I am a nerd...

I admit it. I am a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan. The teaser trailer for the first installment of The Hobbit was released today. Therefore, this post is devoted to the wonderful world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

New Goal: Read the book before December 14, 2012!

Enjoy!

mourn

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
-Matthew 5:4

Up until recently I have never seen this in light of mourning over sin.
Even if you've seen this verse in light of sin, do it again.
Mourn over sin, people.

Ezekiel 9 shook me up this morning.
God is just. You and I are wretched sinners.
In His great mercy, may He forgive us.

But know that you can take comfort, friend.
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8:1)

...perhaps more on this later.

Today...choose to be thankful for your feet.
Thankful for your toes.
Thankful for the places you've been.
And the sights you have seen.
Thankful to God above.

when the stars have passed away

The stars shine over the ocean,
The stars shine over the sea,
The stars look up to the mighty God,
The stars look down on me.

The stars will live a million years,
Yes, a million years and a day,
But only God and I shall live and love,
When the stars have passed away.
-Janie Dotson

Restoring Joy

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. -Psalm 51:12

It's that time of the semester.
That time when I am distracted from God and His voice.
That time when I am too tired to focus.
That time when my to-do list is a mile long, and my motivation is down to zero.
That time when I avoid praying or taking Him my junk because I don't have time for a melt down.
That time when I am tired, stressed, and questioning my decision for a higher education.

This week has not been a good one. I am not joyful right now. I am not excited for God's plans. In fact, right now I don't like His plan.

But, I am reminded that He is faithful. He has not left. He has not brought me this far just to make me do the rest alone. He's still there, waiting for me to fall at His feet. I think it's out of grace that He knocks us to our knees. He knows that's our position even though we like to forget.

So my prayer for the week is simply this... restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (-Psalm 51:12.)

All my joy and perseverance derives from one thing, God. He and He alone can sustain me. Oh God show us grace, that we might turn to You when we feel distraught.

joy to my soul

Unless the Lord had given me help,

I would soon have dwelt in
the silence of death.
When I said, "my foot is slipping,"
your love, O Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy
to my soul.


-Psalm 94:17-19