At the Foot of the Cross

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me your love
Through the judgment you received
And you've won my heart
Yes you've won my heart
Now I can

Chorus:
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death you bore for me
And you've won my heart
Yes you've won my heart
Now I can

Chorus:
Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

Ditching the Hula-hoop...

My gaze is too inward. I need to fix my eyes upon Jesus and away from things that do not save, satisfy, and sacntify. I am tired of my way of thinking being all about me and not all about Jesus. I am tired of this hulahoop way of thinking, the world does not revolve around me. I want you to love Jesus more, who cares if you like me. The Gospel is offensive, because it is true and convicting. I think I may be loosing some friends soon over this. Friends who are dieing spiritualy who I have neglected to tell them if they do not believe the gospel (Jesus, God's Son, came to fulfill what I could not, paid the price through dieing on the cross, which I deserved to pay myself, and ascended into heaven, all so that I can have a reconciled relationship with God) and repent (turn away from my sin, which is what I so easily gravitate to), they are going to hell. That is right, I said it... the "H" word, hell. There is so much grace and mercy in the gospel message, that although it is offensive and convicting and causes one to die to self (be unselfish with my life and live the life God has given me for His glory), I can say it with love. I am ditching the hulahoop, this race is worth running!

"Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." 1 Corinthians 10: 33

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it" 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness , let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

I only want people to like me because I like Jesus. If they don't like me, they will hate me, because I love Jesus. And, I will pray for them. But, because people hated Jesus, there should be people who hate me. I will kneel to pray because of my faith, but when I am not kneeling, I will stand up for my faith. Holy Spirit, help me to live out love in this way with my eyes fixed on Jesus!

Starbucks--It's Not About the Coffee

I’ve really seen how God has used Starbucks to glorify Himself. Funny thought, but it is true, He does. I have seen Starbucks as a place where people sit and read their Bibles, Mentor & Disciple, pray, share the gospel, and network. I have even been a part of morning Bible studies that met at Starbucks I have also ran into friends I haven’t seen in a long time at Starbucks, and even met a business owner once that hired me to work for their event planning company one summer after a conversation I had with them at Starbucks.

Last week the Lord brought an opportunity to share the gospel with someone at Starbucks who over heard my conversation with a friend after night church and asked if I was a Christian. The young man was invited to church and the Lord used that to work in his heart and he actually came the following Sunday. Today was another adventurous day at Starbucks. I got to hear two young women talking about missions, the sacrifices that come with it, but also the joys. I didn’t know them, but they were strangers that soon became friends. One of the girls is leaving for Ecuador for two years. She will be working at a school there. Hearing of her passion for Ecuador reminded me of the fact that I have wanted to go to that country since I was in High School.

All of this, and I can say I am thankful for Starbucks! I have never been crazy about their coffee or drinks, but I do see how God has used the company as a place where people gather. A good reminder that I have the opportunity to glorify God everywhere and in everything that I do. I have felt the heavy burden of the crossroads in my life right now; the many decisions that are upcoming about my future. The cool thing is that I can glorify God in all of roads and where they lead. God can glorify Himself through me owning an Interior Design business and He can glorify Himself through me being a missionary, or it might be a combination of both at different times in my life. Or, it could be something completely different than anything I would currently think it would be. I am just going to sit back and wait. God you are doing a mighty work. I found myself worrying about it today, but was quickly reminded that God is in control and definitely knows what He is doing.

Seeing God’s faithfulness in answering Hannah’s prayers by bringing her a son, whom she named Samuel, at just the right time in History encouraged me a lot tonight, as I studied it (1 Samuel 1-3). Samuel grew to be a man of the Lord who was a light during a time that became very dark. If he was born earlier when Hannah thought it would be best, I don’t know if the same darkness would have been present. I trust that God will answer the questions that I have at just the right timing. I have no reason to let worry disturb my service to others in the meantime.

To the Ends of the Earth

God is all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, faithful, sovereign, holy, good, righteous, glorious, loving, unchanging. God is the same everywhere, but He as Christ is not known everywhere. God is the same in a village in Africa, as He is in China, as He is in Israel, as He is in India, as He is in every Island in the ocean, as He is in South America, and as He is in the United States. The difference is that He is known as Savior in some of those places, even if there are those who don’t believe it, but there are the places where He as Savior (In the form of man, Jesus Christ) is not known at all; unheard of, unfathomed, unspoken. He will always be all-knowing, but there are places where He as Savior is not known to man that lives there and with those people and in those places is where I would like to go someday. Earlier today I posted a song about God's glory seen in His creation, about living a life in obedience out of praise, and it ends with the question, "What am I going to do with this life?" The Holy Spirit is giving me convictions that is answering that question. If God is everywhere at once, but not known as Christ our Savior everywhere... then that is where I should be, with those people as Salt and Light!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

By: Matt Redman

So fearfully and wonderfully made
How can they say there is no God?
Reminded every breath that I Take
It’s by your hand I have been formed
So what am I going to do with this life you gave me?
What could I do but live for your praise?

Chorus
You gave me this breath and you gave me this strength and every day
I’ll live to obey you
With all of my heart with all of my soul
Let every breath I’m breathing Display you God.

There’s elegance in all that you create
Your Grand designs leave us amazed
The wonders of the way we’ve been made
Speak of your power, tell of your grace
So what I’m going to do with this life you gave me?
What Could I do but live for your praise?

So what I’m going to do with this life you gave me?
What am I going to do with this life?
What am i going to do in these days you’ve ordained?
What am i going to do with this life?

No Traffic Ticket Grace

I thought that I was done with my hours of community service this week, but I found out I still have nearly 14 hours left. I was a little discouraged at first, because I want to do whatever I want with my time and not have these hours that I have left hanging over my head, an extra responsibility. The Lord reminded me that my time is not my own. The Lord is not done teaching me lessons and using me at the Senior Center. People have come to really like me there, and it is only because Christ lives in me. There is no good in me apart from Christ, and that is what they're hearing. I am so glad I do not have to work for my salvation. Christ paid the penalty and that is sufficient. I waws purchesed by His blood. As for my traffic ticket, I need to work to complete the penalty of the fine, the judge at court decided not to dismiss the fine. The Lord has a purpose in it. 14 hours, make them count, Lord! I can't believe how much God has changed my heart for the elderly and patience in serving them. The Holy Spirit is working mightily. Praise God for the Holy Spirit! Thank the Lord for His grace in helping me with these community service hours.

"E V E R Y T H I N G"

By Tim Hughes

God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking

Be my everything
Be my everything

God in my hoping
God in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
God in my weeping
God in my hurting
God in my healing

Be my everything
Be my everything

Christ in me
The hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me
The hope of glory
Be my everything
Be my everything

You are everything
Jesus everything.