Pursuit of Solitude and Solidarity

http://tcpca.org/sermon/the-pursuit-of-solitude-and-solidarity/

This was last week's sermon from the church I have been attending and will most likely join here in the next month or so.

I listened to it this morning and was partially convicted but more than that I was encouraged. I have been in a semi dry place in my relationship with God where I just haven't made time to pursue him and sit down to read his word.

My goal as directed by the pastor is to make this happen in this next week to block out no less than an hour from my week to go to a quiet place and meet with my God. I smile when I think about this because I'm sure those first few moments will be almost awkward as it is so out of the ordinary to be completely and utterly alone but I also smile because I know the peace and rest that will come from that time as it has in the past for me.

Looking back to Smile

6 months ago yesterday I turned 22. Ten years ago I would have said 22 is a ripe old age but i'm now thinking I was very mistaken. When I look back on the past 6 months and 2012 as a whole have included some big changes and lots of firsts! I graduated from college, got into grad school, turned 22, moved to a new state, started a REAL job (well grad assistantship), started my masters degree, living in a house(not a dorm), have 3 new random roommates, have a whole new set of friends, live 5 minutes from my sister (haven't lived in the same state for the past 11 years), spent Thanksgiving away from my parents, saw my new baby niece Abigail Claire (twice!), a first visitors (Leeann & Luke!) tried new churchs(still trying to find a permanent one), and lots, LOTS more!

So much as changed and although hard at times I'm learning to accept change knowing it only draws me closer to the Lord. I'm so thankful for the many people I have in my life who are spread throughout this country and world. I look 1 week back and 51 weeks ahead with bright eyes and excitement knowing that this year has so much to offer!

Here are some photos of the past six months..

Hiking and Making Friends

Bourbon Country

Road Trip to first NFL game!

Pumpkin Carving & Seed Roasting

Making Pretzels with these precious 2

Abigail Claire

These boys and sunsets I will forever cherish. They welcomed me with kindness, laughter, forgiveness, and a whole lot of grief (the good kind). I will never forget my first team. 

First 5k! With my student workers :)

UK football.. ready for Basketball Season

1st paintball experience

Silly moments 

And WAY to many cookies!

Meditating on the word day and night

I was thinking of this phrase and what it means. God calls us to meditate on his word day and night. But what does this practically look like? I can't physically carry my bible around and read it throughout the entire day and while I'm sleeping... ahha, light bulb! This is why when I was younger our BSF(Bible Study Fellowship) leaders encouraged us every Monday night to memorize the memory verse and all along I thought it was just so the next Monday night I could be proud of myself as I stood in front of the group and recited it.

We memorize God's word so throughout each day the Holy Spirit can pull from our minds these words that fit just the situation we are in. Whether I need encouragement, love, or a kick in the butt God's word is there. This being said I have decided to memorize Psalm 46. I was reading it aloud (I do this when I have the apartment to myself, it just seems more alive when I do this) a few days ago and it was exactly what I needed to hear.

PSALM 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

I posted this next to my bed so I can read it each morning and night and work at memorizing it. I encourage you to pick a verse that speaks to your life and memorize it.

Peace in the Garden

So, my Mom's new favorite place is her front sitting garden. It has a bench, round metal table, and two sitting chairs. It is nestled next to our front steps and surrounded by flowers.


On Tuesday morning my Mom left for California to visit my brother and his family. I was left with the great job of making sure the flowers and vegetables don't die as well as keeping weeds (especially the infamous stinky weed) out of the garden. So that morning after working out I watered the garden and pulled weeds. Afterward I felt it only right to go have my quiet time in the front garden since that is what Mom would do.

After filling a glass of water and picking up my bible and notebook I settled on the bench. For a few minutes I just sat and listened to the birds singing and animals scurrying around the ground. "Wow, now I understand why Mom sits out here for hours and just can't get enough of it!", I thought. As a looked around I began to think about this small little area and how it was not remote or magnificent, there are just a variety of colorful flowers and you can look straight across the lawn to the neighbors houses. But somehow while sitting here the sound of cars driving by, kids playing, and people working on there houses seemed to disappear and all I felt was this great sense of peace.

If you know anything about me, you know I like to think in analogies and just can't get enough of them. So immediately the idea of this garden being like the peace God brings to us 24/7 despite the commotion and distractions in and around our lives. All we have to do it take a seat or step back and look around and you can begin to focus on the little hints of Him he surrounds us with like the flowers and animals.

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at ALL time in EVERY way. The Lord be with you all." 1 Thessalonians 3:16

I ended up spending about half an hour or so there but certainly could have stayed longer! I'm not sure what Mom and I are going to do when she returns in 2 weeks and finds her space now has a second occupant :)

What is love?

Dictionary.com describes love as
–noun
1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3. sexual passion or desire.
–verb (used with object)
15. to have love or affection for: All her pupils love her.
16. to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for (another person).
17. to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in: to love music.

Love is all of these but more.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist of it's own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
When I think about what I love 1,000 plus things, people, places, feelings, and more come to mind. But why? What makes me have these feelings for them? I am reminded that "we love because He first loved us!" 1 John 4:19 God loved me before I was in my Mother's womb! He loved me so much that he sent His ONE AND ONLY SON to die upon a cross (the most horrific death) for my sins (the sins I hadn't yet committed)! WOW! If only I could love like this!

The lesson I have learned is two fold.
1. I don't have the ability to love if I am not willing to be loved. Being loved starts with accepting the love of God and understanding that I will never deserve it but that it was a gift. Realizing that no matter how hard I try I will never be worthy of the love of God. I must accept that he loves me for me, nothing more and nothing less.
2. if I want to truly love people I have to give unconditional love (God's love). Love that does not come FROM me but THROUGH me. Learning to love when I am not loved back, when the person is gross, annoying, smelly, doesn't speak my language, fat, doesn't have the same interests as me, doesn't love Jesus, sick, hungry, broken, lost, hopeless... (insert your own reason why you chose not to love someone). When I wonder how to love these people I look to the perfect example my Savior has given me, and that is to LAY DOWN MY LIFE! Give up my wants, dreams, desires, reputation, money, time, pride.. whatever it might be. I am not perfect at this but I am working hard and constantly convicted of who I didn't love enough each day.

Things I love.. in a random order :)
1. Hammocks
2. Friends
3. Family
4. Children
5. Sports
6. My Maker
7. Roommates
8. Bible Study
9. Snickers
10. Popcorn

This post is dedicated to my lovely friend Leeann. I am so thankful that God put her in my life and although she is crazy she has one of the sweetest hearts God created! Love you Buddy :)

This is a wonderful day!