alignment

The best part of my morning. Reminded today of how much I need this everyday. I can't do it on my own. I say that so often, but it is truth in my life today. There is a new song called "Courageous" by Casting Crowns. One line really had me thinking about this truth: "The only way we'll ever stand, is on our knees with lifted hands." How opposite does this sound in our lives? We are instilled with the idea that if we want something, we must work with all our might to get it. But with the Lord, we surrender. He doesn't ask for us to strive, he asks us to let go. When we surrender, we live. When we let go, it all comes together. Jesus Calling: "Live first and foremost in My Presence. Gradually you will become more aware of Me than of people and places around you. This awareness will not detract from your relationships with others. Instead, it will increase your ability to give love and encouragement to them." How incredible that our Lord works this way. He created us to find absolute fulfillment in Him alone. Nothing else. Since He is creator, He knows that He is all we need. And when we are filled with Him, everything else in our lives aligns. 

dwell in me

As always, I have been horrible at updating. I got one of those awesome leather Barnes and Noble journals at the beginning of the semester and am absolutely obsessed with writing in it. So again, as always, I will update the blogger world with my life lately through, you guessed it.. pictures!! In the past month I've...

gone to a wedding

had our first hang out in our new house

been goofy

surprised myself on the climbing wall

spent time with my best friends

had date night with my best friend

had our first small group

actually worked out..

and went to the Alabama football games.

Busy, busy. But these are the activities I've done. More importantly, is what the Lord and I have done the past month. Sitting here now and thinking about it. I am so amazed. I just read back over this blog that I started about a year ago and I am blown away by the person the Lord is shaping me into. A year ago, I thought I understood. A year ago, I was content in where I was with the Lord. A year ago, I never expected to be where I am today. But isn't that what it's all about? Trusting that the Lord is going to take me from glory to glory. That He is never finished shaping me into who He's called me to be. Matt and I were talking in the car the other day after reading Jesus Calling about how we are so tainted by sin and the world. How we are only fully ourselves when we are living with the Lord. I am so delighted to know that it doesn't stop here. That as I continue seeking Him, the more I will grow and the more I will be fully myself. Fully who He has created me to be. 

I just started a LIFE group with Church of the Highlands. It's already changing my life. The Lord's promises, his grace, the freedom he so freely offers. He is so sweetly showing me the importance of my thoughts. How each day I have the choice to choose life or choose death. Every thought must be taken captive. My LIFE group so wisely spoke how if we are feeding on God and His word, then our minds will be filled with God and His word. Our minds will be corrupted when we let them be filled with the things of this world. And what amazing discernment we will have when we are being filled with the Lord. As I spend time with my Savior, I will easily recognize the things that are not of Him. They will not have a foothold in my life. It's the secret to purity in our lives. Today Jesus Calling reaffirmed all of this saying, "Stay alert, recognizing the battle being waged against your mind."

Tonight after all of this, I read Acts 3:1-10, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." While reading this I was reminded that all I have to offer is Christ. Nothing of myself, just Him. And as I remember to fill my mind with Him, I'll have more of Him to offer to others. 

Dwell in me, Abba.