| some excerpts from a devotional |
[15 Oct 2008|04:49pm] |
"Do what God asks you to do; God will do more than you can ask Him to do... surrender yourself willingly and trustingly to God. Give your whole being to Him without reserve and without doubt; He will prove Himself to you, and work in you which is pleasing in His sight through Jesu Christ. Keep His ways as you know them in the Word. Keep His ways, as nature teaches them- in always doing what appears right. Keep His ways as providence points them out. Keep His ways as the Holy Spirit suggests. Do not think of waiting on God while you say you are not willing to walk in His path. However weak you feel, only be willing...
... the starting point and groundwork of this waiting is utter and absolute powerlessness. So come with every temptation you feel in yourself, every memory of unwillingness, unwatchfulness, unfaithfulness, and all that causes your unceasing self-condemnation. Put your trust in God's omnipotence, and find in waiting on God your deliverance. Your failure has been owing to only thing; you sought to conquer and obey in your own strength.
Come and bow before God until you learn that He is the God who alone is good, and alone can work any good thing. Believe that in yourself, and all that nature can do, there is no true power. Be content to receive from God each moment of the day the inworking of His mighty grace and life, and waiting on God will be a renewal of your strength to run in His ways and not be weary, to walk in His paths and never faint."
-Andrew Murray
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[26 Sep 2008|04:35pm] |
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my xanga is no more...
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[25 Sep 2008|08:21pm] |
just wanted to update because i got a new userpic that i like... and i used this as a test to edit a photo on my mac (since i have not played with that yet...)
[just the basic iPhoto... not Aperture... perhaps later i will upgrade to that.]
it is SO HOT! *sigh*
*edit* hollie thought that i was referring to the picture being hot... LOL. i actually mean the weather... at 8:26pm. hehe... */edit*
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| an update while my iPod charges |
[25 Sep 2008|05:26pm] |
stayed up late last night watching pride and prejudice on my computer... with headphones so no one would be kept awake (hollie had to be up early and kelly was super tired). 99.9% of the time i watch movies with someone (at least kel)... but i enjoyed myself. :] (plus i don't think i could tire of that movie... especially as i heard even more dialogue this time... i had to keep from laughing out loud at some points.)
changed some guitar strings today (it had been 5 months since they've been changed and polished). as a result, i need to get more strings... blah.. later.
i have been doing a LOT of reading lately. phew.
it needs to stay cool already.. we've had summer already - let's move it along! :]
"My Love Goes Free" and "White as Snow" by Jon Foreman are my favorites right now. really enjoying his music.
hollie just told me about a website where you can watch movies for free! www.hulu.com is the address. not a huge variety but it has some i would not mind seeing (or seeing again) and it's free! i hope they build their library of movies/tv shows. pass it along. :]
i am debating on whether or not to get rid of my xanga... why have more than one journal? the few people i know on there that aren't on livejournal i need to see if i can keep in touch with them elsewhere. speaking of which, i HATE the new facebook. ugh. too bad i know people on there that don't have a myspace... and that i want to keep in touch with them. facebook was fine before... why did they have to go make it all weird. hmph. oh well.
USC is playing a game tonight... it's not going to be on TV (unless you have cable, which we don't). bummer. i really enjoy watching them with my Dad. he gets so excited and i enjoy bonding with him. if the home games weren't sold out for the whole season already i'd get tickets to go.
oh well... at least he can hear it on the radio and we can chitty chat about it.
i should get some reading done for work.... plus reading for enjoyment (my Bible and a book on the Blood of Jesus and the Glory of God... great stuff....)
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| to all wondering....and at his request |
[13 Sep 2008|07:13pm] |
Galen (onfireforhigher on lj) called me about an hour ago to let me know that he is ok. power is out in all of houston but he is alive. he has heard reports that his house is gone. he hasn't been able to get back there because the water is still pretty high... he is hoping to be able to check it out tomorrow and see what is left - if anything.
prayers for him, his family and friends (along with all having to deal with loss and/or serious damage) during this time is the best we can offer.
on Christ the solid Rock i stand.
ALL other ground is sinking sand.
all other ground is sinking sand.
thank You Lord for being the solid rock for which we have security... a future and a hope. a very present help in time of need. You are so faithful Lord and we love You.
amen.
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[24 Aug 2008|07:46pm] |
"Christians are those who live in time but who belong to eternity."
Augustine, the bishop of Hippo in North Africa
410 A.D.
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| hmmm.... |
[01 Aug 2008|06:43pm] |
with thoughts of transparency and what role it plays i've noticed my posts being more and more "friends only"... i used to never use that feature... and yet here i am. so i find myself wondering why - do i think someone weird is reading it? no... i never talk about my journal anywhere else, so unless someone is "live journal hopping" no one would come across it.
hmph. so it just has me thinking.
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| i need to cut my fingernails... |
[11 Jul 2008|06:59pm] |
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mood |
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 amused |
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i find it amusing that my last public post fueled a debate on the role of the church and government, war and peace... oh well. friendly discussion on it is ok. it's good to see what others believe... WE have the mind of Christ. not just one person or mind set.
so i am working tomorrow morning to cover to a co-worker who is sick. meh. oh well. extra $$ is good. hehe. got some errands to due tomorrow (gotta get hollie's bday gift... so excited! i'll post about it after her birthday... or maybe she will... hehe). i was stressing on what to get and it all come together. thank you Jesus! :]
today at work consisted of talking about the history of europe and america...it re-ignited my itch to travel. i want to visit europe for sure. along with the east coast with monuments to the early colonies in america. :]
random ending note: i am glad that i do not own my own coffee shop.
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[04 Jul 2008|11:57am] |
happy 4th of July! rejoicing in the celebration of freedom. the freedom we have in this nation and in Jesus Christ - our salvation and King. :]
off to enjoy some bbq, fellowship and swimming! :D
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[15 Jun 2008|05:45pm] |
to my Heavenly Father:
Happy Father's Day! :D
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| happy memorial day |
[26 May 2008|01:36pm] |
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mood |
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thankful |
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i am SO proud of those who have served, are serving, and will serve this country. i am proud to have men in my family that have served this nation.
watched Glory last night with the family (except hollie who was at the evening church service) to remind myself of the price generations paid for us to enjoy freedom today. plan on watching Gettysburg today/tonight (thanks Galen for the movie).
amidst our imperfections as a nation, God has blessed us. we are blessed to live in this country. and instead of always complaining... let us remember to pray. and continue to help others.
God bless America.
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| copying from another journal to remember the quote and my thoughts |
[19 May 2008|07:43pm] |
The saving of souls , if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his Blessed Master , will be an all absorbing passion to him . It will carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others . He will be like the brave fireman , who cares not for the scorch or the heat , so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set on his heart . If sinners will be damned , at least let them perish , with our arms around their knees , imploring them to stay . If hell must be filled , at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions , and let not one go there unwarned and un prayed for . Charles Spurgeon
reminds me of what i heard on Sunday. my pastor said that he had a very good friend (now Home with Jesus) who loved telling others about Jesus. He would drive around, no destination in mind, and pick up hitch hikers. They'd ask him, "where are you going?" And he would reply, " now? or when i die?" and if the stranger chose to catch a ride with him they'd hear all about Jesus and how Christ loves them. Many came to know Jesus. a ride to Heaven, you could say. :]
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| Prince Caspian |
[18 May 2008|05:41pm] |
everyone is entitled to their opinion of it, i shall simply give my own. :]
let me start off by saying that i love the chronicles of narnia series... i love how i feel safe to be a kid again when i read the books... and at the same time, gets me reflecting on God, my relationship with Him, etc.
so needless to say that, after seeing the first movie, i am thrilled that they are slowly making the others dance on the screen too. i am especially thankful that C.S. Lewis' step-son is alongside the director to help the movies stay as true to the books as they can... while still providing enough suspense (etc.) to make it an attractable movie to all genres of people.
my thoughts on Prince Caspian - the movie.
* it is true that the movie strays from the book. some events are out of order from the book (such as when Caspian blows the horn for the Pevensie children to come).
* each addition/removal served a purpose... and i can see and understand why the director chose to go that route. in the process, i believe it still brought out the same message(s) in the novel. the rediscovery of faith, hope, purpose... even challenging the motives of why we do what we do "in the name of helping."
* yes, Aslan is not in the movie so much... but he wasn't a dominate figure in the book either. i believe it was a time of testing to see if the Pevensie children (and all of the old narnia, really) would cling to Aslan in faithfulness... or "wouldn't believe unless they saw him"... how much more for us, as believers, in our walk with the Lord? do we need to always see, hear and feel Him in order to listen, seek and obey Him? even if He leads us a different way from others?
* the romance between Caspian and Susan: lightly noted in the movie but not this dramatic, way off track thing like i thought it was going to be. so i wasn't disturbed by it. there was no time for any relationship to develop.. as it would be in war.. and of course, the realization that it wouldn't work. they played it out in a way so it seemed natural.
and no, this was not in the book.
* i really enjoyed the battle scenes. seeing each creature fight (and how they fought). yes the battle scenes are drawn out more than they are in the book... but they wanted the movie to be more dramatic and suspenseful. i am glad they showed them. the failure of trying something alone. the victory found in God (shown as Aslan).
* i enjoyed each person's performance in the film. the acting is better (wasn't convinced in some performances in LWW). i enjoyed seeing how the characters have developed (some for the better...) and to see Lucy's faithfulness to seek and find Aslan in the midst of it all challenged me in my walk with Jesus. in the midst of whatever is going on... to remember I AM is with me. always.
i recommend this movie to those who love the series and those who aren't familiar with them. i hope to see it again and plan on getting it when it comes out on DVD.
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other reviews of the movie that bring up some interesting points of view... if you care to read them.
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| please remember Jesus |
[16 May 2008|07:21pm] |
so many exciting things taking place in the lives of my two sisters right now... i am beyond happy for them.
Jesus is ever so gently reminding me not to compare. rather, rejoice with those who rejoice. and remember, it is important to keep the most important thing the most important thing.
what is the "thing?" my relationship with Jesus. that cannot be compared.
some great quotes i heard this afternoon. (i don't remember who said the second one...oops, sorry.)
"never think that you have arrived in your calling and relationship with God because the moment you do you will begin to feel like you deserve something. we do not deserve anything from God... even the purest in heart does not deserve the grace, mercy and sheer goodness of our God. even our God given talents are just that, God given. we do not deserve them because of something we have done." - John Gray
"God can only greatly use what He has been able to greatly break. then it is no longer who we think we should be but God takes our broken pieces and makes a mosaic out it... the person He wants us to be."
what a wonderfully humble reminder. thank You Jesus.
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| never hurts to brag... a little |
[13 May 2008|05:22pm] |
i've said for awhile now that if i were to ever have a "fun" car (meaning extra $$ to blow on a car for fun and not based on necessity) it would be a Mini.
well guess what? ( my mom bought me one! )
oh, and i went ahead and bought tickets ahead of time for Prince Caspian... in case it sells out... and so we don't have to wait in the long line opening weekend. yipee!
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[10 May 2008|12:42pm] |
so i am really looking forward to the release of Prince Caspian. i love the book series and really enjoy the first movie (lion, witch and the wardrobe).
anyone else going to see Prince Caspian? it's darker because of the nature of the book... a civil war within narnia but looks great. and the effects? yes, i am excited.
a friend at church mentioned going to see it at the El Captian theater (where real props from the movie and such will be). it costs a little more to see it there but i think it would be so fun. not sure if they're going to do it though i'd be interested in going there... hmmm.. might just make an outing for fun. not something i'd do for every movie released... but narnia is different....
so we shall see. :] i hope all the moms on here have a wonderful mother's day!
i wanted to do something different for my mom but she prefers to stay home and just enjoy everyone being there... so i think we're gonna bbq some hamburgers and just enjoy each other's company.
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| a praise report of God faithfulness |
[09 Apr 2008|05:10pm] |
going to newport this weekend for a retreat with some ladies from church. i'm going with my mom and sisters and i am really looking forward to it.... it's supposed to be beautiful this weekend. plus, some time with godly fellowship and an excuse to hang out with God by some ocean waters sounds perfect right about now.
i stand in awe of God.
really.
when you ask God to show you something, He will. it may sound elementary for me to write this... but it is worth repeating as we begin to really accept this because to know something and accept something as truth and fact are two totally different things.
for instance... i REALLY REALLY want to go on a mission trip overseas this year (because even sitting on american soil is a mission trip for sure). however God is showing me that He loves me to much to let me go right now. confused? i'll explain.
God wants every little bit of me. He wants every area of my life satisfied in Him. He wants my focus and love and devotion to be on Him alone. not on good works or even mission trips because apart from Him they are meaningless.
God also loves those whom i would go and share His love with too much to send me right at this current moment. because a life not fully 100% satisfied in Christ cannot fully share His love and truth. after all, you cannot give what you don't have. and if you are not comfortable or mature in it, insecurity (or pride, which really are the same) creeps into the heart and motives...and comes out in actions and words.
God wants His message pure and undefiled by complacency or compromise. Even more so, He wants me. He wants me to abide in Him and remain in the place where the shed blood of Jesus has placed me.... His very throne room and presence. God's word is truth and cannot fail... Jesus did not come to save the word of God (though He was the Word made flesh and fulfilled the law) He came for you and me. people. the heart of God is people.
no, i am not saying "God can't use you unless you are perfect." that is a false statement. even in imperfections i can see glimpses of how God has used me - and others.
as i keep running this race, with the desires and ministry opportunities that i feel He has been leading me toward and will continue to.... complacency and compromise must go. now is the time for the Light of Christ Jesus our Lord to shine. nothing in my own works... i don't want a false sense of righteousness.
apart from Jesus i am nothing.
in Christ, i have everything.
God is so faithful to show me where He is not Lord in my life.
so i run from Him and get discouraged and feel defeated? no way.
so i can run to the consuming fire so that only that which is of Him may remain.
He wants me. that is why He "puts up" with me.
:]
you know what?
God wants you too. that is why He keeps pursuing you. that is why Jesus came and paid the price for you and me.
doesn't it bring joy to your heart to know you are the desire of God? the Creator of Heaven and Earth. the Creator of all.
the more i accept this, and the more my eyes are opened to His love... the more i stand in complete awe... i am humbled and yet drawn to Him.
our God reigns.
He reigns.
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| something i don't understand |
[26 Mar 2008|06:28pm] |
i know several people who have gone through nearly identical situations which got me thinking as to why it is common.
when you marry someone, shouldn't it be because you love them? and i guess that leaves us to look at how we define love. so years later when a divorce takes place (as in these instances).... and only a few months later you're in another relationship.. "i love this person"... what about the person you divorced? didn't you love him/her? if so... how could you let go so quickly and cling to another? this is what i don't understand. i know you're hurt and such... but to hop from one relationship of commitment to another... so quickly... makes me concerned that perhaps you haven't allowed yourself to heal. instead, you'd rather look past the feelings of rejection and try to find it in another person. instead of finding healing, wholeness, worth and identity in Christ.
perhaps because we think happiness is being in a romantic relationship. maybe that defines us. i had one lady at work recommend i go to eharmony.com and create a profile because it is "so worth it" and i "shouldn't wait any longer." i know she means well. at the same time i can't help but smirk... because i know she thinks i am missing out because i am not in a romantic relationship. so then, in her mind, i am not really happy... or experiencing true happiness. but i have. now i am not saying there is no happiness in a romantic relationship, i know there is. but happiness is not all inclusive of that. you see, i am in Christ. how can i NOT experience true happiness?
another friend of mine was in a serious relationship (not married but looking that way)... stuff didn't work out and the relationship ended. now she is looking for another...it's only been a few short months. am i judging her? no, i know she is lonely...and getting older and wants to be married...nothing wrong with that. at the same time i wanna say "sweetie, your identity and happiness is not found in that. Only Christ alone satisfies."
Jesus told us that He alone satisfies and i am learning that when God says something, He is right. :]
here is a comforting thought for all of us who call Jesus Lord (single, in a relationship, married, divorced or widowed) : Jesus chose us. He wants us. in a world where we never measure up, perhaps relationships that didn't work because we were rejected for another... we have none of that to fear from Jesus.
we do not need to run to a relationship in order to feel wanted from another. Jesus went to the cross, paid our debt, to show us just how much He wants us - imperfections and all.
not only does this build our self worth but it also takes the pressure off of one another to make each of us feel wanted. it's not up to you. it's not up to me. it rests on Jesus and He is more than able to meet that need.... He far surpasses our expectations. God, You are so awesome!
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| silence |
[22 Mar 2008|02:39pm] |
i am so glad that God's love is not seasonal. i am so thankful that the work on the Cross is a finished and complete work. perfectly satisfying the judgment of God for our mistakes (He paid the price by making right what we did wrong... what a God we serve!)
and today, after Good Friday but before Easter... i can't help but wonder how the disciples felt this day. yes fear... possibly frustration? perhaps they felt like Heaven failed them. that God failed them. that their Messiah failed them. did any remember what He said?
how about us? in moments in our lives when we feel that perhaps God has failed us, that our Messiah missed a spot, or that Heaven overlooked us... do we remember the words of Jesus that we are not alone? to we remember that Christ has brought us freedom? that sin is no longer our master....
help our hearts remember Lord. on this whole day to reflect on those times in our lives where perhaps we relate with how the disciples felt... help us. the disciples of this century, to not forget. to not limit ourselves to what we see with our natural eyes.
You have not left one thing untouched by Your blood. Your sacrifice. You Love.
Selah.
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