Learning to live for HIS glory

I'm practicing counting my blessings...join me? Spring downpours Convicting words Conversations at the inn Time with family Country drives Back roads Sunrises and sunsets Joy found in everlasting life. Cleaning glass Simple mornings Mint Communication Caffeine Almonds Promises of God A car Sisters & Brothers

If there's one thing I've been learning and being stretched in lately, it's this.  Loving--purely, wholly, genuinely, and without expectation.  It'd be nice if every time we reached out with love, the response we got was one where we felt loved in return.  Quite frankly, though, sometimes those who need love most, may not be able or willing to love us back the way we'd like them too.  And if I'm loving because I expect some sort of love in return...so what? Is that really love? Cause it sounds more like selfishness to me. Jesus, loved this way.  He gave of Himself, gave His life, without expecting us to respond in any certain way....He wants us to respond, asks us to respond, but He's not forcing anything on us.  Our response does nothing to change the fact He loves us, it just changes whether or not we receive His love. God is love. As I abide in love-- Lay down my life for others-- His love becomes perfected, In me. And the God of love, Abides ...

So I'm going to attempt a new habit...taking about 5 minutes out of my Thursdays to think about and write down some of what I have to thank the Lord for from my week. :)  Feel free to join in if you like! Steam rising from coffee mugs in the sunshine. Carnations. Time. Walking in beautiful warmth. 1 John 3 & 4. Playing a piano in tune. Early morning prayer. God's answers. Laughter. Goofy time with friends. Gospel truth. Attentive listeners. Green:) Each unique smile. Cheery morning conversations.

2~I really do love this life You have given me. Not because its easy or anything like that, the pages of these journals testify otherwise. But I love watching You show up, and seeing Your threads of grace woven through the year as I look back. 5~Those who believe in Jesus alone to save them had a beginning...but they will have no end. This boggles my mind. Thank You for being so much bigger than me! 9~Jesus, You want my life to bring You glory even more than I do...so please do lead me in Your way. 11~Please provide an environment where she can be J...the wonderful and unique woman You have created her to be. 20~Dare I be real? I feel so complicated and scattered. Being here reminds me of a piece of my life that feels...yes, surreal. Yet its shaped and molded me into who I am today . . . Can I be me...truly? All the complexities and twists to the story without worrying about people not understanding? Because, they probably won't understand...at lea...

Some REAL moments from November. 5~Jesus, thank You for being all for me so I can be free to be weak and ordinary...free to fail. 7~I hurt cause I'm wondering why. Why did this have to even happen in the first place. I know...sin. But oh the world just feels so dark and bleak. I'm trying to make sense of it all and honestly struggling. You are what is right and true. Jesus, I need You. Cut through this darkness with Your light. Please? Help. Hurting. Need Your grace! 8~There is hope despite the mourning. I think I can write in pink again. 12~Instead of dreading being in a freshman class that could mostly be 5 years younger than me, I feel like I've been given a bit of a vision for what kind of ministry that could be. Thank You! And as I think about that, Lord, I feel like this is key: Would You give me SUCH a joy in my singleness . . . It's like those freshman girls are all so involved in this drama of finding an “MRS. Degree.” I wan...

Some of the significant moments in October's journaling's from this past year... 2~Lord I pray that those who believe in Your name who are in Iraq and Syria right now would know You as their very real and very present Rock and Strength. Lord, use them to shine the light of Your love to their persecutors. 3~You are the One hearing my prayers...the One who my prayers move to action. You are worthy of being my God...I am not. 13~Learning so much Lord...at times it feels like I'm trying to drink from a fire hydrant. Teach me what You want me to learn? I have no idea where A's life is at this point, but I pray that you would continue to be the winner of his heart. He lives (or lived) in a rough city, Lord. No matter what comes, please point his eyes to You. May he be undone by Your greatness and his smallness. Give him a passion for the gospel, and use his life to spread Your glory throughout the world. 18~Thank You, Jesus, for this absolut...

Tidbits from my journaling's throughout September of 2014.   God sharpens and molds me as I process life on these pages, and I'll be forever thankful! 5~Lord and Father, Equip me by Your Spirit to live for a Kingdom that is coming, and not for this world. By the grace and glory of Jesus, through Your Holy Spirit within me, enable me to live by faith. In Jesus name, Amen 6~Only You can love these Isis men like You call us to...so I pray that You would do that supernaturally through Your people. Draw their hearts to You! 8~Puffy white clouds against a blue, blue sky. Cool breeze bantering with suns warm glow. Crickets in the cornfield; Cicadas in the treetops. A few early leaves fluttering down... Oh, I love fall! A bee sucks the nectar out of the last of summer's clover. Thank You, Lord, for surrounding me with all this beauty. Caressing me with the sun's warmth. Lord, let me rejoice about and be thankful for these lovely gift...