Good morning my bloggy friends! After seeing that its been two months since I've blogged, I'm feeling quite guilty. Yes, I am still alive and yes, God continues to shape and mold me through this little thing called life.
About eight weeks ago, I began having major pain in my neck, left shoulder, and left arm. When I say major, I mean not going to work, laying in bed all day kind of major. After trying chiropractor care and lots of different kinds of drugs without relief, I saw a neuro surgeon on a Friday and had neck surgery the following Monday (August 23). So, its been almost 4 weeks since my surgery and I am happy to say that I felt immediate relief and continue to recover well.
During the time of my recovery, I've had lots of time to spend with God. Our time together has been so precious and I've learned so much. In the whirlwind of a life I typically live, I find myself always looking for a quick fix to any problem I may encounter. I mean, who has time to deal with problems??? God placed me in the first three chapters of Proverbs for about two weeks to show me the importance of seeking wisdom. In James 1:5, God offers wisdom to those who ask for it. Proverbs shares the blessings of seeking wisdom and the consequences of not. God helped me realize that I must seek wisdom in everything. I must seek wisdom first, not after I've tried my own thing and screwed it all up. God is willing to give it to me - all I have to do is seek it and then actually obey once He gives it to me. Simple enough, right?
Well, my problem is taking the time to seek it. Will you pray with me that we will take the time to listen for God's wisdom?

Our small group has been reading the book Radical by David Platt and I have to say it has opened my eyes to many things. I highly recommend it. One thing it has led our group to do more of is - see a need, meet the need. We began by serving in our community by helping some people with home repair and gave school supplies to some needy families. Then, we became aware of a need outside our community.

Join our small group (a group of young adults in Central IL) as we seek to find 475 people who will give $20 each in order to build a well for the kids at Plan Escalon campus in La Entrada, Honduras! WILL YOU CONSIDER GIVING $20?What is $20 to us today, in 2010 in the US... well, I could think of a lot of things and if we each make one sacrifice, we can make this happen!

If you would like to join us go to www.lifesongfororphans.org and click on donate and make sure you put Honduras Well in the description box. You can also find out more about Lifesong for Orphans, the children they provide for, and other opportunities for you to serve along side them at the website. And if you are on Facebook, check out our group at Godabuildawell.

Also, check out this amazing post at our friends, Dan and Christi Ucherek's blog
http://godetchedyourname.blogspot.com/2010/09/while-we-wait.html

God is on the move!
God is working in so many lives!
God loves you no matter what is happening around you!
God is good all the time and all the time God is good! (even when you don't understand!)

Are you saying yes to His calling? Or is fear keeping you safe in your comfort zone? I can say from experience that He can be trusted. He is faithful but how will you know until you say yes? Say yes before you even know what He is going to ask and get ready for an amazing adventure!

Are you afraid? Do it anyway!!

OK, I've said my piece for now. Have a great day!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Hello my bloggy friends! No, I have not forgot about you! I think of you often, but have a difficult time, finding time to put those thoughts into words on my blog! Wow is all I can say about our amazing God. I had shared in previous posts about my difficulties in transitioning back into the working work while maintaining everything else in my life (well, except my blog :)), but as always God is faithful in pulling me through difficult situations. I felt as though I needed a refresher in my spiritual walk and boy did God provide one for me! Our young adult group started reading and discussing the book "Radical" by David Platt and it has left my head spinning (in a great way!)! It has challenged me and caused me to do some major thinking over my life and the way I live it! The biggest challenge it has brought about is how it has made my selfishness very apparent. I guess my selfishness comes so naturally that I don't even notice it at times. This book has been a great inspiration to me also to be more intentional about building relationships with others. I highly recommend it.

So, I would love to hear about what God is doing in your life! How is He changing you? What is He calling you to do? What vision or passion has He put on your heart? Big or small, I want to hear it all!!

Have a great day!
Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie

Good morning my bloggy friends! I hope you had an amazing Memorial day weekend! I sure did, mine was filled with catching up on over due relationships, house work and home work. It feels good to catch up!!

Do you ever feel like your relationship with God is dry? Do you ever desire a renewal in your connection with God? Do you seek to have more passion?

I've been a bit dry lately, but God's Word revealed a great truth to me this morning. In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God shows Ezekiel some dry bones and then not only brings those bones back to life with flesh and skin, but breathes life back into them.

God has the power to do the same to you and I. Seek Him and you will be restored. Ask for passion, and He will fill you with it. Desire His guidance and will and He will show it to you.

Hope this brings encouragement to you today! Have a great one!
Christie

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Good morning my bloggy friends! It seems as though its been forever since we've talked. Lately, I have found myself overwhelmed with life. Attempting to balance being a wife, mom, friend, student, and employee has been difficult for me but I am holding on to the strength of God for wisdom and guidance. As I cried out to God about all I had to do, He softly and sweetly reminded me of the above verse. It reminded me, once again, that God is in control and that I need to make my focus on Him and the moment I am in - not the places I need to go or the list of things that need to be completed. Attempting to train my brain to focus on the here and now has been difficult but I will not give up.

While on the earth, Jesus' example was of working hard and being persistant but also taking the time to be still and pray. I wonder, how much more content and calm would my/your life be if we prioritized our quiet time with the Lord?

I hope you can gain encouragment from today's post and let it be a reminder for you to stay in the present and keep God as your focus.

Have a great day
Christie

This verse brought sweet peace to my heart today

Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Enjoy joy in your soul through Jesus Christ!

Christie

The words in this song are wonderfully true - I have lived them. Enjoy and soak up the peace that the truth brings.
Christie

Tenth Avenue North: You are more

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide
She says, How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight
She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try
But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.
You've been remade
You've been remade.
You've been remade.
You've been remade.

I've been listening to the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan on my drive home from school each week. As I listened last night, I realized something about myself. I live in a cycle of being totally consumed and fulfilled by God and then falling into seeking other things in life to fulfill me. There is a void in my heart that can only be filled by God but I can so easily fall into trying to fill it with material things, the approval of others, achievements, etc. My last cycle has been being content with my home and what I have in it but recently have found myself spending money on it that I don't have. I've wondered why my heart has went from contentment to discontentment but haven't gone much further. It hit me last night - the reason I am spending money on unneeded things is because I'm searching again to fill my void with "things" instead of God. I've decided that each time I want something unneeded and am ready to shop, I will instead spend that time with God.

I love the way that God is so faithful! I'm so thankful that His love for me never changes even when I go seeking something else to take His place.
Thank you, Lord, for your forgiveness, grace and mercy!

Living fearlessly in Christ
Christie