The days when I just don't want to

I think it is safe to say we all have those days when we wake up, take one look at the day ahead of us and dive straight back under the covers. 
As much as I wish I could claim that I don't have problems putting the Lord first every morning, I can't. I do not jump out of bed every morning eager to get into God's Word. There are plenty of days where I have to make myself spend time with Him. I was thinking about all of this the other day; I had just felt so guilty of those feelings lately.
I could not understand why it was so hard to love someone so lovable.
I sat down and began reading Jeremiah chapter 20 and, it is in that chapter, the Lord revealed to me everything I needed.
As I was reading it I realized that Jeremiah 20 seems more of a complaint than a prayer. It is quite personal and just like Job chapter 3, I was getting the feeling of listening in on something that I shouldn't be. Anyways, it clicked with me after I finished the chapter-- Jeremiah was showing us that we can and we must take our troubles to the Lord in prayer.
At one point, Jeremiah is physically, emotionally, and spiritually bent out of shape and he tells God all about it.
Even Jeremiah- a prophet of God- had times of dryness, wanting out.
No matter who you are, there are going to be times when it gets rough and spiritual maturity means to go into your closet and pour out everything to God--to be completely weak. 
A lot of times a cry is the most spiritually mature thing to utter. 
No talking about miracles, no talking about what things you have gained--but with empty, desperate hands crying: I don't understand, but I know You do!
There is nothing that tells the truth about us as Christians so much as our prayer life. 
Something I really learned form Jeremiah 20 is that spiritual maturity doesn't always live on the Mt. top.
So whenever you don't feel like praying, pray anyways. 
Honesty in our relationship with the Lord is the most healing thing of all.

What a man is on his knees before God, that he is- and nothing more. 

When the troubles won't stop

Pray even when you don't want to.

This is no promise that going to God will remove all pain and worry. That is way to simple of an approach to the situation. Paul's thorn in the flesh never went away even though he sought the Lord earnestly over and over again. The pain that Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane was not a taken away either; even though he longed for it to be. However, God pours out grace, the exact grace of steady perseverance, therefore we can endure whatever may come our way. We find His grace through the channel of prayer and the pouring out of our hearts to Him. This is all known answers to us, but it needs reminding over and over, because we are slow learners here. 

For Those Who Don't Have It

Jesus Calling could not have been more perfect for me today- thought I'd share.

WEAR MY ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

with ease, I custom-made it for you, to cover you from

head to toe. The price I paid for this covering was

astronomical- My own blood. You could never

purchase such a royal garment, no matter how hard you

worked. Sometimes you forget that My righteousness

is a gift, and you feel ill at ease in your regal robe. I 

weep when I see you squirming under the velvety

fabric, as if it were made of scratchy sackcloth.

I want you to trust Me enough to realize your

privileged position in My kingdom. Relax in the 

luxuriant folds of your magnificent robe. Keep your eyes

on Me, as you practice walking in this garment of

righteousness. When your behavior is unfitting for

one in My kingdom,  do not try to throw off your royal 

robe. Instead, throw off the unrighteous behavior.

Then you will feel at ease in this glorious garment,

enjoying the gift I fashioned for you before the 

foundation of the world. 

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am life a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. -Isaiah 61:10

For God made Christ, who never sinner, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with the God through Christ. -2nd Corinthians 5:21

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy. -Ephesians 4:22-24

A Post with Few Words

Reunited with my best friend and exploring iMovie maker equals a fun blog post.

Life Verse Lesson

I have always been in love with Proverbs 3:5-6. It has been the verse on the tip of my tongue and the one I could probably quote backwards for quite some time. 

Today I realized because I know it so well, I think I tend to look over it from time to time. 

Therefore, I wanted to rediscover it's beauty. 

Honestly, how much pain and misdirection could we avoid if we trusted in and were constantly confident in our God's awesome love for us??

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own..."

What trouble could we avoid if we went to the all-knowing King for daily direction and wisdom instead of fretting, worrying, and being anxious? 

"...In all your ways acknowledge Him..."

There is always a rainbow in every picture you create with God. Therefore, there is always a promise. 

"...and He will make your paths straight."

Today the Lord really reminded me to

LIVE MORE OF WHAT YOU KNOW. 

Blogging at a Nursing Home

Be determined to handle any challenge in a way that will make you grow.

I have never had any experience with Nursing Homes until just recently. While I was in Kentucky my Papaw made the big move. Therefore, since I have been back, it is now a place I am beginning to become more familiar with.

I always knew this time would come; when he would no longer be scootin around the house, or reading the newspaper for hours on the couch. However, I never thought it would come this fast.

As I sit by him now, all I can think about is how fast life goes by.

When I left for camp, papaw knew who I was. Now, he just knows my face, and as far as the name goes- sometimes I'll get as close as Trixie.

I watch him forget my mom, who is his very own daughter, and I even watch him forget his own self.

I keep thinking how hard this whole process has been on my family. Through all of this I remember, Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can bear.

I also remember that happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same.

Every day I pray that the Lord is preparing a place for my papaw up in Heaven with Him. I am choosing to look at this as the good life getting closer instead of slipping away.

The Alabaster Box

AMEN Matt Chandler!

A Cliche of Truth

Life is all about taking risks.

While reading Hebrews tonight the truth behind that saying really hit me. 

If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.
Faith is everything. 

"All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. ¹⁴ Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. ¹⁵ If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. ¹⁶ But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." -Hebrews 11