Exodus 14:13-14

 

Don't be afraid, just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Lord himself will fight for you, just stay calm.  

 There always comes a time of elimination.
The earth sheds each year.
The trees and flowers let go of their identity.
As the old identity dies, a new identity is born.
The body sheds constantly.
Some of it happens invisibly; so naturally
and silently that we do not realize it is happening.
The heart and the spirit also shed.
They shed the emotions and experiences that we no longer need.
They shed the things that stunt our growth.
This, too, is an invisible process.
Yet because of the energy involved, the emotional energy,
we often feel the emotional and spiritual shedding; 
it feels as if we are dying.
We are.
Just like the flowers and the trees,
we are dying to an old identity.
This shedding, or death, is not the end of us,
 it is the beginning..

Luke 22:42
Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours (always) be done.

The devotion for January 31, 2012
Trusting God through emotional trails.
That's the title.
Growing into a mature Christian takes time.
It doesn't happen overnight.
It's a process.
Little by little,
one experience after another,
God tries us and tests us.
He tests our emotions,
this helps us grow.
Difficult situations stir up emotions.
We see how unstable we are.
How in need we are of a Saviour.
How we cannot go through life alone.
especially with the hard stuff.
The night before Jesus' death he begged God,
"take this cup from me"
He was going through the hardest trial.
He didn't want to die,
but he looked past his emotions,
and said,
"not my will, but your will be done."
God's will.
Not ours, no matter what we are feeling.
God knows best.
You can make it through any trial,
with God.
Jesus wasn't led by his feelings,
we don't need to be either.
When God tests your emotions, seize the moment.
Let the experience change you.
Let it grow you.
Trust God with it.
God can bring peace and confidence
to any situation.
He purposes don't always make sense to us.
But He knows best.
I trust God more than I trust myself.
And i'm thankful for my challenges,
it has made me the woman that I am.
"Not my will, but the Lord's will."
He loves you.
 

 

 

 

Through the storm, He is Lord, the Lord of ALL.

 

Lord you make all things new.

Your love is never-failing.

Your grace is never-ending.

Forgiveness you bring.

Thank you.

 

 

This season.  

So much has happened this past few weeks.

Am I proud of it all? No...

Humans make mistakes, we are no where near perfect.

We get caught up in the wonders of the world.

Our flesh consumes at times.

I have regrets, I have sins, I feel the shame.

But God is good.

He is forgiveness. He is love. He is redemption.

The Lord makes all things new.

And the truth is, God has a plan for this life of mine.

He planned it out with much detail.

I pray that His plan will override my own weaknesses.

I pray that His plan will overcome my sins.

I was lost for awhile, which hurts my heart.

But God has called me back once again.

Over and over we try to run our lives.

Over and over we fail.

We fall.

But God is quick to redeem.

He brings us back each time.

Arms open.

Heart broken.

Loving us.

Wanting us.

 

 

Looking back. 

The past is so enticing, so tempting.
Things that once broke you, have now been healed.

And you find yourself wanting to go back.

Wanting the things that brought you pain.

But brought such a high as well.

What to do...

My heart has been so confused.

I've been in need of comfort, love, security.

Have I been looking in all the wrong places?

You better believe it.

Have those other people & things been satisfying?

You better believe not.

Have I sinned and fallen away from the Lord?

Unfortunetely yes.

Do I miss my God?

With all of my heart and soul.

Am I ready to go back to where I belong?

I'm ready.

Take me as I am.

Jesus Come.

 

 

Anchored.

I'm anchored in who I am.

Who I've become.

I know my heart, my soul.

I'm secure in myself.

I'm grounded in truth, God's truth.

I'm firm and secure in the Lord.

In His love for me.

In His hope.

In His life.

I'm anchored to the Lord.

Forever I will stay.

Secure.

Complete in Him.

Do I forget that sometimes?

Absolutely.

But does that change the truth?

Does that change who He ultimately is?

Does that change the fact that He loves me,

the fact that He'll always be there?

Absolutely Not.

He loves me.

 

Future seasons.

 College graduate.

Still can't believe it.

My dream from childhood is in the midst.

My passion is here.

The finishline has come.

A teacher.

A TEACHER.

Somedays it brings tears to my eyes.

Now what?

My college journey has come to an end.

well for now.

I have the anxiousness of finding a job.

We are told not to be anxious.

It is easier said than done at times.

will I teach soon?

How long until I find a full-time place?

My own school, my own classroom.

Where does God want me?

He has a plan.

He has brought me this far.

He won't give up on me now.

Lead me in your ways Lord.

Show me where you want me to go.

And help me get there.

Without God I can do nothing.

Teaching is my heart.

Children are my heart.

Teenagers are my heart.

Shaping.

Molding.

Educating.

This is me.

This is what I was made for.

I just need to find that security.

Find that job.

Figure things out.

And that is where I stand right now.

Time will tell...

 

 

 My heart.

My heart is heavy.

My heart is lost.

My heart is anxious.

My heart is wanting.

My heart is hurting.

My heart is ashamed.

My heart is lacking.

My heart is empty-feeling.

 

But God heals,

God provides,

God fills my emptiness,

God shows me strength,

God fills me with hope,

God restores,

God re-claims,

God brings peace,

God is all-knowing,

God leads me,

God holds me,

My God loves me.

Amen.

 

 

The God of angel armies is always by my side.  

Healing come.

 

Still my anxious heart

                                             Forgetting the past... Looking forward...

Phillippians 3:13

Still my anxious heart, Lord.
Let His word be my strength, and hold tightly to His promises.
Never settle, although conviction doesn't let you anyways.
A Godly spouse is a must. Period.
Be with someone who lifts you higher, who leads you to the Lord...
Not away from Him.
Light and darkness cannot work side by side.
Life starts when we leave our comfort zone.
Rely on God, not other people to satisfy you.
Be patient. Pray for patience.
With God all things are possible.
Seek a community of believers, those who share your heart.
Hope, even when you're all alone.
Trust God, even if you feel like doing the opposite.
Don't compare yourself to others.
Leave a relationship if you're staying merely for the comfort.
God gives you the desires of your heart.
Don't worry, God will answer your prayers...
It's just on His timing, not yours. God knows best.
Don't fear the future.
Be an optimist.
Let go of the things that weigh you down.
Don't worry about those who hurt you, God will deal with them.
Trust God, even if your heart wants to do the opposite.
Never seek retaliation.
No power can stand against God and His plans.
The devil cannot stop God from blessing you.
God loves you.
Why wouldn't God want what is best for you?

Song on my heart: I will rise- Hillsong United


There is so much going on in my heart lately. such discontent & eagerness. a lack of patience. the list count go on. But at the same time, I know that God is among me. He is leading me. I need only be still. And trust Him even when it hurts.

It's been awhile. here we go again.


Life hurts. God heals.
Love is patient. It's patience.
God doesn't make us selfish people.
We were made to be more.
We were made to be in His image.
This life in not OURS.
Love has self-control. It isn't easily angered.
I put my faith in God, not people.
I'm worn down, i'm disappointed.
I feel discouraged. But my hope is in Him.
He has it all planned. He knows.
Nothing gets to me before going thru Him.
He permits things.
He brings things on purpose.
But all of this is for our own good.
God is nothing but good. No sin in Him.
No evil in Him. He is all good.
God is able to do more then we could ever dream..
More than we could ever ask for.
He gives us the desires of our heart.
Those desires that are good.
We are not to settle for less. ever.
Our heart knows. God has put his plans in our heart.
When we aren't aligned with Him, we know it.
We are want to feel loved. to be wanted.
And sometimes we don't accept God's love as enough.
But it IS enough. it is...
Oh the things we think we know.
But honestly we really don't.
We need to believe that what's meant to be, will be.
No need for worries.
Trust God. afterall He made you.

Quotes, images, photography.
It brings out the depths of my soul.
It tells my story. the words i couldnt say.

Fall season. my ultimate. love.

At our worst, God gave us his best. Jesus <3

Chasing God isn't always an automatic thing.
Some of us chase money, relationships, fashion, drugs, alcohol, sex, you name it.
We search for love, satisfaction and happiness.
But we are searching in all the wrong places.
We must worship the Lord.

When we are lonely God's love may not seem like enough.
We need affection and we chase after everything except God.
Even though He loves us the most..
Those other things will never do.

We will be tested. Our faith will grow.
And then, only then, will we realize that God is enough.
His love is enough. He does satisfy.
Only He can.

There will be times when Satan lies to you.
He will say that your sins are too big...
God cannot forgive sins so great.
And the Enemy will remind you of your sins again.
But Jesus has paid your debt.
He has set you free. The past is no more.
Your sins are forgiven.
Remember that.

Meditate on God's word.
Remember His promises.
Hold tighly to His truth.
Tie it around your neck.
Write it on the tablet of your heart.
For the truth will set you free.

When i'm weak, your strength Lord is complete.

We never stop worshipping. For we are worshippers every one of us. But sin causes us to worship anything and everything other than God. We tend to exalt a substance, an experience, a person* or a dream to the level of a God. We define life by it's attainment, and we feel like dying when it is gone (when we lose it). Whatever we are worshipping becomes bigger in our eyes then the one and only God, and our idols become our God.

This is idolatry...

Redemption has come thru Jesus Christ. Redemption is to be liberated, freed, rescued from bondage and slavery to a person* or thing*.

Your life has been out of control, dominated by your addictions. Perhaps, despite your desire to be free, you've gone back again and again...& again... It has cost you dearly and has left you miserable. You are beneath the load of guilt and shame.

This is slavery...yet it's slavery you've chosen.

It is voluntary slavery.

We were in bondage until Jesus came as our ransom...
Now we are redeemed, well in the process.
We are not fully there yet, but the process has begun in us.

Something that pierced my heart today as I was reading is the following segment from the book "Redemption" by Mike Wilkerson. He says,

"Desires for God and desires for sin cannot COEXIST in our hearts with one another.

They are two OPPOSING affections. One will always push the other out.

When you worship something you cannot simply "stop it" on command.

The person or thing you are worhsipping is rooted deep within you.

It has your affections and your emotions.

That is why we must slowly replace our sinful worship with the worship

of our LORD. By His grace we will be changed..."

"Being free to worship God, doesnt necessarily mean that we will."

In the middle of our suffering it feels as though God is absent.

As if He has abandoned us.

Watched from the sideline, deciding not to intervene.

When we are in the "thickest part" of it,

We are unable to see the truth.

We are blinded to the truth...

"God is not a silent, detached, distant, disapassionate diety. He hears His children's cries. He knows their suffering. He will keep His promises. He will rescue them."

 -Redemption by Mike Wilkerson

Jesus also begged the Lord to take it all away, but God did not. -Luke 22:42

Jesus lived the kind of pain you & I are experiencing today.

Hostility, despised, rejected, alone, abandoned, oppressed, crushed, betrayed.

Jesus didnt ignore his pain. He didn't drown it out with addiction.

He didn't deny it- HE FACED IT.

He ran to God with it.

He called out "ABBA"-FATHER...

Sometimes God just needs us to face our pain with Him.

Sometimes we create barriers between us & God.

Sometimes it is the very experiences that threaten to drive us the farthest from God that actually bring us closest to Him.

Sometimes we feel such a deep grief while still feeling closer to God than ever before...

I love you all...



Jesus, All authority, every victory, IS YOURS.

God's will.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Nothing else.
Thank you Jesus.
For loving me.
For your protection.
You love us so much that you died for us.
We are free from our sins.
All because of you.
There is more to life now.
I'm found in you.
In my weakness you love me.
When i'm weak you Lord are strong.
I want to boast in you.
Only you.
Your love keeps me going.
My identity is found in you.
Not other men. No one else.
My confidence comes from you.
Only you.
God you feel my pain.
You understand when I hurt.
Because you hurt with me.
This battle is not mine alone to carry.
My battle is your battle.
I'm ready to let go.
Even if I don't want to all the way.
Even if I don't know how.
Lord bring me freedom.
I'm ready to love you.
Love you instead of this world.
Love you more.
I will never cease to pray.
Pray is power.
Pray brings healing.
I want to climb a mountain and scream your name.
I want to feel your presence surround me.
I want to live in your presence all of my days.
Stand right by me.
Give me your strength Lord.
You have overcome.
Worthy of honor and glory.
Worthy of all of my praise.
You overcame.

God could have resided anywhere beautiful in this universe,
but still, He chose your heart to be His dwelling place,
and He shall redecorate it to make it beautiful.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He fill you with His never-ending love.
Remember God loves you.
He will never give up on you.

He is relentless for you...

Kutless-

"Carry me to the Cross."

Yesterday was life-changing.

A new healing.

A new realization.

My identity is in Jesus.

My confidence comes from Christ.

I am free from the world.

The Lord has broken the chain.

The chain that held me to my past.

He broke that chain.

I'm running to His arm.

My fears and all of me.

He promises to hold me.

He promises to be my strength.

He will never let me go.

All sons & daughters-

"Brokenness Aside."

I can see the lies now.

I can see what Satan's plan is.

But I refuse to let him lead me backwards.

Sure my life isn't ideal right now.

But it's a hell of a lot better then where i've been.

I have contentment now.

I have peace now.

No more depression.

Tears.

and more tears.

God is telling me it's okay to let go.

Just let go.

Don't fear.

I'll be with you.

You are saved Natalie.

You are a new soul.

A new woman.

The past is washed away.

Why hold onto it?

You deserve better.

I will see this season thru.
I will fix my eyes on you.
Only you, only you.

God is so good.

He never changes.

Each day He wants to love you.

You are never too far gone.

Place your faith in Jesus.

He will reach down from Heaven

& take hold of you.

Remembering your past no more.

I'm so thankful for the Lord.

For how He's transformed my life.

For His forgiveness & grace.

For being unrelenting with me.

I'm His daughter.

He's my father.

I have days where I feel so lost.

so distant.

I have days where I can't seem to talk to Him.

Days where I feel ashamed.

I tell Him, "Father i've ran away from home,

I want to come home now."

I never want to run away again.

The Lord is protecting you always.

You'd be surprised.



Sometimes what we want is not always what God wants for us.
We think we need things that we actually don't need.
We begin to IDOLIZE or worship people other than God.
Our idols slowly destroy us.
What I want is not what God wants for me.
What I want is not God's best for me.
I know the truth.
I know the truth can set you free.
But I still have days where I cling to what I want.
I want something that's not good for me.
I want something that brings a whole new meaning to the word PAIN.
So why do I want this?
How could I want something that brings pain?
Because I idolize it. I worshipped it for so long.
It has control over me.

I need to get on my train.
I need to write truth.
I can't go back to that.
Write truth to combat the lies.
Satan wants me to hold on.
He wants me to find comfort in the pain.
Read verses.
Know that God loves me.
Fight baby girl.
You won't go back, you can't go back.
You were manipulated.
No more being the victim of that.

I know it's hard.
Words can't explain how much it hurts.
It kills.
To let something go that you love so dearly.
Something you would die for.
But God has other plans for me.

I hope that God helps me to match my wants with His.
I hope I can get to 100% wanting freedom.
Instead of 75% wanting to be freed and 25% wanting to hold on.
How do you let go...
The holding on has become your comfort.
First the person was your comfort,
Now the longing and grieving has become your comfort.
You want it to linger.
You never really want it to end. But yet you do.
It's such a messed up thing.

Lord you are my Father. Look, i'm here again. Father i'm here again. I'm feeling weak, i'm feeling vulnerable. You know this is where I cave. This is where all the hard work goes out the window. You know how much I love my idol. You know how much it controls me. My tears have changed. I now cry because I don't want this to be happening to me anymore. I don't cry because I want the past back. I cry because I don't want to hurt like that again. I'm scared i'll go back. I really am God. I know you won't scold me for my mistakes and bad choices. I act out of the feelings of my heart. But i've learned that your heart and emotions can be lies. The heart is deceitful. You need to guard it at all costs. I finally understand that verse. Lord I know you have the power to heal me. You can help me overcome. You can change my desires and turn them into Yours. God you can change my wants and turn them into Yours. Don't let me be deceived. In my weakness would you please hold me, please carry me Father.

Idols destroy us.
Jesus can cleanse us from our idols.
He can save us before they destroy us.
Before they destroy us even more.
Keep running back to God.
Even when you fall, again & again.
Just keep giving your heart back to God.
Acknowledge your weakness.
Become aware of it.
Realize that  you can't do this alone.
Your strength isn't enough.
& you need God's protection.
Satan wants to drive you crazy.
Keep the memories alive.
That's why I need to make the choice.
The choice to stop saying yes,
& start saying no.
I've yet to do that... I hope I can.
I can't run back.
It's so tempting but I can't.
It will NEVER be what I want it to be.
It will never make me happy again.

Break my bondage.
Deliver me.
Help my desires to match Yours.
In Jesus name, Amen.

God I love you more.

I'm finding my  identity again.

I will be okay.

Your Holy Spirit comes to comfort me.

You bring this warmth,

unexplainable feeling.

I know God is here surrounding me.

I know He is more important.

There is freedom from my past.

I will rise.

Someday it won't even phase me.

I'm on a train.

So thankful for new brothers and sisters

In Christ.

This trip contained a breakthrough.

God says, "I've carried you so many times...

this time you need to walk it out."

Okay God, I'm not going to run away anymore.

Finished the book unbroken.

beautiful and deep.

powerful. 

a stripper found Jesus.

her journey was rough.

her journey molded her.

she received freedom.

read it.

Thankful for Mars Hill community group.

Met such amazing people.

Woman's group was wonderful.

Nicole was a blessing.

Her story is just like mine.

She survived, so can I.

Justin is a blessing.

He is a new brother in Christ.

He is changing more each day.

I have faith in him.

Ephesians 5:16-26

Read it.

Songs  on my heart

Sarah Reeves:

God of the impossible

Mighty Wave

Broken Things

Shane and Shane:

There is none like you

Your Grace is sufficient

Gungor:

Ancient Skies 

Beautiful Things 

Goodbye California.

I'll miss you.

The Lord lives.

Riverside California 2/29-3/8

Beautiful, sunny, 85 degrees. Nat and Scotty are angels for letting me come visit each year during this time. Wednesday night we flew into Ontario and made it to the Parker residence by 11:30 pm. Thursday I woke up and took the precious puppy Judah for a walk at sunrise and spent the day walking up Mount Rubidoux. 3 miles was pretty exhausting after skipping out on the gym for 2 weeks. The mountain overlooks california and is possibly one of the most beautiful sights. so peaceful. Judah bug was one brave puppy leading us up the mountain and climbing the big bounders. I was fascinated by the lizards out bathing in the sun. Starbucks out here is famous and the workers have never even heard of Caribou. Hilarious. Friday night we took a crew out to eat for some amazing burgers and drinks. It was delicious and quite messy. Natalia got some epic photos of that night. Saturday was a sleep in day for the girls. Then we had a late breakfast at the Mission Inn. No this is not a hotel, I thought that too at first. It has cozy little restaurants and a strip of stores to window shop.. and did I forget to mention Casey's famous cupcakes? She was the rich girl on laguna beach years ago. Sunday was beach day, how could we skip out the sand & the ocean? We drove through newport and laguna just to sight see and ate at a yummy little place called Schwack's. Very interesting name but the best bbq chicken sandwich i've ever had. Then it was nothing but good books, sea shells and the hot rays. Perfect beach day. We all got a good nap in the sand. Along with stealing some of it for a keep-sake. Shhh. Today, Monday, we spent hours at Starbucks reading reading reading. I love reading. I recommend for those who love to read Christian books "unbroken" by Tracy Elliott. It's deep, it's real and it's ugly. The book is about a young girl who grew up in a home of alcoholics and was verbally and sexually abused by her 5 uncles. She grew up with no parents (they both died) and she began to use drugs and alcohol quite harshly. She began stripping and threw her life away. Until Jesus came and saved her. It's a powerful book and will keep you tied in.

Oh, I also got my sixth tattoo at a shop called "art of war" by an amazing tattoo artist named Jonny. He did remarkable and my wrist now has its third tattoo- Philippians 3:13. What does it mean?? Forgetting your past and looking forward to your future. A quote of my life. A healer for me. 

Church at Mars Hills in Santa Ana California was amazing as well. So much like Substance Church back home. Modern. Young. Lights. Worship that leaves you wanting more. Pastor Mark Driscoll gave a sermon on pornography and sexuality as a whole with a stripper interview of Crissy Moran played throughout. Crissy worked in the porn industry for 6 years and it was the result of a broken home and a desperate search for love. God saved Crissy. Her story is heartbreaking regardless. It was an emotional service to say the least as pastor Mark preached about abstaining from sexual sin... in any form. Some of us have ruined that a long time ago. But the truth is, it's never too late to have your heart cleaned by Jesus. I'll be posting the interview with Crissy on my facebook soon. Until then, check out www.marshill.com

links to check out:

stats on porn

sermon "the porn path"

Q&A with crissy morgan

Judah Love 

Titus 3:3-5

"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us in righteousness, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."

Devotion for the day: "From the inside out"

The King's daughter in the inner part is all glorious (All glorious is the princess within her chamber); her gown is interwoven with gold. Psalm 45:13

This verse is talking to us about being beautiful, glorious and full of truth on the inside; within ourselves. It is not what lies on the outside...physical beauty, riches and popularity are not of importance to God. He cares about our values, our inner being. During the Christmas season we walk by many store windows and beautifully wrapped presents with perfect bows. On the outside these presents look desirable, but really they are just for "show." These beautifully wrapped presents are really just empty boxes. Our lives can smybolize this same picture. We are seem as beautifully wrapped presents in God's eyes, but are you empty? Are you filled with values and morals and good judgment? Or are you just for "show"....

Many of your lives may look attractive on the outside, and others may even be envious of the things you have or the way you live. But really, deep within yourself you are nothing but an empty tomb. With nothing valuable or of worth to offer to others. This may sound harsh, but for many of us in this world it is truth. Today's devotional asks us to stop worrying so much about outer beauty, out appearance, out worth and start focusing on what lies within. This world's approval is not needed. It doesn't matter how popular you are, how expensive your belongings, how beautiful or handsome you are. If your inner Spirit is dry and empty then what good is that?

God wants each of to focus on our inner life. We must look at our motivations, our values, our priorities and our attitudes. If we submit to God and ask Him to guide our lives HE WILL. If we ask Him to give us clean hearts and new souls HE WILL. If we ask Him to change our desires from outer to inner HE WILL. We will never experience true joy and satisfaction if we live for the world and whether or not we are accepted by others.

The Holy Spirit lives inside of human beings and has the power to fill us with Himself. He can fill us with God's character! In this way we can share something valuable with others... something that is deep at the core of our being. It is not something fake or superficial. It is real.

Focus on your inner life more than your outer life.

Verses i'm focusing on during this tough season in my life:

Brother and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. -Philippians 3:13

Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not see it? -Isaiah 43:18-19

Songs on my heart:
God is able- Hillsong
He has overcome- Hillsong

                      As the old identity dies, the new identity is born.

                          I will claim my identity back again. slowly. i'm not giving up.

Isaiah 43:1-4

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."  ---> Fear not, God is with you. He knows you by name. He loves you. No matter what you are facing, no matter how bad it hurts. When you pass through the waters and through the rivers He will be with you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned and the flames will not consume you. The Lord is telling us that He will be with us always, no matter what the circumstance. Take comfort in that truth.

Acts 1:7-8

Jesus said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ---> Jesus tells us that it is not for us to know God's timing or the seasons He has for us. He has put us in this moment in time by His authority and He sees our entire future in one blink. And remember, God has our best interest in mind. The Holy Spirit will give us the power and the strength we need to endure. We will be God's witnesses, shining His character and His truth in our daily lives.

Psalm 147:3
God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on God for He cares for you.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.

Matthew 6:8
God knows what you need before you even ask Him.


The end of our self is our beginning place in God..
"When we have come to the end of ourselves, we have come to the beginning place with God."

There always comes a time of elimination. The earth sheds
each year. The trees and flowers let go of their identity.
As the old identity dies, a new identity is born. The body
sheds constantly. Some of it happens invisibly; so naturally
and silently that we do not realize it is happening. The
heart and the spirit also shed. They shed the emotions and
experiences that we no longer need. They shed the things
that stunt our growth. This, too, is an invisible process.
Yet because of the energy involved, the emotional energy,
we often feel the emotional and spiritual shedding; it feels
as if we are dying. We are. Just like the flowers and the
trees, we are dying to an old identity. This shedding, or
death, is not the end of us, it is the beginning.


Artists i'm listening to...
Jillian Edwards
Jenny and Tyler
JJ Heller

If you had a rough day today, just read these quotes. I hope they strengthen your broken heart..

Thankful for my beautiful new friend Kenna for making me this photo..

Scripture to meditate on-

Psalm 29:11

The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength
to his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Exodus 14:13-14

“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today...The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” 

Psalm 107:9

For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

2 Corinthians 7:10-13

Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

Inspiration for you all... Just know that all of your trials and all of your struggles bring you that much closer to God. It makes you more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more human, more passionate, more humble, more pure, more responsible.. the list could go on and on.You can come out of your adversity with a purity of heart. Newfound strength that only couldve been attained from accepting that struggle and pursuing through it. We don't know God's ultimate plans for our lives, that is the mystery of the Lord. We will never know why certain things happen, but we do know one thing, GOD IS GOOD. He is so good, so perfect and He is Love. He only wants the best for us, and cares more then anyone else on this earth cares for us. It's hard to look at adversity and pain and think "this is good" but in the end when you conquer that trial I guarantee you will be a better person. You will build inner strength and you will comfort others who go through trials similar to yours. Everything has a purpose. God doesn't make mistakes and He can't do evil. Just know that.

He is carrying you through this.

Songs on my heart...

Audrey Assad- Carry Me