Who knew a vanilla chai tea latte from Starbucks is nearly 200 calories? I think I'll just stick to the herbal Vanilla Chai tea for 5 calories. Bummer though, because the lattes are delicious.
This weekend I saw that our Lord is truly Mighty to Save. I got to lead a DiscipleNow group of 6th grade girls at my roomate's church. Their hearts were precious and my co-leader and I had such wonderful times with them discussing how to get away from the NOISE of this life and truly focus on the Lord. Noise is coming into little lives sooner and sooner these days. All of the girls had cell phones, and a couple of the girls were nearly attached to them. Hence, a perfect example of noise that can fill our lives and take away our hearing the Lord's voice clearly.
I've been contemplating the noise in my life...and realize that at this time in my life I'm nearly never alone. Whether its classmates or friends or roomates...there are always people around! The greatest thing is to get away from all of the noise and people and simply be alone with the Lord. I want to be listening when He whispers.
I was absolutely overwhelmed this weekend by the Lord's goodness. Its somewhat of a long story, but after praying for years for the perfect college roomate, the Lord literally brought her to me...over facebook! We are now absolutely best friends and it was because of her that I got to be a leader at this DNOW. And because of that, I got to be with these precious girls who loved me unconditionally and reminded me of the sweet innocence of middle school. And because of that, and the Lord's absolute sovereignty I got to pray with a sweet little girl to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior on Saturday night. Singing "From the Inside Out" on Sunday morning, I just completely teared up with gratefulness to the Lord for directing every little step....that could have only been planned by Him.
He is SO good. And mighty to save.
He is drawing young and old hearts to Him at this very moment.
Be willing. He is looking for those who are willing to be used by Him.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Lifehouse 'Everything'
AMazing. Watching this will bless you.
Today was a rainy day...of course the day I chose to get a hair cut. So much for the styling part. My hair is not used to this humidity!
This morning I went running...a first in a long time. I love workout classes, crunches, machines, and pilaties, but running is a different story. After running cross country in 9th grade, I decided running is not the sport for me. But, I had to prove to myself that I still could run if I chose to (which I rarely do). The weather was slightly misty, perfect. I cranked the volume up on a Running Playlist and ran my heart out. It felt so good.
I've decided there are too many ups and downs in my day, and I need more consistency. As I contemplated, I knew the only thing constant and true is the Lord. This morning I wrote down lots of verses about Him being our Rock, our Firm Foundation: Psalm 18:2, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 40:2-3, and 1 Corinthians 15:58.
He is steadfast and faithful in a roller-coaster world. Take refuge.
Today was a rainy day...of course the day I chose to get a hair cut. So much for the styling part. My hair is not used to this humidity!
This morning I went running...a first in a long time. I love workout classes, crunches, machines, and pilaties, but running is a different story. After running cross country in 9th grade, I decided running is not the sport for me. But, I had to prove to myself that I still could run if I chose to (which I rarely do). The weather was slightly misty, perfect. I cranked the volume up on a Running Playlist and ran my heart out. It felt so good.
I've decided there are too many ups and downs in my day, and I need more consistency. As I contemplated, I knew the only thing constant and true is the Lord. This morning I wrote down lots of verses about Him being our Rock, our Firm Foundation: Psalm 18:2, Psalm 19:14, Psalm 40:2-3, and 1 Corinthians 15:58.
He is steadfast and faithful in a roller-coaster world. Take refuge.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Cinnamon Apple
Today's Choice: Cinnamon Apple Herbal Tea. Most delicious.
The other day a good guy friend and I were chatting about life and then we started talking about our new love of tea. Since that day about a week ago, he's texted me a few times about tea that he's drinking. Its really great. We text about tea! He doesn't even know I have a blog named Chai Vanilla Tea. haha. He's been going through the Tazos and giving me his take on them. Our mutual favorite is the Tazo Awake tea. (even better with coffee creamer!)
Through this life, do you ever wish there was more consistency? In people, in actions, in words, in friendships, in financial security.... Life would be so much more simple if it was consistent. But less exciting. I think I could go for that though. The One constant through it all is our sweet Lord Jesus. He is a Rock and firm foundation like nothing else. At times like these, I am especially thankful for His faithfulness as a Rock. When all around is changing, He never changes.
Hebrews 13:8- "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever."
What peace goes through my soul just reading those words! The God who created the Universe and parted the Red Sea and raised His Son from the dead is the very same God who is listening to me!
Build your faith on His solid rock.
Have a blessed week.
The other day a good guy friend and I were chatting about life and then we started talking about our new love of tea. Since that day about a week ago, he's texted me a few times about tea that he's drinking. Its really great. We text about tea! He doesn't even know I have a blog named Chai Vanilla Tea. haha. He's been going through the Tazos and giving me his take on them. Our mutual favorite is the Tazo Awake tea. (even better with coffee creamer!)
Through this life, do you ever wish there was more consistency? In people, in actions, in words, in friendships, in financial security.... Life would be so much more simple if it was consistent. But less exciting. I think I could go for that though. The One constant through it all is our sweet Lord Jesus. He is a Rock and firm foundation like nothing else. At times like these, I am especially thankful for His faithfulness as a Rock. When all around is changing, He never changes.
Hebrews 13:8- "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever."
What peace goes through my soul just reading those words! The God who created the Universe and parted the Red Sea and raised His Son from the dead is the very same God who is listening to me!
Build your faith on His solid rock.
Have a blessed week.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Rainy Days
I honestly have never needed an umbrella like I did today. The rain at home falls straight, but here it falls sideways. I had to hold my umbrella at a 45 degree angle to keep the rain from my face. At this time I also realized what a terrible umbrella mine was. With the wind it was bending and wobbling. A sturdy, reliable umbrella purchase will probably be in my near future...
What do you do in your life when its raining? Not the sprinkly kind- but the deep, consuming rainfall of hurt, pain, and disappointment that floods weary souls. Rain can be refreshing, but storms can be devastating. There's a great MercyMe song, "Bring the Rain":
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain.
What a powerful prayer! When all around us is looking gray, trust in the Maker of the Sky and know that on the other side of the rain clouds, the sun is shining. My week has been "rainy" in more ways than one- but I am letting the Lord be my light. Two large disappointments, but God remains faithful.
Let His light fill your life today.
What do you do in your life when its raining? Not the sprinkly kind- but the deep, consuming rainfall of hurt, pain, and disappointment that floods weary souls. Rain can be refreshing, but storms can be devastating. There's a great MercyMe song, "Bring the Rain":
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain.
What a powerful prayer! When all around us is looking gray, trust in the Maker of the Sky and know that on the other side of the rain clouds, the sun is shining. My week has been "rainy" in more ways than one- but I am letting the Lord be my light. Two large disappointments, but God remains faithful.
Let His light fill your life today.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sleepytime Tea
Tonight our friend Will expressed his trouble falling asleep at night. My roomate promptly made him some Sleepytime Herbal Chamomille Tea with honey. I smiled as I thought of her and I meeting in the fall- and how she's since fallen in love with hot tea!
Strangely enough, in my desperation to not allow myself to be addicted to coffee, I have somehow become addicted to hot tea. But tea is so much healthier and fresh-tasting (though I do love some coffee every now and then).
This encouraged me this week: "Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will. Record it, with ink or with blood." - My Utmost for His Highest from Nov. 4
That truth of seeing God move, recognizing and acknowledging His presence, then rejoicing for the whold world to see is so powerful. I think this is why I absolutely love journalling. I'm recording with ink all that I've seen God so masterfully do. And it strengthens my faith. I love rereading past journal entries- seeing prayers answered- seeing where I was in my walk with the Lord a year ago and from all that His presence is undeniable.
May you record with ink all that the Lord does for you. Record the happy and sad- because He's moving through it all.
*James 1:2-4*
Strangely enough, in my desperation to not allow myself to be addicted to coffee, I have somehow become addicted to hot tea. But tea is so much healthier and fresh-tasting (though I do love some coffee every now and then).
This encouraged me this week: "Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will. Record it, with ink or with blood." - My Utmost for His Highest from Nov. 4
That truth of seeing God move, recognizing and acknowledging His presence, then rejoicing for the whold world to see is so powerful. I think this is why I absolutely love journalling. I'm recording with ink all that I've seen God so masterfully do. And it strengthens my faith. I love rereading past journal entries- seeing prayers answered- seeing where I was in my walk with the Lord a year ago and from all that His presence is undeniable.
May you record with ink all that the Lord does for you. Record the happy and sad- because He's moving through it all.
*James 1:2-4*
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A Fresh Journal
There is something absolutely invigorating about a fresh journal. Today I received one from a sweet friend. New pages to fill, new thoughts to pen, and new lessons to learn. This blog- in a lot of ways- is a brand new journal. I cannot wait to see the way the Lord guides me through the duration of it.
My morning began with some delicious Tazo Awake Tea with French Vanilla Creamer (my substitute for coffee).
Yesterday I made a hard decision to stand up for what I believed in. It required me to confront an issue I didn't want to confront and a person I didn't want to confront. But, how rewarding it was to know I had completely stood my ground and not wavered. The Lord gave me the strength, even when I didn't think I had it inside of me. A wise friend told me yesterday, "Living this life the right way is hard, but living it wrong is oh-so-much harder". How brilliantly true. Walking the narrow path is sometimes lonely, at times unpleasant, and sometimes even friendless. But it is the RIGHT thing to do. We must continually submit ourselves to Christ's Lordship.
"I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me." Psalm 63:8
May your day be blessed.
My morning began with some delicious Tazo Awake Tea with French Vanilla Creamer (my substitute for coffee).
Yesterday I made a hard decision to stand up for what I believed in. It required me to confront an issue I didn't want to confront and a person I didn't want to confront. But, how rewarding it was to know I had completely stood my ground and not wavered. The Lord gave me the strength, even when I didn't think I had it inside of me. A wise friend told me yesterday, "Living this life the right way is hard, but living it wrong is oh-so-much harder". How brilliantly true. Walking the narrow path is sometimes lonely, at times unpleasant, and sometimes even friendless. But it is the RIGHT thing to do. We must continually submit ourselves to Christ's Lordship.
"I follow close to You; Your right hand holds on to me." Psalm 63:8
May your day be blessed.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Time for Soup
As the weekend came, I started to feel under the weather and knew a day at home with lots of sleep and vitamins was what I needed. All Sunday afternoon, I wore sweats and made green tea with honey. Delicious. And I'm happy to report I'm feeling much better today.
One of my absolute favorite books is My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Its a book with 365 readings, so I haven't even finished it. But it is full of wisdom and solid truth. I am constantly rewriting quotes from it into my prayer journal. Like from a few days ago:
"In Psalm 139 the Psalmist implies- Thou art the God of the early mornings, the God of the late at nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea; but my God, my soul has further horizons than the early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature- Thou who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot trace, dreams I cannot get at- my God, search me out." (Oswald Chambers)
Such an intimate and honest prayer.
I'm listening right now to a song called "Desert Song" by Hillsong. Does anyone ever feel like you're traveling through a desert? Or experiencing a drought of sorts? In some areas, I think I'm right in the middle of my desert right now. But, God is faithful. The chorus of this song is powerful- "All of my life, in every season, You are still God and I have a reason to sing."
May your heart be filled with song today. You have a reason to sing. : )
One of my absolute favorite books is My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Its a book with 365 readings, so I haven't even finished it. But it is full of wisdom and solid truth. I am constantly rewriting quotes from it into my prayer journal. Like from a few days ago:
"In Psalm 139 the Psalmist implies- Thou art the God of the early mornings, the God of the late at nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea; but my God, my soul has further horizons than the early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature- Thou who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot trace, dreams I cannot get at- my God, search me out." (Oswald Chambers)
Such an intimate and honest prayer.
I'm listening right now to a song called "Desert Song" by Hillsong. Does anyone ever feel like you're traveling through a desert? Or experiencing a drought of sorts? In some areas, I think I'm right in the middle of my desert right now. But, God is faithful. The chorus of this song is powerful- "All of my life, in every season, You are still God and I have a reason to sing."
May your heart be filled with song today. You have a reason to sing. : )
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