Staying clear from the waves

Profiting from Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
~James 1:2-8~


This my second day at school and God is already working. God provides His knowledge whenever we ask for it. He knows every fear, trial, and temptation. He is such a good God to listen to my prayers at night and have answers for me in His word the next morning.

Going into college I told myself and God that I would be set-apart for Him. I had gotten used to being different and set-apart in high school and this summer had made decisions that made me lose some of my friends. Now in college, there are all sorts of temptations. Not anything that is really bad, just decisions I must make all over again on being set-apart or "another student."

This morning God has refreshed me and has given me His strength. All these trials are a blessing. They are proving what is in me. I have already won over these trials- because God is in me. It is only if I chose to use Him as my strength or myself. If I ask in faith He will provide.

If I am like the waves that are tossed by the wind God cannot use me like He wants. My faith has to be great--greater each day--great in asking Him to provide that faith in Him.

If I am like the waves why would God teach me wonderful lessons and bless me...if it will only be swept away and never seen again??

Coffee with Jesus

Sometimes I just have to write. Even when there is nothing important to say… actually I probably write more when there is nothing to say. Why? Because when I simply state that there is “nothing to say” it usually means “what I have to say is too hard to explain or too painful to share.” I guess that means I choose to ramble until something comes out. Several people have told me that I have a writer’s mind; maybe not the spelling or vocabulary of one, but the mind of one :)

Normally, I try to sound like I know what I am talking about when I write something that others will read. Tonight I know I don’t know what I am talking about. That’s while I’ll write until I do. Most of the time I find that when I write to God I begin to understand the fastest :)

Okay God, here is what’s going on…
So I am leaving for college in three days. I am not really scared for the normal things. More for the things that I’m afraid I’ll mess up. But you know I know better than that Lord. I know you’re in control; all I have to do is yield to you. You are my good shepherd. You will never leave me or forsake me.

Sometimes God I get scared and don’t understand. I don’t understand why you put me in certain situations and allow my family to fall apart. I know Lord, which you will work all things together for good for those called according to your purpose. I have seen you work Jesus. I guess I am just like your disciples… I walk and talk with you each day but still forget your power.

Jesus, you know I love you. I pray for you to humble me and teach me. And then you do. And then I don’t know what to do. I should praise you… that’s what I should do. I thank you for your patience Jesus. Jesus, I wish I could understand. I know I must simply go to you. I know that you being in me is greater than you just being here without your guiding, but I want both. I want to sit and drink coffee with you. I want to hold your hand as I tell you about my bad day. I want to feel you kiss my check and wipe away the tear. I want to hear the words, “I love you sweet child” roll from your lips. Give me that Jesus, I know you can.

Jesus, have I told you that you are beautiful lately? I think it quite often, but I don’t know if I have actually told you that in awhile. Today at church, when I sang about loving you and it being “well with my soul,” I meant it. Just sitting and chatting with you makes life better Jesus. You know the dream you gave me last night? The one where all the children from around the world were surrounding me? I would like that dream to come true. Jesus, if you just give me the power to yield to you, I can let you do anything. You can take me anywhere. Teach me everything. Don’t laugh… I know you are probably thinking that “I wouldn’t know what to do.” You teach me small things and I am puzzled for days, how could I be a missionary across the world and die for you? Well, that is where you would come in :)

Thanks for talking with me Jesus. You listen so well. Teach me that too. Let me listen to your voice. Tonight we can talk more… lets dream about heaven and what we will do. Tomorrow we can wake up and drink coffee, and then go on a walk… and then….

Letting God's love flow to every part of my life

I think it is harder to write when you are having a bad week compared to the weeks when you are really learning from God. Not that God changes, I do. I guess with my page I wanted it to all be for the glory of God, so when I feel like I have let God down or haven't had the best week that I simply shouldn't write. And then I realized that would be defeating the whole purpose of showing who God is and what He does in my life. Sometimes I don't understand what God is doing, but I know He is there and that He loves me more than I will ever know.
I know that God is always teaching and wants to let His love flow into every part of my life. It is easy to focus on myself and continually ask "What is God doing for me?" When really I should be asking, "What can I do for others to show the love God has for me and the sacrifice He has made?" In John, Jesus tells us to abide in His love. To live every day in His wonderful and beautiful love and let that spill over to everyone we meet through the day. It is too easy for me to focus on God and only what He is giving me, when I'm still living with out His love in certain areas of my life. God is showing me that I can never have too much patience, compassion, and love for others (even my family :). I should never be settled with how I live my life, because if I'M living my life then there is something wrong right there. I know that seeking God and yielding to Him each day should be my goal. I pray that God will humble me daily and show me what His love is all about. There are so many lessons to learn and things in my life that should be traded for Jesus. I pray that God will bring me to the point where every decision is made with Him guiding me and that I can be similar to Amy Carmichael in "only focusing on that which is eternal."

What is God's Purpose for my Life??

When praying for a specific and clear statement about God's purpose for my life,
He gave me this...

I am simply God's daisy.
I am here to worship Him.
His rainy mercy gives me life,
and His shining forgiveness
lets me grow.

I am simply God's daisy.
I am here to worship Him.
My growth and beauty
belongs to Him. He has made
my petals white as snow.

I am simply God's daisy.
I am here to worship Him.
My scent reflects His love.
My laughter tells of grace
and lets His beauty show.

I am simply God's daisy.
I am here to worship Him.
God gave this daisy power
to always leave a seed. For when
they see His love, they will always know.