God blesses daily

Psalm 68:19 "Blessed by the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

Sometimes in life, when your thrown a curve ball, it doesn't appear that God is loading you with benefits. Today I found out my cousin may have lymphoma and they are going to do a biopsy either tomorrow or Friday. I know the God of my salvation is also the God of healing (Jehovah-Rophe).

Psalm 63:3, NLT "Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you!"

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand".

a living sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2 MSG
Place Your Life Before God
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

Father, I realize that too often I'm not embracing and fixing my attention on You. My prayer is that with the Holy Spirit's help I will align my life and thinking to You.

Memorial Day

Today I went with my family to put flowers on my maternal grandparents grave. It was really interesting to watch Taylor and Austin's reactions especially with all the flags on display at Floral Haven cememtery. Then we went to my aunt's house for dinner with the extended family.

I am really thankful for all the vetrans, current service men and women, current police and firefighters, who really gave/give a lot to keep this country free. I remember reading somewhere "All gave Some, Some gave All".

It is really important that we keep all of them in our prayers.

Prince Caspian

This movie is incredible. I got to see it last night. I think I need to move Chronicles of Narnia up on my "to read" list.

Indiana!!

I was 11 years old when Star Wars first came out in May of 1977. I was fascinated with the story line and the characters. As every one knows, Harrison Ford played Han Solo so in the 80's when the Indian Jones series came out, it was natural for me to love these movies as well. Earlier today I got to see the new Indy movie that came out and it is very good. I won't spoil the plot here, but I will tell you that you need to go see it.

I need a Savior

Dizmas - Yours
From the album Dizmas

"Feels like the sky has never been so blue
But that's not the way it used to be
'Cause there was a time that I was without You
Before I said that I believe
Oh, I need a Savior
Oh, I need a Savior
(Chorus)
I want to give this up
I want to hold Your hand
Take away this fear that's like an ocean in my head
I want to tell You now
What I couldn't say before
You are everything that I was always looking for
So take me where You want me
Take me 'cause I wanna be Yours

I've got pride that I still have to break
It's keeping me away from You
But You stay patient while I make mistakes
I'm learning how to trust that You
Are always a Savior"

I heard this song on the way home tonight and as you know if you have read my blog at all, music is a primary way that God moves in my life. This song really touched my heart.

He saved us!!

"He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:5, NLT

The following is excerpted from today's Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotional by Rick Warren.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. (Matthew 6:14-15 NLT)

Carrying a grudge just keeps us stuck in the past, and when we’re stuck in the past, we’re controlled by the past. Our unforgiveness can control us. The Bible says, “Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple” (Job 5:2 NLT).


The reason this is significant to me is that I have found it relatively easy to forgive everyone but myself. How can I expect God to forgive me if I can't even forgive myself?

victory

"Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. And the ones who win this battle against the world are the ones who believe that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4-5, NLT).

change

Sometimes I think I am the only person in the world that isn't satisfied with their life. I know I've made lots of mistakes and many of them I regret. I really can identify with the Lifehouse song Hanging by a Moment.

"Desperate for changing
Starving for truth"

And even though I have just graduated with a master's degree in education. I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up. Heck, I'm still growing up.

last week of school - yea!!!

At church on Sunday, we sang this song that really ministered to me. It's become my prayer to God. It's by John Jensen.

"I want to come in, Into Your presence
I know angels are worshipping You
I’m so hungry and I am thirsty
To worship You just like they do
I want to walk with You, And talk with You
See Your power in my life
I want to know Your ways, Sing Your praise
Each and every day I’m alive
I feel Your whisper, Like a still small voice
Saying You love me and I am Your own
You still my waters as You surround me
Because I know I am never alone"

"I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as LORD." Hosea 2:20, NLT

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? . . . Then make me truly happy by agreeing whole-heartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." Philippians 2:1-2, NLT

Psalm 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!

I recently came across this great quote, I don't know who the author is.

If you don't have a purpose, you will always achieve it.

OSU grad

Tonight is OSU-Tulsa graduation. I finally have a master's degree.