God showed me an image of a trampoline. I was jumping and I was reminded that it isn't easy to get yourself up into the air - you have to exert energy and give something. Once you've given your energy and strength, you are plunged into the air and for that moment you've given up your control as well. You trust. As you jump up and down, it demonstrates the ups and downs of life that we encounter. The frame of the trampoline will hold you up and keep you strong. The netting around the trampoline holds you and keeps you safe from falling. The bottom of the trampoline is blackened, and hard to see through, however the top of the trampoline is open so you can keep your eyes fixed on looking up. Close your eyes and picture yourself jumping on a trampoline. Let your body be swayed by the image of God's love, protection, and encouragement. Don't be afraid anymore.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
God showed me an image of a trampoline. I was jumping and I was reminded that it isn't easy to get yourself up into the air - you have to exert energy and give something. Once you've given your energy and strength, you are plunged into the air and for that moment you've given up your control as well. You trust. As you jump up and down, it demonstrates the ups and downs of life that we encounter. The frame of the trampoline will hold you up and keep you strong. The netting around the trampoline holds you and keeps you safe from falling. The bottom of the trampoline is blackened, and hard to see through, however the top of the trampoline is open so you can keep your eyes fixed on looking up. Close your eyes and picture yourself jumping on a trampoline. Let your body be swayed by the image of God's love, protection, and encouragement. Don't be afraid anymore.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
This Time is Ours
There are a few things I desire. One of the greatest of these is to marry Ross Slough. Yes, it's true that we're just young and in love but our "young love" is stronger and deeper than even I can comprehend. It's so real.
I just got home from a 3-day stay in Stillwater with him and something really cool happened. When we were laying together, the thought of marrying him was running in circles in my head until I caught myself. I always think about how great and wonderful the future will be and forget how incredible the moment is at the time. But in that moment I was reminded that I am already spending the rest of my life with him. Of course the bond of marriage completes a romantic relationship, but our life together started three years ago when we first met. We don't need a wedding to begin our journey together. It's already begun. Maybe this seemed cooler in my head, but I just thought it was interesting that I was looking past something that was sitting right in front of me. My heart was at peace, and I couldn't help but be joyful and thankful.
Overall, the three days were amazing. I love being able to laugh with Ross. He is such a beautiful person and the love given through him is infectious. I hate being over 200 miles away from you, Slough, but I just remind myself how short the distance between our hearts is. I will love you everyday, best friend.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Why did you get that tattoo?
I really do enjoy the people I work with. They make me laugh and help me kill the boredom, but they also break my heart. They talk about drugs, alcohol, and sex all the time. They encourage me to cuss and come hang out with them at parties. Needless to say, I can see the burdens that Satan has persuaded them to carry. I try my best to be a light in every awkward situation they put me in, but it isn't always easy.
Just the other day a girl I worked with asked me why I got my tattoo, "Love changes everything." It was hard for me in that moment because I couldn't spit out the right words to explain that it was about my relationship with Jesus. I had labeled her as a person I couldn't be real with, and it wasn't until later that I realized Jesus was real with everyone. I ended up telling her it was about my life story and that it was just a personal thing. I kept thinking about it on my way home and I realized it isn't necessarily a personal thing. It's a Jesus thing. His love changed my everything. His love changes the way I see, hear, and act. I wanted to go back to the restaurant and tell her that I got the tattoo because it's what my heart knows is the truth.
His love does change everything. It changes the way a mother looks at her child. It changes the way we talk to strangers in the grocery store. It changes our attitudes towards our parents when they make a mistake. It changes the way we treat our classmates. It changes the way we look at others. It changes the image we have of ourselves and exposes who we are underneath that image. It changes our standards in a potential spouse. It changes the way you embrace daily things - things like the sun rising or being able to take a deep breath. It changes the way we live, and changes what we think living truly is. Another amazing thing about His love is that it won't go anywhere. It will change everything, forever. It's permanent. Just like my tattoo.
Just the other day a girl I worked with asked me why I got my tattoo, "Love changes everything." It was hard for me in that moment because I couldn't spit out the right words to explain that it was about my relationship with Jesus. I had labeled her as a person I couldn't be real with, and it wasn't until later that I realized Jesus was real with everyone. I ended up telling her it was about my life story and that it was just a personal thing. I kept thinking about it on my way home and I realized it isn't necessarily a personal thing. It's a Jesus thing. His love changed my everything. His love changes the way I see, hear, and act. I wanted to go back to the restaurant and tell her that I got the tattoo because it's what my heart knows is the truth.
His love does change everything. It changes the way a mother looks at her child. It changes the way we talk to strangers in the grocery store. It changes our attitudes towards our parents when they make a mistake. It changes the way we treat our classmates. It changes the way we look at others. It changes the image we have of ourselves and exposes who we are underneath that image. It changes our standards in a potential spouse. It changes the way you embrace daily things - things like the sun rising or being able to take a deep breath. It changes the way we live, and changes what we think living truly is. Another amazing thing about His love is that it won't go anywhere. It will change everything, forever. It's permanent. Just like my tattoo.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
In the Shadow of His Wings
God is testing my faith. Satan is too.
God is here to reassure me and take up my burdens. Satan is here to plant seeds of doubt and make my burdens heavier. As idiotic and human as this may sound, I've been letting Satan win almost every opportunity I've given him. I'm not done letting him, because I don't have the power to do that alone. But the Christ that is founded in my heart does. He will no longer take my joy.
I don't have the answers, I never have had them. If I had all of the answers I wouldn't be sitting here saying any of this. I was once told it isn't comfortable in the waiting room. When you're waiting for an explanation you usually need to find something to calm the anxiety, stress, and worry. In today's scenario you would usually just pick up a magazine to get your mind off of things. Well instead of picking up something like a magazine, I am going to pray - pray to Jesus that he can help me through the waiting. He can and He will. The only way I will be content and satsfied is through Him.
He loves us. He won't do anything that will harm us and He won't do something that isn't right for us.
My strength is found in Him, and there is joy that can't be taken.
Because He is my help, I will sing in the shadow of his wings.
God is here to reassure me and take up my burdens. Satan is here to plant seeds of doubt and make my burdens heavier. As idiotic and human as this may sound, I've been letting Satan win almost every opportunity I've given him. I'm not done letting him, because I don't have the power to do that alone. But the Christ that is founded in my heart does. He will no longer take my joy.
I don't have the answers, I never have had them. If I had all of the answers I wouldn't be sitting here saying any of this. I was once told it isn't comfortable in the waiting room. When you're waiting for an explanation you usually need to find something to calm the anxiety, stress, and worry. In today's scenario you would usually just pick up a magazine to get your mind off of things. Well instead of picking up something like a magazine, I am going to pray - pray to Jesus that he can help me through the waiting. He can and He will. The only way I will be content and satsfied is through Him.
He loves us. He won't do anything that will harm us and He won't do something that isn't right for us.
My strength is found in Him, and there is joy that can't be taken.
Because He is my help, I will sing in the shadow of his wings.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Glue
So, I finished my mosaic yesterday. It had to be the most peaceful thing I have done in a long, long time. My mind just went on like a factory machine. And the glue! Oh, the glue! The little 1/2" pieces of magazine paper and the canvas I worked on couldn't compliment one another without the uniting of the glue. Without the glue they wouldn't ever be brought together. The glue portrayed a certain relationship in my life. I was the little squares that could so easily be bent or lost. Our Lord was the big, white, thick canvas. The glue is our bond and I am the one responsible for applying it. When I first applied the glue, it was wet. It was messy. Sometimes it was too thin to stick. This relationship reminded me of one of my own as it was sprouting. I think anyone's relationship with Christ has an unstable, somewhat awkward beginning. It is new and much more challenging than a relationship with a family member or a pet. However, that is our fault. It takes work. It takes shutting out the distractions and getting your priorities straight. It takes His truth, faith, trust, and more of His love flowing from you heart for that bond to dry and become eternally durable. It takes patience, it takes strength. All of these things will lead to a fully entwined relationship with our father.
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