I am tired, Jesus accepts me.
I am worried, Jesus accepts me.
I am heavy burdened, Jesus accepts me.
I am silly, Jesus accepts me.
I am joyful, Jesus accepts me.
I am sinful, Jesus accepts me...
Whatever you may be feeling or going through remember that Jesus receives you with open arms. He accepts you just the way you come to Him and loves you!
Walk out boldly into the new year knowing Jesus knows right where you are and is right there with you holding you and loving you every step of the way!
1.04.2011
11.26.2010
"Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep"
...Maybe you've heard that expression before... It is a good one for sure!
I was reminded of it yesterday [and boy did I need it!] I'd like to say the sheer fact of it being Thanksgiving brought my focus to thankfulness and blessings but I'd be lying if I did. I've been trying to muster up some thankfulness in my heart for the past week or so. Frankly, it's been hard. I know I have much to be thankful for, but pain and worry seemed to be the thoughts that radiated in my mind and permeated my heart.
So yesterday, after lunch and a long rest my grandma and I decided to watch White Christmas, to help get us in the Christmas spirit. And as surely as he does every year, Bing Crosby sang this little song:
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.
Which reminded me to count my blessings... instead of worrying. Which I know will turn my pain and worries into a thankful joyous song!
I was reminded of it yesterday [and boy did I need it!] I'd like to say the sheer fact of it being Thanksgiving brought my focus to thankfulness and blessings but I'd be lying if I did. I've been trying to muster up some thankfulness in my heart for the past week or so. Frankly, it's been hard. I know I have much to be thankful for, but pain and worry seemed to be the thoughts that radiated in my mind and permeated my heart.
So yesterday, after lunch and a long rest my grandma and I decided to watch White Christmas, to help get us in the Christmas spirit. And as surely as he does every year, Bing Crosby sang this little song:
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.
Which reminded me to count my blessings... instead of worrying. Which I know will turn my pain and worries into a thankful joyous song!
10.13.2010
He Was HERE!
Hi friends!
I thought for sure I updated y'all at least once in September, but alas I didn't! I am so sorry to deprive you of all my random ramblings and thoughts. I feel assured someone out there is missing me... haha!
September was a busy month! [and GOOD!!]
I started a new job. One that totally fell in my lap and has been so much fun! I started the day after Labor day. The Lord is so gracious to always meet my needs. And never a day too early or too late! Oh, are you wondering where... Paper Affair. It is the most perfect fit; I work with great ladies, in a pretty shop and I get to sell one of the best things in the world: paper!
[I love it, can you tell?!]
Later in the month a (very special) certain someone traveled 15+ hours by plane to visit the great city of Atlanta. Oh, and hang out with me, meet all my friends, get to know my family and just have some good old fashion southern fun! And southern fun we had!
I am happy to report not only does he love me, but he loves Atlanta too!
I did my best to show him the real Atlanta... the good life. There is no where so great in all the world as Atlanta, at least not to call home. After calling Atlanta home for twenty-seven years I guess it has found it's way into my heart. And I was glad in only three weeks it seemed to find it's way into Stefan's heart too!
Stefan also got to experience another town that holds a very special place in my heart... Auburn! It was his first college football game. I was glad he got to see the very best for his first!
My parents treated us to a wonderful day on the plains!! I don't think any of us could have asked for a more perfect day!
WAR EAGLE!
8.17.2010
I really should update more than once a month...
Hello Friends Who Still Follow My Blog!
In LESS than ONE month this man (my handsome boyfriend, Stefan)
will be coming to visit me!I am looking forward to:
Seeing him face to face, not just computer screen to computer screen (althought we are SO thankful for Skype); Introducing him to all my sweet friends who have listened to me go on and on about us, have prayed for us and have loved me always; Taking him to all my favorite spots around town; Going on real live dates; The list could go on and on...
Pretty much I can't wait!
7.26.2010
No Formula with God
I've been thinking about this a lot recently, formulas...
and grace.
The thoughts on formula came from a discussion we had in Bible study two weeks ago. We were talking about sexual purity and marriage. Somewhere in the conversation this [false] idea came up that if I am content in the Lord, fully satisfied in Him, and walking closely with Him He will bless me with a husband. WHOA sister! Where did this idea come from? God does not bless us because we are good. He blesses us because He is good and full of grace.
Some days I wish there was this formula (you know, A+B=C) we could follow as Christians to get what we want or to get where we want to be. But that is not what it means to follow Jesus. The only formula that I know is to listen for His voice and follow it, whatever He may call you to do. His grace will carry you through and His love will hold you up as you walk along the road He has marked for you.
and grace.
The thoughts on formula came from a discussion we had in Bible study two weeks ago. We were talking about sexual purity and marriage. Somewhere in the conversation this [false] idea came up that if I am content in the Lord, fully satisfied in Him, and walking closely with Him He will bless me with a husband. WHOA sister! Where did this idea come from? God does not bless us because we are good. He blesses us because He is good and full of grace.
Some days I wish there was this formula (you know, A+B=C) we could follow as Christians to get what we want or to get where we want to be. But that is not what it means to follow Jesus. The only formula that I know is to listen for His voice and follow it, whatever He may call you to do. His grace will carry you through and His love will hold you up as you walk along the road He has marked for you.
6.03.2010
I've Got the Urge to Say Something but Got Nothing Much to Say
[I'm laughing now because for not having much to say that is a rather wordy title]
Life is interesting these days.
I was [notice the past tense] working at the Capitol for two great men, Senator John Bulloch from south west GA and Senator Ralph Hudgens from the Athens area. It was a good experience. Much different than my last experience down there. Not better per say, not worse either, just different. That fun ended on May 5th, I packed my bags and headed to South Africa on May 7th to spend two weeks and two days visiting the man who has captured my heart. What a sweet time it was to have together! Seeing where he is from, meeting his friends and family, exploring the country, having fun, laughing together... we were very blessed in our time together!
I arrived back in the states on May 24th very tired and still recovering from being sick. [oh yes folks, I was sick for five days during my visit!] Eleven days have now passed since then and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I know I need to get out there and find a J-O-B. But summer is tempting me with her bright sunshine and carefree spirit to put that off as long as I can...
In 15 days I turn 27...
That is about all I got. Not much after months of blog silence. So I'll end with a few nice pics from my trip!
Me and Stefan in Kruger National Park
At his parent's house
Fun on the farm feeding his brother's little lambs!
4.03.2010
The Day in-between
I was laying in bed this morning wondering how the disciples must have felt and what they must have been thinking as they woke up (if they were even able to find sleep) the day after Jesus was put into the grave. I am sure there was great sorrow among them. And an even greater feeling of defeat-- the man they put all their hope in and believed to be their savior was dead and in the grave.
They didn't know in His death He actually won victory over death. I can't even imagine how they must have felt that day... I know the story doesn't end on day two. I can't imagine not knowing the end of the story! Waking up on that day in-between not knowing all the pain and suffering Jesus endured would actually set me. Free from all guilt and shame; freedom from the bondage of sin!
What was seen to them was the death of a man they loved, respected, and put their hope in. Paul had not yet written the words "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what i unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18) for them to find comfort in.
I wonder if they were discussing the words they knew by heart He had spoken to them trying to put the pieces of what had happened together? I wonder if they were so sad they did nothing but weep and morn. I hope there was at least one among them who spoke truth to the others: there must be hope... the story must not be over. But I don't know? Scripture doesn't tell us. I have to believe the Lord sustained them and comforted them on that day in-between.
What a great surprise it must have been for those men and women to see Jesus that next day! They had not lost all hope on the day in-between. Hope had been given to them through the death and rising of their Lord Jesus Christ!
Today we have the words of Paul to remind us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen... and we know the end of the story: Jesus is alive and has conquered the grave and brought us life!
They didn't know in His death He actually won victory over death. I can't even imagine how they must have felt that day... I know the story doesn't end on day two. I can't imagine not knowing the end of the story! Waking up on that day in-between not knowing all the pain and suffering Jesus endured would actually set me. Free from all guilt and shame; freedom from the bondage of sin!
What was seen to them was the death of a man they loved, respected, and put their hope in. Paul had not yet written the words "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what i unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18) for them to find comfort in.
I wonder if they were discussing the words they knew by heart He had spoken to them trying to put the pieces of what had happened together? I wonder if they were so sad they did nothing but weep and morn. I hope there was at least one among them who spoke truth to the others: there must be hope... the story must not be over. But I don't know? Scripture doesn't tell us. I have to believe the Lord sustained them and comforted them on that day in-between.
What a great surprise it must have been for those men and women to see Jesus that next day! They had not lost all hope on the day in-between. Hope had been given to them through the death and rising of their Lord Jesus Christ!
Today we have the words of Paul to remind us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen... and we know the end of the story: Jesus is alive and has conquered the grave and brought us life!
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving or us eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
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