I Will Not Be Moved

I'm determined that no matter what conflict, doubt, illness, or difficult circumstance that comes my way, I will not be moved. Jesus is my refuge and my strength. He is my light in the darkness. He holds the key to my heart, and I'm certain that He's got me in the Palm of His mighty hand. I will not be moved...

"Will Not Be Moved"
By Natalie Grand

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Being Thankful.

Today, I am thankful. I am thankful for the many blessings God has poured out to me. I am thankful that....

God can turn my trials into victories.
God turns my mourning into dancing.
God turns my sadness into joy.
God turns my sorrow into strength.
God gives my uneasy heart a tremendous feeling of peace.
God understands my pain and can take it all away.
God hears my prayers.
God's timing is more than perfect, although sometimes that is difficult to understand.
God has a plan for me and my life.
God loves me unconditionally.
God knows my heart.
And God is always with me.

I am thankful that whenever I feel like no one cares and I've got no one to lean on, God is always with me...God holds me just when I need to feel His Almighty arms around me. His presence is very real. God knows just what we need, before we need it.

As I got in the car to come babysit today at the crack of dawn, I was exhausted not wanting to do anything, but I sucked it up and turned on my favorite radio station. The song "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me came on. I turned it up as loud as I could possibly stand it....and let the words flow to my heart. "I can only imagine, what my eyes will see when Your face stands before me..." God works in amazing ways. I needed to hear that song today....and God knew just what I needed before I knew I needed it. It is difficult for me to always feel God's presence on an ordinary, nothing special, kind of day....but today I'm thankful that I felt it. I am thankful for the beautiful ways in which God works. I'm thankful.....

waiting on the Lord.

I cannot believe summer is almost over. I am so nostalgic about this amazing summer ending. It has been wonderful, filled with amazing places, incredible people, and a whole lot of love. As the school year arrives, I find myself scared. Not because I am nervous about school, new classes, and new teachers....but because last school year was by far the most difficult. I struggled every single day and had a hard time finding the energy to make it through each day. This past week, my family and I went to the mall....I found myself getting weaker by the moment, I felt so lightheaded I thought I was going to faint. It is so very discouraging when trying to push yourself, and then realizing that you are not able, and that you need to stop trying to do so much. Especially when at one point in your life, a trip to the mall wasn't too much to handle. I still don't have a diagnosis, but still struggle daily. Many times I don't announce the difficulty I am having, I keep it to myself, determined to keep going...I push myself until I literally cannot take it anymore. The thought of this school year exhausts me. If it weren't for my heart problem, I may actually look forward to school starting. So, I am hoping and praying that I will have the strength and stamina to make it through...without having as many heart episodes. I trust that my Ultimate Healer will see me through.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Be Still and Know, Another Wave, Being Made Whole, New Life.

I am at the beach and my computer is not with me because it has died, and I'm hopeful that it will be brought back to life by someone soon...but I've had so many thoughts rolling around in my head that I need to blog. So, until my computer is fixed, I will be blogging from my phone. You know I am dying to write when I am willing to type on this tiny keyboard.

Anyhow. I've spent the past 6 days in the sun, sand, and water...admiring God's creations. I'm realizing how the simple things in life are really the best. And I've been amazed at what time alone with my thoughts can do. Just by observing I've realized a few things.

The ocean is a lot like our lives. Sometimes we have to get past those really large waves and trust in God that we will get through them...and we have to 'Be still and Know' that once we are past those waves we will be rewarded with all of God's goodness. As my dad and I have been out in the ocean, we've been reminded of how difficult it can be (especially in high tide) to get beyond the waves. It takes a lot more strength than one would think, but, once you are beyond the waves you are rewarded with water that is much more peaceful....where the waves aren't quite as strong. Isn't that similar to our lives? Don't we wonder if the "waves" will pull us under? Don't we have to trust and have deep faith in knowing that once we are past that wave things will calm down? Sometimes we need to 'Be Still and Know that God is...God'.

Another thing I've noticed with the ocean in comparison to our lives is that where there's always another wave, we are always given a second chance. If we can believe and ask Jesus for forgiveness for our sins, we can be given another chance. We are given the opportunity to let Jesus come into our hearts and completely change them, and change us from the inside out. Much like the waves in the ocean, we can be given a second chance....a new life in Jesus Christ.

As I've sat along the shore, looking at the shells....I've realized that perhaps WE are the seashells, and our lives are represented by the ocean. None of the shells are perfect...not one. In fact, most are broken, scattered, buried, and stepped on. Haven't we all been there at one point? Haven't we all felt broken, buried, or stepped on? Haven't we all felt so far from perfect? Haven't we all been there? I think so. The best part is that Jesus feels our pain, He can put our pieces together and make us whole. Jesus knows when we are hurting. He knows when we feel buried or stepped on. Jesus knows our hearts...and although we can try to do everything in our ability to make ourselves happy, only Jesus can fill that empty place in our heart. Jesus can make us whole, even when we are cracked and broken. And today, I am thankful that Jesus has put all of my pieces back together. Today, I am grateful that Jesus Christ lives in me. I am whole.

If your heart belongs to Jesus....say "amen."

Charleston, SC :)

I have so much to blog about, and since I can't blog about my entire summer in one post, I'll start off by telling you about the amazing twelve days I spent in Charleston with two of my favorite people, Terri (aka Tewi) and Kim. It was wonderful...every single minute. There is something so beautiful about growing closer to those you are already close to.

Of all the time I spent there, the time I loved most was being at my aunt's church during worship and bible study. Church is one of my favorite things, and to hear my aunt preach and lead bible study was so special to me. I am so proud of her and all that God is doing in her and through her.

We laughed a lot. We talked a ton..had some great deep conversations. We watched movies. We played UNO -- and I am the UNO queen even though Kim would say she is. ;) We went downtown. Played Truth or Dare, and ignored the "dare" part. It was grand.

It was special in so many ways. I didn't want to leave, and as good as it is to be home, I'm missing Terri and Kim soooo much. I'm already looking forward to the next visit.

I am so blessed to have such great people in my life....People who are not only fun to be around but who also inspire me! Thank you for having me, Tewi and Kim. You two are the best. No joke. I am glad to know I always have a place other than home where I am always welcome. I love you and miss you, T & KP.