Without Faith!

I'm not sure where to even begin. I often find myself in this place. Overwhelmed with the love, faithfulness, and provision of Jesus. My journals are filled with writings that are an overflow of my heart. At times, I feel led to share. Other times, I feel led to keep it between the two of us. But today, the Lord put it on my heart to encourage. I've been up for a couple of hours this morning...this wonderful Saturday morning. All is quiet, and it is just me and Him. I've been all over the place in His Word, looking back at old and recent journals...seeing time and time again His record of faithfulness. Thank You Lord. As I concluded my study this morning, I realized there was a common theme in what He was revealing to me. "Morgan, without faith...it's impossible to please Me." In Hebrews, we are reminded that anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). I believe this with all my heart, but I know the Lord wants me to believe it MORE. Have you ever felt like the Lord was trying to take you deeper in His truth and who He is? I hope so. Going deeper with Jesus is a life long process. We never arrive, but hopefully we are learning and growing as we go. Solid food and more of Him is the goal (Hebrews 5:12). HE is always the goal. Often, we can become distracted and think that an earthly reward is the goal or prize. It's not. It never will be. HE alone is the prize (Jeremiah 29:13). He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly seek Him, and He rewards us with Himself (Psalm 16:11). If you are believing God for something or someone in your life, don't give up. Don't throw away your confidence. Whether you receive exactly what you think you want or not, You can always walk away with more of HIM! He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). As believers, we are instructed to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us as well (Matthew 6:33). What are all these things? Let's take a look at the passage as a whole. Earlier in Matthew 6, it speaks of our Father who sees. He sees us! Isn't that exciting? It says that there is no need for us to sound the trumpet on the good things that we are doing. Why? Because our righteousness comes from Him and because He sees us. Our Father knows what we need even before we ask Him! I love this truth. Even before we ask, He knows! Then, why ask? FAITH. Remember, without faith...it's impossible to please Him. We are then instructed to pray, and we are even given a model (Matthew 6:8-13). Your kingdom come. Your will be done. The Lord longs to give us the desires of our heart. I have seen it time and time again not only in my own life, but in the lives of so many around me. However, as we seek Him and put Him first...He will align our desires to match His (Psalm 37:4-5). We must commit our way to Him and trust that He will do it. "To a man belongs the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans" (Proverbs 16:1-3). Do you see the consistency in the Word of God? Okay, so back to Matthew 6. After we are given the model of how to pray, we are reminded about our treasures. Where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also. What or who are we delighting in? What or who brings us the most joy and fulfillment in life? To delight is to take great joy in...Jesus longs for us to give Him that place in our lives. He longs to be our LIFE. When He is, we don't have to worry. "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you- you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we ear?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and ALL these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:25-34). The Word of God is so rich. Our original question in talking about Matthew 6 was ..."What are all these things that will be added unto us if we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness?" It's everything we need and want. It's all the things we would worry about if we didn't belong to Jesus. It's the things that the pagans run after. The Word of God clearly states that He knows what we need and longs to give it to us (Matthew 7:7-11). Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Heavenly lights,who DOES NOT CHANGE like shifting shadows (James 1:17). I could go on and on... Below are some more Scriptures and quotes the Lord has given me to remind me to have faith in Him. My prayer is that you will be encouraged to trust Him and long to please Him by exercising FAITH. Lord, Help us! Apart from You...WE CAN DO NOTHING (John 15).

"The fear of the man brings a snare, but whoever leans on, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high." Proverbs 29:25

"You will guard him and keep him in perfect peace and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You." Isaiah 26:3

"But as for me, I will look to and be confident in the Lord. I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." Micah 7:7

"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need." Hebrews 4:16

"Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward." Hebrews 10:35

"For by You I can run through a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall." Psalm 18:29

"Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed." Psalm 37:3

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody." Psalm 57:7

"My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

"Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Hebrews 12:2-3

"Just as memory is a vital part of the learning process, it is also a vital part of the FAITH-building process." -Beth Moore

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

"God's precious gift of friendship

Brings two lives, two souls together...

Let's their spirits touch and meet,

Teaches them to grow and reach,

Helping them both to be the very best that they can be..."

-Unknown

"Two are better than one. If one falls down, his friend can help him up." Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Faith is the ability to not panic." -Unknown

"Laugh everyday; it's like inner jogging." -Unknown

"He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way." Psalm 25:9

"When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly wisdom and soundness." Proverbs 11:2

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

"Prayer can encourage the one you are praying for, but it also encourages and changes you." -H. Norman Wright

"For God desires to transform our troubles into trust, our problems into promises, our fears into faith." -Unknown

"Loving God is our sweetest romance;

Seeking Him is our wildest adventure;

Finding Him is our best achievement;

Staying with Him is our greatest advantage."

-Unknown

"When I know myself to be at the end of my strength, I know my Lord to be at the front of the battle." -Unknown

"...with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chronicles 32:8

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

"The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2

"You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation."

Psalm 91:15-16

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

"Contentment is not complacency, nor is it a false peace based on ignorance. Contentment is not escape from the battle, but rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle." -W. Wiersbe

"He never doubted that God would keep His promise, and he never stopped believing. He grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God." Romans 4:20

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer." Matthew 21:22

"Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in His name, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is." -Charles Spurgeon

"Faith is an act of the will, a choice based on the unbreakable Word of God." -Elisabeth Elliot

"Fear looks. Faith jumps. Faith never fails to obtain its object. If I leave you as I found you, I am not God's channel. I am not here to entertain you, but to get you to the place where you can laugh at the impossible." -Smith Wigglesworth

"For with God, nothing will be impossible." Luke 1:37

"Success would mean people loving Him more than any of us, clamoring for His touch more than our own." -Louie Giglio

"To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God." -William Temple

"I was not born to be free. I was born to adore and obey." C.S. Lewis

"An infinite God can give all of Himself to each one of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others." -A.W. Tozer

"The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." -Williams James

"...Because I know how it's going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything He wants to do in and through you will be done..." Philippians 1:19

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that you ask or think. Each time, before you intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" -Andrew Murray

"The principle part of faith is patience." -George MacDonald

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:8-18

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

"Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." Psalm 34:5

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17

"But I trust You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God,' my times are in Your hands." Psalm 31:14-15

"It is not for you to know the times or the dates the Father has set by His own authority." Acts 1:7

"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Proverbs 2:6

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2

THE WILL OF GOD...

The will of God will never take you...

Where the grace of God cannot keep you;

Where the arms of God cannot support you;

Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs;

Where the power of God cannot endow you;

Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you;

Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you;

Where the army of God cannot protect you;

Where the hands of God cannot mold you;

Where the love of God cannot enfold you;

Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you;

Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears;

Where the authority of God cannot over rule for you;

Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears;

Where the Word of God cannot feed you;

Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you;

Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

MOM.

Mom. So much meaning in a three letter word. You are always FOR me, a physical representation of Christ in my life. Even when we don't see eye to eye, your motivation is love. HIS love compels you to love me like no one else can! You know me and are always thinking of me. You listen. You encourage. You pray. You serve. At times, we may drive each other crazy. And that's okay too. It's a reminder to me of just how much we are alike and why we need Christ in our lives. Thank you Mom for years of making sure I have everything I need...from prayers to the perfect outfit! You are treasured.

I BELIEVE!

We lost a dear family friend yesterday, Andy Tippett. Please pray. He was loved by so many and impacted so many through his perseverance of the trials God allowed in his life. We will never forget Andy and the way that God used him for His glory, both in his life and death. We grieve with the family, but praise be to God for the indescribable gift of hope and reassurance that we will see him again. Take our lives Lord...that they may be enough...to tell you how grateful we are. This is the day to give You all the praise that You deserve!

"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery ; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?...But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain IN THE LORD."

I Corinthians 15:50-58

There is so much on my heart this morning and not enough time to write. So many dear friends and fellow believers experiencing great trials, tragedy, and death. The hope that we have as believers... "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers us from them all." (Psalm 34:19) Thank You Jesus that even though there is complete and utter devastation in Japan, and our hearts are hurting for so many right here in the metroplex, and at home in Louisiana. You have said, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Thank You that there is so much more than this earth. Even what we would consider a full life on this earth is but a vapor in comparison to eternity. May we live this short assignment on earth for what is to come...HEAVEN AND ALL OF YOUR GLORY. Andy is missed here on this earth, but he is exactly where he was made to be. We were ALL made to bring You praise, God. You desire for none to perish and all to be saved. Lord, we claim Your heart for those that don't know You, that don't have the hope that we do. We ask for their lives, that they would find salvation in You alone. Thank You for giving Your one and only Son that we might live and have eternal life. Death has no victory!

"I Believe"

Old man Wrigley lived in that white house
Down the street where I grew up
Momma used to send me over with things
We struck a friendship up
I spent a few long summers out on his old porch swing

Says he was in the war when in the navy
Lost his wife, lost his baby
Broke down and asked him one time
How ya keep from going crazy
He said I'll see my wife and son in just a little while
I asked him what he meant
He looked at me and smiled, said

I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see
Oh I believe

Few years later I was off at college
Talkin' to mom on the phone one night
Getting all caught up on the gossip
The ins and outs of the small town life
She said oh by the way son, old man Wrigley's died.

Later on that night, I laid there thinkin' back
Thought 'bout a couple long-lost summers
I didn't know whether to cry or laugh
If there was ever anybody desevred a ticket to the other side
It'd be that sweet old man who looked me in the eye, said

I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see

I can't quote the book
The chapter or the verse
You can't tell me it all ends
In a slow ride in a hearse
You know I'm more and more convinced
The longer that I live
Yeah, this can't be
No, this can't be
No, this can't be all there is

When I raise my hands, bow my head
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see
I believe
Oh, I
I believe
I believe
I believe
I believe
I believe

Just thinking...

"But God prepared me for stepping into deep darkness by first bathing me in His glorious light. I realized that experiences of God's presence were not only for my benefit but were also preparation for helping others." -Sarah Young

"God guides our minds as we think things out in His presence." -J.I. Packer

I had a conversation with someone this week that reminded me of the power of God's presence. God has used him time and time again to step into deep darkness and bring the life and light of Christ to painful situations. What a privilege it is to not only belong to Christ, but to believe that He has called us to much more than a comfortable life. He's called us to love Him in such a way that allows us to see others as He does, to want to step into their pain...to offer Hope. In and of ourselves, we have nothing to give. I'm reminded of this daily,especially in my work place, as I am surrounded by all kinds of people that are hurting. I'm amazed at how much He speaks to me when I just take the time to listen. He is Emmanuel! So often I am overwhelmed with His presence, that He would consider me and allow me access at any given moment. That He would choose me to be an ambassador for Him, to be an extension of His love. Oh, the benefits of knowing Jesus! Thank You Lord that You instruct me in the way I should go. Thank You that You counsel me and always have Your eye on me. Thank You that You love using Your children to bring You glory. Thank You that You would allow me to be apart of Your work for Your kingdom. Yes, Lord! Your kingdom come! Your will be done!

P.S. I've been listening to Israel this week and the Lord has really encouraged me through his music. May we never forget WHO is in control. Let us worship Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength! Thank You Lord that Your grace has taken over in my life and that You never let go!

"You Hold My World" by Israel Houghton

Take my heart

Lord, will You take my heart

As I surrender to Your will

I confess, You are my Righteousness

Until You move me, I'll be still

And know that You are God

You hold my world in Your hands

I am amazed at Your love

I am amazed that You love me

You hold my world in Your hands

I'm not afraid

My world is safe in Your hands

Take my life

Lord, will You take my life

You are the reason that I live

I believe You have forgiven me

And by Your grace

I will forgive

You won't let go of me

You won't let go of me

You won't let go of me

You won't let go of me

You'll never let go of me!

Have To Start Somewhere!

Goals for 2011...

These goals are in no particular order nor are they all that I want for my life in 2011, but you have to start somewhere. These are just a few things that have been on my mind and heart.

1. All throughout my life, Scripture memory has been vital to my walk with Christ. I grew up in a private, Christian school that encouraged Scripture memory. The school even made the memorization of God's Word part of the curriculum. I am so grateful, because the Word of God does not return void. It's been a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105) from the time I was a young girl to now in my mid twenties. While staying in the Word has always been a priority in my life, I have slacked off on Scripture memory. At times I have done better, but I want to pick it back up and run with it! My goal is to memorize one passage of Scripture a week. Not because I have to, because I want to! I know how much I need it, and I feel that it's a spiritual discipline that we sometimes neglect as adults. Paul writes in 2 Timothy that we need to do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth. The Word of God is alive and powerful. It exposes our inmost thoughts and desires, and we are to hide it in our heart that we might not sin against Him. Lord, let my delight be in Your law. I long to meditate on it day and night. For those that do are like trees planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither.

2. I recently bought a mail organizer for my kitchen. I am the world's worst at not checking my mail box every day, letting it pile up, opening mail and sticking it in a drawer or some other really random place. It drives me crazy that I do this. So, I fixed this a few months ago by making a simple purchase. However, I still have not gotten a system down. I found the perfect organizer for the perfect place in my kitchen, but not too much has changed. My goal is to check my mail every day, and have designated spots within my organizer to place certain pieces of mail (bills, invitations, etc)...

3. This next one will not be easy. My goal is to reduce the number of times I visit the yogurt shop, and by reduce I mean that I will only visit the shop I love so dearly once a week. I am spending entirely too much money on yogurt. I never understood how someone could spend the money they do on coffee (i.e.Starbucks), but now I am doing it with yogurt. If something is that hard for you to give up, you know it's a problem. We need to tell our flesh "no" more than we do. It's good for us, good for me.

4. The cold weather makes it more difficult, but I must continue with my physical fitness. My goal is to go to the gym 4x/wk, with consistent cardio and weight training. I fully intend on continuing with Boot Camp, but I know myself. This extreme weather is not for me. I can handle cold, and bundle up... to a certain degree. But I'm thinking I'm going to have to pick back up with Boot Camp in the spring.

5. Recently, the company I work for made some changes in regards to dress code. To be quite honest, I was dreading the change. For two years, I have been completely comfortable in scrubs and tennis shoes every day of my working life. And for the majority of my life, with the exception of college, I have had the privilege of wearing some type of uniform. It makes life so easy. I've always been the girl that wants to be cute and comfortable. And... that is still me. However, I'm realizing how much fun it is to get dressed again, and how when I put a little more effort into anything (especially my dress) it makes me feel even better. Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out my closet. Some days are easier than others, but this brings me to my next goal. Keep clothing, shoes, and accessories organized for the purpose of putting together what I already have and using it well.

6. Quit putting things off. Just do it. (Whatever it is!) Several years ago, Point of Grace released a song entitled "How You Live." The lyrics are simple but profound. I frequently think about the song, but this year it means a little something different to me than ever before... Check it out.

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want but want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin back

[Chorus:]
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
And let it all out
Cause you won't regret it
Lookin back from where you have been
Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you lived

[Verse 2:]
So go to the ball game
And go to the ballet
Go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
Wherever you are and wherever you been
Now is the time to begin

[Verse 3:]
To give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
Cause all that you do is bound to come back to You
So think of your fellow men
Make peace with God but make peace with yourself
Cause in the end there's nobody else

[Chorus]

Cause it's not who you knew and it's not what You did

It's how you lived

7. As long as I have been following Christ, I have always had a desire to know more and for Him to take me deeper. Last night I went to church with some of my dearest friends and was so encouraged by the message. Our text was Proverbs 3, and the Pastor was speaking on choices. Even before the message, certain verses throughout this text had been penetrating my heart. In fact, I had been praying for myself and some sweet friends (all in different situations) that we would not lean on our own understanding but trust Him. Last night I was reminded of so many things and how life is simply a sum total of the choices we make. It's not as simple as that, sometimes our choices are quite complicated. Sometimes, they don't make sense. Sometimes others don't agree. Life gets messy, but Jesus is not surprised by the messiness or the chaos or the complicated choices. He is present in the midst of it all. In 1 Kings, the Lord asked Solomon, "What shall I give you?" His response was one that I think would be familiar to all of us. He said, "I do not know how to go out or come in. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind-that I may discern between good and evil." Solomon asked for wisdom and God granted Him that and so much more. The Lord was pleased with his request, and so I want it to be in my own life. I'm crying out for myself, for my family, for my friends that God would grant us the ability to apply truth and knowledge to our lives, so that we might live successfully for His glory. Wisdom is the sense that God gives, and we have been given the mind of Christ. My goal is to continue making choices in faith, knowing that He is good and that His love endures forever. My goal is to continue to allow the Word of God to transform my mind that I might be able to discern His will better than ever before in the daily choices I have to make. My goal is to fear less and to delightfully anticipate more of what God has for my life. The pastor reminded us last night that our today's turn into tomorrows. We don't have to worry about the will of God, because if we are loving Him, abiding in Him, making Him known...He will make our paths straight. Truly, the best way to know the will of God is to do the will of God. It won't always be easy. In fact, a lot of times it will be just plain hard. But that keeps our hearts aching and longing for the day when there will be a new heaven and new earth and every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

To Know Him is to Love Him, To Love Him is to Trust Him, To Trust Him is to Obey Him...

And blessing will come....

December 2010!

Aren't they the cutest?

Brian and his make-up bag! Ha!

Sister and Best Friend!

First Christmas to come home MARRIED!

Aunt J.B. and Uncle Tracy!

We are really good at being silly!

The other "Smith" family!

Can't believe Kelsey is in college! She is the baby

in the family. Now, she is a beautiful woman of God.

The whole gang going comfy!

Poppy & Mommy on Christmas morning!

Typical!

Christmas Eve!

Mamaw & Papaw with their girls!

We are growing up fast!

Kelly & Jordan!

Cuddled up by the fire! We work around the dog!

Sweet time with Carter and the Rife family!

My amazing and precious parents!

On our way to dinner, a movie, and to

look at Christmas lights!

She is accustomed to the

leather recliner.

My beautiful Mother with my baby girl!

(Mimi & Poppy)

Celebrating Jordan's college graduation!

A great Christmas present!

So proud of Jordie!

Some of the girls! Baby, it's cold outside!

Ready, Aim, Fire!

I've been knowing that 2011 was right around the corner. I even had a small get together with friends to ring in the new year! Yet, somehow I still feel caught off guard. I am working on goals for the upcoming year, and my mind is swimming with all the ways I could improve and grow in every area of my life... (To be posted at a later date in bullet point form and God-willing with the practical steps of how to get there)... In these moments, I am reminded of His patience, of His kindness that leads me to repentance. Tonight, it's been good to turn everything off and sit still before the Lord. There is something about being still and knowing that He is God. It puts everything into perspective. I believe this is something we must do every day, but some days (I feel) everything needs to stop. Everything must be put on hold. My house that so desperately needs to be vacuumed. My Christmas decorations that need to be put away. My laundry that needs to be washed, dried, folded, and put into the appropriate place. You get the point. It all can wait. It all must wait. Why? So that I can listen to the One and only voice that matters. He is greater than my heart and knows all things. I need to hear from Him. I won't make it if I don't. What a gift it is to be able to sit down and read His Word, to hear Him speak each and every day. To know all that I have in Him and through Him and to have access at any moment. To be able to approach His throne with confidence! Oh the benefits! May we not forget that there is no greater thing. The name of this post is "Ready, Aim, Fire" for a reason. I must be ready. I must sanctify Christ as Lord in my heart, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks me to give an account for the hope that I have. If all of life is about knowing Him and making Him known, what does that look like in my life? It looks like me knowing Him in such a way that I might be able to love others the way He does, the way He did when He walked this earth. It looks like me abiding in His Word, taking up the Sword to fight the enemy, because he is always lurking, always seeking to steal, kill, and destroy. I'm so grateful that Jesus came that I might have life and have it to the full. I'm so blessed that He has given me all that I need to live that life and share that life with others. I'm asking that He would take me deeper and wider and higher in His love and truth that I might bring Him glory in all things. I long to be ready, to live my life with great aim, and to fire away at the enemy... Knowing that the Lord has already overcome and that in the end...He wins!

Lord Jesus,

Help me to run the race in such a way that I might win. By Your grace, I can exercise self-control in all things. I long to run each day of my life with great aim. I desire to be about Your business, Your purposes for this earth. Give me Your pure and holy passion that runs after all that is eternal. It is Your divine power that has granted me everything I need for life and godliness, and I want to partake in all that You have to offer. Let me continually put my flesh to death. Thank You for being alive in me. Be at home in my heart. Get rid of all the junk. You are welcome. I desire to be set apart for You, Lord. For You alone are worthy, precious Jesus. Remove all that is not lovely and pure and noble. Give me the grace to think on all that is. I want to love You well. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. It's all about You. Help me to walk by faith. You have not called me to shrink back, but to boldly call out to You, my only Hope, my Salvation once and for all, and in each and every day. What can I say to describe even a glimpse of Your glory? I cannot say enough about who You are and who You have been. Great is Your faithfulness. Thank You that all that You give is not based on what I have done or what I can do, but on what You accomplished on the cross. Your compassion fails not. I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of Your call. You demand my soul, my life, my all. Take it Lord. Use me. Mold me. Make me. Transform me for Your glory and the display of Your splendor in this coming year. Thank You Lord for 2010. Because Your love is better than life, I am ready for 2011!

Merry Christmas!

Another year has passed, and it is with a heart full of gratitude that I sit and write tonight. Thank You Lord. I recognize that every good and perfect gift is from You. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus. I am so grateful for His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection! Thank You for salvation. Thank You for life to the full! You are the greatest gift. Because Your love is better, my lips will glorify You. Happy Birthday Jesus!