He Leads Me

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Matthew 7:14

I John 1:7-8

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
I John 1:7-8

Monday Memorization: Week 4
The Year of Renewal (read this post to learn more)

He Watches Me

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

Right Here - A Thankful Thursday

The tree is down, the hearth swept clean, the twinkle of lights removed, and suddenly it seems like the magic of Christmas is boxed up in the garage. The new semester is off with a running start leaving silent night just a distant memory. 
Yet the greatest part of Christmas lingers still. Immanuel is here. His purpose is here. Yes, even here among the many lists to memorize, textbooks to read, and essays to write; even in the hallway conversations, late night study sessions, and early alarms--God is with us. 

I John 1:5-6

poor quality cell phone picture...but the sunrise was blazing beauty

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
I John 1:5-6

Monday Memorization: Week 3
The Year of Renewal (read this post to learn more)

Higher Ground

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:12-14

1 John 1:3-4

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
I John 1:3-4

Monday Memorization: Week 2
The Year of Renewal (read this post to learn more)

I John 1:1-2

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—
1 John 1:1-2

Standing on the Promises

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.  II Peter 1:3-10

New Year: New Mind

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  -  Colossians 3:1-17

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

Have thine own way, Lord!

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8

Life is a Dance: Just Take the First Step

Open eyes, close, bury in pillow--then remember great triumphs. 



My feet dangle over the bed and I remember.

I remember back to what seems like another life when my toes would touch the worn wooden floors and I first learned this. I remember back two years ago when carpet would meet my feet and I daily lived this out. I remember back to last year when my feet would hit the cold tile and I struggled to stand on this.