completely conformed.

Romans 8:29-30

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

You are stronger.

So i was just thinking about how it is so easy to believe lies about God. Why do we read the truth in His word, then hear some false truth and think, "ya that must be true." so foolish. As i was thinking about it this passage came to mind.

Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

I do not want these things to characterize my life; nor do i want to continue believing the lies as truth. Ps. 12:6 says the words of the Lord are pure words. Do i trust this?

My prayer is that I would.

on God I rest.

The Word of God is so powerful.

Is. 55:11
"So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void. But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Amen.

Through Him we have everything, yes, everything we need.

2 Peter 1:3
"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge o fHim who called us by glory and virtue"

and lastly:
2 Peter 1:5-11 SOOO GOOD!
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I pray i can be more diligent.

greater things.

This morning we had our Saturday morning women's fellowship. We had a dear friend Laura come and share with us on contentment. She shared from James 4:13-17, and spoke of four responses to God's sovereign will. Funny she chose this topic because it is exactly what I have been thinking about lately. Why am I so intent on my own will, and why do I want my plans to be better than the Lord's.

Proverbs 16:9- In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

No matter what God's will prevails; why do I continue to fight it?

Here are the 4 responses:
1) Those who disregard His sovereign will.
-> It is so easy to do this. I often ignore it because I think my plans are better. Even though I know the Lord to be soverein over ALL things, I am persistant to make my will His, instead of His mine.

2) Those who do His sovereign will.
-> I should be doing everything with the mindset that "if the Lord wills" i will do this. I can plan my way, but if the Lord wills, it will be done. Do I trust this will?

3) Those who deny His sovereign will.
->How often do we boast in our own plans? I do this alot!! for example, I say: when i graduate, i am going to have this great job (not only am i assuming i will have a great job, i am boasting in the work i have accomplished to get there. What if the Lord has another plan? would i be disappointed?)

4)Those who disobey His sovereign will.
-> Often I know what His plan for me to do is, and I disobey by still trying for my will to override His. His will is for me to be sanctified and glorify Him. I am being disobedient when i don't trust it.

How I wish I could be content knowing His will for my life is better than mine. I wish my desires were His. I only want to glorify the Lord.

I hope this can be of some encouragement, as it has been to me as I reflect of His word.

He rescued me.

"When we are insensitive to sin, it is obvious we have idols."

I can become so accepting of my sin. why do i when i know it is so offensive and hostile toward God. The only way He can even look at me is because of my belief in His Son, and when He sees me He sees Christ.

I want to live a spiritually transformed life; a life that was only possible through Divine intervention.

all the faint lights.

First of all, I want to shoutout to the West Coast. There are times when i miss it so much. I miss friends. I miss CBU times. I miss familiarity.

However, I love living in Florida. I wouldn't change living here for the things I miss. The Lord truly does direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I have been challenged so much and I am so thankful the Lord's will is more perfect than I could ever want. I often think I know what's best. I am learning how sweet it is to be inside the Lord's will.

As of late i have been seeing the necessity of knowing Scripture and constantly being emersed in the Word of the Lord. I am drawn to Psalm 119. The whole chapter focus' on meditating on the Word and how excellent it is. If it wasn't 176 verses i would type it all. Just a few to point out are some sweet prayers and promises. It so constantly reminds me of the importance of Scripture. Ps 119:37 "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness." v. 59: I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. ; v.160: the entirety of Your word is truth. ; v. 165: Great peace have those who love Your law., and nothing causes them to stumble.

At college group on Thursday we read from Acts 8. We were reminded how to be an effective evangelist we need to be FLUENT with the Word. Fluent would mean that I know it, just like I am fluent in English. I'm not just conversational. But I constantly settle to be conversational with the Word. I just know enough to somewhat communicate. But I can't be that effective if I only can partially communicate my message.

I just want to be more in the Word. I want to memorize it and soak it in. From it comes wisdom.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.

ice cream.

So i went to a church families house for lunch today, and we had ice cream for dessert. Talk about options!



:)

photobooth.

This is what happens when you spend time with family!





love happens.

everyday, it's You I live for.

So recently i've been thinking about last summer and working at Clydehurst Christian Ranch. I miss it so much! i was looking through pictures and am so grateful for the opportunity. It was unexplainable. I miss the people, the staff, my summer home. God truly worked there. I miss the mountain air, the carefree adventure. Sometimes i wish I could escape there and stay forever.

cousins.

How can you not love these faces?! these are my cousins; they are so great!

Baby Elijah.


Josiah.


Ezra.


here's a few extra.




and of course Autumn Grace.


photo credit: http://www.michellekristinephotography.com/

Palm Beach Atlantic.

Today was the end of my first week of school. Not bad i must say. I figured you may want to see what my school and the downtown of West Palm Beach looks like, so i looked like a tourist and took some pics!

Here is the building on the corner of Dixie and Okeechobee (2 streets).
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This is the Greene Complex..also known as the gym..well the front at least.
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Okeechobee..its fun to say.
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These next few pics were taken from school on my way to city place (which for those in Riverside is about the same as the plaza..except different stores!)
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Panera is my favorite! sorry it's sideways.

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This is the parking garage where I will now be parking.
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this is my house..well..where i live.
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and just for good measure..i spent the evening babysitting my cousin Autumn, and I couldn't resist her cuteness.

muse.

no school on Mondays. I think i can get used to this.

you may be wondering.

I'm in Florida now! I arrived on tuesday and have been busy..yet it has not been stressful at all. I am living with my aunt and uncle, and it has been great! On wednesday my dad and I drove down to Palm Beach Atlantic University, which is where i will be going to school. It takes about 20 mins to get there. I was able to get my schedule organized, which was very helpful. I registered for 15 units, which was about all i could get into because i registered pretty late. They campus was really nice, and is right on the intercoastal waterway. Palm trees everywhere! We hit up Panera Bread which is 1) my favorite place, and 2) so close to the school so i can study there!. It is located at City Place, which for those of you at CBU is exactly like the plaza..except they have classy stores and macy's and such. I had to go back to school on Thursday, which was my official check in day. I got my I.D. card and bought my books and am now ready to go! i have no monday classes so next tuesday i begin!

It has been cold this week, which is rare because it's usually so humid you dry off after a shower and are still wet (gross yes). However, it is raining today, and a high of 51 degrees. I think i'll save running for another day.

Last night we had a bunch of kids over from the college group from the church i will be attending. It was really nice to meet some new people, so of which attend PBA and some who have already graduated. We ate, played wii, and apples to apples bible edition (so funny).

I am enjoying my time here. My dad left today, so i think now that he is gone it will start sinking in that i am here. I somewhat still feel like i am on vacation and will be leaving soon, but that is not the case. I could use prayer so that I will adjust easily, and just really focus on the Lord in the free time I have, and find ways to get involved and be intentional.

also, I really should get a job.

Hope this new year is starting well for everyone else. God really is good!

and another.

one more thing.

for some reason..i would love to experience the joy of having my own mini pig..even if it is for only a day.

3 things.

I have a few random things I would like to do in 2010 as of late.

1) join or take some sort of hip hop class. It is something I enjoy randomly doing for fun (even if it is at the gym).

2) read more!

3) get involved in some sort of outreach ministry weekly.

anyways..it was a not so lazy sunday!

and..i move in 2 days..!

A New Year.

Well hello 2010! This is a time for a "new beginning". A new decade has come, and I am ready to take on whatever it brings, that being whatever the Lord wills.

First, as I reflect 2009, I am thankful for a great year! I worked in Montana for the summer and had a great first half of my junior year of college. I ablsolutely love CBU! I was a FOCUS leader, and truly enjoyed working with my partner and getting to know the freshman. I also had great roommates! I was able to spend more time with Hope, as well as get to know the other girls.

This was truly a great year, and the Lord definitely taught me many things. I have realized more and more the deep relationship Christ offers. It is a true friendship and love only possible through grace displayed in the cross. There is so much power in His name. I am so thankful to be known by Him.

This year is beginning with BIG changes. The biggest decision I have made lately is to move to Jupiter, FL (close to West Palm Beach), to live with family and continue with school. My hope is to be stripped from all I have and not be so set on my plan for everything. I know God is leading me here, and I am embracing His call. As I battle my desire to remain in control, I long for Him to have all of me completely, so all I am left with is Him. I know it will be challenging, but I think I am ready. And I know He will equip me with whatever I need. I am thankful for my family down there and can't wait to see what the Lord does.

As I move, I will be leaving lots of familiarity behind, especially with people i have invested in and sincerely love. They will be missed but I know our friendships go beyond distance.

I welcome 2010 with open arms.

Resolved, aim to glorify God in whatever and wherever He leads me.