Random

Yikes! It has sure been a while since I last wrote in here. I'm a terrible blogger. Ahhh well.

I'm going to update this thing fast, and then probably update more later. I forgot my journal, and I'm sitting here in a Starbucks before class is about to start, and I'm making myself quit support-raising stuff for a little bit right now and think about other things...

This summer has been quite challenging. As I've been raising support to intern at MSU this coming fall, it has definitely had its rollercoaster moments... it's funny how one moment during this process I can feel really awesome, and then the next, I can feel completely overwhelmed, like everything is out of control.

But something I came across today was this:

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. -Colossians 1:16-17

I encourage anyone who might stumble across this to read Colossians 1, all the way through. It's awesome. Actually the whole book of Colossians is awesome. But, I was especially encouraged by the first chapter today.

My God holds everything together. It's the bottom line. It's simple, but it's true, and I need to believe it and apply it to every aspect of my life. I need to apply it to the truth that the Lord says is true about me. The lies I listen to are lame. I need to apply it to what God says is true of Himself, and the Love He has for me.

I could go on...

Anyways. This is random. Just needed to write down my thoughts, because I didn't have anything else.

I've gotta run to spanish now. Only two more classes of my undergraduate career, ever... yesss.

Peace.

Midterms :(

Dear Midterms week,

This one is already turning out to be rough. I don't like you. I just want to go to PCB... now.

Love, Melissa


Lord, I need you to get me through. I'm really struggling right now... I'm tired, I'm exhausted, and my head's been hurting a lot. Help me to rest in you. Help me know that my soul can rest in you, amidst life's craziness. I know this in my head. Help my heart to know this, and to rest in you.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." -Psalm 62:5

Grace

I find that sometimes some of the best ways I meet with the Lord are through music. I came across this amazing song the other day called, "My Beloved" and it basically sums up what God has been teaching me lately. I think I love this song so much, because there's so much truth in it, and so much truth in the word that backs all of it up.

“My Beloved” - Kari Jobe

You're my beloved (Psalm 139:1-3)
You're my bride (Isaiah 62:5)
To sing over you is my delight (Zephaniah 3:17)
Come away with me my love (1 John 4:10)

Under My mercy (1 Peter 3-8)
Come and wait (Psalm 39:7)
Till we are standing face to face (Revelation 21:3-4)
I see no stain on you (Ephesians 2:4-9)
My child (1 John 3:1)

You're Beautiful to Me (Colossians 3:12)
So Beautiful to Me

I sing over you My song of peace (Zephaniah 3: 17)
Cast all your cares down at My feet (1 Peter 5:7)
Come and find your rest in Me (Matthew 11:28-29)

I'll breathe My life inside of you (Psalm 139:13-17)
I'll bear you up on eagle's wings (Isaiah 40:30-31)
And hide you in the shadow of My strength (Psalm 27:1)
I'll take you to My quiet waters (Psalm 23:2)
I'll restore your soul (Psalm 23:3)
Come rest in Me and be made whole (Psalm 33:22)

You're My beloved (Jeremiah 31:3)
You're My Bride (John 3:29)
To sing over you is my delight (Zephaniah 3:17)
Come away with me my love (Lamentations 3:22-24)


After I heard this beautiful song, I went and found passages of scripture that I thought best went with each of the lines of this song. Now when I hear it, it's even more powerful, because I feel as though God is directly affirming these truths to my heart. Lately He's been teaching me a lot about grace... that even though there's so much I feel is wrong with my heart - so much ugliness, and so much I feel that needs to be fixed, He still looks at me stainless. He's always working on my heart, and doesn't look at me any differently because I'm His child. And all He asks is that I come to Him amidst my busyness and through the "Martha moments" in my day and sit at His feet, and He'll take care of it all. I just need to stop trying so hard.

Father, I thank you that you enjoy it when I come to sit at your feet. You want me to spend time with you, and you want me to experience all of your love, joy and splendor that you have to offer. I thank you that you are constantly working on my heart and have so much grace for me, when I have very little grace and patience for myself.

The Stand

I'm going to update this later with more, but I wanted to put this down quickly before I forgot...

I have a new favorite song that was played at Christmas Conference. It's called "The Stand" by Hillsong United.

Here are some of the lyrics...

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

I couldn't figure out why I cried every time we would get to the chorus of this song at the end, but then I realized this: The words of this song are so amazing, because it represents a child of God standing completely surrendered to Him. It's an amazing picture.

There's a lot I know I need to learn, and I know that there's a lot I need to surrender to the Lord, especially in these next few months. One thing I've been learning more and more is that this life is not my own, but the Lord's. He loves me, and He's going to take care of me.

Father, help me to understand that.