Love && Memories.

A Hodgepodge of thoughts:

"Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Deep Thinking, Deep Living.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

How will I?: http://www.thevillagechurch.net/resources/audio/20071230BA01S_MattChandler_AskingHow.mp3

Hmm...godliness. I feel like that word is kind of way out there, almost to a point where it is impossible to reach. I mean it has to be if it has value for all things! Sometimes I find myself at a point where I feel like I'm succesfully doing everything right- -when I see purpose in everything and anything. Those days feel good. Then there are those days when I kind of diverge- -stumble and fall. Ugh. Those are the times when I just think- -man, I was doing so well, and I had to ruin it- -now, I have to go back to square one. So, It's back to reconditioning, GRrreatttttt! We all know that its never fun to start all over again when you've come so far.

It's kind of funny to me that I never stop to think of the abounding grace that allows me to go back to square one. What if he never gave me a clean slate? What it God wasn't a God of reconciliation? I mean, he is God, so he can pretty much take the second chance option away from us, BUT he doesn't!! Instead, he lets me learn from those blips and allows me to grow stronger. I can attest to this. After I got hurt from running- -I knew that it would be a pain to recondition. Square one...bleh. Although, I had to slowly build up to where I had been- -it only took about 2 months for me to go back to the norm. Not only was I back to where I was before, but I was much stronger. To get to that point I had to struggle, practice, and consistently try to get better. That holds true to those times that I'm back to square one in my daily walk trying to go back to where I was before. One day there will be no square one because it will cease to be necessary. One day all of that reconditioning will take me to the point where I'm truly living deeply, wholeheartedly beating for him.

Ear Concoction <3
1. Yearn- Shane & Shane
2. Learning to Breathe- Switchfoot
3. Who I am hates who I've been-Relient K

Be Humble.

Easier said then done, right? Well, either way, we are commanded to have the same attitude as Jesus had, and let me tell you that one of his most recognizable characteristics is that he was humble. I like how Paul depicts how Jesus was willing to live a life of humility daily in Ephesians 2 when he explains how Jesus gave up his divine priviliges to become a mortal man. Jesus gives up his throne where he is being worshiped 24/7 to come to earth were he is pretty much ridiculed, mistreated, unappreciated 24/7. " Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead he gave up his divine priviliges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death." Philippians 2: 6-8. So why is it hard for us to be humble? We are merely humans, and yet we think we are grandeous creatures because of our accomplishments that will cease to matter in the future. I don't want to ride the high horse anymore! I need to be humble. Paul says that being humble means "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too." v. 3-5 . So how many things in that sentence do we fail to do? I can be selfish, I try to impress others, and I look after my own interests! Wow! There's another resolution right there- -work on being humble! Man, we really need help in this area Lord! Make us humble.

Dreaming Big.

so ever since October-November I have been dreaming about Destination: ________. I feel led to spend some time away from the states in order to serve others wholeheartedly. I have come to find that I am the most overjoyed when I am focusing on others instead of myself. As humans we can't help but think of our wants, needs, et al- -and this just sickens me. I am the first to admit that I do this a lot. Do I have to be thinking about my needs that much? OF COURSE NOT! So this summer instead of doing the usual summer school, work, and rest schedule, I decided that I want to spend a month in another country fulfilling my purpose. My purpose is to serve. Missions, humanatarian work, etc have such a big place in my heart. I feel like its something I want to pursue for the rest of my life. I know that I don't have the money to do much right now, but I know that the Lord will provide a way for me to go out into the world and serve those who are brokenhearted, bruised, lonely. He has called me to the places that others rarely even think of. More importantly he has chosen me to be a light in this world. Wherever I am, I want people to see him in me. I know that I always say this but..."ya no vivo yo, mas Cristo vive en mi!"

So as I continue to pray for Destination: _______. I pray that the Lord provides financially. I understand that no one provides better than he does. Whatever the sum of this trip is, its gonna be covered, I have faith. I'm getting a job this semester in order to cover most of my expenses- -I hope it all turns out well! I'll have to juggle school, job, and all of the organizations and commitees I'm in, but I'm a trooper. He is with me! :)

ISAIAS 41:10-13>> "No temas, porque Yo estoy contigo; no desmayes porque Yo soy tu Dios que te esfuerzo; siempre te ayudaré, siempre te sustentaré con la diestra de mi justicia.He aquí que todos los que se enojan contra tí serán avergonzados y confundidos; serán como nada y perecerán los que contienden contigo.Buscarás a los que tienen contienda contigo, y no los hallarás; serán como nada, y como cosa que no es, aquellos que te hacen la guerra.Porque Yo, Jehová soy tu Dios, quien te sostiene de tu mano derecha, y te dice: No temas, Yo te ayudo."

so whether its through Camp ____ or interning for Buchner Intl. Destination: _____ is happening! :)