Saved by Grace, Living by Faith

My Faithful Father

2011-11-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

The verse "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" James 4:8a has never been more real to me then it has the past month and a half. God's word is truth so I can trust what it says. I have been trying to spend more time with God. To stay off Facebook and stop watching TV and really spend time in his word, reading books about him and listening to sermons. It has been so rewarding. Not only am I growing closer to him and learning more about him I am learning so much more about myself.

One huge thing God has shown to me is the importance of finding my joy in Him and Him alone. I was having God time and then I opened my Bible and I read these verses that spoke to my heart,

"Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:5-8

I feel very much like I have been depending on man and trying to make man my strength and my joy. I love that it says, "He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come" When my eyes are fixed on man how can I see the good and glory of my Lord? These verses were a real break through for me.

Another break through was the fact that God works all things together for the good of those who love him! Sometimes I get down on myself and feel like I have messed my life up or I haven't obeyed God in everything. But God has really been showing me that he can and will use all things in my life to mould and make me into the woman he wants me to become. He will use my "screw ups" and things that I think are bad for good! Any pain, loss, gain, growth, anything that happens in my life, God can and will use for his glory! I love that! I love that he is the potter and I am the clay. That he can and will mould and make me into who he wants me to be as I surrender to him. All that I go through in life is no surprise to him, he is using these situations to bring me to the place that he wants me to be.

I have been learning so much! God is so good and faithful. Even though I don't always "feel" like he is close I hold on to his truths and know that he will "never leave me nor forsake me". For he is Good.

Deeper Passion For Him!

2011-09-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Wow! God is so good and so faithful! I have been learning a ton lately and it is so satisfying. I have been feeling so spiritually dry lately and I feel as though he is lavishing his love on me. I serve an amazing God! I just wanted to blog and share some things he has been teaching me.
First of all I'm reading the book "Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard. It's kind of like Pilgrims Progress as it is "a beautiful allegory dramatizing the yearning of God's children to be led to new heights of love, joy, and victory". It is an interesting, enjoyable and easy read.

Also, I have been learning so much through the Bible, the Sunday School I'm helping teach and a Paul Washer Bible study that I am doing with my mom. One thing the Lord has brought to my attention is the purpose I was created for. God created us for HIS glory. He and he alone is worthy of our praise. So often I get worried that I'm doing my own thing and that I'm not following the Lord or what he wants for me. It is something that I continuously battle. I know to some this sounds totally absurd, but it is definitely a struggle for me on a regular basis. The Lord has brought me to this conclusion: First off, I was created, designed and made for the purpose of bringing glory to the Lord. So if I surrender my all to the Lord and let him have utter control over my life then he will lead me down the path that will best glorify him because I was made to do that. He will take me where I need to be to glorify him the best way possible, as long as I am fully surrendered to him. It is definitely and continuous process, but one I am so thankful for and one that brings peace to my heart.

Another lesson I have been learning is humility. Humility is something that I pray the Lord would give me on a regular basis. Pride is a sin that I do not want in my life. From time to time God will show me the pride in my life. I am so thankful for those times so that I can say I'm sorry and turn from it. For example there have been times I look in my Bible and see I have underlined verses and for a second I will think to myself "I'm a good Christian"!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!! How pathetic right!? It just amazes me that I can even think that. The Lord has really been showing me that it is not me who has given me faith, it is Him. The reason I have any faith or call out to God is because God and God alone has placed that faith in me and has drawn me to him. The reason I have underlined those verses is because He has shown them to me and spoken to me.

I really want to encourage you all to call out to God. Weather you have a relationship with him or not. Ask to know Him more and to understand more who he is. Ask for him to change you to be who he wants you to be and to teach you more about him. The verse in James, Draw near to him and he will draw near to you is SO true!! It is an amazing gift to grow deeper in a relationship with your creator. Beg him to know him more, he will not leave you stranded. You were created to worship and bring glory to him, so of course he will show you how to do that!

I feel like I wanted to blog about something else, but my notes are at my house and I'm at my parents so there may be another one coming soon! And here are some pictures from my summer just for you Ash!! And anyone else without facebook!! Some are from camping with my friends Amber and Johanna and then from my trip to Victoria for my grandparents 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Pro-Choice or Pro-Life

2011-09-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

There is a new movie out there called "180" and it is a really great movie that I think you all should watch and share around as it is on YouTube. I encourage you to take 33 minutes out of your time to look at abortion from a different perspective. I hope you can learn a thing or two!! Feel free to comment too!

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God's Perfect Protection

2011-06-16T12:27:00.001-07:00

Wow! People are complete idiots. Brad, Tim and I went down to Vancouver watch the Canucks game on the street last night. We were very excited and couldn't wait for the Canucks to FINALLY win the Cup...too bad that didn't happen.

Both Brad and Tim are on call right now with work for forestry fire fighting. At anytime they could get called and have to be somewhere within hours. So going to Vancouver was a bit of a risk but we figured we would be ok. Earlier yesterday morning Tim had recieved an email saying that they won't be called out this week so we figured we were pretty safe and just hoped that Brad wouldn't get called either. Well, littereally as we got onto the Portmann Bridge to go enter into Vancouver Tim gets a call. By what he was saying we could tell it was work. Turns out he needed to be in Barrier are 7 am today! Therefore we would have to be home by 4:30 am at the latest so he could drive to Barrier which is 2 hours away.

Originally, when we decided to come down we had planned to say over in Chiliwack and spend more time down in the city after the game. I was a little nervous but I had thought we would be ok. When Tim had said he had to be in Barrier at 7 I said, "Maybe God is using this to protect us from the crazieness that will go on." Because if it were up to me I would have left right when the game ended, but Brad and Tim had wanted to stick around.

When we got there the energy was great! Everyone was so pumped and couldn't wait for the game. There were hundreds of thousands of people. So we pushed our way up near the front by the screen. The game began and all went down hill from there! Probably at the end of the second period I kept hearing people says "Let's Riot!" "Let's get this riot started!" and other things like that. You could tell that it was what people wanted to do. There was so much drinking and drugs too. I know the news keeps saying it wasn't the fans who were rioting or it was criminals and anarchists, but I have to disagree with that. You could just tell that so many people, fans included, just wanted to riot.

I was starting to feel a little nervous and since we wanted to leave at a decent time we started heading out of the middle of the crowd. We saw a couple fights starting too and there were hooligans climbing up on street lights. That was kind of funny because they had no way of not getting caught. The second they got off the poles the police arrested them! Way to be super stupid people! Well there was probably 7 min. left in the 3rd period and we decided to head out as the outcome of the game was obvious. As we were leaving there were more fights breaking out by the porta poties. We got to our car and left in good time. Thankfully we left before basically everyone so we had no traffic and just sailed out fine.

As we were driving away I said "HEY! There is black smoke!", as a huge plume rose from between buildings. Oh I was SO happy we had left. Brad and Tim were sad because they wanted to see what was going on, but I was SO happy and above all SO thankful to the Lord! I know God used Tim's work to protect us.

As we were driving away I was so thankful to God for getting us out of there just before things went really crazy. Today I have been watching a lot of clips of the riots. I found this one below and it proved to me even more how God was protecting us. After the first few second of the fire in this video it shows the street with a car and people rioting and police. Between two buildings on the left is a parking lot that you can see and a car that people have smashed. Well we had parked in that parking lot!!!! Crazy hey? We parked right beside the road too, which was maybe a little stupid but whatever. If we had stuck around I don't think we would have got my poor little car out of there in one peice. Then in the same video, after it shows the street where we were parked it shows a street with a couple fires on it, well that is exactly where we had been standing! How great is our God! I'm so thankful for his protection.

So overall it was a great expierience for us, since we left at a good time. The drive home felt like forever though, since we were so tired. I feel really bad for Tim he got basically no sleep and now he has to work in the bush for who knows how long! Here are a couple pictures too.

Shows how many people there were!

This is how squished we were in the crowd.

Don't Waste Your Life

2011-05-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

What an Amazing book Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper is. Every page I read I get more and more inspired! I would encourage ALL of you to read it. It's a book you have to take time to read and understand, but when you get it it will change your outlook on your life for sure.

One huge thing that I have been challenged in is how as Christians we are called to be crucified with Christ. Of course I have read that and given that subject some thought over the years but this book has given me a new perspective on this calling. "The world is dead to me and I am dead to the world...And until our selves are crucified there [on the Cross], our boast will only be in ourselves." I don't know if I can really get my thoughts out, but I just think that is an amazing and eye opening statement. The World and everything in it are to be dead to me. I am dead to the world, so why do I care so much what they think. It saddens me how much I care what the world thinks. I feel like a prisoner captured by fear when it comes to openly sharing my faith and I hate it! I must remember I am alive in Christ. I am living to please him and him alone.

Galatians 2:19-20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." My eyes have been opened to a deeper meaning of this verse. When Christ died, we died. I want to and have to remember this.

That is one big thing I have been learning from this book, but there are many others as well. I love most about this book that constantly point to the Cross. To the Word of God. It is full of scripture and truth to inspire followers and seekers of Christ to live life to the fullest. Even if you don't have a relationship with God I challenge you to read this book.

Summer Adventures

2010-08-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

This summer has been amazingly awesome! It has been full of FUN, Weddings, Love and Laughter. In May, 4 of my closest friends and I got to do a road trip down to Portland. It was a Bachelorette roadtrip for my great friend Kristin. We had an amazing time at The Market in Seattle, then we went to see my sister and go to spend a glorious night at the Oregon Coast. Our beach front room was amazing and we filled the trip with many unforgettable memories!

After that in June was Kristin and Kevin's wedding and I had the utter privilege of being Kristin's Maid of Honor! It was such a blessing and such a wonderful time. How beautiful to see two people so in love make a vow of life long commitment to one another before the Lord, their friend and family. There are no words to describe how amazing and beautiful their special day was.

Next came my dear friend Laura's wedding in July and again I was honored with the privilege of being one of Laura's bridesmaids. Laura and I met at Briercrest and we instantly had such a deep connection. We soon became inseparable and the best of friends. At school I got to know her husband Jerad as well, so it was a blessing getting to see two of your really good friends marry each other. This wedding was also so beautiful and so full of love! How I love my friends and I love celebrating with them on such a special occasion.

I have also got to spend time with a lot of my family from the coast, which has been awesome as I don't get to see them all too often. Tara and the boys were here too and I am down with them right now. It has been an amazing summer. But I have to say there is one HUGE highlight, and I'm sure you've guessed it...Brad!

Me and Brad started dating again and it is the most amazing thing I could have ever asked for. I have always thought and known that Brad was an amazing man, but I always just felt unsure and it never felt right. It had been 3 years since me and Brad dated, and we decided it might be wise to give things another chance as we had been spending more time with each other and enjoying it A LOT. I am so blessed by him and so thankful that he has waited so long for me. He says he has always known that we were suppose to be together, but I guess it was never the right time. I am so thankful for the time we did have apart though because I know that we grew a lot and became better suited for one another. I can't begin to describe how amazing he is.

Lastly I have a funny story to share. Brad, his brother Brett and their friend Tim drove down to Portland with me because they went to Texas for fireman school. So when we were coming down we stopped at Cabela's, the hunting store. I felt totally healthy and perfectly fine. No concerns at all. The boys were looking at some "really cool" hunting stuff and I said to Brad that I was going to go to the bathroom and I would just find them when I was done. So I went to the front of the store where the bathroom was, still feeling perfectly healthy, and went pee. When I came out to wash my hands I instantly got SO hot and dizzy, out of no where. I had cramps and back pain too. It was like my muscles were having spasms. I went back to the bathroom incase I needed to do anything else. As I was sitting there I started to feel like I needed to throw up. I felt so horrible, but I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move because I felt so horrible, but I thought if I don't move then I can't get help and they'll find me passed out in the bathroom with my pants down! So after sitting there for 15 minutes and feeling awful I found the strength to get out of the bathroom. I can't even describe how horrible I felt.

I left the bathroom and I started to get tunnel vision and everything was spinning and starting to go black, so I just laid down on the ground. I never blacked out, but I knew if I didn't lay down I was going to faint and hurt myself. There was a lady right in front of me when I laid down. I was whiter than a ghost, apparently a little green I was told by Brett! So I managed to say, "I need help" Immediately a lady who worked there was with me and I said "I need my boyfriend, Brad Stickles". So on the overhead, as I'm laying there still feeling horrible I hear, "Code Blue main entrance" Repeated a couple times then "Brad Stickles would you please meet your party at the main entrance." I just remember laying there seeing all these feet of people just staring at this weirdo laying on the floor!

Well, Brad and Brett were in the upstairs of the store when they heard this Code blue at main entrance, so they are looking down and see all these people standing around staring at something. When Brad heard his name he just thought I was being silly cause I couldn't find him, so I called him over head. So Brad was looking for me around the front desk. Him and Brett look closer and realize that the people are looking at a girl laying on the floor....That girl is Malory!!! They finally realized. They ran down the stairs in their flip flops (apparently that is a challenge in itself), and were by my side so fast. I was so relieved to see Brad. He was so sweet and so concerned, I felt bad making him worry. Slowly I started to feel better, they called the firemen as their regular procedure and they came and took my blood pressure and heart rate and everything was normal. I don't think it was low blood sugar cause I had just eaten a couple hours earlier and I had a really good complete breakfast.

It was a little crazy and scary to say the least. I'm going to go get checked out when I get home. I think its a littler humorous too though, like what a thing to happen to me!

Ok, I'm done this HUGE post, but it has been forever so sorry!

The Weak Will Shame The Strong

2010-03-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you want to change the world but you are a nobody so how could you even do that? Where would you start? I definitely have felt this way before. I look at individuals like John the Baptist, Thomas Edison and Hitler, I realize that these people were only ONE person, but they definitely made a change in the world. Even though Hitler was a man sold out to his sinfulness he made a huge difference in millions of peoples lives.

Often I feel like I want so badly to live my life to the fullest. I want to stand for the Lord and proclaim His truth, I want to stand against abortion or other things in my life I feel passionate about. Yet when I consider pursuing these areas of my life I am immediately overwhelmed by the vast number of people in the world that I would need to reach. I just quit before I even start because I think "How could a nobody like me have any affect on this world. How could I leave a lasting impression?"

I thank the Lord because he has shown me that I CAN make a difference. He uses INDIVIDUALS to change the world. Remember Moses, Esther, Paul, King David, Daniel....the list could go on and on.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 say, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."

I feel foolish, weak and lowly. I feel utterly useless sometimes, how amazing is it that the Lord of the Universe would choose me to be his ambassador of Truth, that He would use a sinner like me to change the world. Sure maybe I will never be remembered 50 years after I die, but I know that with the Lord's guidance and strength I can make a difference while I am here, that will in turn change the future. Weather for many, or a few it does not matter to me. As long as I make the most of the time I have and allow the Lord to lead my life where he wants, so He can be most glorified.

I am weak, foolish and lowly, but the amazing thing is, is that the Lord will still use me! With the Lords strength and guidance I have come to realize that I can make a difference in the world that is around me when I rely on His strength and His power.

I think of Ray Comfort, the CEO of Living Waters. Imagine he had never started the ministry. Wow! I feel like that would have been crazy, I am so thankful to God that Ray was obedient and trusted the Lord and started the ministry. Lives are changed by his ministry and they will continue to be changed, because the Lord has used one little man with a moustache! (If you don't know who Ray Comfort is or Living Waters, check it out at http://www.livingwaters.com/)

It is amazing to me that I can make a difference in the world, with the Lord's guidance and help may the difference I make bring glory to Him and to Him alone.

Death Came Knocking At My Door

2010-01-20T16:07:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been in a situation where you actually thought you were going to die? Thankfully up until a few nights ago I never had to face that. Sunday night I was driving to work at 11 pm. It was barely spiting out and there were no signs of ice. As I was driving to work I was on a straight stretch and I started to slow down as I approached a small corner, the next thing I knew I was starting to fish tail. I let my foot off the gas and pushed in the clutch and barely tried to correct my wheels, because I knew if I reefed on the wheel I would be destined for a crash. Well as I corrected the wheel, I was completely out of control. Apparently the road was like an ice rink covered with black ice. So I closed my eyes and thought, "Oh my goodness! I can't believe this is happening! This is going to hurt! I hope this doesn't hurt! Is this the end? Am I going to die!?" That is literally all that went through my head.

The next thing I knew I was stopped, my engine was off and my lights were on. "What the heck just happened!" I immediately called work and told them I couldn't make it and then I called home. I hate doing those late night phone calls home because the last one we received was on September 15th, 2008. So then I sat there and thought, "Whoa, that was crazy!" It just happened so fast and then that was it. I was thinking I hit a horse, but then when I could see out of my windshield I was pretty sure I hadn't. I went down a 15 ft. embankment and hit a fence post and a hay bail. There was a big wooden fence and horses that somehow I missed, I have no idea how I didn't go straight for them. The people across the street had heard it happen, so they came out. There was no property damage so that was good. The man said that right where I went off was a telephone pole, but they had removed it the DAY before! Isn't that insane, I would have been a pancake for sure. It is also amazing that I didn't role.

I know that Lord had his hand on my car and guided it even though I was out of control. Unfortunately, my car is dead, but thankfully I am not! (So I am on the market for a new car if you know of any). As I write this I am reminded of how sometimes our lives can just seem so out of control. We have no idea or clue how things are going to turn out or where things are going. But God does know. If we let him, He will lead and guide us exactly where he wants us to be. We just need to go along with it.

My mom asked me "Mal, did your life flash before your eyes?" I said "I hope not cause if it did, I missed it!" But really, I definitely thought this could be the end and nothing profound at all went through my head. Mainly I just wondered how it was going to end, and I hoped it wasn't going to hurt too bad.

I am thankful to the Lord for keeping His hand on me and guiding me safely. He is faithful and this just confirms that he is not finished with me yet. He still has work for me to do. Don't waste your life, let every minute count for the Lord. May he be the center and reason for your existence. Everything else is a waste.

Do Not Be Afraid, For I Am With You...

2010-01-08T22:43:00.001-08:00

I constantly battle with fear. Not the 'I'm scared of the dark' fear, but the fear of man. Getting involved in evangelism is something the Lord has been working out in my heart lately. As followers of Christ we are all called to "...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20. This March 3-7 I will be attending Ambassador's Academy in LA, California. I will be taught skills in evangelism and challenged to do one to one Biblical evangelism. We will be spending two days at the beach and on Hollywood Blvd. doing one to one evangelism and maybe even some open air preaching!

This is where fear plays a HUGE role in my life. I hate it and I would greatly appreciate prayer against fear in my life. The thought of going up to someone and talking to them about their beliefs is way out of my "comfort zone". A verse that stands out to me to keep me from dwelling in my fear is,

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." Luke 9:26-27.

I am not ashamed of the Lord and I will not let Satan hold me back from what the Lord requires of me. The biggest thing I fear is not knowing what to say and looking stupid. I'm sure there will be times that I won't know what to say and I may look stupid, but I am...I want to be...willing to take that risk. I was reading Isaiah 43 today and there were so many encouraging verses in there. One part specifically stuck out to me,

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." Isaiah 43:1b-3a

I do not need to fear. The Lord is with me and He is greater than all.

I Don't Want To Be a Hypocrite....Cause They're Not Hip With It

2009-11-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

When I was 5 years old I "asked Jesus into my heart". Nothing really changed. Basically I didn't want to go to Hell because Heaven sounded so much better and that's where my Mom and Dad were going. It wasn't until I was 17 at Gardom Lake Bible Camp where I was truly saved. A speaker challenged us if what we believed was really shown in our actions or if we just said that we were a Christian and that's where it stopped. The Lord showed me that I was the kid who said I was a Christian, but didn't really show it.

That day the Lord showed me that I had broken all His Laws....that I had lied and stolen and not put God first and that if I died in my sin, I would stand guilty before Him. God is good and so He would have had no choice but to send me to Hell. I understood that instead of punishing me, God punished His Son. What a loving sacrifice - one I didn't deserve. It all made sense to me then. I repented of my sins and put my entire faith in the Lord. I realized that there was nothing in me that could save myself and I needed to put my faith in what Jesus did on the cross. By myself I was a lost hopeless wreck.

If we say we are Christians then we need to show that in our actions. If you have said the sinners prayer but there is no evident change in your life such as having a desire for the things of God like reading your Bible or sharing your faith. If the sin in your life does not burden you and repulse you, then I think it would be a vital step for you to reevaluate your salvation.

I keep seeing people who have told me they're Christians, yet they walk instep with the world. It should NOT be this way. When we repent of our sin and put our faith in the Lord we are turning our back on SIN. This means we have our faces on the Lord. We will desire the things of God. We will hate the sin in our lives and with the Lord's help we will purge that sin from our lives. We are powerless on our own.

I encourage you, be sure of your salvation and live according to what you say you believe. NOTHING matters except your eternal destiny. If the Lord is tugging at your heart, do something about it. We never know when our last breath will be.

"As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." Ps. 103:15-16

If you want to follow the Lord with your life then agree with the Judge of the Universe that you are guilty and that you are helpless on your own to save yourself. Repent of your sin, in that you don't only say you're sorry for your sins, but take action and turn from your sin. Do a 180 so your back is on your past life of sin. Tell the Lord you need his help. Acknowledge that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and on the third day he rose again, conquering death. "Salvation is by faith alone and repentance MUST come before and after that faith." - John Piper

Don't Settle For Less

2009-11-03T18:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was reading the Nov. 2 devotional from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I would highly recommend this daily devotional book to anyone wanting to be challenged in their faith. It was talking about obedience vs. independence. We have a daily choice weather or not we will obey the Lord and what he asks of us.

"God stresses what we ought to do, but he will never force us to do it. That is why whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an "If," meaning, "You do not need to do this unless you desire to do so." "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself . . ." ( Luke 9:23 )."

Personally, I am no where near the "perfect christian", nor will I ever be. Yet I do refuse to have a mediocur relationship with the Lord. There is nothing worse than a stagnant relationship with Him. There is ALWAYS ways we can grow in our relationship, be challenged or simply just further our knowledge of our faith. I encourage you also to refuse to have a mediocur relationship with the Lord. Don't settle for a mundane faith. Absolutely nothing is more important than our eternal destiny. When we stand before God one day (that's right, every single human will) the only thing that will matter is what we have done for the Lord.

Why would we settle for a stale relationship when it can be vibrant and more alive than we could ever imagine? Our creator loves us and wants to hear from us. He wants a relationship with us.

If you are at a "dry" patch with God then its up to you to change it. God never leaves us or changes, we are the ones who walk away from him. Disipline yourself to get into God's Word EVERY single day, read a daily devotional book on top of your Bible reading, get involved in a church group, talk to other believers and share your struggles, ask for prayer and help from others! "Come near to God and he will come close to you." James 4:8. Hold on to the promises that God gives us.

Micah Preston

2009-10-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Please remember to pray for my dear nephew Micah Preston. He is going for a minor surgery tomorrow and as minor as it, it is still a pretty big deal! All the prayers are appriciated.
Please pray...

That my sister will be strong and trust the Lord and not worry.
That the Dr. will have steady hands
That the anesthesiologist will be attentive to what he is doing and be very diligent.
That Micah will be strong and healthy through it all.

Thanks so much.

Pray without Ceasing

2009-10-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read the Mark of The Lion Series by Francine Rivers, I highly recommend that you do. They are addicting and they have taken up the past couple weeks of my life. Just to warn you the first book is a little hard to get into, I attempted to read it like 3 times and then finally I pushed through to the 5th chapter and after that I couldn't put it down.

A major lesson I have learned from these books is the importance of praying without ceasing. Prayer changes things. It changes things around us and it changes us inside. The main character in these books is constantly in prayer. It is amazing to see how her faithfulness to the Lord and her constant prayers change things around her, and within her.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

John MacArther's book Alone With God defines praying without ceasing in a really good way,

"To "pray without ceasing" means when you are tempted, you hold the temptation before God and ask for His help. When you experience something good and beautiful, you immediately thank the Lord for it. When you see evil around you, you ask God to make it right and to use you toward that end, if that is His will..."

"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice." Ps. 141:2.

Our prayers are like incense to the Lord, he would rather hear from us than not hear from us at all. I encourage you to pray a Psalm to the Lord. Go through a Psalm and read it sentence by sentence and add in prayers of your own through out. It is truly amazing. Do not just pray to the Lord to get things, do not think "Oh what I wanted to happen hasn't happened so I guess God isn't listening." Prayer isn't about what we can get, its about the Lord, about honoring him, having communion with him, being with him, obeying him. He loves us and wants us to come to him.

Worship the King, "...enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24

My life as of late...

2009-09-21T18:46:00.001-07:00

Recently I got back from a trip with my family (minus my dad) to Orlando. It was a gift, and it was a true blessing. One thing I learned when I was in Florida was that there are wild Pythons!!!! Did you know that?! I had no clue until we landed and I was told this truth. So the whole time I was keeping my eyes out for these HUGE creepy snakes.

While we were in Orlando the 1 year anniversary of Preston's passing happened. On that day we were in Disney world and it was a decent day. I tried my best to just push the reality out of my mind, because I knew dwelling on it would only make things harder. Its just so surreal still and absolutely hard to believe that he has been gone more than a year.

Every time I get to see my nephews it is the biggest blessing in the WORLD!! They are just so awesome! I know I am obsessed, and that's just the way it is. Jacob is just so much fun, so funny and silly and sweet. One day we were just laying on the bed with our heads together and he grabs my cheek lightly and looks at me, and in his cute little 2 year old voice, with lisp and all says, "I love you Malory"! OH MAN! I just laughed, it was the sweetest thing and I couldn't believe it came from his mouth! He is a charmer that's for sure! And Micah, oh man, what a blessing he is. He always has a gigantic smile on his face. It lights up a room. He is rarely grumpy and he is just so much fun!

Also, I have started working out. I used to be Mrs. Athlete in high school and since then I haven't really done much. But I decided that I would like to get into better shape, so I have started running and do some exercises on our Bo Flex thing. Its been pretty awesome so far. I just hope that I can keep the motivation up and keep doing it.

Oh ya...how could I forget to mention my sweet dog! She was hit by a car last Thursday I think. I wasn't here. She has like 3 fractures in her right hip, but the vet gave us pain killers and said that there is a big chance that she could just recover. So we have her at home and its so sad to see her so down, but I do think she is going uphill. We are definitely not the kind of people who will keep an animal alive and let it suffer just because we can't let go. If she is in pain and we need to put her down we will without question. But she has been doing good so we are going to give it some time to see how she does. I pray that she will be healed. She is so sweet, and I don't want her to die. So if you could remember her in your prayers, I know she's just an animal, but I think she's pretty great.

Almost a year...

2009-09-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

How does one get through the death of a loved one? I have realized that you never understand the pain of losing a loved one until you do. Before Preston died I had a lot of my close friends lose loved ones and I tired to understand what they were going through, but I never really understood until September 15, 2008.

It's almost been a year since Preston died. Its been over a year since I last saw him, and I just can't even come close to believing that this is really reality. It is so weird still that he is gone. I miss him. I am so happy to know that he is in Heaven though. Preston isn't dead, but more alive now in Heaven then he ever was on earth! He has seen the face of God. How incredible! I know there is no greater place for him to be. How amazing to think he is there with Paul, Noah, Moses and so many other amazing people of history.

Preston was a light. He was the kind of guy who just lit up a room when he walked in. I always loved when I got to go visit Tara and Preston, or when they came here. He was the greatest brother in law I could have asked for. He always had good advice for me and he was always willing to listen.

I would like to share just a couple of my memories of Preston.

When I first met him it was at Youth Quake at Briercrest. Tara and Preston had just started dating. Tara introduced us and I whispered to Tara, "does he have hairy arms?" I know what a weird thing to ask! Tara laughed and said no. I just thought at first glance he looked like he could be a hairy guy! This is a picture of them that weekend.

Preston was the king of puns. He loved puns and he would laugh at his own jokes all the time! My family has always called me Mallard the duck, but I guess he wasn't aware of this. So one day he's like "Hey Mallard!", thinking that he is so funny and that he was the first one to ever come up with it! I had to bring him back to reality and inform him that that had been my nickname forever!

As many of you know he loved Sponge Bob. I remember watching it with him many times, and I did think it was funny but Preston would laugh so hard. And when something funny happened he would always look over at whoever was watching with him to ensure they were laughing and enjoying it as much as he was.

I loved how he would always be singing. I have so many memories of him just singing around the house, or him playing his guitar and singing. I loved it.

Well, I leave this post at that, and here are a few pics of the crazy guy!

Camp Adventures

2009-08-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

This past summer has been wonderful! It started out with an epic road trip to Nelson with 4 other lovely ladies, then Tara and my two sweet nephews were here for a month, then I was blessed with the opportunity to go to camp. And in between all this I have been going to the beach and soaking up the sunshine in the beautiful Okanagan.

I was at a camp in Saskatchewan called Good Spirit Bible Camp. I was there for two weeks. The highlight of camp was definitely that one of my campers became a Christian. The Lord reminded me that he works in ways that are beyond us, ways that are above our simple understanding. A couple verses that have been close to my heart lately are, Isaiah 55:8-9,

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

and Ecclesiastes 11:5,

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

It was so amazing to see God work so clearly. I was struggling at the beginning of the week to get my campers to open up, but I would daily ask the Lord for opportunities to talk to each camper one on one and he would make a perfect chance every time.

When I was talking to one camper about whether or not she was a Christian, she said she didn't know. So I took the opportunity to explain to her her need for a Savior and her need to repent and put her faith in God. After I was done explaining to her she started to cry, when I asked her why she was crying she said she didn't know. Then the bell for breakfast rang and she bolted up and left. I sat there thinking, "Oh man, what did I just do to my camper? I made her cry! I win the worst cabin leader ever award for sure!" Well I was burdened for her the whole day, I talked with Ash (one of my best friends who is the camp directors wife) and told her my problem. I felt so bad, but I kept praying for her and that an opportunity would come up again for us to finish our conversation.

That night I took her aside and asked her if she had thought about what we had talked about and if she was or wasn't a christian (we had to fill out a form on where they were spiritually and this was one of the questions). She said, "Ya, I am" I said, "Really? Like you did what we talked about earlier?" She said "Ya" I said, "When did you do this?" She had done it after breakfast! Praise the Lord! I was so happy. I was so sure that I had done something wrong to make her cry, but the Lord knew better and he was working in her heart. Please continue to keep her in your prayers. Two other boys were saved that week too! So keep all 3 of them in your prayers!

I was also encouraged at camp to hear some of the other staffs testimonies. I was constantly shown how the Lord uses camp to change people's lives. There were so many stories, mine included, of people who had either become Christians at camp, or who had been challenged at camp to take their relationship with God seriously and not just sit on the fence. I see how camp is an amazing tool that the Lord uses to change lives.

I was blessed with the chance to see some of my amazing friends from Bible College. The Lord's ways are always higher than we know, he can do all things even if it looks like a dead end to us! Here are a few pics from my summer.

Summer Lovin'

2009-07-05T22:29:00.000-07:00

Summer is my absolute favorite time of year. All the seasons have beauty of their own but I love the heat that summer brings! I especially love that I live in the Okanagan Valley. Not to brag, but it is literally paradise in BC. I have been having a lot of fun so far this summer. A few weeks ago I got to go on a road trip with 4 other wonderful girls to Nelson. Only one of us had ever been there and the one girl who had been there grew up there, so it was great to have a tour guide. We had so much fun running around in the rain, playing games, talking, drinking tea, eating amazing food, hiking up to find a glacier yet never finding it, soaking in the Ainsworth Hot springs and even taking a "special" late night dip in the lake! It was a road trip that I will forever remember. It is so awesome how God brings people together to encourage one another and be friends. I didn't know a couple of the girls that I went with very well, but it was amazing how we all connected so well all because we all have one thing in common, God.

Amy and I soaking wet after running around in the rain

All of us getting out morning coffee before out hike in the rain

After I got home from Nelson, my mom, sister and nephews arrived here. That has been such a blessing. I absolutely love having them here. I get to sleep with Jacob, which is an adventure in itself with the way he moves around like he's dancing in his sleep and he talks A LOT in his sleep too. But I love it! I love waking up to a sweet little 2 year old staring at me with a HUGE smile on his face saying, "Mal Mal." He always is so excited to see me and I love it so much. And Micah is the sweetest baby in the world. He has the biggest eyes and he smiles a ton which is so adorable. I love that I get to be the aunt of these two amazing little boys. It has also been nice to have mom and Tara here. Some people have said to me it must be nice having mom home to have things back to normal, but I have to reply and say that this doesn't feel normal at all. Yes it is nice to have my mom home, but regardless if Tara is here or not, it never feels like things are normal anymore since Prestons been gone. It always feels like something is missing or that something is wrong. I guess it will just take time to get used to the new normal.

The cutest baby I know, Micah Preston

Jacob at the playground

Campfire in the backyard making some smores!

Another accomplishment of my summer was that I went water skiing. I got the opportunity to go on a boat with one of my friends and it was so much fun. I was a little timid to go skiing, but I figured that I might as well go considering I never get the chance. I hadn't been since I was like 13 so I was nervous, but I got up on the 3rd try and the wipe outs I did take actually weren't that bad. I'm just a weenie and can't hold on to the rope with my wimpy muscles! But it was sweet to be pulled behind a boat gliding on the water.
Lastly, I love Ellison Park so much! I went there today and it was absolutely beautiful. I was reminded of God's love for us. He has made this outstanding creation of lakes, trees, beaches and plants all for out enjoyment. Not only is it all for our enjoyment, but it all works together to help keep us alive. (I'm not sure how, but I do know that trees give us Oxygen!) I really don't want to take this summer for granted. So take some time to smell the roses and as you admire creation remember how much God truly loves you. "...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge..." Eph. 3:18b-19a.

The beautiful Ellison Park

PS If anyone has a boat and would like having the company of moi for a day, feel free to ask! I will definitely be up for it! (Yes I am desperate)

You can't have both...so pick one!

2009-05-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have been burdened lately with the state of the church. I see so many people my age in the church who state they are Christians, but they do not live their lives according to the Word of God. Sitting on the fence is not an option when it comes to following God. You are either saved or your not and when you die thers is not going to be an opportunity to bargain with God. The choices you make in this life will determine your eternity when you die.

Revelation 3:15-16 says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

Do you want that for your destiny? To forever be without the love of the Father, to be "where their worm never dies and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:48) all because you wanted to do your own thing here on earth and you didn't want to be accountable to God for your actions? You need to pick one or the other, either be on fire for the Lord or be cold against him, but you CAN NOT be in the middle.

"This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. " 1 John 5:2-5

We need to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. If you are not 100% for God, then you are not worthy of his Kingdom. "Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62. I just want to encourage you all who are sitting on the fence to take a step of faith and live wholey and fully for the Lord. Live a life that shows how thankful you are that He has saved you from Hell. You have done nothing to deserve this free gift of salvation but the Lord has offered it to you. It is not something to be taken lightly or to take for grantid. You never know when your last breath will be, Preston was ready, but if he wasn't he didn't have any time to change his life if he needed to.

If you have a relationship with the Lord and are longing to follow Him, pray this prayer Psalm 139: 23-24, He will be faithful and show you what you need to change, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

I hope this is encouraging, and if you are feeling convicted do something about it. I'm here if you want to talk and the Lord is always there to take you back if you have strayed away. Listen to his promises and cleve to them. Remember, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. He did it because he LOVES you so much, show him your thankfulness with your life.

I will leave you with a few of my favorite verses,

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer. 29:11-13

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." Matthew 12:30

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:7-10

Spirit of Power

2009-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been so sure of my purpose here on earth. I was reading in 2 Timothy 1:8-9 tonight and the Lord just continues to confirm his truth in my heart.

"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace."

I have been called to a holy life, not for my own pleasure or purpose but for HIS purpose. The Lord has chosen me to be his follower because he has a purpose for me in his plan. Sometimes I get so caught up in what can I get out of life? or this sittuation or that sittuation? but ultimately it comes down to me asking myself, "Was I doing what the Lord wanted me to do in that sittuation?" Am I living every minute of my life in a way that honors him? Nothing I do should be for my own gain, but for His and His alone. I am so humbled and amazed that the Lord has chosen me to be his servant. He has entrusted me with the Truth so that I can share it with others and proclaim his truth for all to hear and know.

1 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

I am timid and I have so much fear, but I need to live with the power, love and self-disipline that I have been given from the Lord. I encourage you who are saved to remember your pupose here on earth. It is not for your own gain, but for the Lord and to further His kingdom.

Surrender

2009-05-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in forever!! So hopefully this won't be too long! The biggest news since my last blog is of course my new nephew (who is now a month old!) Micah Preston Newby! What a blessing he is. It was so amazing to be able to be there when he entered the world. I feel so blessed to have two nephews now.

I know that people say it is amazing how much you love your own children and its like no other love. Well I am amazed at the love I have for Micah and Jacob! I love them so much more than I ever imagined possible. I look so forward to the day that I can have my own children and love them, but for now I will love my dear nephews with everything I have.

I drove down to Portland by myself when Micah was born because its hard to know when a baby is coming so I didn't want to book a plane ticket. I was definitely nervous for my first 10 hour road trip alone, but it was truly a blessing. I drove down to Whiterock the Monday before Micah came. I stayed with my friend Alyssa and I was able to go to her Young Adults group. It was cool because the leader is Sandy, and when I went to Briercrest he was our student body president, so it was nice to connect with him and hear him speak a bit. The message given that night was really good and encouraging. The Lord really spoke to me and as I was listening I just felt like such a dirty horrible sinner, so completely unworthy of the Lord and his holiness. As I sat there sobbing the Lord held me in his arms. He reminded me that there is nothing I can do that will separate me from his love.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39.

No matter what I do he will still love me! How amazing! Just knowing this makes me want to obey him in everything I do. He is so merciful and loving to such sinful undeserving people. That night was really touching for me.

As I was driving home after Micah was born I had to drive past Milepost 62, where Preston died. It was harder than I thought it would be, but the Lord is faithful and he used this time to teach me and comfort me. I just felt then, more than ever that all that matters is doing everything we do in the name of Christ. All that matters in life is living life to the fullest for the LORD! God brought me to a point of total surrender to him. I have never been at a place where I feel it is okay for me not to get married. I always have felt that I have to fall in love and get married before I die, then I will be good to go. But now I feel that I don't need to get married, as much as I want to and desire it, that isn't what life is about. All that matters is that I live my life for the Lord, in full surrender to his will for my life. If in that process he has a man for me, then that's awesome, and if not, it really doesn't matter because I can live my life for him without a guy. (Don't get me wrong, I still definitely have a desire and passion to fall in love and get married, and I truly hope that it happens one day, but if it doesn't then I am okay with that too!)

The Lord is faithful, and if you don't have a personal relationship with Him I encourage you to make one! He is waiting for you to come to him and surrender your life to him. There is nothing in you that will get you into Heaven. We are all sinners and we deserve to go to Hell, but the Lord sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross as a sacrifice so that we wouldn't have to go to hell. We are all sinners, destined for hell, weather you believe it or not. We all need to repent of our sin (turn from our sin) and put our faith in Christ. The Lord is the only one who can fully satisfy the emptiness that we have all felt! If you have questions, ask me!

Here's a few more pics!

Jacob's "candy face"!

Tulip Farm

Sweet Micah Preston

Adventures in America

2009-03-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'm at my sister's house right now and I'm having a ton of fun! Yesterday we went to the Zoo and the animals were so funny to look at. I learned what female monkeys look like when they are in heat...YUCK! We have been laying low for the most part, but it is really nice to just be here with Tara and Jacob. The other day we had to take Jacob to the doctor. It went really well until the end of course, when the needle came out!! It was so sad. The doctor told us that they needed to give him a needle and it was just so sad because he was so oblivious to the up coming pain. He was so happy and trusting of us. Tara doesn't like to hold him when he gets it done cuz its too sad for her, so me being the nurse got to hold the poor little monkey! We laid him down and the nurse went to his legs and I tried to block his view of her and I held him close. We sang and it happened and he cried! Only for about 30 seconds though. He's so tough! Then he got a sucker and all was wonderful again.

The point of this story is that I was reminded of the Lord and how he cares for us. I was thinking how I was sad when I knew that Jacob needed to get a needle. It hurt me to know that he was going to be in pain and there was nothing that I could to do change it. I knew that he would need to go through the pain because in the end it was what was best for him, even if it was painful in the process. The Lord loves his children so much and I know that sometimes we need to go through hard painful times. Yet just as I was holding tight to Jacob while he was going through the needle process, the Lord holds tight to me when I go through the hard times. "...the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut. 31:6b. I'm sure it even hurts the Lord to have to see his precious children have to go threw pain. Though times can be painful the Lord knows what is best for me and he knows that in order for me to become the woman that he wants me to be, I need to go through hard times in life.

know so many people who blame God for everything bad that has happened in their lives. Now I won't get started on that topic because that calls for a whole other blog post! I do not in any way expect my life to be easy because I have given my life to the Lord, but I do know and believe with all of my heart that when the hard times do come the Lord will not leave me but he is right there with me holding me tight and leading me. I am confident in the fact that hard times will come, they will come to everyone, but I am so thankful that I don't need to go through the hard times alone. The Lord leads me and comforts me, and the best part is that he knows the outcome of the situation so I don't need to worry because he has it all under control from start to finish. As I go through the hard times, the Lord always molds me into a stronger person that is more useful for Him, and that is the desire of my heart.

I got a really awesome email from my sister; I posted it on here if you want to read it. It talks about the verse in Malachi 3:3 "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." When a silver smith (I think thats what they're called?) works on silver he has to hold it over the hottest part of the flame in order to make it the best it can be. He not only sits with it the entire time, but he can't take his eyes off of it because if it is over the flame just a second too long it will be ruined. The coolest part of the story is that when the silver smith was asked how he knows when the silver is done he replied, "When I see my image in it." How cool is that? The Lord is refining and purifying us as silver when we go through "fires".

So I encourage you to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6. Times will be tough but the Lord does know what he is doing. If you don't have a personal relationship with the Lord listen to the words of this verse. (By personal relationship I mean you have never repented (turned) of your sins ["For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23] and put your faith in God). If you are leaning on your own understanding then you will never be able to put your faith in God, but when you trust him to take care of things he will direct your path.

Malachi 3:3

2009-03-13T11:36:00.000-07:00

Malachi 3:3 says; 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'

This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'

He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Lately I've been learning...

2009-01-27T20:50:00.000-08:00

I have been learning some awesome things lately. I'm doing a Beth Moore Bible study called "A Woman's Heart; God's Dwelling Place" and it is really good. Last week really spoke to me. She was talking about how so often we get these ideas in our heads that our lives have to go a certain way. For example, I used to really struggle with being single and not being with someone. My whole life I have looked forward to the day I can fall in love with the man that the Lord has for me. I truly can't wait for that day to come. Its easy for us to look at people who have what we want and think well why is it so easy for them to have. Why do they get and they could really care less about it, but thats all I care about and I can't have it. She used an example of when a crack head woman who doesn't even want to get pregnant does and then she just leaves her child in a dumpster. And just around the corner is a woman who has been trying desperately for years to get pregnant but is unable to. When I see someone who is married and is able to get pregnant at the shake of stick I see this a natural and normal. It just seems like something that is suppose to happen. We get so focused on what is natural and what is normal that that is what we expect should happen all the time. We forget that the God we serve is a God of the supernatural. Therefore if God isn't allowing you to go through the so called "natural" experience could it be because He wants to perform the supernatural with/through you? I know this won't always be the case. He isn't always going to perform huge miracles because things have been hard for you, but I do believe that Beth Moore made a good point with the fact that God is a Supernatural God and sometimes He does want to show us His increadible might and power through our "simple" lives. So I encourage you next time you look at someone and think "Why do they have it so easy? or have a baby or a boyfriend?" Or whatever your struggle may be. Remember that maybe its because God wants to do something supernatural through your life!

I was at a Bible study on Monday night about the book of Acts. We were talking about how it is interesting that when Peter and John are released from prison they start to pray and immidiately they begin by praising God. And in most places of scripture (maybe all, I don't know...) when somone is praying they begin by praising God. I was always taught to begin praying with praise as well. Well why is this? We came to a conclusion that maybe its so that when we pray we are reminded of how awesome, amazing and powerful our Lord is. We remember how capable he is of amazing things and then when we pray we pray with faith in knowing that He is completely capable to of all things. I thought this was an interesting way of looking at it.

P.S. I say I used to struggle with being content about finding a man becuase the past month or so the Lord has given me amazing peace that it will happen in his timing. I know that my dream man will come when we are both ready and until that happens I will just live my life the best I can for the Lord!

Facing the Giants

2008-12-29T21:59:00.000-08:00

The Lord is so good. I just feel Him so close to me sometimes. I just watched the movie Facing the Giants...I know I sound like a movie geek, but I'm not! Honest...I guess God just uses some movies to speak to me. Facing the Giants is a Christian movie and I would advise you all to rent it! It is so incredibly encouraging. Pretty much its just the story of David and Goliath, but in a now a days version and its about football. Through the movie I was just so encouraged to draw near to the Lord and to not give up and continue to fight the good fight; as is talked about so often in the books of Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:18 "Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight"

1 Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

So often I get scared to step out and say stuff to people about God because I fear that I will say the wrong words or that I will sound dumb. Sometimes I might sound dumb, but at least I stepped out and let God use me. That is what I desire, is to be used by the Lord.

It has been so clear to me that eternity is all that matters. At 1230 am of September 16th, 2008 this truth was slapped in my face. This was the time I found out my amazing brother in law Preston was called home and taken into eternity. It was so real to me that living for eternity is all that matters and this life is "like a fleeting shadow." (Ps. 144:4) I just laid there in my dear friend Laura's bed thinking Preston is actually with the Lord right now!! I couldn't believe it, but I knew it was so true! Preston was a prime example of someone who was living for eternity. I was reading his blogs and I love them! I love hearing what he had to say. It is amazing to me that the Lord has used the death of Preston to impact so many people. Sometimes I get really mad, and I tell God that I think this is just stupid and how much I hate that he had to take Preston, but with the same breath I admit to the Lord that I trust His will and I know that He does have a plan in all this. (I just need to tell God honestly how I feel though.)

This blog is all over the place and I guess it changed directions, but I encourage you to live wholey sold out for the Lord, because in the end that is truly all that matters. Preston was ready to meet the Lord, but if he wasn't he sure wasn't given any time to get ready. You never know when your last breath is going to be. I know you hear people say that all the time and I'm sure you brush it off, just like I do, but really today could be your last day and if you're not ready to meet the Lord you will be in for a horrible eternity. Also, just as David faced Goliath, face your "giants" with the strength of the Lord. I need to continually be reminded to trust in the Lord and let Him fight my battles for me. When I draw near to Him He will draw near to me, and I need to remember that and trust Him more. He is so faithful! I need not fear for He is my God!

Ecclesiastes 6:12 "For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?"

Prince Caspian

2008-12-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I watched the second movie in the Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian and I loved it. If you haven't seen the movie, this blog might ruin it for you, just a warning! I love C.S. Lewis and his writings. His imagination is so incredible. As I was watching it I was reminded so clearly that the Lord has the perfect timing in all things. Near the beginning of the movie when they first go to Narnia Peter is certain that they need to take over the bad guys castle right away because they weren't expecting it. While young Lucy was hesitant, because Aslan hadn't showed himself or directed them that these were the steps they should take. Lucy wanted to wait for Aslan's guidance. But Peter decided that they didn't have time to wait around for Aslan to show himself and they needed to act immediately. So they went ahead and tried to take over the bad guys, but were defeated. Peter was sure that what he thought was right was what needed to happen, but he was soon humbled by the loss of half the Narnians. Then at then end when they are going into their final battle Aslan comes right at the exact time they need him. He knows exactly when they needed him.

The movie just really spoke to me for where I am in my life right now. I am trying to be content and the Lord is definitely helping. I am trying to follow the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I don't want to look back on my life in 20 years and say "I wish I had done this or that differently." And right now I feel as though my life is at a bit of a stand still. I'm just working and not a lot is going on. I want to travel, but financially I can't afford it, and the truth is, I really don't have the desire to travel alone! I would love to do it with my husband, but first I need a husband to travel with! Obviously I know that God is in control and He knows what is best for me, but I easily forget that. The Lord is showing me that He does have things in control though and at His perfect time He will show me and lead my life where He wants it to be. At the perfect time He will direct me and open doors for me. Right now I know is a time for growth and a time for me to just rest in God. I know this time is valuable while I'm not super busy with life and I am able to focus on the Lord and grow in my relationship with him.

So I encourage you to be content with your life, because the Lord does have the perfect timing regardless of what we think! I find it incredible that I doubt the Creator of the Universe with my future! God must be laughing at my sometimes. I know the Lord has my life in His hands and He will make my future clear to me at the perfect time!

Here I go

2008-12-04T20:10:00.001-08:00

So, I'm starting a blog...duh! Thats why you're reading this! Well I don't have anything to blog at the moment but when something comes up I will let you know!