Wednesday, February 22, 2012

My Nashville Adventure!

I'm Going to Blissdom!


OK so I guess I'm really going to Nashville...or more importantly...Blissdom!

It seems quite surreal since it was only a month ago that I won a ticket to the actual event.

But my bags and packed, and my name tag is on, and I'm really going.

To be honest, I don't feel ready for the whole thing...and 750 people seem like an awful lot of people all of a sudden...

but I know the content will be great, the speakers will rock, and the friends will become kindreds.

I just need to get there :)

So, wish me luck! and pray for me that I would soak everything in. Even a Rascal Flatts concert :)

Christina

Monday, February 13, 2012

Learning How to Love God Again

It seems very appropriate this Valentines Day to not talk about my wonderful husband but to talk about my first love: The Alpha and the Omega...Yeshua...Adonai...my Abba Father.

You see, I didn't always love Him very well. In fact, I even forgot about Him, which is even worse. I put Him away, put His very Word written to me, on a shelf to collect dust. I half-heartedly opened the Word when life was hard but I never knew what words to read. So I stumbled, flipping through the pages, and frustrated, slammed it shut, closed for another 3 months before I tried again.

I just didn't know how to love Him again. I didn't know where to start.

I would hear over and over again from the pulpit, "True freedom comes from praying and reading the Bible" and I would think, "What am I missing? I don't feel that."

Am I the only one who has felt this way? Somehow, I don't think so.

The problem was, I was waiting for this fluffy, lovey-dovey feeling to spur me on to open the Bible with renewed passion.

But God is not a God of feelings but of obedience. When obedience comes, feelings follow.


And to read His word is simply out of obedience. It's just that simple.

So, when December rolled around and some bloggers were going to read through the Bible in 90 Days, I almost threw up in my mouth at so much Bible reading. I mean, that's like 15 chapters a day! But it is exactly what God had in mind for me.

I felt the Holy Spirit impressing on my heart so strongly to take the challenge, to immerse myself in God's Word, once and for all. So I obeyed...albeit it grudgingly, but at least I obeyed.



Exactly 33 days ago today I opened to the book of Genesis and just started reading. The words lept off the page and ministered to my heart in ways I didn't know I needed ministering. It was like coming back to a very near and dear old friend. I devoured every single detail and promise laid out by God to His people. I became amazed at the specific timing of events and the way God stuck with His anointed ones so long.

Genesis became Exodus and quickly Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, etc. and etc. until now where I am in 2 Chronicles. The writer of 2 Chronicles is now recounting what was previously written so that the Israelities who were in exile for so many years wouldn't forget where they had come from. 

Oh isn't that me, Lord! I need to not forget where I came from. My roots are in You as my Creator and Lord. You loved me even before I was conceived. You knit me together in my Mother's Womb. My days are numbered by You. In You I find my beginning and my end. You are my all.

And so I will continue to set my alarm for 6:00 a.m. and will (most days) continue to leap out of bed, just so I can have my hour with Him. Some days I do the motions and miss an opportunity with Him... Other days, He meets me in a powerful way. The important thing is that I don't stop reading and learning how to love Him.

I'm so thankful He loves me...

What about you? Have you been struggling with your quiet times? Is it hard for you to even open the Bible? I have been there and even now still have to be disciplined to finish the race I have started. Here are just a few quick things I have found that have helped me:

1. Just start reading. If you don't know where to start, just start in the beginning and read in order. There are many Bible plans out there. Here's an example: Bible Plan.Org or the one I am doing: Bible in 90 Days. I think I waited so long to just start reading the Bible again because I wasn't sure where to start. Don't over complicate it! Just start reading and the love of the Word will come :)

2. Get accountability and support. I knew upon signing up for the challenge that I would be having weekly check-ins with others who are doing the same challenge. Find someone to come alongside you! You can't do it alone, especially if it is not a formed habit yet.

3. Be consistent. Whatever plan or schedule you want to do, just make sure you stick to it! It needs to be doable but also challenging at the same time. God is wanting to stretch you so don't make it too "cushy" :)

4. Remember His love. Through all of this, don't lose sight of how much He loves that you are doing this! I have experienced more grace in just my day to day life, including my parenting since doing this challenge. He is gentle with those He loves!

Blessings to all my lovely readers today! Happy Valentines Day!

Know that you are loved :)

Christina

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Coming Back...

I know it's been awhile...

This blog almost seems like a foreign space to write in. I have had very little creative spark or inspiration and am just doing life. You know...kids, husband, church, people...

And staying close to Him...for He is my companion now. My best friend. My all.

And He sustains through the long days and the unanswered prayers.

I am blessed...

Christina

Friday, February 3, 2012

Ruthless Trust

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I am peeking my head out of the hole of sick children and wiping noses to say... "Hi". I've missed you...missed this place...but I could only be a Mom this week and nothing else :) Thanks for your grace.

Photo credit: Hortongrau

Several days ago I said good-bye to my husband and my two girls as they left for the day so I could do my weekly in-home music teaching. As my husband shut the door, I realized, "I completely trust that man. I know he will take care of my children and bring them back to me at the end of the day with their eyes sparkling and full of fun stories."

I am fully confident in my husband. I trust him.

Do I feel the same way about my God? 


I want to trust Him but so often I find myself shaking like a leaf, quivering under life's valleys.

Even when He has proven faithful and trustworthy I still struggle...saying to Him, "Please prove to me one more time that you are there."

The sad truth is: I often trust my human husband over my perfect, most holy God.

I want that Ruthless Trust.

Ruthless...unrelenting, adamant, relentless...

Always standing firm...never shaking...looking at life's trials and laughing at them. Yes, laughing! For they pale in comparison to the "joy set before me"...that of Christ Jesus and his work in my life.


Photo credit: Jynmeyer

Relentless in my pursuit of more faith...more trust...more of Him.

Unrelenting in my hunger of more trust...

Adamant about my trust in Him when life's surprises come my way.

By God's grace I am beginning to strengthen my truth-grip to Christ. He is testing me and I am trying to be like "gold refined in the fire".

But I want more...

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What about you? Where do you find yourself today? Fearful? Feeling far away from God? Wherever you find yourself today, come to the foot of the most gracious man who ever lived: Jesus. He knows how hard it is to trust Him! But know that He doesn't leave you alone during this journey of trust. He will give you the faith and the tools you need to grow in faith. You are loved.
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Psst...Have you seen the wonderful news? Sisters in Bloom is here and as a gift to all who subscribe to the site, there is a free ebook featuring testimonies from all the writers, of which I am one. So go pick up a copy today! You will be blessed :)









Christina

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Top 10 CCM Songs: The Old School Edition

Top Ten {Tuesday}


Good Morning! It's my first Top 10 Tuesday with Oh Amanda and I figured I would start with something I am really comfortable with...

Music.

I remember at the age of 10 or 11 memorizing every word to Amy Grant's Heart In Motion album. I also remember when I got my first DC Talk tape, you know...back when they did rap :) I also remember the first time I discovered the Christian dance group, Raze. (Has anyone else ever heard of them?) Oh and that Newsboys tape that had "Shine?" Epic. I think I even choreographed a dance routine to that song.

Music has always been a defining part of my life and for as long as I can remember, I have needed to listen to music. It brings me closer to God. It is my heart language. While it was very hard to narrow down to 10, I'm happy with this list. Here goes! (In no particular order...)

10. Audio Adrenaline, "Big House"

9. Rebecca St. James song, "God"

8. Raze "All Around the World"

7. DC Talk "Jesus Freak"

6. Newsboys "Shine" "Breakfast"

5. Vineyard worship music "Father, you're all I need" "There's no one like our God"

4. Misty Edwards, "Simple Devotion"

3. Point of Grace "You are lord of life, love, and other mysteries"

2. Jars of Clay "Flood" "Faith Like a Child" Basically everything on their debut album

1. Steven Curtis Chapman "King of the Jungle"

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What other songs would you add to the list? Happy Tuesday!

Christina