Our Shelter

I think the Psalms are so wonderful! They are full of promise, full of hope and they share with us encouragement for most any time of need. The one I am going to share below is one of my favorites...

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." ~Psalm 91:1, 2

He is God

I was jut thinking a little this morning.. thoughts sparked by the Sabbath school I attended at church yesterday. 

What is God like? This is how I see it...

He is full of love, a relationship with Him will bring us joy, He alone can give peace, and because of His sacrifice of mercy, grace is extended to us that we may be forgiven and have hope of an eternal life with Him.

Isn’t that a precious gift? I feel unworthy to receive it sometimes.

Yet He has given that gift freely to all.  

Time Flies...Fun Or Not

Well I suppose I have not been very faithful in updating my blog as I said I would be. I think University life is a lot busier than I had anticipated - especially during the summer. So...since I don't have lots of time, here's a short update.

About a month and a half ago I flew to the US of A. Washington State. It was a long, stressful trip, but I made it, and I started school, and got as into the swing of things as I could. That being said, I must inform you once again that summer school is very busy...especially if you arrive a few days late like I did, and especially if you are taking 12 credits. Yes. Speech. Psychology. Ministry of Jesus.

Ministry of Jesus Classroom

These keep me busy. Fortunately, Psychology is now over, and I only have two weeks left until the other two are over as well. I am super excited for my upcoming break. It is much needed, and much anticipated. I absolutely cannot wait to visit family and friends in California for a few weeks before the Fall Quarter begins.

In other news, I have... well, not being doing much besides school/homework. This summer session has been pretty boring as nothing exciting has happened whatsoever. Another reason to look forward to break. I believe the actual Fall Quarter will be much better. I will be doing 12 more credits which is three classes, including a class I have done before (hoping it'll be easier this time round), I will have a roommate, there will be more activities going on, etc. 

Part of Campus

I must say, this year has been a pretty hard one thus far, but I'm thankful that even though I don't always feel it...God hasn't left me or my family once. What a blessing. :) I never realized how much of a blessing my family was until I came here, either. Don't take spending time with family for granted...it's not always possible, and when it isn't, it's greatly missed. I love my family! 

Anyhow, that was a little longer than I anticipated. If you would excuse me now, I'm off to go read some books...

God Knows

lightbook.deviantart.com

Though sometimes hard or frustrating things happen and it's hard to understand why...God knows.

He has the best plan for us no matter what waves roll up on the shores of life. The real question is this: where is our trust? Is it in our own thoughts (or doubts) of the situations we find ourselves in, or is it in the Sustainer, Provider, and Friend we find in Jesus?

It doesn't matter what it concerns, each one of us are loved and of priceless value in God's eyes and He wants nothing but for us to be happy. That being said, however, He may still allow us as His children to go through trials which may work for building and strengthening character as well as developing reliance on Him, our Heavenly Father.

Don't give into despair, you are being well taken care of even when you can't seem to see.. put your hand in Jesus' hand and He will take you all the way.

Little Things

...have you ever stopped to notice the beauty around you? It's not just in the lush forests, blue skies, or grassy plains that it can be found...

kanvadeafe.deviantart.com

...it is often in the small things, 
the things that often go unnoticed in the rush of life...

✿ ❀ ✿

Sabbath Rest

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” {Genesis 2:2-3} 

HAPPY SABBATH! 

No Compromise

We live in a world full of compromise. That's just one of the sad facts. God tells us, however, not to compromise. It's in the small things that we do this...that makes it easier to do in the big things.

Be not of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). How can we know what God's will is unless we are striving to be more like He wants us to be? 

Stand apart. Be different. Be the leader. Be the example. Stand firm to conviction. Hold your standards high and let nothing shake you.

Is this even possible by any person alone? Absolutely not! It is only by the power of Christ that change can take place in our lives. Satan is desperate that we would compromise. He seems to push us to the edge little by little...until we see how far the fall really is...and it is sad, but some actually make the jump, falling into a pit of self-centeredness, disrespect...sin.

Who do you want to follow? Are you going to give into Satan and say, "Oh, but it's just a little thing, it doesn't really matter this time..." or are you going to say, "No! By the grace of Jesus Christ and through His power alone, I will not, absolutely cannot compromise! No, not even in the smallest thing!"

It is my hope and prayer that you choose the latter. I know, it's not an easy thing to stand firm when it seems like everyone else is doing the opposite, but you know the verse in Philippians that says you can do all things through Christ (4:13). It's possible to do the right thing, even when it's hard, because we have Christ to help us along the way.

I want to be the one who will only make choices to uplift standard and character...won't you choose the same thing?