Hey all.
It's summer, and I'm sorry, but I haven't been super motivated to put anything up on here.......
Life is really good here, I'm thoroughly enjoying being with my family! It's also been wonderful to spend time with Jeremy and his family (we've been dating for just about one year now....isn't that amazing? Maybe it's just me, but that seems like a long time....and it's awesome to look back on how the Lord has changed and grown us since then.) Anyway, I started working a little, and will have a little more to do (I'm teaching ballet) starting next week. So for now it's just been a lot of fun, relaxation and I've gotten to read!! I haven't read a book (other than my Bible) in a while. I'm in the midst of Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) and Crazy Love (Francis Chan), they're both excellent.
So, I got to talk to Rick (my youth pastor in high school) the other day, and his words really impacted me. "Julie, you're talented, and mature, you've reached a place in your life that most people don't get to until they're older. In light of that, there are two choices, either you are great, or God is great." Then, while I was reading Crazy love, Francis said something similar. "God is the main character in the movie, you're an extra with a two-fifths of a second scene.....you have to live like the story is about Him, because it is."
Isn't that a novel thought? My life is not about me. I know that seems like it should be obvious, and it is, but I don't live like it. My plans are so often based on what I want/need/think/feel, and I think of myself as the main character of my life. It shouldn't be that way.
So, as I've been praying, the Lord has given me this to pray, "Lord, may I become small in my own eyes, so that I can see more of you."
I want to decrease......I want to be small so that HE can be glorified and exalted.
6/15/2008
6/06/2008
Tagged!
Liz got me.....I've been tagged with a "blogger game." Here it goes:
The rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.
What were you doing ten years ago?
Well, ten years ago (at the tender age of eight) I was in the third grade, and I lived in Albion, Michigan. I could usually be found doing school, ballet, climbing trees, trying to fly, inventing "roller coasters" out of the playhouse and ropes, running, building things out of sticks and stones, daydreaming.
What are five non-work related items on my to-do list today?
Read some C.S. Lewis (the Problem with Pain)
Call the gang to set up our weekly girls night in
Spend quality time with at least one sibling
Clean house
Watch dance recital
Five snacks I enjoy:
Ice Cream
Chocolate
Chips & Salsa
Fresh fruit
Graham Crackers and chocolate icing
Five things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Tithe 10% to my church(es)
Buy some children from overseas (there are places where boys cost $2 and girls cost $1)
Build a house and provide food, schooling, ect. for the children
Travel the world (preferably in a hot air balloon)
Hand it out gradually over my lifetime to those that cross my path and are in need.
Places I've lived:
Ann Arbor, MI; Ypsilanti, MI; Albion, MI; Spring Arbor, MI; Ridgeland, MS.
Jobs I've had (in order of appearance):
Newspaper Courier
Baby-sitter
Ballet teacher
Coffee/bagel Shop worker
The rules: Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.
What were you doing ten years ago?
Well, ten years ago (at the tender age of eight) I was in the third grade, and I lived in Albion, Michigan. I could usually be found doing school, ballet, climbing trees, trying to fly, inventing "roller coasters" out of the playhouse and ropes, running, building things out of sticks and stones, daydreaming.
What are five non-work related items on my to-do list today?
Read some C.S. Lewis (the Problem with Pain)
Call the gang to set up our weekly girls night in
Spend quality time with at least one sibling
Clean house
Watch dance recital
Five snacks I enjoy:
Ice Cream
Chocolate
Chips & Salsa
Fresh fruit
Graham Crackers and chocolate icing
Five things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Tithe 10% to my church(es)
Buy some children from overseas (there are places where boys cost $2 and girls cost $1)
Build a house and provide food, schooling, ect. for the children
Travel the world (preferably in a hot air balloon)
Hand it out gradually over my lifetime to those that cross my path and are in need.
Places I've lived:
Ann Arbor, MI; Ypsilanti, MI; Albion, MI; Spring Arbor, MI; Ridgeland, MS.
Jobs I've had (in order of appearance):
Newspaper Courier
Baby-sitter
Ballet teacher
Coffee/bagel Shop worker
6/04/2008
Graduation
My wonderful grandmother(Nana) is here for the week! She is a really special lady, and I absolutely love spending time with her. She loves the Lord SO much....she is an inspiration.
My beloved grandfather passed away about a year ago.......I miss him quite a bit. Like my grandmother, he also loved the Lord with all of his heart. As much as I miss him, I am overjoyed to see him in heaven.....and I can't wait to see all that the Lord has shown him in the new adventure he is on.
Nana and Angie and I were talking about death today, and what she said was so profound, I thought I'd share it with you all.
"You know girls, for Christians, death is really more of a graduation. The Lord gives us things to do on this earth, he gives us a job to do for the kingdom, and when he sees that you have accomplished the plan he set out for you, he chooses to take you home. Yes it is sad, but it's nothing to be afraid of....just like graduating high school, it's a little bit of a scary transition, and you miss your family, but there is an even better adventure then this one on the other side of graduation."
Isn't that a wonderful description? Yes it is a little scary, and you may miss your family, but it's just like graduation. For those that have life in Jesus, we are just moving on to a bigger and better adventure. Isn't that wonderful?? "'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Amen.
My beloved grandfather passed away about a year ago.......I miss him quite a bit. Like my grandmother, he also loved the Lord with all of his heart. As much as I miss him, I am overjoyed to see him in heaven.....and I can't wait to see all that the Lord has shown him in the new adventure he is on.
Nana and Angie and I were talking about death today, and what she said was so profound, I thought I'd share it with you all.
"You know girls, for Christians, death is really more of a graduation. The Lord gives us things to do on this earth, he gives us a job to do for the kingdom, and when he sees that you have accomplished the plan he set out for you, he chooses to take you home. Yes it is sad, but it's nothing to be afraid of....just like graduating high school, it's a little bit of a scary transition, and you miss your family, but there is an even better adventure then this one on the other side of graduation."
Isn't that a wonderful description? Yes it is a little scary, and you may miss your family, but it's just like graduation. For those that have life in Jesus, we are just moving on to a bigger and better adventure. Isn't that wonderful?? "'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Amen.
6/02/2008
Vision of You
Hey guys.
I've been pretty dry lately.....and I wasn't sure why....Jeremy and I had a good long talk about it yesterday, and he's been feeling the same way. He wrote about it, so read that if you want the whole story.
Anyway, this song pretty much sums up the cry of our hearts, what we want to see happen in our lives......what we know will happen if we will just stop striving, and truly surrender.
Vision of You
by Shane Barnard
Come meet us, King Jesus.
Oh wind of change blow through this temple.
Sweet spirit of God, come and mend our hearts.
For all we have are songs. Unless you come.
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!
Come free us, King Jesus.
Its the only way that freedom is given.
From you and you alone in the work You've already done.
All we have are songs, unless You come.
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!
Here we are, Lord, in this place.
Crying out for Your embrace.
To hear Your voice more than songs.
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!
I've been pretty dry lately.....and I wasn't sure why....Jeremy and I had a good long talk about it yesterday, and he's been feeling the same way. He wrote about it, so read that if you want the whole story.
Anyway, this song pretty much sums up the cry of our hearts, what we want to see happen in our lives......what we know will happen if we will just stop striving, and truly surrender.
Vision of You
by Shane Barnard
Come meet us, King Jesus.
Oh wind of change blow through this temple.
Sweet spirit of God, come and mend our hearts.
For all we have are songs. Unless you come.
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!
Come free us, King Jesus.
Its the only way that freedom is given.
From you and you alone in the work You've already done.
All we have are songs, unless You come.
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!
Here we are, Lord, in this place.
Crying out for Your embrace.
To hear Your voice more than songs.
Awaken what's inside of me.
Tune my heart to all You are in me.
Even though you're here, God come.
May the vision of You be the death of me.
and even though You've given everything.
Jesus come!
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