Learning to live for HIS glory

I decided to pick some words to describe this season of life  Carl and I have found ourselves in since our wedding in August. This is what I came up with: Sweet, beautiful, painful, and really, really hard . There, I said it. It's funny really, People expected this season would be hard, We actually did too.   But it wasn't... At least not in the way we expected. I miss my family and friends, yes. But not having to say goodbye to Carl has been wonderful. And for us, At least most days, Homesickness has not been a huge issue. Like we thought it would... Like we were preparing for... Instead our challenges have come out of left field. We've gone through the normal newlywed stuff... Adjusting to life together, Arguing, Figuring out how to disagree and be okay with it (who am I kidding?  I'm still not okay with it!) Growing, hopefully! But what has really rocked us was not something we at all expected. He...

They sat around their regular table, another pulled up to it filled with unfamiliar faces.  Laughter mixed with earnest expressions . . . one familiar face was missing. Gradually word got back to where I stood at register.  That one familiar face is gone.  Forever.  "At least he's resting in peace now." Those words haunt my heart. Is he? Did he know the Savior?  Is he living now in the peace and joy that come from the very presence of God? Or has he entered a forever living death? Condemned because he never accepted the gift of Jesus as Savior? I saw him multiple times a week, wished him a good day, endured his teasing . . .  but . . . did he know the hope I have? I don't know.  I can't know. But this, I do know . . . one day, friends, we will all face death, and on the other side stand before a righteous GOD .  How will He judge?  Rightly He would find us all guilty, and send us away to forever torment . . . forever separat...

2~Thank You Lord for the many life moments You’ve given me to love! 4~Lord, this love is not just something I can whip up on my own.  It is a totally selfless love…and only You can birth it in my heart!  I pray that You would do so, Lord…that my love would be genuine. 6~ “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” ~John 1:16 7~ O Lord, I pray that You would give me seeing eyes…just the ability to see and understand the fallenness all around me (and within myself) and a heart to cry out to You on the world’s behalf. 11~Thank You for the Holy Spirit!  I love living with Him on the inside. 13~You know…but I’ll tell you anyways=) 17~ “It is faith that continually closes its eyes to the weakness of the creature, and finds its joy in the sufficiency of an Almighty Savior, that makes the soul strong and glad.  It gives itself up to be led by the Holy Spirit into an ever deeper appreciation of that wonderful Savior whom God hath...

2~Guard me from over-analyzing…and believing the lies of “Why?” that I’ve made up in my mind. 5~Precious One, woo my heart? . . . Enable me, I pray, to lay down all idols in order to make more room for You.  I don’t want You crowded out of my heart. 7~Thank You, Lord, for just how You’re showing me that You’ve put me where I am for a reason.  I pray that You would give me wisdom in knowing how to love K. right now . . . Encourage her heart Lord! 8~ Lord, oh, give me Your heart to see the lost, found!   I must die, Lord, my pride and self-righteousness, all must die…and be stripped away, that You would reign, and increase!   The reality of heaven and hell don’t sit with me on a moment-by-moment basis.   Lord, would You open my eyes to see that? 11~Today as I come and read Your Word and live in Your presence, continue to draw my heart away with Your sweet song of love! 12~My soul is thirsting to be cherished and to have a companion to walk thr...