Wowwwwww!

There are so many encouraging (and tempting!) blogs out there!

Here I am hanging out with Cameron and James while they play a video game and SO many good things have been happening on my computer.

Share in my enthusiasm: :D

1. KAREN KINGSBURY RETWEETED ONE OF MY TWEETS! (yayyyyyyy)
2. I found so many encouraging blogs/blogposts!
3. I looked at SOOO MUCH GOOOOD FOOOOOD!
4. My group and I pretty much figured out our presentation for tomorrow!
5. Found out that Karen Kingsbury will have a new book out in June (approaching stalker status).
6. Contemplated attending a Christian graduate school.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't contain my excitement right now.

Today has just been a really, REALLY good day. :) The office ordered lunch for Mondona's birthday. I got my work done for the most part (just have to study for a final tongiht [eek]). I had a quiet time with God this morning. :)

God hears and answers.

Take Two

I don't know why, but 2 Corinthians 5:17 has really been on my mind recently. I'd hate to be annoyingly redundant, but I have to talk about it again. Maybe this is a selfish post; maybe there is no benefit for anyone reading this, and it only helps me. Regardless, I hope my struggle helps you in some way.

We all go through cycles in our relationship with God. Some months, we'll be on fire--seeking Him with everything we have. Those months are wonderful--you're putting effort in to the relationship and you're able to see the fruit. Bible verses that you read come back to you at the perfect time. Praying comes easily, and it just feels right. Then something happens. Your quiet time/Bible routine gets thrown off and everything changes. You have to remind yourself to pray (when you remember), and reading the Bible is always something that you can do later.

I know this is normal (let me know if it isn't!), but still, every time I fall into this portion of the cycle (a little too often), I feel like the biggest failure. It's a terrible cycle. When I feel like that I just compare myself to my role models and tear myself down.

Sometimes I think that finding God and accepting Jesus will make everything easier. Not in the sense that I won't have any trouble--I know that trouble and hard times are guaranteed down here--but that sinning will be harder to do. Does anyone else think this?

Anyway, if I keep going right now, I'll just begin to ramble. I'll probably continue this tomorrow :)

Prayers and advice are always appreciated!

A New Beginning!

August to May.....10 months?

It has been that long since I posted something (to all of my 4 followers, I actually did start writing....:/), and finally the reminder of this blog was installed into my mind.

I don't know why or if I want to go in the same direction as I was before, but I know that I want to continue this. I want to actually write like me and about what's happening. Not how I think a Christian blog should be written, but a Christian blog from the perspective of my relationship with Christ.

It's really been on my heart that I am the only one stopping myself from growing with God the way that I want to grow. I compare myself to people I view as better, stronger, and more dedicated Christians. Of course, having role models isn't a bad thing. They can definitely help you develop a goal for yourself, but when you're tearing yourself down because you aren't quite measuring up in your eyes--you've developed a pedestal for them. I have definitely done that.

Paul tells us that "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). God hasn't only forgiven us, but he's forgotten our old selves (an idea stolen from Karen Kingsbury's Loving).

Thank goodness for her reminder. Yes, I've sinned and disappointed myself and others and God. But as soon as I asked Jesus to take over, I was new. I am no where near the same person. I have Jesus in me and together we'll fight the temptations that Satan is constantly trying to throw at me--mediocrity, lust, pride,  purposelessness, etc.

And now, as I am planning my wedding to James (:D), I want to take hold of that realization and run with it so I can remain faithful and strong in my relationship with God. So that together, James and I can build our marriage on trust, obedience and responsiveness to God.

Prayers are welcomed and appreciated for me and us as we go through this season together!