There is so much on my mind right now. So much I want to do. This week has been an interesting one. I've found desires in my heart that I didn't even know were there. It's kind of made me more emotional than normal, but in a good way. It's nice to feel passionate about something. It's nice to cry tears of joy at a realization. I don't think it's time to make this public, but I do feel I need to file it away here.
I only hope that God can give me peace while I'm waiting. I want my heart to be open for this journey. I want to be a good and obedient servant for Him. I want whatever I do to glorify Him. I pray that God will continue to give me strength and passion for my day to day tasks. They say that whatever you do today can make a great impact on your future. I definitely want to be wherever God wants me to be. I look forward to seeing where that will take me.
Please remember me in your thoughts and prayers.
<3 Anna
Showing posts with label spiritual life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual life. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sharing His love
Hey everyone!
This will be my first year observing Lent. I did not grow up in church and the churches I attended not really recognize it either. Many people "give up or sacrifice" something they love in honor of Lent. I've decided rather than give something up, I'm going to try and learn to spend my time more wisely. I hope to spend this time in reflection and prayer. (Which after writing this I discovered, this is pretty on track with what Lent is all about.) I hope to begin reading my bible more avidly. I don't want this to be for just a season, but to continue throughout my life.
I think the best example a Christian has is their life. I think sometimes we say too much, we push others away with our words. This can be very true when your words and actions don't match. People see this and think that you are being a hypocrite. I think that more people would be open to what Christians have to say, if we start acting like the teachings we follow. Instead of pushing our "personal" agendas on people---maybe we should think about what Jesus' teachings really said. Many people think of God as a wrathful God, and though this is true---He is also a God of love.
God created us in His image, so maybe we should think about ways to show that love to the people around us. There are so many small things we can do to improve a person's day: You could send a card to a sick friend, smile at a stranger passing by, hold a door open for someone, etc.
This reminds me of a Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel."
This quote is so true! Many times I find myself thinking about past situations, and my mind always comes back to how I felt in those moments.
Any thoughts?
<3 Anna
This will be my first year observing Lent. I did not grow up in church and the churches I attended not really recognize it either. Many people "give up or sacrifice" something they love in honor of Lent. I've decided rather than give something up, I'm going to try and learn to spend my time more wisely. I hope to spend this time in reflection and prayer. (Which after writing this I discovered, this is pretty on track with what Lent is all about.) I hope to begin reading my bible more avidly. I don't want this to be for just a season, but to continue throughout my life.
I think the best example a Christian has is their life. I think sometimes we say too much, we push others away with our words. This can be very true when your words and actions don't match. People see this and think that you are being a hypocrite. I think that more people would be open to what Christians have to say, if we start acting like the teachings we follow. Instead of pushing our "personal" agendas on people---maybe we should think about what Jesus' teachings really said. Many people think of God as a wrathful God, and though this is true---He is also a God of love.
God created us in His image, so maybe we should think about ways to show that love to the people around us. There are so many small things we can do to improve a person's day: You could send a card to a sick friend, smile at a stranger passing by, hold a door open for someone, etc.
This reminds me of a Maya Angelou quote: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel."
This quote is so true! Many times I find myself thinking about past situations, and my mind always comes back to how I felt in those moments.
Any thoughts?
<3 Anna
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Think Right, Live Right
This is my devotion for today, thought I would share.
Today's Truth
"Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected" (Philippians4:8, NCV).
Friend To Friend
I was absolutely pathetic as I moaned and groaned my way up the stairs. My back was killing me! I had just spent four long hours taking down Christmas decorations, packing them in boxes, hauling each box down three flights of stairs to the basement and hoisting every one of those heavy, packed-to-the-brim boxes up on shelves that are taller than I am. Do you get the painful picture?
I was working up a stellar case of self-pity when my husband came home from work and asked what I had been doing all day. "I did two loads of laundry, wrote two devotions, took care of Justus while Danna studied, answered email and then it took me four hours to take down all of the Christmas decorations," I declared in my best "poor me" voice. Dan did not seem impressed. "It really took you that long? I didn't think you had that many decorations out this year. Why didn't you wait until I got home so I could help you? " he asked. I didn't want to wait. I was not happy ... and more than a little upset with him for not being more sympathetic. But my sweet husband was not done.
"Your problem is not in your back, honey. Your problem is in your mind," he patiently explained. I could see the conversation going down the tube fast but managed to muster up just enough self-control that kept me from saying what I really wanted to say. Instead, I sweetly asked, "What do you mean?"
Sidebar: Three months ago, I was in a car wreck that caused some fierce muscle spasms in my back and resulted in several visits to the chiropractor. Two months ago I had a stomach virus that lasted a week followed by the Thanksgiving holidays during which we had our kids and grandkids for a week ... which was incredibly wonderful and deliciously chaotic. The day they left, I went to the doctor with a respiratory infection that turned into bronchitis that soon blossomed into walking pneumonia from which I am still recovering. Do you feel my pain?
"Honey, you have been so sick - not to mention being rear-ended by a car going 70 miles an hour. Why did you feel like you had to decorate the entire house in the first place?" Dan asked. I know. I could not believe it either! "It was Christmas!" I sputtered in frustration. And then I saw it. The problem really is in my mind. I had allowed wrong thinking to dictate wrong priorities.
The mind is a great battlefield. The Bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ because we have a personal relationship with Him, but we still have to allow or choose to "let" the mind of Christ be in control. Every day we are at war for the control of the mind. Who wins that war is up to us and the choices that we make.
Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is" (NASB). In other words, what we think about powerfully influences who and what we will become. Our actions, our attitudes and habits are born in the mind, an offspring of the thought life we entertain.
We can literally change our life by changing how we think - but we cannot do it alone. God's standard and guideline for our thought life is very clear and demanding. In fact, it's completely impossible without God's power at work in our life.
"Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise; think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected" (Philippians 4:8, NCV).
We choose what we watch and read, the conversations we have and the time we spend in the Word. If the mind is not filled with good, trust me, the enemy will fill it with bad. The human mind will always set itself on something. Paul is challenging us to wisely choose that setting, taking charge of our thoughts by inviting the Holy Spirit to empower God's standard for the mind.
My husband often says, "You can't keep a bird from flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair." Now stay with me. Impure and wrong thoughts will come but we do not have to entertain them and invite them to "come on in and stay awhile." When we choose to surrender the control of our mind to God, He will honor that choice and give us the strength and power to think right. And when we think right - we will live right.
Let's Pray
Lord, I confess to You that I often struggle with the way I think. I desperately need Your help. Please make me aware of the influences that draw my mind away from You and show me how to avoid each one. Teach me how to fix my thoughts on You and give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word. Today, I surrender the control of my mind to You, Father. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now it's your Turn
The mind is the control center of your life. How have your thoughts affected your decisions or actions this week? I challenge you to fill your mind with God's Word and watch God work in your life. Read the following questions and record your answers in your journal.
What specific steps do I need to take in order to put more of God's word into my mind?
To honor God with my thought life, what changes do I need to make in the following areas?
Movies ___________________________________________
Television_________________________________________
Music ____________________________________________
Books____________________________________________
Magazines ________________________________________
Internet___________________________________________
Conversations______________________________________
<3 Anna
Today's Truth
"Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected" (Philippians4:8, NCV).
Friend To Friend
I was absolutely pathetic as I moaned and groaned my way up the stairs. My back was killing me! I had just spent four long hours taking down Christmas decorations, packing them in boxes, hauling each box down three flights of stairs to the basement and hoisting every one of those heavy, packed-to-the-brim boxes up on shelves that are taller than I am. Do you get the painful picture?
I was working up a stellar case of self-pity when my husband came home from work and asked what I had been doing all day. "I did two loads of laundry, wrote two devotions, took care of Justus while Danna studied, answered email and then it took me four hours to take down all of the Christmas decorations," I declared in my best "poor me" voice. Dan did not seem impressed. "It really took you that long? I didn't think you had that many decorations out this year. Why didn't you wait until I got home so I could help you? " he asked. I didn't want to wait. I was not happy ... and more than a little upset with him for not being more sympathetic. But my sweet husband was not done.
"Your problem is not in your back, honey. Your problem is in your mind," he patiently explained. I could see the conversation going down the tube fast but managed to muster up just enough self-control that kept me from saying what I really wanted to say. Instead, I sweetly asked, "What do you mean?"
Sidebar: Three months ago, I was in a car wreck that caused some fierce muscle spasms in my back and resulted in several visits to the chiropractor. Two months ago I had a stomach virus that lasted a week followed by the Thanksgiving holidays during which we had our kids and grandkids for a week ... which was incredibly wonderful and deliciously chaotic. The day they left, I went to the doctor with a respiratory infection that turned into bronchitis that soon blossomed into walking pneumonia from which I am still recovering. Do you feel my pain?
"Honey, you have been so sick - not to mention being rear-ended by a car going 70 miles an hour. Why did you feel like you had to decorate the entire house in the first place?" Dan asked. I know. I could not believe it either! "It was Christmas!" I sputtered in frustration. And then I saw it. The problem really is in my mind. I had allowed wrong thinking to dictate wrong priorities.
The mind is a great battlefield. The Bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ because we have a personal relationship with Him, but we still have to allow or choose to "let" the mind of Christ be in control. Every day we are at war for the control of the mind. Who wins that war is up to us and the choices that we make.
Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is" (NASB). In other words, what we think about powerfully influences who and what we will become. Our actions, our attitudes and habits are born in the mind, an offspring of the thought life we entertain.
We can literally change our life by changing how we think - but we cannot do it alone. God's standard and guideline for our thought life is very clear and demanding. In fact, it's completely impossible without God's power at work in our life.
"Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise; think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected" (Philippians 4:8, NCV).
We choose what we watch and read, the conversations we have and the time we spend in the Word. If the mind is not filled with good, trust me, the enemy will fill it with bad. The human mind will always set itself on something. Paul is challenging us to wisely choose that setting, taking charge of our thoughts by inviting the Holy Spirit to empower God's standard for the mind.
My husband often says, "You can't keep a bird from flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair." Now stay with me. Impure and wrong thoughts will come but we do not have to entertain them and invite them to "come on in and stay awhile." When we choose to surrender the control of our mind to God, He will honor that choice and give us the strength and power to think right. And when we think right - we will live right.
Let's Pray
Lord, I confess to You that I often struggle with the way I think. I desperately need Your help. Please make me aware of the influences that draw my mind away from You and show me how to avoid each one. Teach me how to fix my thoughts on You and give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word. Today, I surrender the control of my mind to You, Father. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now it's your Turn
The mind is the control center of your life. How have your thoughts affected your decisions or actions this week? I challenge you to fill your mind with God's Word and watch God work in your life. Read the following questions and record your answers in your journal.
What specific steps do I need to take in order to put more of God's word into my mind?
To honor God with my thought life, what changes do I need to make in the following areas?
Movies ___________________________________________
Television_________________________________________
Music ____________________________________________
Books____________________________________________
Magazines ________________________________________
Internet___________________________________________
Conversations______________________________________
<3 Anna
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
This Christmas
Hey everyone!
Hope you all had a good Christmas, mine was pretty wonderful. John and I spend the weekend in Elberton with my family. John and I did our Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. We decided this year to do stockings. I think we will continue this tradition:)
John got me:
A super cute puppy calender
Several children's books to add to my collection
Winnie the Pooh stuff for our future nursery
A manicure set
Some spa stuff
Candy and specifically chocolate covered almonds
A new notebook
Some crayons and coloring books, because I'm still a kid at heart
Two Christmas books that have poems and Christmas quotes
A super cute snow globe
Santa Paws visited and Sophie got some goodies in her stocking too;)
After enjoying a breakfast casserole and coffee, we began packing and making our way to Elberton. Once we got there we enjoyed party foods with family (sadly, Brandi and Kayla were sick and unable to eat), John "generously" offered to eat their portions...lol. Every year me and my sister's do Secret Santa. This year I got Brandi. I made her a basket with a Barnes and Nobles gift card, book marks, pens, candle, calendar, and notebooks.
Brandi also drew my name and got me:
A beautiful crystal nativity
Gingerbread cookie cutter
Vanilla bubble bath
Reindeer ornament
Dr. Suess's how the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version)
We then watched Chrismas movies and went to bed. The next morning was a flurry with cooking and getting ready to go to my great-grandmothers (Gg's). Before that we opened the rest of our gifts and stockings from mom.
Mom got me:
A stocking filled with candy, an ornament, other goodies
A brown cardigan
Beauty and the Beast
Edward Scissorhands
Pampered Chef biscuit cutter
At my Gg's we enjoyed a big lunch with plenty of food and desserts. We then opened presents.
Gg and Pawpaw gave us a beautiful card and money
Granny gave me a gift certificate to Union 28. Here's a link to their site, if you've never heard of them http://www.union28.net/ and 2 of the HP movies.
Overall, it was a great Christmas. I really enjoyed spending quality time with my family. We have been going through some changes and pretty rough stuff, but at least this was a time we could all enjoy. The snow was a great bonus too. My youngest sister had never seen that much snow in her life. She was so excited. (Check out our pics on fb.) My great-grandmother had always dreamed of a white Christmas, I'm so glad she got to see one.
The past few months have been hard, but God has really shown me that He is always by my side. I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned this year. I look forward to the year to come and growing even more.
<3 Anna
Hope you all had a good Christmas, mine was pretty wonderful. John and I spend the weekend in Elberton with my family. John and I did our Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. We decided this year to do stockings. I think we will continue this tradition:)
John got me:
A super cute puppy calender
Several children's books to add to my collection
Winnie the Pooh stuff for our future nursery
A manicure set
Some spa stuff
Candy and specifically chocolate covered almonds
A new notebook
Some crayons and coloring books, because I'm still a kid at heart
Two Christmas books that have poems and Christmas quotes
A super cute snow globe
Santa Paws visited and Sophie got some goodies in her stocking too;)
After enjoying a breakfast casserole and coffee, we began packing and making our way to Elberton. Once we got there we enjoyed party foods with family (sadly, Brandi and Kayla were sick and unable to eat), John "generously" offered to eat their portions...lol. Every year me and my sister's do Secret Santa. This year I got Brandi. I made her a basket with a Barnes and Nobles gift card, book marks, pens, candle, calendar, and notebooks.
Brandi also drew my name and got me:
A beautiful crystal nativity
Gingerbread cookie cutter
Vanilla bubble bath
Reindeer ornament
Dr. Suess's how the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version)
We then watched Chrismas movies and went to bed. The next morning was a flurry with cooking and getting ready to go to my great-grandmothers (Gg's). Before that we opened the rest of our gifts and stockings from mom.
Mom got me:
A stocking filled with candy, an ornament, other goodies
A brown cardigan
Beauty and the Beast
Edward Scissorhands
Pampered Chef biscuit cutter
At my Gg's we enjoyed a big lunch with plenty of food and desserts. We then opened presents.
Gg and Pawpaw gave us a beautiful card and money
Granny gave me a gift certificate to Union 28. Here's a link to their site, if you've never heard of them http://www.union28.net/ and 2 of the HP movies.
Overall, it was a great Christmas. I really enjoyed spending quality time with my family. We have been going through some changes and pretty rough stuff, but at least this was a time we could all enjoy. The snow was a great bonus too. My youngest sister had never seen that much snow in her life. She was so excited. (Check out our pics on fb.) My great-grandmother had always dreamed of a white Christmas, I'm so glad she got to see one.
The past few months have been hard, but God has really shown me that He is always by my side. I'm thankful for the lessons I've learned this year. I look forward to the year to come and growing even more.
<3 Anna
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
:)
There's not much to update on. I'm still job-hunting, which is a pain---but some good has come out of it. I've been very unmotivated for a long time...I'm finally seeing some light and feeling ready to tackle things again. I'm also drawing closer to God and am reminded that He is my Father and He will provide. It's nice to feel some peace again and hope for the future.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Healing
So in my past entries I mentioned my biological dad and wondering about him...well to all my readers out there....lesson learned: Be careful what you ask for. I know, I have briefly mentioned interning with the Sparrows Nest in Athens...anyway, he came in there a few times in the past couple of weeks. I had my suspicions that he was homeless, because of things my mother had told me...I also knew there was a possibility that he could be in Athens...but to come face to face with him and have to keep up a professional demeanor was pretty daunting. I think I handled myself pretty well...but it was very awkward and I did not speak with him. So anyway, I got my answers on that front, and I asked my mother his parent's names---so I have those if I ever decide to track down my ancestry. It was pretty interesting to me how all this came about, but God works in mysterious ways.
Moving right along, the past few weeks for me have been filled with great emotions. I've experienced, I believe some of my more stronger moments as well as my more vulnerable ones. God has felt more alive to me than ever. It's a great thing to experience. I feel that I truly am where I need to be right now, and I haven't found that sort of comfort in a long time.
One final side note: My mom had her cat scan Thursday. The doctor does not think its a tumor, but he wants to see her next month. Right now her ear looks better, pray it continues to heal.
Moving right along, the past few weeks for me have been filled with great emotions. I've experienced, I believe some of my more stronger moments as well as my more vulnerable ones. God has felt more alive to me than ever. It's a great thing to experience. I feel that I truly am where I need to be right now, and I haven't found that sort of comfort in a long time.
One final side note: My mom had her cat scan Thursday. The doctor does not think its a tumor, but he wants to see her next month. Right now her ear looks better, pray it continues to heal.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Quick Update and Thoughts
Sorry for the bit of a hiatus. Here's a brief list of what I've been up to:
* Started my internship with the Sparrow's Nest. I'm liking it for the most part, just very much ready for my time in school to be over. I'm ready to work for awhile and see where God takes me.
*John and I have planted some flowers around the house and are finishing up (hopefully) with the vegetable garden this evening.
* I've been really down lately, so I've been doing some things to help lift my spirits...journaling, working on a workout schedule, etc.
*I really have been in a creative-crafty mood lately...just not sure what I want to do with that...any suggestions?
* I feel that I need to say: don't ever underestimate the power of prayer. I, as well as some of my friends have been hit very hard with various life circumstances...but God will see us through.
* Started my internship with the Sparrow's Nest. I'm liking it for the most part, just very much ready for my time in school to be over. I'm ready to work for awhile and see where God takes me.
*John and I have planted some flowers around the house and are finishing up (hopefully) with the vegetable garden this evening.
* I've been really down lately, so I've been doing some things to help lift my spirits...journaling, working on a workout schedule, etc.
*I really have been in a creative-crafty mood lately...just not sure what I want to do with that...any suggestions?
* I feel that I need to say: don't ever underestimate the power of prayer. I, as well as some of my friends have been hit very hard with various life circumstances...but God will see us through.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Philippians 4:7
I'm so happy! Today didn't start out this way. I got some pretty discouraging news from the financial aid department at school. Basically, the email said that I was on financial aid probation and it talked about how I had lost my financial aid. So at first I cried, called John, prayed and emailed the lady from financial aid (that's actually nice). It was about two or three hours before I got a response, and thankfully, it was explained to me that I had to keep my GPA up for this quarter and not drop a class in order to keep my financial aid for the following quarter---funny thing is, this is my last quarter and all I'm doing is my internship. So this shouldn't be a problem. So that's why I'm so happy right now.
All this to say that God is awesome. There is no problem so great that He cannot answer. He loves us so much and I've been doing better with spending time with Him...but I want to do more....not just because He answers my prayers...but because I'm His and I want to run into His arms always. I want to remember Him always and I want to stop letting the devil put fear into my heart...I have a choice and I choose not to.
All this to say that God is awesome. There is no problem so great that He cannot answer. He loves us so much and I've been doing better with spending time with Him...but I want to do more....not just because He answers my prayers...but because I'm His and I want to run into His arms always. I want to remember Him always and I want to stop letting the devil put fear into my heart...I have a choice and I choose not to.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Just an Update
I've been itching to update, I've just got so many ideas swarming around in my head and now some coffee that is making me insanely jittery. So this is either going to develop a crazy random post or two separate---possibly random posts. We will see.
Anyway, first off I would like to say that I hate the time change right now. I'm not adjusting well to it---John and I have been going to bed later because of it and feeling like zombie's upon waking up. The only thing I like about it, is the fact that we have more daylight---this is good for Sophie, because we don't feel as rushed in taking her for walks. We have a little more freedom in fitting her walk into our schedule. Beyond that this past weekend was good, John and I were able to sit down and plan out a budget something that desperately needed to be done. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out with the next pay day:)It will be nice to feel like we can better see where our money is going.
Shifting into a different direction, John and I have been discussing the future a lot here lately. John's been working on his resume and we are hoping to get it out soon. We were originally solely looking at NC for our potential future home, but now we are pretty much open to any where. We do know that we will be here at least until July 25th. We had to renew our lease and since we haven't been as prepared as I hoped we knew that, that would be our best decision---since we don't have any job leads. Another interesting tid-bit along these lines, while on our walk yesterday...I told John about hearing about a couple going into missions for two years. I told him sometimes I wonder if I'm not meant to do something like that, because I seem to be so restless, here lately---and I don't seem to like staying in one place for too often. I know that's not the reason you go into missions...just thinking. I do know one thing---whatever God has for us...I want to be ready for it. I also want to keep my mind open to all possibilities.
So does anyone have any thoughts on moving, job hunting, or anything along those lines? Or any thoughts on missions work?
Anyway, first off I would like to say that I hate the time change right now. I'm not adjusting well to it---John and I have been going to bed later because of it and feeling like zombie's upon waking up. The only thing I like about it, is the fact that we have more daylight---this is good for Sophie, because we don't feel as rushed in taking her for walks. We have a little more freedom in fitting her walk into our schedule. Beyond that this past weekend was good, John and I were able to sit down and plan out a budget something that desperately needed to be done. I'm looking forward to seeing how it works out with the next pay day:)It will be nice to feel like we can better see where our money is going.
Shifting into a different direction, John and I have been discussing the future a lot here lately. John's been working on his resume and we are hoping to get it out soon. We were originally solely looking at NC for our potential future home, but now we are pretty much open to any where. We do know that we will be here at least until July 25th. We had to renew our lease and since we haven't been as prepared as I hoped we knew that, that would be our best decision---since we don't have any job leads. Another interesting tid-bit along these lines, while on our walk yesterday...I told John about hearing about a couple going into missions for two years. I told him sometimes I wonder if I'm not meant to do something like that, because I seem to be so restless, here lately---and I don't seem to like staying in one place for too often. I know that's not the reason you go into missions...just thinking. I do know one thing---whatever God has for us...I want to be ready for it. I also want to keep my mind open to all possibilities.
So does anyone have any thoughts on moving, job hunting, or anything along those lines? Or any thoughts on missions work?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sudafed induced thoughts
This is how my blog started on a rainy day...well it's another rainy day and I'm home sick on top of being sick I'm suffering from a huge case of cabin fever aka GET ME OUT OF HERE! I've learned a few things during this time:
1) As much as I love people, I don't understand them.
2) Sudafed makes you say "like" a lot.
3) Whitney Gail Wilson and Anna Elizabeth Whitfield Johnson are amazing...well even more amazing than I thought.
4) I suck at being confined in a box or house.
5) I need closure.
6) I hate it when people don't return phone calls, it's just RUDE!
7) I hate it when people say they care, but don't show it with actions.
8) I'm ready to get the heck out of Georgia more and more each day.
9) I'm trying to appreciate where I am, but it's getting harder to do.
10) I have no idea what I'm suppose to do with my life, I'm glad God knows.
1) As much as I love people, I don't understand them.
2) Sudafed makes you say "like" a lot.
3) Whitney Gail Wilson and Anna Elizabeth Whitfield Johnson are amazing...well even more amazing than I thought.
4) I suck at being confined in a box or house.
5) I need closure.
6) I hate it when people don't return phone calls, it's just RUDE!
7) I hate it when people say they care, but don't show it with actions.
8) I'm ready to get the heck out of Georgia more and more each day.
9) I'm trying to appreciate where I am, but it's getting harder to do.
10) I have no idea what I'm suppose to do with my life, I'm glad God knows.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Seasons of Life
Spring is finally here! I love it for the most part- the beautiful sunny days, the warm weather, cute baby animals, etc. The one bad thing about spring is all the new plants that grow, don't get me wrong they are beautiful---BUT my nose and head hate them...yep, spring also brings about allergy season:/
So I was thinking this morning about how seasons are a lot like life. We have the beautiful spring and summer moments and also the dreary fall and winter moments. The neat thing about this just as there are good things in spring, summer, winter, and fall. There are also good things in life.
Wouldn't it be great if we could look at life like the seasons?! For example, Winter is bitter cold and everything is bare, but look at the beautiful snow and many an animal is happy for that hibernation time.
Each season has some good, just as each day brings forth opportunity and growth, as well as those good happy moments we seek out. So if we could focus more on those happy summery moments and less on the dreary wintery moments---I'm pretty sure, life would be a lot more enjoyable. Just a thought:)
What's your favorite season? Give a positive and negative thought about that season, if you would like:)
So I was thinking this morning about how seasons are a lot like life. We have the beautiful spring and summer moments and also the dreary fall and winter moments. The neat thing about this just as there are good things in spring, summer, winter, and fall. There are also good things in life.
Wouldn't it be great if we could look at life like the seasons?! For example, Winter is bitter cold and everything is bare, but look at the beautiful snow and many an animal is happy for that hibernation time.
Each season has some good, just as each day brings forth opportunity and growth, as well as those good happy moments we seek out. So if we could focus more on those happy summery moments and less on the dreary wintery moments---I'm pretty sure, life would be a lot more enjoyable. Just a thought:)
What's your favorite season? Give a positive and negative thought about that season, if you would like:)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Coffee and Conversation
So I was reading Psalm 63 this morning, while drinking a successful cup of coffee (yeah kind of a big deal for me;) Anyway, it got me thinking---a particular part, got me really thinking---"My soul clings to you." That part may bring comfort to some, but not for me...it kinda left me feeling excited and sad all at the same time...if that makes any sense at all...
It left me feeling sad because, I don't know if I've ever felt that way before. I don't know if I've ever felt that close to God. The good that came from this reading was the excitement I felt, I look forward to a deeper relationship with God. I hope that some day soon I can look forward to the quiet moments with God. I know I need Him...so why is it so easy to brush Him off? *sigh*
It left me feeling sad because, I don't know if I've ever felt that way before. I don't know if I've ever felt that close to God. The good that came from this reading was the excitement I felt, I look forward to a deeper relationship with God. I hope that some day soon I can look forward to the quiet moments with God. I know I need Him...so why is it so easy to brush Him off? *sigh*
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My Father and me
This past week has been a rough one for me. I've been angry and agitated and I wasn't really sure why. I'm just now realizing some of the reasons. It's still pretty hazy though.
One thing that became particularly clear for me was that I was mad at God. As I said before not entirely sure why...still searching that out. The reasons that became clear to me were that I was mad because of my current situation, but more than that I felt that God wasn't listening. It was then I realized that I was keeping things from God. I know that you can't really keep anything from God, but I was only coming to Him when I had a specific problem and I never ever said when I felt angry. This is when it became apparent that some of my faults in dealing with other people were coming out in my relationship with God. This was truly a hard realization, but one nonetheless.
I told John about my struggles and he asked me if I had talked to God about them? My reply of course was "Kinda." I had told God I was angry, but didn't really try to go into more depth for fear...I guess. So after a lot of crying and sharing my heart with John, he left to go pick us up some dinner. This is after a few distractions, I decided it was time to talk with God. I told Him everything I could think of and from that point I felt a peace over the situation, nothing was different. He didn't transport me to Ireland or England or anywhere exciting. He didn't fast forward time and allow me to be finished with school. He just gave me a peace, a calming feeling to help me get through those rough moments. It was what I needed. I'm always wanting signs and tangible evidence and God always seems to give me that and yet I ignore it. I very quickly speed through everything, missing the beauty, missing the answers, missing well EVERYTHING!!!
I got an email forward (I most of the time hate those things) but on rare occasions I receive one that means something to me. I got this pic from one.
Oh how often I miss this? Yes, life is hard. If only we could think of it like this picture. God is our Father, so just like an earthly father should, He will protect us from all that He can. There are points in our lives though, when God takes off our training wheels and we have to go ride on our own. It's not that He's leaving us, He knows we are ready and if we take a moment and look next to us we will see Him smiling proudly and walking along with us, always there when we need Him. If we could just remember that, I think life would be a lot easier. It wouldn't make everything perfect, but we would have a much needed comfort and a strong sense of the love, the love Jesus talked about.
One thing that became particularly clear for me was that I was mad at God. As I said before not entirely sure why...still searching that out. The reasons that became clear to me were that I was mad because of my current situation, but more than that I felt that God wasn't listening. It was then I realized that I was keeping things from God. I know that you can't really keep anything from God, but I was only coming to Him when I had a specific problem and I never ever said when I felt angry. This is when it became apparent that some of my faults in dealing with other people were coming out in my relationship with God. This was truly a hard realization, but one nonetheless.
I told John about my struggles and he asked me if I had talked to God about them? My reply of course was "Kinda." I had told God I was angry, but didn't really try to go into more depth for fear...I guess. So after a lot of crying and sharing my heart with John, he left to go pick us up some dinner. This is after a few distractions, I decided it was time to talk with God. I told Him everything I could think of and from that point I felt a peace over the situation, nothing was different. He didn't transport me to Ireland or England or anywhere exciting. He didn't fast forward time and allow me to be finished with school. He just gave me a peace, a calming feeling to help me get through those rough moments. It was what I needed. I'm always wanting signs and tangible evidence and God always seems to give me that and yet I ignore it. I very quickly speed through everything, missing the beauty, missing the answers, missing well EVERYTHING!!!
I got an email forward (I most of the time hate those things) but on rare occasions I receive one that means something to me. I got this pic from one.
Oh how often I miss this? Yes, life is hard. If only we could think of it like this picture. God is our Father, so just like an earthly father should, He will protect us from all that He can. There are points in our lives though, when God takes off our training wheels and we have to go ride on our own. It's not that He's leaving us, He knows we are ready and if we take a moment and look next to us we will see Him smiling proudly and walking along with us, always there when we need Him. If we could just remember that, I think life would be a lot easier. It wouldn't make everything perfect, but we would have a much needed comfort and a strong sense of the love, the love Jesus talked about.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Rainy Daze
It feels like a good day to blog:
Yet another rainy day....and I'm sick of them. It pretty much sums up my life right now though. The feelings of being trapped in a place I don't want to be...the need to get out and go on an adventure. This must be what Sophie feels like right now. She hasn't had a walk in a few days now.
I'm often left with this feeling of wonder....where will I be in a few years? What will I make of my life? Will I just sit and wish for the dreams I have?.... or will I do something about them. I would like to think that I would be the type to chase my dreams and go above and beyond them.
Yet there's this nagging fear of being trapped in one place forever...never making it happen. Also what if that' s all I'm meant to have what if I'm suppose to remain here and live my life and keep up this pace...honestly, that scares me. I'm not sure I would be content with that. I'm told in the Bible and encouraged by friends that God knows the desires of my heart, the part that scares me is the prayers we often pray that say "God change my heart make me want what you want." This scares me because what if my deepest yearnings don't match God's. What if all of the hopes and dreams I have are just selfish and need to be swept away?! I know that should leave me as a deeper person...but I'm still afraid.
I've always been like that, afraid of the unknown. I'm not good with change and yet I get excited and ready to jump in at the same time...if that makes any sense at all:/ So anyway, that's just something that's been on my heart lately.
Yet another rainy day....and I'm sick of them. It pretty much sums up my life right now though. The feelings of being trapped in a place I don't want to be...the need to get out and go on an adventure. This must be what Sophie feels like right now. She hasn't had a walk in a few days now.
I'm often left with this feeling of wonder....where will I be in a few years? What will I make of my life? Will I just sit and wish for the dreams I have?.... or will I do something about them. I would like to think that I would be the type to chase my dreams and go above and beyond them.
Yet there's this nagging fear of being trapped in one place forever...never making it happen. Also what if that' s all I'm meant to have what if I'm suppose to remain here and live my life and keep up this pace...honestly, that scares me. I'm not sure I would be content with that. I'm told in the Bible and encouraged by friends that God knows the desires of my heart, the part that scares me is the prayers we often pray that say "God change my heart make me want what you want." This scares me because what if my deepest yearnings don't match God's. What if all of the hopes and dreams I have are just selfish and need to be swept away?! I know that should leave me as a deeper person...but I'm still afraid.
I've always been like that, afraid of the unknown. I'm not good with change and yet I get excited and ready to jump in at the same time...if that makes any sense at all:/ So anyway, that's just something that's been on my heart lately.
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