Living out the Colossians three way

I was once told that if you get a message over and over from different sources yet they are all speaking to the same thing that God is trying to get your attention. Its called a double whammy!! For the past month or so everywhere I go I am being challenged on the Col 3 passage in combination with the Gal 5 (fruit of the Spirit) passage. It is amazing to first see yourself as God does as "chosen people", "holy", and "dearly loved"- if you just stop there it should be enough to change your life and those around you! But then to be challenged with the qualities of our Lord is just remarkable. By far, it is the hardest mark to strive for; yet, the most essential to my testimony. Read over the passages and be encouraged, challenged, and renewed!

Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Galations 5:22-24
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

There is a quote that says:
"Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love enduring. Kindness is love's touch. Generosity is love's character. Faithfulness is love's habit. Gentleness is love's self-forgetfulness. Self-Control is love holding the reins."

Make it your prayer today like that of John Wesley's:
"I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low for You. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. And the Covenant which I have made here on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen"

Holy Spirit Have Your Way in Me

Hunter Smith and the worship band sang this song on Sunday at Eagle Church.
I can't think of a better picture of my prayer and cry of my heart right now!
There can be so much going on in life but if He is greater and I am less things work out so much better... "Jesus, have your way in my life!"

"Holy Spirit Have Your Way" - Leeland

Long after the tears fall I'm still your child
I put down my defenses and lay down my pride
Love and forgiveness flow in deep and wide
So I run to you and surrender all!

As I lay down my life
And pick up my cross
What a joy it is to give my life away to you
All that I need,
All that I seek
Is You here with me
Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

In times of trouble, though trials may come
The rock of ages is standing strong
I'm fighting battles, but the war is won
So I'll run to you and surrender all

As I lay down my life
And pick up my cross
What a joy it is to give my life away to you
All that I need,
All that I seek
Is You here with me
Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

More of You and less of me, God
More of You and less of me, God
More of You and less of me, God
More of You overflowing

As I lay down my life
And pick up my cross
What a joy it is to give my life away to you
All that I need,
All that I seek
Is You here with me
Holy Spirit have Your way in me!
Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

A new year

At the beginning of every year most people place their focus on changes, areas of their life that need adjusting, and on starting new. However, each and every day I awake to a brand new day is a testament of God's rich mercies and the new start He gives us. I don't have to only restart making new in January, but each and every day that God so graciously gives. Recently I have been reminded of how much He loves, cherishes, and desires me. It is an outstanding thought to behold and even harder to fully grasp in its fullest context.

Since Thanksgiving of 2010 I have started a gratitude, anticipation, and prayer journal that I nightly reflect on my past day praising God for all of the blessings He gave me; looking forward to the next day to prepare myself for what He has for me; and then writing my prayer requests that came as a result of the day. It has been a wonderful example even in the short time that I have been doing it to see God's hand at work in even the smallest details of any day!

Last Monday I started my last internship for school. It is going to take some getting used to in a variety of areas but I am really enjoying it so far and looking forward to all of the great opportunities that it brings about.

When I am not in clinicals or working I am starting the ominous job search- the task that will determine the rest of my LIFE!!! Just kidding, sometimes it feels like that but I am just leaving it in the hands of the One who knows all anyway. As I am discovering in a lot of other areas in life, if I only let go, trust Him, and continue to seek only Him with all that I am than the rest will follow.

Here are the lyrics to a song that I love and truly move me:
David Crowder \ Only You

Take my heart, I Lay it down
At the feet of you whose crowned
Take my life, I’m letting go
I lift it up to You who’s throned

And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord
And I will bow down before You
Only You Lord

Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything

And It’s just you and me here now
Only you and me here now

You should see the view
When it’s only You

I pray you are able to delight in Him this week!
Wanting Only You,
Christina