This is Where We Start

Another chapter;another cycle of life.  Fire, birth, life, fire, birth, life...on and on; it really is beautiful.  God has not let me get comfortable in the past year and it has been the best year of my life.  It has been the year of dreams and reality. 

The best thing that has happened is that I finally met my forever.  I have known the man who would be my husband for the past four years but God didn’t let us know until last year. 

This is just the start of a new chapter, forgive me for making it short.  This is now the beginning....I am excited to see where the story goes!

Sundays!!!

Well it sure has been a while since my last post.  Life has got quite busy and there is so much to do.  For the next week and a half my family is enjoying a nice vacation in California!  It has been a while since we have been here as a family. 

Today is Sunday and we went to church, which was totally awesome!  The sermon was on what following Christ looks like and the joy that comes from it.  It was incredible.

So much has been on my mind and heart lately, I will only write about one today(seeing as its Sunday and its about Church).  Maybe one of these days I’ll sit down and write everything else out, but all in good time.

Sundays are such a great day!  The one day we have set aside to go worship God(Who by the way is the God of the Universe, Creator of all things, Giver of Life, Our Father) with our brothers and sisters in Christ!  Can you PLEASE tell me why we cut it short and shove in into our little box of time?  Its quite frustrating and annoying.  Some churches boast that they get their congregation in and out with in an hour.   Ummmm HELLO no this is NOT how it should be.  Yes I understand some people do have to work and Sunday is the day to throw up your feet and relax but I think we are starting to give in to our cultures “hurry up” ideals.  We have small groups and bible studies but honestly those are only a side thing.  Corporate worship is such a beautiful time to be together, be open with one another, worship God in a Heavenly setting(really it is a literal taste of Heaven here on earth).  One thing that got me thinking about this was last Sunday at my church.  We had some guys come from Teen Challenge and they did our service for us.  Because of our schedule only two guys got to share their testimonies and worship time was cut.  Even with the cut we went into “over time”.   Every Sunday we put our time and God into a box and want to be blessed.  We are being blessed…but in a box.  Just imagine having a Sunday that our preachers just feel the passion to keep preaching and preach until they are done.  Or for our worship service we end up singing for an hour.  I know it’s good to have an order of service and have limits or whatever.  But honestly let this one day be open to whatever God has for us.  We are taking this day so for granted and its not safe.  Let the Spirit lead our worship not our little box.  If you’re worried it will take away from your day or if this idea somehow makes you uncomfortable….check your priorities please.  What would it look like if this is what we carried over into eternity “Oh sorry God, I have one hour to learn about you right now…then I’m going to go out and do something else”.  If spending time with God, corporately or even other wise, seems more like a chore and a thing that has to be done…please let this be a red flag to you.  We are not meant for this world but for the next.  Everything we do should reflect that.  Don’t get caught up and the hurriedness of this era…it will burn you out and really kill your spirit.  Many times we fall into the idea that any time we spend with Christians is “churchy” and adds to our growth…yes it does.  But there is NOTHING like doing it as one in church during a set time of worship.  We are all single people but united in Christ.  Let us be open with one another, don’t hide behind our false-faces and go worship that way.  By holding up our masks we use up all the energy we could be using to be open before God and each other. 

That feels like enough for now, but I think there may be fore to this later.  Please leave some comments and let me know your thoughts.

We are in this world but not of it.  Lets not get caught up in it.

Rebekah

I cant think of a good title....

It has been a month since my last blog.  Yes time does fly.  This past month has been an interesting one, that is for sure.  God keeps showing how in control He is, though at many times it seems like things are spinning out of control.

We are slowly coming up to a rather sad time of year.  School is almost out which means many of the students are leaving.  One thing that God has really shown me this past school year(more so this last semester) is that each person is in your life for a reason.  So many times I wish I could see the big picture..see what is really going on.  Why all the pain...why the loss...why the “random” happenings that make no sense at all.  GOD IS IN CONTROL!  Each thing we experience each person we meet shapes us into what we are to be.  Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it’s very confusing....sometimes it is AMAZING!  Let God lead, don’t force things and don’t jump at the first “shiny” thing that pops up. 

I don’t know who is reading this...but whoever you are(namely if you are a student finishing up school for this year) God has incredible plans for you.  I don’t know each of you by name but know you are being covered in prayer....exam time SUCKS.  I hope you all have an amazing summer filled with much growing time as well as fun! 

To those of you who have been beside us through this hard time....you have been SUCH a blessing; whether it be just a short message or a listening ear....God has really used many of you.  Know you will be missed while you are gone.  I hope we can keep in touch this summer and pick up where we left off in September.

Ok, I’m really tired and doubt this blog makes much sense.   I hope to write something better shortly.   

On days like to day it seems like God is being silent.

I don’t know what God is doing or what He wants me to do.  This world is so dark, dirty and painful.  People everywhere are hurting....and watching those you love hurt makes one hurt all the more.  Trying to help..but standing outside of a glass box, knowing you can only observe.  The devil has a way of getting in and messing things up all the more.  What should we do there...sit back?  Or address it?  Yes I want to be used by God, but is that what this is?  Why doesn’t He come rushing in and save like he did before?

One day these questions will be answered but for now the dark clouds are just rolling in and there will probably be more loss before the storm is over. 

I hold to the Anchor that will NEVER be moved.

Rebekah

There Shall be no more Sea (...I miss you)

I have so much on my mind right now.  There is so much I want to write about; so we shall see where this goes.

Yesterday marked one month since mom passed away....I don’t even know how to explain what has gone on.  One day I may be able to write or say it in some form that will make sense..but I don’t know if that is possible right now.  She is FINALLY home!  Dancing with countless others...finally experiencing the fullness of life.  Even through this pain God IS soooo good.

Over the past month God has really been teaching me that one day there will be no sea....no separation...no missing those who you love(whether on earth or Heaven) and that HE is enough.  One day our pain and confusion will be over.  Yes in Heaven, but I do believe that God will do something like that while we are still here.  There will be a day when He will say enough and Heaven and Earth will rejoice and He will be given amazing glory.  For now we wait with hopeful expectancy.  Gods will takes time...He wants us to wait, even when we don’t feel.  Sometimes He seems silent and we take that as His answer....silent’s is waiting.  Look at the 400 years of silent’s in the Bible; God was alive and working.  Let us not sit in fear....but cling to hope and run toward the goal.  Yes this life is hard and filled with pain.....but there is beauty and much love to be found in this life.  Everything that God allows into our lives points back to Him.  How much more amazing is Gods answer after a hard journey than He just giving you want you asked for without the pain. 

You may be going through something right now that has you wanting to let go and give up hope, don’t.  Your path may seem impossible and God may seem quiet....go forward in obedience trusting His will is best...but hope.  Reach, push....go in His strength. 

I don’t know if any of this makes any sense...but there it is for right now.

Also someone sent me a song on youtube...I just really want to post the lyrics. 

I've been waiting to dance with you
In fields full of colors you've never seen
I've been waiting to show you beauty
You never dreamed that's always been in you
I've been waiting to see you tremble as you're embraced
By a world saturated with my love
I've been waiting for the day when at last I get to say
My child you are finally home

Sing O son of Zion
Shout O child of mine
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind
For you are finally home

I've been waiting to watch you realize
What all your longing was for
I've been waiting to show you the thread of grace
That ran through all your pain
I've been waiting to let you drink the water of which
Your greatest joy on earth was just a taste
I've been waiting for the day when at last I get to say
My child you are finally home

Sing O son of Zion
Shout O child of mine
Rejoice with all your heart and soul and mind
Sing O daughter of Zion
Cry out O child of mine
Dance with all the strength that you can find
For you are finally home

Every tear you cried dried in the palm of my hand
Every lonely hour was by my side
every loved one lost, every river crossed
Every moment, every hour was pointing to this day
*I've been longing for this day*

I am longing for that day:)
Rebekah

...Until We Meet Again

A friend of mine sent me this song yesterday after my mom passed away.  I don't know when I will write an actual blog..(I hope soon) but for now I just want to post the lyrics to the song.

Until We Meet Again by Showbread

My dearest friend, if I sing you this song, will you hear it from up in heaven?
I’m still down here in this ugly place, but up there’s where I’m heading
When they tell you I’m coming, please wait for me in front of the house that I’ll live in
And when Jesus walks me up to the door, I can finally see you again

It’s true that my heart was broken in two on the day I said goodbye to you
And I carry an ache in my chest until Jesus makes everything new

Those that we loved that left before us must have been thrilled beyond words
when you ran through the gates and into the kingdom and up to the feet of my Lord
Once sick and frail, once weak and pale, now made perfect and new
No more aching and crying, or breaking and dying
Finally home in the arms of who loves you

When you run and you play in the light of the Son, hold me in your heart and mind
Don’t know how and I don’t know when, but I’m leaving this cold place behind
How my heart aches to think of the day when my faith shall finally be sight
When the crowds will part and cheer as I come, as I walk through toward the light

And my father, my love, Jesus, my king, in His glory, seated on His throne
He’ll take me in His arms as the crowds cheer and sing
and say "Well done child, welcome home"
And He’ll walk me to the house that He built
with the father’s love and the carpenter’s touch
And you’ll run to me and I’ll hold you again, for my friend, I have missed you so much

Thank you all, we love you.

Short Thought for Tonight

Little is much when God is in it....think about that.  As Christians the work we do in Christ’s name(which should be everything) is never small.  It may seem “small” in the world’s eyes, maybe even our eyes, but the work we do for God is HUGE.  It may be an encouraging word or a simple hug to a hurting friend...sometimes it is just sitting in silent’s when there are no words to be said.  To God no act or prayer goes unnoticed.  You may feel you aren’t doing enough...chances are you are doing more than you think.  This doesn’t mean do as little as you can...no strive to do as much as you can and keep in mind that it’s all for God.  Be a vessel ready for use; “big” or “small”. 

Little is much when God is in it.