I have been thinking a lot lately about what my purpose really is while I am here. I really hope that I am fulfilling my purpose, and I guess I will never really know until I am with my maker. But, I am going to try my hardest to do what I feel I am called to do. I am also going to try my hardest to work for the creature of the universe than for just doing what I am doing to accomplish a task at work. I know that it can be easy around here to get distracted by our tasks and not focus on what we are ultimately here to do.
I pray that God will continue to guide me as to where I am suppose to be serving him, whether it be in the church, at a non-profit, or getting married an being an at-home mom. Whatever it is, I want to follow him wherever he leads me, trying to live out my purpose here on earth.
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
-Micah 6:8
I know I have used this verse before, but I truly believe that God has called us to do 3 simple things that society makes so much more complicated. I hope to follow this verse throughout my entire life and strive for eternal "acceptance" rather than earthly "acceptance." I feel like up until now I have focused on what others have thought and how many friends I have, but what is that going to look like when I get to heaven. What am I going to say to God, "well, I didn't spend as much time with you, in your word, in prayer, and serving you because I was too busy trying to be accepted by others on earth." I really hope that when I get to heaven the Lord says, "well done my good and faithful servant." I would rather have a few close christian friends and dive more into knowing and serving the Lord more than having earthly acceptance.
I know I struggle with this and hope that with discipline and help of other Christians I can continue to strive to live out God's purpose for my life.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
I pray that I can follow these 2 key passages, both the one from Micah and Proverbs. I need a life change, a change to follow Christ with all that I have, not what is left over and live out what God's purpose is for my life...
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Friday, September 3, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Letting Life Pass Me By...
I was looking back at the last few months since I have been here and I have realized that I have not really been living life to the fullest. I have just been going through the motions of my day to day tasks. I do love my job and the people I work with, but since I work so much I find it hard to go out and find Christian friends that I can live life and be open with struggles that I am having.
I have also realized I am really good at putting on the facade of looking like I have it all together. But underneath I am screaming for help, I have so many questions and problems. I keep suppressing them so no one will think that I am not good enough.
A few years ago I attended a winter retreat where we talked a lot about exploring your sins and learning to expose them, get help, and grow from that. That was such a life changing weekend for me. But as I look at my life since them I have realized that I have reverted back to hiding everything that I am struggling with to make it look like I don't have any problems.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
I have also realized I am really good at putting on the facade of looking like I have it all together. But underneath I am screaming for help, I have so many questions and problems. I keep suppressing them so no one will think that I am not good enough.
A few years ago I attended a winter retreat where we talked a lot about exploring your sins and learning to expose them, get help, and grow from that. That was such a life changing weekend for me. But as I look at my life since them I have realized that I have reverted back to hiding everything that I am struggling with to make it look like I don't have any problems.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
Saturday, June 12, 2010
God is so good!
I think I have made the right decision to move to Greensburg and God is showing me in little ways. Such as: finding this great place to move into in my price range, the blessing of the family that I am renting off being so hospitable, and the amazing peace I have in this move. Everything has been a smooth transition from the move being relatively easy for having to move on my own, to getting all of my bills and other things set up after I moved.
My family has been such a blessing as well- from the time I told them I was moving they have been supportive of trying to help me find a place from just hearing about it and played a big part in my deciding on the place I did. And since I have decided my mom has been a HUGE help in getting me stuff for my place since I have never officially lived on my own and had to get my own stuff. I am so blessed to have such a great family that is supportive of whatever I choose to do.
Greensburg is a great city as well! It has so much more than where I live before and more people my age! I am excited to start making friends and get more aquatinted with this place.
Tomorrow is my first Sunday at work and I am excited to start meeting people from the church and to see what their service is like! I am also very excited to work for Lieutenants DeMichaels, they are great people and I feel I will learn A LOT from them! I will have my own office, phone line, and a lot more resources. God is so good and I am so glad he is leading me here, I know I was doubting for a bit, but thank God that He knows what's best for me!!
I need to keep going back to one of my favorite passages:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
He truly has made my path straight and that led me here to Greensburg and I could not be happier. I pray that I can continue to follow Him and trust him with ALL of my heart!
My family has been such a blessing as well- from the time I told them I was moving they have been supportive of trying to help me find a place from just hearing about it and played a big part in my deciding on the place I did. And since I have decided my mom has been a HUGE help in getting me stuff for my place since I have never officially lived on my own and had to get my own stuff. I am so blessed to have such a great family that is supportive of whatever I choose to do.
Greensburg is a great city as well! It has so much more than where I live before and more people my age! I am excited to start making friends and get more aquatinted with this place.
Tomorrow is my first Sunday at work and I am excited to start meeting people from the church and to see what their service is like! I am also very excited to work for Lieutenants DeMichaels, they are great people and I feel I will learn A LOT from them! I will have my own office, phone line, and a lot more resources. God is so good and I am so glad he is leading me here, I know I was doubting for a bit, but thank God that He knows what's best for me!!
I need to keep going back to one of my favorite passages:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
He truly has made my path straight and that led me here to Greensburg and I could not be happier. I pray that I can continue to follow Him and trust him with ALL of my heart!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Living Simply
So these past few weeks have been a crazy wirlwind of events. Two weekends ago I had decided to take a job in the fall with another corps in a town about 35-40 minutes from Monessen. I was really excited about what that would bring in the fall with the new officers and new corps of people. Then, the week following my acceptance of the job I foudnd out that I was gonig to start at that corps earlier than August, I would move there at the end of June! So I started preparing for that. Then, a few days after I was told I was going their at the end of June, I am told that I am going to start at Greenburg on June 13th, and that I had 2 weeks left at Monessen. It was crazy how fast things happen. I trusted God with this job and boy did he provide.
So last weekend I spend a lot of time in Gresnburg looking for an apartment and had gone to a few, but everything was just so expensive! Then on my last drive around looking for apartments I call this one number, but no one answers. I stop at the Greensburg corps to talk to my new bosses about how the search is going and I get a call from the number I had tried earlier. He tells me about the aparrtment I called about and it was way to expensive for me, but then asks if it would just be for me and told me about this efficiency apartment he had about 3 miles from the mall on a farm. I didn't really want to see it, but I figured what could it hurt to go check it out. So I leave the corps and follow my GPS to this apartment. At first when I found out where it was before seeing it I was thinking to myslef- "this could never work," but then I had to wait for the guy to get there and sat down on the swinging bench they had by a pond on the property and really it really was so peaceful and calming after a day of hectic driving and looking at apartments. When the guy showed up and showed me the apartment we went in and it was so small, but so quaint! I really felt like God was saying- I have called you to live simply! And I felt that this would be a perfect place for that.
I called him on my way back tell him I would take the place! I feel so good about this decision of moving to this apartment and think that this job is going to be really great. God is so good, with helping me get everything in order and find an apartment I need in my price range!
God is so good and faithful and it really is all in God's timing!
So last weekend I spend a lot of time in Gresnburg looking for an apartment and had gone to a few, but everything was just so expensive! Then on my last drive around looking for apartments I call this one number, but no one answers. I stop at the Greensburg corps to talk to my new bosses about how the search is going and I get a call from the number I had tried earlier. He tells me about the aparrtment I called about and it was way to expensive for me, but then asks if it would just be for me and told me about this efficiency apartment he had about 3 miles from the mall on a farm. I didn't really want to see it, but I figured what could it hurt to go check it out. So I leave the corps and follow my GPS to this apartment. At first when I found out where it was before seeing it I was thinking to myslef- "this could never work," but then I had to wait for the guy to get there and sat down on the swinging bench they had by a pond on the property and really it really was so peaceful and calming after a day of hectic driving and looking at apartments. When the guy showed up and showed me the apartment we went in and it was so small, but so quaint! I really felt like God was saying- I have called you to live simply! And I felt that this would be a perfect place for that.
I called him on my way back tell him I would take the place! I feel so good about this decision of moving to this apartment and think that this job is going to be really great. God is so good, with helping me get everything in order and find an apartment I need in my price range!
God is so good and faithful and it really is all in God's timing!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Trusting God
So I am sorry for those who have been checking my blog, I have totally let it slip...
Throughout the last few days I have seen that God gives us all types of emotions and that just because we are not happy or joyous it doesn't mean that we are not doing God's will. Just yesterday I was just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and I at first I thought it might have been satan trying to distract me, but I when I look back I think that it might have started out that way, but that God used those emotions to help me get through the day and do what I needed to do.
So often I find myself taking things into my own hands when my moods get like that and that is exactly the opposite of what I need to do. I am now realizing that when I get in situations where I am not in the "right" mood that I need to stop trying to fix it myself and let God work through that emotion and maybe He gave me that emotion to get a point across.
On verse that always comes to mind is where it says that God will not give you more than you can handle and I am comforted knowing that God is faithful to his word.
"ll you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)
Throughout the last few days I have seen that God gives us all types of emotions and that just because we are not happy or joyous it doesn't mean that we are not doing God's will. Just yesterday I was just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and I at first I thought it might have been satan trying to distract me, but I when I look back I think that it might have started out that way, but that God used those emotions to help me get through the day and do what I needed to do.
So often I find myself taking things into my own hands when my moods get like that and that is exactly the opposite of what I need to do. I am now realizing that when I get in situations where I am not in the "right" mood that I need to stop trying to fix it myself and let God work through that emotion and maybe He gave me that emotion to get a point across.
On verse that always comes to mind is where it says that God will not give you more than you can handle and I am comforted knowing that God is faithful to his word.
"ll you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Joy
I have been realizing lately that I have found myself to complain a lot. For some reason I am always looking at the bad side of things instead of what could be or the opportunities. Just looking back I am frustrated with myself for getting that far into complaining and having a complaining spirit. God recently brought me back to a simple but profound Psalm:
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
- Psalm 100
We should always be joyful for what the Lord has provided for us and never take it for granted. We need to continually thank Him for what he has done in our lives and where He is leading us. Ultimately His will for our life will happen if we let it. I feel like when I complain I am not really see what God has put in my life and what He is trying to show me, instead I need to always choose joy and have a thankful heart!
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
- Psalm 100
We should always be joyful for what the Lord has provided for us and never take it for granted. We need to continually thank Him for what he has done in our lives and where He is leading us. Ultimately His will for our life will happen if we let it. I feel like when I complain I am not really see what God has put in my life and what He is trying to show me, instead I need to always choose joy and have a thankful heart!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Tis the season...
I cannot believe Chirstmas is less than a week away. I feel like I just moved here. I guess when I got here I kind of hit the ground running with my job and haven't really had a chance to stop. Since I have been here has been a constant learning experience as well, not just at work, but in life. I will say that this job isn't exactly what I thought, but I have grown so much from it.
With all the giving we have been doing this last week it has really made me reevaluate my view of Christmas and giving. Some of the families were so grateful for what we gave, and others greedy for more and not thankful for what they received. I love getting people things for Christmas and know that they will appreciate whatever I get them, but I now know why so many people stress the reason for the season. I can see how so many people can overlook what its all about, not present, but Christ's birth! We are so lucky to have him come and live as a perfect example for us and die to take our sins. But we seem to put getting present as more important, when really we need to be celebrating that amazing gift we were given from our Heavenly Father.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6
I don't know about you, but I am so lucky to have a God that would send his son, I don't thing even the biggest and best present can top that!
With all the giving we have been doing this last week it has really made me reevaluate my view of Christmas and giving. Some of the families were so grateful for what we gave, and others greedy for more and not thankful for what they received. I love getting people things for Christmas and know that they will appreciate whatever I get them, but I now know why so many people stress the reason for the season. I can see how so many people can overlook what its all about, not present, but Christ's birth! We are so lucky to have him come and live as a perfect example for us and die to take our sins. But we seem to put getting present as more important, when really we need to be celebrating that amazing gift we were given from our Heavenly Father.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6
I don't know about you, but I am so lucky to have a God that would send his son, I don't thing even the biggest and best present can top that!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
We would love your support
So I know you see the bell ringers all around your area and I bet you wonder what all that money is going to. Well, working with the Salvation Army I now get to see where it goes. All the money you put in goes into keeping each Corps open, your donation helps up serve our area and in turn help the people here. So, if you feel in your heart to give, you can do so online! Just click the above kettle and provide your support!!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Choosing Joy
Last Sunday God really taught me a lesson, not only did He show me I had a complaining attitude, He also reminded me I need to choose joy when situations arise.
It all started when I was waiting for church to start, I had gotten to the church and was mad that people were there early because they forgot to set their clocks back and that I was going to have to sing alone songs that I barely knew (even though I had picked them out). Then, a friend of mine sent me a text that said "Happy Sunday" and I replied back complaining about how bad my Sunday had started out and as I sent that text, God reminded me how much I had been complaining lately. So I grabbed some coffee and went out to the front steps and started to pray and God was really laying on my heart that I needed to start choosing joy and stop complaining, life is not going to change from me complaining all the time. When church starts I go up to sing and I feel like I blew it, but I didn't care, I sang for God while I was up there and that is all that matters. Then Captain starts his message and talks about the man with leprosy and how even though we don't have the physical leprosy, we all have a form of it ourselves- boom, again, mine being complaining. The message was just what I needed to hear. After the service I went up to Captain and first of all thanked him for the great message and told him I was sorry for my attitude at work. My co-workers did not need to here the complaining I was doing.
Then today, the day started out great, but when I got home from work I just got really frustrated and had to leave my house, I went over to a friends house and hung out for a bit, then I left and went for a ride and got to talk to my friend about a topic that is on both our hearts lately (love, relationships, and being lonely) and from that got me thinking about it with the chain of events after work and me thinking about this topic we were just talking about brought my spirits down. It was then time to head off to bible study, I ended up getting there a little early, so I was flipping through my bible and came across these verses
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."- James 1:2-8
Man that verse hit me, again reminding me when I get down about something or when I am going through trials that I need to choose joy (another reminder) and that I need to preserver through it. I am so blessed to have a God who loves me so much that the devil is trying his hardest get in, but God always brings it back.
I just have to give all my anxieties to God and trust that He is taking care of it in HIS TIME, not ours and through that we can choose joy!
It all started when I was waiting for church to start, I had gotten to the church and was mad that people were there early because they forgot to set their clocks back and that I was going to have to sing alone songs that I barely knew (even though I had picked them out). Then, a friend of mine sent me a text that said "Happy Sunday" and I replied back complaining about how bad my Sunday had started out and as I sent that text, God reminded me how much I had been complaining lately. So I grabbed some coffee and went out to the front steps and started to pray and God was really laying on my heart that I needed to start choosing joy and stop complaining, life is not going to change from me complaining all the time. When church starts I go up to sing and I feel like I blew it, but I didn't care, I sang for God while I was up there and that is all that matters. Then Captain starts his message and talks about the man with leprosy and how even though we don't have the physical leprosy, we all have a form of it ourselves- boom, again, mine being complaining. The message was just what I needed to hear. After the service I went up to Captain and first of all thanked him for the great message and told him I was sorry for my attitude at work. My co-workers did not need to here the complaining I was doing.
Then today, the day started out great, but when I got home from work I just got really frustrated and had to leave my house, I went over to a friends house and hung out for a bit, then I left and went for a ride and got to talk to my friend about a topic that is on both our hearts lately (love, relationships, and being lonely) and from that got me thinking about it with the chain of events after work and me thinking about this topic we were just talking about brought my spirits down. It was then time to head off to bible study, I ended up getting there a little early, so I was flipping through my bible and came across these verses
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."- James 1:2-8
Man that verse hit me, again reminding me when I get down about something or when I am going through trials that I need to choose joy (another reminder) and that I need to preserver through it. I am so blessed to have a God who loves me so much that the devil is trying his hardest get in, but God always brings it back.
I just have to give all my anxieties to God and trust that He is taking care of it in HIS TIME, not ours and through that we can choose joy!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
God's beauty
So I can't help but love the fall. I definitely think it is my favorite time of year. The colors changing on the trees, the beauty of the mountain side covered in reds, yellows, and oranges. I don't know how someone couldn't see God's beauty in this season.
I feel like so often I take things that God has blessed us with for granted because we expect them instead of thanking Him for it. Like: the seasons, the stars, the diversity of His people, the talents he has given each of us, and much more.
God created all of these things for us and I know, personally, I need to be reminded every once and a while and put myself in check to not try and take each blessing and beautiful creation God has given us for granted, but to thank Him daily for blessing us with it!
When I think of His beauty, I was reminded of a song that we sang during our nursing home visit, How Great Thou Art. While I was singing it and after singing it the first two verses were so powerful and so fitting for the season:
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
It is such a great song and it was such a great reminder to thank God for all he has given us!
I feel like so often I take things that God has blessed us with for granted because we expect them instead of thanking Him for it. Like: the seasons, the stars, the diversity of His people, the talents he has given each of us, and much more.
God created all of these things for us and I know, personally, I need to be reminded every once and a while and put myself in check to not try and take each blessing and beautiful creation God has given us for granted, but to thank Him daily for blessing us with it!
When I think of His beauty, I was reminded of a song that we sang during our nursing home visit, How Great Thou Art. While I was singing it and after singing it the first two verses were so powerful and so fitting for the season:
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
It is such a great song and it was such a great reminder to thank God for all he has given us!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
New Family
So I have been here in Monessen for about 2 months now and have really been blessed with a great support system here. Today I have come to realize how lucky I am, I know I have felt alone in a lot of things, but looking back, I would be worse off without all of these people here.
My roommates are so great and so friendly, I love watching movies and just the discussions we have are great. Amanda, my bosses wife has been there for me to vent and we are a lot alike, so it helps having her around. The teens and kids I work with are great, they keep me going on Tuesdays and Thursday. A newer person that has been a blessing is Amy, she is the new office assistant here at work and she is so amazing, she feels the same frustrations I do and we get each other with that. Today as she was leaving she offered to get me dinner because she knew I would be here until bible study was done, it was so great to know she cares that much. The new GW interns are great too, we have hung out quite a bit the last week and they have been keeping me sane, I love hanging out with people, especially my age and that have the same interests as me, I am so blessed to have them around. My friend Ryan has been a good friend too, him and his wife are great people to hang out with and really challenge me in my faith.
I know Satan has really been attacking me this past month, but I am not allowing him to do that any more. I am way to blessed to let him drag me down. God is really showing me this week, now that I have had time to slow down and really take it all in, that I am truly blessed to be able to come back here and that I can't let Satan get to me like he has been. God is so good and I thank Him for getting me through this tough time and showing me all the new "family" he has blessed me with here in Monessen.
My roommates are so great and so friendly, I love watching movies and just the discussions we have are great. Amanda, my bosses wife has been there for me to vent and we are a lot alike, so it helps having her around. The teens and kids I work with are great, they keep me going on Tuesdays and Thursday. A newer person that has been a blessing is Amy, she is the new office assistant here at work and she is so amazing, she feels the same frustrations I do and we get each other with that. Today as she was leaving she offered to get me dinner because she knew I would be here until bible study was done, it was so great to know she cares that much. The new GW interns are great too, we have hung out quite a bit the last week and they have been keeping me sane, I love hanging out with people, especially my age and that have the same interests as me, I am so blessed to have them around. My friend Ryan has been a good friend too, him and his wife are great people to hang out with and really challenge me in my faith.
I know Satan has really been attacking me this past month, but I am not allowing him to do that any more. I am way to blessed to let him drag me down. God is really showing me this week, now that I have had time to slow down and really take it all in, that I am truly blessed to be able to come back here and that I can't let Satan get to me like he has been. God is so good and I thank Him for getting me through this tough time and showing me all the new "family" he has blessed me with here in Monessen.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Unsure
So I haven't written in a while because I feel like I need to write positive things and I haven't had much of that lately. I know a lot of it is Satan trying to break me down, but it's working. I am feeling really alone here. I don't have friends here that I hang out regularly and I hate that. I am a people person and don't get me wrong, the people from work/church are great and the kids in my youth group are great, but I need more interaction with people my age and I don't have many friends that age. One of my friends just moved away to do this amazing year of missions and my other friend works a lot and has a lot of other friends, so we never really hang out. It is hitting me hard lately. I am trying to be honest and let people know how I am feeling, but I don't want my boss to know and have him get worried, so I am trying to keep it on the DL, but I feel like it could start effecting my work, I hope not, but the reality is that it might.
I know that I am here serving God and that I am suppose to be here, but I felt so different here last year and hope that this is really what I am suppose to be doing by myself. I know that here I get to serve and help a lot of people and hopefully act like Jesus and humbly serve people here, but because I am doing it alone (which is my fault for having no accountability) Satan is attacking big time and I don't know what to do about it.
I just ask that if you are reading this that you pray for me to stay strong and know that God will get me through this. I really need some help right now....
I know that I am here serving God and that I am suppose to be here, but I felt so different here last year and hope that this is really what I am suppose to be doing by myself. I know that here I get to serve and help a lot of people and hopefully act like Jesus and humbly serve people here, but because I am doing it alone (which is my fault for having no accountability) Satan is attacking big time and I don't know what to do about it.
I just ask that if you are reading this that you pray for me to stay strong and know that God will get me through this. I really need some help right now....
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
My "new" life
So last week I started my new job as a "real" person. I cannot believe that I am done with college and am living on my own.
I moved back to Monessen last Monday and have been on the go ever since. It is so nice to coming back to a place that I am familiar with and have connections with already. It is kind of a nice transition though, I live with four other girls who are all going to the college here. I still feel like I am living in that college lifestyle while I am home, but a working woman lifestyle while I am running around for work.
I had the day off yesterday and got to have lunch with a good friend of mine from around here and we were just talking about life and what a Christian looks like now, compared to a few years ago and how that is changing. I agree that there is a change going on. Personally I live by verse in Micah.
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
- Micah 6:8
God simply asks us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. I feel that this is exactly what Jesus did and if we are to strive to be like Jesus we should follow this verse.
I have also been learning a lot about Grace and how we recieve it and give it. It is hard to recieve it sometimes, but when we can finally do that, it is so much easier to give it to people.
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with
grace, since God has blessed you forever.
-Psalm 45:2
I moved back to Monessen last Monday and have been on the go ever since. It is so nice to coming back to a place that I am familiar with and have connections with already. It is kind of a nice transition though, I live with four other girls who are all going to the college here. I still feel like I am living in that college lifestyle while I am home, but a working woman lifestyle while I am running around for work.
I had the day off yesterday and got to have lunch with a good friend of mine from around here and we were just talking about life and what a Christian looks like now, compared to a few years ago and how that is changing. I agree that there is a change going on. Personally I live by verse in Micah.
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
- Micah 6:8
God simply asks us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. I feel that this is exactly what Jesus did and if we are to strive to be like Jesus we should follow this verse.
I have also been learning a lot about Grace and how we recieve it and give it. It is hard to recieve it sometimes, but when we can finally do that, it is so much easier to give it to people.
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with
grace, since God has blessed you forever.
-Psalm 45:2
Sunday, April 26, 2009
It's over...
Its our last day here in Moessen. I cannot believe we are actually leaving tomorrow. This is my final Greaterworks blog. It is harder to write this blog than I thought. God has taught me so much this year and I know that this is exactly where God wanted me this past year. That is always something that I worry about, am I really living out what God wants for me and now I can say for sure that this year was.
We were asked to write a final blog as a reflection of these past 8 months...heres my best shot at trying to put it in words:
- Being the hands and feet of Jesus
- True servanthood
- Passion
- Serving with all my heart
- Realizing I cannot do it all on my own/true dependance on God
- Humility
- Unforgettable Relationships
- Falling even more in love with God everyday
- Life Changing
- Indescribable
I wish I could explain it better, but words just cannot express what I have learned and how I have grown this year. If you really would like to hear about my time here in Monessen I would love to sit and talk with you!! Thanks for all the support and for following me through this amazing time of my life!
We were asked to write a final blog as a reflection of these past 8 months...heres my best shot at trying to put it in words:
- Being the hands and feet of Jesus
- True servanthood
- Passion
- Serving with all my heart
- Realizing I cannot do it all on my own/true dependance on God
- Humility
- Unforgettable Relationships
- Falling even more in love with God everyday
- Life Changing
- Indescribable
I wish I could explain it better, but words just cannot express what I have learned and how I have grown this year. If you really would like to hear about my time here in Monessen I would love to sit and talk with you!! Thanks for all the support and for following me through this amazing time of my life!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Could I really get the job??
This week is going to be short and sweet. I found out that I have a job interview this Wednesday for the job at the Salvation Army. Things are finally moving along with that. I just ask that you will pray that the interview goes well and that God's will be done in whatever the decision is. I really would love the opportunity to stay here in Monessen and work with the Salvation Army and their youth, but I am willing to do whatever God has planned.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Continuing on My Journey
I am finding it harder and harder to find time to write a blog, I want to spend this last month as busy as possible with the people that I have grown close to here.
I was given an awesome opportunity this weekend. I got to go caving with the Salvation Army youth this past Saturday. It was so much fun! The place is called Larurel Caverns just past Uniontown (about 45 minutes south of Monessen). It's about a 3-hour tour, and hour and a half going down and the same going up. Not only was it a lot of fun, but it was also a great bonding experience. In some places you need to help someone out or get help from others to keep going and sometimes you need to encourage someone who might be getting a little nervous about a certain spot or about the bats. It was great getting to know the kids better, especially since I might be working with them in the future.
I applied for a job at the local Salvation Army here about a month ago and hope to find out soon if I got the job. The divisional headquarters are the ones that do the hiring for my position and the person in charge of hiring has had a relative who is in the hospital, so even though I would love to know if I got the job, I pray for the person's relative and the whole family.
God is starting to prepare me to leave, even if I don't know about my job yet. I would love to come back in August no matter what, but I will just trust God that He will put me where I am suppose to go. I was getting really stressed and sad that we are leaving in 3 weeks, but now God is working in me to remind me it's not suppose to be easy. If you read about Jesus's journey, I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to go and work with people and then leave on the rest of his journeys. Christians (me especially) have a lot to learn from that.
I was given an awesome opportunity this weekend. I got to go caving with the Salvation Army youth this past Saturday. It was so much fun! The place is called Larurel Caverns just past Uniontown (about 45 minutes south of Monessen). It's about a 3-hour tour, and hour and a half going down and the same going up. Not only was it a lot of fun, but it was also a great bonding experience. In some places you need to help someone out or get help from others to keep going and sometimes you need to encourage someone who might be getting a little nervous about a certain spot or about the bats. It was great getting to know the kids better, especially since I might be working with them in the future.
I applied for a job at the local Salvation Army here about a month ago and hope to find out soon if I got the job. The divisional headquarters are the ones that do the hiring for my position and the person in charge of hiring has had a relative who is in the hospital, so even though I would love to know if I got the job, I pray for the person's relative and the whole family.
God is starting to prepare me to leave, even if I don't know about my job yet. I would love to come back in August no matter what, but I will just trust God that He will put me where I am suppose to go. I was getting really stressed and sad that we are leaving in 3 weeks, but now God is working in me to remind me it's not suppose to be easy. If you read about Jesus's journey, I'm sure it wasn't easy for him to go and work with people and then leave on the rest of his journeys. Christians (me especially) have a lot to learn from that.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Where has thet time gone?
We just had our first Spring Break group last week and one on its way tomorrow. It is crazy that we have only 7 weeks after this week of Spring Break. It feels like we had just gotten back from Christmas break and were planning the Spring Break trips.
It was great to be able to show people what we get to do on a normal basis. The group that just left were such hard workers it was awesome to see 9 people with a huge heart for service. It was great having them here and getting to meet some great people, but
I am really excited for this week since they are coming from my school!
The only downside to having the groups here is that we can’t go to most of our ministry sites. It is hard not being able to see the kids at the STAR program for 2 weeks or see the ladies at the ACORN that come on Wednesdays. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to have the groups here to show them some place I have fallen in love with, I just wish I could be able to do both.
It was also tough this past week because we found out where we are going for our Youthworks summer and that none of us our staying here. It really took the focus off of the group and they didn’t deserve that. But, it was really hard having to tell the people around here that we won’t be here and see their reaction. It totally ruined my Thursday. I am just trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He knows where He is sending us.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
- Luke 9:23
It was great to be able to show people what we get to do on a normal basis. The group that just left were such hard workers it was awesome to see 9 people with a huge heart for service. It was great having them here and getting to meet some great people, but
I am really excited for this week since they are coming from my school!
The only downside to having the groups here is that we can’t go to most of our ministry sites. It is hard not being able to see the kids at the STAR program for 2 weeks or see the ladies at the ACORN that come on Wednesdays. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to have the groups here to show them some place I have fallen in love with, I just wish I could be able to do both.
It was also tough this past week because we found out where we are going for our Youthworks summer and that none of us our staying here. It really took the focus off of the group and they didn’t deserve that. But, it was really hard having to tell the people around here that we won’t be here and see their reaction. It totally ruined my Thursday. I am just trusting that God knows what He is doing and that He knows where He is sending us.
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
- Luke 9:23
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What the future holds
I feel that lately what I am going to do after my Greaterworks year and Youthworks summer is up. I have been looking on some sights like Youth Specialties, Church Staffing, and Idealist to see what is available out there now that I could really see myself doing. When my "boss" Amanda came I talked to her about being worried and we talked about it and it made me feel better and so I stopped worrying about it as much. Then, soon after that I pretty much got a job offer from the Salvation Army for a full time position here in Monessen. It is pretty tempting to want to jump and be sure I have a job. It just scares me that maybe it is not what I am suppose to be doing. I was talking to my roommate Bryan about it and he said something really interesting- "Whatever you do as long as your serving God, even if it wasn't what you were suppose to be doing, He will work through you wherever you end up." It's just crazy that I could be in Monessen longer than expect.
It's so interesting the way God works in your life and put twist and turn in there and you just have to trust in Him to continue leading you through life. I just pray that I will listen to Him, hold on tight and go where he send me.
It's so interesting the way God works in your life and put twist and turn in there and you just have to trust in Him to continue leading you through life. I just pray that I will listen to Him, hold on tight and go where he send me.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Praise Him through everything
Today there was a lady who came into the Salvation Army who was having some problems with paying her bills on time and she was recently separated from her Husband. She was really struggling with not being able to provide with her family, but she kept saying "Praise god through the struggles" and "I'm not asking why God because why not" and just things that were so encouraging to hear. She knew that she was going through some tough times, but she was still praising God and knew that God wouldn't give her what she couldn't handle. It was such a blessing to see that and the attitude she had.
I find myself being so negative sometimes when I think things are not going well. To often I ask why God or get so frustrated when I am so fortunate and blessed and that no matter what I should praise God!
I find myself being so negative sometimes when I think things are not going well. To often I ask why God or get so frustrated when I am so fortunate and blessed and that no matter what I should praise God!
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