Beautifully Broken

2012

2012-01-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."

A new year, a fresh beginning! A few thoughts as we enter 2012...

If we desire to progress in the new, advanced things in Christ we must learn that we cannot dwell on past inadequacies nor can we depend upon past victories to sustain us. Our yesterdays, whether they be triumph or misery can and will hold us back to the abundant things Christ has arranged for us, if we invariably frequent them.

None of my past victories or setbacks will help me move on to what God is calling me to this year, I need a new word, a new miracle, fresh revelation. My failures will not possess me and my achievements will not sustain me. My focus is on the future, remembering not the former things, but pressing on towards God and His new plans for my life.

My prayer for 2012 is that I continue to discover what God wants for me, to clarify my focus.

Perceive: to know by seeing, recognition, acknowledge, aware of, understand.

May God reveal the way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. May I look forward to Him and walk in obedience to His ways. May I have a constant hunger for more of Him and never find myself content... striving for righteousness and life above reproach. May I take joy in each new day as they hold new blessings for me, and be thankful for all things. I dedicate this year to my Jesus, may it be fruitful and pleasing to Him.

Come Out.

2011-12-05T15:19:00.001-08:00

I've had several conversations recently with different people that have led me to think deception is the new fad these days... when it isn't new at all.

2 Corinthians 11:2-4 comes to mind. "For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough."

It seems to me that in our attempts to be open-minded we have given up on discernment and bartered truth for lies. The new standard for living is dripping with complacent narcissism. What once was certain is now ambivalent. Have our ears become hard of hearing, and have our eyes closed? No doubt there is an appetite for love and liberation, but just as in the past, people are turning to anything but the gospel to fulfill that hunger. I see all these people walking around in the same room, some able to find their way around, while others are groping about trying to find something to hold on to, and all they are able to grasp is fallacy as if it were an object.

My heart is burning with this scripture... Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed"
As I pray, as I work, as I rest, as I live... may I always do just that. May you be challenged to proclaim the good news, to proclaim liberty, to recover sight to the blind, and set liberty to those in oppression.
Do not be deceived.

running hard and fast after HIM

2009-12-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

Psalm 42:1 MSG

"A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek;
I want to drink God,
deep draughts of God.
I'm thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, "Will I ever make it—
arrive and drink in God's presence?..."

What does it look like to run so hard, and run so fast after God?

What exactly does that mean?

Is it possible that our lives would look different than they do now?

Could it be, that we would have to alter some things in our lives?

What would change?

What would there be more of?

What would there be less of?

Is this something we even care to consider?

Or, are we comfortable the way that we are right now?

Is there ever a point where we can just stop running?

Have we?

How does my life look different today than that of three years ago?

three months ago?

three weeks ago?

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

I want to be the one that is running, panting, bolting, and racing after God that my life looks so different than everyone else's.

Different...

A hard word for some.

Comfort...

Aaahhh, that feels better!

...bc I don't want to give up THAT!

...bc IT'S not that bad!

...bc I can do THIS and still be ok!

maybe there is truth to those, but I see comfort as a stale, stagnant, moldy mess!

my thoughts tonight are random... my thoughts may not come together, but I know one thing...

I JUST WANT TO RUN AS HARD AND AS FAST AS I CAN AFTER MY JESUS!

run with me...

New Beginnings

2009-12-01T23:59:00.000-08:00

Romans 1:20

"God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse."

My Father, in all of His glory, has created such beautiful art! I am amazed at how marvelous creation really is! You can NOT live in Alaska, among the towering pines, the snow capped, majestic mountains, the crisp clean air, and the perfectly clear skies and not see God! He is everywhere, and I just love basking in His creation!

Alaska... I never thought I would be here, that's for sure! What an amazing adventure so far! God has so graciously poured out His love on my life and brought me to the most unexpected place!

I have had so much fun, and learned so many new things since I have been here! I have made wonderful new friends, I have seen more beauty in one day than I have ever seen in my entire life, I have discovered moose doesn't taste as bad as it sounds, I have watched God work miracles, I have experienced 34 below temperatures, I have caught snowflakes in my mouth, and I have met SANTA!!! (he goes to my church!)

I've had my days when the thought of loved ones far away overtake me and I've soaked my pillow with tears of loneliness... but my God, the God of comfort, the God of peace, has reached down His arms to scoop me up and hold me in those times! It is because of His love that I am where I am!

I'm more than excited to continue this journey that I know is packed full of blessings and surprises!

Many new memories to explore and many new thoughts to share!