Rain, Rain...Don't go away just yet!

I came across this picture awhile ago and I still can't get it out of my head. I love the freedom it depicts! Sometimes (well, all the time, honestly) I wish I could just stop things, go out in the rain and just sit. One of my favorite things to do in Seattle when I had time was to run Greenlake when it was raining. Or go running at night when no one was around. There something about the night or fresh rain that just seems to take me over and give me a sense of renewal. The smell of the air, peace and stillness of the night as the moon and city lights reflect off the water. If you ever can get yourself to slow down for even the slightest, it's absolutely astounding what you'll see; what you'll hear.

God is in the voice of the wind...

"And the word of the Lord came to him: 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'
He replied, "I have bee very zealous for the Lord God Almighty....

...The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.'

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not i teh wind. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."

-I Kings 19:9-13

"Peace! Be Strong now; be strong!" Daniel 10:18

This is one of my new fav songs. It's been awhile since Ms. Hill has been around but this song is just an illustration of how wonderful God's grace is!

Come and Live!

Made to Love from Come&Live! on Vimeo.

Building Blocks

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another...
-Romans 14:19

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen...
-Eph 4:29

We pass people everyday. We pass those who we love multiple times a day. How often do you think of them outside of what you need from them, what you want or expect from them or tomorrows plans with them?

I encourage and challenge you to take 1 step back away from yourself to build someone up, love someone extra and show genuine affection towards a person. Someone you can't live without; someone you don't even know. You'd be surprised the effect it will have on yours and that individual's life....

Love your God, love yourself, love your family and friends...

"The desert and parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of God.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with a fearful heart "be strong, do not fear"; your God will come, he will come with a vengeance; with divine retribution. He will come to save you."

-Isaiah 35:1-4

How Precious!

What can wash away my sin
What can make me whole again
For my pardon this I see
For my cleansing this my plea

Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing, nothing, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Nothing can for sin atone
Not of good that I have done
This is all my hope and peace
This is all my righteousness

Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
And no other fount I know
Nothing, nothing, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing, nothing, nothing but the blood of Jesus

Now by this I'll overcome
Now by this I'll reach my home
Glory, glory, this I see
All my praise for this I bring
All my praise for this I bring
All my praise for this I bring

Oh, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing, nothing, nothing but the blood of Jesus
Nothing, nothing, nothing but the blood of Jesus
-Jars of Clay

Ironically I was in the shower when this song came spilling out of me. Lately I've been fighting this invisible battle within. No matter how happy or happy I WANT to be I still feel heavy and knocked down. "BUT by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect" (1Cor 15:10)...He has put a new song in my heart and a hope that just confuses, boggles, and AMAZES me all together. He's just been reminding me every moment of every day that he gets me, he's refining me (it hurts!) and that I'm am not going through this in vain. I believe in God. I believe he has a legitimate purpose for my life and that he knows what he's doing. Now,......if I can only let go....

when in doubt...PRAY!

Rejoyce in the Lord always and again I say rejoyce. Let your gentleness be evident to all...

Don't be anxious about ANYTHING; but by PRAYER & petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God...

The PEACE of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus.

Whatever is:
True
Noble
Right
Pure
Lovely
Admirable

THINK IT!

If anything is:
Excellent
Praiseworthy

THINK IT!

Phillipians 4:4-13