Debate

LIVING LIFE OR MY LIFE is Boring!
DO I HAVE FRIENDS OR NO FRIENDS
WILL I SUCCEED OR FAIL
LIVING WATER OR WATER

Finally, brethen, whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely. Whatever is true, think on these things (phil. 4:8)

...Some would tell me that I am just bored. Others might say that my life is boring. Most would say I have plenty of good friendships. I can succeed, but only by God's amazing strength. But what am I believing? The lies that tell me I live a boring life. Or the lies that tell me I'm bored, when I really am not. Hmmm. What is real?
The truths that come from God....

• "That I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

• "I am loved and accepted by God"

• "I can have a rock-solid relationship with God, and His truths will never change"

• "I am redeemed by His blood"

This is what I am setting my heart on today...Whether or not I feel like I am bored, or that I think I live a Useless life....The life Christ gave to me, is a life that is full of truth, and full of His glory. That is what I can wake up to and rejoice about. And yes...as I woke up this morning at 7am on a Sat. I was feeling the debate of why I was getting up, and what was I living for, and what was the purpose???---no plans, no activities, no set goals today....what was the point again (the pillow was inviting to sleep more). I argued as I stood by the bed thinking. But grab a cup of coffee and the word of God and decided this is what needs to be fulfilled in the morning..THE WORD OF GOD.

Grace

"Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace."
— Jerry Bridges
GRACE
My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.

Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."

At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.

Chorus*
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
You are so patient with me, Lord.

As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me.

Vacation!!!

I was a few days behind in my devotionals. Why is it that God speaks so wisely, and yet I should have read it on the correct day to control my mind...here it is again... Do not let fear dissipate your energy. Instead, invest your energy in trusting me and singing my song. The batter for control of your mind is fierce, and years of worry have made you vulnerable to the enemy. Therefore, you need to be vigilant in guarding your thoughts. Do not despise this weakness in yourself, since I am using it to draw you closer to Me. My spirit is living within you is ever ready to help in this striving.

I am creating something new in you: a bubbling spring of JOY that spills over into others' lives. Do not mistake this Joy for your own or try to take credit for it in any way. Instead, watch in delights My Spirit flows through you to bless others. Your part is to live close to Me, open to all that I am doing in you. Don't try to control the streaming of My Spirit through you. Just keep focusing on Me as we walk through this day together. --Sarah Young ---And this is exactly what I did... as I toured the Biltmore house this week and drove through the mountains, I had time to walk with love, joy and peace.

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" John 3:8

North Carolina Vacation:

God's Word

I was finishing up some last minute replies to my discussion questions before bed (11:14 pm). It's an early start to the morning at 5am...and I was just thinking that I need to get myself in a better routine to read God's Word, when I about turned off the lights without reading my devotional for the day. I guess I thought a little procrastination wouldn't hurt. So as I decided I could at least read it and not take notes on it tonight like normal; I found myself being selfish about God's word when reading this devotional tonight.


Time with me cannot be rushed. When you are in a hurry, your mind filters back and forth between Me and the tasks ahead of you. Push back the demands pressing in on you; create a safe space around you, a haven in which you can rest with Me. I also desire this time of focused attention and I use it to bless you, strengthening and equipping you for the day ahead. Thus, spending time with Me is a wise investment.
Bring Me the sacrifice of your precious time. This creates sacred space around you---space permeated with My Presence and My peace.
Heb.13:15
Sarah Young


Wow was I being selfish in my time with God. Yes I am tired, Yes, I have to spend the next day on a bus full of 8th graders, and Yes, my body is weak. But God's word is encouraging to my soul. So thankful God grabbed my heart and taught me the importance of reading His word.

Strong Enough

Am I strong enough? I feel like I am at the bottom climbing up. And the climbing up is 3 weeks! It will make me stronger, I can feel His grace. I know He is Sovereign over all my life. Even in this deepest struggle to finish strong, am I strong enough? I will only be strong in His hands.
Philippians 4:13--This is bigger than I can handle, but I don't have to be strong enough.

Laura Story - Grace

H.G.I.E.
His Grace is Enough!

A phrase, I am constantly reminded of his daily grace in my life. It's not always an easy day, but when I am thinking of God's sufficiency for strength, and courage. So many days I am unfocused on my Father's love for me. When I stop to acknowledge Him in my life, He guides me throughout the day, and picks me up by His grace. Thank you Lord for your grace in my life. The end is around the corner. It's been a tough, long, hard road. I am seeking your face for daily grace in my life. I am seeking your face for strength. Fill me with your courage to continue and take away the discouragement that I daily feel with this trial of schoolwork. Keep my heart centered on you, and keep picking me up when my faith falls short of your glory.

A song of God's grace. My prayer for the next 8 weeks!

ORANGE JULIUS

The weather is getting warmer, and I went for an Orange Julius last week, as I sat writing a paper in the sun...It was the best paper writing, or lesson planning ever. So here I am again, on a Saturday afternoon. Drinking an orange Julius and writing yet another paper.

So the next time, I set time out to write a paper, which will be 32 papers in the next 8 weeks, an Orange Julius will have to be ordered to accomplish a spectacular day of writing.