Gift Wrap

http://pinterest.com/pin/26740191507051506/

     I was driving home last night. I jumped when something flew into the road. It took a few seconds to process what I saw. Were my eyes seeing things? I don't know. That object that so suddenly flew into the road was torn gift wrap. The street lights hit the paper as it compulsively flew in random directions. The bright red paper gleamed. God whispered into my soul at that moment. "That is your body."

      That scarlet paper was once so beautiful. Yesterday it may have gleamed with a complementary silk ribbon . It could have been neatly folded and toiled over until arranged in perfection. Some gift wrap is glittery. Some is patterned, textured, plain, bright, thick or thin. Some use newspaper. Some spend precious hours perfecting it. In the end... It is just paper.

      When the time comes, it is removed. Be in a vivacious or gentle fashion, it is removed. It simply holds the gift. The real joy and anticipation is aimed towards the content of the package. The outside is crinkled and disposed of. Forgotten. 

     My swirling thoughts halted. "That is your body." My flesh is the temporary covering of my spirit. The day will come when I will enter the room where God opens the package of my being. Quickly forgotten will be the hours of my unnecessary toiling over my skin, hair, eyes and fashion. I will rejoice when my spirit will finally be unveiled from its covering. Inside me is nothing significant. Nevertheless the Lord will look on it with compassion and love, for it is His. Only through the blood of Christ. The wrapping will be a forgotten thought, left without purpose. Blowing in the wind. The soul will live on, forever.

Pinboard

Pictures make me happy. I think that holds true for many people, seeing how much Pinterest has exploded recently with so much people joining. Here are some Pinterest pics that I feel are worthy to be pinned onto my blog...

http://pinterest.com/pin/267682771571354538/

http://pinterest.com/pin/164944405072292530/

http://pinterest.com/pin/164944405072292440/

http://pinterest.com/pin/164944405072288842/

http://pinterest.com/pin/164944405072270265/

http://pinterest.com/pin/164944405072271159/

http://pinterest.com/pin/164944405072220737/

Good

This song just kills me. To hear the story from their point of view. Something I have previously failed to do. And then God's grace is beyond comprehension. In spite of my failures, He sees all of me and says "It's good."

Good (Adam and Eve) - Music Inspired by The Story 

Performed by Matthew West and Leigh Nash

Dear Mr. C. Sr III

Dear Kind Sir,
All is forgiven regarding the cruel behavior towards my near of kin.
Sincerely,
Ruth.

 http://overwhelmedinchrist.blogspot.com/2012/02/to-my-dearest-friend-dee-cee.html#comment-form

Kentucky Weekend

What a weekend it was...

Fun starts in the bus. Have you ever noticed? Some of my favorite memories throughout the years have taken place within that bus of ours.

Nancy and I with Jorge. Nancy is my bus and van buddy :)

Dasha and I at the creation museum in Cincinnati, Ohio. The museum was inspiring (long story short!).

Our great great great great.... great...

grandparents. Introducing Adam and Eve. Eve was very pretty!

King David.

I love how everything looks so real. Yes, at some points I was creeped out by how real everything looked, It felt like we were transformed back into Bible times.

I'm not sure what I think about these creatures. (As in the snake not Paul and Andrey). Nevertheless, I attended the snake show. Just to experience it, from a distance. Not touching the snakes too much. Although I did touch some snakes and they felt purse-like. 

After the prayer we went Masha's house. She is such an awesome person! I had a blast meeting new people from all over and coming together to worship through song :) There is Evelyna on guitar and Piano-man. Two very talented people *wink Eyelyna* 

One thing I really remember was a quote from the Creation Museum:

Human reason says: "I think therefore, I am."

God's Word says: "I am that I am."

We have different views because of different starting points.

So this is my travel log.

Spencerport, NY --> Cincinatti, OH --> MiddleofNowhere, KY --> Columbus, OH --> Buffalo, NY --> Home Sweet Home.

The Altar- Tricia Brock

The Altar

 

There's a place, a place I've found
Not made of earth, not made of stone
This place is sacred, this place is secret
Here in the presence of a Holy God
Here in the presence of a Holy God

Come to this place, come seek His face
Find the hands of forgiveness
Look into the eyes of grace
Run to redemption with tears of joy and pain
Let fire fall and purify our hearts
Come to the altar, come to His arms

There's a place, a place of healing
There is no shame within your scars
This place is sacred, this place is secret
Here in the presence of a Holy God
Here in the presence of a Holy God

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God

Come to this place, come seek His face
Find the hands of forgiveness
Look into the eyes of grace
Run to redemption with tears of joy and pain
Let fire fall and purify our hearts
Come to the altar, come to His arms

 

I love this song... Sorry I couldn't find it on YouTube, but you can listen to it here on "higher praise tube" lol

http://www.higherpraisetube.com/video/The_Altar_-_Tricia_Brock

Written In The Earth

Are you familiar with John 8? If not, this is where the teachers of the Law and Pharisees used a woman caught in adultery as a trap in their efforts to accuse Jesus of wrongdoing. They asked: "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?".

You get the idea.

Now am I the only one, or have you every toiled and wondered at why Jesus began writing in the dirt? Not only that, but what was He writing? In a cell group meeting we discussed this. First we must come to the conclusion that the teachers of the Law and Pharisees were very familiar with God's Word at that time. I'm sure anyone can agree that they were quite acquainted with knowledge of the Word. In fact they probably lived, breathed, slept and ate it. So back to the question, what was Jesus writing in the dirt? Theory is that He was writing their names in the dirt. Jeremiah 17:13 states: "All that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from Me shall be written in the earth..." Isn't that interesting! It would be logical to think if Jesus did in fact begin to write their names in the earth, He was pushing some buttons (especially after saying "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.") How displeasing for the teachers of the Law and Pharisees it would have been to see this calm man peacefully stoop down and write their names in the dirt! Of course they knew what this meant, Jesus was blatantly telling the truth, they had forsaken the Lord. Jesus never shrinked nor shied away from the truth.
Theory or no theory concerning what He wrote in the dirt, He is one wise ultra cool Man-God.

And So Forth...

Hello...
Time is flying by, and much has been going on. Pocanos camp was a huge blessing... God answered a few of my questions. I look back on my prayer before camp, and I am amazed how each part of it was answered in some way. Through songs, prayer, testimonies, friends, and speakers. I love that. And now it's school time. Silly thing that happened to me. I have a blind english teacher and I was reading him my essay. Afterwards he says "You know, I like you, I usually don't do this for everyone. So I'm just giving you a warning this time... Stop texting in my class." I was like FORGIVE ME OH WISE ONE! Just kidding. But I did apologize for being disrespectful. Now I'm seriously wondering how he knows.... He is blind!! Come on people! I'm simply confused, and am going to solve this mystery by the time this semester ends. Anyway, yesterday was Valentine's Day. Whoohoo single and lovin it.    :) not sarcastic.

Pre-Pocanos

Getting ready for a trip! Whoohoo! I haven't been on a road trip for quite a while it feels. Pocanos here we come!

This is my stuff I have prepared. It may seem like a messy pile of junk to you but do not be tricked! It is all very organized. Jorge is very excited as well, I think he is happy to join me*. He has a very exciting life if you ask me.

(*If you are confused, Jorge is my sheep PillowPet. He is very soft and loving and has a missing ear. This occured from a battle with the monster Pushok-zilla. Jorge has many hobbies which include singing, paper-mache, dancing, and doing magical things with his ear.)

I pray God blesses this trip. It is for His glory! I believe that good things will happen :) Ta-ta 'till Monday my loves!

23 and 1/2 Hours!

So what is the secret to taking care of your self the way God intended? I believe that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). So this video got me really excited about how this one thing can turn your life around! It's relatively easy, that's what I like about it.

Cute Thang (Sneak Peak)

Featuring: A sneak peak for the new Coffee House centerpieces. You know, with the lovely month of February here, I decided to go for something more... romantic. In the home decor sense.

Have a lovely weekend y'all!

Why Blend In?

 

http://thatsthehookup.com/headlines/skateistan-to-live-and-skate-in-kabul/

Why blend in when you are born to stand out?

This little girl from Afghanistan says:
"I believe people have negative thoughts, they disagree with girls wanting to pursue skateboarding as a hobby... I can feel people questioning my right to skate. Their opinions are meaningless to me... I won't stop." 

I don't wanna box You in...

God wants ALL of us. He doesn't want us to simply lend Him a small space in our hearts "Oh, Jesus You can take care of that one corner, the rest is mine..." He wants to shower us in His blessings and love, yes His deepest desire is to captivate and envelope your entire being. We cannot box Him in!