Good morning! Today I woke up on the floor of my younger cousin's room, slighty confused about where I was. Then, after reality struck.... my parents and I traveled 8.5 hours to Charlotte, NC to stay with my uncle and his family. Today my uncle's family, and my little trio will depart again and it's off to Florida we go for the week! This "family" vacation doesn't quite feel right only because it's not really the whole family. A majority of "the Weekly's" live in Virginia, but they won't be joining us on our trip. I have found myself keeping them updated on our whearabouts throughout the drive to here, and I will most likely do the same on the way to Florida. I'm hoping that my awesome daddy will submit to my "pleading" (I only really asked once, and gave my reasoning) that on our way home we should stop in Virginia, then the word family can truly be used to describe this week. I often feel as if the distance doesn't exsist at all between my family and I, but then I realize that as much as I know, I know very little about them at all. Well, with teh exception of one of my gorgeous cousins that is. Hahaha I have beeen tossing an idea around in my head lately, though I haven't made it totally public yet. I want to do some praying and definietly some more peparation, but I think it'll work out as the time draws closer. Well.... I guess that's enough rammbling for the day, I'll keep ya'll updated on our fabulous trip! The whole point of this blog, in case it isn't totally clear because I tend to get sidetracked, is that I absolutely love my family, and wish that I could be so much closer to them! I also wish that we could all get together more than the once or twice a year that we do, but who knows if that'll ever work. Haha All that matters is that we all love eachother, and honestly...someone told me once "no matter how far apart we find eachother, we'll always be close in our hearts." Have a great day ya'll, may God bless you and your beaustiful family!
-Sisi
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Ezekiel
your feet and I will speak to you."
Ezekiel 2:1
'Go now to your countrymen in exile and speak to them, "This is what the Sovereign Lord syas; whether they listen or fail to listen."
Esekiel 3:11
Wow! What an awesome God we serve!! Last my mom and I were talking about how to talk to people about God in their lives without being so preachy we actually drive them further away. So this morning my prayer to God was of guidance in a way to talk about Him to others, In the stillness (or at least the attempt at stillness) I read Ezekiel 2. My Bilble has subject titles, and the subject title for Ezekiel 2 is "Ezekiel's Call." The whole chapter is God telling Ezekiel that He will speak to him, and then God sending Ezekiel to rebellious Israel to speak to them on what the LORD says. This is the command many christians know wme ell- witness! Any person we surround ourselves with who is rebellious from the Lord, we are called to speak to them of what the Lord says. Then, the command is continued on into chapter 3. God tells Ezeki el to tell the people what the Lord says. What totally floors me is that God specifically tells Ezekiel to tell the people regardless of if they listen or not. We are the Ezekiels of the day. God calls us to spread the word whether they listen or not. Oh, boy!
Lord you are awesome! Have all of me Lord, and use me for your glory. Keep me up God, and let me/ teach me to spread the light. Thank you Jesus for yoru ultimate sacrfice.
Amen
Luke 7:50
Luke 7:50
This morning before beginning to journal I prayed to God about what I call the "bad feeling." It's a sickly feeling I get in my stomach when something of moderate to severe badness is going to happen. It also seems that this feeling comes more strongly when I am trying to dive into my faith. The last time I had this feeling, I prayed to the Lord to take it from me if it was not of Him. And in time, the feeling faded as I began to trust in the Lord. This morning I again prayed that prayer, but my humanly mind is so consumed with thoughts that I can't seem to release it to Him. God has brought me out of so many pits in my life, and I know that Satan is trying to attack me to block my path to the Almighty. So I asked the Lord to show me His love, mercy, and understanding, I felt a small voice lead me to Luke 7. Not knowing the exact verse in Luke 7, I read the chapter, Out of all the verses, one stuck out to me. The very last one. I felt like God tapped me on the shoulder and whispered in my ear "Faith sets you free, have peace." I trust the Lord and will follow Him steadfast all of my days.
Father God, you're so awesome, thank you for all the ways you daily show me your love and grace. I love you, Lord. Please take each and everyone of my thoughts, I surrender them all to you. May your light shine through me to those in need, but let not their darkness consume me. I go in peace for I know that you are my rock and comforter. Thank you Lord, I love you my precious heavenly father. May your grace follow me through my day.
Amen
Colossians 4: 5-6
Be wise is the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be always full of grace,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4: 5-6
Well, that's pretty direct. To me, this says that every single time I get that chance, I need to be wise and graceful... showing others that way of Christ. I haven't journaled in a while, simply for being lazy. but I feel as if spending this time with God will help me build my faith. I know that I serve a great and Mighty God, but I also know that I have been leukwarm in my faith. so let's crank up the heat! This morning I was reading from a devotional book by the women of faith, and the passage was entitled "People need people." The verse that went with the passage was "...Put on a heart of compassion..." which is part of Colossians 3:12 (NASB). Last month on first wednesday (a once a month mid-week service at my church New Ponte Community Church), Blake Wood talked about splagchnizomai, and Colossians 3:12-13 was a frequent point of reference in his message. Then when I read it again, it truly struck a cord in my spirit. As a prayed to God before beginning to journal, I felt the need to journal from Colossians, but I couldn't remember the compassion verse. I read Colossians, and when I read 4:5-6, I knew god was saying "Sierra- focus on this." These two verses so perfectly fit into the current state of my mind, and I am just so thrilled that by being obedient to Him just through rising earlier than I would've liked, and to spend this special time with Him, I have found an answer, Knowing that God, through Paul, commands us to take every chance we get to share His grace is so powerful. Nowhere does He asks us politely to do this, it is expected. How great is that?! It makes our choices so simple... follow God, or run away. The verse never promises that choosing to take very opportunity will be easy, but the end of the verse clearly states that we can "know how to answer everyone." To me, that speaks volumes because I tend to get all excited thinking I know just what I need to say, but then in the midst of the conversation i go blank. So, I thank the Lord for His word that tells me that in Him I will always know what to say.
Father, thank you for your word, for the power and encouragement that can be found there. God, this whole day I dedicate and give over to you. I am here to follow youm and I can know that through you I can take every chance to show others your mercy and grace. I the name of Christ who lives,
Amen
Friday, August 20, 2010
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1
Wow. This verse touched my heart the firsst time I read it, and it awes me still. Everyday in the world, Christians and non-Christians alike all speak of hope. Hope is like an energy to people, we need it to live and life worth living. To think that faith is the basis of hope is so amazing. Believing in God and trusting Him is all the hope I need or could ever ask for. The second part of the verse about faith being the evidence of things not seen brings one word to mind. Miracles. When that loved one in critical condition in a coma suddenly wakes up and begins to heal... that's the power of faith. There's a song by Kutless called "What faith can do." The title of that song alone carries a huge message. All of those things people can only think of wishing for all have a chance to come true when instead of wishing; we pray and have faith in a God who is greater than any dream the human mind can imagine.
Prayer of the day:
Precious God, thank you for your awesome power and grace that excepts us and can change even the hardest of hearts. You are the hope the world is searching for, open our eyes Lord, that we may lose the blinders and be gloriously redeemed. Today, give peace to those who come hunting God, and we dedicate our day to you, that you alone are rewarded with the praise, and that our works would please you. You are the ultimate healer and miracle worker, praise your holy name! I love you Lord, thank you for saving me through you son. In His precious name I pray...
Amen
A Heart Renewed
Be still and know,
Yet I am full of questions.
Slow to speak,
Yet still I rage.
I try to trust fully,
Yet I doubt all the more.
I pray fro strength,
Yet I am weak at heart.
I beg for courage,
Yet still I cower in corners.
No more,
I shal overcome.
Praise be still to the One,
Peace be forever in my soul.
Cry Out
Be still and know,
Stop justifying and be open,
Enough anger, hush.
The audience never gets the chance to give aid,
Never enough gap in the pride to allow the grace.
He is the one and only reason,
When will He get full credit?
Over protective attidtude leads to unstoppable frustration.
Acceptance turns to blending in.
Step up and stand out,
Find power in humility.
Jesus Christ the Savior is the only deserving party,
Quit the selfish displays,
Give up...
Cry Mercy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)