great forgiveness, great faithfulness

I've been thinking allot about forgiveness and faithfulness and how those two things truly do go hand in hand. It seems like an obvious statement but I must be either slow or stupid because God has to keep reminding me, each time though bringing me closer to Him (which is probably His purpose for my short term memory problem!).
I just finished reading Luke. I've been reading through the gospels just trying to understand Jesus and how His importance should reflect in the way that I live my life. His humility through well thought out words really struck me this read through. My discoveries didn't end there as I decided to read through Acts. Everybody knows the story about Peter, how he denied that he knew Jesus three times and then a rooster crowed, just as Jesus said it would. As the rooster called Peter knew what he had done and Jesus looked him right in the eye. If thats not a sin that can't be worked through I don't know what is! But when I read Peter's word in Acts it struck me that Peter must have believed that He was forgiven of the denial of his dear friend and Savior right before His death as he was proclaiming the power of Jesus. This thought has given me great comfort in thinking about all the details that I don't know about such a big life change, and very soon at that.
God's forgiveness of my sins is testimony that He desires my best and will do whatever He has to to accomplish it. It was for Peter's own good that he denied Christ in such a crucial time (for another time, just think of how we deny Christ all the time yet it never seems as bad as Peter). I think you get the point.......I can sum this all up by saying that God is good and He will take care of me even during times of uncertainty.

worship

Today was a very draining Sunday but while I'm feeling tired and worn out I feel at the same time very satisfied in God's love. I sang on the worship team today which is something I don't usually do. Most Sundays I play behind the keyboard doing my best to play a style that I'm not gifted in. Its good though to do something that you're not great at because it keeps you humble, especially when you know that there are people listening who are better than you. Singing is different than playing the piano though because it calls up emotion, making it easy to worship God as its like I'm singing straight to Him. Harmonies truly are a gift from God, showing yet another display of how He creates beauty beyond the obvious human perception of beauty. We sang this song telling God that we are hungry for Him, that we need more of Him, asking Him to come and fill us with His Spirit. When I was singing these words this morning, they rang so true. I sang them from my heart and for the first time in a long time forgot that people could hear me over the speakers and I forgot that I might be critiqued. Our worship leader encouraged us to sing loudly, with energy and I found myself doing just that but it was for God, not to prove anything to anyone out in the audience. When you worship with your entire being its exhausting because God is so great and you can't even begin to acknowledge all that He is in just a few songs. I'm so thankful that He let me forget about myself and my pride and I'm so thankful that I'm tired now because I'm satisfied in His grace and that is all I need!

Finally, a post!

Well, time does fly, doesn't it? A month has past since I have written anything and so much has happened. I've been to six different states, been a bridesmaid in a dear friends wedding and through all the business have felt the Lord's presence as He has blessed me so greatly.
I mentioned moving awhile back and have been back and forth on the subject quite a bit over the past six months or so. I've swung from being totally content to stay here in Cali for another year or so to feeling strong direction that I should move back east. The worst times of doubt were when I was fearing all the uncertainties of making such a large move but when I've taken the time to step back, God has clearly shown me that He is moving my heart three thousand miles from where it is now. There are many logistical things that have to be worked out over the next months, but Lord willing I'll be moving across the country, giving up the glorious weather of Southern California, and settling in the east where it is cold most days of the year :)
This past Sunday at church reminded me that even if I move and leave all the comforts of where I am now, heaven is where I belong and where I should long for. A missionary supported by my church here in CA was shot last Thursday. He, his wife and four children serve in El Salvador, an area plagued with violence. It was amazing to pray for them as a church and hear their testimony of how God had prepared them for such a shocking event. Peter is recovering now and is an example of how God's works all out for a greater plan. If you want you can go to Brian's blog on my sidebar and read about the DeSoto family.
I'll try to be better about updates! Thanks for being so patient!

Most of you that read this blog probably don't listen to pop music much but there is this song on the radio called 'Boston' by Augustana and funny that it talks about moving to Boston and leaving California...its all over the radio and it seems that whenever I turn my radio on its playing. I told Kelsey about it and she sent me another song about Mass./Calif. and its just down right comical!
Still no answer on what will happen this summer but I have a feeling that I'll be giving you and answer soon. Stay tuned...sorry this post isn't very long. I hope its enough to hold you over Jen. :)

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

no words needed....

Year anniversary...almost

I can't believe its been a year since I started my blog! Crazy that I could have had a whole bundle of archived posts but alas, I went on a blogging hiatus, and have only a small handful of previous posts. Allot has changed in a years time, I've changed allot in a years time and it reminds me of how fast our lives pass us bye. I've been playing keyboard at church for the past month and every once in a while we sing the song "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord" and it reminds me of my friend Bethany that passed away a year and a half ago. God gives and takes away and we chose to trust Him and bless Him for His goodness towards us when times are both plentiful and hard. The trials of my life are allot different now then they were when I initially lost my dear friend but God still wants that same trust now as He did back then. Whats awesome is that He always gives us the perfect amount of grace that we need to best live our lives for His glory....a reminder I should tell myself more often than I do.
I'm sure I will look back after this year passes and be amazed at how it brought with it things and blessings that I couldn't even have started to imagine!

I'm not sure if anyone still checks this but I decided to take another swing at the whole blog thing. Its a big commitment but I'm in the middle of some big decisions and could use a place to get down some thoughts.
Most of you that read this know that I'm considering moving back to the East Coast. I go through my ups and downs with the thought of moving and would covet any prayers for wisdom regarding the possible move. The past few days have been quite chilly here and I can't say that the cold is helping the East's side. People often say that you can't be cold in 45 degree weather if your from a place where the winter lasts half the year, but I can assure you that your blood does acclimate :)
I will keep you all updated, don't want to get back into the whole blogging thing too fast.