Expecting A lot From God

At bible study the other morning the leader asked a question about what we want now that we have finished the book of James. And that made me think, ‘what do I actually want? From life, from God, from myself?’ Thinking about it I realized, I want a lot of things!

But today I decided I’m not just going to want them anymore, I’m going to get them, I’m going to be them.

What I want is to spread some HOPE. I know what it’s like to be without hope, and I also know what it’s like to be handed hope, and suddenly the world is full of color again. I want to spread some light in the very darkest places, to the most hopeless, lost, heartbroken people.

I want to stop just reading the bible and actually start doing what it says! I want those words written on my heart, not just in my journal.

I want Jesus to use me, powerfully.

I want to be all of the things that the book of James talks about

I want to be kind, merciful, honest, forgiving, gentle, humble and patient

I want to be someone who is never afraid to speak the truth…in love.

I want to be a woman of integrity.

That’s what I want.

I want to wake up in the morning already expecting God to do the impossible.

I want to be a blessing and I want to count mine every minute of the day.

I want to love the least, like He loves me.

I want to count it ALL joy. Everything. All the good, all the bad, and everything in between.

I want to start living the life that God has planned for me.

I want to boldly share how God has radically, literally saved my life. I want to be a light for all to see my wonderful Father.

And I know he is so faithful, never failing, all powerful.

I believe

What do YOU want from God?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7T1dlzLjIE

My year being 21!!!

I’m pretty sure that age 21 was the best year of my life. My freshman year of college rivals for the title of best year, because that’s the year I got saved. But as amazing as that year was, it was really hard, it was a struggle to figure out what my new life was going to look like and how to move forward. But this year it has just felt like everything fell into place.

During my 21^st year of life I went on my very first missions trip to Ireland. God granted me compassion and my heart broke for absolute strangers. This was the year that I got baptized!

21 was the year that I learned that I have a voice, and I learned how to use it. Towards the end of my 21^st year I finally learned to walk out on my own two feet. This was the year I learned to trust God, the year I learned to be obedient. I started a bible study with my mom. I learned how to cook some things (its a work in progress). This was the year Jesus gave me healing, this was the year Jesus loosed many different chains of bondage from me. This was the year God peeled away layers of hurt and sin and got to the very heart of me. The year I fell more deeply in love with Jesus.

Twenty-one was the year that I got a church family, and found a place where I belong. My twenty-first year of life I got a wonderful mentor. I stepped up to new challenges and I let go of others. I learned, I grew, and I changed. God taught me so much this year that there’s no way I could even write it all down. He showed me how much He truly loves me as a father and made it known that He is safe and that I can trust Him with absolutely anything. This was the year I learned to LET GO. I made wonderful new friends who show me more of Jesus’ character all the time.

 This 21^st year I learned to be open with others and to share more deeply. If every year is as good as this one, it would be perfect. But I know every year wont be just like this one, and that’s okay. Life is full of seasons, every one different but each equally necessary. I’m not saying this year was perfect, there were some really hard times. But this year made me laugh more, and it made my heart lighter. I’m so grateful for this wonderful year and every single person who makes my life so great.

Song recommendation: Beautiful things http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIroFNU1Y-Y