So recently I decided that since I had lots of free time, I was going to use it to meditate more thoroughly on some of the chapters from the book my bible study just went through titled "Respectable Sins". A couple nights ago was my first night of many to be spent at my best friend's house, and I just couldn't sleep. So I grabbed my bible, journal, and the book I just mentioned, and curled up on the couch in the living room. I flipped through the book, and landed on the chapter about ungodliness, so I started there. Here are some of the notes i scribbled into my journal.
Ungodliness - Living one's everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God's will, or of God's glory, or of one's dependence on God.
A huge way I can apply this is in my plannings. I struggle with making my plans in a worldly manner (2 Corinthians 1:17). So I wrote a note to myself that says "Plan in such a way that acknowledges God and His will, and with the attitude that He can (and probably will) change your plans."
I loved this quote: "Sins of the tongue can not thrive in an awareness that God hears every word we speak." How true is that?!
1 Timothy 4:7-8 "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both present life, and the life to come." We must train ourselves to be godly.
~Melody
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Just an ordinary person serving an extraordinary God
I am in a beautiful, warm, Palm Springs with my family and one of my dear sisters in Christ. This vacation is such a huge blessing to me. I have been sleeping 10-12 hours every night and spending my days lounging by the pool with my bible, journal, a good book, and a glass of grapefruit juice. I have to say, I haven't felt this relaxed or rested since before school started.
God has been teaching me an immense amount in the past few weeks. Mostly to trust Him. And I have to say I am much more confidant trusting Him than I was a few weeks ago. It was not painless, but growth never is.
This vacation I started reading a book at my mom's recommendation. I just finished it. It is titled "Kisses from Katie." It was one of the most inspiring, amazing, influential books I have ever read. I have to admit that I picked it up, and almost didn't read more than the first chapter because of how much I long to do foreign missions in Africa like Katie is, but can't due to physical ailments. So initially, it was really hard for me to read. But I couldn't put it down! I marveled at her steadfast faith and willing spirit. How I long to see the Lord the way she does.
One thing I learned from her book was the importance of being where God wants you, and serving His purpose for you being there. I looked at my own life and so many things were suddenly made clear to me. The main one being that I am where God wants me. I am doing what He wills. I can't tell you how I have longed to be at peace that I am where I am intended to be.
I am so content and at peace right now. Life isn't perfect, but God is. My favorite quote from her book was "I am just an ordinary person serving an extraordinary God." That's the truth- plain and simple.
~Melody
God has been teaching me an immense amount in the past few weeks. Mostly to trust Him. And I have to say I am much more confidant trusting Him than I was a few weeks ago. It was not painless, but growth never is.
This vacation I started reading a book at my mom's recommendation. I just finished it. It is titled "Kisses from Katie." It was one of the most inspiring, amazing, influential books I have ever read. I have to admit that I picked it up, and almost didn't read more than the first chapter because of how much I long to do foreign missions in Africa like Katie is, but can't due to physical ailments. So initially, it was really hard for me to read. But I couldn't put it down! I marveled at her steadfast faith and willing spirit. How I long to see the Lord the way she does.
One thing I learned from her book was the importance of being where God wants you, and serving His purpose for you being there. I looked at my own life and so many things were suddenly made clear to me. The main one being that I am where God wants me. I am doing what He wills. I can't tell you how I have longed to be at peace that I am where I am intended to be.
I am so content and at peace right now. Life isn't perfect, but God is. My favorite quote from her book was "I am just an ordinary person serving an extraordinary God." That's the truth- plain and simple.
~Melody
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
God is good to me
God has been pouring out blessings on me in the most amazing ways lately. He is also guiding me by the hand through some emotionally trying stuff and promising me that His plan is what's best for me and I can fully trust Him.
The school year is almost to a close, (my last final is tomorrow!) I was able to quit my job as a lifeguard (HUGE praise) and I am working at a Christian café that I have come to love over the past several weeks. Right now I am working in return for a baby grand piano, (random, I know) but later I will be working for pay (if it is still running.) This little café could use a lot of prayer. The owners are full of Christ and use this business as a ministry in every way possible, but they really need guidance on running a business and a lot more costumers.
In less than a month I am moving to the most beautiful, peaceful place on earth and living with my best friend. I'm kinda freaking out! I can't stop thinking about it, and every time I do a smile spreads across my face as I anticipate star gazing, peaceful walks in the snow, sledding, long evenings by the fire, and spending time with my best friend.... Most of all, a break! I am desperate for a break from my hectic schedule over here.
I am so incredibly thankful for my sisters in Christ. Just putting that out there. I have really been leaning on them lately and they have never let me down.
~Melody
The school year is almost to a close, (my last final is tomorrow!) I was able to quit my job as a lifeguard (HUGE praise) and I am working at a Christian café that I have come to love over the past several weeks. Right now I am working in return for a baby grand piano, (random, I know) but later I will be working for pay (if it is still running.) This little café could use a lot of prayer. The owners are full of Christ and use this business as a ministry in every way possible, but they really need guidance on running a business and a lot more costumers.
In less than a month I am moving to the most beautiful, peaceful place on earth and living with my best friend. I'm kinda freaking out! I can't stop thinking about it, and every time I do a smile spreads across my face as I anticipate star gazing, peaceful walks in the snow, sledding, long evenings by the fire, and spending time with my best friend.... Most of all, a break! I am desperate for a break from my hectic schedule over here.
I am so incredibly thankful for my sisters in Christ. Just putting that out there. I have really been leaning on them lately and they have never let me down.
~Melody
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Just ramblings about my life at the moment
I honestly had a terrible Thanksgiving weekend. I'm sick, and therefore was miserable for most of it, my best friend (and roommate) was gone visiting her family, I didn't really get to see much of my extended family, and I was honestly just really depressed about some stuff. (Don't ask me to try to explain what, I'm not entirely sure and it was several things.) But last night I called up one of my closest girlfriends (who is always insanely busy) and asked if she wanted to have a movie night. To my surprise and delight her response was "Yes! Come over in an hour!" So we watched a chick flick, then a couple episodes of an old TV show, then we went out to see a movie at the theater. Her bubbliness and enthusiasm wore off on me and my mood was 100x better when I left her house around 11pm. I am ever so thankful for her.
Last night I forgot to set my alarm to get up for church this morning (oops). So when my dad came downstairs I told him I would make it to the 2nd service. Well, then I couldn't stop coughing. So I ended up staying home and doing math for 3 and a half hours. Which was actually a huge blessing because I finally understood a certain concept.
I'm still in a good mood though. This weekend I was excruciatingly frustrated at my lack of grasp on life, and now things seem a lot clearer.
On a different note, I deactivated my facebook account temporarily and told my best friend to not let me reactivate it until I finish reading through the bible. (I'm mostly there, I just have 1st and 2nd Chronicles which is tediously boring.)
Lately my biggest struggle has been understanding how to practically apply my faith. Because it appears that I am doing it wrong. :P You know those memes that are a picture of a ridiculous mistake with the caption "You had one job."? Well honestly I feel like that. My one job in life is to bring glory to Christ and over and over I feel like the world and God are looking at me, face-palming, and saying "Seriously? You only have one job and you can't even get that right!"
One book that has been extremely helpful and insightful is "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges. My girl's bible study has been going through it. It is extremely convicting and I highly recommend it.
~Melody
Last night I forgot to set my alarm to get up for church this morning (oops). So when my dad came downstairs I told him I would make it to the 2nd service. Well, then I couldn't stop coughing. So I ended up staying home and doing math for 3 and a half hours. Which was actually a huge blessing because I finally understood a certain concept.
I'm still in a good mood though. This weekend I was excruciatingly frustrated at my lack of grasp on life, and now things seem a lot clearer.
On a different note, I deactivated my facebook account temporarily and told my best friend to not let me reactivate it until I finish reading through the bible. (I'm mostly there, I just have 1st and 2nd Chronicles which is tediously boring.)
Lately my biggest struggle has been understanding how to practically apply my faith. Because it appears that I am doing it wrong. :P You know those memes that are a picture of a ridiculous mistake with the caption "You had one job."? Well honestly I feel like that. My one job in life is to bring glory to Christ and over and over I feel like the world and God are looking at me, face-palming, and saying "Seriously? You only have one job and you can't even get that right!"
One book that has been extremely helpful and insightful is "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges. My girl's bible study has been going through it. It is extremely convicting and I highly recommend it.
~Melody
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