blogs & thoughts.

9/7/17.  11:48 p.m.  Can’t sleep.  I missed Tuesday and Thursday to blog.  So, why not post now?

I’m excited.  I’m tired.  I feel blessed.  I feel like a mess.

I spent this evening riding my horse and spending time with one of my very best friends who I haven’t seen almost all summer.  I felt like I was overflowing with joy when I got home!

But our conversations that tonight consisted of are what brings this blog post to life.  

I dearly missed our deep, spiritual, personal talks.

My best friend and I are quite often mistaken for the same person.  Even though I’d give everything to look as beautiful as she does, we can’t seem to think that we look alike!  But no matter where we go or who we see, people always mistake us for one another.   It’s kinda funny.

Even though we may not realize we look like each other, we definitely realize that we are almost the same person on the inside.  Same views, same beliefs, same feelings, same personalities.  What was brought to my attention this evening was that we’re also  sick of some of the same things.

Music & Life.

First off, music.  What the heck?  Are we running out of things to write and sing about?  Apparently.

New music is crap and not good for the soul.  Old music gets boring after a while, no matter how classic and artistic the song may be.  It’s horrible.

New Christian music?  Forget about it.  Especially new Christian songs on the radio. It’s all about me, myself and I.  “Thank you Jesus for saving me!”  “Lord, I need you!”  “You’ve turned myself into a new being!”  Ummm, where’s the praise that our Father deserves?  When did it become about ourselves and not solely about the Almighty?

Before I go on any further, please don’t take what I’m saying out of context.  There’s nothing wrong with the song-statements I just made…what’s wrong is that it’s all that there is.  And that’s all that we’re proclaiming.

Me. Me. Me.

We’ve become so self-centered and we take everything for granted.  I mean, everything.  We as human beings with sinful, selfish natures need to be sincerely humbled before the overwhelming presence of the Lord God above and bow before His feet, worshiping Him with everlasting praise.  Why?  Because He is forever worthy of our utmost praises and pure worship from our hearts.

Music, especially Christian music, needs to go back to its original standards. 

Then there’s life.  Life is just straight up crazy, and I don’t think I will ever be able to say that enough.  When you think you’re having a good day, life can just take its hand and just slap you right across the face and seem to say, “Just kidding, your good day is ruined.  You’re welcome.”  Now, I get that we are in charge of our own lives and we can make the decision to have a good day or a bad day, but shoot!  Sometimes it just really gets to you!

Sometimes it feels like we can’t overcome the struggles of life and what it throws at us, and I’ve really been weighed down by that lately.  But danget, thank you Jesus for your blessings and grace, because you have given me the best of friends!  After dinner, my dear friend reminded me when she got home that I can do nothing in my own strength — that I need to draw my strength straight from Christ.  Then she also added that she had just got done praying for me.  

I don’t know what I did to deserve a best friend like that, but man, I am so grateful!

At times like these, just when things seem like they’re a mess and that you can’t put it all back together, God can.

When you feel like you’re life is falling apart and that you can’t hang on any longer, that’s okay; because God can hold onto you.

The moments you feel alone and that nobody cares; nothing could ever make you feel actual joy again; that’s okay.  God can.  And God will.

In this day in age, it’s hard to find anything that will give you pure joy.  So, cling to the things that give you lasting joy and happiness.  But most importantly, cling to Jesus.  Please.  He’s the only one who has and ever will love you enough so much that He died for your wretched self so you could spend eternity with Him.

Even in the days that you feel like you can’t even pick up your Bible to read for just a little bit; the days where you feel like you can’t pray; the times that He seems distant.  Here’s what I’m sure of.

He never moves, He will never forsake you, and He will always love you.  Cling to Him through the pains and the trials; cling to the solid knowledge that you base your everything on.

And when you feel like you can’t take it anymore, like you can’t finish the task or the race of like, just give it all to Him.  Give it all to Him and lean not on your own understandings, but on Jesus Christ. 

I will praise you in this storm, and I will lift my head.  You are who you are, no matter where I’ve been.

Oh, Jesus.  What a beautiful name it is.

Even in the storms, I’ll follow you.

Holy. Holy. Holy. Lord, God Almighty. Our songs shall rise to thee.

Thanks, Dad, for loving me – the unlovable.

Matthew 11:28-30 • Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.