mylifewjc

March 1 2012

Think i may have found my new church home. Visited Thrive @ Night Women’s ministry at Hope church tonight.

http://hopecentral.com

It was indeed an encouraging time. The topic was on “Blessings” in how we associate them with good and painless things when that’s not always in line with what Jesus taught. Sometimes hardships are blessings in disguise.

I was also reminded tonight that my middle name is Israel. I forget way too often Gods faithfulness and complain and stress because of it. In these moments i am learning to get back to the basics. Gotta think on His words day and night because if not, off to the wilderness i go.

The more I think about this blogging thing the more I ask myself what is its purpose? And what I’ve come up with is this » It is to simply share with the world what Jesus Christ is doing in my life. I guess you could call it a testimony of sorts on what He is teaching me, how He is convicting me, what I’m learning as I study the scriptures, what I am learning from others around me, and what I am learning from different messages or sermons I hear. David wrote songs and prayers in the book of Psalms. I see them as a record of what God was doing in His life so I guess this is something similar to that. Although, I don’t sing, I just make a joyful noise.

Not sure how this will work… but we shall see. So, let the journey (or should I say let the blogging) begin. :)

October 25, 2012

Isaiah 48:17 says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

Too often I forget the power of God. I forget that He is the great I AM and there is no other besides Him that looks down on the people He created to care for them. He desires to teach me - impart knowledge, instruct me- on what is best for my life. Not only does He want to give me a new belief system that is based in His knowledge but He wants me to depend on Him for direction. How kind of Him! I often think I know what direction is best for me to only learn later that what I thought was right was not. And yet despite my foolish choices I find mercy and a new direction. Sometimes it’s hard to discern which way He is directing per say but I know if I keep delighting in Him and keep looking to His perfect word to be a lamp for my feet I will be directed or re-directed in the way I should go. If I’m not seeking Him I’m naturally going to do my own thing which is often contrary to what He desires for me. I need to stop trying to transform myself and let Him do the transforming from the inside out. And even though I long to know what the future holds I realize the lamp for my feet only reveals the next few steps, not the entire road that lies ahead. Perhaps I need a bigger lamp.

August 2012

Preparing my heart for something big and kingdom focused.

The Great Commission

16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped,[a] but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of[b] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,[c] I am with you always,[d] to the end of the age.”

May 6 2012

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in israel statutes and judgments.

Seek, Do, and Teach is what I want to do. Another way of saying it is Pursue, Obey, and Teach. Pursuing God is being intentional about knowing Him and His ways. Then that’s not enough, I must also obey b/c it’s wise and it shows my respect for God. Finally, teach. Help others understand God too. This equals…. great commission. ( :

April 23 2012

It’s been a while since I’ve wrote so I’m happy to announce that some really cool things are happening. Well…sort of. I am about 90% positive that Movement Church is my new home. I visited Mount Vernon recently and that was impressive but I really feel drawn to this smaller church. It’s up and coming and I think it needs more support then this other church that is well established. I’m still praying though.

I was sharing w/a friend recently how amazed I am at how God moves in the lives of His children. I have found that even in the midst of wavering He still has work for me to do. I don’t feel worthy but apparently He has other plans. I love the way He continues to pursue me even as I wrestle with my shortcomings. I don’t truly understand it, but I don’t have too. Guess that’s faith huh?

Proverbs 23:4 “Labor not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

I think this verse is pretty clear cut —-don’t work strictly to gain wealth. My own wisdom leads me in that direction so I need to stop relying on my “human wisdom”, instead ask for God to teach me wisdom. My own selfish heart hungers for things that will satisfy itself but the news is that wealth can easily be taken away at a drop of a hat. Big lesson for me b/c wealth is appealing. Guilty. I needed to read this passage b/c it helps me refocus and repent for hungering for money. Wealth in of itself is not bad but loving it more than anything is dangerous and futile. I see that God is exposing my heart here getting me to think through why I hunger for money —what are my motives? Overall, making money #1 in life may satisfy temporarily but not permanently b/c it has wings…..

April 3 2012

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding….. Proverbs 3:13

In reading this passage I learned that wisdom and understanding go hand in hand. I can have wisdom but if I don’t truly understand it is sort of meaningless. I am guilty of having lots of wisdom, but not consistently putting it into practice!

March 21 2012

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; i had nearly lost my foothold. For i envied the arrogant when i saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:2-3

I bought this necklace weeks ago because i thought it went well with my JC theme this year in really focusing on Him. He is with me everyday. Somehow i lose sight of that everyday though. I hate spiritual roller coasters. Not giving up though! He still speaks.

Pg 106 Not a Fan. By Kyle Idelman