Out of all the books in the bible i will never get bored of reading Psalms! i have just finished reading that book for like the 5th or 6th time and i got excited cause that means that i get to start over! (In addition to my regular reading in this AMAZING book-the bible in case i wasn't clear). Well, as i began to read Psalms i read this amazing verse that made me stop and say , "DUH! It's soooo clear, why am i not doing this???"
Psalm 5:3 "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my request before you and wait in EXPECTATION"
Let me break this down to you as why it was such an AMAZING verse. So #1...IN THE MORNING... I don't know about you, but one of the first things that i do when i wake up is:Stretch, say good morning to my doggies (mostly cause Nemo is on my pillow already and Spike hogs the bed) and i say out loud, 'thank you Jesus for this day!' As i walk down the (what seems like a forever) hall, i begin to pray about my day asking the Lord to bless it and direct me. After i get my ever so needed coffee (do not talk to me before i get that!! Every one at camp knows this!! haha) i go out back (if its nice and sunny) or return to my room and begin to pray for my family and the day's events along with what ever is on my heart.
This verse has opened my eyes because THIS IS WHAT I DO! I lay my request before God, but then i go on with my busy day. I completely forget about the second part of that verse.
#2 WAIT IN EXPECTATION...ut oh! haha i have NEVER been good at this! I'm not just talking about the waiting part, i'm talking about the IN EXPECTATION part. You see, i may be praying and asking God for things, but i'm not EXPECTING him to do those things. Wait, let me rephrase...i do expect him to do those things, just when ever he fills like it.
But this is not what this verse is saying to do! NOPE! It says to WAIT in EXPECTATION. I have always prayed knowing and expecting God to answer. But now i am praying like this, "God i EXPECT you to...." He has nothing but GOOD for us, so why not pray with a faith that backs i up? :)
Try it today...WAIT IN EXPECTATION
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
PRAISE God!
With the last few weeks and this lovely weather i have been sick with sinus issues about once every two weeks! It's sooooo frustrating cause I'll be well for a good two weeks, then BAM! The weather changes and in comes the sinus issues! And it stinks cause i'm all congested and 'snotty' and can't breathe let alone sing or do anything else. And if you know me even a little, you know i love to sing :)
Last sunday i was scheduled to sing for the Impact service and had to get Katie to cover for me (thanks Katers!). I was sad because i love singing with that band, but i couldn't breathe! Then i remembered that i had to lead for Axiom the following tuesday (today). I didn't know if i could and i just began to pray and trust the Lord that he would heal me. Monday nite rolled along and i felt like i was not getting any better, but i picked songs and prayed even harder. I knew that God could (and would) heal me and that i would be able to lead. Oh yeah, before i get to that i have to tell you about my friday nite incident.
So we had a camp meeting on saturday and i was really not feeling well friday nite. So i took my Sudafed and went to bed early. I tossed and turned and woke up every hour on the hour with an even worst headache and pressure as the nite went on. It was 5:30 am and i couldn't take it any more! I got up, ate some crackers (so my tummy wouldn't hurt) and took both some more Sudafed and Rapid Release Tylenol. Hopped back into bed and prayed this prayer, " God, i know that you want me to be well. You are bigger than this infection and pressure and i know you can heal me.Please take this pressure away and let me get enough rest for the day with the 2 hours i can sleep before i have to get up." I prayed with all that i had and trusted that God would do it. Within 5 minutes of praying the headache and pressure was COMPLETELY GONE! PRAISE GOD! i fell asleep and when i woke up i felt soo refreshed as if i had gotten a full nites rest!
Now back to my Tuesday story, so i picked my songs, prayed for God to heal me and went to be. When i woke up, i woke up with the attitude of, "God is going to heal me and help me get through this day!" I was still a little congested, but not as bad as prior days. So i went to work, blew my nose...did my thing and continued to pray through out the day that God would give me the strength to lead and heal me. The time came for me to practice and i was getting a little worried, was i going to be able to do it?
Tiffany came early so we could see what key to play everything in and as i sang, my voice sounded terrible! I sounded like Pheobe when she has her "sexy voice." But i still trusted that God would help me. The band came and as we practiced each song, i could hear and fill my voice getting stronger and stronger. :) We began service and i felt as if i was never sick. Yes, i had to take more breathes in between the words, but still a strong voice. THANK YOU JESUS!
You see, i knew that God could heal me. He is a God that LONGS to be gracious to us when we ask of things. But with the asking comes the trusting. If we don't have the faith to trust that he can do the things we ask, we might as well be screaming it into a pillow. I pray that you have the faith to ask anything in Jesus' name and believe it with everything you have! TRY IT! You will be amazed at the results! But please, please, please don't forget to thank Him for all He has done!
Last sunday i was scheduled to sing for the Impact service and had to get Katie to cover for me (thanks Katers!). I was sad because i love singing with that band, but i couldn't breathe! Then i remembered that i had to lead for Axiom the following tuesday (today). I didn't know if i could and i just began to pray and trust the Lord that he would heal me. Monday nite rolled along and i felt like i was not getting any better, but i picked songs and prayed even harder. I knew that God could (and would) heal me and that i would be able to lead. Oh yeah, before i get to that i have to tell you about my friday nite incident.
So we had a camp meeting on saturday and i was really not feeling well friday nite. So i took my Sudafed and went to bed early. I tossed and turned and woke up every hour on the hour with an even worst headache and pressure as the nite went on. It was 5:30 am and i couldn't take it any more! I got up, ate some crackers (so my tummy wouldn't hurt) and took both some more Sudafed and Rapid Release Tylenol. Hopped back into bed and prayed this prayer, " God, i know that you want me to be well. You are bigger than this infection and pressure and i know you can heal me.Please take this pressure away and let me get enough rest for the day with the 2 hours i can sleep before i have to get up." I prayed with all that i had and trusted that God would do it. Within 5 minutes of praying the headache and pressure was COMPLETELY GONE! PRAISE GOD! i fell asleep and when i woke up i felt soo refreshed as if i had gotten a full nites rest!
Now back to my Tuesday story, so i picked my songs, prayed for God to heal me and went to be. When i woke up, i woke up with the attitude of, "God is going to heal me and help me get through this day!" I was still a little congested, but not as bad as prior days. So i went to work, blew my nose...did my thing and continued to pray through out the day that God would give me the strength to lead and heal me. The time came for me to practice and i was getting a little worried, was i going to be able to do it?
Tiffany came early so we could see what key to play everything in and as i sang, my voice sounded terrible! I sounded like Pheobe when she has her "sexy voice." But i still trusted that God would help me. The band came and as we practiced each song, i could hear and fill my voice getting stronger and stronger. :) We began service and i felt as if i was never sick. Yes, i had to take more breathes in between the words, but still a strong voice. THANK YOU JESUS!
You see, i knew that God could heal me. He is a God that LONGS to be gracious to us when we ask of things. But with the asking comes the trusting. If we don't have the faith to trust that he can do the things we ask, we might as well be screaming it into a pillow. I pray that you have the faith to ask anything in Jesus' name and believe it with everything you have! TRY IT! You will be amazed at the results! But please, please, please don't forget to thank Him for all He has done!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Faithful in ALL he does!
ok so i am soooo fired for not bloging in weeks!! (Sorry Mel!)
Last week while was i was doing my Hang Ten's i was really moved by this verse:
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 "But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ." Sooo good!! :)
So for those of you who don't know what HANG TEN'S are, they are kid devotionals that i (was called to) write for KidsTown. I wanted my kids to really understand how easy it is to spend time with Jesus and all i ask for is 5 minutes in reading +5 minutes prayer=10 minutes a day.
I hope you enjoy it :) and remember its for kids....so super simple and kid friendly!
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
Faithfull in ALL he does
When you get hungry, what do you do? You go to the kitchen and get something to eat right? Well, when you go looking for food do you find something to snack on? Yes! You see, when we are hungry we just go straight to the kitchen and get something to eat. Now there may be time when you go to look for food and you come back and say what, “there’s NOTHING to eat!” But is that true? Chances are that it is not. We trust that there will be food because we know that our parents are faithful and will provide us with food. The same thing is true with God. A lot of times we may think that he doesn’t have anything for us, but that is not true. God has nothing but GOOD for us and he is FAITHFUL in all he does! It may seem like he “forgot” you, but chances are that you just need to be patient and wait for God. Every thing he does is in his perfect timing! And he will not leave you or let any bad come to you. So just like that food you are searching for...your parents and God are going to be FAITHFUL in everything they do!! :)
Last week while was i was doing my Hang Ten's i was really moved by this verse:
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 "But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ." Sooo good!! :)
So for those of you who don't know what HANG TEN'S are, they are kid devotionals that i (was called to) write for KidsTown. I wanted my kids to really understand how easy it is to spend time with Jesus and all i ask for is 5 minutes in reading +5 minutes prayer=10 minutes a day.
I hope you enjoy it :) and remember its for kids....so super simple and kid friendly!
Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5
Faithfull in ALL he does
When you get hungry, what do you do? You go to the kitchen and get something to eat right? Well, when you go looking for food do you find something to snack on? Yes! You see, when we are hungry we just go straight to the kitchen and get something to eat. Now there may be time when you go to look for food and you come back and say what, “there’s NOTHING to eat!” But is that true? Chances are that it is not. We trust that there will be food because we know that our parents are faithful and will provide us with food. The same thing is true with God. A lot of times we may think that he doesn’t have anything for us, but that is not true. God has nothing but GOOD for us and he is FAITHFUL in all he does! It may seem like he “forgot” you, but chances are that you just need to be patient and wait for God. Every thing he does is in his perfect timing! And he will not leave you or let any bad come to you. So just like that food you are searching for...your parents and God are going to be FAITHFUL in everything they do!! :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Busy as a...Hummingbird??
Have you ever been sooo busy that you don't realize that life is happening all around you?? WOW! I know that the phrase is "Busy as a Bee," but that does not sum up my life at all!! I am more like a hummingbird flapping around going from place to place.
I remember a time when i was younger and we were in the back yard swimming and enjoying the nice summer day. We have a planter that runs with the pool and when the flowers bloom we get bee's, wasp, HUGE bubble bee's, dragonflies and hummingbirds come to visit. This day there was a hummingbird that went from one end of the planter to the other then went to rest on the telephone wires. While it was resting i thought, whoa, i've never seen a hummingbird rest like that. I was soo amazed that it was soo still. And by the time i could tell everyone it was off to another yard! Soo quickly that i was caught staring at the telephone wires thinking, it was just here!!
A few weeks ago i was getting lunch and sat outside to enjoy some fresh air when i noticed a Hummingbird getting some necture (or pollen, whatever it is they get form the flower). As its wings flapped sooo quickly and it moved from flower to flower i thought to myself, "wow, that hummingbird sure is busy!." And then i began to think about my life. If you know me even a little, you know that i am ALWAYS doing things. Oh and if you try to tell me or stay with me on a Sunday...it's just not gonna happen! I am moving from place to place, making sure the classes, teachers and services are moving smoothly. I even tell my friends who want to see how i'm doing, "walk with me, quickly we gotta go check on..." But is this what life is all about? Being sooo busy that your friends have to keep up with you just to say hi??
Last week i was soo sick with a sinus and ear infection that i could not go to work. At first all i could think of was, "i gotta get better, i have soo much to do." But suddenly i realized something. I haven't been enjoying life! I haven't been resting in the fact that Jesus has everything under control! I was just like that Hummingbird. It took me being sick for a week to realize that i don't need to do everything on my own. If somethings don't get done, it's ok. Jesus in in control and i just need to trust in Him. Now i'm not saying that i'm going to stop working as hard. I'm saying that instead of focusing on there's soo much to do and i am the only that can do it, i need to focus on the people that God has placed in my life to help me. I have AMAZING friends that will be there for me when i am in a pinch. But why wait till i'm in a pinch?? Why not take a second to rest on that telephone wire and see what Jesus wants me to do.
If i look to my own abilities i am going to fail...but when i look to the Lord, i know that he will delivery me out of the craziness and have me rest while he goes and makes my paths smooth. I have a verse that is plastered everywhere! Its on my mirror in my room, on my rear view mirror in my car, on my monitor at work and when i read it, it given me peace and a reassurance that i cannot do things on my own! Psalm 105:4 "Look to the Lord and his strength, seek HIS face ALWAYS!" I don't ever want to be soo busy that i miss a blessing that the Lord has for me! I hope that as the craziness of life happens that you and i can LOOK to the Lord's strength and KNOW that he is in control! :)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Embracing LOVE!
There comes a time in your life when you are soooo in love with the Father and you somehow get a glimpse of how much he loves YOU!
Last year i had the opportunity to begin to lead worship at Axiom (our young adults group) and when ever i pick songs for my set, i go straight to the songs about God's love and my love for Him. Worship to me is a part of my life!! Working with children, i strive to influence them with songs that are only pleasing and glorify God! My Ipod has only worship music or Christian artist (and yes...kids worship and Veggie Tales) on it but i am mostly playing the same worship band over and over again...Jesus Culture. I do believe the name says it all. I want to live a life that is devoted and reflects a culture for Jesus! Please don't get me wrong, i love Hillsong and United (among the many other amazing worship bands). But with Jesus Culture, it is like they are taking the words straight out of my heart, soul and mind and singing them to the King! And if i am not laughing...you can bet i'm singing!! Most of the time out load and just that...loud! (i can't tell you how many times Pastor Rick has caught me singing in a room!!)
To me, singing is a way for me to express my feelings to the Lord. It's like no matter what happened during the day, when i get into the car and put on music or even step onto the stage and i begin to sing...everything melts away because im spending time with my dad! And all of a sudden that AMAZING LOVE comes and takes over! And i am sooo greatful for that!! I just wish that EVERYONE could experience God's love every day...not just at a camp or church setting.
And i'm not talking about a "John 3:16" love...i'm talking about a 1 John 4:18 love. "THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE! But perfect love drives out all fear."
When we have perfect love there is no wiggle room for anything else! And although John 3:16 is an important love, it's just the surface of love. There is soooooo much more! A deeper love that we have with the Father! He has a love for us that will NEVER fail, it will NEVER give up on us, it will NEVER leave us to love someone or thing else, and it is such a deep love that wants to drive out all fear!! Not just some fear...ALL FEAR!!
It's funny, every year i feel like its a theme that the Lord want to teach me. Like last year was faith and trusting in Him. I do believe that i have much more faith in trusting that HE has ONLY GOOD FOR ME! And this year...well it looks like he's teaching me more about his love! And i am sooo excited for this! Why he would love me with all of my flaws?? I will never understand that...but i am soo thankful that he does!!
My heart and prayer is that you fall sooo in love with the Father and just catch a glimpse of the love he has for you!!
How He Loves
By: John Mark McMillian
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath
The weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these, afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are
And how great your affections are for me
Oh, how he loves us so
Oh, how he loves us
How he loves us so
Yeah, he loves us
Oh, how he loves us
We are his portion, and he is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way...he loves us so!
Last year i had the opportunity to begin to lead worship at Axiom (our young adults group) and when ever i pick songs for my set, i go straight to the songs about God's love and my love for Him. Worship to me is a part of my life!! Working with children, i strive to influence them with songs that are only pleasing and glorify God! My Ipod has only worship music or Christian artist (and yes...kids worship and Veggie Tales) on it but i am mostly playing the same worship band over and over again...Jesus Culture. I do believe the name says it all. I want to live a life that is devoted and reflects a culture for Jesus! Please don't get me wrong, i love Hillsong and United (among the many other amazing worship bands). But with Jesus Culture, it is like they are taking the words straight out of my heart, soul and mind and singing them to the King! And if i am not laughing...you can bet i'm singing!! Most of the time out load and just that...loud! (i can't tell you how many times Pastor Rick has caught me singing in a room!!)
To me, singing is a way for me to express my feelings to the Lord. It's like no matter what happened during the day, when i get into the car and put on music or even step onto the stage and i begin to sing...everything melts away because im spending time with my dad! And all of a sudden that AMAZING LOVE comes and takes over! And i am sooo greatful for that!! I just wish that EVERYONE could experience God's love every day...not just at a camp or church setting.
And i'm not talking about a "John 3:16" love...i'm talking about a 1 John 4:18 love. "THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE! But perfect love drives out all fear."
When we have perfect love there is no wiggle room for anything else! And although John 3:16 is an important love, it's just the surface of love. There is soooooo much more! A deeper love that we have with the Father! He has a love for us that will NEVER fail, it will NEVER give up on us, it will NEVER leave us to love someone or thing else, and it is such a deep love that wants to drive out all fear!! Not just some fear...ALL FEAR!!
It's funny, every year i feel like its a theme that the Lord want to teach me. Like last year was faith and trusting in Him. I do believe that i have much more faith in trusting that HE has ONLY GOOD FOR ME! And this year...well it looks like he's teaching me more about his love! And i am sooo excited for this! Why he would love me with all of my flaws?? I will never understand that...but i am soo thankful that he does!!
My heart and prayer is that you fall sooo in love with the Father and just catch a glimpse of the love he has for you!!
How He Loves
By: John Mark McMillian
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath
The weight of his wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware of these, afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful you are
And how great your affections are for me
Oh, how he loves us so
Oh, how he loves us
How he loves us so
Yeah, he loves us
Oh, how he loves us
We are his portion, and he is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
If grace is an ocean we’re all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way...he loves us so!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Aloha Friend!!
As many of you know, our good friend Ricky (was ever so lucky) is moving to Hawaii! Jealous?!? Yup! You could say he's going to "Suffer for Jesus" over there..but really we know that he just wants to hang with Sumo ;). Ha ha.
But seriously, I am soo happy for Ricky! No one deserves this move more than him. Ricky is one of the most loving, compassionate, big kid, hard working, AMAZING friend who loves to bug the people he loves (aka...me! haha). When he graduated last year he told us that he was going to move to Hawaii and live with Sumo. We didn't really believe that it would ever happen, but hoped that it would. Well...a week before Christmas Ricky made the plans and the second week of January he bought his ticket!! I still couldn't believe it! But its true...today I had the privilege and honor to take Ricky to the airport with some friends!
But let me tell you...Ricky wanted to make sure that we spent plenty of time together!! From the day that Ricky purchased his ticket to Hawaii he did a count down and made plans with everyone! I've never watched soo many movies (let me rephrase that...cartoon movies) in the theatre. I usually wait until they come out on video to see them. Nope! Not this time! We watched "Marley and Me" (oh..if you have never seen...don't see it! YOU WILL BAWL YOUR EYES!!), "Bolt," "Kung Fu Panda," and finally "Madagascar 2."
Amidst the movies were the days he just had to come over and visit Spike (one of my two doggies!). The last Sunday he was here he just hopped in the car and came home with us. If you know Ricky at all you know his LOVE for animals. So we let him spend time with the doggies.
Ricky has been at The Cornerstone for years now and has worked in the Children's and High School departments. To show Ricky how much he is loved i decided to make him a scrapbook with notes from everyone! I've made 3 Scrapbooks now and have never made any for myself (haha, oh well...i know they are in good hands). As soon as i gave Ricky the book, he never put it down. In fact, he had MORE people sign the cover as if it were a yearbook. I know that book is going to bring him happiness when he misses us.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE MISS HIM?!?
Ricky, you are going to be missed sooooooooo much!! It's going to be lonely without you to bug me, but i have all the confidence in the world that you are going to do AMAZING thin
gs in Hawaii!! Just remember not to fall in love with a hula girl with duct tape on her head! ;O) I'm sooo glad we are friends! I think after these last few weeks you've moved up to Broder #2!! You will ALWAYS be in my heart and i will think of you everyday...you know between the bubble stains in my office, the "Ricky is coo!" note and of course when i come home and play with MY Spike (and Nemo).
gs in Hawaii!! Just remember not to fall in love with a hula girl with duct tape on her head! ;O) I'm sooo glad we are friends! I think after these last few weeks you've moved up to Broder #2!! You will ALWAYS be in my heart and i will think of you everyday...you know between the bubble stains in my office, the "Ricky is coo!" note and of course when i come home and play with MY Spike (and Nemo). LOVE YOU FRIEND!! Please visit and keep in contact OFTEN!!
MUCH love!!!! ALOHA!!!!!!!!!
P.S. YOU are LAME for moving!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Me and my Broder!
It's not a secret that me and my brother are super close! But please know that we were not always like this...when we were younger we fought like cats and dogs! My mom always recalls the time when we were on vacation to Colorado (driving in the back seat of a BMW) and i yelled to my mom, "he's breathing my air!" Oh how we have changed. And don't get me wrong, he still drives me INSANE sometimes! But no matter what, i wouldn't change it for the world!!
As most of you know, Jacob goes to Azusa Pacific University and is in his last year! (yes, he did it in 4 years. Crazy, i know!) He has lived off campus for all four years and i LOVE when he comes home (even if it's just to pick something up). I actually count down the days till he's home and get soooooo excited to see his beat up maroon-purple car in the drive way!
During the Christmas break Jacob was home for a whole month!! Woo hoo!! We did all sorts of dumb/bonding things together and did our very favorite thing...drive mom insane! haha we do that well! :D Besides driving mom insane, we watched ELF a couple of times (I will only watch that movie when Jacob is watching it cause i absolutely LOVE hearing him laugh at that movie!!) and watched A LOT of discovery channel shows! Although when we watch them Jake has to put his knowledge into the equation as well. But then come the time when he has to pack up all his things and go back to school :( I hate this part! The whole time he's packing up i whine "Don't go!!"
Needless to say, Jacob left for his last and final semester at APU! I couldn't be more proud of him! He heard God call him to this school his Junior year of high school and now is on the final road. Where God will take him after? I don't know! But i do know that it is going to be somewhere spectacular and i can't wait to see it unfold!! And no matter how old we get, i know that we will continue to grow closer and closer! Sorry mom, didn't mean to make you cry! But on the happpy side, here are a few picts to make you laugh and get somewhat an idea what we do.
this was our "portrait" we took for my mom for a Christmas gift!
Jacob got the movie,"Horton hears a Who" and got Horton as well. He wore Horton on his finger all Christmas day!
Jakes 21st birthday
We match! We left at different times for an outreach and when he came to help we pointed at each other and laughed cause we never wear hats!! This is one of my favorite picts!!
At the Thresher wedding...mostly for mom cause we are all dressed up!
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