Hey y'all.
Where to start? I haven't written in a while......which was actually intentional. There have been a million thoughts swirling all around and inside of me lately, and somehow I couldn't quite write any of them down.
Let's see. Work?? Work is good. I really enjoy my job. It DEFINITELY has good and bad days, but overall it's awesome. I love people watching (not the creepy kind! I just find humans fascinating, I like to study how people work). So anyway, being a server definitely lends itself to that. I have AMPLE opportunity to share about Jesus, I find myself talking about Him a lot, because there are always questions as to why I'm so different. I love talking to them about Jesus. I'm blessed with the ability to talk to people easily, making friends has never been a problem....and it's a very useful tool in evangelism. The Lord has really given me a heart for them....I want them to know Jesus! It's exciting....but not always that easy......
This is what I hate. It's SO EASY to become like them. The bad language, the coarse humor, the racism....it's much easier to join in then it is to resist. The fact of the matter is that it is exhausting to stand up for Jesus. Being in the "real world" is challenging. I've never been in THIS much of a secular enviroment before. Even last year, my boss was a "christian" and most of my coworkers were somewhat sympathetic to christianity. Not so with this crowd. There are many hurting people. Some involved in cults, some in homosexuality, some are single moms, some do drugs.....all of them get drunk on the weekends. It's funny how much they want to see me fail! They're waiting for the day that I cuss someone out, or take a cigarette, or sleep with one of our coworkers, or do ANYTHING....big or small.....that would make them feel better about their lifestyle. They want me to be okay with how they act....and it's hard to disagree in love! I either want to tell them that they're crazy, or I want to sweep it under the rug.....it's hard to stand for my values, but still relate to them and love them.
I have to be on my knees, I have to be in the Word.....or I would be easily swept away by the sin that surrounds me. Danielle (my roommate) is wonderful. It's really nice to have someone else their for moral support!
So, is it too late for me to say that I really feel for my friends that went through public school?? I never gave you guys enough credit. It's a hard thing to be immersed in all that crap everyday. I see now why many fell away....and I have a lot of respect for those of you that didn't.
I need more of you Jesus. More grace, more love, more strength, more passion, more self control, more ability to serve you.....to reach out to the lost.
Love,
Julie
11/22/2008
11/08/2008
Prayer
Mmmmmmm...."oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry...everything to God in prayer!"
Can I get an amen??
I'm such a dummy sometimes. I mean really, why do I neglect prayer? Of all the things in the whole world, it's my favorite. No kidding. I'd rather spend time in prayer then do anything else....and YET, it's the one thing that always seems to be pushed aside. An hour spent totally alone with the Lord is SO refreshing. It restores my heart, my mind, my body, my joy....so wonderful....yet I find it difficult to make time for it. I need to prioritize my time better.
Anyway, I had a really wonderful time with the Lord today. I sat out on my balcony, listened to some music, and just talked to the Lord. Wonderful. Much to my surprise (and amusement) I opened my eyes about 30 minutes into my prayer time, and two precious little kids were standing below my balcony, jaws dropped, with a puzzled look on their faces. I smiled, waved, and went back to praying. I can hardly believe how captivated I was by Him. An hour went by like a minute. SO WONDERFUL. It was one of those times where I really felt like I got to pray through everything, and got to prayer for everyone that I wanted to. It is SUCH a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. The freedom and joy found in casting your cares on him is immeasurable. I am so thankful for prayer.
Thank you Jesus, that we can come to God, through you, our high priest. It is such a privilege. Amen.
Love,
Julie
Can I get an amen??
I'm such a dummy sometimes. I mean really, why do I neglect prayer? Of all the things in the whole world, it's my favorite. No kidding. I'd rather spend time in prayer then do anything else....and YET, it's the one thing that always seems to be pushed aside. An hour spent totally alone with the Lord is SO refreshing. It restores my heart, my mind, my body, my joy....so wonderful....yet I find it difficult to make time for it. I need to prioritize my time better.
Anyway, I had a really wonderful time with the Lord today. I sat out on my balcony, listened to some music, and just talked to the Lord. Wonderful. Much to my surprise (and amusement) I opened my eyes about 30 minutes into my prayer time, and two precious little kids were standing below my balcony, jaws dropped, with a puzzled look on their faces. I smiled, waved, and went back to praying. I can hardly believe how captivated I was by Him. An hour went by like a minute. SO WONDERFUL. It was one of those times where I really felt like I got to pray through everything, and got to prayer for everyone that I wanted to. It is SUCH a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. The freedom and joy found in casting your cares on him is immeasurable. I am so thankful for prayer.
Thank you Jesus, that we can come to God, through you, our high priest. It is such a privilege. Amen.
Love,
Julie
11/04/2008
Election Day
Father, your will be done. We want godly leaders....but you know what's best for this country. You choose the man you want, you put him in the white house.....and we will remember that you are still our king. No matter what.
Isaiah 40 (select parts)
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
Who has understood the mind [d] of the LORD,
or instructed him as his counselor?
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
Isaiah 40 (select parts)
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
Who has understood the mind [d] of the LORD,
or instructed him as his counselor?
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.
11/02/2008
It's all about Jesus......no really, it is.
I had quite the weekend. I got to share the gospel twice (once to a Muslim man, once to a drunk customer), I was robbed and I (along with my roommates) drove a drunk coworker home from work (he was hardcore drunk, throwing up and finally passing out in the back seat of Megan's car...Dani and I prayed...). It was all very surreal. I don't really want to tell you the whole story, because that would bring credit to me. It makes me sound like some sort of hero, or saint, or something really amazing and cool.....and that's a bold face lie.
Lately I've been struggling. I don't "feel" close to the Lord....I crave more time with him in prayer and in the Word, but haven't done anything about it. I go to prayer meetings, but mainly out of obligation. I've been frustrated and even mildly depressed about dance. Work is going well, but it's not without its frustrations. I've been pretty consumed with myself, my own emotions and desires, my own relationship with the Lord....This is not a pity party, the point is, I'm not a super christian.
It's all about Jesus.....no really, it is.
He's done some incredible works during these last 24 hours.....and I just happened to be the vessel. It amazes me. I didn't go out looking for evangelism opportunities...I literally walked right into them. I wish you guys could see how beaten down I've been lately. I feel like the walking testimony for 2 Cor 12:9-10 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I'm in awe. Really Jesus?? Really?? You want to use me to share about you? I'm weak, I'm sinful, I'm not a good example......you want to use me?? Incomprehensible.
At the same time, it's strangely exciting. It's amazing to speak and know that it's not you, but He that lives inside you. Sometimes it's an almost out of body experience....yet completely natural...to react in such a Christ like way. It's just simply not me. Julianna Arwen Rubio does not have that much goodness, Jesus Christ of Nazareth does.
Just goes to show that it's not AT ALL about me. Yes, I need to follow the Word, I need to be in prayer, I need to be ready to evangelize at any moment....but when I am doing those things and I simply don't feel sufficient, his grace is more then enough.
Thank you Jesus....since I seem to forget so often, I'll say it again, it's all about you, it really is.
Lately I've been struggling. I don't "feel" close to the Lord....I crave more time with him in prayer and in the Word, but haven't done anything about it. I go to prayer meetings, but mainly out of obligation. I've been frustrated and even mildly depressed about dance. Work is going well, but it's not without its frustrations. I've been pretty consumed with myself, my own emotions and desires, my own relationship with the Lord....This is not a pity party, the point is, I'm not a super christian.
It's all about Jesus.....no really, it is.
He's done some incredible works during these last 24 hours.....and I just happened to be the vessel. It amazes me. I didn't go out looking for evangelism opportunities...I literally walked right into them. I wish you guys could see how beaten down I've been lately. I feel like the walking testimony for 2 Cor 12:9-10 "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
I'm in awe. Really Jesus?? Really?? You want to use me to share about you? I'm weak, I'm sinful, I'm not a good example......you want to use me?? Incomprehensible.
At the same time, it's strangely exciting. It's amazing to speak and know that it's not you, but He that lives inside you. Sometimes it's an almost out of body experience....yet completely natural...to react in such a Christ like way. It's just simply not me. Julianna Arwen Rubio does not have that much goodness, Jesus Christ of Nazareth does.
Just goes to show that it's not AT ALL about me. Yes, I need to follow the Word, I need to be in prayer, I need to be ready to evangelize at any moment....but when I am doing those things and I simply don't feel sufficient, his grace is more then enough.
Thank you Jesus....since I seem to forget so often, I'll say it again, it's all about you, it really is.
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