Grace

Grace is not a word to be taken lightly. Not in the context of Christ and the cross.

God's grace is the only thing in which I can EVER boast. I have done NOTHING to merit any love or favor from God. I was born in sin, lived in sin, brought out by His grace ALONE, and now fight against sin with every fiber of my being.

God's grace is so overwhelming to me. I was about to shut down my computer and go to sleep when I heard one of the last few lines of "The Old Rugged Cross". That was always one of my favorite hymns when I was little, and even more so now that I'm old enough to truly understand the lyrics and the weight it carries.

Grace has been so cheapened by today's world - and these mildly worldly Christians I see around me. I realize that statement may offend some. And if it does, maybe there's a reason.

See, grace carries a heavy weight with it. The grace of God is not "unchanging" in our lives - it is AMAZING. It changes us from the inside out, shaping each and every affection we contain. It is NOT grace if we are left unchanged. It CANNOT be grace - for grace is an active word and gift. It constantly gives us the strength to depend on God, the ability to love the unlovable, the humility to admit our wrongs. It strips away our pride and molds our hearts to look more like Christ's. It cannot be "unchanging" in our lives. That is a fake, weak description of grace. To make a "one time" decision and live our lives unchanged is to believe we are Christians when, perhaps we are not. We cannot love Christ and remain in our sinful lives.

Don't get me wrong. We will have times of defeat, sin, and struggles. I'm not saying that failing means we are not believers. I am a believer who has had her fair share of failures, and can confidently say that Christ's grace is still at work in her. The thing is, we have to recognize our failings and let grace change that in us. Surrendering our lives and desires to Christ once more.

To ever believe that we make it through a day on our own is to believe a horrendous lie. Christ is who gives us each breath, each step, each word. We can do nothing apart from Him. Literally.

I know this all seems super straightforward, and it probably is, but I am just so overwhelmed at the work He's done in my life and the life He has given me. Even on the bad days, today being one of them, I know that absolutely everything was orchestrated by God who is in absolute control of all things.

Christ is my rock, my solid ground, my hiding place. In His grace alone can I rest. In His love alone can I be confident. I thank Him for all He's done and all He's yet to do.

To ever forget that is to forget who I am. I am not defined by my school, my job, my fiance, my hobbies, my intellectual status...I am defined by the grace of Christ above all else. To forget or forsake that is to leave behind my identity.

Praise God for His everlasting work and AMAZING grace.

Good night, dear friends. I pray you are pressing ever deeper into Christ and who He is. I pray you are falling in love with Him constantly and allowing yourself to drown in His grace. I pray He is pouring His grace on you. Even if that is the grace of believing who He is. I pray He would grant you that grace.

For an awesome song that totally depicts the truth of the fall and redemption, please click here and see the post "Only Your Blood"

Lord - grant us grace to love You more and more. Give us affection for You that is never ending.

Blessings :)

Well, last Sunday, Jeff Long and his wife Coleen were visiting at FBC Norco. WHAT a blessing! I missed them more than I knew and it was so good to see them and visit with them. There was a lunch after church for the Philippines team from last year and the one going this year to spend time with them and just get to talk to them.

We were filled in on all the work that Jeff's ministry, Kids International Ministries, is doing in Manila and Malaybalay. He told us that at the end of January there were still 19 (I think) inches of water!! It was astonishing how deep it still is! It's crazy to think that the water hit 5 months ago and it's still so deep. Please pray for the water to recede quickly.

I miss all the kids a lot. They were so sweet and so fun to spend time with! I want to go back some day - but we'll see where God opens doors for David and I. We definitely don't want to miss out on something because we are set on our own passions.

Speaking of us -as of ten minutes ago (midnight) it is officially 70 days until our wedding!!! Just ten weeks!!! I can't believe it. I am SO stoked and impatient! Haha. We are so very excited to start our life together. We have our moments of realizing just how huge this decision is, but honestly those moments make me appreciate him so much more because I'm not worried about whether he is the right man for my life.

God has done a lot of work in our lives and in the ways He's brought us together. David is truly my best friend and I can't believe we are where we are! I am so excited to be married and to start out poor (because without a doubt we will) and to work through those hard times. It will be so awesome to see God providing when we feel like there's nothing else that could possibly go wrong.

Some prayer requests:

1) jobs (for both of us)

2) apartment (for us)

3) that I would stay focused on school

4) we would be faithful in seeking God

Thank you! :)

Thoughts, Travels, and Life

For anyone who read my blog, looked at my pictures, or went with me to the Philippines...it's no secret that this little guy was my absolute favorite.

He has been on my heart this afternoon - I wish I could see him...or adopt him. Actually the second option would give me the most joy - but the first option would be satisfactory (not to mention more realistic).

Second, my mom and I went to LA today to get the material for my dress. Awesome! It didn't take too long AND we got exactly what we needed for the dress. Now we can begin the process...and when I say "we" I mean "she" haha.

Life has been very good lately. The LORD has been teaching me a lot and showing me so much of His truth. He has renewed my heart and fire for Him and for knowing Him. He has stripped me of depression (yes, I dealt with it for a while) and pushed me forward into His marvelous light.

It is so good to be released from things which hold me down to this world. It is so good to be basking in His everlasting love. He has grown me a lot in the last few weeks and has shown me some marvelous truths.

David and I couldn't possibly be more in love, though I'm sure tomorrow will be better than today and I will say the same thing again. :) We only have 83 more days until we are married, and that means 82 until I graduate! Whoo! :)

Praise God.