it, but I also know that the fear is just the Devil whispering in my ear to cause me to doubt myself and to doubt God.

For anyone who reads this, please pray for me. I need your prayers, I covet them.

Dear God,

I come before you now with a sad and weary heart. Please grant to me the understanding that there are things I cannot change no matter how much I wish them different. Please help me to be patient and to allow myself to be guided by you.

I know that you are an almighty God and that nothing is impossible through you. I'm scared and I'm walking down and unfamiliar path and I need you strong hand to guide me. Be with me Lord. I know that you are in control and that you can grant me the peace that I so desire.

Let me draw closer to you Lord, let me draw closer to you.

In your Son's most holy name I pray...

Amen.

Richly Blest

I haven't posted in a few days and I just wanted to put a little something up.

First off, to all of the veterans out there and the current men and women who serve in the Armed Forces, thank you so much for your service. We can never pay you back for all that you have done for our country and we appreciate you so very much!

Secondly, a few weeks ago at church we sang a song that was new to me. Our church has in the last few years slowly been moving to a more progressive type of worship. That includes songs that aren't the traditional hymns.

A lot of times I think in life I take for granted all of the awesome blessings that God has given me in my life. I have a great family, a wonderful husband, the opportunity to further my education, and a great group of friends.

This song really touched me because it helped me see all of the wonderful things that God has given me in my life and made me appreciate it a little bit more than I was. Maybe you know the song, or maybe it's new to you as well but take a minute and just reflect on the words.

I was also curious as to what songs inspire you to take a little bit deeper look at your life. Let me know. I'd love to hear.

Richly Blest

Blue-est sky, cloudy day,whether it's good or bad that tends to come my way.
From the highest hill or deepest valley I will claim His rest.
For the One who loves me makes me richly blest.

Fresh delight, deep lament,whether in joy or pain I've learned to be content.
For the One who fills me with His Spirit always knows what best
and the One who loves me makes me richly blest.

And I know that life is like a ship that sails out on the seasometimes cradled by the calm,
and sometimes plunged into the fury.
But a peace within my heart provides a warm and sweet caress,
for the One who loves me makes me richly blest.

Blue-est sky, cloudy day,whether it's good or bad that tends to come my way.
From the highest hill or deepest valley I will claim His rest,
for the One who loves me makes me richly blest.For the One who loves me makes me richly blest.