God's Promises.

My mom gave me this little poem today and it was such an encouragement. Often I find myself saying "I can't" and forget about the promises that God has promised me.

Our Thinking vs. God's Promises

"It's impossible."

"All things are possible" -Luke 18:27

"I'm too tired."

"I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28-30

"Nobody really loves me."

"I love you." - John 3:16; John 13:34

"I can't go on."

"My grace is sufficient for you." - 2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91:15

"I can't figure things out."

"I will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"I can't do it."

"You can do all things." - Philippians 4:13

"I am not able."

"I am able." - 2 Corinthians 9:8

"It's not worth it."

"It will be worth it." - Romans 8:28

"I can't forgive myself."

"I forgive you." - 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1

"I can't manage."

"I will supply all your needs." - Philippians 4:19

"I'm afraid."

"I have not given you a spirit of fear." - 2 Timothy 1:7

"I am always worried and frustrated."

"Cast all your cares on me." - 1 Peter 5:7

"I don't have enough faith."

"I've given everyone a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3

"I am not smart enough."

"I give you wisdom." - 1 Corinthians 1:30

"I feel all alone."

"I will never leave you or forsake you." - Hebrews 13:5

Rest

I felt like blogging this morning, but really do not have a lot to talk about. My life has been getting into routine. Doing the same things everyday, few changes here and there - some mornings I clean, play guitar, did my nails with Katie yesterday... yah know. Routines are good, helpful, always know what you plan to do and when you plan to do it. Despite how good routines are and how I don't mind mine at all, I am excited for Friday. For Friday is a day of no plans, no work, nothing to do (except get ready for market at sometime). Taking the day as it comes, free reign. Its important to take these days - even Biblical. Rest is something that I think we often forget to take. We are a busy people that need to rest. Thats all I have to say.

Rest, we need it.

Take All of Me

So, I was thinking - and no Brit, its not a first :) - about how often I get caught up in worldly things. Putting things like worries, problems, money, and other issues above God. As I am writing this, I am realizing that God has been laying this problem on my heart a lot lately.

Personal Side Note: I love Journaling for this reason, I find I hear God best when I write things down. Often I do not hear what He is saying when He is saying it, but when I reflect, I see and understand better.

Anyways, Lately a song that has been reminding me to turn to God and has also been speaking very strongly to my heart has been the song, Take All of Me, by the Freshwind Band.

Take All of Me - Freshwind Band

All I want is You,

You've heard the tears I've cried

I'm so sick of all the things,

That keep my from Your side.

I just wanna feel You closer,

Desire of my heart,

The choices I've been making,

are tearing us apart.

So before I come undone,

Take all of me.

Til' theres nothing left but You.

Soaking in Your mercy,

Surrounded by Your grace,

I'm wondering what to give You,

When all I have is me,

So Lord here I come undone,

Take all of me,

Til theres nothing left but You.

The word of this song I think say it all.

Seeking Fulfillment

Today I have been thinking a lot about relationships and how often I look to them for self fulfillment. I consistently find myself doing this. I will have a bad day, argument, or simply just be bored, and all I will be thinking about is how I will be able to find someone to hang out with or even simply talk to on the internet or on my phone.

I do not want to be misunderstood here, I do not think this is wrong, actually I think it is normal.

God created us for each other. For in Genesis 2:18 God said, "It is not good for man {or woman} to be alone." We as humans need to depend on one another.

However, time and time again, I find myself over relying on people.

I will be at work in a frustrating situation and simply just want to go call a family member or text a friend my frustrations. I don't actually want anyone to do anything about the situation, I just need to get it out. Most times I don't want to hear anything or listen to any advice as I would rather just figure it out myself and have the confirmation from them that I am right in my frustrations.

What I was thinking was,

What if every time I was frustrated or angry I completely turned to God. - I know this is not profound or anything - however, what if I in my times of anger or frustration instantly, not my second or third thought, but instantly asked God for advice. What if I was in constant prayer. Gave up my pride of not wanting to listen to any advice, and instead was constantly seeking God's advice. What if this self fulfillment that we consistently seek in each other we sought out in God.

What beautiful love and relation that would be.

What desire and attraction would evolve.

What if we truly lived the greatest commandment?

'And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the greatest commandment."

To often I think we forget about the love God has for us. The relationship that He does desires, but we often forget.

Sisters Are Forever...

A little saying our mom always says,

'Sisters are Forever'

She told us that when we were young,

every time we would get into a fight or quarrel about something,

she would remind us, 'sisters are forever',

many times I remember thinking, 'well I wish they weren't'

such an awful thing to think now looking back.

HOWEVER,

in a time we slowly found an appreciation for each other.

I see different gifts that they both have

talents and abilities that I never noticed before

I see a beauty in both of their own faith and love for both God and people

and I appreciate spending time with them both together and individually.

Brittany is amazing at loving and caring for ALL people.

She has an amazing gift for writing and uses it consistently to what I would call God honoring literature.

Kathleen - has a beautiful name - and has such a talent in music and has such joy in her heart.

Kathleen gives of herself in so many ways to so many people.

Kathleen loves to serve, and serves to the best of her ability.

Both Kathleen and Brittany put 100% of themselves into all they do

I love them.

Sisters are Forever.

Something I did not treasure when I was young,

however, now I can not express how truly thankful I am.

Moving Your Feet Can Be Hard.

so I have been working on this (what I think is absolutely ridiculous) distance education course. consistently I get frustrated with the work as it is not hard at all and because it is so easy gets to be to the point of confusing because of the simplicity of what you have to do. Despite these frustrations that have continued to come up, one thing that continues to encourage me are the little one line quotes at the beginning of each chapter.

Like today's, Chapter 10,
"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet."
- Unknown Author.

I like this quote because often I think we ask God to move in our lives and expect Him to come in like a large unmistakable hurricane without doing anything ourselves. Rather than being willing to go out and serve him so he will be glorified in all we do. I think often we are afraid of what the world will do or say about us. Afraid of being mocked, made fun of, persecuted - needless to say, as Jesus was - for what is right, and what we are called to do.
"Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Love Them Like Jesus

I have found it very difficult to always know my place for saying things.

I work at Tim Hortons in the town that is close to our house. I have only been working there a couple of weeks. I am liked by both managers and do not mind the work at all, however, what bothers me is the way people treat each other in that work environment.

PREVIOUS to working to this Tim Hortons I worked at another Tim Hortons for 2 years where I was harrashed by the managers and a few co-workers because of my faith

Anyways, there is this man Ahmed who I work with. Ahmed is this nice man who works hard to make money for himself and his family. He and his family are all refugees from Pakistan; fleeing from a place where their lives were constantly at risk. Before moving to Canada, Ahmed was a math professor, however, now that he is in Canada, can no longer use his gifts and works at Tim Hortons.

People at Tim Hortons however, do not always give him the same respect that they give the other workers. I have heard people say things like, 'what an idiot', or 'he so stinkin' slow I could do it three times as fast as him'

These comments make me so angry, it makes me want to say, 'oh yeah?! why don't you stop making fun of him and get off your lazy butt and do it for him then?'

It frustrates me so much. He is a person and deserves to be treated like any other person. God created and loves him just as much as he loves anyone else. What makes it difficult however, is that I can repremand the other workers and tell them how what they are saying is wrong, but its when the people who have more senority at the Tim Hortons start saying it, what then? Do I risk my job by saying telling them they are wrong for treating him differently than everyone else? I believe thats what Jesus would have done and its what I want to do. However, I need the job in order to make money for school so have been praying for Ahmed and have been purposly going out of my way to love him. I don't completely know if this is the way God wants me to live in this situation, however, until I know differently, thats how I going about it.

When I think about what Jesus would have said about this situation, I think about what he said in Matthew 25:40 "Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you do for me." So, showing love to Ahmed is loving Jesus. The situation with Ahmed reminds me of other times where I have found myself in a place making preasumtions about people on the street or even people who come into the church. I make preassumptions or judgements and don't take the time to talk to them or understand why they are there. It also makes me think of the lyrics to the Casting Crowns song If We Are the Body which says,

If we are the body,

why aren't his arms reaching,

why aren't his hands healing?

why aren't his words teaching?

And if we are the body,

why aren't his feet going?

why is his love not showing?

It is just a reminder to me once again to love people, all people, not just the people that are easy to love or understand, but also the outcasts, nerds, weirdos.... like Jesus.

Inspiration.

So... I have to admit, this blog was definitely inspired by my younger sister Brit, (who may have even blogged about this inspiration, not sure -have not checked yet) who writes 'My Dumb Blog' at http://www.brittanyvos.blogspot.com. I read her blog all the time and love her beautifully crafted writing. I myself, am not nearly as talented as her, however, was inspired and am here writing in my own style and perspective and am excited to write and have you both read and comment on my writings.