Wednesday, April 20, 2011

april showers





Some thoughts and verses that have stood out to me lately.

'Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.'-ps. 63.7

'Through God we shall do valiantly...'

' I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things...'

' don't be afraid. don't be afraid of circumstances. relax a little and enjoy Christ.' - z.g.

'God's nature is merciful...'

'God is not impressed with any of us. He is impressed with His only Son.'

'O God, Thou art my help and my deliverer: O Lord, make no tarrying.'

'in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.'


There is purpose in life that's bigger than any of our own. There's a plan for life and it's broader in every direction than any we could have planned for ourselves because the one God has planned actually accomplishes something. It brings Him glory. He doesn't need my help in anything and knows exactly what He's doing. His will is FOR US. He doesn't leave us to our own confusion, He is right there with us, helping us to grow even when it seems we cannot finish the job He's given us to do. He holds our hand and when we stumble under the load He gently carries us. He is so rich, we don't know our wealth, our inheritance. He allows us to be the fullest potential of ourselves in HIM. And His love? it never changes. It is secure and the reality He provides us with is not that of a dreamworld - it's real and it's lasting. Nothing we pour out for God - no pain, no effort, no loss is ever wasted, but it is laid up in heaven as treasure. 'The times we see God the clearest are when we're stripped of the rest of ourselves.' He's beautiful. More and more He's beautiful to me. I can't wait until heaven.

I'm so thankful for my family. We're weird and [some of us] are impatient and behind the times. We forget to tell important messages, we run stop signs and our cell phones go off in the really awkward places like church and weddings and funerals. We get tunnel vision, procrastinate and sometimes we yell over the phone which is very rude and I know because once I got a spanking for it. But we love each other. And we have a blast being together and even though we might have been thrown into the wrong time era, I'm glad we all got thrown into the mix together, cause they're awesome.





















just for the record, i love these people.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

baby jack




His ways are higher than our ways. His plans reach further in every direction than the ones of our own. He does His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay His hand or say unto Him, 'what doest Thou?'.
In our lives, we'll have blows that strip us of our pride, our plans, our dreams. They will knock us off our feet so that we once again find ourselves at those of Jesus. These things are hard and painful and we don't always understand them but they help us realize a few things. They help us realize just how big God is. How merciful He is. How good His will is for us and how safe it is to trust Him. How is it that He can take our pain and make it beautiful? And yet, He does. He knows how to give beauty for ashes. When our hearts are torn and bleeding, He binds them. When we have no strength to stand, He carries us. He is so patient and good and all the pain He ever allows us to go through is for our good and so that we can know Him better. He changes us, makes us more like Him. I think we've all been changed this week. I know God was working in the life and death of Jackson Taylor and we have already seen and felt His Spirit move. 'There is no virtue in suffering alone. But suffering on His behalf - there is virtue in that suffering.' I have been amazed at God this week. Amazed at His beauty. Amazed at His kindness. Amazed at how sweet He is when He helps His children through pain. Amazed at His power. And I am amazed that He loves me. It's hard to fathom and yet He does. Thank you God, for baby Jack. Thank you for being present and for holding your people when they suffer. Thank you, God for all you do and for giving your only Son for a people who hated you and spit on Him and despised Him. Thank you, God. Thank you, thank you. Thank you that baby Jack is with you, safe in your arms.
'Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh.'
'Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.'








































'Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.'