My dear friend...

The Lord has really blessed me with a lot of good friends in my lifetime. One is pictured below. Her name is Tanya! She and I were pretty much instantly friends upon meeting in February of 2008, and have walked together through so much over the past 15 months. There have been many joyful times, and some sad times. I think we've both seen each other at our best, and our absolute worst. She's been a constant source of encouragement in my life, and I'm not sure what I would do without her advice. We are completely opposite, as she is a DIE hard aggie, and I bleed Burnt Orange, she's super girly, and I'm not, she could shop all day, while I'm content with finding exactly what I need :) But despite our differences, our common love of the Lord is what has made this friendship what it is today. I'm so thankful for many friends in my life, and I hope to post more about my great friends in the future.

How I love you...

My soul will forever sing how I love you, Christ.

Btw, I love that song. If you've never heard, you should download it.

I was reading in Philippians last night and came across this verse that I've been pondering on a lot today,

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all thing to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus MY Lord, fo whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, bu that which is through fiaht in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His ressurection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." Philippians 3:7-11

I want this verse to be true in my life. I want the things of this world to be rubbish to me for the sake of knowing Christ. I want Him to be enough for me. But I know that often times He's not. I know that often times I fail Him, and chase after the desires of my own flesh. It's such an ugly thing to admit, but I know it's the truth. My prayer is that every day I would live for the sake of His gospel, for the truth found in this verse. I know it's easy to say, but it's often hard to live. It's hard to live for Christ sometimes. This world, America, has everything my heart could ever want, but has nothing that I need. I needed that reminder last night when I read that verse. This world can fulfill some of my "wants" for a short time, but Christ will fulfill all of my needs for eternity. I want to live my life living out that truth and know that Jesus Blood is the only thing that will never fail me.

Do you find it difficult to live out that truth at times? Am I the only one?

I hope you have a great weekend!

A glimpse of Heaven...

Every Sunday during worship at the Austin Stone, I feel like I get a small glimpse of what Heaven will be like one day. A glimpse where every hand is raised and in awe of our precious, Savior, redeemer, and lover of our souls... Jesus. The way the spirit moves in those services is like nothing that I have ever experienced. Last night was just ridiculous. I opened my eyes at one point and every single arm around me was raised. It was beautiful. The love of Christ that's poured into my life overwhelms me. Last night I had one hand raised and one hand over my heart and my heart was racing. His grace and love overwhelm me to a point that is indescribable. I'm so thankful to be a part of a Church that lifts his name above All names. Yesterday's message was amazing, and the video after was like nothing I have ever seen. I've already we watched it this morning, and it brings me to tears each time.

I love Jesus, and what He's doing through His people at the Austin Stone. May we give Him the glory today and forevermore.

Please take a moment to watch this:

http://www.vimeo.com/4125092

He is Risen.

Feels like Home...

This is the actual slogan for my hometown, and it could not be MORE fitting for what this place feels like. I'm actually headed out of the office here in a bit to hit the road to go home for the first time in 3 months. This is the longest amount of time that has ever passed in my time away from home, without going back for a visit (I left in August 2002 for college). It's so crazy! But I'm so thankful to go home... where the streets aren't busy, where it's quiet, where I can drink really good sweet tea, and listen to country music.

Brownwood, Tx.... truly does feel like home.

Over and out! have a great weekend!