Thanksgiving All Year Long

November 26, 2012 6 Comments

After the delicious Thanksgiving meal I had last week, I wish I could have Thanksgiving every day.  But, I would probably need to buy new clothes if I ate like that every day.  One thing I love about Thanksgiving is when our family reflects on what we are thankful for…but why can’t we do that every day?

At church on Sunday, our pastor talked about prayer and praising God.  He shared 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

After hearing the sermon on Sunday, I started to think about being thankful.  How often do I thank God compared to how often I give him a list of problems?  I have found that when I am having a bad attitude, if I reflect on the good things God has done for me and blessed with with, my attitude improves.  What if I lived each day with gratitude? How would my days be different?

No matter the situation, God wants us to have fellowship with Him and to have a thankful heart.  Having a thankful heart during a difficult situation is definitely not easy.  I don’t know how some people can have a thankful heart during such difficult times, but God will bless them and strengthen them through the difficult circumstance.  So I have to praise God even during the difficult times?  Definitely.  Praise God when things are going well and praise Him during the not-so-good times.  I wish being thankful during all situations would be easy, but it isn’t easy all the time.

In order to remember to have a grateful heart, I put sticky notes all around my room reminding me of all the blessings in my life.  Yesterday was the first day of my gratitude project.  God has blessed my life in so many ways, if I don’t take time to remember this, I am missing out.

As much as I would love eating delicious Thanksgiving food every day, it just isn’t going to happen.  But what I can do is live with thanksgiving and gratitude each day.  I am huge Veggie Tales fan.  I watched Veggie Tales when it was on VHS (I must be ancient!).  During Madame Blueberry, a song played that I just love.

“A thankful heart is a happy heart” –Veggie Tales

When you take time to remember the good in your life, your attitude and heart changes.  How can you celebrate Thanksgiving all year long?

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Finding God’s Fingerprints

November 9, 2012 Leave a Comment

As I am sitting in a coffee shop trying to study for a test, I can’t help but think of God’s fingerprints in my week.  I just can’t get it out of my head, so I must write about it!  God is everywhere.  He speaks through people, events, music, His word, you name it.  Every week, I find myself constantly being reminded of God’s presence in my life.

This week I was feeling overwhelmed by school, work, family, the list goes on.  I have been going to a new Bible study, and I meeting some really awesome people.  I met some new people and I began to ramble like I always do.  I told  them all about my  busy week (great conversationalist, huh), and I said “I don’t know if I can make it through the week”.  And all of the sudden one of the guys said, “I don’t even know you, but I know you can do it.”  Fingerprint of God #3,251,789.  God used him to encourage me; how awesome!  I think the little kid  finger prints on my dad’s restaurant’s windows are numerous, but it surely doesn’t compare to God’s fingerprints!

Right now, I am listening to Luminate’s “Love is Loud,” and it reminds me of how God is everywhere.  This song is pretty fitting for what I have been experiencing.  If you haven’t heard this song or any other songs by Luminate, you must them out!  I love their music; I am pretty obsessed with their music!  (When am I not obsessed with beautifully written Christian music?! haha)

“And every single day we are walking proof.  That every living thing is an echo of You.  You were everywhere, You are everywhere” (Luminate)

Have you noticed God’s fingerprints in your life?  Leave a comment, I would love to hear all about it!

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way, My Life, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , ,

God, I Think I Need to Reschedule

November 5, 2012 Leave a Comment

If you are anything like me, you get so busy with the day-to-day activities that you can miss seeing God’s work in your life.  Instead of taking the time to see God’s work in my life, I focus on everything but Him.  I think about the stresses of life, work, school, family, you name it.  I need to change my perspective.  Lately, God has been showing me just how important it is to focus on Him.

God has been using divine appointments to reveal to me that He hears my prayers and He has a plan for each detail of my life.  I am no Biblical scholar but when I talk about divine appointments in my life, I am talking about God placing certain people, certain situations in my path for a purpose.  Unfortunately, when I think of appointments, I am reminded how busy I can get.  For example, if I am too busy to make it to a dentist appointment, I can just reschedule or if I just can’t handle one more errand in my day, I can just change my hair appointment to another day.  But, if we treat divine appointments like our dentist appointment or hair appointment, we are going to miss the boat!  We are going to miss God’s work in our life if we can caught up in our busyness.

Recently, God has been showing me that He is active even in the smallest details of my life.  There have been many situations where I sit and think, “That was definitely a God thing; it was a divine appointment.  What if I decided to ignore what God was trying to tell me through these situations?  By getting caught up in the craziness of our daily life, we essentially (me included) miss out on exactly on what God has for us.  I sometimes get so caught up that I think, “Doesn’t God know I am so busy; can’t I just reschedule for a time that would be more convenient for me.”  God knows the perfect time for anything, I just have to remember that.

Do divine appointments really exist or am I just making this up?  With what I have seen in my own life, I believe divine appointments are definitely real.  You can look in the Bible and see how God put people in the right place, at the right time.

Here are the situations that reminded me how God uses situations to remind us that He cares for us, hears our prayers, and has a plan for our lives.

A month ago, I was feeling down because I longed for the community I had at my college Bible study.  I prayed for God’s guidance and work in that area.  I am super impatient and I thought God forgot all about me because He didn’t answer my prayer right away.  The next week I met someone who works near my dad’s restaurant.  He told me about the Bible study he goes to and he even invited me to join his Bible study.  Talk about God placing the right person in your path.  Now I have a Bible study to go to, which I am super happy about!  God is pretty good at His job :)

I must have forgotten God’s work the few weeks prior, because last week I was feeling like He wasn’t hearing my prayers.  One day last week, I was struggling with feelings of loneliness and depression.  I cried out to God, saying, “Don’t you know how lonely I am?  Can’t you bring me friendships or at least some peace about the situation?”  The next day, I was making a laundry detergent run at the dollar store in my small town.  Just as I was rounding the corner, I saw an old classmate from high school.  She also moved home recently and we struck up a conversation.  We even decided to meet the next week and catch up over dinner.  I was thinking, “God you must be crazy.  You brought me a friend in a dollar store.  That is definitely something I wouldn’t have thought up.”  Even better, I can continue ministering to her because she is not a believer.  God does some pretty amazing things when I take the time to notice His workings in my life.

If you are anything like me, busy trying to navigate through this crazy mess called life, don’t miss the opportunities God sends your way.  Don’t get to busy that you miss your divine appointments.

If you have any cool stories about God’s work in your life, please comment.  I would love to hear all about it!

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way, My Life Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Can’t I Just Sleep In?

October 23, 2012 2 Comments

I wake up and rub the sleepies out of my eyes.  I feels like a Monday but its a Tuesday.  I am lazy, and not wanting to get out of my bed.  Can’t I just sleep in?  I don’t want to go to work and face the day.  I don’t want to face my homework.  I am nervous about the new situations I will face today.  Maybe I could just take the day off?!

Then I heard Jesus whisper in my ear.

“Hi this Jesus, I will be walking by your side today, giving you strength for the day. Now, get up, we have some work to do!”

Well,  if I have Jesus by my side, then the day doesn’t seem so daunting, right? How amazing is this?  The Savior of the world is going to help me, going to walk with me!

Time to wake up and face the day–face the day with the hope of Christ in my life.  Now I think I can do this!

If you are feeling like I did this morning, rely on Christ’s strength.  With His help, we can make today a great day!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 

Filed Under: Encouragement, My Life Tagged With: , , , ,

I’m Like Humpty Dumpty…Are You?

October 17, 2012 Leave a Comment

I am probably one of the most random people.  Bare with me as I tell my random tale :)

 Last night as I was trying to fall asleep, I kept thinking about Humpty Dumpty (I know, I’m weird). 

“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again”

I kept wondering why could no one fix him, why did he fall, how could horses fix him in the first place.  Then a thought popped into my head: I’m humpty dumpty, we are all humpty dumpty.  Why do I say this?  Because we are all broken, fallen people.  Maybe we aren’t all suffering from physical pain like humpty dumpty, but we are dealing with emotionally pain.  We try to let the world “fix us.”  We use relationships, jobs, families, possessions, friendships, you name it to try to fix our brokenness and pain, but it just doesn’t seem to work.  Sometimes we go to extremes and try to let alcohol or drugs mask our pain, but that too doesn’t seem to do the trick.  You know what is missing? Jesus! 

Jesus is the only one who can heal our brokenness.  Everything else is just a temporary bandage on the situation.  He knows us better than we know ourselves; He hears our cries even before we utter a sound.  He love is so wide, deep, extensive, I don’t think it can even fully be described.  Once you feel Jesus’ love surround you, everything else means nothing. 

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

I love Christian music and Chris Tomlin’s “I Lift My Hands,” beautiful describes Jesus.

“Be still, there is a healer

His love is deeper than the sea

His mercy, it is unfailing

His arms are fortress for the weak…”

Having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ means having someone in your life who loves you despite of everything you’ve said, done, or thought.  His arms are always open, no matter what you’ve done in the past.  He waits for us with arms wide open ready to heal our wounds and transform our lives.  As much as we think retail therapy, alcohol, relationships or even chocolate will do the trick when we are in pain, none of this comes close to the peace, comfort, and healing we find in the arms of Christ. 

So here I am admitting to you that I am humpty dumpty.  I try over and over again to us the things of this world to heal my disappointment, sadness, and fear, but it just doesn’t work. I am a broken person in need of Savior.  I fall Him daily, but He still loves me.  I can run to Him and He will always be there for me.  The same is true for you.  Jesus is waiting for you to jump into His arms and to know the love He has for you.

I know its crazy for me to compare our lives to humpty dumpty, but when it all comes down to it we are broken in need of healing.  We just have to remind ourselves that we can’t go it alone, we desperately need Jesus in our lives.  We need His love, peace, and guidance.  Again and again I fail because I forget to rely on my loving, Savior.  The story of humpty dumpty sure convicted me today, never thought that would happen!

Praying for any of you reading today.  Know you are deeply loved and never to far gone for Christ’s healing power!

Filed Under: Messages of the Heart, My Life, Random Thoughts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Lighting the Way

October 5, 2012 2 Comments

I am experiencing a new way of learning this year—night classes!  I moved back home to save some money, so I attend classes at a local college.  Usually when I get home on my longest night of classes it is around 9:30-10:00.   I am sleepy and worn out.  As I head on the highway, cranking up my Christian music and singing as loud as I can, I discovered something.

I watch as the headlights in my car illuminate my path, just enough so I can see a little ways in front of me.  Isn’t that what Christ does for us?  He gives us just enough direction, help, encouragement to see what is facing us that day, hour, minute.  He doesn’t show us the entire path, just enough of what we are facing in that moment.  As much as I would love for Him to tell me exactly what I will be facing for the rest of my life, I am glad He doesn’t .  I am worrier, so that wouldn’t be beneficial for me.  I would be over thinking every situation.

Unfortunately, we live in a scary world, filled with family problems, illness, violence, economic crisis, poverty, you name it.  But, Christ is our light in that darkness. He gives us just enough light to make it through that moment.  I know I couldn’t make it without Christ.  I try to be a strong, independent woman and do things on my own, but that’s not how it works.  I try and fail because I am suppose to be depending on God.  We don’t like to seem weak, but we are weak.  The world says: “Do it on your own.  You don’t need anyone but yourself.  Strong, independent women are the ones that will make it in this world.”  Christ reminds me, “Rest in Me.  I love you so much that I would die for you.  Trust in Me because I hold your life in my hands.  Stop wearing yourself out by trying to do it all on your own.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul definitely got it right.  He realized that he was strongest when he was weak.  What a concept!  The world would laugh at that, but Christ can do amazing things through out weaknesses.

I imagine driving home from class without my lights on.  I would get lost or go right into the ditch.  Without Christ’s guidance in our life, without His light guiding our path, we get lost and confused.  As I am writing this, I am being convicted.  I haven’t been turning my “lights” on.  I haven’t been relying on Christ’s strength and reading my “car manual”, the Bible.  It is time to go back to the basics.

I can just keep the lights on and go about my day lost, worn out, confused.  Or I could turn my high beams on, trusting God will light my path and guide me in the right direction.

Psalm 119: 105

Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way, My Life Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Exercising Our Faith Muscle

July 15, 2012 3 Comments

(Wow, its been forever since I have blogged.  Summer classes, work, the list goes on…has been keeping me busy!  I am alive, so don’t worry haha!)

My favorite part of the day is the time I before I go to bed.  I love the time I have to read my Charles Stanley devotionals and Bible and to have quite time with God.   This week has been a challenging week.  I was in need of some divine encouragement.  While reading my devotional one day, I get that extra boost of encouragement I needed.

“If we all had lives of ease without opposition, trials or pain, we’d never really know God because we’d never really need Him…Adversity teaches us more about the Lord than simply reading the Bible ever will.” Charles Stanley

What an amazing thought.  If I had an easy time of it, if everyday was smooth sailing, I wouldn’t need to depend on Christ for strength.  Our struggles remind us of our constant need for God’s help in our life.  I was humbled this week.  I was battling a cold, knee pain, work issues, along with watching some of my family members struggle with debilitating health issues.  I was reminded that I can’t do it on my own–I need my Savior to walk alongside me and pick me up when I can’t go any longer.

While doing physical therapy on my knee this week I learned a lot about muscles.  My muscles are weak and I need to do exercises to strengthen them (which is not a fun process!)  Our faith like a muscle.  If we don’t exercise it, it will become weak; we need to constantly exercise it and use it in order to make it stronger.  God places difficult circumstance in our life to strengthen our faith.  It might not be easy, but in the end if will be worth it.  Knowing God has plan has helped me through difficult circumstances.

One of my favorite songs “This is the Stuff” by Francesca Battistelli.  This song played through my head this week.  I think these lyrics sum up how we feel during those rough days.

This is the stuff that drives me crazy

This is the stuff that’s getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I’m blessed

This is the stuff that gets under my skin

But I gotta trust You know exactly what You’re doing

It might not be what I would choose

But this is the stuff You use

If you are having a rough time, know that God has plan for your life.  You are working your faith muscle, and you are going to have six-pack equivalent once you are done!  Praying God’s blessing over your life!

Filed Under: Christian Music, Learning Along the Way, My Life Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Check It Out

June 18, 2012 2 Comments

I am excited today….some of my family, friends, and I have started a new website: What Would Jesus Have You Do?

Check out the new blog!

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It’s Not Up to Me

June 3, 2012 2 Comments

Like  any family dinner, dinner conversation can be interesting.  Our family talks about anything and everything, and usually the topic of my love life comes into conversation.  My dad thinks I spend to much time trying to find my prince charming and less time working at the family restaurant, so not true haha!  After my family discussed my prince charming pursuit, I proudly told my dad,  ”I am not going to get married, it is just to much work trying to find the right one.  And I don’t want to have to leave you and Mom.  I will just stay single.”

I find the most profound things are said at the most unlikely of times.

After telling my dad I wanted to stay single, he said, “It’s not up to you.  There is a plan, and everything happens for a reason.”

My dad reminded me that God has a perfect plan for my life.  If He plans for me to find a Godly man to marry, then I will be married.  If he plans for me to stay single, than I will stay single.  But, my dad’s advice doesn’t just apply to this situation.  God has a plan for every detail of our lives, and we can’t make the mistake of trying to take over and make our own plans.  I am not in charge and my planning is useless when God already has everything planned out.

I am so grateful to have such wonderful parents.  They are always there to remind me of God’s love and His plan for my life.

 ”‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Jeremiah 29:11

Filed Under: Learning Along the Way, My Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Question of the Day: Do You Have Anything?

May 31, 2012 4 Comments

Working in a restaurant, I am privileged to meet cute kids and funny adults.  A little boy and his family have been coming to our restaurant this summer.  Last time he came, the little, 2-year-old boy asked me if I had an iPad.  I told him no, and he was quite shocked.  ”I have two iPads (His family does),” he said.

Today, this little boy and his family came in today.  He asked me if I had a Nintendo DS, and I told him no.  He goes on asking me a million other questions.  Finally, he said, “Do you have anything?”  His question got me thinking.

I am reminded of a sad situation I witnessed yesterday.  I saw a woman on the side of the interstate yesterday.  It was raining and she was holding up a sign, “What would Jesus do?”  My heart broke in a million pieces, and I gave her the little money I had in my wallet.  I wished I could have done more.  When I got home, I couldn’t help but feel extremely grateful for what I have.  I have roof over my head, a beautiful bedroom, drawers full of clothes, a car to drive, a bed to sleep on, running water, a fridge full of food, a loving family,  educational opportunities, and much more.  If that realization doesn’t cure a case of the grumpies, I don’t know what will.

I am been blessed with so much.  Instead of craving the latest and greatest, I am starting to find contentment with what I have.  I praise God for the blessings He has given me.  To answer the little boy’s question: I have more than just anything, I have everything I need.

Filed Under: Lessons Learned Along the Way, My Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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