CS Lewis

Abide

This week we studied John. It is a phenomenal book, and it was so eye-opening. It was also a challenging week. I had more on my plate than usual, I felt close to tears several times and I was sleep deprived. Even so, God spoke some really great things to me. I feel as though I have so much rattling around in my head that it is hard to put it all into words, so this is my best attempt.

John talks a lot about 'abiding.' John 15 specifically points to that:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit...Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." (15:5,9-10)

Over the past several months God has been highlighting to me what it means to 'abide' in Him. Dictionary definitions say 'abide' is to-- stay, stand, dwell or reside. Hmm. Nifty. Yeah, abiding is a dwelling in God, and He in us. And when God dwells within His children, things change, those people's lives change, and His spirit guides our lives. 

Perhaps to 'abide' in God's love means to be so constantly aware of it, that we understand what He says about us, and walk in confidence because of that. Perhaps it aids us in loving others-- I think that abiding in God's love will mean also loving others. Because if we're abiding in His love, and therefore, obeying Him, we will do as He says. 

The word 'abide' has the connotation that its a staying and a steadiness. It means a constant indwelling. That idea is incredible. To live lives abiding in God's love-- what more could we ask for?! And the fact that God would even care and love us enough for us to abide in that love is mind blowing. 

It means that in the hard times, we can rest assured that His love hasn't left us. In the smooth times, we need Him just as much. In the rough times, He is faithful, and that will not change. As we abide in Him we learn His character and truth. As we abide in Him, He teaches and molds us. As we stay and dwell in His presence, He fills us. 

I love that about Him. How good He is to His children.

The Best of 2012

Cliche-- this post is going to be COMPLETELY and in every way, cliche. So if that bothers you, you may as well turn back now. But mostly I am writing to compile a list of things that impacted me, made me laugh, brought (I almost wrote 'brang') me joy, and that were just cool from 2012. The inspiration came from  http://www.todaysletters.com/, a great blog that I follow-- if you feel like reading the whole list, feel free, if not, I won't be offended... so, here goes--

Best Moments:
-Ministering in Malaysia to homeless and people who are so often overlooked by society
-Being reunited with my sister after 13 months of being separated
-Meeting some of the most genuine people on the planet
-Being loved for who I am and who I am not
-Attending THREE weddings within five months (They were all beautiful!)
-Moving back to Montana to study the Bible 50+ hours a week
-Learning to be completely genuine and honest, even when its hard
-Passion growing
-Henna
-Learning to crochet and make my first headband and hat!
-Drawing again
-Drinking egg nog (Like seriously... egg nog is awesomme ;)

Best Movies:
-Blue Like Jazz (LOVED!!)
-Les Miserables
     (Now I can't think of a single movie I saw this year... what the heck, brain?!)
-The Odd Life of Timothy Green
-The Vow (So good!)
-We Bought a Zoo

Best Books:
-The Ragamuffin Gospel
-Forgotten God (By Francis Chan)
-Choosing to See (Mary Beth Chapman)

**Yes, I read a lot of biographies and Christian literature, its just what I like... :)

Best things I learned:
-Learning how to hear God's voice
-I am loved and worthy because I am Christ's and apart from what anyone says or thinks
-God WANTS to use me!!
-I still hate coffee, tea, however, is fabulous, especially the tangy and fruity kinds!
-People actually really do like me
-Sunburns (Really bad ones) turned tans last a LOOOONNGG time (Like over a year...)
-Reunions are the best
-Sunscreen should be used when out in the sun for long hours of the day (Yep... seems like a no brainer, but apparently that is hard to learn for me...)
-The Bible is awesome and reading it in context makes such a difference
-God is so faithful to work and to love and to show himself
-Time alone is precious and awesome
-Time with people is also precious and awesome... its all about balance :)
-Sunshine and snow are BOTH beautiful
-I still don't like rain that much. But I refuse to use an umbrella
-Ugly sweaters are fun to wear
-Sometimes God calls us to do things we never thought we'd do.... like go back to Montana for SBS :)
-People almost always respond with more grace than I foresee them responding with
-Jesus loves diversity
-My bed needs to be made in order for me to feel fully ready for my day and 'put together' ;)
-Doll houses are still fun
-Watching people grow and change is such a joy
-People don't think about me as much as I think about myself, so its a huge waste of time to wonder what they're thinking. It doesn't really matter anyway-- I serve an audience of One.
-Bible jokes and puns are ridiculous, and yet they make me laugh uncontrollably everytime
-There is beauty all around and LIFE is beautiful.

A few pictures from this year that were significant--
Also, if you've made it this far in the blog, I congratulate you. Go have a brownie.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!