Another Year Ahead

My family is visiting today as I'm heading into the next year of my life!

Dear Lord, may these words be true of me in the year to come.

Galatians 2:19-20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

To Know You by Casting Crowns:
More than my next breath - More than life or death
All I'm reaching for, I live my life to know you more.
I leave it all behind, you are all that satisfies
To know you is to want to know you more.
To know you is never worry for my life,
To know you is to never to give in or compromise,
To know you is to want to tell the world about you
Cause I can't live without you.
To know you is to hear your voice when you are calling
To know you is to catch my brother when he is falling
To know you is to feel the pain of the broken hearted
Cause they can't live with out you.
To know you is to ache for more than ordinary
To know you is to look beyond the temporary
To know you is believing that you will be enough
Cause there is no life without you.
All this life could offer me, could not compare to you.
And I count it all as lost, compared to knowing you.

Love Song for a Saviour

I've been listening to this Christian radio station called K-Love in the mornings as I get ready for work and at work. I've noticed an improvement in my attitude in the morning since I started listening to Christian music instead of a secular morning show I use to put on (no more cable tv for me!). Proof that doing your devotions in the morning (and not at night like I tend to do) is the best idea.

I've been singing this song all day, ever since I heard it on the radio this morning. It's an old song but still is awesome!

James MacDonald: "I'm Not Giving Up"

So today I was listening to this amazing sermon by James MacDonald called "I'm Not Giving Up".

Its based on the first verse in Hebrews 12 - and this verse is very special to me. When I was kid, our family had these tapes we listened to in the car - GT and the Halo Express. And in these stories, there were Bible verses put to song. And Heb 12:1 was in my favourite tape on perseverance called Winning the Great Race of Faith-How to Overcome Adversity. I actually claimed this tape a few years ago when my family was moving and getting rid of some stuff. I still have it and would be listening to it right now if I could, but I don't have a tape player in my apartment.

Anyways so Heb 12:1 says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us. (Well those are the words to the song, I don't know if that's the verse exactly word for word.)

This song and the other songs from the green Perseverance tape, I've had in my head my whole life. This was especially true back in university when I worked at an accounting firm that I absolutely hated. Every day on the drive to the office I would listen to this tape in my car. I would fast forward to each of the songs and sing them on the drive - giving me the push I needed to make it through another horrible day at that place. And no, I really am not ashamed to say I was listening to a children's tape. The message was what I needed. And what I need today.

Okay, so back to the James MacDonald sermon. I was listening away, taking some notes on the sermon, taking it all to heart. But then I realized it was over, and it was only half done - there's a second part to the sermon, and I cant find it ANYWHERE. Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I've searched the internet and James' Walk in the Word website but I can't find it. Anyone happen to have it on their computer!?! Long shot I know, but doesn't hurt to ask.

I'll share with you the points in the sermon so far:

Why is it so hard to endure?
-people
-circumstances
-power (not depending on God's power)

I CAN endure because

1. my heroes are watching.
-the cloud of witnesses, people who have gone before me and remained faithful to the Lord, they want me to keep going - not to grow weary, not to give up. They want me to keep fighting, keep trying. My home team is cheering me on.

2. the weights are coming off.
-throw off the things that are weighing me down. This doesn't necessarily mean sin/things that are wrong, but simply things that are not helping me to persevere. Egs. watching TV (this isn't helping me focus on what is important) a relationship (don't become consumed with 1 person, its not wrong to care-its good to care, but don't let it consume you. Don't let your happiness depend on the other person.) financial goals, your dream to own a boat, etc
-this includes SIN also, things are nothing but weights weighing you down - unbelief, gossip, gluttony

3.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I don't know what the rest of the sermon says!!!
Someone please tell me!

A Reminder for me

Rebecca - Even in this hour when you are feeling lost or bored or confused or abandoned or alone or hopeless, remind yourself of the things that you know are TRUE. God loves me and I am His bride. He has not forgotten about me. He has NOT forgotten about me - not now, not ever. He has plans for me. He has a whole life planned for me. I have a future. God knows the plans He has for me, plans for wholeness and not for evil, plans to prosper me and plans to give me a hope and a future. I need to find rest and peace in HIM. He has not left me even if I don't know what He is doing or what His plans are. He is my strength to get through another long day. He will fill me up. I am not alone through this, even if there isn't a single person around to give me a hug, or to confide in or to get an encouraging word from - He is here. He is always here. He will never leave me or forsake me. I am His child and He loves me. My life may have troubles - my life WILL have troubles, but He is bigger than all my troubles and can overcome them. There is nothing too big or complicated for Him. He is in control. He sees the big picture. He cares about my stresses and my worries and tells me to give them over to Him. I can trust in Him. He will not break my heart. Run with perseverance Rebecca - you do have great purpose.

Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Even youths shall faith and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted, but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faith. Isaiah 40:30-31

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in YOU. Psalm 39:7

Why are you cast down O my soul and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:5

Your words were found and I ate them and Your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by Your name O Lord God of hosts. - Jeremiah 15:16