So this summer I've been working at a Christian summer camp in Texas as a wrangler (as in, with horses). And let me just say, it has been a challenge. I had little to no previous experience with horses aside from the fact that I was afraid of them. But, thankfully, the Lord helped me overcome the fear and that really hasn't been a worry since day 1. Something that's been a huge challenge though is the amount of work we do and allowing myself to get weighed down by exhaustion. To be quite honest, I've never worked this hard in my life (I'm talking 4:30 a.m.s all week, 17 hour days of working working working on7 hours of sleep, for 6 weeks straight). Legitimately, have never worked this hard in my life. But oh heavens has it been an incredible experience! God's been bringing to my thoughts a lot about how easy it is to slip back into being selfish when you're tired and hurting and irritable. I've been trying to pin down exactly how to describe this lesson that He's been teaching me, but nothing quite gets it right. So I've been at a loss for words on the matter for the past 5 weeks until the other morning at a staff Bible study when one of our leaders read from Galatians 2. It said simply this:
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. I'm not living my life anymore, I'm living for Him. My purpose is to glorify him and enjoy him forever. I no longer live. This concept is one of those things that, for me, when I heard it, it just blew my mind. It was spot on with what I had been learning and trying to grasp. All that I'm doing, all that I work for, all that I sweat for day in and day out is for Him. Because He lives in me. I am merely a vessel for him to carry out his will, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
It's lessons like this that really make me love camp.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
18 going on 7
Now, I don't know about y'all, but even as an "adult" there are still many childish things that I enjoy. Personally, I feel that there are certain things you are never too old to do. One of those great things is coloring books. I mean, really, are you ever too old to whip out your 64 pack of crayons and pass the time with a good old coloring book? Another thing I think we never grow out of is any form of make-believe or imagination. Have you ever sat down with a 4 year old and played with them? They have the most incredible imagination and I think holding onto a bit of that as you get older is AWESOME. It makes life so much more fun! And on that same wavelength, us girls are never too old for Disney movies or any of those sappy romantic comedies. Cause really, what's better than a fairy tale? And on top of all this, I think one of the most enjoyable activities to carry over from childhood to adulthood is amusement parks. Cause really, you're never too old to spend the day at a water park, an amusement park, or a state fair.
Anyway, I hope this encourages y'all to resurrect a couple fun childhood indulgences and make your life a little sweeter!
Anyway, I hope this encourages y'all to resurrect a couple fun childhood indulgences and make your life a little sweeter!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Catechism Numero Uno
"To glorify Him and enjoy Him forever"
The simplest of phrases that has had a phenomenal effect on me as of late. It is one of those basic mantras that many of us bible-belters learned in our elementary Sunday school classes, but it's beauty and significance has recently been brought to light for me. This is our chief end, our main purpose, our sole motive for life. I've been dwelling on this phrase daily and particularly appreciate calling it into thought first thing in the morning. There are few things that can give you better perspective for life than reminding yourself daily of your purpose for living. All other things fade away and fall limp with unimportance when you remember that the reason we are all alive today is "to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever."
Really lends some much needed perspective, doesn't it?
The simplest of phrases that has had a phenomenal effect on me as of late. It is one of those basic mantras that many of us bible-belters learned in our elementary Sunday school classes, but it's beauty and significance has recently been brought to light for me. This is our chief end, our main purpose, our sole motive for life. I've been dwelling on this phrase daily and particularly appreciate calling it into thought first thing in the morning. There are few things that can give you better perspective for life than reminding yourself daily of your purpose for living. All other things fade away and fall limp with unimportance when you remember that the reason we are all alive today is "to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever."
Really lends some much needed perspective, doesn't it?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
All that His Love Is
Quite simply, I heard this song today and wanted to share it. I'm sure some of you have heard it before, but if you haven't (or even if you have) I implore you to take a minute and listen to it. It's called "Your Love Is Strong" by Jon Foreman.
"Heavenly Father, you always amaze me.
Let your kingdom come in my world and in my life.
Give me the food I need to live through today
and forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me.
Lead me far from temptation.
Deliver me from the evil one.
I look out the window, the birds are composing.
Not a note is out of tune or out of place.
I walk to the meadow and stare at the flowers
better dressed than any girl on her wedding day.
So why do I worry? Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need. You know what I need.
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
The kingdom of the heavens is now advancing.
Invade my heart, invade this broken town.
The kingdom of the heavens is buried treasure.
Would you sell yourself to buy the one you've found?
Two things you told me: that you are strong,
and you love me. Yes, you love me.
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong
Our God in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons."
Tonight, I also heard this: "I don't have to be afraid, because I know that you love me, and your love never fails." His love never fails to astound me in all of its abilities, its strength, its endurance, and its magnitude.
In all of its perfection.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
175 Years Young
For those of you who aren't infatuated with all things Texas, I'd like to let you know that today is our beloved state's 175th birthday! That's right, 175 years ago on March 2, 1836, Texas became a republic.
Texas pride, baby. Nothing sweeter.
Texas pride, baby. Nothing sweeter.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Taken by the Hand
Today, I came to realize just how much I love being led.
The opportunity to have someone else be in charge, to guide your steps, it's blissful.
When you are led, you are allowed to not know. You are allowed to be blissfully unaware of what is happening, where you're going and what needs to be done. You don't have to do anything, you just have to follow.
When you are led, you are not held responsible for what happens. You don't have the burden of worry and you have no reason for concerns.
When you are led, you are not the one who has to plan out your future, it is planned for you. You don't have to be preoccupied over whether or not you're doing the right thing for you or for those around you. Because when you are led, the one you are following knows what you need.
Considering all of these thouroughly enticing qualities of the state of being led, why is it that it is so hard for us to allow God to lead us? I know, speaking for myself, there have been many times when I wished I could just let go of whatever matter I was clenching with white knuckles and give it up to God, and allow Him to lead me, but I just can't. At times I have a compulsive desire for control, a desire to be the one who leads. But (for lack of better phrasing) that's just so stupid! I know a shockingly small amount of what is good for me, what I need, what path I'm supposed to be on, and what my future will be like, and yet I still feel that I have the qualifications to be the one at the steering wheel.
I want to merely recline, and go through life as God directs. I want to let Him take me where I need to go. I want Him to bear the burden of my future, because He can handle it so much more gracefully than I ever could. During those few times when I give up my compulsive desire for control, when I let Him take me by the hand and lead me, I feel all the peace and freedom of being led. And I want it more often.
The opportunity to have someone else be in charge, to guide your steps, it's blissful.
When you are led, you are allowed to not know. You are allowed to be blissfully unaware of what is happening, where you're going and what needs to be done. You don't have to do anything, you just have to follow.
When you are led, you are not held responsible for what happens. You don't have the burden of worry and you have no reason for concerns.
When you are led, you are not the one who has to plan out your future, it is planned for you. You don't have to be preoccupied over whether or not you're doing the right thing for you or for those around you. Because when you are led, the one you are following knows what you need.
Considering all of these thouroughly enticing qualities of the state of being led, why is it that it is so hard for us to allow God to lead us? I know, speaking for myself, there have been many times when I wished I could just let go of whatever matter I was clenching with white knuckles and give it up to God, and allow Him to lead me, but I just can't. At times I have a compulsive desire for control, a desire to be the one who leads. But (for lack of better phrasing) that's just so stupid! I know a shockingly small amount of what is good for me, what I need, what path I'm supposed to be on, and what my future will be like, and yet I still feel that I have the qualifications to be the one at the steering wheel.
I want to merely recline, and go through life as God directs. I want to let Him take me where I need to go. I want Him to bear the burden of my future, because He can handle it so much more gracefully than I ever could. During those few times when I give up my compulsive desire for control, when I let Him take me by the hand and lead me, I feel all the peace and freedom of being led. And I want it more often.
Friday, February 11, 2011
America's Pride and Joy
Now, I know this is a bit behind the times, but in my personal opinion, the Super Bowl is never out of date. Sooo...
Could there be anything more American? An entire day devoted to football. I love it! Love it love it love it. Now, I don't know about ya'll but neither the Packers or the Steelers are my team. I support the Cowboys through and through. True, their year was less than decent, but they're still my team. To endure a season wreaked by an injured quarter back, and a fired coach, they still managed to hold their own at times. Props for that. Point being, that even though the illustrious Cowboys did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, I still felt obligated to watch it. Didn't you? I mean, honestly, the Super Bowl is a momentous occasion, a football game of epic proportions, and that is simply something that is too big to miss!Aaaaand, you have those wonderfully unique and flat out funny commercials. It seems that this is the one time a year that advertisers really do put their best foot forward.
And speaking of epic proportions, can I draw your attention to the mega-stadium that the team of yours truly felt the need to construct? True, everything is bigger in Texas, but this threatens to claim that everything is excessive in Texas. Sadly, I have never had the honor of seeing this glorious feat of architecture, but boy, I would give my left arm to do so. Of course, I'm sure you've heard of the larger than life, 60 yard long mega-screen. On top of that, there's the mongo retractable roof, the giant glass panes that rotate to open up the ends of the stadium, the (less than tasteful) dancer areas amongst the seats, and the 80,000 seating capacity in addition to the 110,000 standing room capacity. This is one for the history books.
Anyway, being in North Carolina, where basketball reigns and football is a pathetic joke, there are few things that assuage my homesickness more than a good game of football. Thankfully, my roommate (from Miami) is an avid NFL follower as well, which makes the fact that one of us always have a game on tv thoroughly enjoyable. And I will say, fortunately for the sake of our safety, I was out of town during the Miami v Dallas game.
Being away from dear old Texas, it makes me smile and giggle like a little girl inside any time somebody mentions southern football, because it is always accompanied by the statement "cause football really is like religion down there." It's so true, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll be sitting on the sidelines and yelling at the referee until my dying day.
Could there be anything more American? An entire day devoted to football. I love it! Love it love it love it. Now, I don't know about ya'll but neither the Packers or the Steelers are my team. I support the Cowboys through and through. True, their year was less than decent, but they're still my team. To endure a season wreaked by an injured quarter back, and a fired coach, they still managed to hold their own at times. Props for that. Point being, that even though the illustrious Cowboys did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, I still felt obligated to watch it. Didn't you? I mean, honestly, the Super Bowl is a momentous occasion, a football game of epic proportions, and that is simply something that is too big to miss!Aaaaand, you have those wonderfully unique and flat out funny commercials. It seems that this is the one time a year that advertisers really do put their best foot forward.
And speaking of epic proportions, can I draw your attention to the mega-stadium that the team of yours truly felt the need to construct? True, everything is bigger in Texas, but this threatens to claim that everything is excessive in Texas. Sadly, I have never had the honor of seeing this glorious feat of architecture, but boy, I would give my left arm to do so. Of course, I'm sure you've heard of the larger than life, 60 yard long mega-screen. On top of that, there's the mongo retractable roof, the giant glass panes that rotate to open up the ends of the stadium, the (less than tasteful) dancer areas amongst the seats, and the 80,000 seating capacity in addition to the 110,000 standing room capacity. This is one for the history books.
Anyway, being in North Carolina, where basketball reigns and football is a pathetic joke, there are few things that assuage my homesickness more than a good game of football. Thankfully, my roommate (from Miami) is an avid NFL follower as well, which makes the fact that one of us always have a game on tv thoroughly enjoyable. And I will say, fortunately for the sake of our safety, I was out of town during the Miami v Dallas game.
Being away from dear old Texas, it makes me smile and giggle like a little girl inside any time somebody mentions southern football, because it is always accompanied by the statement "cause football really is like religion down there." It's so true, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'll be sitting on the sidelines and yelling at the referee until my dying day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)