The Path We Choose

Do we choose the path or does the path choose us?

Regardless of which it is, do you follow the path or the Path.

See, the difference right there is the capitalized "P" in the second path.

The path that I choose is the right Path.

The Path of Truth.

Jesus.

It may be weird to refer to Jesus as a path, but He is the Way. He is the Right and only True Way.

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

John 14:6

Jesus is the path laid out in front of us and we either accept it or keep walking without noticing. But, no matter which way we choose, He is there. He will never leave and will always be there.

He is here. He is here in this moment with you, drawing you to Him.

He is pursuing you!

The Creator of ALL life and of the earth. The One who controls it all. HE is pursuing YOU.

He wants to have a relationship with you more than anything else in the entire world.

He could have anything, but that is what He desires.

For you to know Him and to dwell in His glory.

For you to work with Him in all things so that He could work all things out for your good!

For, we have that promise as children of God!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

He is pursuing you.

Accept Him.

Follow the Path of Righteousness.

Follow the Path of Truth.

Follow the Way.

Take part in the eternal Life that we have through Him.

Jesus is the Way. He is very much alive. He is very much calling You to a relationship with Him.
A relationship of Love that is more than we can imagine. A Love that never fails.

A Love that never changes.

A Love that surpasses all love.

A Love that died on a cross for you.

A Love that is so powerful, death couldn't hold it.

A Love that rose from the grave.

A Love that is living right now.

A Love that will come again.

A Love that holds us in His hands and will never drop us.

A Love so indescribable, that all we can do is believe and trust in it.

A Love unlike any other.

Believe and trust in the Path of Love!

The roads will still be hard, but at the end isn't a dead end.

It's only the beginning!

Believe and trust in the Path of Love!

For there is a Savior who is waiting for your embrace.

A Savior who knows it all, but loves you anyways.

A Savior who wants you to reign with Him for eternity.

A Savior who wants good for you.

There is a Savior who is the Path of Unfailing, Never Ending, Powerful, Love.

And that Path, is choosing you!

My 22nd Birthday

This past Monday was my birthday. Hard to believe that I am now 22!

We didn't do much that day. Dad had the day off so he and I went hunting. Sadly, we didn't see anything! 

But Monday night, Mom made me a delicious dinner of lasagna, and caesar salad.

She also made a delicious birthday cake!

Here are some pictures of me blowing out the 22 candles!

:-)

Christmas 2010

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Mine was great! I got to travel to Memphis to see my family and spend lots of time with them.

We even got to see a little bit of snow! :-)

Here are some pictures from the trip!

Enjoy!

:-)

Our God

Our God

Water You turned into wine
Open the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You
Into the darkness You shining
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Into the darkness you shining
Out of the ashes we Rise
There's no One like You
None like You.

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who can ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?
Then what can stand against?

Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God You are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome and power
Our God, Our God...

Our God is written and sung by Chris Tomlin

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow

strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O'er us sin no more hath dominion --

For more than conqu'rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you -- He

promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

This hymn was written in 1922 by Helen. H. Lemmel

This is a short, but I love it. It is Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Hillsong United

"...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2



Wednesday Ramblings

I am very excited that Christmas season is here!

We have so many gifts under our tree ready to give people! I am sooo beyond ready for people to open their gifts!

:-)

Tonight is technically our Christmas Eve here at home! Because on Friday, we will be heading to Memphis to spend Christmas with the family. Who I am very excited and ready to see!

:-)

I probably won't be doing a lot of posting in the next couple of days because of being gone and enjoying Christmas with friends and such.

There are a couple of posts that I will plan and schedule though. Very short and quick posts with a song and video included, that I love and that are very encouraging to me and I hope to you as well.

So, if you are going to be looking through blogs in the next couple of days, be sure to check those out.

:-)

Merry Christmas!!!! 

I Spy...

...the Moon!!

Unfortunately, many, many clouds moved into the area and I didn't get to see the Lunar Eclipse that was last night.

However, these are a few pictures that I got before the clouds set in.

I had to mess around on the camera, but finally found the setting that I wanted to get details of the moon!

These have some editing, but very little.

Enjoy!

:-)

Learning from Acts -- Part 4

This is Part 4 in "Learning from Acts", for Part 1, click here. For Part 2, click here. For Part 3, click here.

Philip's Ministry and Simon the Sorcerer

• The persecution of the Church was meant to harm, but it only increased the number of people who heard the Word of God.
• "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." -- 8:4
• Philip was one of those who preached wherever he went.
• He went to Samaria where people paid close attention, one of those was Simon the Sorcerer, or Magician.
• Smion had many convinced that he was the Great Power, full of divine power.
• "...and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, 'This man is the divine power known as the Great Power'. They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic." --  8:10-11
• Then, they saw the work of Philip, including Simon, and were baptized.
• Peter and John came and prayed over them, to receive and have the Holy Spirit.
• Simon saw this and offered money in exchange for this ability.
• "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, 'Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.'" -- 8:18
• Peter told him that his money was no good and that he had no share in the ministry, that his heart wasn't right with God. -- 8:20-21
• He told Simon to repent and pray to the Lord for forgiveness. -- 8:22
• Commentators argue whether this means Simon had true faith the first time.
• When we have a change in faith, we should have an urge to change our old ways. Sin should grieve our hearts to the point where we run from it. Simon didn't seem to show this as he tried to offer money for the apostles' ability.
• Philip continued on his way where the Lord told him to go.
• On his journey, he met an Ethiopian who had been in Jerusalem to worship.
• Philip felt the Spirit tell him to go and stay near the chariot the Ethopian was in.
• Philip obeyed and heard the man reading Isaiah.
• He asked if the man understood what he was reading and the man said, how could he know unless someone explained it to him. -- 8:30-31
• Philip explained what he had been reading.
• The passage in Isaiah which he was reading was the perfect lead for Philip to tell the Ethopian about Jesus.
• This is what the passage says that he was reading:
• "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humilation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." -- Isaiah 53:7,8
• Philip witnessed to the man and he believed and wanted to be baptized.
• As they were traveling, they came upon some water.
• Which was amazing in itselft. They were traveling through the desert, near Gaza. Which was the last watering place between Jerusalem and Egypt.
• Philip baptized the Ethopian and when they came out of the water, Philip was no longer with the man, but in another city.
• The Ethopian continued back on his way home and he rejoiced for all that happened to him.
• "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing." -- 8:39

Philip's life and ministry is a great example of how our ministry to people should be. Philip was an ordinary man, who believed in Christ and ministered wherever he went. We don't have to feel the call to be a minster, missionary, or Sunday School teacher to preach the Word of God. But as Christians, we are called to spread the Word, no matter where we are. Our mission field is where we are in this moment. Whether it be a student, stay at home mom, doctor, banker, teacher, or construction worker. As believers in Christ, we are called to live out the Great Commission.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -- Matthew 28:19-20

And like Philip, we encounter people who have fallen into many different beliefs. People who try to find satisfaction in other things, in anything but Christ. There are people who claim to be God and have divine power. But we know that they aren't true. We know and trust that there is only One Great and True God. He is the Creator and holds all the power. He is the true Great Power.

Another great thing we can see in this passage is the working of the Holy Spirit and how He leads us to where we need to be. He led Philip to the Ethiopian who was reading a passage about Jesus. What a great and perfect opportunity to preach the Good News! And also to be on a road where there was water, in a land that is mostly desert! The Holy Spirit was definitely leading Philip. And He also leads us. He intercedes for us and puts us where we need to be. We have the promise that we will never be put in a situation that we cannot handle. God works for the good of those who love Him.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." -- Romans 8:28

We are called to preach the Word, to carry it wherever we are. To share and show the love of Christ to all we encounter. Our mission field is the world in which we live. But, we also shouldn't stay in our comfort zone. There are many who haven't heard of Christ before. Who is going to tell them if we don't fulfill our call to go and tell them. We need to be in unity with Christ, and the Spirit, who have us in Their control. They will not let us fall. There will be those who reject and ridicule us, those who throw us aside and keep on going. They aren't rejecting us, but the Truth. They are rejecting Him. But we shouldn't be discouraged. As long as we obey and plant the seed, God Himself will continue to water the seed. Our job is done. He changes the heart, He pursues the relationship.

Any work that we do for the Lord is not void. All of it is for the glory of God. All we do, should be done in a way to exalt Him. I pray that we begin to glorify Him in all we do. Let us exalt Him, no matter where we are. We worship the Sustainer of Life.

What do we have to lose?

Prayers for a Friend!

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to mention a quick prayer request! There is a blog that I follow of a girl who seems like a great person who is definitely walking with the Lord.

Well, tomorrow, December 17, she is flying to Zimbabwe where she will be for about a month!

Will you please think about and pray for her tomorrow as she flies alone, for safety and no delays? Also, for the people of Zimbabwe that she will meet.

Please stop by her blog and learn a little more about her trip and other ways that you can pray for her!

Although I have never met her, she is a sister in Christ and I wish her the best on this journey! It is going to be great!

Please go to Rebecca's blog and learn more about her and her trip!

Thanks!!

:-)

Do You Tweet??

Do any of you Tweet??

I do.

I honestly don't know why.

I guess it is the fact that I can send a text message and still feel connected...no matter where I am.

Even if no one sees it .

:-)

So, if you Tweet on Twitter and you want to Follow me... look over there to your right ----->

There are some of my latest Tweets with a link at the bottom that will send you to my Twitter Page, if you so desire to Follow me.

And then I'll Follow you because I will know that you Tweet!

:-) 

More Ramblings Combined with Things I'm Loving...Thursday

There are a couple of girls that I follow and I always see them doing "What I'm Loving Wednesday" or "Five On Friday" and I always look forward to it! Some happen to be my sister, her friend, and another of her friends who is also an amazing photographer. I love going to her blog, just to check out all the great photos. :-)

So, a couple of things that I'm loving right now...on this Thursday, since I didn't post this yesterday!  

:-)

I am LOVING, absolutely LOVING, Shutterfly!

I had an offer waiting for me that was 50 FREE 4x6 Prints! All I had to do was pay shipping and handling. You better believe that I ordered those! I even did Priority Mail and it was still under $9.00! I am very happy!

I am loving that it is almost Christmastime! The weather has definitely been making it feel like Christmas around here lately. It has been cooold. I love the cold weather for sure, except for the fact that it has given me a little cold.

:-/

I am loving this little friend of mine, Duke and how his nose always seems to be the dirtest spot of his body.

 :-)

 I am loving our Christmas Tree!! We actually got a real tree this year! It is the first real tree we have had since moving to Bama, which has been about 6 years. I forgot how much I loved real trees, with their fullness and smell.

:-)

I am loving being on Christmas Break! It is nice waking up and not having to go to class. Instead, I can just lounge on the couch, read books, and watch TV!

I am loving playing Words with Friends and Angry Birds on my iPod!! haha They are so much fun! Do you play?? Or have any games you are obssessed with?

I am loving the fact that there are only 9 days until Christmas! It won't be too much longer and I will be back with friends and family celebrating!

:-)

What are you loving today?





Learning from Acts -- Part 3

This is part 3 of "Learning from Acts", for Part 1, click here. For Part 2, click here. 

Learning from the Twelve and Stephen's Story

• The number of believers has continued to grow
• The work of the Twelve was increasing, they needed help.
• The Twelve chose seven men so they could continue to focus on "prayer and ministry of the Word."
• "...and we will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." -- 6:4
• The Seven were --
• full of the Spirit
• "Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit..."  -- 6:3
• had wisdom
• "...and wisdom." -- 6:3
• The Twelve prayed for them and laid their hands on them
• "They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them." -- 6:6
• Laying on of hands is done in --
• Healing -- 9:17
• Gift of the Spirit -- 8:18, 9:6,17
• And commissioning to a ministry -- here in vs. 6 and 13:3
• Through these seven the Word of God spread
• "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." -- 6:7
• This shows that the seven were obedient and faithful

• Stephen was one of the seven, and said to be full of God's grace and power.
• "Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and powers, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people." -- 6:8
• He did great things, but opposition arose -- 6:9
• There was no denying or power over the words he spoke
• "...but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke." -- 6:10
• He was siezed and taken by the Sanhedrin -- 6:12
• Stephen was in no doubt, filled with the Holy Spirit
• They said his face looked like an angel
• "All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel." -- 6:15
• Despite being captured by the Sanhedrin, Stephen showed that he was obedient to his serving the Lord.
• He witnessed to the men of the Sanhedrin, telling them all what the Lord had done.
• 7:1-50
• He told them of their sin and how they were like their fathers and continued to resist the Truth. He told them that they equally had played a part in the death of Christ.
• 7:51-53
• The men of the Sanhedrin got angry with him -- 7:54
• Yet, Stephen continued to preach -- 7:55-56
• They took him outside and began to stone him
• "...dragged him out of the city and began to stone him..." -- 7:58
• And even as he was being murdered, Stephen was praying
• "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed..." -- 7:59
• One prayer for him
• ""Lord Jesus, receive my spirit..."" -- 7:59
• Another for the men killing him
• ""Lord, do not hold this sin against them."" -- 7:60
• There is no doubt that even as he was being sent to Glory, that Stephen believed great things would come from this.
• He was a man of God, filled with the Spirit
• What they intended for bad would only keep spreading the Word of God
• "But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..."" -- Genesis 50:20
• And the person looking over Stephen's death, the one who the witnesses laid their clothes at his feet, was Saul, who agreed, some say in charge of Stephen's stoning.
• "...Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul...And Saul was there, giving approval to his death." -- 7:58, 8:1
• Saul who would later become Paul. And through his ministry to the Lord, the word of God was preached through all the land.
• After Stephen's death, persecution broke out against the church
• "On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem" -- 8:1
• The apostle's spread throughout the land -- 8:1
• Saul, later to be Paul, began to destroy the church.
• "But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison." -- 8:3

Through these verses and through the story of Stephen, we get a glimpse that through all things, through anything, God has a bigger and better purpose. His word will be spread no matter what. The Church in Acts, where Stephen emerged from,  continually shows great obedience toward God. It all comes down to obeying. The Lord has rescued us and called us to greatness. Why do we resist this calling, this ultimately satisfying service, to the One True God who reigns over all? We need to learn from the Church here in Acts, to be obedient, no matter what may come of our lives. It is for the glory of God.

No Matter What Age...You Can Serve the Lord

In 2 Chronicles, chapters 34 and 35 tell the story of Josiah. A boy, only eight years old that became King. He did many great things for the Lord and at such a young age. Showing us that no matter how old you are, the Lord can and will use you if you let Him.

Check out the life of Josiah.

2 Chronicles 34-35

• Josiah was only eight when he became King
• But, he had an open and tender heart toward God.
• At 16, he sought God more, to do His will.
• At 20, God brought a reformation through him.
• He was obedient to God, to destroy the paganism that was in the land.
• He repairs the temple, at 26
• The Book of Law was found
• Read to Josiah
• We need to read and spread the Word, wherever we are.
• We need to be obedient to the things of Christ.
• If we don't, this should break our hearts. We need to fulfill our call to be obedient.
• Humble, sincere, repentant, and obedient. 
• Our problem is that we fail to read the Word, we are sinful and we fail. 
• James says that we need to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.
• "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so decieve yourselves. Do what it says." -- James 1:22          
• The Book of Law was read to the people. 
• "He went up to the temple of the Lord with the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites -- all people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord." -- 2 Chronicles 34:30 
• Josiah celebrated the Passover like no other
• "This Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah..." -- 2 Chronicles 35:18  
• Revival came to Josiah's life, he was changed by the finding, reading, and spreading of the Word.
• When revival comes in our life; it will continue to spread into other areas of our life.
• When we are changed, God will continue to change our lives continually for His glory.
• Praise God for His love and mercy.

This post is taken from notes of mine that I took down during a Sunday service taught by my Pastor.

Learning from Acts -- Part 2

This is part 2 of "Learning from Acts", for part 1, please click here.


Learning from Peter and John and the story of Ananias and Sapphira

• Peter gives what he can to the crippled man, healing power from Christ.
•  "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give youin the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." -- Acts 3:6
• The man immediately got up and walked, praising God.
• Peter and John witnessed to the men of the Sanhedrin and Israel, telling how they have take equal part in the killing of Christ, to repent and turn to God.
• "The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus...You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised Him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man who you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see..Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord..." -- Acts 3:13-16,19
• Peter and John were told to stop speaking and teaching, but they said they couldn't.
• "Then they called them in again and comanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."" -- Acts 4:18-20
• When Peter and John returned to their community of believers, they prayed together.
• "On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief preists and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God." -- Acts 4:23-24
• They prayed for boldness
• "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness." -- 4:29
• They were filled by the Spirit
• "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." -- 4:31
• The Church at Acts shared their possessions
• Acts 4:32-37
• They shared everything they had
• "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." -- 4:32
• They gave to those who were in need, so much that there was no one in need around them
• "There were no needy persons among them..." -- 4:34
• They showed a selfless love for one another



• The Story of Ananias and Sapphira shows our need to be obedient to God and not to lie or hold back what is His.
• Ananias and Sapphira sold some land, and held back part of the money they had receieved from the land.
• Ananias went before Peter, denied the accusation, and died instantly.
• Sapphira comes to Peter later, denies it as well, and dies also.
• Now, Sapphira was there when Ananias sold the land, she was just as guilty as Ananias.
• This can be comparable to Adam and Eve, who were side by side in the garden when the fall of man occured.
• "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." -- Genesis 3:6

• The Apostles continued to heal many people
• "The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people..." -- 5:12
• They became persecuted again, and put in jail.
• "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail." -- 5:17-18
• They were protected by the Lord and released from prison by an angel, told to go out and witness and preach.
• Peter and John were obedient, went and taught the people.
• "At daybreak, they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people" -- 5:21
• Once again they were put in front of the Sanhedrin and told to stop.
• Peter and John kept their boldness for Christ.
• Gamaliel, a Pharisee, teacher of the law, well respected, and teacher to Paul later on
• He told the Sanhedrin that fighting these men will be fighting against God, and will result in failure.
• ""Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."" -- 5:38-39
• Peter and John were beaten once more
• "They called the apostles in and had them flogged." -- 5:40
• Instead of being discouraged, they rejoiced, because they had suffered for the glory of Christ.
• "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." -- 5:41
• They didn't stop teaching, even despite the giant target on them.
• There are a number of verses that show that we as Christians will have sufferings, but the power and glory of Christ covers over any kind of suffering we may come into contack with. We are told that there will be hardships and sufferings for Christ.
• Philippians 1:29; 3:10, 1 Peter 4:16, 1 Timothy 1:8-9, Romans 8:17-18, 2 Corinthians 1:5
• We need to exhibit boldness and confidence like that of Peter and John.

These chapters show that trials and sufferings will come along. Maybe only once, maybe many times. I pray that we have the boldness and confidence that Peter and John showed. I pray that when we are told to be quiet, we will speak all the more loudly. That we won't let what may happen, hinder us from proclaiming who Christ is. I pray that we will always be truthful and obedient to the Lord. That we won't cheat Him out of what is already His. I pray that we can stand, as the Body, in fellowship and boldly pray and proclaim His name for all to hear.

Ramblings Part Deux

Jambo mrafiki wangu! Huali gani na habari za jioni? Mzuri. Ninastarehe katika kwa nyumbani.

I could keep going in Swahili, but then you would probably stop reading. Basically all of that above said,"Hello my friends! What are you doing and how are you this evening? I'm good. I am relaxing in my room."

I've got some more ramblings for you!

I am now DONE with my finals for the Fall semester of 2010. :-)

I am super excited that I am done. Now I get to enjoy some last moments with my friends before heading home for Christmas Break.

Tonight, like I mentioned earlier, one of my best friends is coming to stay with me. We live in the same state and somewhat near each other, but we don't get to see each other a lot because we are both so busy.

Tomorrow, they are closing the dorms at 10 AM. So I have to be out before then. So tonight I'm packing and such. Then, me and some of my friends are going to hang out and see the new Narnia movie!

Then, after that I will be heading home and starting my full month of Christmas Break!

:-)

Ramblings...

I have one. More. Final.

It is tomorrow at 3:30.

It is History.

And I have lost ALL motivation to study.

All. Of. It.

Christmas Break is so close I can almost touch it.

But better news!

I finished my Christmas shopping for my parents today. Well, almost.

I have one more thing to get them. :-)

It was a lot of fun and got me more in the Christmas spirit.

I hope they enjoy what I got them.

Also, one of my bestest friends will be in town tomorrow and she is going to spend the night with me!!

I can't wait!

:-)

It's finals week here at UA.

Which means that I have been doing nothing but studying and taking exams.

I've take a Swahili final, a Human Development final, and just tonight my International Relations final.

I still have my Macroeconomics and History Finals to complete.

Then I am done for Christmas Break!

And on top of that, I'm thinking about changing my major.

:-)

Oh college!

We as Christians, are called to love as Christ has loved us. We are also called to forgive as Christ has forgiven us.

But sometimes, it is hard to do that. It always seems like there is someone who tests you even further. Doing something that makes it hard for you to love and forgive them...again.

We know that through Christ, all things are possible.

Even when it comes to loving and forgiving someone who hurts us.

And when it seems like it is the hardest thing to do, when someone makes it hard for you to love them, that is when they need love the most.

I pray that we show the love of Christ to anyone and everyone that we meet.

Even those who make it hard.

Let Me Introduce You To....

DUKE!

I can't believe that I haven't shown you guys my precious new puppy!

So, enjoy these pics of Duke.

Learning from Acts -- Part 1

Signs of Community and Being the Body from Acts 1&2

- They all joined together constantly in prayer.
   • "They all joined together constantly in prayer." --1:14

- They were filled with the Holy Spirit and declared the wonders of God in their own tongues.
   •"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues." -- 2:4,11
     - They spoke in other languages because they were filled by the very Spirit of God. They were changed.
          • There is no way we can be impacted by Christ and stay the same.
     - They saw the wonders of God, yet still disobeyed. We all took part in Jesus' death on the cross because of our sin.
          •"...and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." --2:23
               - But God raised Him and freed Him from death.
                   •"But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death..." -- 2:24
               - Not even DEATH can hold on to our Christ.
                   •"...because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him..." -- 2:24

- They repented and were baptized.
   •"Peter replied,'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" -- 2:38

- They devoted themselves to the teaching of Christ, had fellowship with their brothers and sisters, and
prayed.
   •"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." -- 2:42

- They sold their possessions to give to those in need.
   •"Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." -- 2:45

- They lived continually and daily in the community and Body of Christ, praised God together, and enjoyed, encouraged, and appreciated one another.
   •"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people..." -- 2:46-47

- They furthered the Kingdom of God.
   •"...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." -- 2:47

I pray that we can begin to learn more fully, the true meaning of the Body of Christ. It is important for us to be the family we are called to be. We can, I can, learn so much from the Church in Acts. Join with me, as I try to take a lesson from my brothers and sisters and follow their example.

Family Visits and New Series!

Any moment now, the highlight of my weekend is about to happen! This girl and her husband are going to be pulling up in my driveway. :-)

I am so excited to see my sister and brother-in-law. It has been forever! Literally since last Christmas, which is when we usually see them. But, their trip before had to get reschelduled. And now, they will be pulling in any minute! :-)

Also, I have a new "series" I guess you can call it that will be making its way to the pages of my blog. I have just started going through the book of Acts in my quiet time. And each time I go through, I journel. I'm hoping to share with you some of the things that I learn through my quiet time. Join with me as I read through Acts.

 It is a great book of the Bible that gives a great example of who the church is and what we should look like as a band of believers. The first post of this "series" will be posted later today! So, come back and read it. Read with your Bible handy in case the Lord leads you on a journey and so that you can check me. :-)

I hope you all have had a great Thanksgiving Week. Enjoy those leftovers!

:-) 

Patiently Waiting

"I am sure
God keeps no one waiting
unless He sees
that it is good
for him to wait."
-- C.S. Lewis

Did you catch that? Unless it is good for him to wait. That him, is a general us. God wouldn't keep us waiting unless it is good for us to wait.

Good for us to wait? Ha. God has a sense of humor doesn't He? If anyone knows about my lack of patience, it is God. He knows my every thought, my every move of every day. He created me.

"O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord...For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
-- Psalm 139:1-4,13-14

However, the Word also says that God will not grant me,or put me through, anything that I could not handle.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what You can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
-- 1 Corinthians 10:13

Yet, patience seems like such a trivial accomplishment compared to some other things. However, finally achieving patience can bring peace to many other situations. When you rest in the peace of Christ, you rest in His will. He is Peace!

Mainly, what I am wanting to say is that if God has us in a waiting period, we can only imagine what the outcome of that period will be.

A period of waiting to graduate college or even choosing a major. God can reveal to you where He wants you to be. And once He leads you to that decision, that path will allow you to train and equip yourself to serve and glorify Him.

It's the same with a time of singleness. Oh, what the Lord can reveal to you in a time of singleness. You can learn so much about yourself and fall deeper into a relationship with the true Lover of your soul! You can set standards for yourself, not be cheated out of what you truly deserve, and spend more time serving and glorifying the Lord!

And when you do enter into a dating relationship, you can both strengthen each other into a deeper relationship with your Creator. The Creator who should and wants to be the center of your relationship. You can encourage one another and serve and glorify the Lord together. 

And when you get married, you get to represent our Groom marrying His Bride, the Church. 

Then, when you have kids, you can dedicate them to the Lord and introduce them to their Creator and show them His glorious. In the hope and prayer that one day, they will accept Him as their Lord and answer the call to serve and glorify the Lord.

It is such a complex state of mind. Waiting. But out of the waiting can come so much good and revelations. Every day of our life, the Lord is pursuing us. To draw us closer to Him, closer to the eternal life that He says is ours if we trust and believe in Him.

Waiting seems like such a hard thing, one that takes patience. But we have to see waiting as a good thing. A time of service to the Lord. When we focus on it as an honor to serve the Lord God Almighty, we will no longer see it as a burden or as a curse. During our wait we learn so much and God may grant us the desires we long for. But we have to remember that we need to trust Him and commit all we have to Him.

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust Him and He will do this...Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him..." -- Psalm 37:3-5,7

Patience and waiting.

They can be good things.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for the good, for those who are called according to His purpose." -- Romans 8:28