Here I go again guys, expressing my obsession with Tenth Avenue North, which I will be tying into with a word from my dear friend Beth Moore; so..here we go.
These lyrics have been a recent prayer of mine, that I would stop searching and let God do the match-making. I have messed up trying to find someone that would satisfy, but no one will satisfy until I am satisfied as God's beautiful bride. So the lyrics are...
Well you've been a mistress, my wife
Chasing lovers it won't satisfy
Won't you let me make you my bride
You will drink of my lips
And you'll taste new life
Cause you're my beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
Our Love it unites us
& it binds you to me
And to tie in with my friend Beth Moore's words:
This past week one of the days was about God not keeping a record of our wrongs, and I always knew that but never fully grasped it. Recently, most specifically Tuesday when I was doing Psalms 130, I realized that I was the only person remembering what I did in the past. If God kept a record of wrong, who would be able to stand. I LOVE IT, just thinking about the fact that God has no recollection of what I did...almost unbelievable. It is amazing though, to remember this when I just feel like I am in a rut. To remember that God doesn't remember my past, and looks at me like a beautiful bride.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Lift Us Up to Fall
So a friend of mine, Caitlin, introduced me to a new band, Tenth Avenue North. And recently I have become quite addicted to them. For those that know Needtobreathe and like them, you'll like Tenth Avenue North. Anyways, by far my favorite song is Lift Us Up to Fall.
We’re waiting here
Waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears
We come empty hands held out
Lord draw us near
Heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything you are
That's the chorus and it just reminds me of how unworthy we are to have the oppurtunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We do have empty hands and broken hearts, but we can come to God with all of that. The last line of the chorus has become my daily prayer lately; that God would lift me and bless my life so much that I can do nothing but fall at His feet and worship Him for all that He is. Maybe this makes no sense to anyone that actually reads this, but it has really hit home for me. Basically, I am striving to live in an attitude or worship towards my Father in Heaven.
So, thats that. Life is good, God is good (all the time). I am in a friend's wedding on Saturday and I am so excited for her. In a few weeks friends from Clemson are coming to go to a Hootie and the Blowfish concert, then I'll hopefully be going to the beach with the Big Ash, and next it is time for SCHOOL! Yes, I am excited about going back to school, not necessarily my classes but everything else. More to come about all of the awesome opportunities awaiting me in Clemson.
до свидания!!
We’re waiting here
Waiting for you God
With our hopes and fears
We come empty hands held out
Lord draw us near
Heal these broken hearts
And lift us up to fall before everything you are
That's the chorus and it just reminds me of how unworthy we are to have the oppurtunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We do have empty hands and broken hearts, but we can come to God with all of that. The last line of the chorus has become my daily prayer lately; that God would lift me and bless my life so much that I can do nothing but fall at His feet and worship Him for all that He is. Maybe this makes no sense to anyone that actually reads this, but it has really hit home for me. Basically, I am striving to live in an attitude or worship towards my Father in Heaven.
So, thats that. Life is good, God is good (all the time). I am in a friend's wedding on Saturday and I am so excited for her. In a few weeks friends from Clemson are coming to go to a Hootie and the Blowfish concert, then I'll hopefully be going to the beach with the Big Ash, and next it is time for SCHOOL! Yes, I am excited about going back to school, not necessarily my classes but everything else. More to come about all of the awesome opportunities awaiting me in Clemson.
до свидания!!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Moving past but not away
love: everlasting, unconditional, beautiful, leaves me speechless, friendship, family, warm, magnificent
Recently I logged onto facebook and had an invite from Doc Reid at Southeastern Seminary for a conference being held there. The conference is called Kaleo, to be called, and is for college and some highschool students feeling a call on their life for vocational ministry. Now, I have no aspirations; nor do I feel it is my place, to be a deacon or pastor, but I do know God has given me a heart for the people of Russia and a passion to learn the language. So, to make a long story short I discussed this with my parents, called my good friend Caitlin, and it is officially a road trip. I am ecstatic. I get to spend a weekend learning about God's call on my life and how I can use the gifts he has given me.
Please be praying that the details fall into place, gas prices go down, and God's perfect will is done in this situation.
As for my title: I miss Russia and I am sad to be done blogging about my trip exclusively, but the beautiful country is never forgotten in my heart.
Recently I logged onto facebook and had an invite from Doc Reid at Southeastern Seminary for a conference being held there. The conference is called Kaleo, to be called, and is for college and some highschool students feeling a call on their life for vocational ministry. Now, I have no aspirations; nor do I feel it is my place, to be a deacon or pastor, but I do know God has given me a heart for the people of Russia and a passion to learn the language. So, to make a long story short I discussed this with my parents, called my good friend Caitlin, and it is officially a road trip. I am ecstatic. I get to spend a weekend learning about God's call on my life and how I can use the gifts he has given me.
Please be praying that the details fall into place, gas prices go down, and God's perfect will is done in this situation.
As for my title: I miss Russia and I am sad to be done blogging about my trip exclusively, but the beautiful country is never forgotten in my heart.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The last is always the hardest
Going three times doesn't make the last day any easier. During Saturday, the last day at the orphanage, three local churches put on a cookout in celebration of "Friends Day." It's a new holiday that the orphanage started so that every year the kids can remember everyone who has helped them.
On Saturday morning we got a tour of the entire orphanage grounds and all the different separate buildings on the grounds. One of the saddest parts was seeing the greenhouse that is no longer in use because the government won't pay to fix it or do any repairs. The greenhouse usesd to supply the orphanage with a lot of fruits and vegetables, but now they just buy them for more or go without
After the tour we set up the awana store for the kids to trade in their "grapes" from memorizing verses in order to buy toys, jewelry, and sports equipment.
The last part of the afternoon was set up so that the pastor of the church had his band play Christian music and perform a gospel presentation within a dramatic skit. Then the kids performed their usual skit. After all of this the orphanage presented some gifts and we presented all of our gifts to the kids, including t-shirts, goodie bags, and bibles.
All of this always leads to the tearful goodbyes. I never forget the looks on the faces of the kids when we leave. They are so precious and it is a blessing beyond comprehension to realize that if God keeps me from ever going back then I will undoubtely see those children in heaven!!
So, that is the orphanage details, I will post a bit about what we did the rest of the time we were there.
On Saturday morning we got a tour of the entire orphanage grounds and all the different separate buildings on the grounds. One of the saddest parts was seeing the greenhouse that is no longer in use because the government won't pay to fix it or do any repairs. The greenhouse usesd to supply the orphanage with a lot of fruits and vegetables, but now they just buy them for more or go without
After the tour we set up the awana store for the kids to trade in their "grapes" from memorizing verses in order to buy toys, jewelry, and sports equipment.
The last part of the afternoon was set up so that the pastor of the church had his band play Christian music and perform a gospel presentation within a dramatic skit. Then the kids performed their usual skit. After all of this the orphanage presented some gifts and we presented all of our gifts to the kids, including t-shirts, goodie bags, and bibles.
All of this always leads to the tearful goodbyes. I never forget the looks on the faces of the kids when we leave. They are so precious and it is a blessing beyond comprehension to realize that if God keeps me from ever going back then I will undoubtely see those children in heaven!!
So, that is the orphanage details, I will post a bit about what we did the rest of the time we were there.
Friday, July 4, 2008
день три
Look how on top of things I am, Day 3 only two days after Day 2.
Our third day at the orphanage was Friday, the day I was responsible for teaching the bible lesson. We opened the day up with a general assembly with a skit, some music, and a testimony. The skit corresponded with my Bible lesson, The Widow's Mite. The skit went really well.
When I taught the three different age groups I asked someone or different people to tell me what happened during the skit they saw earlier. It was soo amazing to see these kids rattle off all the details of the skit, WITH ENTHUSIASIM. I didn't really have to do much explaining of the Bible lesson because they already knew the details. I just asked questions and made a connection of how even though they do not have a lot of material things God only wants their heart. To remphasize the point I gave each of them ONE piece of candy and asked them to not keep it, but give it away to a friend in the orphanage. I hope they did, I don't know for sure, but I know God worked in their hearts.
The rest of the day was fun; I played outside with the kids for awhile, and took cool pictures with my new camera. That evening for dinner we went to the workers homes. I went with the Masseys and Nealeys. The lady's home we went to is a Night Caretaker, so basically she makes sure the kids stay in their room and she gets them all in bed at night. We found out one of the boys who graduated last year is staying with her while he is in school, Praise God for people like her to make sure these kids stay on track!!! He is going to mechanic school and then will be able to get a job and make something of himself despite his situation.
Our third day at the orphanage was Friday, the day I was responsible for teaching the bible lesson. We opened the day up with a general assembly with a skit, some music, and a testimony. The skit corresponded with my Bible lesson, The Widow's Mite. The skit went really well.
When I taught the three different age groups I asked someone or different people to tell me what happened during the skit they saw earlier. It was soo amazing to see these kids rattle off all the details of the skit, WITH ENTHUSIASIM. I didn't really have to do much explaining of the Bible lesson because they already knew the details. I just asked questions and made a connection of how even though they do not have a lot of material things God only wants their heart. To remphasize the point I gave each of them ONE piece of candy and asked them to not keep it, but give it away to a friend in the orphanage. I hope they did, I don't know for sure, but I know God worked in their hearts.
The rest of the day was fun; I played outside with the kids for awhile, and took cool pictures with my new camera. That evening for dinner we went to the workers homes. I went with the Masseys and Nealeys. The lady's home we went to is a Night Caretaker, so basically she makes sure the kids stay in their room and she gets them all in bed at night. We found out one of the boys who graduated last year is staying with her while he is in school, Praise God for people like her to make sure these kids stay on track!!! He is going to mechanic school and then will be able to get a job and make something of himself despite his situation.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The long awaited Day 2
So, for those that read this, thank Lindsey for making me actually finish.
Day two started with me sharing a devotion on the way to the orphange! It went really well. At the end of the school year I had been challenged by Megan to memorize an entire chapter of scripture, I chose Psalm 18. So, during my devotion I shared some thoughts on the first few verses. The first two verses talk about different characteristics of God: strength, delieverer, fortress, rock/refuge, shield, and ultimately our salvation. Anyways, I shared how God was those things specifically on our trip. Everyone really liked it and it was great to get a glimpse of what I'll do every week leading my bible study with Anna Beth for Crusade!
During the second day I stayed in music to help with the kids. It was great because I actually used my Russian! I could remember certain phrases and words to at least get the kids to do something. In the afternoon during the tea with the orphanage teachers and caregivers I shared my testimony. It was great sharing my heart about God's everlasting love. Despite all of my worrying God used my words to speak to this girl who was a grandaughter of one of the workers. Later we talked and I learned that she went through similar stuff after a boy broke up with her and her world fell apart.
I was able to talk to one of the translators and learn about her, where she learned English, what she does, and her family. It is neat to develop a relationship with the ladies in Russia, she even invited me to stay with her family next year if I stay in Russia longer.
After dinner I learned a few more things about Eliza. She will be 13 in July, in the 4th grade, and during the summer she goes to camp and spends a week or so with her family. (She has a mom, sister, nephew, and grandmother still living).
Thursday was also the sad day my camera deleted a ton of pictures, but I made up for it and took plenty more!
Well that was Thursday, enjoy!
Day two started with me sharing a devotion on the way to the orphange! It went really well. At the end of the school year I had been challenged by Megan to memorize an entire chapter of scripture, I chose Psalm 18. So, during my devotion I shared some thoughts on the first few verses. The first two verses talk about different characteristics of God: strength, delieverer, fortress, rock/refuge, shield, and ultimately our salvation. Anyways, I shared how God was those things specifically on our trip. Everyone really liked it and it was great to get a glimpse of what I'll do every week leading my bible study with Anna Beth for Crusade!
During the second day I stayed in music to help with the kids. It was great because I actually used my Russian! I could remember certain phrases and words to at least get the kids to do something. In the afternoon during the tea with the orphanage teachers and caregivers I shared my testimony. It was great sharing my heart about God's everlasting love. Despite all of my worrying God used my words to speak to this girl who was a grandaughter of one of the workers. Later we talked and I learned that she went through similar stuff after a boy broke up with her and her world fell apart.
I was able to talk to one of the translators and learn about her, where she learned English, what she does, and her family. It is neat to develop a relationship with the ladies in Russia, she even invited me to stay with her family next year if I stay in Russia longer.
After dinner I learned a few more things about Eliza. She will be 13 in July, in the 4th grade, and during the summer she goes to camp and spends a week or so with her family. (She has a mom, sister, nephew, and grandmother still living).
Thursday was also the sad day my camera deleted a ton of pictures, but I made up for it and took plenty more!
Well that was Thursday, enjoy!
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