Favorite Reads of 2015

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes, although I don't get to read as much as I used to. Most of this year's reads are from classes or happened to be lying around the house when I was on break. Without further ado, my six favorite reads of 2015, in the order I read them:

We wait...

The Texas sky deepens to purple dusk and we wait.

We wait for freshly mopped floors to dry, the UPS man to deliver last minute packages, guests to arrive, and cookies to finish baking.

We wait to hear results from the doctor, the prescription to be filled, and at at that forever long red light.

We wait for a reply from the job interview, the text message, and the phone call.

We wait for questions and for answers.

O come Emmanuel...

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. - Isaiah 11:1

Melody of Love

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. - I John 3:16

Remember...

II Peter 1:3-15
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Remember, remember, remember...
How easily I forget the ways that God has shown his love and faithfulness in my life. How often I forget the things that I have learned.

Focus

May I not loose my focus over finals this week but remember that there is a bigger picture beyond myself and my problems...and keep the end goal in sight!

My Hiding Place

You are my hiding pace; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7

(Scripture & a Snapshot)

Love one another...

(Scripture & a Snapshot)

And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.  I John 3:23-24