to all my lovely followers who are probably wondering why I am no longer "Joyful".
"Joyful" still exists, but "Joyful" is no longer my reality. I have learned that life does not consist only of happy moments but that trials come, and frustrations make themselves known. is this a wrong thing? no. it is life.
my joy is rooted in Christ, and not in the positive circumstances of this life. I believe that it is okay to simply sit quietly at times, and experience a vast array of emotions. Ecclesiasties 3. there is a time for everything under the sun...
for the longest time I struggled with the idea that I struggled to express what was in this heart. but now I realize that its okay to not always know what to say, or just how to say it. its okay to be at a loss for words. so this is me, raw, and real. me, and this inexpressible heart of mine.
enjoy....
E
Monday, May 6, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Just a quick thought...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhnFkSL4T5g
Today was simply one of those days. You know, those days where everything just seems to go the wrong way. From fighting off the stomach flu, to spilling hot tea, not being able to find my keys, forgetting a glove at home.... Nothing seemed to work in my favor today. I sit here in bed tonight grateful that tomorrow is a new day. However, as I was walking across campus to class today, freezing away from the bitter Cleveland winter wind, I decided I needed a little bit of music to cheer me up. I put my headphones in, and began to listen. "Elvis is dead, Picasso is dead, Jimi Hendrix and JAnis Joplin are dead. Marilyn Monroe is dead, however- Jesus is alive." In his song, Shai Linne goes on to tell about the fact that any famous figure in history is dead. Plato, Buddha, Darwin, Napolean, Atila the Hun... you name it- dead. So many times we put our faith and hope in these influential humans.. but that's all they are. Mere humans, whose lives end at the grave. so no matter how beautiful they are, how wonderfully they sing, how powerfully they speak, they will die, and remain in that grave. but Jesus... Jesus is ALIVE. Death was could not hold Him... after three days, He rose again. His tomb is empty, and today He sits at the right hand of God, and He intercedes for us. and because of Him, we can enter heaven, and rejoice for eternity.
Please take a minute and let that sink in... Jesus is alive. ALIVE.
Today was simply one of those days. You know, those days where everything just seems to go the wrong way. From fighting off the stomach flu, to spilling hot tea, not being able to find my keys, forgetting a glove at home.... Nothing seemed to work in my favor today. I sit here in bed tonight grateful that tomorrow is a new day. However, as I was walking across campus to class today, freezing away from the bitter Cleveland winter wind, I decided I needed a little bit of music to cheer me up. I put my headphones in, and began to listen. "Elvis is dead, Picasso is dead, Jimi Hendrix and JAnis Joplin are dead. Marilyn Monroe is dead, however- Jesus is alive." In his song, Shai Linne goes on to tell about the fact that any famous figure in history is dead. Plato, Buddha, Darwin, Napolean, Atila the Hun... you name it- dead. So many times we put our faith and hope in these influential humans.. but that's all they are. Mere humans, whose lives end at the grave. so no matter how beautiful they are, how wonderfully they sing, how powerfully they speak, they will die, and remain in that grave. but Jesus... Jesus is ALIVE. Death was could not hold Him... after three days, He rose again. His tomb is empty, and today He sits at the right hand of God, and He intercedes for us. and because of Him, we can enter heaven, and rejoice for eternity.
Please take a minute and let that sink in... Jesus is alive. ALIVE.
"Through faith in Christ, we've been saved from hell
Because He's risen, it means we'll be raised as well
In glorified bodies fit for the new earth
For now, we participate in the new birth
The universal reality of the true church
With resurrection power, watch the Spirit do work!
United with Christ, we reside in His light
Abide in His might, keep in stride as we fight
The pride in our life, the lies and the spite
We strive to be wise as He guides through the night
He'll chide and He'll slice- recognize that He's right
His brightness inside lights our eyes and it's tight
(He) decided to die to wash white all our strife
His life was the price to delight in His wife
He told death "sike" just to rise like a kite
All eyes on the Christ- let's prize Him "
Jesus is alive my friends. and if that isn't enough to turn your day around, I don't know what else is...
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
in Him - Peace
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
Well, I'm not sure about you, but I think I've read over that verse at least eight dozen times. I've always wondered about peace, I've always thought about it, and what true peace really meant. I always settled for the idea that peace was feeling calm, and safe. But little did I know, it's so much more than that. True peace- the peace of GOD- is simply inexpressible. It is something greater than a feeling, something so great it cannot be put into words. These past two weeks, this verse has become sch a reality, and I am living proof that even in brokenness, God never forsakes His children.
I met with some good, close friends for lunch today. I am blessed with some incredibly wonderful friends who are always encouraging and uplifting me. Being the wonderful friends they are, they noticed I hadn't been myself lately, and knew it was time to talk to me. I had thought I was doing a good job of covering it up, but apparently I had been as transparent as glass.
I confided in my friends the heartbreak that I had been dealing with, the shocks, losses, fear, and struggles. They simply sat and listened as I talked. I said more to them, then I have said to anyone in weeks. It was refreshing, to pour out my heart. and upon talking, it dawned on me... in the midst of my storm, I have never felt more peace than I have these couple weeks, and never have I felt closer to God.
I hadn't elimated God from my life, but I simply didn't put Him first. I forgot Him when things were going good. I lost sight of His presence because things were going my way. And when the waves crashed in, and the rain began to fall, I cried out to my Savior again. I realized that it wasn't me feeling Him closer, because He was never the one that moved. It was I that moved.
I knew it was time to change something. Because every time I felt a wave hit, I grew weaker and weaker. I knew I couldn't do this on my own, and countless nights I cried out to my Savior, begging to feel His comfort, His love, and His presence. but that wasn't enough. it wasn't enough for me to go through this unchanged. because I had been dealing with hardships in this manner too long, and I was winding up in circles.
I began to pray throughout the day. My feet do not set foot on the ground out of bed in the morning before I lift up my hands, and praise my Maker for another day of grace. As I drive to school, I tell my Lord what is on my mind- my worries, fears, and concerns. Throughout the day, I find myself bowing my head in prayer- silent praises, words of gratitude for my sweet, sweet Jesus...... "by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING make your requests known...":) my Bible is now by my side throughout the day. I have a genuine desire to spend my afternoon with a hot mug of tea, reading from His word.
I had felt such a lonely vacancy in my life, and have finally set in the missing piece. I amn't here to tell you of how "good of a Christian" I am now- reading my Bible and praying. but rather how great our God is, and in the miraculous ways He works. He is ever-so-patient, and welcomes His children into His arms with such love. what a mighty God we serve.
I can say with confidence that I have true, God-given peace. it is unlike anything I have ever experienced before- this sense of comfort, joy, and love in the midst of trial and confusion. every day is different. some days are easier, and the load seems easier, and lighter to bear. others are more difficult, and my weaknesses are made more evident. but throughout it all, I have not lost that peace. it's ever-present, because our God is ever-present. It surpasses all understanding. I do not understand why these trials have come my way or why God has given me this load to bear, but it doesn't matter anymore. I feel out of my mind, saying that amidst everything going on, I have peace. but that's what God-given peace truly means- surpassing all understanding. because our God knows so much better than we ever will.
Find comfort in that, my dear friend. True peace is found in the arms of our God. He, who has never turned His back to you, is standing ready with arms wide open. Run to him.
in Him, we have peace.
I knew it was time to change something. Because every time I felt a wave hit, I grew weaker and weaker. I knew I couldn't do this on my own, and countless nights I cried out to my Savior, begging to feel His comfort, His love, and His presence. but that wasn't enough. it wasn't enough for me to go through this unchanged. because I had been dealing with hardships in this manner too long, and I was winding up in circles.
I began to pray throughout the day. My feet do not set foot on the ground out of bed in the morning before I lift up my hands, and praise my Maker for another day of grace. As I drive to school, I tell my Lord what is on my mind- my worries, fears, and concerns. Throughout the day, I find myself bowing my head in prayer- silent praises, words of gratitude for my sweet, sweet Jesus...... "by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING make your requests known...":) my Bible is now by my side throughout the day. I have a genuine desire to spend my afternoon with a hot mug of tea, reading from His word.
I had felt such a lonely vacancy in my life, and have finally set in the missing piece. I amn't here to tell you of how "good of a Christian" I am now- reading my Bible and praying. but rather how great our God is, and in the miraculous ways He works. He is ever-so-patient, and welcomes His children into His arms with such love. what a mighty God we serve.
I can say with confidence that I have true, God-given peace. it is unlike anything I have ever experienced before- this sense of comfort, joy, and love in the midst of trial and confusion. every day is different. some days are easier, and the load seems easier, and lighter to bear. others are more difficult, and my weaknesses are made more evident. but throughout it all, I have not lost that peace. it's ever-present, because our God is ever-present. It surpasses all understanding. I do not understand why these trials have come my way or why God has given me this load to bear, but it doesn't matter anymore. I feel out of my mind, saying that amidst everything going on, I have peace. but that's what God-given peace truly means- surpassing all understanding. because our God knows so much better than we ever will.
Find comfort in that, my dear friend. True peace is found in the arms of our God. He, who has never turned His back to you, is standing ready with arms wide open. Run to him.
in Him, we have peace.
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