14 posts tagged “lord”
Do everything without complaining or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:14-18
Canvas was AWESOME tonight! This group of teens are on fire and ready to learn more, be more and shine like stars for Christ. I am in awe of what God is doing at this youth group. Six months ago there were about 15 to 20 teens now we are averaging 40 to 50 on Wednesday nights! God is bringing teens to Discovery church and they are coming back to hear the word of God. That just takes my breath away! Also there are a handful of kids who meet before youth group just to pray for what will happen that night. No one told them to do it, leaders aren't even invited. They came up with it on their own and spend 30 minutes in prayer before we meet. I just can't get over these kids and how much they want to honor God. And i am so excited to be a part of all of it. Praise God for this group and the honor of getting to know these amazing kids.
Tonight i lead games again, I really hope i get to keep doing this. The kids have so much fun and I love getting to do it! We played "I've Never" with a new twist. We set up chairs in a huge circle, however there was one less chair then there were people. The person in the center would say something they had never done. And then anyone who had done that thing had to get up and find a new chair. The person left with out a chair had to pop a balloon with a task inside and then complete it. The best one was "Sing I'm a Little Tea Pot, with all the motions". The entire room sang with the kid and it made for a hilarious and great moment. At the end of the game the kids wanted to keep playing. This one is so a keeper for another time.
After games we enjoy worship and then a message from Pastor Dan on Philippians 2:15. He challenged all of us to shine for Christ in this dark world. And talked about how it's hard sometimes when you feel like no one can see, but Christ will use you no matter what the situation. The messages that Dan has been preaching seem to be really sinking in with the kids, not to mention how i feel like they are all speaking to me. I left Canvas tonight thinking about how i just can't wait until next week. It is so awesome to be excited and on fire about Student Ministries again. Satan you did not win, God is using me in this place and His kingdom is growing! AMEN!
If you want encouragement, study and time well spent? Then get on http://thenines.leadnet.org/ they are putting on "Conference" like event today on their website. There are hundreds of pastors and leaders who will be speaking for nine minutes each. They are equipping leaders with real and tangible ideas and encouragement. Being a new leader in a new church, this has been beyond helpful and insightful. I have spent most of my morning listening to great speakers and pastors. I have been extraordinarily blessed in just a few hours. So get out your bible and note book and start taking down notes. Check it out today, even if you only can sit and watch one. But i would challenge you to cut out some time to learn more about what God has planned for you as a leader in HIS church.
Thanks Pastor Todd Clark for getting the word out about this event. I know this is how i will be spending most of my day, well at least until i go to Youth Group tonight :).
For our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24
This is the sunset i saw tonight. It's stunning with it's bright colors, the sad thing is the colors come from the wild fires we are experiencing here in Southern California. Makes you wonder how can something so beautiful come from something so destructive?
Then these verses came to my mind. How God is a all consuming fire, yet He is the most stunning thing in all the world. And then i read a article about how sometimes our hillsides need to burn in order to purify the ground and bring about new growth. And although it's destructive, it's a good thing. Now don't get me wrong, it's not ok for people's houses to burn down, that's horrible and sad. I'm just saying that fires only purpose isn't just destruction but purification.
Isn't that how God makes us grow? It seems that we have to walk through the fire to become the person God meant us to be. That we have to go through rough times or difficult situations to see what God's purpose for our lives is. I am feeling like i can look back at the past year and see that God had me walk through the fire for a purpose and that i am on the other side, stronger in my faith and closer to Him. I also see where God wants me to be. Although being tested and walking through the fire is hard, upsetting and a struggle. You end up on the other side the person who God meant you to be. Praise the Lord for His lessons and His plans.
Today I am reminded of one of my favorite sayings, "I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light. " Mary Gardiner Brainard. Spend some time talking to God today and praise Him for the fires you have had to walk through.
Psalm 127:3-5 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate."
This verse came to mind this morning while i was getting ready for my prenatal appointment. I so look forward to these appointments, because i get to hear Eli's heart beat, it's just so miraculous and beautiful. I never tire of hearing that lovely sound. This verse made me stop in my thoughts and praise the Lord for the blessings of Sienna and Eli. I am so unworthy to be trusted with such wonderful gifts, however I am so glad the Lord has allowed me to care for His precious children.
I am so blessed to have my daughter, and long to meet my son. God is good and I praise Him for the blessings of children. I hope and pray that He will continue to bless Daniel and I with children. I will never think of children as a burden or as lesser beings, children are our heritage and I praise the Lord for allowing me to be a mother.
I love being in the mountains. It's just awe inspiring. I was so thankful that i had a little free time and was able to get some good photo's taken while up in such a beautiful place. I love being able to capture the little things when i am on a trip. It really helps me to remember the time spent there.
At one point during camp i got to spend about two hours alone, just me, God and my camera. I spent a lot of time praying and thinking. It was one of the most memorable moments of the week. The Lord truly gave me peace about my life and what He has planned for me. He touched my heart and healed much of the brokenness i have been experiencing. It was truly an encounter with my creator in the mist of His mighty creation. It is amazing what God can do with just a small amount of time. I hadn't planned to be alone sitting in the middle of no where, it just happened. God knew what He was doing and put me exactly where He wanted me to be. I left my little quite time with the Lord, refreshed, renewed and ready for what lie ahead of me when i got home from camp. It was exactly what my heart needed. I am so thankful for that complete alone time with my Savior.
“Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!" 2 Samuel 22:47
I praise God for sending His son to die for my sins on the cross. I thank Him from the bottom of my heart for finding me as a young girl and for showing me His love. God picked me up from the depths and gave me life. I know I am the person I am today because of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have soot to honor Him and bring glory to His name. This song made me cry the first time I heard it and i still get goose bumps when i hear it's powerful words. I am proud to say My Savior Lives!
My Savior My God by Aaron Shust
I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior
I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior
That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
Chorus (2x’s)
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior’s always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be
Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior
That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior
Chorus (2x’s)
(Instrumental)
Chorus: (2x’s)
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Through all that is going on in my life these past seven days, I have been reading through Proverbs and I read this verse today. I praise the Lord for being my strong tower, a place to run to for refuge. I hope this song brings this scripture to life for you.
Strong Tower By Kutless
When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way
I go running to your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free
[chorus]
You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek
In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul
I praise the Lord for being with me no matter what. I have been repeating this verse over and over this past week, Romans 8:31 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?". I praise God for never leaving me! My favorite part of this song is "For You are who You are, No matter where I am". Thank you Lord for loving me even though I am so unworthy and undeserving of your love. All through out this storm Lord, I have felt your loving arms around me. You are mighty, and I praise you for what I am learning through all this. May your Glory be seen in all this!
"Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
"However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you." Deuteronomy 15:4
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." Proverbs 28:27
"He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10:18
"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you
to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in
your land." Deuteronomy 15:11
I am so glad that we brought Sienna with us. I was worried she might get in the way or break something. However she was a wonderful helper and was a blessing to this woman. Sienna loved to sing for here and spent a lot of time side playing with her. She said all of her grandchildren were grown up and she has missed having little ones in her home. I think it is so important for chidlren to learn about serving others when they are young. We have always had Sienna be a part of youth ministries and what it means to minister to teenagers. And now I am so glad to have had her be there with us as we blessed this woman. Although it was hard work and tiring I feel so good. The Lord is amazing and showed our group a need and we met it . It is God who gets the glory for the work we did today. With out Him we would have never known about this women and wouldn't have been able to helpe her. Thank you Lord for loving those in need and bringing people to them who can help.
Tonight i took Jessica, Sarah and Nikki to support Aimee as she received three awards at her high school. This was a big deal for Aimee because two of the awards were scholarships for college and she had worked hard to earn them. Tons of parents, family and friends piled into a very crowded gym to show love and support two their teenagers. I felt so blessed to even be a part of such an event. In so many was my youth group kids feel like younger siblings and there is no way i would miss out on important events in their lives. My heart sprung with joy when they called Aimee's name for a $500 scholarship. I was so proud of the hard work she had put into school and yet kept a very active life full of friends, youth group and family.
After the award ceremony was over we headed over to Starbucks to have coffee and spend time together. Tonight was a blessing and my heart is full of praise for my Lord for bringing Aimee into my life. And for letting me know such an amazing girl for the past five years. I look forward to our fun summer together, but am dreading saying goodbye to Aimee as she leaves for college in Nevada in August. She brings so much sparkle into my life, i just don't know what i will do with out it.
