#6

I'm thankful for the lazy days in life that allow you to just relax with no interruptions.  :)

♫

Worship is one of the sweetest things on this earth in my opinion.  Music has always been highly personal to me, and so sharing it with my redeemer and savior is precious.  I'm grateful for the fact that there are so many ways in which we can praise God and just communicate with Him.  It can be through singing, dancing, writing, or serving just to name a few.  I'm most thankful for worship through music.  There's something about being lost in the music and in the words that stirs my soul.
At church this morning, we sang two songs I had never heard, and it was nice just to sit and listen to the words, and echo them in my heart towards God.
I'm thankful for how accessible music is in this day and age.  I can engage in worship with God in my car driving to school or while walking through the park.  Worship isn't something that needs to be nor should it be contained in a building where people meet every week.  It should be taken with us wherever we go.  Worship is a type of prayer.  In 1 Thessalonians 5 we are exhorted to pray without ceasing.  For those of you who haven't tried to pray without ceasing for a day, I'll tell you that it is extremely difficult.  I'm glad that singing and worshiping is one way that I can try and be in constant communication with the Father. 

The Light in the Dark

This girly needs to go to sleep.

Jesus, thank you for being the light that shines through the dark!!  Thank you for never leaving us alone, and for being the Ultimate Protector!

-Katie :)

Tres

Today is day 3 of my challenge!  I'm going to do something a little different and explain three things I'm thankful for.  The one thing they have in common is that they are all my best friends on this planet.  I'll start off with my high school kindred spirit, Kari

I have SO many reasons to be thankful for this amazing woman of God!!!  She knows me like no other human being does.  We don't need words to speak ofttimes, and it brings me joy that we just understand each other.  Kari has been there through the thick and the thin by my side.  She's listened to my crazy ideas and thoughts and plans, and she gently steers me back on course when I'm drifting from shore.  Thank you, Kari!  This Christmas I have no words to say how much I appreciate your presence in my life!!

Next is my roommate, Mar.
I have a million days worth of thank yous to spend on my knees to my heavenly father for this woman!  It still amazes me that the day after I prayed for a friend in college, God brought us together! :)  Mar is the girl that I can be absolutely silly with at any time!  She's also the one that isn't afraid to speak the truth to me, and I am thankful for being convicted!  She makes me a better person. 
It's amazing to me how alike we are while being different in so many ways.  Mar, today I praise the God that brought us together for our wonderful friendship!  Thank you for being the person that I can talk to whenever and wherever!

Last but certainly not least is Toothless
By now, you may have guessed that I'm using code names for my dearest friends.  If you haven't seen How to Train Your Dragon, then this name probably doesn't make sense to you.  T is the girl that I spent every single day with for a term and a half.  We never went through the stage of becoming friends.  We just were.  We met in marching band last September, but we didn't even talk until the first day of basketball band in January.  Our friend Ty might be regretting the fact that he told us to sit by each other that day.  :)  T and I have a bond that I have seldom found in people.  We are closer than sisters, and T is the one that I pick up the phone in the middle of the night to call.  Thank you, T for being there and reaching out when I'm in need the most!


There are SO MANY more things that I am thankful for in these amazing women, but I feel like words would never do them justice.  We all share one trait:  and that is our belief that Jesus Christ died to save our sins.   For that shared trait I am more thankful for than anything else.  :)
    

Slowing Down Life

I have a confession to make.  I'm addicted to facebook.  There, now I've said it, and now I can move on from it.  Last night I had my roommate change my facebook password.  (This is how serious I am)  I want to slow down the pace of my life.  We're all about time efficiency and getting the largest possible output out for the smallest input.  My question is, "Why?"  There isn't a boogie-man chasing us everywhere we go, and there isn't such thing as the efficiency police leaning over our shoulders watching everything we do.  Slowing down seems silly, but in the end, I think it's absolutely necessary.
It's been less than 24 hours since I've taken my leave from facebook, and already I feel like I've accomplished SO MUCH!  I feel unconnected, and that ladies and gentleman is wondrous!  Just sitting and listening is worth the initial pain.

A few weeks ago, my college pastor said something that really caught my attention.
"Don't ever step outside that climate of being desperate for God."

W.O.W.  How I've totally messed up just that.  How many days have I gone through with 'just the motions'?  Seeking God seems tame compared to being desperate for God.  I want to be desperate for God, and I want to be in that place where I know true humility. Every day I want to start on my knees knowing that I can't make it through the day on my own, and I want to end every day desperately thanking God for His grace and another day to live. 

Speaking of thanks, here's day 2 of my challenge:

I am thankful for a real home to live in (not a college dorm!).  I'm thankful for the peace and quiet that living in a house allows, and also the girls who live here with me!  Sharing a bathroom with one of your best friends is much easier than sharing with 20 other girls. :)  I think I take for granted things like endless hot water, a washer and dryer, and windows!  For these things I am thankful!  How about you?

Hello Again

It's been a long time since I posted anything.  Right now I'm in the middle of "Dead Week" as they call it in college.  This term is almost over, and Christmas break is almost here!  I can't believe that I've been back in Corvallis for almost 10 weeks!   It just seems crazy.  My time has been spent studying, reading, hanging out with friends, and of course: marching band.  :)  This term has been very different for me.  First of all I switched my major from music (with a vocal performance option) to general agriculture during week 3 or something like that.  Secondly I'm only taking something like 14 credits this term, which has been VERY nice.
I'm still at that point where I have no idea what God wants me to be doing.  Well, in reference to the future.  Right now, I'm just living and trying to work on my relationship with the Father.  This term has been full of exactly what I've needed.  The only thing that I'm truly working on is just getting to know God.  In the end, the rest of the world and what they think of us doesn't matter.  Don't worry, I'm staying mostly caught up in school. :)

On a whole different not, it's DECEMBER!! Which is my Favorite month of the year!  :) I love Christmas.  Hot cocoa by the fire and a good book with family in the next room is one of my favorite things.  Don't get me all confused and backwards.  I love the Christmas season, but not the lavish gifts and fake parties and everything that the media turns Christmas into.  I do love snow, mittens, hot cocoa, family, the country, and simply free time.  This Christmas I want to try something.  I am going to post 25 things that I'm thankful for.  One thing for every day until Christmas.  I'm also going to be taking a leave from facebook, and to make sure that it's official, only my roommate will have the password.  I want this Christmas to be different.   I want to spend time really seeking God's face and slowing down my world.  Today is December 1st, and so here is the first thing I'm thankful for. :)

Numero Uno
I am thankful that God loves me infinitely the same Every. Single. Day.  No matter what I do or what I don't do, He loves me!  His love can't be considered in any league like we think of on Earth.  He's the ultimate lover and that brings me comfort.

24 days until Christmas.  What are you thankful for?

Choices

Lord,
I choose to always fly to you. 
I choose to throw myself at your feet the moment I become overwhelmed.
I choose to want to know you more.
I choose to make You my everything.

When life is tough, and all I can do is just keep moving for fear of falling apart, I choose to call out Your name and find the safety in Your arms that has been there all along.  Tonight, I fly to You.  You know the depths of the troubles in my heart.  I pray that You give me the strength to face this battle, this life.  You've brought me here, and I have no doubt that You'll see me through this to the other side.  I might come out on the other side of this valley with some battle scars, but at least I'll always remember.  Jesus, I know that You live, and that You reign.  :)  Help me to see Your touch in everything around me. 

Yours Forever,
Katie

p.s. Tonight I remember that this 'valley that seems like the shadow of death' is simply a valley.  Tonight I remember that you cannot have a shadow without a source of light.  I know that You are the true source of light in this world, and only Your light can shine bright enough to defeat the devil and his evil ways.  :)

Fly

How do we live when no one is watching? 

                    Are we quick to admit that Jesus is Lord? 

                                     How do we act around our peers or coworkers?

                                                       Do we talk today's language? 

It's easy to just blend in with the crowd and to not do anything to stand up for what we believe in.  I've been convicted about how I act in my work place.  I know that I should keep my mouth closed, so why do I open it?

Easy: Because it's the easy way out. 

So... What do you do when you've messed up? 

You fly to the Father.

Admitting what you've done wrong is most often the hard part.  But know that if you're truly sorry, the Father will welcome you with open arms.  Asking for forgiveness is the first step to getting back on track.  Unfortunately, after becoming a christian, the question isn't, "What if I sin?" but "When will I sin?"  None of us are perfect.  Only one man holds that title, and he happens to be the creator of heaven and of earth.  The good news is that after we've asked forgiveness and truly repent in our hearts, the Lord will not bring it up again... until judgment day.  Don't fret.  The only thing we can do is live our life as best we can.  Every day is a choice.  As soon as you wake in the morning, the choice is presented in which you will choose to live the day for the Lord or for man.  It seems as though too often lately, I've chosen man. 

Every morning we have the choice of putting on the full armor of God. 

Ephensians 6:10-20

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

[13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  [14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

[18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for al the saints-- [19] and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

I don't want to be hokey or cheesy... but I have a feeling I'm going to be.

Taking a closer look at this passage, it's really like something out of a fairytale or a story.  When I read this passage I think of knights.. more specifically knights in shining armor.  smile... and not just any knights in shining armor.  The knights that I envision are everyday, poor men.  They work hard labor in the fields next to you, and yet they have something different about them.  They have a light that shines from within.  And their clothes, though made of the same material as yours, have a certain strength that cannot be reasonably explained.  You see, these men have put their faith in the Lord.  Every morning when they wake before dawn, they kneel to pray and they put on the full armor of God.  

The armor of God isn't chain mail, or metal plated.  It doesn't protect the flesh, but protects the soul which needs more protection than the flesh shall ever need.  The man that chooses every morning to pray and commit the day to the Lord is a righteous man.  

The book of Ephesians is actually a letter written to the saints in Ephesus by Paul the Apostle, whilst he was in jail. In verse 14 he talks about girding you waist with truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness.  You see, when the enemy attacks, he aims for the soul, but must first penetrate the flesh.  An unprotected body would be relatively easy to demolish, but a body protected by the Armor of God would not.  The armor of God is a metaphor, but I think it's an almost tangible way for me to see where the cracks in my armor are.  

Questions to ask myself in the morning:

• Have I girded my waist with truth? (Am I ready to discern truth and lie? If so, am I ready to act on behalf of truth?)
• Have I put on the breastplate of righteousness? (Am I heavenly attuned?  Am I ready to stop and think about what my Lord would do in any given situation?  If so, am I ready to make a decision that would reflect God's wisdom?)
• Have I shod my feet with the preparation of the the gospel of peace? (Am I prepared to take with me wherever I go the peace and love of the Gospel?  Am I ready to put into practice all that I've read about and studied?  Am I ready to share my faith, and if not vocally, then through my actions?)
• Have I picked up the shield of faith? (This being the most important.  Faith is what will stop the attempts of the devil dead in it's tracks.  Do I believe in what I have learned?)
• Have I put on the helmet of salvation? (Salvation is the foundation of what we believe in.  If not for salvation, there would be no forgiveness, no redemption.  Do I acknowledge this choice that I have made?)
• Have I picked up the sword of the Spirit? (Being the Word of God, this too is of immense importance. Am I prepared to the best of my ability?  Have I committed the living word to memory?)

 Look at yourself in the terms of these bullets, these verses.  Have you been putting on the full armor of God?  Or do you find gaping holes in your armor?  I can see a few in mine.  A soldier would not step onto the battlefield without being prepared as best as he can.. with FULL armor.  So, why do we settle with less than acceptable?  Why do we step out in front of the lions without even so much as a stick to protect us? 

Every day is a battlefield, in either big or small ways.  Every day matters.  I know what I need to work on, so what say you?  What can you do differently?  What can you work on?  Where are the weak spots in your armor?  Remember that the bigger the deficiency, the easier it is for the devil to attack, and succeed at taking a bit of you with him.  It takes much more work to recover what has been lost than to protect the whole. 

God orchestrated the writing of the Bible to help us.  So now we have the choice.  He's telling us to fly.  Fly straight down the narrow path of righteousness.  We were given a free will so that the choice of choosing Jesus would be all the sweeter.  Yahweh has given us the permission  to fly.  He's waiting for you to return though after your day.  He wants you to come back home and talk to Him, to share with Him your sorrows, and your joys.  Start and end your day with the King of eternity, and see how much your life is altered. 

Jesus loves you, and so do I.
God bless, and until next time!

~Katie

Summertime

I've had a bit of a holiday from this blog, but not on purpose.  For me, Summertime is the ultimate test of putting into practice what you believe.  I work as a wildfire dispatcher in a town in the Pacific Northwest.  I love my job.  This year, my schedule doesn't allow me to go to church.  I work Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 0700-1800..(that doesn't include overtime).  Because I live in a small town, our Youth Group doesn't run during the summer, and there aren't any church groups that have mid-weekly services. 

It's a good thing that it's Someone up-above who's running the show.  :)  I think I've mentioned before that I have the best friends on the planet.  I have my childhood friends, and my college friends.  Both groups encourage me to follow the Lord, and to do my best in life.  My childhood friends always can bring a smile to my face, and they can make me laugh.  There are 5 of us.  3 girls, 2 boys.  God has truly blessed us all with summer jobs this year, and even more, he has given my best friend two of the same days off as I have every week!  It's kind of a big deal because she's living about an hour away during the week fighting fire.

Because Kari (code-name for my best friend) and I work on Sundays, we came up with a plan to do a Bible study while she's home on Tuesday nights!  So, the 5 of us have spent our Tuesday nights digging into God's Word this summer. And it's been such a blessing :)  Before all of our jobs started we would get together at the end of the night, and just pray.  That's probably the last thing you would expect a house full of college kids to do (well, it's the last thing that would normally happen in my town).  It's been so good. 

We have all been given a choice.  I will freely admit that this has been a little bit of a stumbling time this summer for me.  I've just felt a little lost, and living with my family again has taken some additional getting used to.  But those are not excuses.  A relationship requires both parties giving their all.  I'm sorry, Lord, for not trying very hard so far this summer.  I make a commitment to take you into my workplace with me, to continue to read your word, and to continue to fall in love with you. 

One really odd thing that has happened this summer is that I have lost my Bible.  I still haven't found it.  It's hard to walk in the dark without a flashlight, and that's how I've felt.  I have a new Bible now, but all my notes, all my underlines and bookmarks are gone.  I feel like I've lost an arm.  The Bible is one of a believer's only tools that will light the path of this life.  If you don't have one, I would encourage you to purchase one.  It doesn't matter what version it is, or what color the cover is.  Be prepared to take a pen or pencil to the pages though! :)  The words will come alive once you've accepted Jesus as you Lord and Savior. 

The summer of 2010 isn't over yet.  August is just beginning.  If you've had a rough start like me, don't hesitate to dig in.  Just like anything new, reading the Bible is something that takes practice.  The Bible is like a piece of God, and understanding God would take a million years.  Each verse that is underlined in my old Bible was like a facet of God's character that I especially wanted to make my own.  It's going to take perseverance and patience to read the Bible on a daily basis.  Being a Child of God isn't for the faint of heart.  I know that I am not capable of doing it on my own.  I am daily carried in the arms of Christ. 

I hope you are all having blessed summers, and I pray that you're having a great time recovering from a full school year!  Jesus loves you and so do I! :)




p.s.
I know some of my friends are almost ready to head off to college again (like on Friday!), and I pray that their Freshman year will be a fantastic one.  I pray that God would draw near to them, and that they would discover their faith like never before.  I pray that they would make friends, and that the temptations of a brand new world would not take root in their skin.  Protect my dear friends, my Lord.  Love them and cherish them.  Draw them closer to you and guide their paths. :)

Prayer

It's almost 3:00 am, and for some reason I can't sleep.  For some reason, I think God has kept me up to pray.  I want to encourage you that prayer truly does make a difference.  The power of prayer, and faith that God hears our prayers and answers our prayers (even if we don't like the answer), is tremendous.  I've seen it time and again.  The question is though, "Why don't we immediately go to God when things go wrong or we don't know what to do?" It's easy to fall out of the habit of praying, and even easier to just worry instead or continue to go about our day.  Prayer is simply communication with the Father.  There are no prerequisites for prayer.  You don't have to have a degree in Biblical Studies and you don't need to have read the Bible all the way through seven times. 
I keep a prayer journal.  For some reason, writing out my prayers seems to help keep me focused.  I'm guilty of a wandering mind when I'm praying.  Putting pen to paper helps, and I encourage you to do the same if you struggle with even knowing what to pray for!  I usually am lead more easily by the Holy Spirit when I'm writing, and sometimes I'll fill four pages in my journal in one sitting. 
No matter is too small if you bring it to the Lord.  Thank Him, praise Him, ask for wisdom, but most importantly just spend time with Him.

I hope you are all asleep!  Have a great week.  Jesus loves you! :)