The One and Only

Today I started a study by Beth Moore- Jesus- 90 Days with the One and Only. I have never been more excited and more in need of a journey as I am for this one. In Beth's introduction she said, "My chief request of God is that He will supernaturally flood my life with an unending, ever-increasing desire for His Son." I think that's a pretty solid request, don't you?

One of the first questions asked in this study was, what words or emotions come to mind when you hear or speak the name Jesus? I think of the truest depiction of agape love we have, I think of the perfect son of God who died for my sins, knowing full well how many times I would turn from Him.

But catch me on an off day, and my heart won't swell at the mention of his name. My pulse won't quicken, my soul won't sing. In a world with so many purposes, so many passions, it is easy to push the one true purpose, the one true passion, aside. I have no greater purpose than to spend my days falling deeply and intimately in love with Jesus. I don't want to lose sight of that.

What emotions do you experience at the mention of our precious Jesus? In a world of fleeting passions, don't lose sight of the one and only. Rather, allow yourself to be consumed by Him!

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. Psalm 63:3

Fullness of Joy

For as long as I can remember, my parents have made it a part of their lives, and a part of our family's, to give thanks. From constantly reminding us as kids to say our "thank yous" to asking us to make lists of what we are most thankful for, to simply living out lives that continually look to God with gratitude. Being thankful is one of their favorite ways to praise God. In everything, and for everything, they have taught our family to look to God and give him thanks.

This seemingly simple act is rather hard to live out consistently. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, (it seems to come a lot quicker when you work in retail...) I have been thinking a lot about giving thanks. More specifically, I have been thinking about how resistent I have been to giving thanks to God. I can thank God all I want, but that doesn't mean my job is going to get easier, my family and friends will move to Pittsburgh, or I will find a church that is an exact clone of Calvary. More thanks does not equal easier times. I feel pretty ugly writing that, but in all honesty, after a long day at work, that's often how my heart feels.

As I was reading on my day off, this quote by Cynthia Heald broke my heart:

"Praise and thanksgiving do not magically change my circumstances. They radically alter my viewpoint. Praise and thanksgiving bring me back into the presence of God, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures evermore."

What a great reminder that I was desperately needing. I am not in need of a change in my circumstances, but a change in my viewpoint. Like I mentioned earlier, as a kid my parents would often have us make lists of what we are thankful for. I want to start that again. It's too easy to ask for a change in circumstance rather than a change in viewpoint. My hope is that through making these "thankful lists" I will begin a pattern of recognizing and living in the fullness of joy that are in my current circumstances.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is FULLNESS of JOY; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

Fall=Gr8 Memories:)

There is something about the fall that brings about feelings of nostalgia. I guess it's because fall is my favorite season and I associate so many good memories with it. Last weekend my mom came to visit (and to clean) and we spent some time walking in downtown Sewickley. We walked past a church that had a yard covered with pumpkins they were selling. That brought up memories of a fun Harner Farms visit with my roomie Sacha. Which in turn made me miss her which then made me miss all my friends which then, naturally, made me miss Navs. Obviously, this caused me to change my profile picture to one from Navs Fall Retreat, which caused me to look through all my old pictures, which then through a serious of facebook comments, led me to Meg's blog (http://meghanelizabethbaker.blogspot.com/) which finally led me to this post. Whew. All that to say, this is just a post to remind me of all the good people and good times God has blessed me with. Love you all! Enjoy:)

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