Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yoursEverything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to Eternity" -Hillsong United hosanna
These last couple days have been amazing ones for me, and I will try to fill you in on the scoop. Here are some portions from my journal:
"I feel that I have a hole in my heart... I feel that I'm losing so many people that I love- but it just struck me that I gave God everything.. maybe He is testing my surrender."
"Honestly- I don't feel close to God..."
"Today is an absolutely breathtaking day- My heart is filled with joy, and I thank God for bringing me back. For yet again, giving me another chance. How great is His mercy and His love! We weren't created to just survive from day to day, but to thrive, and blossom: to bring forth fruits. Life is not about getting, but giving back to God."
"How great is the love of our God! How deep is the storehouse of His mercy!"
I cannot explain the joy and peace in my heart right now, but I just want to try. I've found that the longer I serve Him, and the more time I spend in His letter to me- the more I love Him. It's like you wake up in the morning, and a feeling of joy floods over you. You know who you are following, and that His love is unchanging. You know that when you pray, Jesus Christ is making intercession for you.
I remember like a year back, or so, and the spiritual downfall that I was in.. I really think that Christianity wasn't truly mine. I think I just followed the flow, and therefore I was so easily influenced. I hadn't embraced the faith, and I hadn't begun to live the life of a Christian. I would have days really wanting to be "good", (like after watching a movie like "facing the giants" :) )
And somehow, my life ended up being like this -_-_-_-_ up, down, up down, and back up again.
Then last year, in March, we had our first bible school at our church, and I am telling you, that after that week, I was never the same! God spoke to me, and I answered- I'm not saying that I've never fallen after that, because oh my- I have! But life has been different: My eyes have been opened, and today- I believe in a Father that is loving, and kind, and oh, so merciful! But He is also just!
So guys, I just want to encourage you. Wherever you are at in your Christian walk- keep pressing on, and giving God all you've got. It is, and will be worth it!
Here is a list that one of my friends and I came up with. I would like to see if any of you would like to join me in this challenge. Each day you can pick out one point that you'd like to work on, and then if you'd like, you can email me, and tell me how it went, and if there are enough people)I will post each day on what God is doing in your life, and mine. So how many of you will join me? For those of you that don't have my email address, it is: halfblownrose@gmail.com oh, and by the way, this challenge will take 26 days.
Here is the list!
A true Princess
- Is patient
- Is Loving to all
- Is happy and eager to serve others
- Content, secure and happy in the Lord
- Has a thankful heart in/for everything
- Always looks for ways to encourage others
- Is sympathetic and kindhearted
- Always seks to build poeple up, not tear them down
- Quick to listen and take correction
- Is happy to forgive
- Is slow to speak and to get angry
- Listens to her parents cautions or orders because she trusts them to know what is best
- Is loyal
- Does not always have to be in the spot light
- Is virtues in her thoughts (virtue: the quality of being morally good or righteous)
- Is meek (meek: showing mildness or quietness of nature)
- Treats others the way she wants to be treated
- Has a heart for the poor, and desires to help them
- Is careful about what she says
- Takes responsibility for her actions
- Loves purity of heart
- Is not lazy
- Seeks to gain knowledge and instruction
- Is able to control her own spirit (emotions, etc..)
- Is ever aware of the fact that she is an example
- Seeks daily to "lay down her life for the brethren"
Please let me know before next week thursday if you will join me!
~Amy Jane
Amy, I'm joining this challenge with you. I want to strive to make my life a reflection of Jesus Christ, and in doing so--achieving these goals in my life. I love you, miss you, and I'm praying for you! Emi
ReplyDeleteoh, wow! this was amazing. the first journal entry excerpt was exactly how I was feeling a couple of months ago. And I'm totally joining you on this challenge.
ReplyDeletep.s. I really need to email you! :)
I need the most work with laziness and the building people up. also the slow to speak!! Amy it's wonderful to read your posts!
ReplyDeleteHey Amy, I know I am quite a bit late, but I will be doing this challenge too. Love you!
ReplyDelete