"I believe; help my unbelief!"

Cafe

Some days, I feel as though I can never drink enough coffee. Today is one of those days.

Raised to Walk in Newness of Life

About a month ago, I was baptized, which was something I had been eager and excited about for a long time. It was such a wonderful day, and I am so thankful and feel so blessed that I was able to share in it with those that I love and that have invested in my life for the glory of God. Thank you all so much; it meant so much to me that you were there! My church posted the videos from the baptisms on their website, so I thought that I would share it here. It's really encouraging and wonderful to see the work that the Lord is doing in his people and his church. My video is on there, but I would encourage you to watch all of the testimonies because it's wonderful to see the different ways that Jesus works in people's lives!

http://fourpointschurch.tv/media/

Romans 6:4
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Psalm 121

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;

the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore."

Longing for Fall

It took me 20 minutes this morning to convince myself that it was wise to move from my comfortable seat to get the coffee that I usually begin my day with. I am convinced that had I used the french press, my struggle would have been exceedingly less difficult.

This morning, I am drawn to the Psalms. I have so much to learn from the life of David. Well, I have much to learn in general, but today I'm just going to focus on what I need to learn from David. Every time I read in Psalms, I am overwhelmed by the way in which David boldly draws near to the throne of grace. It's so encouraging, and it helps me to know how to pray when I sometimes don't have the words. He cries out to the Lord; he remembers what the Lord has done for him and his people; he remembers who he is in light of God; he openly and honestly tells God how he is feeling; he cries for help; he speaks of what God will do; he praises God for who He is. As I often struggle with pride, it's sometimes difficult for me to be completely vulnerable before the Lord, and it is an encouragement to see the vulnerability and humility in the life of David. Hopefully, by grace I can let these truths sink in, and learn to approach God with much humility, for He is holy. I am so thankful that his Word is living and active, constantly teaching his people more and more about who He is.

Today is rainy in Georgia. It makes me long for Fall and the beauty of creation during that season. I cannot wait to step on crunchy leaves and make apple crisp.

I might be OCD

I had the oddest dream last night. Actually, now that I think about it, it's not that odd for me, but from the outside looking in it's a tad awkward. In my dream I was in Peru and a friend and I (faceless friend) were keeping an eye on these two men's little "stores." I put "stores" in quotation marks because they were really more like one of those booths that you see at the fair that have all of the stuffed animals/prizes on them. Oh and the only thing that the "stores" sold was candy . . . original. So my unknown friend and I are taking care of the "stores" and I all of a sudden get really frazzled because my "store" is just in shambles. Nothing was lined up correctly and candy was strewn every which way. Can you imagine?? So I proceeded, before I could sell anything, to tidy up my "store" so that everything had it's place and was nice and orderly. Then the "store" owner came back. Confused as to why I had changed everything he asked, "Do you like the labels to face forward or something." Yes, yes I do.

Also, my kitten has made a sport out of knocking the Christmas ornaments off of the tree. So I've made a game too . . . she gets a treat for every ornament she knocks off. I wonder if she'll start to notice the positive reinforcement.

Just As I Am

Currently I've been listening to a sermon series by Mark Driscoll on Philippians (The Rebel's Guide to Joy). The most recent that's really been a blessing to me is the section of scripture Philippians 1:12-18. Paul, pretty much rotting in prison, is moved to joy because his position of suffering for the gospel has given him great opportunity to spread the truth of Christ to the Imperial guard and others imprisoned with him. It is just such a beautiful picture to me. It's not so much that I'm suffering in any way even remotely equivalent to what Paul endured, but more so that my heart for the persecuted church has grown so much in the past few months that this joy that Paul continually proclaims throughout his letters moves me to joy that I have never experienced. "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." Glory to God!

I can only hope that when suffering befalls me that I respond in the way that Paul did. Also looking upon the biography of Charlotte Elliott (I encourage you to read about it!), I desire for my reaction to be somewhat comparable to hers, that Christ be known and glorified in my suffering. She penned this wonderful hymn, rejoicing overall that just as we are, we are received by grace through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. I really just have meditated and loved this hymn in the past week and hope that it is beneficial and a blessing to others as well.

Just As I Am - by Charlotte Elliott

Just as I am, without one plea,

but that thy blood was shed for me,

and that thou bidst me come to thee,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not

to rid my soul of one dark blot,

to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about

with many a conflict, many a doubt,

fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;

sight, riches, healing of the mind,

yea, all I need in thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,

wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

because thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God, I come, I come.