Quote of the week...

“What kind of a God is it who asks everything of us? The same God who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all; and with this gift how can He fail to lavish upon us all He has to give?’ He gives all. He asks all.” -Elisabeth Elliot

Branson pictures to come...! :)

24 more days...

... till Ellie gets back!!

YOU decide!!!!!

Ok, so I have heard some "complaints" ;) about my newer music selection on my blog here...so I've decided to give you'll a chance to have your favorite song playing here on my blog. I am going to take the first 10-15 favorites or so (leave a comment telling me your favorite song) and I'll do my best to find them on Playlist.com. However, I have veto rights, meaning I can reject any song if I dislike it or just would never put it on my blog. Leave a comment and I can't wait to see your favorites!! :)

P.S. If you happen to like my current music selection, you could leave a comment too and let me know! lol

Ever wondered how pumpkin pie is made?

YUP. Now you know. :)

Friends. :)

I just was thinking how wonderful it is to have friends who "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (you all know who you are!! ;) To be able to share thoughts, struggles, joys, burdens, dreams and what God has been doing in our lives with one another is an awesome privilege! Friends who always point you back to Christ when your focus gets messed up, are a must. What a blessing and encouragement Godly friends have been in my life! I love you guys!!

Ponderings...

I'm learning more this week that if I want to completely give my life away to my Savior, I must be entirely empty of myself. Self keeps my eyes off my Prince. It distorts my focus and weakens my passion.

So often, I am just trying to make it through the week and in doing so, I lose my way and forget Who I am serving.

At the moment, I'm trying to refocus. Trying to remind myself why I'm here, and Who I owe everything to. I guess it really helps typing my thoughts out... Ya know, living for one's self is the most miserable existence possible! I truly believe so!!! I'm so thankful for a loving Shepherd Who straightens me out when I stray.

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Pastor Larry asked a question on Sunday...
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"How do you picture the 'normal' Christian life?"

Good question...

I quickly wrote down my response to that question and it is as follows:

Living in complete and radical abandonment to the Lord Jesus Christ; seeking to honor and glorify Him in all my actions, thoughts, attitudes, words, plans and dreams. Pouring out my life for others, the hurting, lonely, poor, hungry, and needy Christ-less people that this world is so full of - loving them with the love of my Savior. Frequently sharing the gospel with those God places in my path. Desiring that the beauty of Jesus be seen in me so that when others look at me their response would be not be "what an amazing girl!", but "what an awesome God she serves!" Cause it's all about Him, right?!
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I do not claim to live this way 100% of the time, perhaps not even 50%, but it is my desire to be more like this every day.
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I cannot serve both God and self. One must be dethroned.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24

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25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You overflowing!