It Keeps Getting Better

So if you have kept up with my blog then you saw my last post, the one where I addressed my worship family. I let them know just how much I loved them and to be quite honest I was a little shocked at the response. I had 88 views… 88 in two days! I was overwhelmed by the comments and messages I received and while I didn’t know that it was possible for my worship family to bless me more than they already have, they did. I was brought to tears by each of the responses.

If anything was accomplished from that post I simply think that it just increased my inability to describe how much I love each person in the GFBC worship ministry. I am so incredibly excited that I get to go and worship with these wonderful people once again tonight on stage and then again during choir practice. My heart is so overjoyed that there are once again no words for me to describe what I am feeling. I pray that someone reading this knows this same feeling when it comes to the people the Lord has blessed them with.

In other news, it is finally Fall! Walking outside to cool air and a nice breeze is so refreshing. I know that this means we are one step closer to Winter, which means one step closer to non-stop sickness for my co-workers and I, better known in my family as the “Daycare Curse”. While I am not ready for that, I am ready for the cooler weather and yes, I am ready for Christmas.

For those of you that haven’t yet received an update, school is still going great! I currently have a 99.35, and I am currently in my last week of my first class! I am praying for the next several classes to pass by quickly because I am ready for my Theology classes but I know that everything will happen in the Lord’s time and His timing is perfect!

I can't wait to see what the Lord does throughout today. He has blessed me so much in the last few days and tonight will be no exception I am sure. When I checked the order of service I was surprised to see that all but one song we are singing, are some of my favorite songs for my personal worship time. It makes me think that God has something special for me tonight:) I can't wait! May the Lord bless you richly and beyond measure today! =D

No More Death, No More Pain

Tonight I sit typing with a heavy heart. Today I was at a funeral of a good man. Two of my friends, who are brothers... lost their dad this past Thursday. My heart broke watching the youngest of the two hurt, and it broke even worse when I found out that the oldest wasn't going to be able to make it in time for today (NOT HIS FAULT). This friend of mine is in the navy and is trying hard to get home but unfortunately due to different circumstances that are not my place to post, he couldn't make it in time... I know he is hurting, I know he wants to be here, and all I can do is pray for him and his brother. 

So even though I found out about this the day it happened, everything only hit and really sunk in yesterday. My heart broke, I texted my mentor/accountability partner with some serious questions, I went and prayed with a woman I know from student ministry who's office just happens to be on the other side of my work, I have cried almost (but not quite) constantly, and it all led to today (which by the way only increased the water works and the pain in my heart). SO.... why am I telling you all of this? Because I know that I am not the only one... I know that someone else reading this at this very moment has a broken heart, someone reading this is grieving, and like me you are tired of the pain. 

I sat down just a little while ago and told God with more tears streaming down my face that I want so badly to ask Him and the people He has blessed me with here, just like a little child, why there is so much pain in this world. Truth is I already know the answer... we live in a broken world. I asked God to take away the pain in my heart but deep down I know He allows me to experience this pain so that I am reminded of where I belong and that it isn't here. 

Can I tell you something? While I don't like the death and pain that consumes this world anymore than you do, that place where I belong.... where we belong... there is no death and pain there. In fact there is a God who will one day put us on His lap and wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more of those either! So right now, I will admit... I want to go home and sit in my daddy's lap, I want Him to take the pain and hurt away more than anything... but the truth is, my life is not finished. God isn't done using me here yet and from what I keep being told... I have some big plans ahead of me. And even though I am hurting, God hasn't left me... I have felt His presence through everything today and have even heard Him whisper that He loves me and He is with me. 

So though I sit here tonight with a broken and heavy heart, I will press on with the help of God. I will live the life I am called to, all the while longing to be in the place that my soul was created for and one day, when God has used me for His purposes here I will run into His open arms squealing like a tiny little child filled with love "ABBA!!!" as He wraps those arms that defeated death around me, and welcomes me home.

Please pray for this family, and for the friends of the family as they grieve. Pray that they remember there is hope in Jesus. 

Last night I had the privilege of doing one of my favorite things, I got to go to prayer. My choir director, her husband and several members of the worship ministry get together at 7:14 on Thursday nights to pray. I enjoy this far more than anyone could ever imagine. Standing with other believers and praying to our Father. Some of you are looking at the time wondering why it's 7:14, it's because of 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore the land."

Some people think that I carry my excitement too far when it comes to being at the church all the time but honestly one of the men last night put it best. He was talking to a friend earlier that day and when his friend asked where he was headed, he told him that he was going to prayer. The friend said something along the lines of man we're there all the time and he simply said well, where is there to be? (Sorry if that didn't make any since)

That's how I feel. I honestly feel like every other place that I go through out my time here (work, out with friends, and yes even home) is pointless. My mind even wandered to a verse the other day from Luke. 

"'But why did you need to search?' he asked. 'Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?'" -Luke 2:49 (NLT)

Sometimes when people ask me why I spend some much time at the church, or when they tell me that I spend too much time there, or the infamous you don't have to be there every time the doors open, I think of this verse. I want to be at my Father's house whenever I can be. So what if today's culture says I'm taking it too far, I think God is looking down smiling at my eagerness to be in His house. Some people think that I am spreading myself too thin and that I am going to ware myself out but I promise you, the less time I spend at church and the less time that I spend with God the more worn out I feel, but the more I'm at church whether it be for service, practice, or prayer, and the more time I spend with God the more ALIVE I feel, and the more rested I feel. 

Being a christian means that no matter what the people around us think about it, whether it be friends, co-workers, or even family, we will do what we feel like the Lord is leading us to do. We will risk everything. 

I guess I am done with my rant now:) I really hope that this will encourage some one today. And I hope that you all have a WONDERFUL day!! =D

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." -Romans 15:13 (ESV)