Travel and Heaven

"There and back again..." -in the words of my dear hobbit friend, Bilbo Baggins, this little life of mine feels very much like that phrase right now.  We have been traveling for a week and half.  Our trip has been very eventful and exciting, full of fun family experiences...  And now we are travelling back home again!

My memory is racing just trying to keep every precious moment in tact.  Wedding thoughts from last weekend: my beautiful Bride friend, Rachel, who tried not to cry while saying her vows to her Groom, Jimmy's beaming face as he walked his new wife down the aisle, and Eric's weathered Bible that he challenged the wedding party with...  And then there was my brother Aaron as he walked into our old church with us last Sunday, giddy and brave, ready to see old faces again, praying on my knees in the nursing room, thankful for the blessing and responsibility of family, plus all the funny words of an awkward sermon that still encouraged the hearts of the congregation because the words were real and Gods Word always seeps out wisdom.  Hooray for the faithful!  Hallelujah for new beginnings and for second chances (and third, fourth, fifth, etc...).  Home is ahead, even if we aren't there yet...  

I could spend my whole life trying to remember all the things I want to keep close to my heart.  Some wonderful moments I could repeat over and over.  Isn't that what eternity is for, to soak up the awe inspiring glory of God (including the spots in this life that we may have missed Him)? He is redeeming the time and paving the way ahead.  Oh how God is so good!

This halfway place, in the car, can feel so long sometimes.  Similar to the way I feel when I think about eternity.  Moving inbetween.  And yet, I am fully alive right now, all here, driving along...  Watching the cars drive by, passing scenery, buildings, places, dreams, songs, food, people...  I have no deprivation of the senses or the fullness of living. No, I'm not quite there yet, but Jesus is here AND there.  "His Kingdom come..."  I am driven to seek out time with my Savior, to pursue Him in what's ahead, and to soak up the reality of heaven with Him forever.  And He is here!

"You live in a million places...  And because of You I come alive...  Your voice within me singing out: for Love of You.  It's all for You...

This road leads to Glory!"  

-Audrey Assad 

Jesus...

here we are...

And here we come!

Feeling like a Failing Peter...

Do you ever get angry at God for not letting you have more control over things?

Well...  I confess...  I sure do!  

How terrifying it is to admit this though, because in essence I am trying to BE God when I think that somehow I could do things better than Him.

Eeks!

My heart has been at a hard cross road these last couple of weeks, questioning and wondering why things are the way that they are.  Oh how evil creeps into life and it can be so overwhelming sometimes, and yet, it's all about perspective isn't it?  Am I going to choose to see things from my earthly, physical eyes, to look at life as if my view is all that there is OR am I going to seek out Gods view on things?  This is the great debate!  Every second of every day the battle lines are drawn and my heart is under fire.  It doesn't get easier does it?  The decisions only intensify as you grow older, because life only gets shorter as each day passes by.  So, who will I choose to worship?  Who will I choose to trust?  Myself or God?!

Scary isn't it?  When the question is out in front of your face like that...  You begin to relate to Satan himself...  Yikes!

So here I am.  Sitting at the crossroad again...  I want to choose Jesus!  In everyway, everyday!  But I am like Peter, denying my friendship with Him when the going gets tough...

All I can say is forgive me Lord...

My heart weeps as I realize who I am without you...

In comparison of Matthew 27 and Psalm 21: Jesus wore a crown of thorns...

but "placed a crown of pure gold" on our heads.  In what looked like defeat, Jesus was put on a cross... but He has Won, He is alive again: "how great is our joy in the victories You give!"

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!  Amen." (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NLT)

The After Christmas Tradition...

I don't know about you but I usually still feel like celebrating after Christmas.  So we decided to copy some friends and make a little twelve days after Christmas celebration tradition, I have entitled it the Fruits of the Spirit HAT (you'll see why at the end) Some people use these twelve days as a countdown until the celebration of Epiphany (more info here:   http://www.gotquestions.org/three-kings-day-epiphany.html) which you could totally do too.  It's just a simple virtue, action, and verse for each day but I love how the focus is on God and His many attributes.  Also, I did have some fun pictures attached originally...  But they don't want to load now, so maybe I will share those another year ;p. Anyway, enjoy:

Dec. 26th: Love

Write a Thoughtful Love Note!

"If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not LOVE, I gain nothing" - 1 Corinthians 13:3

"The world will know that you are My disciples by your LOVE for one another...  Greater LOVE has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" John 13:35 & 15:13

Dec. 27th: Joy

Exercise just for the Joy of it (preferably with someone you love ;)

"Rejoice in Hope..." -Romans 12:12

"Shout for JOY to God, all the earth;" (Psalm 66:1 ESV)

"I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be JOYful and to do good as long as they live;" (Ecclesiastes 3:12 ESV)

Dec. 28th: Peace

Purposefully listen attentively today- and pray over who you listen to!

"Make every effort to live in PEACE with all men and to be holy..." - Hebrews 12:14

"And a harvest of righteousness is sown in PEACE by those who make PEACE." (James 3:18 ESV)

"PEACE I leave with you; my PEACE I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27 ESV)

Dec. 29th: Patience

Take a long drive somewhere today...

"You also, be PATIENT.  Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." (James 5:8 ESV)

"Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the PATIENT in spirit is better than the proud in spirit."(Ecclesiastes 7:8 ESV)

Dec. 30th: Kindness

Make it a point to verbally speak "thank you's" to the people around you!

"Whoever pursues righteousness and KINDNESS will find life, righteousness, and honor." (Proverbs 21:21 ESV)

"Be KIND to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."(Ephesians 4:32 ESV)

Dec. 31st: Goodness

Light candles and think on Gods Goodness today!  Write down favorite GOOD memories of the year.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your GOOD deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14-16

Jan. 1st: Faithfulness

Cherish and celebrate those who have been faithful in your life- then make a favorite old time recipe :)

"In Love a throne will be established; in FAITHFULNESS a man will sit on it- One from the house of David [Jesus]- One who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness." - Isaiah 16:5 

"But be sure to fear The Lord and serve Him FAITHFULLY with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you." - 1 Samuel 12:24

Jan. 2nd: Gentleness

Give a loved one a bubble bath or a jacuzzi soak, and take one too!

"A GENTLE tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." (Proverbs 15:4 ESV)

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am GENTLE and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29 ESV)

"He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and GENTLY lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11 ESV)

Jan. 3rd: Self-Discipline 

Count to ten and take a deep breath before you speak straight from emotion- be prepared to face trials today!

"DISCIPLINE yourself for the purpose of godliness." - 1 Timothy 4:7

"Apply your heart to DISCIPLINE" - Proverbs 23:12

Jan. 4th: Humility

Offer to do an act of service...  Change a diaper, take out trash, clean something for someone else just to say "I love you"

"He has shown you, O man, what is good.  And what does The Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk HUMBLY with your God." - Micah 6:8

"HUMBLE yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you" (1 Peter 5:6 ESV)

Jan. 5th: Assurance

Think on heaven today!  Is there anything better than trusting Jesus and knowing we will be face to face with Him in heaven?

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth." - Job 19:25

"Truly, truly, I say to you whoever hears My Words and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life." - John 5:24

Jan 6th: Truth

Read Gods Word out loud with your family.  Sing it too!

"Sanctify them by the TRUTH; Your Word is TRUTH"- John 17:17

In short, we celebrated: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control, Humility, Assurance, Truth and ultimately an ongoing thankfulness of Jesus as we  continued to celebrate right past his birthday.  Feel free to take and change any an all of the ideas above!  We have had a fun transition into the new year and I hope you have too.

May you be blessed and find a reason to celebrate everyday!  Jesus is alive.  We are children of the King.  Thanks for reading :)

Repeating Rest!

Rest

Rest

Rest

Seek Jesus First and...

Rest!

When my brain is buzzing with possibilities and plans...  When my heart is overwhelmed... I am reminded that I need to rest... 

Thankfulness

Simplicity

Love those around me 

Oh life is lovely 

when it can be 

full of time to think and rest...  

Rest

Rest

Rest

Seek Jesus First and...

Rest!

What would you say?

If you could send one message to the whole world- a message that would be megaphoned into every home- what would it be?  I can't help thinking about the simple phrase- "Jesus Loves You"...  And what would our world look like if everyone actually knew that?  Obviously not everyone understands His Love when they hear about it- my whole life I have been learning new sides of His Love.  "Jesus Loves You" seems like a modern day cultural tag line in America, but it is more than that!  It is truth.  Truth sets us free!  The reality is that many people still have no idea about the simple and yet profound "I love you" message that Jesus brings.

How has Jesus' message of "I love you" changed my own life?  In every possible way!  Love changes everything you know ;) 

For example:

I actually want to live and to live to the fullest when I remember that I am loved fully with a purposeful and undying love from my Creator...

Hate dissipates when I remember that I am loved and that I am loved in such an all consuming way that my God would come and die for me just to prove His forgiveness over my selfish sins...

When I remember I am loved by the Savior who I wounded by my sins, I am filled with hope- hope that redeems the time, moving past my failures and making it possible by His strength to live successfully in His righteousness, in His grace alone.

Truth is found in the Love of God, truth that opens doors to a reality that I would overlook without Him!  There is a spiritual world past our flesh... Our souls were made for God... and without Him, there is empty pleasure.  My soul will never know it's full meaning- in this life or eternity- if I don't realize His Love and desire to love Him in return!

Jesus Loves You!

What will you say?

...

25 versus 15

Being 25 isn't really all that different from being 15.  I'm still falling in love all the time with Jeremy and I still want to read through the Bible every year.  My voice still loves to sing and my heart longs to travel the world.  No, 15 and 25 just don't seem to be all that different inside.

The difference only begins to take form as I look around me.  Married for three years with two precious children now, living in Oregon, and our own cozy home.    Bills, menus, calendar to-do's, along with extra laundry and dishes.  This doesn't look like 15 anymore!  My clothes are a little bit bigger too ;p but that's normal right?  Lol.

Inside though, I still want to just read and write, then read and write some more.  I still dream of being an amazing cook and a clear communicator.  My thoughts are never too far from chocolate and new adventures.  Facing fears is something I want to do every day.  I want to explore and learn and grow.  Laugh and jump and dance!  25 just doesn't sound right for how young I still feel.  

Where has the time gone?  And where will it go?  It's crazy to think that the next 25 years of my life may feel even faster than these first 25.  How does it feel to be outside of time?  To be timeless?!  And then, shouldn't I feel that way now, timeless?  Won't we all live for eternity, one way or another?!

I'm thinking yes ;) 

Doing What is Important...

How is it that with two kiddos I still have moments of peace and quiet?  Even with the laundry loaded and the dishes running in the dishwasher.  It kind of feels like a miracle!

What a blessing to be able to rest.  I don't want to make you busy people feel tired, lol, but you probably know as well as I do that rest is a serious blessing.  Sometimes it's hard for me to take advantage of the quiet and peace in front of me, but I want to thank The Lord when it's crazy and when it's still!  Truly He is my refuge whatever moment I am in...