Personal experience

I hate to divert from the point I made this blog.. which was to write out Praises to God, but I have to today.

I was cleaning downstairs a bit.. and found my old bible case that the zipper had broken.  I opened it to see was was inside.  I found my sermon notes from January 10, 2010.  I was saved that day.  I think back and all I remember was my pastor speaking "are you lost?.. Do you get the God thing, but not the Jesus thing". I am getting baptized by this pastor in 2 weeks from today (September 12, 2010).  A short 8 months and 2 days after being saved.  I feel that God has called me to reflect on what called me home in the first place.  I have decided to review the verses mentioned that sunday and a few other things.  A personal.. spiritual.. reflection.

I jumped into 1 Peter 2.  I decided to break it up as I have 2 weeks.  So, I stuck to verses 1-10.  WOW!! Power packed!!  I felt that I needed to just share a reflection on this passage.

Verse 2: As Christ followers.. we are called to desire the Word as a baby desires milk.  An unquenchable  passion.  I have found that the more you spend in the Word.. the more that passion grows.  If you stop spending time with God.. that passion will fade.  I personally.. LOVE the passion.  I prayed this summer for a passion so deep that I couldn't ignore it.  I found it.  I started spending time in the Word which led to this blog.

Verse 4: We come to God.. broken....rejected.. whatever.  We come with baggage.  I know I had a LOT of baggage when I called out to my Lord.  We may be bruised.. broken.. mangled.. rejected.. but in God's eyes.. we are chosen and precious.  We have a purpose!!!

Verse 9 (awesome verse!!!): We are a chosen generation.. a chosen people.. a chosen group.  a HOLY NATION! his own SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! people.  We are chosen so that we may go out and speak of God's glory.  We have been brought out of the darkness into the light.

We have a purpose.  We are not on this earth by chance.  I know I don't know my purpose.  If anyone knows exactly what their purpose is.. let me know. I'd like to meet you.  We have a general purpose, to go and spread the Word, the glory of God, the saving power of Christ.  But, that's about as far as I've figured that out.

Please take note.. NONE! of this blog should be used to base you're own thoughts, beliefs.. etc.  This is MY PERSONAL observation.  I have only been on this path a few short months.  I don't know what I'm doing except allowing God to speak through me.  If you have questions about God and this whole Christian walk.. feel free to contact me, but most likely I'll suggest you talk with a pastor.

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation. [God's] own purchased special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  1 Peter 2:9 Amplified.

p. 68

To begin, I apologize for NOT writing in this blog for a number of days.  This does not mean by any way that I have drifted away from my relationship with God.  I have been busy enjoying the blessings he has given me.

Excerpt p. 68

a skillful masseur

patrons of the arts

those who faithfully visit the chronically ill

being able to recall the experience when you need to

workouts concluded

successful outmaneuvering of the enemy

foresight

rock ptarmigan*

getting past the narrow ledge

bell caps

relationships in which you are known by name

clients who pay promptly

one-day dry cleaners

laptop computers

God's sustaining our loved ones until they come to know the Lord

sufficient yew tress

cherry cobbler

purple robes

the almost immediate greening of a desert after a rain.

* for those, like me, who have no idea what rock ptarmigan is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Ptarmigan

A lot of these I feel work in a more.. metaphorical sense.  So.. work with me.

Laptops: Without a laptop.. where would I be.  No idea!  I just thank God for blessing me with a fantastic laptop so I can run with all of my information at a drop of a hat.  I can go to a place and do my work THERE on a computer I'm used to.  I can take notes by typing instead of writing and then trying to figure out what I wrote later.  

Visitors and Purple Robes: So what do these two have in common? My family.  My grandma is terminally ill.  She has lung cancer and dementia.  I praise God that there are some people in her life that continue to check in on her even when she doesn't know who she is.  I also wish that more people would.  My estranged sister has not seen her in a long time.  My heart breaks for her, both hers actually.  I am blessed with a mom who, despite the fact she gets on my nerves, loves me unconditionally.  She loves my grandparents unconditionally.  AND she owns a purple robe!!  When I think of purple robes.. I think of my mom.  Quite a few years back my dad and I found a amazing robe for my mom and she's had it ever since.  Thank you to all of those people who care for their loved ones even if it's just a phone call.  Thank you to all of those people who love big purple robes. 

God refreshes our soul.  Much like in a desert.. when God rains his love on us, we become green again.  I know that when I've cried out to God and submitted to him, He has blessed me with peace and I become okay again.  I am refreshed!  I pray that everyone I love comes to know that God-refreshed feeling.  It's better than anything you can experience on earth.  Even those struggling with their relationship with God.. He will not leave you and He will welcome you back with open arms.  He knows each of us from the moment on conception and knows our name.  We are created with a purpose.  

Jesus said that he would send a helper (comforter, intercessor).  That helper is to guide us.  the Holy Spirit gives us that "funny feeling" that we should or should NOT be doing something.  I don't know if it's foresight or God just tapping us on our shoulders and saying "ummmmmmm you really shouldn't be doing that".  God will not force us to do anything... we have free will.  He may work with our choices and force us to change anyways.  I'll explain that one another day perhaps.  I know from my relationship with God that he will guide me and help me when I need it.  All I have to do is say, "God.. I can't do this.  you've got to handle this".. and wow.  HE takes over!!! Submission is soo important.  It's not that we have to give up everything in our life.. we have to tweek things.  I am Christian, but I am FAR from boring.  I am trying not to conform to this world, but I do try to work with it.  If you truly have faith in God.. He will protect you and give you the strength to do the things you need to.  

So, this was a different style tonight.  I don't know why.  It just was.  

John 14:16

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" ~ NIV

"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever" ~ NKJV

(my favorite) "and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever" ~ Amplified

Personal Praise

So, I'm going to take a post and do a personal Praise to God.

Since I was saved on January 10, 2010.  My life has been a roller coaster.  I went through some of the worst pain in my entire life caused by some of the hardest things in my entire life.  I will tell you right now, as I've said to others, if I didn't have God... I would be dead.   Despite all of these things and all of the pain, God never left my side.  I have struggled with doubt and lack of faith in Him and He is just taking that from me.

It has been it has been 7 months and 15 days since I cried out for the first time and took Jesus as my SAVIOR!!! God has taken me under his wing and has been molding and pruning and creating me as a new creation.  I have changed more in the last 7 months than I have in my entire life.

My specific Praise, if that wasn't enough, is how God is just taking that doubt and lack of faith and SHOWING ME that He's got my back.  I've got three specific ways God has done this.

1: Earlier this summer, things were getting rough around here financially.  I was losing faith.  I stopped... took time to God and just laid it all out to Him.  THAT NIGHT!!! (true story) I had a refund from school financial aid and was able to get those things that I needed.

2: I'm coming to the end of my associates degree in less than a month.  I've just been wanting a job or something to do at least.  God heard my prayers and brought me to the mind of someone.   Because of those few minutes he spoke with me after church, I am now volunteering and I am helping him out in his office.  GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYERS!!!!

3: I can't explain how excited I am about this one.  Early spring, I thought it would be a good idea to just keep going to school.  So, I applied to a few schools within an hour from me, but not HERE.  I want to be far enough away that I can do my own thing, but close that I can still see my family.  Things started getting bad again with all of the stuff.. so I put it on the back shelf.  May, I decided I really did want to persue this, but I only really wanted to go to ONE of the schools that I had applied to.  So I was going to apply again because I didn't know if they still had my application.  Soon after these thoughts, that school called me asking if I still wanted to start in Spring 2011.  I said YES!!!  A few days, maybe a week, later I went up to Grand Rapids and toured the campus.  It was home!! I can't explain it.  From that moment on.. I CLAIMED IT!!! I said I WANT THIS!!! So, from that moment on I said "I'm leaving in January to go up to Cornerstone".  Well, there were some road blocks, but God just blew those away.  satan tried to stop me and I said to God I WANT THIS! As of yesturday August 24, 2010, I have been accepted to Cornerstone University Spring 2011.  I still have a few things to deal with mostly financial aid, but God has mansions full of money up there just waiting for His faithful ones to ask for it.

Because of that final one, I do have a prayer request.  PLEASE!!! Pray for me as often as I come to mind that God has this amazing plan for me and that I will be at Cornerstone in January 2011 with no problems.  Please just pray that God keeps being faithful to me even when I'm not to him.

Our words our powerful.  You don't need to pray for 20 minutes for this, a simple "God, be with Brittany as she goes down this road following what you have shown her".  Even our simple prayers get answered.  So as you all pray, I'll keep claiming.

I WILL BE A STUDENT ON CAMPUS AT CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY IN JANUARY 2011 AND EVERYTHING WILL FALL IN TO PLACE JUST AS GOD HAS INTENDED!!!!!!

p. 1

excerpt from p.1 

God's existence

God's presence with us

God's manifestations in our midst

Jesus Christ, God's Word made flesh

the old rugged cross

the church

a glass of warm milk before bedtime

books

outward visible signs of inward invisible works

friends

holy sanctuaries

rest from our enemies

the loved one who finally comes to know God

fresh juicy oranges after a grueling tennis match

believers.

I will tell you now, I have only look at this book enough to write the previous posts.  I have never seen the first or last page.. I randomly open it and write. 

Wow.. what a list today.  There isn't one thing on this list i cannot comment on, so I will try to be brief.  

Can we just praise God for EXISTING!! period.. end of sentence.. just Praise GOD for everything!.. i could end this entire blog now.  

nah.. i won't do that.  Not only does God exist, he lives within us (Holy Spirit).. sent his son Jesus Christ for us.. DIED for us (old rugged cross).. to create the church/holy sanctuaries  that leads us to HIM (finally coming to know God) because of other believers and our friends displaying outward signs of an invisible inward change due to spending time with Him in his Word, the Bible (a book).... wow i think I did that one good.

Honestly, I'll end it there.  That just .. works.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 NKJV

p. 71

excerpt from the book (see disclaimer) p. 71

God's providing a seller

"Amens" that punctuate a sermon

freedom from ill winds

pastors who are truly anointed by God for their role

freedom to choose where you want to go and when you want to go

deliverance from heroin addiction

courtships

the Lord's "yes" people

atomic seconds

the multitude of stars we cannot see

tear-proof mascara

mind-boggling spiritual concepts

freedom from avalanches

dust covers

requital

being known for your Christian witness

stretchers

those who don't feel constrained by an IQ score

woolen sock liners

the fun of watching a child watch a mime act

Can i get an AMEN?

haha.. This praise reminds me of someone at church.  He is VERY passionate for God.  He passion for God blows my mind.  I've sat down with him before and wow.  God has done some amazing things with that man.  AT FIRST!!! when i heard him say "amen" or "keep going", I thought it was weird.  but NOW? Now that i have that passion burning inside of me.  I join him in those amens and keep going-ings.  When you are so passionate for God.  you don't want him to stop.  EVER! AMEN!!!!

Pastors who are truly anointed.  It's sad.. but true.. many pastors continue to teach God's word, but don't believe in it.  I am LUCKY!! to have a Pastor who not only teaches God's word but LIVES IT.. and BELIEVES in it!!! The first time I heard him speak.. I will SWEAR!! on everything.. that it was GOD SPEAKING through him.  I actually told my pastor the story of that Sunday today.  I told him, "all I remember from that day was 'Are you lost?.. Do you get the God thing but not the Jesus thing?' from then I was done".  Even if just for that Sunday.. God used my pastor to be the catalyst to the greatest thing that's ever happened to me.  Now, that doesn't mean that God doesn't use my pastor in other ways.. it just means that this is ONE clear example.

Courtships.  When did society get so lost that we forgot what courtship is.  TWILIGHT INSERT.. In the 3rd movie.. Edward describes to Bella how he would have COURTED her.  What happened to that?  What happened to a man being sweet and asking a woman's FATHER for her hand in marriage.  What about supervised dates.  Nowadays.. It's hard to find someone who doesn't want to hop into bed the first time you meet.   The unsaid 3rd date rule? what happened to courtship.

The mutlitude of stars which is a mind-boggling spirtual concept.  Point-blank.. GOD IS BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING!!!  that's it.  that's all you need to know.  Don't TRY to put logic to God.. it won't happen.  GOD IS NOT LOGICAL! He spoke and light happened.. HE BREATHED STARS!!! he formed man out of clay and woman from the man's rib! HOW LOGICAL IS THAT??? 

Finally.. being known as a witness to Christ.  You don't have to live in 33AD to know that Jesus is God.  Through the Word and through the change that spending time with him creates.. you can be a witness to Christ.  Just because you can't go up to Jesus and say "hey lets go get some coffee".. doens't mean you can't have a personal relationship with him.  This blog.. has already changed me.  I look forward to spending time in the Word so I can write this blog.  Talking about GOD excites me.  it's a high!!! I hate that I do this at night because Im always super hyper and like.. BAM ready to go, but that's how it is for now.

To leave you this evening I conclude with a verse (i'm sure if you're on my facebook you already can guess what verse).

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" Matthew 6:33 (NKJV).

AMEN!!!! (laf)  

Praise God day 2

Please read the original "Praise God" post for disclaimer information.

Excerpt from the book 10,000 things to praise God for by Jan Dargatz p. 389

atomic sub-particles that haven't been discovered yet

Persian rugs

neurons and ganglia

free roadside service

the realization that you're making fewer mistakes than you used to

the star of David

the poems of Alfred, Lord Tennyson

those who respect the dignity of others

God's comforting the children of alcoholics

the gift of leadership

God's ordaining the Sabbath as an act of love for His people

the faithful who come - joyful and triumphant - to adore the Lord Jesus

elastic that stretches far enough

forbearing strength

those who are willing to suffer gladly for God's sake

south winds

increase

anger abated

the praise music of John Michael Talbot

sheep grazing next to geysers in Rotorua, New Zealand

Interesting list tonight.  I'm going to group some together because they are similar.

The first two grouping are atomic subparticles and neurons.  I'm a science nut!!! I took 3 years of chemistry in high school because i WANTED!!! to.  I love science and I love the way that science keeps showing us how amazing God is.  From solar flares creating beauty in the night sky to new babies being born.  Science keeps showing us how amazing and awe-inspireing God is.  

next.. roadside service and elastic.. i'll throw leadership in here too.  Elastic.. man.. what would we do without elastic.  my pants wouldn't be stretchy YET stay on.. nor would underwear.  elastic wow.. so much I could say.  roadside service and leadership.  Okay, so all roadside service isn't FREE.. and FREE roadside service is usually included in the higher costing insurances so in the end you are paying for it.. but still, the fact that some guy is going to get into his tow truck to help you get your keys out of your car  in the middle of the night... that's awesome and praise worthy.  Leadership comes out of that.  If we try to give a little more to those in need.. we can become leaders.  even if you don't know how to LEAD as in teach.. you can still strike up a God conversation.. which will LEAD someone (hopefully) to Christ.  Isn't that our purpose?

Realization of making few mistakes... Maybe we're not making few mistakes but different mistakes.  Sure, I don't do silly things like.. eat glue (i don't think i ever did.. but work with me)... but i do make mistakes.  I make a LOT of mistakes.  i got frusterated at my parents today.. that was a mistake.  I shouldn't have done that... as a child I made silly mistakes like coloring someone's hair green instead of yellow.. now I make mistakes like.. turning right on red when there's a sign that says "no turn on red"... we all make mistakes.  WE LEARN from those mistakes and hopefully do not repeat that mistake again. The point is, life is a learning process.  The more we learn.. the more we make mistakes.  

Praise music and poetry.  Though I'm not familiar with the two people mentioned in this book.. I am familiar with praise music and poetry.  I enjoy both!!!  I used to write a lot of poetry and now I sing a lot of Praise music.  it goes back to that ... creativity thing I was talking about yesturday.  I think people don't realize how important creativity in the form of the "arts" is.  Singing, band.. creative writing.... art... it's SOOO important.  It's sad to see schools cutting a lot of those programs out :(

Those who respect the dignity of others and strength.  As I watch my grandma slowly die... It's hard.  there are times she has no idea what is going on.  I know some people may say it's cruel.. but I don't pray that she is healed.. i pray that she has a peaceful journey home to God.  This is my way of respect her dignity.  She doens't need to suffer.  And this.. takes strength.  I have learned that when my strength is thin.. God always holds me up.  When i feel like this is just too much.. God keeps me going.  giving me enough to keep going until I can walk on my own.  He picks me up and carries me until I'm on more stable ground.  HE IS MY STRENGTH!!!

Finally.. The Sabbath... faithfulness.. and suffering gladly.  God loves us so much that he made a day for us to STOP!!! THANK HIM and enjoy the blessings he has given us.  It really bugs me that my school has changed to having homework due on Sunday.  That's not my school day.. that's my GOD day.  Sunday is the one day that I STOP EVERYTHING!! and spend time with God.  True.. we should spend time with God more than just an hour on sunday... but I'm working on that.  that brings in the next praise of those who come faithful, joyful and triumphant to adore Jesus.  God gave us that ONE DAY a week to spend time with Him.  God is a jealous God.... He LOVES US!!! and wants what is best for us. And he asks for in return is to say thank you.  PRAISE HIM!!!! suffering gladly.. i only have a question.  Would you, like Paul, DIE for your faith in God and belief that Jesus is your Lord and Savior?

I like how i ended the previous post with a verse from the bible.  I think it's a great way to start putting the WORD into my life more.. and yours too.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

Praise God

(removed from my OTHER blog)

I have decided that instead of bugging you, my readers, for ideas that I will bug God.  He's so much more reliable.  My aunt got me a book entitled "10,000 Things to Praise God For" by Jan Dargatz.  So, when I have no ideas what to write about, I will be doing a writing based on this book.

DISCLAIMER: I do not plan to write out the full proper citation every time, but for anyone who wants to follow along with this book it is 10,000 Things to Praise God For by Jan Dargatz copyright date: 1993.  Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville Tenn.  I do not own these words, they are Jan Dargatz words.  I will include the portions I borrow from this writer in quote or something to show that.  (I don't want to get into some legal trouble thus this disclaimer)

On to the writing... Randomly flipping through....p. 57 (some items have been shortened)

a steaming mug of tomato soup on a wintry afternoon

art lessons

travel kits

glee clubs

being willing to ask directions when you get lost

children who are allowed to spend time w/ grandparents despite divorce 

active files

the fun of reciting tongue twisters as fast as you can

identifying landmarks

intolerance of sin

tolerance of others' quirks

having a strong sense of personal history

homeroom mothers

cupcakes

struggles and victory

sincere praise of a child's achievements

God's crushing the heads of Leviathan

fellow walkers in the Way in Italy

Okay so this lady, I hope she's a lady.. I have met a few men named Jan.  Well.. she's a lady to me.  This lady is obviously older than me, but I would like to touch on a few things that I agree on this page of praises.  I have put them in bold.  

The first two I have bolded are personal to me because they bring out creativity.  despite the fact I cannot draw very well, I do love art.  I love creating art and I love view art.  Also glee club.. so i didn't have glee club, but I did have choir.  For those who know me.. you KNOW i love singing.  I was not blessed with art skills, but I was blessed with a voice that amazes me sometimes. Each of these skills are so important I think.  I believe creativity is so important for people to let out stress  or excitement or anything.  When i'm happy I sing.. when I'm sad.. I sing.  When I want to worship God.. i SING!!! It's my expression...

The second segment "asking directions".. can be viewed different ways.  1) the physical getting lost when driving.  I remember the days without GPS.  I remember times with my mom driving around in the middle of no-where with a map.  GOOD TIMES!!! Some days it's fun just to get lost, but in the end you have to find your way home... 2) getting lost in life... The day I was saved, I was lost.  8 months and 10 days later... I have learned to ask GOD!! for direction.  My compass is no longer based on me or anyone else anymore.. it's based on God.  He is my North.  I don't know where I would be without Him.  You can throw landmarks in here too.. I give directions by landmarks.  I think God does too.  I can remember the day I was saved.  I can remember ever other time I have called out to God and surrendered to him once again.  Landmarks.  I guess personal history goes in there too.

Oh divorce.. I could get into this deep.. but I am very thankful for those times I got to spend with ALL of my grandparents (3 sets and 1 set of great grandparents).  Although I no longer consider one set family (my stepmother's parents).. I still long to spend time with the other two and my new grandparents (my step/adopted-dad's dad and his significant other).  I have been blessed to have grandparents that loved me no matter what.  in a super personal note... I am even more blessed to have my Grandma Jean (my mom's mom).. who has cancer and her 6 months was up 5 months ago.  I thank God that I got to spend time with her.  I will not regret spending time with her even if she no longer knows who i am.

Intolerance of sin BUT tolerance of other's quirks.  I think it's sooo lame but I do agree with the phrase "Hate the sin.. NOT the sinner".  I know people who are sinners.  I AM A SINNER *stands up* My name is Brittany and I'm a sinner.   I don't like sinning, but I am not perfect.  I have friends who do not walk with the Lord.. and I still love them.  I do not like that they sin (ie homosexuality excessive drinking.. drug use.. lying.. cheating.. stealing.. etc).  I don't like that I SIN.  But that doesn't mean I shouldn't love them.  AGAPE love.  (i'm learning about this)  Agape love (i googled it).. is unselfish love for another person.  GOD love.  God loves us despite our flaws.  I am working to love those around me despite their flaws.  added to this... quirks.  quirks are not sins.  I'm quirky.  I have some of the most random thoughts.  I'm sitting here at 12:47am half asleep but felt the need to write.  I randomly listen to weird music from my childhood.  I sleep with a stuffed flamingo.  Those are quirks.  And I love people even with their quirks.  Everyone has those things that make them unique.

cupcakes.. yummy.. enough said

finally.. struggles and victory.  I was randomly thinking today, "I should name my kids Vic and Tori.  VICTORY (only with an I). sooo there's a quirk.  But if it wasn't for our struggles.. we wouldn't appreciate the victories.  If i hadn't struggled through this spring.. i wouldn't appreciate the peace I have with God.  If I hadn't struggled with bipolar.. i wouldn't appreciate my stability I now have.  Life isn't easy.. it's not suppose to be.  But those times that are hard build character which brings out the victory.  

In conclusion (i hate that statement)... God has done such amazing things for me.  if anything.. turning my life to Christ has changed the way I think and view life.  I will leave with this final thought.. my current favorite bible verse.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" Romans 12: 2 NKJV