The Shack

If you haven't read The Shack I so encourage you to.

A few quotes from the book that I love...

"He (the man in the book, or us rather) embraces even the darker shades of life as part of some incredibly rich and profound tapestry; crafted masterfully by invisible hands of love."

"He's hoping for a revolution, one of love and kindness- a revolution that revolves around Jesus Christ

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfall- Psalm 42

In church this week our pastor took the opportunity to encourage us to go deeper in our relationships with God. He said "something deep in the heart of God reaches something deep in the heart of man." I've realized day after day that only God can satisfy my need to be accepted, my longing for purpose and my desperate desire to be unconditionally loved. Only God can satisy these things because we are eternal beings and only God can satisfy our thirst for eternity. It made me really look at my life and all the things I try before allowing God to satisfy me. I attempt to allow money, clothes and earthly relationships to fulfill me and end up disappointed. But on those days when I am desperate and on my knees, when I'm disappointed or upset, and I allow myself to open up to God completely, I find myself satisfied in a way I could never have imagined. It's better than money or clothes. It's eternal and everlasting love and fulfillment. God gives us a purpose. He accepts us and he loves us more than anyone can. So I encourage you to give God your everything. Spend unhurried time each day with God. You can fall on your knees or you can stand with joy and praise Him. You will find yourself loved and fulfilled with the most amazing purpose you have ever experienced.

The more I seek you....

One of my favorite songs...

The more I seek you
the more I find you,
the more I find you,
the more I love you.

I want to sit at your feet,
drink from the cup in your hands,
lay back against you and breathe,
feel your heartbeat.

This love is so great.
It's more than I can stand.
I melt in your grace,
it's overwhelming.

Feed me your word that I might trust in your goodness

Something I often struggle with is feeling that my life is not a light to others. I feel broken and desperate at the thought that I don't often witness to the unsaved or share together with other Christians. So, as the new year begins, I've decided to commit to writing in this blog as much as possible, and maybe somehow my struggles and fears and praises and experiences with God will encourage others. At that....

This year I am reading through the one year bible. While at first feeling discouraged knowing that what I read each day is already planned out for me and not a daily new find, it has been a true blessing. I have many favorite books in the bible and I find that I often end up day after day in these books. By reading through the one year bible I am finding verses that I may otherwise never have stumbled upon or dared to dive into. One of the verses from today really struck me.

Proverbs 2: 16-
For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.

My favorite part is... for wisdom will enter your heart!! That just reminds me how much I need to be in His word on a daily basis. He chose to speak to us through His word and I find that my decisions are so much more rational when I listen for His voice through His word. He speaks wisdom into our hearts that we may have knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly!!! He protects those who walk with integrity and who are faithful to Him. I know that the only way I walk with integrity is through His grace and understanding and through the knowledge He grants me through His word. And with this wisdom I gain, I can hope for understanding and grace toward others. I can ask for His patience to be shown through me. I can be certain that I will be a light shinning for HIM!! But only by His wisdom that enters my heart through His word!

May His word show you the right course of action when times are hard, when decisions are painful and when all your hope seems to be missing. May you be filled with joy by the wisdom He grants us to make these decisions and face painful situations. It is a true blessing!