Shaken: By Hawk Nelson
I've stood alone a million times
That's not the same as being alone
I've felt ignored, and left behind before
But that's not the same as being disowned
Open my eyes, and help me see that there's a world outside of me
I'm no different, I want to make a difference tonight
The words don't always come out right
And I don't normally cry
But you didn't see the look in her eyes
I've been shaken
From my head, on down to my toes
Lord use me, take me where you want me to go
I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face
I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change
I've hurt before, but held inside
I've seen their tears, 'cause pain is something they can't hide What makes us different?
We have a chance to listen tonight
The word don't always come out right
And I don't normally cry
But you didn't see the look in her eyes
I've been shaken
From my head, on down to my toes
Lord use me, take me where you want me to go
I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face
I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change
Open up my eyes
I've been shaken
From my head, on down to my toes
Lord use me, take me where you want me to go
I can't help it, my heart has been replaced with a face
I'm ready, these hands are dedicated to change
Beautiful Song, Strong Song, Great Message.
Listen to it, Read the Words, Ponder it. And..
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Extreme...
"God has a plan to end all my schemes, I had a dream He said to be ... extreme"
The past couple weeks have been days of routine, a routine of waiting. From the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, it's full speed ahead, pushing and pulling the various activities of my life through the motions and then some. It hasn't been a bad couple of weeks... just full. But in the midst of my commotion, God gives me moments. Moments I would miss if I would not be waiting on Him. Moments that even in my stressfulness, I am so happy. Moments that remind me why I am here. Moments when I realize I am not the Cameron (Cami) Turner who graduated from Ogden High School two years ago. I'm different, I'm not average.
Average a word that I would use to describe myself. "Why would anyone want to know me I am so AVERAGE." Ordinary, typical, boring. But the thing is I don't want and am no longer average, and I know that. And I know that the people I graduated with know that too, it's probably why most of them don't like to talk to me. I scare them. I am scary because I know what I want and what I need and it's not an average life, in an average town, with an average house. NO! I scare them because of what's inside of me. And the thing that scares me is that what's inside of me is not scary at all, it's Jesus! I scare them because I don't want to go out and get drunk and smoke whatever it is they put in the paper. I don't want to go out and hook up with a random guy. I don't want to do the typical college life things. I want to go out and minister to the drunk and the high. I want to go out and help the prostitute, the widow, the orphan, the alien. I want to be EXTREME. Extreme is a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average. And people are asking "Why do you have to be so extreme?" Why not?
There is nothing average about God and His love for His people. When we lower the standard on ourselves, when we go out and let sin enter in us, when "average" becomes the label on our hearts, rather than righteousness. Then we are labeling the cross as "average." I'm sorry but Christ's blood bled too costly and too red to let us label ourselves in such a degrading way. What Jesus did on the cross canceled out average. He exceeded the worst of human sin, allowing our hearts to be beyond "average."
There is nothing "average" about what Christ has called us. The labels that we should wear. (Redeemed, Forgiven, Accepted, Treasured, Friend, Holy, or my favorite Beloved). When we are by ourselves without Jesus we will never do anything good, nothing to overcome the mediocre lives. But when Jesus is our life and with His salvation we put to death all our old ways. We put on the armor of Christ and by His strength, we become Extreme for Him.
I wrestle with the labels that not only I put on myself, but the labels that other people put on me, that my old high school friends have now placed upon me. It's hard to believe how far from my "hometown" I have become. I feel so distant when I come back. Because I know this truly is not my home, my home is better, is higher. And yet there are times where I wish my old classmates would strike up a conversation with me. But they won't because they know that I don't want to talk about anything average. I want to talk about Jesus. I want to talk about Faith. I want to talk about Life. And that my friends is too scary.
But I am not afraid. I am not scared. Because God has given me a better life, an extreme life, and I'm jumping head-first off this cliff and into my Father's arms, because I know He will catch me.
We were not made to be "average." So what are you? Average or Extreme? You only get one choice, there is no in between, no neutral. It's one or the other. One will lead your life down hill, a place where there is no beauty, no life. The other, the One will lead your life up hill, a place where there is beauty beyond measure, where life is abundant and filled with joy. Which life is yours? More importantly which life will you choose?
It's never to late to change your ways, God Forgives.
Just think about it.
His and yours
Cami
Just the other day I saw a kid
Who flipped his hat to the back and he called it a lid
You know what else he did?
He stacked books from the floor to ceiling
Said somethin' bout trying to get to heaven
And he was only eleven
So he climbed to the top with outstretched arms
And he screamed at the top of his lungs
Move out my way
Give up the mic
"X" to me is extremely Christ
Livin up in me
Like it or not
Put an "X" on my chest
'Cause X marks the spot
- Toby Mac "Extreme Days"
The past couple weeks have been days of routine, a routine of waiting. From the moment my feet hit the floor in the morning, it's full speed ahead, pushing and pulling the various activities of my life through the motions and then some. It hasn't been a bad couple of weeks... just full. But in the midst of my commotion, God gives me moments. Moments I would miss if I would not be waiting on Him. Moments that even in my stressfulness, I am so happy. Moments that remind me why I am here. Moments when I realize I am not the Cameron (Cami) Turner who graduated from Ogden High School two years ago. I'm different, I'm not average.
Average a word that I would use to describe myself. "Why would anyone want to know me I am so AVERAGE." Ordinary, typical, boring. But the thing is I don't want and am no longer average, and I know that. And I know that the people I graduated with know that too, it's probably why most of them don't like to talk to me. I scare them. I am scary because I know what I want and what I need and it's not an average life, in an average town, with an average house. NO! I scare them because of what's inside of me. And the thing that scares me is that what's inside of me is not scary at all, it's Jesus! I scare them because I don't want to go out and get drunk and smoke whatever it is they put in the paper. I don't want to go out and hook up with a random guy. I don't want to do the typical college life things. I want to go out and minister to the drunk and the high. I want to go out and help the prostitute, the widow, the orphan, the alien. I want to be EXTREME. Extreme is a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average. And people are asking "Why do you have to be so extreme?" Why not?
There is nothing average about God and His love for His people. When we lower the standard on ourselves, when we go out and let sin enter in us, when "average" becomes the label on our hearts, rather than righteousness. Then we are labeling the cross as "average." I'm sorry but Christ's blood bled too costly and too red to let us label ourselves in such a degrading way. What Jesus did on the cross canceled out average. He exceeded the worst of human sin, allowing our hearts to be beyond "average."
There is nothing "average" about what Christ has called us. The labels that we should wear. (Redeemed, Forgiven, Accepted, Treasured, Friend, Holy, or my favorite Beloved). When we are by ourselves without Jesus we will never do anything good, nothing to overcome the mediocre lives. But when Jesus is our life and with His salvation we put to death all our old ways. We put on the armor of Christ and by His strength, we become Extreme for Him.
I wrestle with the labels that not only I put on myself, but the labels that other people put on me, that my old high school friends have now placed upon me. It's hard to believe how far from my "hometown" I have become. I feel so distant when I come back. Because I know this truly is not my home, my home is better, is higher. And yet there are times where I wish my old classmates would strike up a conversation with me. But they won't because they know that I don't want to talk about anything average. I want to talk about Jesus. I want to talk about Faith. I want to talk about Life. And that my friends is too scary.
But I am not afraid. I am not scared. Because God has given me a better life, an extreme life, and I'm jumping head-first off this cliff and into my Father's arms, because I know He will catch me.
We were not made to be "average." So what are you? Average or Extreme? You only get one choice, there is no in between, no neutral. It's one or the other. One will lead your life down hill, a place where there is no beauty, no life. The other, the One will lead your life up hill, a place where there is beauty beyond measure, where life is abundant and filled with joy. Which life is yours? More importantly which life will you choose?
It's never to late to change your ways, God Forgives.
Just think about it.
His and yours
Cami
Just the other day I saw a kid
Who flipped his hat to the back and he called it a lid
You know what else he did?
He stacked books from the floor to ceiling
Said somethin' bout trying to get to heaven
And he was only eleven
So he climbed to the top with outstretched arms
And he screamed at the top of his lungs
Move out my way
Give up the mic
"X" to me is extremely Christ
Livin up in me
Like it or not
Put an "X" on my chest
'Cause X marks the spot
- Toby Mac "Extreme Days"
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The Surrendered Persons Explanation haha
If you haven't read The Surrendered Girl, I would read that first. You don't have to, you can read them backwards change it up a little bit :)
So I talk a lot about Surrendering to God, and I can't help it, it's just so awesome. But what does it mean when I say "surrender to God." it doesn't mean we are going to stop living once we surrendered our lives to Him. In truth it means the exact opposite, we will start living! Surrendering to God doesn't mean that we are living a reckless life without purpose. It means we start living with purpose - The purpose that God has planned for us.
Here is one of the best verses... (well the whole Bible's great :D)
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Here it is in bold font: We can give up our selfish desires, put our future in God's hands and He can and He will take us far beyond any thing we could dream/imagine.
I was reading the book of James today and came to the conclusion that I really enjoy this book! Especially chapter 4, I think you know why, the title alone will tell you why it's my favorite haha! The title is Submit Yourselves to God :) Yep that's right, I'm not making this stuff up, it's legit and it's in the Bible even!!
Now James says in verse 4:7 "submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" Here we see again that God desires that we give him complete control of our lives. Surrendering to God is not easy, I've said this many times, and there will always be the temptation of returning to our own self, to the world. You know what Even Jesus was tempted to not surrender His life to God's plan! But you want to know what happened. He resisted and the devil fled from Him!!! How awesome is that! The devil fled, was scared, disappeared, GONE.
The devil uses the things of this world to tempt us to draw us further and further away from God. But when we surrender to God, He gives us a weapon to use against our enemy, the devil. Even when we are tempted to do our own will, to go against God, and live our lives our own way. So once we surrender to God, He will empower us to resist the devil.
So that is my little explanation on the beautiful surrendered life to God. I recommend reading James, it is a great book and can teach us a lot of things.
Don't get distracted with the world and when you face trails rejoice in them!!
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4).
I want to lack nothing, do you?
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami :)
So I talk a lot about Surrendering to God, and I can't help it, it's just so awesome. But what does it mean when I say "surrender to God." it doesn't mean we are going to stop living once we surrendered our lives to Him. In truth it means the exact opposite, we will start living! Surrendering to God doesn't mean that we are living a reckless life without purpose. It means we start living with purpose - The purpose that God has planned for us.
Here is one of the best verses... (well the whole Bible's great :D)
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Here it is in bold font: We can give up our selfish desires, put our future in God's hands and He can and He will take us far beyond any thing we could dream/imagine.
I was reading the book of James today and came to the conclusion that I really enjoy this book! Especially chapter 4, I think you know why, the title alone will tell you why it's my favorite haha! The title is Submit Yourselves to God :) Yep that's right, I'm not making this stuff up, it's legit and it's in the Bible even!!
Now James says in verse 4:7 "submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" Here we see again that God desires that we give him complete control of our lives. Surrendering to God is not easy, I've said this many times, and there will always be the temptation of returning to our own self, to the world. You know what Even Jesus was tempted to not surrender His life to God's plan! But you want to know what happened. He resisted and the devil fled from Him!!! How awesome is that! The devil fled, was scared, disappeared, GONE.
The devil uses the things of this world to tempt us to draw us further and further away from God. But when we surrender to God, He gives us a weapon to use against our enemy, the devil. Even when we are tempted to do our own will, to go against God, and live our lives our own way. So once we surrender to God, He will empower us to resist the devil.
So that is my little explanation on the beautiful surrendered life to God. I recommend reading James, it is a great book and can teach us a lot of things.
Don't get distracted with the world and when you face trails rejoice in them!!
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4).
I want to lack nothing, do you?
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami :)
The Surrendered Girl
"Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins." (James 5:20)
Well today has been one crazy, stressful, and rewarding day. Last night I was praying for God to show me how to reach out to people, how to say the thing He has truly laid on my heart. So today in the midst of my stressfulness, little did I know what God was doing. I was so stressed with all these things that are going on I was distracted. I met this person and they told me who they were and I was introducing myself like I always do: "Hi, I'm Cami, I'm a soph...." and then they cut me off and exclaimed "You're the Surrendered Girl!" and at first in my mind I was going Oh no I picked up a crazy nickname that I didn't even know about, and people are walking around calling me that. so I responded "I'm who?" and they said "The Surrendered Girl, you're the one who talked about living a life surrendered to God." Now that talk was almost two months ago at a Praise and Worship service we have on campus every Sunday night. So I was extremely touched that this person remembered who I was and what I talked about. All I could do was laugh. And they continued to tell me how much they appreciated me talking and how during that time they were going through a lot of rough stuff and just totally consumed with everything the world had to offer, and they had just happened to go to Praise and Worship not knowing who was going to speak. And by this time I couldn't stop laughing and smiling.
And yet I was so mad at myself, being so consumed by own stress to see the beautiful person here that God had touched through me. I laughed and was completely joyful for the rest of the day, as I still am. It was just amazing the way God's been showing me things and yet days I still get consumed by what the world has to offer, but God constantly reminds me that what He has to offer is SO SO much better! "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." This verse from James 4:4 reminds me that the world is worthless and all the things the world has to offer is worthless!
I came across this beautiful poem, I don't know who wrote it but I thought it explained The Surrendered Girl quite well:
When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ;
That is dying to self.
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence;
That is dying to self.
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did;
That is dying to self.
When you are content with any food, and offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God;
That is dying to self.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown;
That is dying to self.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances;
That is dying to self.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart;
That is dying to self.
Dying isn't scary! Die to the things of this world and LIVE in and among Jesus.
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
Well today has been one crazy, stressful, and rewarding day. Last night I was praying for God to show me how to reach out to people, how to say the thing He has truly laid on my heart. So today in the midst of my stressfulness, little did I know what God was doing. I was so stressed with all these things that are going on I was distracted. I met this person and they told me who they were and I was introducing myself like I always do: "Hi, I'm Cami, I'm a soph...." and then they cut me off and exclaimed "You're the Surrendered Girl!" and at first in my mind I was going Oh no I picked up a crazy nickname that I didn't even know about, and people are walking around calling me that. so I responded "I'm who?" and they said "The Surrendered Girl, you're the one who talked about living a life surrendered to God." Now that talk was almost two months ago at a Praise and Worship service we have on campus every Sunday night. So I was extremely touched that this person remembered who I was and what I talked about. All I could do was laugh. And they continued to tell me how much they appreciated me talking and how during that time they were going through a lot of rough stuff and just totally consumed with everything the world had to offer, and they had just happened to go to Praise and Worship not knowing who was going to speak. And by this time I couldn't stop laughing and smiling.
And yet I was so mad at myself, being so consumed by own stress to see the beautiful person here that God had touched through me. I laughed and was completely joyful for the rest of the day, as I still am. It was just amazing the way God's been showing me things and yet days I still get consumed by what the world has to offer, but God constantly reminds me that what He has to offer is SO SO much better! "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." This verse from James 4:4 reminds me that the world is worthless and all the things the world has to offer is worthless!
I came across this beautiful poem, I don't know who wrote it but I thought it explained The Surrendered Girl quite well:
When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ;
That is dying to self.
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence;
That is dying to self.
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did;
That is dying to self.
When you are content with any food, and offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God;
That is dying to self.
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown;
That is dying to self.
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances;
That is dying to self.
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart;
That is dying to self.
Dying isn't scary! Die to the things of this world and LIVE in and among Jesus.
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
You want me to do what, Jesus?
"But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you." ~Luke 6:27-31
A hard subject for me to talk about. Hate. Hating other people. Bashing other people. Just wanting to hate hate hate someone. I was recently reading the sixth chapter of Luke when I came across "love your enemies." And my reaction to this was YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT, Jesus? Love my enemies, I mean come on obviously if they are my enemies I am not going to love them. And for the many time's I've read this passage I always looked at enemies in the sense of I'm a super agent spy and I have to get rid of all the enemies that are threatening me. haha the imagination. But when I was reading it today I understood what Jesus meant. Jesus did not command that I only love those I like, and love those who hurt me, but to also love EVERYONE, even the person that I like the least of all. This meaning I must love all people, even the ones I constantly find annoying, or drive me crazy. It was a good conclusion to reach seeing as last night when I came across something that disturbed me my immediate reaction was to hate this person. How could they say they were a Christian and want what God want's and here they are bashing someone. It was extremely difficult not to call this person out. But God always teaches me new things each and every day, so I let it go.
This is the part where I tell you that I forgave the person and everything was better, but I can't say that just yet. Because what the person did wasn't to me it was to someone close to me. And it's not my place to forge my way through and try to solve everyone's problem (Something God also had to teach me!) But I was not and I will not spend more time in hate then time in prayer with my Heavenly Father. I will not let hate take over my life. Although it's hard to let it go, believe me, there are things I need to work on, especially when it comes to people that drive me crazy. But God is sewing many seeds into my heart and teaching me new things everyday. How to forgive even if I don't want to and even if my "enemy" doesn't ever forgive me.
"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." I cannot tell you don't hate other people when I, myself struggle with it as well. Hey, we're all human, and this blog that I keep is for me to learn and to write what God is teaching me, and if what God is teaching me can teach somebody else, or help somebody else then why not share it? Here's the thing, Prayer is one of the most powerful tools God has given us, and instead of being controlled by our anger, sadness, love, (emotions) we should listen to what God is saying "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (the unlikeable people). Through the power or prayer and the power of God's grace He will unbound your hands and remove the chains of hate that hold you down. God's grace can change the relationship that is filled with hare and avoidance to one of love, service, and kindness. Pray.
So this lesson, this blog I share with you as well as myself: love, love, love! If God puts someone in your path that drives you crazy, pray blessings upon their life. Allow God's grace through your prayers to transform your heart from hate/annoyance into true genuine love for that person. Use this as a way to be transformed by God's grace by taking a step into a new journey. A journey that God has chosen. A journey of learning to love. The hate that you have will consume you whole, it will destroy you from the inside out. But God's love, His beautiful, merciful, abounding love brings abundant life and joy!
I leave you with the all too familiar verse out of 1 Corinthians (also known as the love chapter) Read it, ponder it, and love:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
A hard subject for me to talk about. Hate. Hating other people. Bashing other people. Just wanting to hate hate hate someone. I was recently reading the sixth chapter of Luke when I came across "love your enemies." And my reaction to this was YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT, Jesus? Love my enemies, I mean come on obviously if they are my enemies I am not going to love them. And for the many time's I've read this passage I always looked at enemies in the sense of I'm a super agent spy and I have to get rid of all the enemies that are threatening me. haha the imagination. But when I was reading it today I understood what Jesus meant. Jesus did not command that I only love those I like, and love those who hurt me, but to also love EVERYONE, even the person that I like the least of all. This meaning I must love all people, even the ones I constantly find annoying, or drive me crazy. It was a good conclusion to reach seeing as last night when I came across something that disturbed me my immediate reaction was to hate this person. How could they say they were a Christian and want what God want's and here they are bashing someone. It was extremely difficult not to call this person out. But God always teaches me new things each and every day, so I let it go.
This is the part where I tell you that I forgave the person and everything was better, but I can't say that just yet. Because what the person did wasn't to me it was to someone close to me. And it's not my place to forge my way through and try to solve everyone's problem (Something God also had to teach me!) But I was not and I will not spend more time in hate then time in prayer with my Heavenly Father. I will not let hate take over my life. Although it's hard to let it go, believe me, there are things I need to work on, especially when it comes to people that drive me crazy. But God is sewing many seeds into my heart and teaching me new things everyday. How to forgive even if I don't want to and even if my "enemy" doesn't ever forgive me.
"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." I cannot tell you don't hate other people when I, myself struggle with it as well. Hey, we're all human, and this blog that I keep is for me to learn and to write what God is teaching me, and if what God is teaching me can teach somebody else, or help somebody else then why not share it? Here's the thing, Prayer is one of the most powerful tools God has given us, and instead of being controlled by our anger, sadness, love, (emotions) we should listen to what God is saying "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES (the unlikeable people). Through the power or prayer and the power of God's grace He will unbound your hands and remove the chains of hate that hold you down. God's grace can change the relationship that is filled with hare and avoidance to one of love, service, and kindness. Pray.
So this lesson, this blog I share with you as well as myself: love, love, love! If God puts someone in your path that drives you crazy, pray blessings upon their life. Allow God's grace through your prayers to transform your heart from hate/annoyance into true genuine love for that person. Use this as a way to be transformed by God's grace by taking a step into a new journey. A journey that God has chosen. A journey of learning to love. The hate that you have will consume you whole, it will destroy you from the inside out. But God's love, His beautiful, merciful, abounding love brings abundant life and joy!
I leave you with the all too familiar verse out of 1 Corinthians (also known as the love chapter) Read it, ponder it, and love:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
Sunday, January 24, 2010
I am weak... and HE is Strong....
A quote from Elizabeth Elliot comes to mind:
"'You get what you pay for.' These were the words of the Lord to me, for His hand was strong upon me; and He warned me not to follow the ways of these people: You shall not say 'too hard' of everything that these people call hard; you shall neither dread nor fear that which they fear. It is the Lord whom you must count 'hard,' He it is whom you must fear and dread."
I've been asking for weakness, well "I get what I pay for." Jesus has broken me down so much and I've never felt so wonderful! I've been feeling such silence upon my heart for about a week and half now and it was silence that began to drag on my soul. And it bothered me. It was a kind of waiting which hears no voice, no footstep, see no sign. I began to be restless, but not restless in the Lord, restless in the world. I began to let my own will be given place to God's will and in this I let my own voice override Gods. And I began to let all these "causes" all these "things" that I had to do, override what God was wanting me to do. But God always intervenes, He always knows the right time to come in. We are always held in the love of God. No matter how far we stray He loves us. We are never wholly at the mercy of these worldly, other people - they are only "causes" and no matter how many causes seem to be in control of what we are doing and what is happening to us, it is God who is in charge. Always.
He broke me. Hard. And it hurt, but it was a good hurting. The kind of hurt you get after working out and your muscles are aching. It felt so good to be broken, because I knew that God was giving me what I was asking for. To be broken so that He would be my strength. It's crazy right? To ask to be broken, to be weak. Who in their right mind would want to be weak? Me, that's who. Because when I am weak I am truly reminded that this life is not mine to try and control, that this life is God's and He freely gave it to me. I am reminded that I can only live this life for God and no one, I mean no one else, not even for myself (which is the worst way to live a life). This life, it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, ours to relinquish, ours to lose, ours to let go of - if we want to find our true selves, if we want real life, if our hearts are set on glory, His glory. We will let this life go, this life and the world. "... if any man will let himself be lost for My sake, he will find his true self."
And yet though we may say "I give it all up God, it's Yours, this life is Yours. I no longer want it." We continue to question His motives for us, His plan.
In Elisabeth Elliot's book Passion and Purity, she says this:
"When will we find it?" We ask, the answer is "Trust Me my child."
"How will we find it?" again the answer is "Trust Me."
Why must I let myself be lost?" we persist. again the answer is, "Never mind child Look to the sky and Trust Me."
I can't explain what God has done and is continuing to do in my life. And though I will admit I am slightly afraid, God has everything in His hands and I Trust Him. Always. I leave you with this:
"'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, For when I am weak; then I am strong."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Are you willing to be broken, to be weak?
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
"'You get what you pay for.' These were the words of the Lord to me, for His hand was strong upon me; and He warned me not to follow the ways of these people: You shall not say 'too hard' of everything that these people call hard; you shall neither dread nor fear that which they fear. It is the Lord whom you must count 'hard,' He it is whom you must fear and dread."
I've been asking for weakness, well "I get what I pay for." Jesus has broken me down so much and I've never felt so wonderful! I've been feeling such silence upon my heart for about a week and half now and it was silence that began to drag on my soul. And it bothered me. It was a kind of waiting which hears no voice, no footstep, see no sign. I began to be restless, but not restless in the Lord, restless in the world. I began to let my own will be given place to God's will and in this I let my own voice override Gods. And I began to let all these "causes" all these "things" that I had to do, override what God was wanting me to do. But God always intervenes, He always knows the right time to come in. We are always held in the love of God. No matter how far we stray He loves us. We are never wholly at the mercy of these worldly, other people - they are only "causes" and no matter how many causes seem to be in control of what we are doing and what is happening to us, it is God who is in charge. Always.
He broke me. Hard. And it hurt, but it was a good hurting. The kind of hurt you get after working out and your muscles are aching. It felt so good to be broken, because I knew that God was giving me what I was asking for. To be broken so that He would be my strength. It's crazy right? To ask to be broken, to be weak. Who in their right mind would want to be weak? Me, that's who. Because when I am weak I am truly reminded that this life is not mine to try and control, that this life is God's and He freely gave it to me. I am reminded that I can only live this life for God and no one, I mean no one else, not even for myself (which is the worst way to live a life). This life, it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, ours to relinquish, ours to lose, ours to let go of - if we want to find our true selves, if we want real life, if our hearts are set on glory, His glory. We will let this life go, this life and the world. "... if any man will let himself be lost for My sake, he will find his true self."
And yet though we may say "I give it all up God, it's Yours, this life is Yours. I no longer want it." We continue to question His motives for us, His plan.
In Elisabeth Elliot's book Passion and Purity, she says this:
"When will we find it?" We ask, the answer is "Trust Me my child."
"How will we find it?" again the answer is "Trust Me."
Why must I let myself be lost?" we persist. again the answer is, "Never mind child Look to the sky and Trust Me."
I can't explain what God has done and is continuing to do in my life. And though I will admit I am slightly afraid, God has everything in His hands and I Trust Him. Always. I leave you with this:
"'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties, For when I am weak; then I am strong."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Are you willing to be broken, to be weak?
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
Saturday, January 23, 2010
I can't...
I can't God, I can't. That's what I keep telling Him today.
I just came from a dance. which I don't know why I went, probably because I want to be more sociable, I need to be to reach out to people, you know, no longer be silent. but I'm not the same person anymore, those dances aren't enjoyable. Music that is in no way good, or glorifying to God. And no matter how much I try to have fun or rather act like I am having fun I can't because in the back of my mind theirs a voice saying Cami, how can you use this to reach out to people. and I have no answer. And in front of my eyes and all around me people are grinding on other people. And then I am like God what do I do, I can't handle this. nothing is the same anymore. I want to be in Alaska so bad serving God, I want to be anywhere serving God. And then I question my motives. God I don't know what I'm doing here, please show me what I'm doing here. There's couples all around me once again and I see no guy that is worthy of my love, and then I think will their ever be. And I just get so frustrated because I get back to school and I'm stuck because it's so easy to fall back into routine and be the old Cami. BUT I DON'T WANT TO! I REFUSE TO. I just want to sit and pray and sit and pray, but I need to get out there and reach reach reach, I need to share Jesus. I have a burning passion to share Jesus. and I have no help on the outside, I only have Jesus, and He is everywhere. I feel like I don't belong and it wears me down, but Jesus didn't belong. Jesus teach me how to be more like You. Strong, Kind, Courageous.
I am asking God what do I do? But all I am getting right now is SILENCE. So I guess that means He wants me to be patient.
I'm really thinking about it.
His and yours
Cami
I just came from a dance. which I don't know why I went, probably because I want to be more sociable, I need to be to reach out to people, you know, no longer be silent. but I'm not the same person anymore, those dances aren't enjoyable. Music that is in no way good, or glorifying to God. And no matter how much I try to have fun or rather act like I am having fun I can't because in the back of my mind theirs a voice saying Cami, how can you use this to reach out to people. and I have no answer. And in front of my eyes and all around me people are grinding on other people. And then I am like God what do I do, I can't handle this. nothing is the same anymore. I want to be in Alaska so bad serving God, I want to be anywhere serving God. And then I question my motives. God I don't know what I'm doing here, please show me what I'm doing here. There's couples all around me once again and I see no guy that is worthy of my love, and then I think will their ever be. And I just get so frustrated because I get back to school and I'm stuck because it's so easy to fall back into routine and be the old Cami. BUT I DON'T WANT TO! I REFUSE TO. I just want to sit and pray and sit and pray, but I need to get out there and reach reach reach, I need to share Jesus. I have a burning passion to share Jesus. and I have no help on the outside, I only have Jesus, and He is everywhere. I feel like I don't belong and it wears me down, but Jesus didn't belong. Jesus teach me how to be more like You. Strong, Kind, Courageous.
I am asking God what do I do? But all I am getting right now is SILENCE. So I guess that means He wants me to be patient.
I'm really thinking about it.
His and yours
Cami
Friday, January 22, 2010
Energetic in Goodness
So as I sit by myself in my dorm room in silence, I wonder why I am not out like everyone else. Then I realize I am not like everyone else. Unfortunately to people on the outside, it just makes me look like a loner, sitting alone reading my bible on a Friday night. And yet I feel great, happy, no extraordinary. Holy Cow I love Jesus! He makes me giggle and just gasp with my mouth dropped wide open at his awesomeness. Because I've never felt more at home, more in a place of company then I do right now. God you are my Best Friend, My Beloved.
As I sit here and reflect on everything that has been going on lately I just can't say anything bad. God has came through over and over for me. And yet I continue to fail Him. Especially in my influence upon the people I am around, maybe that is why I am here alone, so I can realize that my influence is just that... SILENT. It is a God given call to influence the world (i.e., people around us in our school, at the gym, in the cafe) in a positive way, without being influence in a negative way, ourselves. Does that make sense? No probably not. When someone begins to talk about something or someone in a negative way (i.e., gossip) do you jump right in? do you come up with something clever and sarcastic to say? I know I used to. I would bash that person down, thinking that I was worthier. And then I realized what in the jolly green giant am I doing? Is this the way Jesus would talk what would Jesus say to me right this moment, to these people that I am with. He would straight out tell the truth. Now Jesus was never a liar, or harsh, He was truthful, blunt. He would say. "Cami, My Salvation is for everyone! What makes you think you are the only one deserving?"
Jesus you are absolutely right, I don't deserve this Salvation you so freely give to me, so what gives me or anyone else the right to judge people. Sorry that God's job, not ours. I came across these words in Titus, This is from my NIV Bible version:
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14) What does that mean? well me being the researcher I am I went and looked it up in in my NKJV Bible and it was slightly more confusing.
So I found it in my message Bible this is what it said:
Titus 2:11-14 (The Message)
“God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.”
God has given everyone a chance at Salvation, and we are His hands and feet. As I prepare myself for the missions field, and take my next big step. I've been praying for God to show me what to do, and how to prepare. See I am one of those quiet and gentle spirits. But I can't be SILENT on the missions field, no one can hear you when you are silent! So He is calling me right now to use school and even when I am at home as my missions field, to speak out the truth no matter what the cost. No longer being Silent. He is rising up the fire and the boldness in my heart. But in this I have to be constantly aware of what I am filling my mind and hearts with. Because if I am filling it with bad things, it will mess up the beauty, grace, and wonderful things God has stored up inside of me.
You see by opening yourself up to sin, to evil things, it gives the enemy and easy access to your heart. For example by going out an partying, drinking, smoking, and so on even once it's a free access point for the enemy, even once. The evil things of this world, the temptation all give the enemy and access point. Are you giving the enemy one right now? Every sin is equal, no one is bigger than the other. Be aware of what you are saying and doing and constantly praise God every hour of everyday. Rejoice in everything He has given you. He gave us life for FREE... He paid the price, Jesus paid the price. So now's the life changing, craziest, scariest, funnest, BEST question ever. Are you ready to be changed? and I don't mean a change like you're hair color or your next boyfriend/girlfriend. I'm talking a HEART change, a drastic change, a change that will change you from the inside out, that will change you and maybe even change other around you. To live a God-honoring, fully surrendered life?
God's sacred intent for us is nothing short of absolute abandonment to Jesus Christ, entire separation from the pollution of the world, and passionate worship of our King with every breath we take!
Today, I heard this. It's like we are approaching this cliff. And when we get to this cliff we get so scared we start asking all these question and some of us stand at the edge trying to gauge how far the leap is, kicking rocks off the side to see how far the tumble may be. And some of us get to that edge and think NO WAY and run the opposite direction. The cliff is the change that God is giving us. When you get to that cliff, don't be afraid just JUMP and know that GOD WILL CATCH YOU! So don't be afraid any longer. Let the enemy Be GONE! and Just leap, and free fall in to God arms.
He gave everything for us, will we give everything for Him?
Just think about it.
His and yours
Cami
As I sit here and reflect on everything that has been going on lately I just can't say anything bad. God has came through over and over for me. And yet I continue to fail Him. Especially in my influence upon the people I am around, maybe that is why I am here alone, so I can realize that my influence is just that... SILENT. It is a God given call to influence the world (i.e., people around us in our school, at the gym, in the cafe) in a positive way, without being influence in a negative way, ourselves. Does that make sense? No probably not. When someone begins to talk about something or someone in a negative way (i.e., gossip) do you jump right in? do you come up with something clever and sarcastic to say? I know I used to. I would bash that person down, thinking that I was worthier. And then I realized what in the jolly green giant am I doing? Is this the way Jesus would talk what would Jesus say to me right this moment, to these people that I am with. He would straight out tell the truth. Now Jesus was never a liar, or harsh, He was truthful, blunt. He would say. "Cami, My Salvation is for everyone! What makes you think you are the only one deserving?"
Jesus you are absolutely right, I don't deserve this Salvation you so freely give to me, so what gives me or anyone else the right to judge people. Sorry that God's job, not ours. I came across these words in Titus, This is from my NIV Bible version:
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:11-14) What does that mean? well me being the researcher I am I went and looked it up in in my NKJV Bible and it was slightly more confusing.
So I found it in my message Bible this is what it said:
Titus 2:11-14 (The Message)
“God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.”
God has given everyone a chance at Salvation, and we are His hands and feet. As I prepare myself for the missions field, and take my next big step. I've been praying for God to show me what to do, and how to prepare. See I am one of those quiet and gentle spirits. But I can't be SILENT on the missions field, no one can hear you when you are silent! So He is calling me right now to use school and even when I am at home as my missions field, to speak out the truth no matter what the cost. No longer being Silent. He is rising up the fire and the boldness in my heart. But in this I have to be constantly aware of what I am filling my mind and hearts with. Because if I am filling it with bad things, it will mess up the beauty, grace, and wonderful things God has stored up inside of me.
You see by opening yourself up to sin, to evil things, it gives the enemy and easy access to your heart. For example by going out an partying, drinking, smoking, and so on even once it's a free access point for the enemy, even once. The evil things of this world, the temptation all give the enemy and access point. Are you giving the enemy one right now? Every sin is equal, no one is bigger than the other. Be aware of what you are saying and doing and constantly praise God every hour of everyday. Rejoice in everything He has given you. He gave us life for FREE... He paid the price, Jesus paid the price. So now's the life changing, craziest, scariest, funnest, BEST question ever. Are you ready to be changed? and I don't mean a change like you're hair color or your next boyfriend/girlfriend. I'm talking a HEART change, a drastic change, a change that will change you from the inside out, that will change you and maybe even change other around you. To live a God-honoring, fully surrendered life?
God's sacred intent for us is nothing short of absolute abandonment to Jesus Christ, entire separation from the pollution of the world, and passionate worship of our King with every breath we take!
Today, I heard this. It's like we are approaching this cliff. And when we get to this cliff we get so scared we start asking all these question and some of us stand at the edge trying to gauge how far the leap is, kicking rocks off the side to see how far the tumble may be. And some of us get to that edge and think NO WAY and run the opposite direction. The cliff is the change that God is giving us. When you get to that cliff, don't be afraid just JUMP and know that GOD WILL CATCH YOU! So don't be afraid any longer. Let the enemy Be GONE! and Just leap, and free fall in to God arms.
He gave everything for us, will we give everything for Him?
Just think about it.
His and yours
Cami
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Spirit Willing, The Flesh Weak...
More testing today. God is continuing to ask me insistently, "Do you love me?" and at times I find myself evading the question. Then comes the answer, Yes, Lord. I'm conscious of this constant battle between my flesh and spirit - the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak. Evidently I need the test.
1st Peter 4:2 tells us that we should no longer live the rest of our time "in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." And Romans 8:1 says "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
All throughout scripture, we are told to yield to the voice of God rather then the voice of our flesh. And yet we as imperfect sinful humans always yield to our flesh. Flesh is just another word for self - our selfish, put-my-own-wants-first side. We make decisions based on feelings and desires, what makes us feel good. I mean what's wrong with that? We don't even realize that we have a fleshy side because in society we are constantly told to follow our heart and do what makes you happy, and what do you want out of life?
The Bible makes it clear that if we yield to the flesh we cannot yield to the Spirit of God. The flesh wars against all things Holy - all things God. And it must be silenced in order for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow our King.
How in the world do we ignore our flesh? Really!?!? It's not simple, and I won't ever frost it over and say it is, because it's not. It's hard-work, it takes time and perseverance and most of all it takes patience and a lot of waiting on the Lord. We must pray and fast and sit in silence in the Father's presence. We must wait on what He wants us to do. Because God's way is the only way.
S.D Gordon describes waiting as this:
Waiting:
Steadfastness, that is holding on;
patience, that is holding back;
expectancy, that is holding the face up;
obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or to do;
listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear.
Waiting and being patient is one thing I used to hate so much. I like to get things done and be on time and have all the answers right away, and when I couldn't have the answers I would give up and get frustrated. But through much prayer and YES much waiting on the Lord. My Sweet Redeemer has given me such patience that I have asked for. And now I find myself sitting at the Lord's feet for hours at a time in complete silence just waiting.
The thing that throws me is that He took me just as I was and just as I am. No questions asked, and yet He continually reminds me and promises me that I would not and will not stay the way I am. He is forever changing me, and as I let go and fall into His arms, there is no fear. All you have to do is let go and let God. Let go and let Jesus take your heart, He wants you, He's waiting. Cut off the flesh, it's not worth it. What the Father can give you is something stronger, something better, something beautiful. Something that will forever Save You!
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
1st Peter 4:2 tells us that we should no longer live the rest of our time "in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." And Romans 8:1 says "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
All throughout scripture, we are told to yield to the voice of God rather then the voice of our flesh. And yet we as imperfect sinful humans always yield to our flesh. Flesh is just another word for self - our selfish, put-my-own-wants-first side. We make decisions based on feelings and desires, what makes us feel good. I mean what's wrong with that? We don't even realize that we have a fleshy side because in society we are constantly told to follow our heart and do what makes you happy, and what do you want out of life?
The Bible makes it clear that if we yield to the flesh we cannot yield to the Spirit of God. The flesh wars against all things Holy - all things God. And it must be silenced in order for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow our King.
How in the world do we ignore our flesh? Really!?!? It's not simple, and I won't ever frost it over and say it is, because it's not. It's hard-work, it takes time and perseverance and most of all it takes patience and a lot of waiting on the Lord. We must pray and fast and sit in silence in the Father's presence. We must wait on what He wants us to do. Because God's way is the only way.
S.D Gordon describes waiting as this:
Waiting:
Steadfastness, that is holding on;
patience, that is holding back;
expectancy, that is holding the face up;
obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or to do;
listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear.
Waiting and being patient is one thing I used to hate so much. I like to get things done and be on time and have all the answers right away, and when I couldn't have the answers I would give up and get frustrated. But through much prayer and YES much waiting on the Lord. My Sweet Redeemer has given me such patience that I have asked for. And now I find myself sitting at the Lord's feet for hours at a time in complete silence just waiting.
The thing that throws me is that He took me just as I was and just as I am. No questions asked, and yet He continually reminds me and promises me that I would not and will not stay the way I am. He is forever changing me, and as I let go and fall into His arms, there is no fear. All you have to do is let go and let God. Let go and let Jesus take your heart, He wants you, He's waiting. Cut off the flesh, it's not worth it. What the Father can give you is something stronger, something better, something beautiful. Something that will forever Save You!
Just think about it
His and yours
Cami
Friday, January 15, 2010
Boyfriend? No Thanks I've Got Jesus!!!
I was reminded of how much I don't enjoy couples when I got back to campus on Monday. It was like they were swarming all around me, holding hands and kissing and engagements and if that's not enough we are now having a speed dating night. It's as if they want us to go out and seek seek seek a boyfriend/girlfriend. The thing is is why? What is the scripture, oh yeah SEEK FIRST the KINGDOM OF GOD!!!!! not seek a boyfriend/girlfriend, and yet we get so consumed by this.
And I just have to Praise the Lord because I seriously have NO desire for a boyfriend! And I am so thankful that He is fulfilling me each and every day. And I want that, I want to be fully complete in the Lord - lacking nothing. The crazy thing is that now that I've announced this news that I am called to be single today and maybe the next it seems that couples are popping up everywhere, or the conversation always leads to wanting someone to talk to, to share your feelings with and so on. My simple answer to this is that person already exists and He's been waiting. Jesus is the only person for any of us. He is the bridegroom and we MEN AND WOMEN are His bride! You want someone to share your feelings with, someone to hold you and take care of your heart. JESUS JESUS JESUS is the one and only answer!
This constant reminder that I am single is just the enemy trying to destroy my heart and my confidence in what I have built up for my sweet Lord. And He will not reach me, not through the ridicule and the constant bringing up of "you should go for that guy."
I don't need to chase after any guy because the only Son of Man I need doesn't run from me, He stands there with arms wide open waiting to hold me. And He will always hold me no matter what. The constant reminder that I'm single brings me closer and closer to my God, I can sit in His presence forever because " An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how can she please or husband." (1 Corinthians 7:34) This scripture also includes boyfriend and girlfriends or seeking seeking seeking out a relationship. If you are so consumed by having guys/girls around you all the time, then where is God in that equation. I know my math skills aren't up to par but that equation doesn't equal out.
And I also know that if God's plan is for you to get married then nothing would thrill you future wife/husbands heart more than to know that their future spouse is spilling their life out for the sake of the Gospel and for the sake of Jesus Christ. And if this guy/girl you are attracted doesn't love you and find you beautiful/handsome the way God does then I'm sorry their and idiot. Not being harsh just speaking the truth.
But here is more truth. When your enemies are to strong for you and you don't know how to fight the fear that comes against you heart, call upon the name of Christ for He is the Rock that is higher. Cling to the Rock that is higher because He will overcome your enemies because Christ is the only way. The things of this world will no longer matter in the end and if you are focused on your reputation and relationships more than furthering the Kingdom of God where will that take you. Ask God to show you the holes, seek God constantly, Be on guard against the enemy and Pray. Pray. Pray what the Spirit of God is praying.
Because what's more important your reputation or eternal damnation?
Just think about it.
His and yours
Cami
And I just have to Praise the Lord because I seriously have NO desire for a boyfriend! And I am so thankful that He is fulfilling me each and every day. And I want that, I want to be fully complete in the Lord - lacking nothing. The crazy thing is that now that I've announced this news that I am called to be single today and maybe the next it seems that couples are popping up everywhere, or the conversation always leads to wanting someone to talk to, to share your feelings with and so on. My simple answer to this is that person already exists and He's been waiting. Jesus is the only person for any of us. He is the bridegroom and we MEN AND WOMEN are His bride! You want someone to share your feelings with, someone to hold you and take care of your heart. JESUS JESUS JESUS is the one and only answer!
This constant reminder that I am single is just the enemy trying to destroy my heart and my confidence in what I have built up for my sweet Lord. And He will not reach me, not through the ridicule and the constant bringing up of "you should go for that guy."
I don't need to chase after any guy because the only Son of Man I need doesn't run from me, He stands there with arms wide open waiting to hold me. And He will always hold me no matter what. The constant reminder that I'm single brings me closer and closer to my God, I can sit in His presence forever because " An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world - how can she please or husband." (1 Corinthians 7:34) This scripture also includes boyfriend and girlfriends or seeking seeking seeking out a relationship. If you are so consumed by having guys/girls around you all the time, then where is God in that equation. I know my math skills aren't up to par but that equation doesn't equal out.
And I also know that if God's plan is for you to get married then nothing would thrill you future wife/husbands heart more than to know that their future spouse is spilling their life out for the sake of the Gospel and for the sake of Jesus Christ. And if this guy/girl you are attracted doesn't love you and find you beautiful/handsome the way God does then I'm sorry their and idiot. Not being harsh just speaking the truth.
But here is more truth. When your enemies are to strong for you and you don't know how to fight the fear that comes against you heart, call upon the name of Christ for He is the Rock that is higher. Cling to the Rock that is higher because He will overcome your enemies because Christ is the only way. The things of this world will no longer matter in the end and if you are focused on your reputation and relationships more than furthering the Kingdom of God where will that take you. Ask God to show you the holes, seek God constantly, Be on guard against the enemy and Pray. Pray. Pray what the Spirit of God is praying.
Because what's more important your reputation or eternal damnation?
Just think about it.
His and yours
Cami
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