Sunday, March 30, 2008

Nothing Compares...

To the greatness of knowing the Lord. I was driving down Mopac today and listening to an old Third Day CD of mine and the song "Nothing Compares" came on. Here are the lyrics:

I've heard all the stories
I've seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that's fine
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord
I see all the people
Wasting all their time
Building up their riches
For a life that's fine
I find myself just living for today
'Cause I don't know what
Tomorrow's gonna bring
So no matter if I rise or fall
I'll never be alone, oh no

I've been a lot of places. I've been in so many different states. I've been everywhere that any person in the world might say is "great". I've eaten at some really expensive fancy restaurants. I've worked in downtown Austin. I've dressed fancy and been around people who have more money than they know what to do with. I've pretty much done everything that this world says should satisfy me. However, as I drove down Mopac in my nicely air conditioned SUV looking at all the mansions in Rollingwood, Texas I realized that everything that I've seen, done, eaten, spent money on doesn't even come CLOSE to what it means to me knowing the Lord. That the fellowship I have with the Lord is the sweetest thing in all of my life. That He fills me more than anyone in the entire world. And I say that with an honest heart. I say that because I've tasted the things of the world, and I've tasted the things of the Lord, and I can honestly say that knowing the Lord is absolutely the most fulfilling experience of my entire life. I'm more filled now than I have been in probably my whole life. My prayer and hope is that this passion that I have for Christ would never leave me. That this passion I have for preaching His name to the Nations would never leave me. That the Holy Spirit would live inside me all the days of my life, and that I would humbly listen to whatever He asks of me. I ask to never forget the Cross. I ask to never forget the unending amount of grace poured out into my life that I don't deserve. I ask that I never forget that I have a Saviour who came for Me. That he had ME in mind in His great plan. He is my Jesus, and He loves me.

The Lord has been good to me, and all I can give Him in return are these hands to serve Him. May he continue to mold me into a woman who seeks passionately after Him. May God be given the glory all the days of my life because absolutely nothing compares to the greatness of knowing Him.

Amen.

peace. love. hope.

---
leticia ana
romans 12:1


Monday, March 24, 2008

The Lord is Faithful

I'm not sure if anyone ever reads this, but I just wanted to write a quick update.

The Lord is faithful. That's all I have to say. The Lord was completely 100% percent faithful to me and my two weeks spent in my favorite country, The Dominican Republic. I felt the spirit move in my life there the way I hadn't felt in a long time. I felt the Lord's presence and guidance active in my life in such a sweet way. I just felt like the Lord met me in such a sweet sense of fellowship in my time there. He provided so much, and I learned so much about how faithful of a God He is. I was absolutely blown away by the schoolhouse, and the women and men who walk through those doors everyday to teach, minister, and love on the children of the DR. The friends that I made, and the old friends I got to see were some of the greatest times I've had in a long time. I felt so loved, and comfortable every second that I was visiting, and I know that without a doubt in my mind, I'll be back to that place sometime this summer. I love the DR, Makarios, and my friends who are faithfully serving the Lord in that place. I could not have scripted a better two weeks for my life. It's exactly what I needed for a refresher of the Lord's faithful will and goodness in my life.

In other news, I'm going to be helping facilitate groups from the Austin Stone who head down to the DR in the future. Someday, I may even be able to lead my own group. The two things that I love the most have collided to form one big ball of awesomeness. Not only do I get to serve my church and get more involved there, but get to serve as they goes to serve Makarios. Holy stinking cow, it's so awesome. Again, the Lord is faithful to my prayers.

Also, as I've been praying for over a year for someone to disciple me, and the Lord has faithfully provided someone to be that light in my life. I will be discipled by a very dear friend of mine, who also works at the Stone. I'm SO excited for what the Lord has in store for our relationship as she mentors me as I grow closer to Christ. Again, the Lord is faithful.

This month has been one of the best months of my entire life. I feel the Lord alive and working in my life, and I've tasted and seen great community over the past month or so that's been so so good. I know the Lord has big things in store for the rest of the year. My prayer is that all the glory would be given to Him, a King that will reign in Glory Forever.

The Lord is faithful, and nothing is impossible without Him. He conquered the grave for crying out loud! I pray that my passion for Him would only grow stronger each day of my life. I choose Christ over this world. Amen.

Godspeed.

Faith. Hope. Love.

---
leticia ana <><
Romans 12:1