East To West- Casting Crowns w/ Lyrics

This is my prayer tonight. I feel so alone, and so ready
to give up! I've been challenged to not give up and not let
School become my idol. Now, there's a thought. What does it take
to Trust in God's plan?
Prayer and Obedience every step of the way.
This is step 1: Praying these words below:
I'm reminded of this picture of the Sea of Galilee and thinking
of how peaceful it is, and the peace that comes from God.


Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through, to get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west
I don't have to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
One scarred hand to the other
From one scarred hand to the other

The Essence of His Presence

I'm reading a new book, I just pulled off the shelf. Yeah, a little distraction from the papers. But anyhow what else is there to do at 12AM.
The Essence of His Presence--Lloyd John Ogilvie
Christ wants to bless my life? That is the question of my life. Yes, I know in my head it is truth, but do I really believe it in my heart? Have I let my frustrations dig a hole in my heart that seems too deep to heal? I somehow forgot how to give God my struggle, how to have peace, how to have Christ as my authority, sing my way through the day, find my way out of loneliness, be honest with others, and guard myself from Satan's attack. I took a time out tonight, and feeling so needy spiritually, and not even sure what I need or what's wrong with me. A time out to be quiet and reflect on God's tenderness, kindness and forgiveness. Remembering the quiet times in Israel, reflecting on the quiet moments Christ took when the busyness of life got in the way, or the busyness of the atmosphere became too strong, and he went away from the city to pray. I too am moving away from the city to pray. Where exactly..maybe on a hill over-looking the view of paradise. Galatians 5:1 "...Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." The Lord gets inside of us and frees us by his forgiveness. He takes all the worries, fears, fantasies, and tangled up mess we find ourselves in daily and forgives. His goodness is only imputed to those who trust in Him and is filled with the Spirit. I somehow needed to be reminded of His goodness. I need more faith; my faith is dwindling. I'm focused on the things of the earth, and not on things above(Col. 3:2). "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you"(John 15:7) Yes, that seems beyond my reach, beyond what I can have faith in. But God says, trust me. Hold my hand and trust me.
Christ is at work, but we have to be open to the life's tasks ahead of us, and invite him in on our concerns, values, goals,to be conformed to His will for our life. Be open to the warmth of his love. That is what I am learning tonight. I am worn down, emotional as ever, wanting that fellowship with my Father. He is waiting, with open arms, helping me to grow in discipleship.

Big Weekend!

Congratulations Kirstin and Chase Childs






Memorial Weekend

If you could learn from others

Last year, God worked in a 14 year old in the area of witnessing. Going to church, reading the bible, attending camps, attending a Christian School, will not compensate for being a Christian. It is the everyday living. I observed such a great story, and still observing the life of a 14 yr. old being bold in sharing the gospel. Now, I spent some of these late nights talking with this 14 yr. old, explaining the truths of God's Word. But it continued after I was out of the picture. Today God's word is true, and today, it is still being shared and lived. I am excited to continue to watch the work of God. This young girl will be attending church camp with her cousin this year. They will have a week together to talk and share. Praying for an open heart and the spirit to do a might work. We truly can learn from those who are younger than us.
Below is an excerpt of the truth

................................................................................................................
As most of you know, I was challenged at summer camp to witness to my cousin Lauren. When we were asked to think of someone to minister to she immediately came to my mind. Things weren't good at first. We had long conversations over IM and email. She believed in evolution, but didn't completely shoot down Christianity. She just didn't understand how the things in the Bible and God's creation could work. We sent emails back and forth periodically. And things weren't looking so hot until she told me she had started going to youth group on Wednesday nights. I was ecstatic! She wasn't completely convinced, but things were starting to look up. Later she told me that she was reading her Bible everyday and discovering more and more about our faith. She would occasionally ask me questions about certain things in the Bible, etc. Just recently I got and email from her saying that things were going pretty good in her life (much better than before, when I first talked to her her life wasn't the best.) and she was trying to switch at a place she volunteers at for a different time so she could go to church on Sundays. The other day I asked her if she was officially a Christian meaning she had asked Jesus into her heart and believe in everything. She said she would like to say she was, but wanted to know more about it and get baptized before she officially made that claim!!! What and awesome God we have!! I was soo..excited, and can't wait to hear more. I'll keep you posted!!

Riddle for summer

We've been solving riddles for the past week at school, to help pass the time...Here is some to gear us into summer.

What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away?

What word has three consecutive sets of double letters in it?


I am a three digit number.
My tens digit is five more than my ones digit.
My hundreds digit is eight less than my tens digit.
What number am I?

You throw away the outside. You then eat the outside and throw away the inside.

What did you eat?

Considering

Not like many people read this anymore, so seriously considering blogger gone. Not like my social life is gone, and so one more thing might help.
Considering quitting life all together, all aspects of it. I feel so alone tonight in it all. Maybe, I'll just fly away to a place where no one can find. The pressures of life has hit me hard, and since I'm on the verge of a breakdown, thought maybe I'd just quit blogger, facebook, school, and everything all together, to relieve the pressure.
So to help relieve some of it...Goodbye Blogger, for now.

Meredith Andrews - In Your Arms

Here it is: The song of the week! A new artist I've discovered this week. (I know, I had time to search in the midst of paper writing and track meets) Is May over yet?
Praying it is an encouragement for you!
God has been my strength, and as I continue with my second class, it is God that is holding me in His arms.