Sufficiency

I broke down earlier this week.

It's hard when your music, your ministry, your passion and your plans get screwed up all in one foul swoop (even if temporarily). It's amazing how a couple months can really mess with you. I'm not saying I can't smile and laugh and be joyful, because I can and have...but to say I'm not struggling would be a lie.

But they say every cloud has a silver lining...

Romans 5:1-5

 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,

knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

and perseverance, character;

and character, hope.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I can face trials in my life one of two ways: I can turn my back on God (and miss out on the amazing things He wants to do in my life) or I can cling to Him. It's easy for me to ask "why" and to get angry with God. And yeah, He's big enough to handle it. But the better option would be to trust Him.

To trust that all bad things have the potential to be worked together for good (Romans 8:28).

To trust that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).

To trust that God's grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

God can use the hard times to help us see it's Him we have to rely on, and it's in Him that our identity is found.

I feel God's asking, "do you believe I'm enough for you?" and "if you believe I am enough, are you going to live out what you believe?"

Whatever it is you want that you don't have, will you be content in Christ even if those dreams never come to be realized? 

If I never sang again this side of eternity, would I know that my identity is found in Christ and be able to praise Him?

For those of us who want to get married, would we live joyously and productively for the Kingdom of God if we remained single?

If the Leafs never win the Stanley Cup again, would you know that life goes on? =P

I'm not trying to be melodramatic. I'm not at all saying that these things will never happen. I tend to believe they will!! (except maybe that last one). I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't pray for things that are important to us. We definitely should! God loves to give good gifts to His children!! But my point today is: no matter what, in good times and bad, who or what is it that you are living for? What gives you purpose? What defines you? If things are exactly how you want them to be, did you thank God for that? Do you believe God can use every circumstance to draw you to Himself and to make you more like Him?

Sufficiency

"If you never get to sing again,

If you never get to sing.

Will you still believe I'm in control of everything?

If he never comes to win your heart,

If he never comes to win.

Will you still know that you are beautiful and not because of him?

I delight in giving you good things,

All good things come from Me.

But more crucial than what you may have is who you are going to be.

This doesn't mean the sun won't come,

But it does mean you must trust

That no matter what you face in life, I'll always be enough.

If your dreams never come to be,

If they never come to be,

Will you see that I'm sufficient and still find joy in Me?

In all your days throughout this life,

None were made to waste.

Will you linger in My presence, trust My power, know My grace?

So do not turn away from Me,

I treasure you so dear.

Please learn that through these ups and downs,

I'm here, My love, I'm here.

It's not fun to see you crying,

And someday I'll wipe your tears,

But through each trial and heartache,

Draw near, My child, draw near."

Superstars and Other Musings

A few weeks ago, I went to see Taylor Swift with some lovely friends of mine. I'm not a big concert goer, but I was incredibly pumped leading up to it, thoroughly enjoyed it and would like to go again. (Dancers, aerialists, pyrotechnics, and some of the numbers were like mini-musicals, and we know how I adore musicals)
But this post isn't about Taylor Swift.

In fact, it's not even about me (though I am in parts of it).

I was in a rather peculiar mood on the drive home. I don't think my friends noticed because they were screaming songs at the top of their lungs (you guys are hilarious!). I was deep in thought. I imagine the rush of performing like that would be exceedingly high. Because goodness! The fun I have just cleaning house while dancing around and singing into a broom is already fantastic! I love music. It must be incredible to stand in front of a huge crowd and have them cheering for you.
50,000 people applauding one person. The energy in the room is crazy. But can you imagine that many people and abundantly more exalting the Creator of the universe and the Saviour of my soul? WOW!!
As I said before, I was pumped for the concert. I looked forward to it each day. I savoured each moment. I thought about it when it was over. I am probably sounding a tad obsessive.
But what if we spent every moment consumed by God?
What if...
We spent every moment exalting His name instead of lifting our soul to another?
We looked forward to spending time with Him, yearned to be with Him, lived each day to the fullest for His glory, eagerly awaited the day when we see His face?
And that's not something we'll have to be content with just reminiscing about when it's over. He never ends. His love never fails. He is enough.

Funny Youtube Videos of Children

These hilarious videos definitely had me laughing out loud. Enjoy! =D

"Funeral For a Fish"


"Bath Pee Incident"


"Evil Eye"

If

 I came across a poem I had written a long time ago (in grade 10 if I remember correctly) Reading it reminded me once again, that as a follower of Christ we must die to our old selves - our selfishness & sinful desires and ask God to change us to be like Him. It is a challenge. Following God isn't easy and sometimes our emotions and fears pull us in directions other than living selflessly and entirely to the Lord. Christians can be full of a lot of talk, I won't deny that. But I want my life to be more than words. I want my life to truly be wholeheartedly given to God. Perhaps the poem would have been better titled "When" because God does call us to surrender our will to His and to trust Him when we face struggles that will inevitably come.

If

Could I do all that You've called me to do?

If I face struggles and hardships

Could I accept the fact that You know what you're doing?

If I face a difficult decision

Could I choose what is right over what seems easy?

If Your plans for me are not my own

Would I follow them or fight to get my own way?

If You ask me to step up,  or stand back, or speak up, or fall back on You

Could I do that?

If You ask me to say yes or urge me to say no

Could I say "ok God"?

If You ask me to give my very life

Or suffer immensely

And cling to You at all costs

Could I do that?

Could I honestly do that?

I guess the more appropriate question is

...would I?

Because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

But only if I am willing.

I've heard it said to take up your cross and follow God,

I'm sure I've said it myself before,

But saying things and going through with them

If and when the time comes 

Are sometimes contradictory

Could I follow through with what I say?

...Would I?

Because only if I would

And if I must I do

May I truly say my love for You is genuine.

Make me willing Lord

Make   me    willing

FLOSS!

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Hilary, and she wrote a story that would not drastically change your life. One fantastically sunny afternoon, Hilary was flossing her teeth. The fact that it was a sunny afternoon had no correlation to the fact that Hilary was flossing her teeth; she just figured she'd add a minor description of the weather because that's what one does when they are writing a story. When suddenly, the unthinkable happened (always expect the unexpected in a story such as this): the floss got stuck! *GASP* The lengthy piece was dangling from the roof of her mouth. She yanked and yanked (and what a sight it was!) and pulled the majority of it free, but had to get a second piece of floss to remove the last bits. Thankfully the second piece did not get stuck as well (wouldn't that have been tragic). It was an ironic and counter-productive moment full of laughter and amusement. And now Hilary has to continue writing a paper.
THE END

Killing Prince Charming

Ok, I admit it: I suffer from that same "hopeless-romantic-syndrome" that perhaps some of you reading this do. I swoon over over the end of North and South (have you SEEN the way he looks at her?), which I have been recently introduced to. Or the movie Penelope (which I thought I would dislike but actually thoroughly enjoyed). Or I read books that I just can't put down. Yes, I am a fan of espionage and suspense, but if there is a love story, let's be honest, that's the predominant force gluing me to the page.
All these stories...all this superficial, lovey dovey, whirlwind of affection...generally without serious backbone to it.

Many of us Christian ladies are quick to say they want a young man with the 2 J's (Jesus and a job), but truthfully, while Christ is the main thing and I won't compromise on this, I do have my preferences. Or a young man may say they want someone "hot like Megan Fox" (and I don't mean to group and summarize all men in such a superficial way, I'm just giving an example). Do I think that whoever my guy is and I will be attracted to one another? Yes, but what society pushes as the foundation of attraction is what concerns me.

I think the danger with the way our thoughts are oriented, is that we don't commit because we are searching for the ideal (albeit unattainable). Or we run the opposite risk of clinging to someone and idolizing them in hopes they'll complete us and meet all our needs. Perhaps instead of sending Prince Charming to his grave, we need to refocus our priorities and notions of what love is supposed to look like.

I recently read a book in 24 hours. I was more than an enthusiastic reader - I was positively giddy. But that's precisely why I'm not in a hurry to read the rest of the series. Even Christian books often talk of how beautiful she is, how handsome he is, and though not explicit, the underlying tension is definitely unmistakable. And it's way too easy to get caught up in it and think "Just kiss her already!" when I'm gently urged to "not arouse or awaken love until it so desires." (Song of Sol 8:4) I feel like there is an absence of due honour and respect when I get so wrapped up in such things. And what point is there yearning for a stunnigly and impossbily flawless Prince Charming of my own when nobody on earth could possibly live up to such a standard? (Besides, storybook Prince Charmings are interchangeable and one dimensional. In Shrek, he was arrogant because he thought he had it all together. In Into the Woods, the prince charmed more than one woman)

Do I still like my fairy tales? Sure. Do I want the romantic gestures? You betcha.. Do I want a beautiful relationship some day? Yes.. Can a guy save me and give me ultimate fulfillment? No - but Jesus can! If someone laying down their life for a screw up like me, and consistently showering me with love and grace isn't romantic, then I don't know what is. That is immensely better than any Disney movie.


[For additional reading, check out this article: http://www.boundlessline.org/2011/02/killing-prince-charming.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boundlessline%2Fblog+%28Blog%3A+Boundless+Line%29 ]

New Year Contemplations

2011 is here!

New year. Same God.

The same God who so graciously showed me his faithfulness and goodness in 2010 will continue to be faithful and good in the year to come.
The same Lord who taught me and convicted me in the days past will continue to lovingly instruct me in the days ahead.
The same Saviour who forgave me time and time again and taught me of forgiveness in previous moments will continue to do so in moments to come.

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

That's the funny thing about time. It passes so quickly, and yet with the Lord "...one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8)

Ever feel like something was a lifetime ago, but it actually just happened, or vice versa? That's how I often feel. Even last night doesn't seem like it just happened.

Last night...
Last night was lovely. The highlight for sure was singing in the new year with fellow Christ-followers. The basement was kind of cold and we were sitting on the cold floor. I didn't know half of these people either - didn't even know their names at the time - but it didn't matter. We were singing to God and it was beautiful and seemed to bring us together in that moment.
It was awesome ending the year in awe of God and starting the next the same way. Shouldn't we desire to do the same in all the days in between?

Now for some thank yous.
Thank you to my friends for opening your homes, your hearts, and for your faith.
Thank you to my family for being the people that you are (P.S. Operation Suprise-Birthday-Party-For-Dad was a success!)
Thank you to my God for every breath you have given me, every blessing you have poured out, every lesson you have taught, and every wound you have healed. I want to spend my life loving You!

I don't know what 2011 holds. Let's find out, shall we?