Our Hearts Will Cry...

One of my favorite worship songs is With Everything by Hillsong United.  The bridge of this song is amazing!  I find myself repeating it over and over again in my head.

Our hearts will cry

Be glorified

Be lifted high

Above all names

For You our King

With everything

We will shout forth your praise

Little Bits of Encouragement...

I began school today!  The first day of school is always interesting.  Excitement for the semester, meeting new people, reuniting with old friends…it's all so fun!  Usually, that excitement doesn't last long after the first day, though.

Soon, you're wrapped up in more studying than sleeping, you have more quizzes than you can keep track of, and you forget which homework belongs to which class…it all becomes hazy and it's easy to lose sight of what's important.  That's why I made myself this:

I bought this frame for $6.00 at Big Lots a looong time ago and I never got around to putting pictures in it.  Finally, after a long rest in my closet, it came out.  I took it to the schoolroom to put pictures in it… however, God had another plan for it instead!   It was raining that afternoon and the schoolroom was empty and I was inspired! I decided to put encouraging quotes and Scripture to help me focus on what's really important throughout the school year.  I spent a nice, peaceful afternoon doing this.  I'm so glad God gave me that idea!  It is being put into such good use now!

This semester's craziness has already started and I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the work, but I know that having God's Word near in my heart will keep me peaceful and calm.  That's why I'm so glad I made this!  Every time I look at it, I'm encouraged.  I'm motivated to spend time with the Lord.  I'm encouraged knowing that I can pass any class if I put my mind to it and ask the Lord for help.  I know I will get through this first semester as a full-time student because the Lord is with me and will guide me.  

I Count All Things Loss....

During my devotional this morning, I read 1 Corinthians 3.  Verse 19 really spoke to me.  It says:

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." 

I'm starting college tomorrow, and this is something that's been on my mind for a while.  What is true wisdom? 

I know that my main priority isn't to study.  If my studies are getting in the way of my relationship with God, I have no problem dropping them to give myself time to get everything right with the Lord again.  I know that the world thinks a career is what is going to give you anything and everything, but in God's sight, it's just plain foolishness to go after a career and leave Him behind.  I know a few people who are deep in a 7 or 8 year career and have lost sight of what really matters.  Yes, they're going to be great at what they do and they'll certainly have a lot of money; but is that really all you want out of life?  I'm learning that there has to be a good balance between my relationship with Christ and my schooling.  If I lose sight of Jesus, everything I study is foolishness (no matter how many years I invest in it!).  I believe Philippians 3:7-8 sums it up well:

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him."

What was once gain to me (a career), I have counted loss for Christ.  No schooling, nor money, nor relationships, nor clothes, nor mansions, nor possessions could ever give me the knowledge found in Jesus Christ alone.  Only a personal relationship with Him is what will give me the wisdom this world lacks.  Everything else is rubbish.  My prayer is that I would never lose sight of that….

Why the Obsession? Pt. 2

As a young girl, I always assumed I'd marry when I grew up.  I simply thought that was a given in my life.  Like most girls, I've spent many days of my life wondering when and who I'd marry.  I've spent many nights lying awake in my bed dreaming what it'd be like to be married and have a large, God-fearing family!  I figured it was God's plan and when I was around 11, I thought that I'd most definitely be ready to be married at 18 after graduating and then I'd just wait a bit and marry at 20.

At 18-almost-19 years old, I laugh and say how silly all my "plans" were!  It's not a given that I'd be married, and at 18 now, I'm certain I'm not ready to be married any time soon.  I've also realized something else….something I always dreaded to think about….

What if God calls me to a longer season of singleness than I though I'd have?  And what if, Heaven forbid, He calls me to be single for life, serving Him on my own?!

Am I going to waste away these years?  Am I going live them in little "what-ifs?" or "when-I-do"?  Am I going to let it all slip by wishing and wondering if and when the Lord will bring someone special into my life?  I certainly hope I wouldn't.  

One thing I've become aware of recently is this:  I am single.  According to society, that's what I am.  At 13 or 16 years old, I was "too young to date or be in a relationship".  End of story.  At 18, I'm single.  It's now my choice whether I want to keep it that way or not.  It is not that I'm not too young to be in a relationship, nor is it something my parents don't allow me to do.  It's my choice now.  It's up to me to decide if it's really worth it to be "single and desperately available" or "single and exceedingly joyful".  Do I want to spend my days away, seeking to change my relationship status in the hopes of having a beautiful love story now; or do I want to forsake all and live a single life completely fulfilled and joyfully surrendered to Christ?  

The season of singleness is not merely the season to do school, work, and wait for marriage.  The season of singleness is meant for so much more!  1 Corinthians 7:34 says

"An unmarried woman or virgin is conceded about the Lord's affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit."

Unmarried ladies are called to more than just wait…or study….or work.  We're called to live our lives in full surrender to our King!  Although it's tempting to think of all you can do with a family of your own, think of all the Lord can use you for if you don't!  You can serve in just about anything the Lord calls you to, participate in all the mission trips the Lord provides opportunities for and live for anything Christ calls you to do tomorrow.  If the Lord calls you to go overseas, it is much easier to do so as a single woman than a married one.  Not to say it can't be done, but it's something I'd say is easier to do when single.

Jesus wants us to go out and do more with Him!  Fall in love with Jesus, spend time in His presence, go on prayer walks, stay up late writing away on everything He's taught you and about your love for Him!  He's your heavenly and eternal King!  Nothing can take away the love He has for you.  How many times do we overlook that He wants to know us better and even more, us know Him better?  I want to learn to give Jesus the best hours of my day!  Those last few minutes of the day aren't the ones that He wants.  He wants those most important moments of your day!  He wants to be your all in all!  He wants to fulfill your dreams and give you the life you only dreamed you could have.  

As a single young lady, I choose to remain this way.  I choose to believe the Lord is the One that gives purpose to my life and fills me with all joy!  He gives me an unexplainable joy! There's no possible way for me to explain how it is that I have this joy and radiance inside as a single young lady while so many other girls both younger and older than me are crying and worrying and wondering why their life has no purpose now that they have no man by them.  I know it's only the Lord in me can give me those feelings of fulfillment and joy.  I know He has called me to so much more and I don't want these years to be wasted.  I want my life to be one that counts.  Specifically, I want my single years to count.  I want to be able to say that I didn't wait around for the Lord to bring my husband into my life, nor did I spend an immeasurable amount of time thinking about it. 

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.  My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him." Psalm 28:7

I no longer dread being called to a life of extended singleness or even possibly being single for life. I know the Lord has called me to a purpose other than marriage at this point of my life and that's what I'm going to pursue.  As long as I stay close to Him and follow His plans, I know my life is going to be the grand adventure I always dreamed it to be.  I just want to make sure I live in a way that's pleasing to God and surrendered to His will.  I want to be able to say I did all the Lord called me to and had the time of my life spending one-on-one time with my King.  Whether marriage was included or not, if I can say that confidently, my life was totally worth it.  

Faithwalkers East 2012 Theme!

The Faithwalkers 2012 theme has been released!  Along with the theme, they've released a promotional video!

This year's theme will be Growing Up: The Quest for Spiritual Maturity.  I absolutely cannot wait for it!  This will be the fourth year my family goes to this conference.  Ever since we went the first time, we knew it was worth going back and we've been doing so since.  It is truly the most impacting conference I've been to!  In those 3 days after Christmas, the Lord really does amazing things up in that conference center in North Carolina.  Talk about making resolutions!  What better way and place to make resolutions for the new year than going to a conference like this one!  I can't describe the amazing things God has done in my life and taught me through the teachings I've heard there!  My relationship with Christ is deeply strengthened every time I attend & I'm so excited to hear more about this year's theme!

The promotional video can be watched here.  :)

A Glimpse of Selfless Beauty- Ruth Bell Graham

“Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid
(as we're inclined to do),
I do not need a handsome man
but let him be like You;
I do not need one big and strong
nor yet so very tall,
nor need he be some genius,
or wealthy, Lord, at all;
but let his head be high, dear God,
and let his eye be clear,
his shoulders straight, whate'er his state,
whate'er his earthly sphere;
and let his face have character,
a ruggedness of soul,
and let his whole life show, dear God,
a singleness of goal;
then when he comes
(as he will come)
with quiet eyes aglow,
I'll understand that he's the man
I prayed for long ago.” 
― Ruth Bell Graham

Why The Obsession? Pt.1

I've realized lately that most young Christian girls have a common obsession...preparing for a relationship in marriage.  While I know that's much better to prepare than actually be in a relationship now, any obsession can have an unhealthy hold on your life.  I see so many girls all riled up and anxious about it.  They want to read every book, hear every message, and talk to anyone who'll listen to them about guys and how they can prepare to have a healthy relationship in marriage.  That's all fine, and I have to say, it's great that they want to have a great marriage!  However, I'm noticing that they're overlooking some things...

When you marry, who is going to do the cooking?  Who will clean bathrooms, ceiling fans, carpets, kitchen cabinets, and under the bed?  Who will wash, fold and iron clothes?  Who will do the groceries and bills?  Who will primarily spend the day with your children and homeschooling them?

You!

The Lord has given you the responsibility of doing most, if not all of those things as a godly wife and mother.  That's a short list, too!  Add to that everything else that comes in life and you've got lots of responsibilities!

Why aren't girls these days rising up to those challenges?  It's easy to read about the way you ought to treat your husband and the things that you should do together to have a loving, healthy relationship. It's ten times easier when you haven't even met your husband!  However, the real training for marriage isn't all cute and simple.  It's hard work!

My parents have been excellent encouragers in this.  I remember thinking so proudly at 9 years old that I would certainly marry at 17 or 18 (I truly had no notion of ages...) because I already knew how to sew a button, make rice, and wash dishes!  I look back now and think how wise my parents were in teaching be how to do all of that.  I didn't know it then, but all those things I learned will be carried over when I become a wife and mother.

Maybe your parents don't encourage learning these sorts of things in your home.  Maybe they prefer you study.  Consider asking your mother in what way you can help her, though.  Tell her you deisire to learn these things and tell her why. Ask her to teach you.  Although books and teachings are great, the greatest amount of training you will learn and carry into your marriage is what you learned at home while you were young.