Thursday, January 20, 2011

Do you trust Him?

I get weekly emails from Max Lucado.  Usually, they’re good.  Today, I got just what I needed. :) Amazing how God works like that, huh? :)

Today’s topic was “Do you trust Him?”.  Max starts off by saying that God knows all things that will happen, both good and bad.  Just because God knows something bad is going to happen, that doesn’t mean that He doesn’t care about those things.  It just means he has a purpose behind those things.

Here are a few excerpts from the email, because, really, Max just says things so well:

“From Gethsemane’s garden Christ pleaded for a Plan B. Redemption with no nails. “ ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him” (Luke 22:42–43).

Did God hear the prayer of his Son? Enough to send an angel. Did God spare his Son from death? No. The glory of God outranked the comfort of Christ. So Christ suffered, and God’s grace was displayed and deployed.”


Jesus didn’t want to have to die on the cross.  He asked his Father to take that away – to use a different plan to save us all – but God’s plan was perfect.

“He authors all itineraries. He knows what is best. No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, presence, and permission. What encouragement this brings! You are never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped about by the winds of fortune.”


There are no coincidences.  God doesn’t make mistakes.  That doesn’t mean that our life is easy, or even that we understand everything that we go through.  We don’t have to – God knows.  We just need to trust that He really does know what He’s doing…and He does. :)

“We live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of our lives and delights in doing us good.

Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of his love.”


I love that last sentence - “Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of his love.”  Doesn’t that bring you reassurance?!?  It does me.  It soothes my heart of the aches it feels because of some of the things that I’m going through right now.  I know that God knows best – and I just have to trust Him, really trust Him, that I will come through this, and I will glorify Him in the process. :)


**********
Happy Thursday, y’all!  Hope you have a fabulous day!! :)

Friday, January 14, 2011

A New Year

Yes, this may be a little late, but I’ve had a hard time putting into words the things that are swirling around in my head.  So, since I’m seriously lacking creativity, you get bullet points…

  • I’m doing Project 365 this year.  I’m enjoying it, so far! :) The link is on my sidebar in my blog.  However, for those of you, like me, who hate clicking out of Reader, here you go.  You many think it’s boring, but it’s way less intimidating than having to come up with words for a post.  I’m just saying. :)
  • My life is pretty boring.  Most days consist of:
    • going to work
    • coming home
    • working out
    • eating dinner
    • watching TV and/or reading
    • going to bed
    • repeat
  • Therefore, not a lot of inspiration. :) I’m working on it, though.

And, because I need to be reminded, and because I’m feeling the sorrow a bit:

“Though your sorrow may last for a night, JOY comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Reflections

I’m still trying to figure out how it’s already 2011.  Do you know? This year has passed in a whirlwind, and I feel like I’m still trying to get my bearings.

January – We rang in the new year with our best friends in Beaufort, NC.  It was a great way to start the year, and we’ll probably end the year in the same way. :) I can’t wait! :) New Years 1 New Years 2

February – Experienced New Orleans for the first time.  I went down for work.  It was definitely an experience, and saw my first (and probably only) pet wallaby.  Yep – that’s for real. :)

March – Marc & I celebrated 4 years of marriage.  Every morning, I look forward to meeting each day with him.  He’s been my rock for so long, I can’t imagine what I’d do without him.

This was the first year that Marc & I opened up our home to the youth group for their annual Metamorphosis event.  It was so much fun, and we’re excited to be able to do it, again, in 2011. :)

We also lost one of our friends to an awful accident.  This is one we’re still dealing with.  It’s hard – I keep expecting him to be at our events/gatherings.  It’s still just weird that he’s not with us.

April – Our great friends, Chris & Jennifer were married! Marc was in the wedding, so we enjoyed festivities for that.  We also found out that Marc’s sister-in-law, Tammy, was pregnant. :) We’re still waiting to meet Brayden, but it shouldn’t be long, now! :)

Also in April, Allie turned 5 years old…can’t believe she’s so grown!  I remember driving home from Appalachian on a Saturday morning to meet my first niece! :) She’s such a special girl!! :)

May – The girls spent a weekend in Charlotte for Krystle’s bachelorette party.  We had a great time in downtown.  It was so nice to get out of town for a bit.  Can’t wait for the next bachelorette party!  Not that we have anything in the works, but we’ve got one more girl to get hitched. :)

June – Kurt & Krystle got married!  We had such a great time at the rehearsal and the wedding!  Everyone did! :) Still wishing that we could have a wedding every year – minus the wedding – really just a big party for all of our friends! :) Wouldn’t that be great?!? :)

I share my birthday month with my other two nieces, so there was lots of celebrating in June.  Karleigh turned 3 and Ava turned 2.  And I turned 27.  I’m starting to feel old! :) And my mom and dad celebrated 33 years of marriage.  They are such an inspiration to me! :)

July – We spent the 4th of July weekend in Beaufort with friends.  We had a great weekend, and love this tradition!

Scuba Couple Housemates M and B Horses on Carrot

This was the first year that I volunteered to chaperone for the youth at their annual summer camp.  I had a great time getting to know the girls, and look forward to spending more time with them in small groups in 2011. :) They’re such a blessing! :)

August – Marc turned 25 this month.  I also spent some time in Charlotte for work.  No huge happenings this month. :)

September – We played in softball tournament one weekend.  It was the perfect weekend – not too hot, kind of breezy, no rain.  It was a ton of fun. :) We also got an alarm system for our house.

October – Allie participated in her 3rd horse show with her pony, Sugarfoot.  She did so well! :)  Marc and I helped at our friend’s family Haunted Corn Maze for a few weekends.

Breast Cancer took the life of our friend in October.  She was a mentor, former teacher, and just good person.  This loss is still fresh among all of us, as she was a huge part of our lives from the past, and from the present.  We miss Ms. Sue something fierce.

November – I spent some more time in Charlotte for classes with work, again.  Our church also hosted an evangelism event that was awesome.  Over 40 people came to know Jesus that weekend, and it’s awesome to see God work in the lives of others. :) Brings a smile to my face!! :)

Marc’s best friend, Grant, bought a house.  So, we spent a weekend in Fayetteville, NC helping him paint.  Marc took a break to go indoor skydiving.  Probably one of the coolest things to watch.  I highly enjoyed watching. :)

We celebrated Thanksgiving, as usual, and I enjoyed Black Friday shopping with my family.  One of my favorite traditions, ever!

December – We spent one weekend in South Carolina celebrating Christmas with Marc’s step-mom and her family.  It was fun and nice to get away before things got chaotic with Christmas activities. :)

We also spent a lot of time with friends – having dinner with everyone before Christmas.  It was a very nice and easy month. :) And, we celebrated Christmas, of course!

Our biggest blessing of December was our nephew!  It’s our first! :) So excited to have a little guy around to buy stuff for!! :) World, meet Brayden. :)

Brayden2Brayden5 This is my favorite – Brayden’s winking at you! :)Brayden Matthew

We’ve already seen tons of white stuff.  And by tons, I mean less than 5 inches, total.  We rarely, if ever get snow in December, so to have had snow 3 weeks in a row is a lot for us.  The kids, I’m sure, were ecstatic, as they didn’t have school for a few days because of that! :)

So, that’s my year wrapped up.  I know lots more has happened in the year, but I really can’t tell you how glad I am to start a new year.  While there has been a lot of happiness this year, the sadness somehow overshadows that.  I’m excited to see what 2011 holds!

Happy New Year, y’all