Saturday, March 19, 2011

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

This week's quote is from my grandpa, a man who unfortunately passed away before I could know him. I love listening to my family, especially my dad, talk about him. We were going through some old notes and papers that my grandma saved and we came across these words scribbled down on some scrap paper.

Always buy rings in threes; wedding ring, engagement ring, and teething ring. 


Now doesn't that just make you smile?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS (part 1)

It's been a rough two weeks. A few days ago I wrote about it. But I couldn't bring myself to post it because it had no resolve. No clever ending. No solution. It just wasn't enough to vent my feelings. I wanted some answers.

This is it, if you want to read it:

If only I could put "GOD" at the beginning of all my worrying and fretting and have it count as prayer.
If only...
If only is my problem.

Prayer is a struggle for me. These days I'm wavering between fluffy words that try to hide my faults and feelings to angry and entitled tears. I cannot find the happy medium. I hate being honest because I hate what comes out. I don't feel it gives God the respect I know He deserves. But when I try and pray the way I feel I should pray, it always leaves me wanting. A friend pointed out I say "I feel..." way too much. 
"I feel" is my problem.

I think I'm angry. It's a strange thing because I have never tried to hide how I feel. Those of you who know me know I wear my heart on my sleeve. Or at least I used to. A moment ago I realized that maybe I am trying to hide the fact I'm angry from myself. What right do I have to be angry?
Anger is my problem.

This week I found out that I pursue a lot of things I don't intend to actually do. I feel a lot for God. That's what I do. I feel a lot. And it's worthless. It means nothing. When actually faced with decisions, I never have the strength to go through.
Trust is my problem.

I have been setting up my life to look like I am trusting God when actually I don't have to rely on him for anything... I can just convince myself I am. I don't actually want to step out for fear of being miserable. Can you believe that? It's not even fear of getting hurt or failing. I don't want to be uncomfortable, even for a day. I am driven by my hatred of  unhappiness. 
Surrender is my problem.

My soul feels ugly. It's dark and heavy. It's easier to be angry about what I can't have then face what I actually need to do. And I'm tired. I can't stop dreaming about a life I can't have. I can't let go of my desire to manipulate the circumstances. And I'm not even sure that I want to. I am overloaded spiritually. It's too much. It's too much to process. And I am not strong.
Too many problems is my problem.

I know.
I have been physically exhausted (thank you fifty hour work weeks), emotional bruised, and spiritually lost. I was missing IT big time. A close girlfriend told me she knew I would get through it because she had always witnessed my devotion to seeking God and pursuing His word.

Little did I know my pursuit would become my downfall, my faith wouldn't stand when put through the fire, and my devotion was my ultimate blindness.

To be continued... 

Thursday, March 10, 2011

FROM THE INSIDE OUT


Give the Lord the praise he deserves.
Praise his perfect and glorious name because he is worthy. 
Let not my emotions nor my understanding of a situation hinder my worship.
Let me sing to him because he is good.

I will remember to thank you, O Lord, for listening to my prayers.
The exhausting overflow of my sinful heart,
you delight in understanding. 
How astounding is your patience. 

The desires of my heart are self-centered and burdensome,
yet you don't love me in spite of them - you love me after knowing all of them already. 
You are the only one who possesses all my secrets.
The depth of your knowing is beyond me.

I am worn out my constant failing,
but you're an eternity away from giving up. 
You delight in teaching me your word and your ways.
Great is your faithfulness. 

My sins are against you and you alone,
yet you do not withhold your forgiveness when I approach the throne of grace.
You wouldn't even spare your own son,
thats how much I mean to you. 

You created me with a desire to be loved,
you have watched every struggle.
You have counted all my tears,
though they are great in number. 

Yet, I pursue that which does not satisfy!
I manipulate and strive for that which fails me. 
Yet you always remain,
watching and waiting. 

Your power is great and not to be trifled with. 
You desire to show me your glory. 
If only I knew the splendor and might you possess,
then I would no longer turn away from you. 

Our time spent together is precious to you,
may I never forsake it for busyness. 
You have blessed me greatly,
but none of those blessings compare to knowing you. 

I will sing to you as long as I live.
Give me the strength to follow your ways.
Empower me through your Spirit to die to self today.
May my own life mean nothing to me in the knowledge of your will. 

-A Psalm of Hannah