It's Like That

It's like when you lose the best thing life has to offer and you want it back, but then you realize you don't even deserve it. so you just sit there and wonder what exactly happened. and you can't figure it out. it's like that.


"God is our refuge and strength,


a very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling."

Forward

And here. We go.

"A man of ordinary talent will always be ordinary, whether he travels or not; but a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he reminds forever in the same place."

Psalm 37:4

may I delight in the Lord and long for His heart's desires.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Good Friday

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know youthe only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed."

How great it is knowing that one man's sacrifice and obedience to the cross changes the course of everything known to man. I count my blessing for being raised in a family that introduced me to church, to Jesus, to purpose. Predestination always trips me up, but questioning and arguing it serves no purpose to me. I have come to know the Father, Son, and Spirit so there's no time to look back. I hope to look forward to the work ahead and continue pursuing God's will. That I still struggle with. As I come to terms with a handful of things in my life and struggle to the meaning behind much of it, I still recognize that all the glory belongs to God. Since the beginning of time, to Jesus' death, and beyond. God is more than deserved of His glory.

God, may I bring you glory. May my joy be complete in you.

Unchanged

In this lifetime, things will change, people will change, circumstances will change. However, one thing will remain and I press onward towards that which is unchanged. I will not beat myself over the things that change, but rather consider what joy I might have for that which is unchanged. I'm tired of fitting this mold that will never be satisfied. It is a puzzle that will never be solved. There's a reason the sun always comes up. It never fails.

Self-Discipline

Lots of goals set in 2012 & 2013. A few achieved. A lot more to add. Time to really put my words into motion. 2014: Self-Discipline

-Subjugating everything for the goal of living a life consistent with your beliefs

-Setting your heart on the prize

"I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:23-27

New Leaf

I look back on 2013 and read the fluctuations that my heart has gone through and find myself blessed to have survived and endured the emotional and spiritual turmoil that God has graciously placed in my life. There were a lot of times where I saw God's hands working and even a lot more where I wonder where God was. Hindsight is 20/20 and God was present in all of them. For me to think other wise is foolish. He is the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end. All things He created. All things He is in control. It's not a question of whether or not He is present, it's a question of whether or not I am seeking Him where He's at. Goodbye 2013. You were kind of good, but mostly bad in my worldly eyes. You were good and undoubtedly necessary in my spiritual eyes.

No more excuses. No more regrets. Jesus lived on neither of these principles.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the one, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be me disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my life. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoke to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15.1-11