Thursday, February 25, 2010

Misc...

I thought these were cool billboards:

  • Have you read my best seller, it's quite challenging. --God
  • In my opinion, you are the most beautiful creature in the world. Okay, I'm biased. --God
  • With pleasure I will carry your cross, come. --God
  • You are not alone; You have me; Trust in me. --God
  • Put yourself in my hands and watch. --God

This song was sang at Upgrade, the Wesley college group at UTSA. I find these words extremely comforting during this time of upheaval in my life.
When you could just be silent and leave us here to die;
still you sent your Son to us. You are on our side.
How cool is that? God is on my side. He really does care for me.

And lastly, some thoughts and questions to reflect upon:

  • Are you excited about Jesus in your life and sharing that love, joy, and excitement with others?
  • It was the will of the LORD. God is in control, even in the dark. God provides reconciliation through Jesus.
  • I deserve to die in my sin. It's not up for debate and scriptures are clear. Hearts change; repentance occurs. We need to constantly renew our faith. We can live a life of victory through Jesus Christ. We are called to repentance. Use these forty days of lent to lean on God and reflects what God is calling you to do in this time.
  • The important part of Ash Wednesday is that our hearts are torn from our sins. We should grieve over our sins--they tear us from God and each other. We must recognize that we are sinful and need to return to God.
  • Be honest about who you are and how you're doing. Set your hope on grace. Where is your hope-beauty, connections, wealth, pedigogy, zip code, intellect, career, etc. Trust that JC is already putting us back together. I am totally accepted and forgiven and there is nothing that I can do to change that.
  • When the hand of God writes, it's powerful. What are you going to give up to God? What's troubling you the most? Help us repent God, so that we can live with clean hands. God wants obedience.
  • We will die; we will not live forever. The glory and triumph will crack and fade. What would be different if I lived in the mortality of my own life? How would my priorities change?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Monkey Skills

I have rediscovered my monkey skills! I successfully cross the monkey bars at the playground. I also hang upside down like a pro! I love bananas, especially when they are slightly green. Come visit me at the zoo, anytime.


Levi and I hanging out!




This is a picture of my Mom...I am proud to say that I take after her! :)

Shattered Dreams...

On 23 Jan 2010, in my post, Tough Questions I'm wrestling with..., I posed the following questions:
  • When my dreams of teaching missionary kids in Ukraine, at KCA are shattered, how do I react?
  • Do I love God, more than my dreams of returning to Ukraine?
  • Am I willing to be redirected by Him?
I continue to struggle with this, although in a somewhat different way. After having your dreams and plans shattered, it is hard to dream again. I had great plans and ideas, but now I question any thoughts, plans, or ideas that I had or even have now.

I read a quote today that made me think about my life particularly. "You know...my whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered that those interruptions were my work." --Henri Nouwen

God uses me in these blips and in these interruptions to plans, dreams, thoughts, ideas, but none the less, it's still hard to pick up the pieces and dream again. What are your dreams? Thoughts? Desires? Ideas? How is God using you? How do you react when your dreams are shattered? Do you dream again--or do you dream again with caution/stipulation?