jogirl's Xanga

Trust will be the light tonight.

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:29:32 GMT

Budgeting = smart

*****

I love the ways God works.

I love His gentle Hand that guides us with such strength.

His ways of encouraging His people amazes me.

His kindness ----------- nothing else compares.

The beauty that He elucidates -------------- matchless.

The history of His faithfulness spans more years than we can even comprehend.

He has plans for us that are far beyond our best hopes & dreams.

... and that is what I want.

... nothing else.

*****

Promise once it shut you out
You ask, "What was that all about now"?
You and I through rise and fall
We've seen the horizon through it all now

Close your eyes this time
Cause trust is all we have tonight
But trust will be forever
Safe your dreams will be
Cause trust will be the light tonight
So close your eyes this time

The house sits stale, it lets you roam
Inside it just don't feel like home now
I promise hope will pull you out
For that's what love is all about

Close your eyes this time
Cause trust is all we have tonight
But trust will be forever
Safe your dreams will be
Cause trust will be the light tonight
So close your eyes this time

Time will turn this place around
For the man you call Jesus was still a son like you
Sons will spend their days searching hard for the things they are made of

Close your eyes this time
Cause trust is all we have tonight
But trust will be forever
Safe your dreams will be
Cause trust will be the light tonight
So close your eyes this time

- Future of Forestry

"Close Your Eyes"

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:34:52 GMT

"As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.
He has called us to receive His own glory and goodness!"

- 2 Peter 1:3 NLT

*****

Read that verse. One more time.

There are some truths that truly shed light --- on everything. Every aspect of life.

This verse is one of those truths that I find speaks in such weight and to such depth that you cannot leave from reading it without a bigger understanding of God's amazing power in our lives..... if we allow that power to be at work in us.

"Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen."
- Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT

This is where it's at. This is what matters.

Allowing God's truth to work in us to cultivate our hearts to be full of life and then we will be effective.

***

Yesterday was a day filled with reconciliation for me.

I was able to meet with a couple of old friends who I never would have thought I could have spent good quality time with. The conversations were good... and I really feel as though maybe last year I wouldn't have been able to do that. God is working in my life to forgive and to show grace.

It's so vital to life.

Life... I am deciding to choose life and not death. Blessings and not cursings!

"I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else, but in the end the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself."
- The Weepies

Friday, May 15, 2009

Fri, 15 May 2009 03:53:34 GMT

Hey xanga.

It's been a while. :)

I guess I haven't written here for a while because I haven't felt the push of inspiration to the extent of extending my words into form online. But tonight, I believe I have reached that place. :)

Life has been really really good lately. Everything seems to be coming right along for me. Maybe not to an outsider, but to me - it totally is. There has been so much healing for me in this past year.. I really cannot put it into words that justify the depth. A sincere joy has been reestablished in me... in the core of me. I look back and see the vast distance from where I was and where I am today.. here.. now.. presently. The job-front may not come across so hot to an outsider either - but I feel God has brought me to a place of trust that I can't really describe either. In the past five months (of losing my fulltime job at Cat), I have seen God's financial provision... in abundance. Seriously. It's amazing.. and encouraging. I'm reminding myself even now of that. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..." (Prov. 3:5-6). I'm just really enjoying life again.

Tonight was the finale 2-hour show of Grey's Anatomy. Anyone who is a fan of that show understands the depth of the messages sent through the episodes... but tonight was just a great wrap-up for me. In the end, it challenges you to tell the people you love that you love them. To cherish your today.. because you never know what may happen tomorrow. It's so true though. I was watching the show with my (not-so) little sis (who is probably more grownup than I right now).. and it kind of hit me -- to make sure that those who matter to me, know it. So, I guess I just wanted to pass that message along. :)

I love the beauty of life. I'm reading a great book right now (called "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert) - my sister let me borrow it. In it, the writer shares her experiences in three very different places (Italy, India & Indonesia) - and her journey to find God and the deeper things of life. It's been pretty good.

I'm one who loves the deeper things of life. Hopefully I can gain an ear to hear deeper truths as time goes by. And for now, I'm working on the ones I've discovered thus far. ;)

Restoration.. constant revelation.

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:58:24 GMT

"But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do a brand-new thing.
See, I have already begun!
Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness for My people to come home.
I will create rivers for them in the desert!"

- Isaiah 43:18

*RESTORATION

1.	the act of restoring; renewal, revival, or reestablishment.

2.	the state or fact of being restored.

3.	a return of something to a former, original, normal, or unimpaired condition.

4.	restitution of something taken away or lost.

5.	something that is restored, as by renovating.

6.	a reconstruction or reproduction of an ancient building, extinct animal, or the like, showing it in its original state.

7.	a putting back into a former position, dignity, etc.

....

I was reading in "Velvet Elvis" today and in the very last chapter Bell talks about restoration.
I couldn't help but give a little laugh.

God has that amazing way of giving us confirmation... and I love it.

I'm truly experiencing restoration... and I'm utterly thankful and grateful.

Here are some lyrics from Brandon Heath ("Don't Get Comfortable")... good stuff.

Comfortable, don’t get comfortable.
I am gonna’ move this mountain then I’m gonna move you in.

Yesterday, this is not yesterday.
You were standing on my shoulders now; you’re standing on the edge.
You’ve been looking for a sign all this time.

I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you’ve never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

So afraid but you don’t have to be afraid
Even if you make mistakes
You know that I’ll remain
You’ve been looking for a sign all this time.
If you seek you’ll find me every time....

Restoration.

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:01:02 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LcyQOLVS_U

Please checkout this song on You Tube.

Thank God that He is the God of restoration.

The future is now.

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:15:02 GMT

"You'll need to fight the thief that would steal your Lover's gifts to you outright."

- John & Stacey Eldredge ("Captivating" - p. 125)

***

I know I've posted this picture before. Possibly a few times, even.. but I love it.

God desires the best for us. His desire is for us to have a strong, true, pure relationship with Him.
Knowing the depth of His love for us, being attentive to His voice and aware of His hand..
Seeking His heart, knowing His truth - the only Truth.
I just finished "Captivating" last week... and seriously am glad I picked it up (thanks, Haley, for being the first one to recommend it!). It has been so refreshing for my spirit. I can feel it. It was perfect timing too.
It seems like EVERYTHING has been in perfect timing lately. As I've been devoting more time to investing in the Word and in tools to help me spiritually, it's like God has been confirming all that He is doing in me.

I'm definitely more aware of my deep need for God.
I feel like I've always known, since I was very young... but it's different.
It's like I know that without God, I am truly missing out on everything that matters.
I love how patient and tender God is with me.. and with all of us.

I truly believe that there is so much truth that is staring us in the face... but it's only when our hearts are aware and hungry to come to that knowledge that we will come to understand it.
God is always speaking.. and my heart's true desire is to truly be aware of that and truly investing time into hearing what He is saying.

I've been told I should write a book by several people (whom I respect)... and I think it's not such a bad idea.
I kind of always thought I would someday... but I feel something deep in me that is stirring and I really think I will!
Live is such an amazing journey.. and I'm honored to be sharing it with (all of) you.

"Heart I hope you wake up soon"

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:57:20 GMT

"Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

- Psalm 90:12

***

I was listening to a couple songs that Landon Pigg has.
Thoughts started taking shape and I thought I'd jot them down on here.. as I find them worthwhile to share.

"With a hammer and a nail, a man left to die
With a hammer and a nail, I eat this coconut.
Yeah it's good..
The tin man's got nothing on me
Heart I hope you wake up soon.."

"Tin Man"

The tin man has no heart, according to the storyline in the Wizard of Oz.
We have the knowledge of the cross and what that means to the world.. and for us, personally.
And do we just go about our lives oblivious to that life-altering truth and enjoy our snack?
(A coconut in this example)
(But a pineapple sounds delicious right now..)
When our hearts are fully alive to this deep truth and to the spiritual aspect of life, we have different eyes.
Our lives radiate something true and pure, despite our stumbles.
We see the big picture and never lose sight of who God really is and what He is doing and capable of.

"I can't move on
Afraid to lose, I'm breathing but I'm dead
Yeah, there's a difference between living
And living in your head
Don't let life pass you by

If you're feeling all alone, then
Just look in the mirror at yourself
And you'll remember every reason
Why you're sharing your life with no one else

There, there
I don't want to make you cry
There, there
But you'll feel better on the other side
On the other side

You'll never know what's on the inside
If you never open up the box
And why do you expect the door
To open up if you won't even knock..."

"On the Other Side"

Sidenote, to begin with.
I really hear The Fray in this song.. his voice sounds exactly like them.
Ok.. I really like these lyrics.
"There's a difference between living and living in your head.. Don't let life pass you by."
How true that is.. and most of the time we don't even realize it.
We get one life here.. so why do we ever waste a day or a moment?
".. you'll remember every reason why you're sharing your life with no one else."
That sums things up pretty well for me right now. :)
I am purposefully taking time to be single and focus on me and let God truly have His way.
I have here and now.
Thankfully.

Coffee-time

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:17:56 GMT

*Coffee-time this morning... was really good
--> which included great music, "Velvet Elvis," Proverbs 10, and "Jesus Wants to Save Christians".. oh, and notes in my journal

I'm reading "Velvet Elvis" (by Rob Bell) for the third time. And I'm getting a lot out of it.
Like... a whole lot.
A good friend of mine from ISU reminded me a while ago that our christian walk is filled with being constantly reminded.
And I completely agree with her.
In Chapter 4 of this book, Bell reminds us how vital the Sabbath is.
It's when my job is to enjoy.... period.
A day when we don't check emails, you can't get ahold of us, and we rest.
"Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom of God" (p 118).
He desires that... but do we allow Him to do that in us?
He states that, "we are driven by deep unspoken forces... that dictate huge areas of our lives.. and it is possible to never let Jesus heal your soul."
Deep roots take shape.
And he poses the challenge to "get help wherever you need it.... Do whatever it takes" (p 119).

Proverbs 10 has so much depth.
Check out these verses...
v. 17 says, "People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray."
v. 20: "The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless."
v. 22: "The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it."
-> this one kinda jumped out at me.. there is no sorrow because no matter what a person goes through if they are under the Lord's blessing and have a right perspective, they will always see the good & God's purposes
v. 28: "The hopes of the godly result in happiness.."
-> Ps. 37:4.. delight/find happiness in the Lord and what you hope for will be what He wants for your life

Word.

Truth.

Hope.

Strength.

Direction.

In the right direction.

Today is a new day.

A brand new day.

Brandon Heath reminds us in his song "Love Never Fails" that
"Love never fails you.... love will sustain, love will provide, love will not cease at the end of time.
Love will protect, love always hopes, love still believes when you don't.."

And, of course, we know that God is Love.

Your love never fails.

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:29:13 GMT

Mmk. This song is just too good not to share on here.
We just sang this at church over the weekend for the first time..
and it's just one of those worship songs that you can really relate to.

****

"Your Love Never Fails" by Jesus Culture (Chris Quilala)

Verse 1:
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes, but
You have new mercy for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night
But joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don’t have to be afraid
Because I know that you love me
And your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water’s deep, but
I’m not alone here in these open seas
Cause your love never fails

The chasm was far too wide
I never thought I’d reach the other side
But your love never fails

Bridge: You make all things, work together for my good

****

Songs to checkout, as a sidenote:
- Falling in love at a coffee shop by Landon Pigg
- Hazy by Rosi Golan
- Umbrella by Marie Digby
- Brand New Day.. and One of Those Days by Joshua Radin
- Mystery.. and Chainbreaker by Charlie Hall
- What I Want by Ryan Calhoun

The Big 2-7

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:54:31 GMT

Tomorrow I'll be 27.
3 years from 30!

It's a nice reminder to really make sure I'm making the most of life.
My challenge is to not look on the past but focus on now and the future.
I think this year is going to be a really amazing year.. because I feel like my focus is right.

We all make mistakes and have moments we are not proud of..
but what do we learn from them and how do we make sure we don't repeat them?
I have definitely learned a lot this past year.. and I will not make the same mistakes.