"Do not let you hearts be troubled."

So many times recently, and ever since I have come to know the Lord, scripture has been such a blessing, encouragement and tool for me. I know that's what it's here for, but a lot of times when I get stuck in a rut, stuck feeling weary and sad I don't turn to it like I should.

These past days, weeks, and months have been some of my most difficult in many different ways. I am facing things that I never thought I would face. I am learning new, hard things(including every muscle and bone in the body :D). I am trying to fix things, maybe too fast. I am standing up, but finally not by myself, with people who love me and more importantly a Lord who will carry me and never fall. In John 14 Jesus says "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God."

"Do not let your hearts be troubled." Hmm. That's something to think on. Thinking on this from a superficial point of view I can easily say ok to that, say I'll relax and put my trust in God. Deep down though, it's not that easy for me to do. My heart is troubled. I'm troubled with confusion, fear and sadness. I'm troubled that maybe I wont come through this time in a way that is pleasing to Him. I am troubled. "TRUST IN GOD." I do. I do. I do. But not enough. I'm scared of earthly things, I'm scared that maybe I'm not doing the right thing. In John 14 when Jesus tells (most of) the disciples that he will be leaving, they are confused too. Thomas doesn't know the way, Philip wants proof. Jesus, with patience replies by repeating himself in a way, and adding a couple more things. He tells them that he is the way, the truth and the life. He tells them to have faith and he gives encouragement by telling them of the Spirit of truth. I think Jesus started out with "Do not let your hearts be troubled" kinda knowing that they would be. But he was ready to give comfort and encouragement.

I am, by no means, a theologian. However I do know that I am encouraged. I know that scripture is powerful and a blessing. I know that even when my heart is troubled that Jesus will not "leave us as orphans; he will come to us". I know that, not only because it is in scripture, but because I have been rescued from so much. I just need to remember that more often.

We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:1-4

Sunday morning song

This morning I woke up to get ready and in the spirit of Sunday, and in the spirit of worshiping the Lord, I listened to "how deep the fathers love for us". It was a blessing and an encouragement.

Not that I ever completely forget how precious we are in the Lord's eyes and how much he loves and cherishes us. But, a reminder is always great. When I've had a hard week, when I'm weary and struggling it's so good to be reminded of the sacrifice that our God made to make us his treasure. I pray that we as believers, as Christ followers, will boast in that sacrifice.

"Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." -Isaiah 1:17 & 18

Promises...

There is nothing better and more encouraging than reading the Lord's promises to us...

"Though you have made me see troubles many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up."

-Psalm 71:20

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quite you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

-Zephiniah 3:17

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

-Psalm 27:5

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you."

-Isaiah 43:2

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." -Psalm 27:14

Wac(k)o!

This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to the wacky land of waco and see my dear friend Caitlin. Jon was there too, which made for an extra special trip! It was Baylor's homecoming weekend so Caitlin's family was there and we saw the 104's and a Milligan (ansley). Lucas and Davis had an extra fun time making creative things out of glowsticks (pictured below). There was a neat bonfire on friday night, and on saturday we went to the parade (which is apparently the largest collegiate parade in the nation...whoo!). My favorite part was most definitely the live bear that could do the "sick 'em" thing. The game was fun...Tech won, by a bunch.

All in all it was a great weekend. Now it's time to study.

Deep Thoughts...

...Just because:

-"If you ever crawl inside an old hollow log and go to sleep, and while you’re in there some guys come and seal up both ends and then put it on a truck and take it to another city, boy, I don’t know what to tell you."

-"I think somebody should come up with a way to breed a very large shrimp. That way, you could ride him, then after you camped at night, you could eat him. How about it, science?"

-"I hope if dogs ever take over the world, and they choose a king, they don’t just go by size, because I bet there are some chihuahuas with some good ideas."

-"If one day you accidentally drop your keys in a river of molten hot lava, let 'em go man, they're gone."

-"The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I’ll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why I didn’t get more meat, I’ll just say, ‘Oh, you mean this?’ and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where I’ve hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?"