So I don't know about any of ya'll, but when I am walking through deserts and seasons of wilderness, the last thing I feel like doing is being strong and not just 'making it through' but pressing on and picking up the pace. No, my flesh would rather me just curl up in a ball on the floor, cover my ears like when I was little, and wait for the thunderstorm to pass. But unfortunately, that's not how it works. Yes, there are times when we are just being carried. Yet there also comes a time when enough is enough. The Lord calls us up and out of our fears, our doubts, our worries--and calls us to 'demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.' No room for pity parties. No time for sitting around waiting for problems to dissapear. We have an ENEMY, friends. An enemy who's only intention and motive is to utterly destroy us and wipe us out.
Saten can't steal our salvation--but he can sure as heck steal our joy and make us ineffective in the Kingfom of God.
We must fight. Actively seek God. Be transformed by the remewing of our minds, that we may be clear headed and sober minded when our enemy comes to wage war on us. And believe me, he won't wait for an invitation.
I'm speaking to myself here. I've been in a wasteland for a couple years now-- a season of spiritual dryness, of doubt, of anger. It's a hard place to be in, friends. But God is working even in that. When we feel like nothing is happening, God is always up to something, and at the end of the day, His faithfulnesss will remain.
I'm going to cling to that truth today.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
How to be Perfect... i just love this :)
Excerpts from "How to be Perfect"
Get some sleep.
Eat an orange every morning.
Be friendly. It will help make you happy.
Hope for everything. Expect nothing.
Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room
before you save the world. Then save the world.
Be nice to people before they have a chance to behave badly.
Don't stay angry about anything for more than a week, but don't
forget what made you angry. Hold your anger out at arm's length
and look at it, as if it were a glass ball. Then add it to your glass
ball collection.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Do not spend too much time with large groups of people.
Plan your day so you never have to rush.
Show your appreciation to people who do things for you, even if
you have paid them, even if they do favors you don't want.
After dinner, wash the dishes.
Calm down.
Don't expect your children to love you, so they can, if they want
to.
Don't be too self-critical or too self-congratulatory.
Don't think that progress exists. It doesn't.
Imagine what you would like to see happen, and then don't do
anything to make it impossible.
Forgive your country every once in a while. If that is not
possible, go to another one.
If you feel tired, rest.
Don't be depressed about growing older. It will make you feel
even older. Which is depressing.
Do one thing at a time.
If you burn your finger, put ice on it immediately. If you bang
your finger with a hammer, hold your hand in the air for 20
minutes. you will be surprised by the curative powers of ice and
gravity.
Do not inhale smoke.
Take a deep breath.
Do not smart off to a policeman.
Be good.
Be honest with yourself, diplomatic with others.
Do not go crazy a lot. It's a waste of time.
Drink plenty of water. When asked what you would like to
drink, say, "Water, please."
Take out the trash.
Love life.
Use exact change.
Eat an orange every morning.
Be friendly. It will help make you happy.
Hope for everything. Expect nothing.
Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room
before you save the world. Then save the world.
Be nice to people before they have a chance to behave badly.
Don't stay angry about anything for more than a week, but don't
forget what made you angry. Hold your anger out at arm's length
and look at it, as if it were a glass ball. Then add it to your glass
ball collection.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Do not spend too much time with large groups of people.
Plan your day so you never have to rush.
Show your appreciation to people who do things for you, even if
you have paid them, even if they do favors you don't want.
After dinner, wash the dishes.
Calm down.
Don't expect your children to love you, so they can, if they want
to.
Don't be too self-critical or too self-congratulatory.
Don't think that progress exists. It doesn't.
Imagine what you would like to see happen, and then don't do
anything to make it impossible.
Forgive your country every once in a while. If that is not
possible, go to another one.
If you feel tired, rest.
Don't be depressed about growing older. It will make you feel
even older. Which is depressing.
Do one thing at a time.
If you burn your finger, put ice on it immediately. If you bang
your finger with a hammer, hold your hand in the air for 20
minutes. you will be surprised by the curative powers of ice and
gravity.
Do not inhale smoke.
Take a deep breath.
Do not smart off to a policeman.
Be good.
Be honest with yourself, diplomatic with others.
Do not go crazy a lot. It's a waste of time.
Drink plenty of water. When asked what you would like to
drink, say, "Water, please."
Take out the trash.
Love life.
Use exact change.
When there's shooting in the street, don't go near the window.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
The Ships...
We live near Norfolk, Virginia where one of the largest of America's Naval bases is. Yeah, I know, it's pretty cool. This weekend was 'Harborfest'- a huge festival where ships from all over the world come to show off their beautiful boats, and it's really justa great time. My sisters and I went a few times over the course of the weekend. It was SO awesome!!
Enjoy all the pictures :)
Enjoy all the pictures :)
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Next Thing.
“Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment my moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, ‘DO THE NEXT THING.’
Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest comma...nd.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ’neath His wing,
Leave all resultings, ‘DO THE NEXT THING.' "
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment my moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, ‘DO THE NEXT THING.’
Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest comma...nd.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ’neath His wing,
Leave all resultings, ‘DO THE NEXT THING.' "
--Author Unknown
Saturday, June 2, 2012
'According to His riches...'
Well the Lord has been doing alot in my little world this past week. I continue to be amazed at His faithfulness.
First off, I GOT A JOB!! It was such an answer to prayer. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do after graduation, but it became clear that getting a full time job and working for awhile is the best thing for me right now. I will probably start some pre-req courses this fall, but for now, I'm just gonna focus on saving up some money. I was feeling pretty anxious because I was having a hard time fonding a job, but someone actually shared a verse with me from Philippians and WOW did it encourage me so much.
'My God will supply all of your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus!'
According to his RICHES! Wow. I know it sounds simple, but man did it give me a whole new outlook on my situation. So Wednesday night, right before I fell asleep, I was starting to feel worried again, so I just stopped and prayed out loud that the Lord would provide for me according to His riches, that He would continue to bless and provide for me, and that He would just bring me a job. I kid you not, I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing-- the company I wanted to work for most was calling me, wanting to schedule an interview!!
Sweet Toledo. That didn't take too long, Lord!
So I went to the interview, and am now employed! It's a home health agency called Continuum Pediatrics. Basically, they send out nurses to take care of children who would otherwise be in the hospital. They're on ventilators, trach tubes, have serious illnesses etc. I will be getting my own kid, and they will be my one patient for as long as I am there, or as long as they need care. They become part of your family. I am so thrilled for an opportunity to reach out to my child, and also the family. And how KIND of God to give me a job working with children! It's what I have always wanted to do, but the chance of an entry-level nurse getting to do anything other than Geriatrics is very slim. But my God provides!
Makes me even more excited for my dream of going to Africa one day and caring for children there.
Well, be encouraged today, friends. The LORD HEARS AND HE ANSWERS PRAYER. I am a living testament to that. Never doubt His faithfulness to you, or His ability and power to provide for your every need.
He is good!!
Smiles,
Hannah
First off, I GOT A JOB!! It was such an answer to prayer. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do after graduation, but it became clear that getting a full time job and working for awhile is the best thing for me right now. I will probably start some pre-req courses this fall, but for now, I'm just gonna focus on saving up some money. I was feeling pretty anxious because I was having a hard time fonding a job, but someone actually shared a verse with me from Philippians and WOW did it encourage me so much.
'My God will supply all of your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus!'
According to his RICHES! Wow. I know it sounds simple, but man did it give me a whole new outlook on my situation. So Wednesday night, right before I fell asleep, I was starting to feel worried again, so I just stopped and prayed out loud that the Lord would provide for me according to His riches, that He would continue to bless and provide for me, and that He would just bring me a job. I kid you not, I woke up the next morning to my phone ringing-- the company I wanted to work for most was calling me, wanting to schedule an interview!!
Sweet Toledo. That didn't take too long, Lord!
So I went to the interview, and am now employed! It's a home health agency called Continuum Pediatrics. Basically, they send out nurses to take care of children who would otherwise be in the hospital. They're on ventilators, trach tubes, have serious illnesses etc. I will be getting my own kid, and they will be my one patient for as long as I am there, or as long as they need care. They become part of your family. I am so thrilled for an opportunity to reach out to my child, and also the family. And how KIND of God to give me a job working with children! It's what I have always wanted to do, but the chance of an entry-level nurse getting to do anything other than Geriatrics is very slim. But my God provides!
Makes me even more excited for my dream of going to Africa one day and caring for children there.
Well, be encouraged today, friends. The LORD HEARS AND HE ANSWERS PRAYER. I am a living testament to that. Never doubt His faithfulness to you, or His ability and power to provide for your every need.
He is good!!
Smiles,
Hannah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)