The Key to Life!

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.

Good Friday

Today I am filled with thoughts of everything Jesus went through for me. I can't even fathom the excruciating pain and torture He willingly went through. It makes me feel so grateful but it also makes me feel overwhelmingly sad. It was so horrible!! I don't even like to imagine Jesus being treated like that, it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I don't even feel worthy of having someone do that for me. His love for us amazes me because when it comes down to it that is the only reason He went through what He did because He loves us and wants us to spend eternity in Heaven instead of Hell. All I can say is WOW that is true love.

Almost Easter!!

I am getting very excited for Easter! It's funny because this will only be my second Easter that I celebrate with a real understanding of what the day signifies. I went 20 years of my life thinking all Easter was about was candy and eggs!!! I am just thankful that it wasn't longer! I am forever grateful that my amazing husband came into my life and introduced me to my Savior. My life has never been the same. Clay always says you may be the only Jesus they ever see and for me at that time in my life Chris was the only Jesus I saw. I can't even imagine where I would be today if it weren't for him. I truly am blessed to have a husband who seeks God first in everything he does. When I mess up and do something stupid Chris chooses to see me the way God sees me and I can't tell you what a difference that makes in our marriage.

Anyway, what I am looking forward to most this Easter is spending the day with both my families! Chris' parents are coming down and cooking at our place and my family is coming over. Just thinking about it makes me all happy inside! Both our families together celebrating Jesus! I love the fact that our families get along so well! I only wish his parents lived closer so we could get together all the time! Maybe one day... =]

I will have all the people I care about most in the world at my home on Sunday, I don't think I could ask for anything better!!!

Luke 2:19

This was my verse for the day in my devotional and I really loved it because I could totally relate to Mary.

"They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."

When my world seems crazy and out of control I just reflect on all the good things that my God has done. Just like Mary I keep everything I have learned in my heart so that He is always with me and as long as He is with me everything is good - even if it doesn't feel like it at the time!

Anyway

At work they play country music all day and I have heard this song several times but today I really heard the lyrics for the first time and they really ministered to me. It's funny how you can hear something over and over but you don't really hear it until you need it, you can't tell me that's not God!! Well, I hope they have the same effect on at least one more person!!!

You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothing
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might not ever come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea I do it anyway

This world's gone crazy
It's hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love them anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray
It doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
Yea I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they'll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea, sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love anyway.

I recently started Beth Moore's 90 day devotional - Jesus. I am really enjoying it so far. I haven't done a devotional in awhile and I was really hungry for something good. And what could be better than a devotional focused purely on Jesus' life. Anyway, I am only on the fourth day and it's been talking about Mary receiving the news that she would be giving birth to Jesus. I read this today and it has just really stuck with me.

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”

It amazes me that right after finding out that she was going to be giving birth to our Savior she was able to praise God like that. I know I would would need at least a couple weeks to get over the initial shock and let alone all the questions. The biggest one being why me?? I just would not feel worthy and I know I would have some serious doubts. I am sure I would want more proof! I would be so stressed out and anxious that I wouldn't even be able to focus on the excitement of the news!! But not Mary, her faith is much bigger than that and she is just excited to be chosen! I wish I could react to every situation in life like Mary reacted to that....

I want a faith like Mary!!