Daily Dose

a home prepared

I went to my friend’s mother’s funeral.  SG’s mother had passed away the Sunday evening before, heading back to Mason City.  It made me cry because I imagined how it would be to have lost my mother in the midst of a time of supposed celebration. 

But I also believe that God has provided a new home for her mother and everything that we face has a reason and purpose that is used for God’s plan.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”  

(John 14:31)

God has prepared a place for her, for me, and for all of us who believe; and that is comfort beyond anything!

After the funeral service, I headed over to City Park where KASA and LiNK held our end of the year BBQ.  It was a nice way to end the year and I’m still very unsure what to do about this fall and has started to become at the top of my prayer list!

After the BBQ, went to DQ, then JZ’s house to watch Crazy, Stupid, Love.  I cleaned my room and went to ASK.  Because Minge had come this weekend, Pad Thai seemed to be a must and after that we went to JZ’s house to bake cookies and eat ice cream while watching Fast 5.

That concluded my slightly busy, blessed, Saturday.

so much more in store!

I awoke this morning and went to EPB only to find that my last lit class, ever, was canceled…

So I finished my paper at the main library and went home to shower and prepare for the rest of my day…

After going grocery shopping with Nick & Rose for the KASA/LiNK bbq tomorrow, I went home to make pizza rolls and brats.

Basically we had our own little BBQ during our small group, which was led by Pastor Tony, since Ed was drumming with KM.

For small group bible study this evening, we discussed Genesis 41.

We talked about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams and all the trials he faced to basically eventually become Egypt’s prime minister. 

We talked about how Joseph’s faith stayed in Christ no matter how low his situation got…

He get’s sold to Egypt by his own brothers and is falsely accused and put into prison…

So I can’t say I can empathize with Joseph, because it really is hard to understand.  Recently human trafficking has become more prominent on the news and a girl had even been marketing her younger sister for money.  Sick. Right? And I know how it feels to be falsely accused… and it sucks.  But I can brush it off in a few days because in the end as long as I know the truth and God knows the trust, that other person is in trouble!  BUT STILL, will never be able to understand the lowest of the low of Joseph… I can’t even imagine what sort of things were going in his head, but that he still knew that God was with him, is extraordinary. 

During worship, I prayed and reflected on how amazing God was and that he has every puzzle piece of our lives together, but he’s just revealing it a little by little.  And God was with Joseph, and although the world saw Joseph as a slave and prisoner, Pharaoh and God saw him as a prince.  I prayed that I would have faith like Joseph and so that when or if the lowest of my life comes around, I can be prepared because of prayer and wisdom, I can fully trust God that he will take care of it all.  That God will give me the comfort and the assurance that everything is taken care of.

After college group, I had an encounter and was offered an opportunity.  After tonight I really can see that God has something in store for me this summer/fall/spring… And I’m so glad that he showed me a glimpse of it tonight.

I realized after tonight that I must, must, MUST, be fully wrapped in His word and should be praying RIGHT. NOW.

Prayer, prayer, prayer. 

That is the answer to what my direction is.  I’ll find it through prayer.

I thought I had a good outline of my summer plans and possible fall plans… but I’m seeing that there is so much more that my little mind can’t even begin to fathom.  With all that I’ve gained in the past two days, who needs camp adventure??

Tonight I also had a very blessed time with my brothers and sisters at the CWRC!  Played indoor soccer with some really cool Malaysians, and volleyball with my brothers and sisters in Christ J

Blessed time to lose some calories while growing together!

GOD is GOOD.

ALL the TIME.

AHHH.. so late… 3:14am… time to CHECK OUT.

pray and meditate

Instead of writing my paper on Hamlet… I spent my evening listening and reflecting on a sermon on precious moments. The opening verse was…

‘Be wise in 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)

 Each of our lives is one big great opportunity and it’s made up of series of opportunities and precious moments that we can choose to live for or live out for Him. 

 Many times in our lives, God opens doors, opportunities, for us to get on board.  He knocks on the door in our hearts and we get on board which lead to more opportunities to join in on this world. 

God’s ordained moments are revealed and opened up to us. Jesus died for us so that we could live for Him.

 Walking in wisdom, means living your life in a manner worthy of respect.  If you walk in wisdom, you will live in a way that attracts outsiders to the faith.

We have so many opportunities to witness!

 My focus is prayer for the power of God and meditation of the word of God.

Pray and meditate. 

I long to be rich in the wisdom of Christ, so that I may start to think like Jesus to make better choices.  Soon I hope to have those choices become more like the choices that Jesus would make. 
I long to Strive to be more like Him.

I realized that I need to take some painful steps and redeem the precious moments that God has given me.  It may seem costly at the time but I would rather go through the cost of redeeming these moments then have to endure the pain and regret of missed opportunities.

New motto:  Embrace every opportunity with wisdom and prepare for those moments with prayer and meditation.

(Source: cfchome.org)

Psalm 86

(Source: biblegateway.com)

seek first HIS kingdom.

Screaming children, repeating songs, sleep deprivation in a whole new world.

Not exactly what I will be doing this summer…

Camp Adventure is a program that I thought my summer would be consumed of, but after getting an email this afternoon, it was confirmed that I will not be working as a camp counselor for Camp Adventure, this summer!

I wasn’t entirely surprised because I have been preparing myself to look for other opportunities this summer.  Although I got a little teary-eyed when I was explaining my situation to a brother, that I encountered at the cafe I am currently blogging in… I know that this is what God intends for me.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

These two verses help me see that my summer is taken care of, and that it will be revealed to me after I seek Him.  I know that God has something extraordinary planned for me, and although none of it is clear right now… I’m assured by the time summer has begun, he will give me the peace of staying here in Iowa City or He will shine the light in the direction of whatever I am supposed to be doing this summer.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to seek You first, pray and read Your word.  Reveal what You have planned for me… Because as of now, I have no idea!

monday morning

I finished my morning classes with much energy from a wonderful lit discussion and teaspoon’s white chocolate raspberry latte with soy! 

Over a burrito bowl with my cousin, I found much peace, considering the lack of direction I have, for this summer.  I know that whatever I end up doing, it’ll be what God intends me to do.  If not Camp Adventure, I see myself working at the parking ramp, going to early morning prayer, and running off my freshman 15… which I know will be better than it sounds! 

Jesus you have captured my heart again.  You never fail me, please help me to see the light in each day You provide me, even when the darkness seems to win. But because You died on the cross I can walk today with no fear of death.

Help me to be bold in Your name, and continue to be hungry for more of you.

Your Love is Extravagant

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace 
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend

Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DqlLAVm0cg