Getting what I Deserve

Deserve. This word haunts me, because at the root of my sin it lies. Telling me I deserve better. I deserve more. I deserve better service, treatment, and yet the Gospel tells me what I really deserve...For the wages of sin is DEATH

Yes, I deserve death. But instead, I received life. So why am I not thankful? Why do I complain? Why do I boast? Why do I do the things I do?

Because, I think I deserve __________. The heart of my heart is selfishness. Yet I am called to selfLESSness. How do I get there? Eph. 2:8 By faith, from God. By understanding the Gospel. That though I desrved death, Christ died for me so that I may have life and be in relationship with a Father that I don't deserve.

Recent Recipes

Recently, I have discovered some delicious recipes thanks to Allrecipes.com. I have had a surge in my already existing desire to cook, and I've had fun doing it. This past Monday was the slow cooked pork tenderloin served with cheesy mashed potatoes and salad. And tonight we had quick, super easy and SO delicious shrimp and grits with some dinner rolls drenched in the garlic butter recipe. I'm thankful God gave us taste buds, flavor, and delicious things to enjoy. I'm also glad He created people who come up with delicious recipes that are passed on and on! Here's to passing on deliciousness!

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/garlic-butter/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lowcountry-Shrimp-and-Cheese-Grits/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Amazing-Pork-Tenderloin-in-the-Slow-Cooker/Detail.aspx

Prayer

“In believing prayer, we learn to connect our present troubles to the good and perfect will of God. We refuse to believe that chance rules our lives. We withstand the temptation to imagine that God is capricious or malicious. We know he has a higher purpose and that he is not dealing with us as our sins deserve. As we bring our troubles to Jesus in prayer—asking his will to be done—we approve the will of our Father in heaven. We see our sufferings in the greater reality of his good, acceptable, and perfect will. In prayer we “turn crisis to Christ.” Our heart becomes tuned to his heart and we sing the song of grace.” Ancient Prayer, John F. Smed

Sometimes I find myself just praying. Not even really listening to what I'm saying. Just doing it because it's what you do before meals, before Bible study, before your quiet time. But this idea of 'believing prayer', really praying with a belief in what I'm saying matters is crucial. That He is listening. And His word tells us He is: The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. Psalm 34:15 I want to believe this more and more each day. I want to pray believing I am heard, believing my requests are considered, believing there will be an answer, and living as if I have a Father.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalm 68:5

From my Journal

Just a few words from my journal over the past few months that resonated deeply with me.

6/1/10
"You have the power to change the world; and when I stop believing that, I don't even want to be around anymore." - Will Snipes

7/4/10
"Difference between you and an unbeliever: Jesus is your Lord." - ?

9/26/10
"Moral resolve will not bring victory over sin. Christ brings victory over sin." - ?

9/26/10
The End of Myself is the Beginning of LIFE. - Me

10/11/10
Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

Isaiah 9
This chapter is God telling us he is sending a Redeemer.
"For to US a child is born, to US a son is given."

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'

1 John 5:1-5
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Psalm 67:2
That your ways be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

The grass withers and the flowers fade but the Word of our God stands forever.

Missionary from Kenya

Charlie and I visited a different church this past Sunday. Unfortunately, there was a guest speaker...but also fortunately. We have been thinking a lot lately about doing some mission work in 2011, and we know it wasn't coincidence that the one day we happened to visit this church there was a guest speaker from Kenya.

I really enjoyed listening to him speak even if his accent was difficult to follow. He was one of those people that has the light of Jesus shinging from him. He spoke out of Revelation and how in it, John is telling of a conversation he had with Jesus, and in it Jesus says he is returning to earth one day. John's response..."Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." However, this man from Kenya said he struggles with that prayer. One side of him says, "Yes, come quickly Lord Jesus and save us from this earth, this affliction." Just a side note, most Kenyans are extremely poor. He told of how they will work for a whole day and make about 3 dollars for their family and how the meat at the market, just 2kg costs about 3 dollars. So basically, they don't get to eat meat...beef, chicken, whatever, very often because they don't have the money to. So yes, Come Lord and save us from starvation, from pain of poverty, from death that is abundant, from the corruption of the government.

But, he said the other side of him says, "Please wait, Lord. Just a little while longer. Give us a chance." Because he wants his countrymen to have the chance to know Jesus. He wants them to have a chance to live in His presence eternally.

So what does that mean for us? For us who grew up in Christian homes? For us who had the opportunity to know Jesus from birth? It means that if we believe in and truly understand the truthfulness of Jesus's claim that he is coming...then we must be authentically engaged...realizing that Jesus IS coming and LIVING our lives that way...letting that belief in his return motivate our mission.

My prayer is that God motivates Charlie and I this upcoming year. Past just the desire to go. And into the process of making it happen. Into the act of taking action. Into more than just talking about being his hands and feet, but really and truly, becoming the hands and feet of Jesus by going and serving others in His name. So, come quickly Lord Jesus, but use us in the meantime, according to your will.

All for You and for Your glory!

Isaiah 43 Part 2

Verses I highlighted:

18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

24b But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.

What does this passage say about God's character:
He is the Provider, first and last, Redeemer, He is just and merciful

What about man's character?
We are wicked, proud, self reliant, lazy, deserving of God's wrath

What is the compelling truth?
Man has been given opportunity after opportunity to receive God's love and over and over again, we, I reject it...yet He still remains faithful.

How would my life be different if this truth were explosively alive in me?
I would think, dwell, weep over the knowledge of my sin. I would review the past and be reminded of my failings and of God's faithfulness. I would not question his presence in my life, even the most mundane, if I truly believed his words here...believed in his faithfulness in my life.

Looking back...
Highschool
I rejected God's love and grace for me but You...
-allowed me to achieve great things in school and softball
-gave Charlie to me
-blessed me with Will and Walter (great spiritual mentors for me)
-kept me safe in His arms
-got me a full out of state scholarship

College (Freshman/Sophomore)
I chose others over You, satisfied my lusts, lived hypocritically...but You...
-allowed me to make good grades
-put Jacki and Ktk in my life...as well as other good friends
-helped me overcome hardships
-gave me courage to transfer
-put me at UGA

College (Junior/Senior)
I rejected grace for me and questioned His plan for my life...but You
-got me plugged in at TU
-gave me wonderful friends
-helped me make good grades
-gave me strength
-allowed my husband and I to grow and learn together, away from home

Time and time again, I have rejected the Father, my Father. I have said my sin isn't that bad, or I can handle this myself or simly questioned what He was doing.

And time and time again, He has been merciful to me! He has been faithful to me.

Father,
Thank you for showing me my sin today. For exposing my weakness so Your power may be made perfect in me.

I am in need of you today. Forgive me of my sins. Of my inability to take correction because I am prideful and associate my worth in how much I am right. Help me to know my worth is in you, and without you, on my own, I am worthless. Forgive me for constantly comparing myself to toehrs. For criticizing and looking down on them. Help me to realize the depth of my sin and be humbled today.

Thank you for your true mercy to me this morning. And every morning. For your faithfulness to me. I love you, Lord.

Your love oh Lord, reaches to the heavens. Your faithfulness, stretches to the skies...

In Response to Your Commentos

Dear Ktk and Hubby Loves, my two true followers and friends,

This post is dedicated to comments you left on one of my posts a while back. I wanted you to have answers to your queshes. Quesh=question, so it's fair to say queshes=questions, right?

Anyway, the abbrevs are a dedication to a special friend of mine that I met in Puerto Rico...Kathy Shelton, aka, Kath. Hubbs, you'll probably meet her in November because I think she's coming to viz. You will love her. She is super fun presh!

Craft Night: result of my awesome mother-in-law who is hosting it every other Tuesday night at her house. She makes delicious cakes or dips or whatevs, we all grab a snack and then get to crafting. She is teaching me how to crochet. So ya, next time you see Rachel my sister, perhaps she will be wearing the scarf I made her. Ya, that's right. I made a scarf!!! I mean, it was pretty terrible, but I'll get better/faster/stronger at crocheting and soon enough, I'll be churning out the cozy clothes.

Volunteering: I think I've mentioned it to both of you, but here it is, a little more in depth. Once a week, I go to an elementary school near my house and help kids read for 30 min each. I have two kids so it's only an hour a week, but I can already tell it is going to be so fun and rewarding. We had our first session this past week. I went to their classroom and get them out as about 40 eyeballs stare at me, mouths wide open. Then we walk to the library as I try to get more than 3 words out of them. Then they get our their books and we read. They aren't great...but that's why I'm there to help them! And they pretty much seem to love it. And I already love them...them = Amiyia and Kenyaada...Amiyia is a black baby...so there you go, Ktk. And Kenyaada is Spanish...I think. Not really sure. But they are both presh to the max. Love them. Love it. Thankful for an opportunity to serve...someone other than myself.

Individuals/Coaching: Going wonderfully. Getting along with the coach so well. What an encouragement to see a coach who really cares for her players. And during indis, she's basically like Norie, go watch her swing and fix it. So she like totally trusts me to handle hitting...I love it.

Covenant Baptism, Total Depravity, and other tough subjects: These are things we learned about in our Foundations group that allows us now that we are finished, to become members at the church. The question is, will we become members now? And the answer is, we don't know. Big decish. We need prayer about that. There are some aspects of the church that we don't totally love. And I've really been struggling with why you go to the church you go? To be fed? Because you like the music? Because you love the people? Opportunities to serve? Not sure. Answers would be welcomed and appreciated.

Hot Air Ballooning to another country: Let's all do it together. Katie has to go to Guatemala soon anyway! They speak Spanish, right? So we could all just get on, teach Katie the Spanish on the way over, and then land in the middle of a mountainous village that is in need of the light of Jesus! VAMOS A GUATEMALA, SENORITA HUBBARD!

Dragging me to Metro Kids: I'd love you to. I want them to teach me how to dougie. Just kidding, I definitely already know how.

Today's Quiet Time

Isaiah 43 Part 1

(verses I highlighted)
v1.Fear not, For I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
v4-5a.Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because, I love you, I will give men in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
v7.everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

What does this passage say about God's character?
He is intentional. He chose us. He is merciful to call us his. He loves, He is love. He is the Creator and adores his creation.

What does it say about man?
We are in need of redemption, in need of a Redeemer. We are God's, not because of our choice but because He chose us. We are desired by God (precious and honored). We have worth in God's eyes, so much so that he will trade others for us. We are not alone. We are fearful. We were formed and made for His glory.

What is the compelling truth?
The God of Creation chose us from the beginning and loves us so deeply that He has devoted himself to keeping us in every circumstance or situation so that we may live knowing we are loved, free of fear, because we are held.

How would my life be different if this truth was explosively alive in me?
Freedom from fear because I would be living in light of God's love for me...knowing he chose me, he chooses me, even when I don't choose Him...AGAIN, our relatinship is not dependent on me, it has already been established by Him.

Ty and Katie go to Greenville

Ty and Katie went to visit Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie did fun things with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie rode bikes with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie went to the market with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie bought delicious food at the market with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie went to Furman with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie got in the river at Jones Gap with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. Ty and Katie had to leave without Norie and Charlie in Greenville. But Ty and Katie will come back one day to be with Norie and Charlie in Greenville. The End.

Rando Pictorias...

Beach Patrol.


Old picture from the beach with Charles. This was a little swanky restuarant on the marsh...we sat outside and the sun was setting...as my friend kath would say, it was perf.


The boy is mine.


Chillin' with no make up on, That's when you're the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong.


Baby A. Ansel. Anvil. Chunkster. My favorite nephew. I love him.