Well, I was sitting here thinking that I should update... so I had some things that I really wanted to write here... but God has a way of changing things for the better... I picked up my favorite Bible and randomly started reading all the things that I've underlined and highlighted... there's a lot of those... so as I'm going through it reading all these things God keeps giving me things that really have to do with my life as of late. so let me tell you a bit of what He's telling me. Here is something I underlined and I had to laugh at... it's so incredibly true right now!

Hebrews 5:11 "... you are slow to learn."

can any one identify with that? if you say no then I don't believe you... then I looked at this one... and thought for sure that's what I needed right now...

Heb. 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and sprit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Mmhm I have to agree that’s what it is right now… specially for me right now… hmm and can I add this one in there too?

James 1:22-24 “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listen to the word but does no do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

I feel like I do that way to often… I dunno why… I think I get it then I walk away and totally lose it… what to do what to do… ok so I’ve been really worried about OAE… like really really really worried, or scared out of my mind. I don’t know how it’s going to go but it’s way out of my comfort zone and I don’t like even thinking about it… but you know God touched on that one too… here:

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends on the earth.”

I love this one:  Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ form the dead will also give live to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”

Gal. 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or God? On am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Eph. 5:16 “Making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”

 Phil. 2:13 “For it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose.”

Phil. 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Col. 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name or the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

This one is a huge encouragement to me especially in this kind of thing: 2 Tim. 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

Philemon 6 “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”  

So those are just some of the verses that I want to keep in my head while I’m out in the streets of NYC not knowing what to do with myself… oh and then I have some other verses that God sort of put out there just for me because he knew I needed them… maybe some of you need them too?

Matt. 6:21 “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.”

Matt. 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matt. 19:26 “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’”

John 7:24 “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

John 16:22 “… and no one will take away your joy.”

Romans 7:21 “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”

Gal. 3:3 “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit , are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”

Gal. 5:7 “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you form obeying the truth?”

Gal. 5:16 “So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Eph. 4:27 “and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Phil. 1:27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Col. 3:1 “… set your hearts on things above…”

1 Thes. 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

2 Tim. 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Hm… those are some of them… I don’t wanna go on for to long… but I did want to put some of those out there. They’re all speaking to different things I’m dealing with right now, and who knows maybe some of you needed to hear some of those verses today. If God can use those in your life… praise Him for it.

God has been so good to me and I can never thank him enough for what He’s doing in my life. Honestly I can’t wait to see what this masterpiece is going to look like when He’s done painting… J

Currently Listening iWorship, Vol. 2 By Various Artists see related

Hebrews 12:1-3

 "Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds."

    I have decided that these verses are going to be my theme verses for a while. I've written them here in hopes that you will all read them and maybe think real hard about some things. This is from the amplified version, I love the way it expands some of the phrases. for example: "let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance..." that puts such a vivid picture in my mind, like the runner does not even stop to think about what he's doing he just throws off what is slowing him down. I love this one too "let us run with PATIENT ENDURANCE and STEADY and ACTIVE PERSISTENCE the appointed course of the race that is set before us..."  the phrase Patient Endurance means a whole lot to me right now. I know that I am not a patient person and that is one huge thing God is working with me to change right now. And the fact that is says steady and active persistence gives me a bit of hope, I have to work on this daily and that fits steady and active persistence well.

   I have got to say that I love the illustration of a runner in a race. I was a runner for a year or so back in high school... cross country... it was a growing experience let me tell you! I don't think I really understood how much work it took to be a runner, and then I found out in rather painful ways... but I really think that the hard work applies totally to these verses and in this setting. It's talking about how we need to focus on God and make him our goal and finish line... and then it reminds us that we have things tying to slow us down, I know those things all too well... and God is revealing them to me everyday!

   All I can say is Thank You Lord for sticking with me and demonstrating the patience I need to learn while being patient with me... sometimes waiting for God to say move is the last thing you want to do but the only way to get the complete blessing. I thank God for helping me to be patient and loving to bless me more when I obey!

All Because Of This lyrics

Why do we do the things we do
How can we sing when there seems no reason to
How do we smile when there's not much to smile about
When the world is down who are we to stand and shout
They wonder why we do the things we do

[CHORUS]
It's all because of this
It's all because of this
We've tasted love, tasted hope, tasted holiness

It's all because of this
It's all because of this
We've tasted love, tasted hope, tasted holiness

And they wonder why, we do the things we do...

   So I have been going through a whole lot right now. God is proving himself to me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Sometimes I wonder what He's going to do with everything He's teaching me. This short little song by Mercy Me kinda puts it all in perspective for me. I've felt like I have no reason to being going on the way I am, not because I'm upset or things aren't working the way I've planed them but more because I do not understand where the Joy is coming from! God has given me a heart full of Joy for whatever He is going to do. I think that might have something to do with the verse in Psalm, chapter 37 verse 4... "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart." I can honestly say that God has been working that out in my life... Because I have done what He wanted my desires are becoming His.

   Thank you Lord for knowing my weaknesses and helping me to deal with them in the way you would want me to... Thank you for putting people in my life who love me and want to see me grow in you and learn to be the woman of God that you could make me if i would only get out of the way and let you... forgive me for all the times I have messed up already and for all the times I will mess up in the future.... thank you for you're undeserved love...

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But He said to me, My grace (My favor and lovingkindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves more effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tend over and dwell) upon me!"