:: High’s and…LOW’S ::
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
-Proverbs 3: 11-12
It’s so hard not to get weary when the Lord disciplines us or to think that he doesn’t love us anymore when our world begins to fall apart; Nothing could be farther from the truth.
We see this in Proverbs 3: 11-12. It is because of God’s love that he brings us to a place of discipline to teach us and rearrange areas in are lives to look more like his. Think of The Prodigal Son parable (Luke 15: 11-32). God allowed the son in this parable to make his own decisions until he ended up so poor and desperate that he was forced to come back to his senses. And when he did, the only place he knew to go was back to his father.
“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned aginst heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they bagan to celebrate.” (Luke 15:21-24).
This boys father loved him so much that he didn’t respond in anger because of his sons poor decisions, no instead he celebrated by giving his son gifts and throwing him a party. Now ain’t that something.
God’s love is the same for us too. Sometimes he allows us to lose everything that we think matters in life (money, job, material possessions, people) in order for us to come back to our senses and realize what is most important, our relationship with Him. And when we come back home to him he runs to us in joy, greets us with a kiss, and throws us the biggest party we’ve ever seen. Not because we deserve it, but because that is how much he loves us.
Simply amazing.
:: Control vs. Surrender ::
I love to be in control. I try to control my life, my plans, and my dreams without even realizing it. I think everyone struggles with this in some shape or form. It creeps up on us and before we know it something happens…things begin to fall apart. Our lives, our plans, and our dreams haven’t turned out exactly how we planned or imagined they would. It’s in those moments where God reminds us that we are not the captain of this ship, we’re not in control, and we never were. That’s a hard pill for me to swallow sometimes.
I’m in a similar place in life where the Lord has put me in a place where I am forced to trust and depend on him…and honestly, it’s very hard and uncomfortable for me. But, he’s reminding me every day of his faithfulness and even though it’s hard to see sometimes I choose to believe. I have to choose daily to freely let go and surrender all of these things that I think will make me happy to the one who numbered my days before I was even born. Even though I don’t know what’s ahead for me, I will continue with this battle of trust. I will continue to fight to believe that my God really is faithful in the midst of all my circumstances, good or bad.
The older I get the more I want to surrender. I’ve learned the hard way that money, my career or the acceptance that I thought I wanted, are all just empty things if they are not centered in God. My circumstances have reminded me once again that nothing else in this world matters more than truly knowing God and to live a life that reflects him.
Here’s to growing up:)
the two six
time goes by so fast. the older i get, the faster it ticks away
the one thing i love about getting older is that it’s another year that i can look back on and see God’s faithfulness. it truly amazes me. every year God reveals a little more of his character to me and it makes it easier to trust and rely on him.
it’s an exciting time in my life right now. i’ve been so blessed at sevier heights, i have amazing friends and family, and i have a record which will be finishing up soon! i’m living my dreams. but, i realize that i don’t deserve any of these things. it’s only because of God’s mercy and unfailing love that i am where i am today doing the things that i get to do…and hopefully this is just the beginning.
and it’s much more deeper than living out my “dreams.” so much deeper…it’s the life i feel called to. i will say that it hasn’t been easy. it’s been a long and windy road with many ups and downs, but when you’re called to something it’s not in you to give up. you can’t quit. there is a desire to keep on pushing, to keep on fighting that is unexplainable. when God places a calling in a man’s heart, the passion is so deep within him that he can do nothing but pursue that call. nothing can stop him if God is leading the way. that’s why every year i am blown away more and more at the opportunities that God has opened up for me. it’s a humbling thing that our God is so faithful. and in the midst of my pursuit, whenever the road gets tough, this passage of scripture has become a resting place for me:
“remember my affliction and my wanderings…my soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. but this i call to mind and therefore i have hope: the steadfast of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore i will hope in him.”
looking forward to this next year of life. thanks to all my friends and family and the people who have believed in me over the years. you all know who you are. much love.
brad
: like i do :
v1
don’t you go on believin’
that you’re not worth anything
cause heaven looks upon you smilin’
just like i am
chorus
you wish upon a falling star
for someone to see your heart
love you for who you are
like i do
you’re waiting for your world to change
but you’re missing the little things
wishing someone would love you
like i do
v2
you’ve been down a road that’s windin’
the past is your worst enemy
but along the way you’ve known there’s more
somethin’ worth living for
bridge
ooo ooo ooo oooo
ooo ooo ooo oooo
ooo ooo ooo oooo
i’ve loved you from the start
The Vine :: The Branches
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
“…apart from me you can do nothing.”
Those last words are strong. I read that passage yesterday for the hundredth time, but for some reason or another, the truth of those words pierced right through my heart. My world lately has been centered around what I have done and what i’m going to do, and i’ve forgotten the amazing truth that this life of mine is not about me. I can’t do anything without the power of Christ.
I get tired and dry and irritable and antsy when I take my eyes off Christ. And the most painful part about living this way, is that the people who I love the most are the first ones to notice it. It is impossible for me to love with a true, genuine love, if my life is not rooted in Christ. John 15 is humbling because it made me realize that every single breath that I breathe is a gift from God, and I can’t do anything in my own strength, because the little strength that I have is given to me by Him.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”
Trying to remember these things tonight:
He chose me
He is the vine, and i’m the branch
Apart from Him, I can do nothing
He’s in control, not me (the hardest one for me)
Study on Proverbs
“My son give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life…Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4:20-23, 25-27
this study on the book of proverbs has opened my eyes to so many things. It’s been a while since i have “studied” scripture and it is amazing to see how many areas of my life have changed since i’ve started. my thoughts, my speach, and my actions are wanting to yield to the things of God, instead of having to.
one of the greatest things that has been revealed to me is the importance of “fearing the Lord.” The book of proverbs starts out by saying, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (1:7).” It is the foundation of wisdom!
so, if that is true how can we make a “wise” decision if we do not have a reverent fear of our Lord? how can we know the will of the Father and the paths of life if we are not living our lives surrendered to his Word?
we can’t.
oh i have a lot to learn.
: wisdom speaks :
i wrote a song based off the first three chapters of proverbs… it’s called wisdom speaks… God really encouraged me with this today and gave me a great song as well.
you’re calling out our names
in our cities, in our streets
warning us, the simple ones, to hear
you say, return to your first love
the father above
and turn your ways from the worthless things you’ve done
i’ll listen and write it on my heart
my treasure is only found in you my god
wisdom reign in us
we lift up our voice
and beg for you to come
have your way with us
we surrender our hearts
and souls to you alone
i seek you day and night
in this treasure i delight
you lead me to the paths of life it’s known
the peace you store within
is graced around my neck
you turn my eyes from lies that kill the soul
i’ll hold it and never let it go
more precious than rubies or than gold
wisdom’s calling us
can you hear?
i’m not going to lie. i’ve never wanted to read these books. don’t know why but they seemed a bit fifth grade to me. I grabbed this book off of my roommates shelf and haven’t been able to put it down. It talks about how important it is to live as a man of God, which is so hard these days. It speaks of integrity in decisions, being faithful in the small things, and a how pride is a young man’s biggest downfall. i never thought i’d say this but i like the book and i wish that i would of read this book years ago.
This.Is.Me
Love God
Love People
Love Life
Love Music
I Follow
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