Ch. 148 - God is Like Oxygen

This week's memory verse:

'No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.'
[1 John 4:12 ]

Ch. 147 - Jesus Has Your Back

This was today's devotional. It was really encouraging for me and I wanted to share it.

Jesus Prays for You

' "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message..." '
[John 17:20]

During the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for himself and then he prayed for the disciples. And then, with the hour of his death approaching, he took time to pray for you. He prayed for all those who would believe through the ministry of the disciples, and that means you.

This is what he told God:

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[John 17:20-24]

Jesus prays for you still.
"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."
[Hebrews 7:25]

Jesus wants you with him.
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory..."
[John 17:24]

Ch. 146 - Like Water on a Duck

'When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul.'

Horatio Spafford's It Is Well with My Soul is my favorite hymn. It provides a lot of comfort and, in a sense, gives me strength when I've fallen and am not doing too well. The past couple of weeks haven't been so great, but I've tried not to let that show. I had had a lot of anxious thoughts running through my mind and was really worrying about a few things. I'm not an anxious person by nature. Or a worrywart. I don't get nervous. I don't get stressed. But sometimes 'stuff' just starts to pile up on your shoulders and the weight can bend you over, transforming you into something or someone you're not. And that's not a good thing. Thankfully, by just realizing that you can give it all to God, you can straighten up and let it roll off your shoulders. So that's exactly what I did. And it is well with my soul.


'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'
[Philippians 4:7]

Ch. 145 - Fear

I hope this isn't taken as a prideful or boastful thing to say... but today I realized that I truly don't have any fears. Do you know how comforting that is to know about yourself? That may sound strange, but honestly, it's true. And what good does it do to fear things of this world? To fear thought or knowledge, beast or man?

I suppose that's what I mean by 'I truly don't have any fears.' That I'm not afraid of anything. I think the only 'fear' I have is that of fearing God. But I'm not afraid of Him. To fear God is to fear the judgment of God. I think to fear God is to have reverence and awe for Him... I think that's in a psalm somewhere...

Anyway.

This is my story. And at least in this chapter, I'm the most fearless person there is. Oh goodness. I can't skip around it anymore. If that's not pride talking, I don't know what is! Forgive me. Perhaps I'm at the point where I could say 'I have nothing to fear but fear itself.'


'Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.'
[Psalm 33:8]

'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'
[Psalm 118:6]

Ch. 144 - Author of Salvation

Our God can do anything. He can move mountains. He can conquer the grave. He can save.

People argue that Christians belittle God by saying that He is merciful and just and forgiving and gracious and loving - all these things and more - to all people, sinners and saints alike. They say that this is giving God human characteristics, and humans aren't perfect, but God is. He is almighty.

But weren't we created in His image? They believe that God is there, that He is the Creator. So if He created us, how could He have human characteristics? And I'm not saying that we, as humans, are anything like God in His powerfully omnipotent and amazingly omniscient perfection. We aren't gods, we will never be gods or even truly like God.

But because God is merciful to us, we can show mercy. Because God is just, we can be just. Because God is forgiving, we can forgive. Because God shows grace to us, we can be gracious. Because God loves us, we can love. And He has given us the perfect example of how to do and be these things in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Is it really such a complicated concept that is difficult to understand, but not for me because that's what I've been taught all my life? It just all seems so simple to me.

My heart aches for those who have never heard about Jesus, as well as those who have but have rejected Him as their Savior.


'We love because he first loved us.'
[1 John 4:19]

Ch. 143 - Counting My Blessings

'For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him...'
[Philippians 1:29]

18. May 2010 Edit:

I'm pretty sure I've written down my thoughts on suffering for Christ before. I must say, however, that while every single believer may not suffer "for" Christ as greatly as He did for us, I think it's important to at least realize how greatly blessed we are because of His suffering. And if we truly care about what Jesus did before, during, and after His time on the cross, we need to take more seriously our commission and commitment to Him. We shouldn't be afraid to suffer for Christ. "For it has been granted to you..." Granted. Permitted as a right. A privilege. We should feel honored to be able to suffer for Him - because we believe on Him.

Ch. 142 - The Reiteration

Last night I spent the night at Camp Hitaga, which is where the youth group has been spending their evenings after working so that they can have fellowship and worship - aspects of a 'normal' offsite mission trip experience, seeing how they're working in town this year. It was really nice to have that extra time with all the kids. I wish I had stuck with my initial decision to spend the night there again and not come home, but it's not a big deal.

Anyway, last night I decided to attend the Senior-Hi worship. Definitely a good choice. A few of the kids spoke, reading Scripture, reflection on the Scripture and the message. Glynn Roberts, who graduated this past spring, was one of the kids who spoke. Something he brought up was the fact that every time he goes on a mission trip, he grows in his faith immensely. However, he always wishes that he could grow like that every week of the year, not just the one or two weeks during each summer. And that his wanting to do so should prompt that change and the realization that it could truly happen.

That was really cool to hear. These past couple of months I've been doing a lot of thinking about that kind of thing. Growing in faith, I mean, and missions [naturally]. I'm basically going to be living one giant mission trip, eventually, and I know that I'm going to grow in my faith in ways that I have never experienced before. I can't wait. But I know going on missions isn't the only way one can grow in their faith and be ignited on fire for God. That's something I learned this past year and I will be able to carry this knowledge which I have come to acquire in the days to come.


'Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.'
[Psalm 73:23-26]

Ch. 141 - Running the Race

This week's memory verse:

'Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.'
[James 1:12]

Ch. 140 - Blast From the Past

So this morning I went over to the church to see if Phil (the youth pastor) needed any help on one of the mission teams. Because of the flooding here in Cedar Rapids, the annual Des Moines trip for the Mid-Hi was canceled; the Senior-Hi decided to stay and do flood relief work here instead of going to Minnesota. Also because of the flooding, one of the youth projects that was supposed to happen in June was cancelled - Paint by Neighbors - so that is what the Mid-Hi has been doing this week.

I just sort of placed myself on the Mid-Hi team because I didn't have any work boots, basically. Plus I love working with Mid-Hi, so it was what I wanted to do! But you know, as we headed out to the work sites, I looked around me and realized that I didn't know these middle schoolers. It's a new group and I wondered how this could have happened so suddenly. I felt old. I'm 19, for goodness' sake! I started to worry about not being connected with these kids since I've not been around the youth group for the past couple of years. But I love working with Mid-Hi and I was determined to not let the fact that I didn't know these kids bring me down.

Fortunately, my worries started to dissipate once we got to the houses the group has been working on. All it takes is some introductions, encouragement to get started and a little chit-chat and song-singing while we work to get in my Mid-Hi mode. Soon I was practically one of them and I was in my element, both with the kids and the painting. Bliss.


'Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe...'
[Philippians 2:14-15]

Ch. 139 - A Perfect Day

Today was beautiful. Just beautiful.

God gave me this day. Me.

I hate to sound selfish, but I can't help it. I apologize.

That's all I have to say.


'God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the sixth day. Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.'
[Genesis 1:31-2:1]

Ch. 138 - United in Action

I've finally realized that it doesn't matter what you do or how you do it, but that you do something... for example, in the ways of reaching out, lending a hand, loving, offering an ear or a shoulder, etc. It doesn't matter if you are the mouth of Christ, the arms of Christ, the eyes of Christ, the feet of Christ, or the ears of Christ. Every part of the body is beautiful and useful.


'Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.'
[Romans 12:4-5]

Ch. 137 - Pulled Up By God

OUR GOD IS GOOD. ALL THE TIME.

This morning I got what I've been praying for.
I love the irony of it all.
On the verge of being quite upset about the whole situation, I decided to post about it yesterday. And here I am today, posting that I received what I've been praying for. Waiting for. Here's the best part: the sermon in church today was about waiting in patient hope. Beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.


'Out of the depths I cry to you,
O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the
morning,
more than watchmen wait for the
morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.'
[Psalm 130]

My psalms reading for the evening were psalms 120 to 130. I almost lost it as I read Psalm 130. It was perfect. Is perfect.

Ch. 136 - Falling On My Knees

I've been asking for something from God for awhile now. 57 days, to be precise. I'm starting to become anxious as to whether I'll receive it or not. I mean, for all I know I could receive it in five days - or five years. When I say 'it' I don't mean an actual thing... it's more of a feeling than anything. And I know when I'll receive it. It's just one of those things, you know?

I'm expecting it.

I think everything is going to be alright.
No.

I know everything is going to be alright.


'Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.'
[James 1:4-6]

Ch. 135 - Dumbfounded

Have you ever felt the need to say something to a dear friend, but simply didn't? Something fresh. Something exciting. Something loving. Something important. You don't want to change their minds over something or make them feel unsupported, but you feel you need to lay it all down for them... you need to lay it out in hope that they will be able to see things the way you do. And not just see things, but understand it all.

I really don't want to elaborate, so I'm sorry for the vagueness of the post. But it's on my heart and I need to get it out.

You can understand something and not believe it.
But you can believe something and not understand it.

You may say that you can't believe something until you understand it inside and out, but I disagree. I think you could call that faith.


' "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." '
[Mark 11:22-26]

Ch. 134 - The Thanksgiving

I worked outside in the yard for a long time today. It was a very pleasant day. A bit on the humid side - but I love warm, humid weather, so I was quite content. The sun was shining in a perfect, cerulean sky, a slight breeze blew across my face every so often... and for most of the day I had a cardinal singing to me while I worked. Truly, a beautiful day.

Now, once you've got a set task in mind and decide to start and you're up to your elbows in dirt, yard work doesn't require a lot of thinking. Just doing. So I had a lot of space for thought - and a lot of time to think. Thus, I did just that. I thought about all kinds of things. Of 'shoes and ships and sealing wax, of cabbages and kings'. Alright, so maybe I didn't think of said things. But I certainly could have! No, instead I thought about things along the lines of family and friends, future times and God. Surprise, surprise, eh? I must say, though, that sometimes I don't know what will come up next as I let my mind wander on random thoughts. So yes, at times my own thoughts surprise me. Or more like the way I get to thinking about something surprises me. For example, at the end of it all I'll think, 'How did I get from thinking about strawberries to my pillow, and then from my pillow to God? Honestly, Natalie.' [True thought, by the way.]

Anyway. Before I knew it, I was thinking about God. Same ol', same ol', really. How cool He is. How big and small He is. How loving He is. And before I knew it, I found myself thanking God for basically everything I could think of. And I mean everything. It was really a nice time to do so. I was living in a perfect day. In the presence of a perfect God. How could I not be thankful for, in fact, everything?

I've said before that I need to give thanks to God more often. If I am to truly worship Him every minute of every day by living my life for Him, it should take up more of my time than it presently does. I feel a mid-year resolution coming on...


'Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.'
[Ephesians 5:19-20]

......

Ch. 134, Part Two:

This week's memory verse:
'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.'
[1 John 1:9]

Ch. 133 - Lighthouse on the Coast

Lately I've been thinking about what will happen once I graduate. For what organization, company, etc. I'll work for. Where I'll go. What I'll do. Who I'll meet. And for awhile there I really started to worry. I've said it before: I like to plan things out. So technically, I'm stepping out on a limb here with transferring and going into missions, because I don't know what's going to happen. I'm not the one in charge.

I know I'm going to be sailing some pretty rough seas in the future. I'm sure the trip will be dotted with storms and flooded with bouts of darkness. And I can't overcome these hazards without God as my light and guide.


'For the Lord God is our light and our protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right. O Lord Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.'
[Psalm 84:11-12, NLT]

Ch. 132 - Verification Verse Three

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.'
[Colossians 3:23-24]

17. May 2010 Edit:

I personally don't think much - if anything - needs to be said regarding these verses... but I'll go ahead and give my two cents anyway. First of all, would anything we do ["Whatever you do"] be considered a service to God? Could we truly consider every task, every act of each day something from which glory to God can be given, and/or for the furthering of His kingdom? Sometimes I wonder... But we never know how something we do - or say! - will affect anything or anyone in this world. So we truly should strive to do all things as though we are doing them for God.

Ch. 131 - Verification Verse Two

' "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" '
[Matthew 16:26]

16. May 2010 Edit:

All things of this world are finite.
Temporal.
Limited.

The things of this world should not matter to us.
Even relationships, in the end, fail us. That doesn't mean we shouldn't make the most of our time and love people and help them and develop the connections we have... because we were made as relational beings. But when they come to be of greater importance than our Lord God, that is when we need to shift our focus and remind ourselves how "meaningless" certain things truly are. There are few things we know and trust that are truly of great importance. Meaningful. Eternal. We should spend some time thinking about what those are and what they mean to and for us.

Ch. 130 - Verification Verse One

The next few days' posts are going to be simple verses that have really made an impact on me during this past week. I think everybody can take something away from them and live their life more accordingly to how God wants us to by focusing on what the verse really has to say.


'Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.'
[Psalm 32:10]

15. May 2010 Edit:

A woe could be distress, regret, grief... it could be announced upon someone, or it could be a personal feeling one has. I think that we would be less likely to say "Woe is me!" if we were to realize that the things which cause us to feel woe... don't matter. Lose your job? Work for God's kingdom. Break up with your significant other? Strengthen your relationship with God. God is with you, always. He loves you, always. But how does it make Him feel when He is not loved in return? When He is not trusted? If anyone has reason to say "Woe is me!" it is Him, because so many of His beloved children have been lost forever because they do not listen. They do not repent. They do not believe. And the list goes on... Granted, He doesn't need us. But we need Him. Too often we don't realize that as early on as we should... Anyway, isn't it nice to feel needed?

Ch. 129 - Hitting the Nail

God really does know everything about us. I know I've heard it so many times, but sometimes it takes just that extra something to make it click. Sometimes that extra something makes us feel good, sometimes it makes us feel bad, but in the end it helps us have a better understanding of both God and ourselves. And I know that God wants the best for us, His children, so sometimes you have to suck it up, lay down your pride, and take what comes at you with humility.


'All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.'
[Proverbs 21:2]

Ch. 128 - Repeating Kindergarten

Do you remember the first days of school? Especially kindergarten - because you were at long last going to go to 'regular' school with the big kids. I certainly remember those days. Getting to finally ride the school bus as a fellow big kid was, by far, one of the highlights of 1994-95.

Last year was just like kindergarten. Getting to go to college with 'the big kids' was a huge deal. I knew that my freshman year of college was going to be absolutely grand, and once it was over... it was over. I'd be well into the brand new start. Sophomore year would come and go. I'd be settled. Familiar. Junior year would come and go. Really get into my major's coursework. Internships. Study abroad. And then I would practically stumble into senior year, tripping over the excitement of almost being done. That'd be it. I'd graduate. I'd go off and do, well, whatever.

For the last time, I'm getting the chance to start anew once again. I'll be a freshman. Again. For the third time, technically. New school. New major. New faces. New classes. I'm getting a brand new start. And I'm more grateful for it than you can imagine!

I bring this all up because today I was finally granted access to the student portal of CCCB (Central Christian College of the Bible). I browsed around a bit and saw that I could get started on an unofficial class registration, so I did just that. I pre-registered for my fall classes and let me tell you, I am now even more excited to head off to Moberly in August!

Life of Christ I
Christian Discipleship
Survey of Pentateuch
Foundations of Christianity
World Geography
SALT: Information [Service And Leadership Training]

Seriously. Best. classes. ever. These are the types of classes I've been waiting to take all my life. I just didn't know it until this past year. ! Kind of funny how these things work out, huh?

Ha.


' "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." '
[Matthew 7:7-8]

Ch. 127 - More Changes

I have no problem staying up late to read a new book - or even one I've read before - and finishing the entire book.
But when I stay up late because I feel 'I need to read my Bible' I'm asleep within five minutes of opening my Bible.

I have no problem sitting down and planning out my coursework for the next year.
But when I sit down to write out prayer requests or a new journal entry, I find my mind wandering and I'm soon up and out, forgetting about what I sat down to do in the first place.

I have no problem dreaming and thinking about doing work all day every day in the future.
I have no problem dreaming and thinking about being a missionary overseas.
But when help is needed here locally, I find myself thinking that I've been dragged into work, and then I help out with a not so cheerful heart.

Not. cool.

What is wrong with me?

Honestly.

I need a change in attitude and heart, and I need it now.

I'd like to think that if my focus were on God and building up the Church and spreading His love, things would seem entirely different.

I'd have no problem reading my Bible regularly.
I'd have no problem staying focused and keeping up with the intercessory prayers.
I'd have no problem helping out whenever and wherever needed, and with a cheerful heart at that!


'Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.'
[Psalm 119:1-2]

......

Ch. 127, Part Two:

This week's memory verse:

'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'
[Ephesians 4:29]

Ch. 126 - He Will Humble

'Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.'
[Daniel 4:37]

8. May 2010 Edit:

Nebuchadnezzar... what a guy.
So.
He had a dream. Daniel interpreted it.
Nebuchadnezzar would lose everything, living among the wild animals, because he was a wicked oppressor and would not acknowledge God as the sovereign Ruler over all the kingdoms, even that of his in Babylon. This very thing happened. But then Nebuchadnezzar praised the Most High God - both his sanity and his kingdom were restored. He became even greater than before [Daniel 4:36]. But first he was humbled by God... he did not merely live among the wild animals, he basically became a wild animal. It just goes to show that God will do what He pleases in order to rid us of our pride.

Ch. 125 - Always Preparing

Oh goodness. I can't wait for school to start.


'My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.'
[Isaiah 26:9]

Ch. 124 - Building Up, Reaching Out

'Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.'
[Galatians 6:10]


My mom shed some light on this verse for me when I questioned her about it. At first, one may think that it's saying to give special treatment, if you will, to 'those who belong to the family of believers'. However, that's not necessarily the case. When this was written, there was a lot of corruption within the communities that Paul had been to and there wasn't a lot of unity within 'the church'. And in order to love, do good and be a light unto those who were not yet believers, you have to love, do good and be a light within your own group first. You have to be strong throughout and have a firm foundation before you can add on and start building.

Ch. 123 - Say It AND Have It

A few days ago I received a devotional in the mail that I really enjoyed and thought I would share it. I think it's important to really take what the writer (Rick Warren) says to heart. I personally know that I say I'm a Christian, but sometimes my actions or words would say otherwise. 'Say what you mean and mean what you say,' you know? I'm really trying to work on this. It's difficult at times, but I can honestly say that I think I'm making progress. I can only hope that people will more easily be able to discern my being a Christian and my having that relationship with God that I want for everybody.

When the Bumper Sticker Doesn’t Match the Driver

'What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?'
[James 2:14]

A recent Gallup Poll says there are fifty million people in America who say, "I am a Christian." But truth be told, not all of those fifty million can back it up with the lifestyle they live. Just because a person claims it, doesn’t mean they have it.

Typically, we label people "believers" today if they vaguely sound Christian. At the end of a World Series, a player may come on TV while the champagne is spraying, and say, "I just want to thank the good Lord." We think, "Oh, he must be a Christian, he said 'Lord.'" Well, not necessarily. Not everybody who has a Christian bumper sticker on their car is a Christian. Have you figured that one out?

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven." Not everybody who claims to be a believer really is a believer.

James points out that there’s a big difference between being a professor and a possessor, between saying it and actually having it. So what does Jesus say? What value is this faith that just claims it? Jesus says there’s no value at all. It’s worthless. Talk is cheap, because faith is more than just something you say.

· Take inventory. Is your lifestyle saying something opposite of the bumper sticker on your car? Is Jesus the guiding force in everything you do or is he just along for the ride with several other more benign influences?

· Connecting with God is a catalyst for faith. What are you doing this very moment that is a start to a reckless pursuit of God?

· Match words with actions and actions with words. In truth you need both! Prepare for the day ahead by making a promise that you’ll walk the talk!

Ch. 122 - 'I Get By...'

'... With a little help from my friends.'

First things first: this song is stuck in my head. Secondly: this may or may not be the 'true' line from the song 'With a Little Help from My Friends' by the Beatles. But I like it a lot better... and I think it's nice for what's going on in Cedar Rapids and all around Iowa these days, what with disaster relief and clean-up.

It just goes to show that what goes around truly does come around. You help others, don't be surprised if they turn right around and help you.


'As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.'
[Proverb 27:17]

Ch. 121 - 232 Years

Happy Fourth of July!


'Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.'
[2 Corinthians 3:17]

This may seem like a different kind of freedom from the freedom usually thought of on the Fourth of July. But freedom is freedom is freedom. Whether it's given to us by our founding fathers, American soldiers or God, it's freedom. And it's independence to think. To say. To do.

Ch. 120 - Mmmmmmemorize!

I feel I've read so many Bible verses so many times - but I have practically no verses memorized. I want to change this. I mean, I can recall where in the Bible certain verses are that have to do with whatever, or tell a certain story, but I really don't have many specific verses that I can readily pull from memory.

So I've decided to make Thursday my 'Bible Verse Memorization' day.

This week's memory verse:

'I can do everything through him who gives me strength.'
[Philippians 4:13]

Ch. 119 - A Map of My Life

I love that our God is so big and so small. He knows all the stars by name, as well as all our names. He knows all about us. Every little thing. He knows things about us that we don't even know. I've talked to people who believe that having an all-knowing God is scary. And condescending. And they want nothing to do with Him. They shut Him out, thinking that by doing so He will just... not be there. Not exist. But I love having an all-knowing God. It makes me feel safe. And I am comforted in knowing that by trusting Him, everything will be okay, because He has planned every step of my life. My God holds a map of my life in His hands. He unfolds that map and reveals it to me bit-by-bit. And I wouldn't have it any other way.


'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.'
[Psalm 37:23-24, NKJV]

Ch. 118 - The Name Game

I've had a great fascination with names for the past year or so. Name meanings, origins, etc. I used to not like my [first] name. I didn't care about what it meant, even if other people (namely my parents) thought it was interesting. I was always mad that it didn't mean something cool - as a descriptive meaning, that is. Like, 'sweet' or 'adventurous' or something. I liked names that people could 'live up to', if that makes sense. So obviously, if your name did indeed mean 'adventurous', you could grow up to be adventurous and everything that goes with it. Daring. Bold. Courageous.

But me? That doesn't really work. Natalie comes from the Latin phrase 'natale domini', which means 'day of our Lord' or 'day of the Christ' - so basically 'Christmas'. Now that I've been born again and really have a true appreciation for being saved by Jesus Christ and have a relationship with Him, it means more to me. But I can specifically recall one point in time thinking, "What kind of a name is Natalie anyway? Christmas is just a holiday for greed and gluttony. I wish I was named something else." I wouldn't change my name for anything, now. I love it.

Honestly, my name actually gives me comfort and strength when I'm not feeling too great. It may seem weird, but when I simply say or think my name and what it means, it helps me think of my Savior and the God who sent Him to us. And how great He is. I find it interesting to think how my own name can bring me such comfort and happiness by thinking about its meaning. Our God is so, so good.


'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.'
[Psalm 139:14]