Rest.

God's telling me to rest, and I haven't been listening. Probably why I'm now sick... No time for [deep] blogging tonight!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "
-Matthew 11:28

I want to be where You are
I’m running into Your arms
And I will never look back
So Jesus, here is my heart




Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
-Ephesians 4:29-32

I want to love because You loved.

That last post when I was talking about how I am feeling so drained... dumb. dumb. dumb. Although it is true- I do feel very drained, the answer is not to stop loving someone. The answer is to be more filled. It's sad that I typed those selfish things out when I knew all along that they were selfish. WHY do I give into the flesh so often?

To all my friends and to all the people that I love (whether you love and pursue me or not)-
I want to love you like Christ loves you, and I am so sorry for letting my selfishness get in the way of that over and over again. It's not about me. It's not about me feeling dried up. It's about Jesus, being filled with Him and because I'm so filled with Him, overflowing with Him and His love.

I want to love because He loved. Not because I want to be loved in return. I am loved unconditionally by my God and that's all the love I need.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

I thought I would have lots of blogging time this weekend since five of my closest friends were at one of the most wonderful places of earth- Windy Gap. Although I missed them very much, I enjoyed praying for them and the high schoolers they were hanging out and sharing Jesus with! and somehow managed to keep myself entertained- being really sick for two days, spending time with my team- dinner and a movie and going to the CAK game, spending time with my momma, getting a traumatizing haircut, going on walks, hanging out with friends from high school, and going to church.

Today at church Tim Miller spoke about "Undeniable Forgiveness." I had actually heard this sermon before at The Walk... He used the scripture about the woman caught in adultery (John 8), and emphasized that it's only at the cross that Jesus says we don't owe Him anymore and that He offers us forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Colossians 2:13-14
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

"If the God of Heaven and Earth has chosen to forgive you, who are you to hold anything against yourself?" -Scott Cagle (I really liked that)

John 8:31-32
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

It doesn’t matter what You’ve done;
It doesn't matter where you're coming from
Doesn’t matter where you’ve been,
Hear me tell you I forgive

You’re not guilty anymore,
You're not filthy anymore,
I love you, mercy is yours
You're not broken anymore,
You're not captive anymore
I love you, mercy is yours

Can you believe that this is true,
Grace abundant I am giving you
Cleansing deeper than you know,
All was paid for long ago

There is now therefore no condemnation
for those who are in Jesus

You are spotless
You are holy
You are faultless
You are whole
You are righteous
You are blameless
You are pardoned
You are mine

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry...

2 Corinthians 4:8-12
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
16-20
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

So thankful for a God that never leaves my side. Thankful for a God that doesn't "just stand there and watch me burn," but walks with me through the fire. Thankful for a God that understands my suffering, that is making me more like him through these hard times. Thankful that He is near the broken-hearted, not just watching me cry when I feel like that's all anyone else is doing. Thankful that He is my strong tower, that I can always run to Him. Thankful that He is teaching me to run to Him instead of to others even though it's so difficult when I want tangible comfort and audible words of reassurance. Thankful that He has overcome, that He will not let me be defeated.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

-Romans 15:13

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Looking back on my post yesterday, I think I spoke too soon.
Trying to remember to give thanks to the Lord in ALL things. Even the things that seem bad at the time because...

"we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." -Romans 8:28

Where do I begin? I'll just start with a picture:


This one's not quite as good as our "Young Life" one, but hey, it has character. Notice in the first one my U is the only letter that isn't practically perfect... and it's such an easy letter so obviously it's not a good idea to give me an A for the second one... so much more difficult!

I'm a little bit intimidated to even try to blog about my trip since Anna's was SO GOOD. Way to set the standards high, my friend.

Next I'll go with my verses that got me through each day (along with the letters that my sweet friends wrote me- and some of these verses I got from the letters):

2 Corinthians 4
(my go to verse for my ministry at CAK as well)

Treasures in Jars of Clay

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Habakkuk 1:5

Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.

Colossians 1:28-2:5

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Those are kind of long, but I would really encourage you to read them sometime. Very encouraging.

Much more to come!

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."