God and me.

     Last night I went to sleep so excited. Why? Because I had absolutely nothing to do today. It's just a good feeling. To know that you can do whatever you want. I was daydreaming/imagining a perfect morning. Cup of coffee, bible, journal, perfect sitting situation, and complete focus. That's how your quiet time is supposed to be right? So I went to sleep and dreamt of Abercrombie jeans? What? I know, I don't think my right leg would fit in those. ;) And woke up around 7. Mad. Why was I awake at 7? "Go back to sleep Brennen!" So I went back to sleep to wake up at 8:30. Not as bad as 7, but still way early. I think I have lost my ability to sleep in.
     So I got up- grabbed my bible study "stuff" and off I went to find the perfect spot. So this is what I got:

     Perfect. Look at it. I'm in the shade. I have my table to set everything on. My California coffee cup that Katie Sottile gave me, my post it note highlighter. Journal. Bible. 2 study books. I'm on a roll right?
I begin my study- things are going great- then I get a text. Of course, I shouldn't have brought my phone out- but what if someone REALLY needed me? Then about 10 minutes later, I have to pee. I then drop my highlighter. I'm getting uncomfortable in the seat I chose. And I'm loosing focus.
     A fly goes into my coffee. I still can't get comfortable. Then, of all things, my perfect morning that had the perfect temperature outside- it began to get hot. I hate sweating. Girly huh? So up I went. Got all my stuff and moved here:

     I have now added a cup of ice water, and by the time I decided to take this picture- I had eaten a bowl of honey nut cheerios. Where's my journal? Oh yeah, I had been to the couch as well. So it's still on the couch. And my other study book. 

     So what's my point in telling you my quiet time frustrations? Just to assure myself that there is no perfect way to have a quiet time. There is no perfect spot. No perfect journal. Not even my highlighter that has post it notes built in. All my quiet time requires is me and God. That simple. I get so worked up over being comfortable- having a good study time. Something normal. But what if God designed us different? God designed me to be eating cheerios, drinking water, and still spending time with God. And that was just this morning. Some mornings it's nothing more than laying in my bed and talking (yes, out loud) to him. Sometimes- I use my computer so I don't get hand cramps. Whatever it is how you worship and spend your time with the Lord is perfectly fine. All He cares is that we are spending time with Him. It doesn't take a journal, Bible, 2 studies, and a cup of coffee. All of those things are great. And great tools. But it is simply you and God. Soaking him up. Listening to what He has to say to you.

Jesus! You alone are all that we need. Forgive us for trying to set up a perfect way of being in Your presence. Continue to teach us that You are always with us. It is simply being with You that we need. Thank you Jesus for how simple it really is. We love you with our entire beings. Amen. 

Post Birthday Love.

     God is good. Yesterday morning I laid in bed- and said a simple prayer- "Jesus, thank you for my birthday! I can't wait to see what you are going to give me today!" I'm sure some of you think that I'm all about some gifts- but you'd be surprised to find out that on the love language chart- gifts is my lowest. :) Jesus did some amazing things for me yesterday on my birthday. I love that He loves to bless us. 

     

20th Birthday Memories:

1. Berry Smoothie from Smoothie King- I think I am now addicted. 

2. My Pappy looking ridiculously cute eating pizza with a towel on his head. (Mom was about to cut his hair, nonetheless, it made my day.)

3. Sushi with Pastor Jeff, Melissa, Jordan and mom. So blessed to have them in my life.

4. Fun car rides.

5. Buying 2 cans of Coca Cola Classic. 

6. Ashley Abney and Candice Houvener. Sweeet girls. 

7. Logan's Steakhouse paying for our entire groups meal. Yep. 14 of us. (Hallelujah!)

8. Birthday blessings and prophesies on the way home. 

9. Being with my twin. 

10. Post birthday breakfast with some amazing women in my family. 

11. Some amazing friends that were so sweet with their birthday wishes.

     The Lord was truly good to me. He whispered love and joy in my ears all day. I felt his presence all day. I'm pretty sure He was hugging me all day long. He gave me good sleep and a fabulous dream. He gave discernment. My God is so good to me and I am so thankful. 

Birthday Post!

     I woke up this morning so excited. Why? Because there is nothing better than having a day that is all about me! :) Just being honest. And then my thoughts went to my day- which meant that a smoothie was on my mind. I persuaded mom to take me to get a smoothie.... with her money! :) I love getting paid for, sounds pretty gold diggerish huh? But when you pay for your own stuff, it's always nice to have mom pay for something every now and then. So on my birthday, I get free smoothies from momma! After logging onto facebook and being overwhelmed by the birthday love I thought about you all. My blogging buddies. And I immediately wanted to post a birthday post. :) 

     As I was reading this morning- I got so excited when I came across this scripture:

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; 

the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 

     He chose to make me! He knit me together in my mothers womb. And He is enthralled by my beauty! (Ps. 46:10) I love how beautiful and special the Lord makes me feel. The confidence He has given me. I am so, so, so thankful for that. 

     So blogging friends, you are now reading a woman's blog. I am no longer a teen, but a confident 20 year old that can't wait to see what God brings this year. I know it will only be good things. 

     So I thought I would share 19 life lessons from my 19th year in life:

1. You must love God before everything else. Everything. It works best that way.

2. Complete obedience is so key in your walk with Christ.

3. Never take bacon for granted. Or mashed potatoes. 

     A year ago today [in Panama] my favorite present was mashed potatoes! 

4. Just because you go over seas and do missions does not make you a superstar. It's about how you live when your at home.

5. The Holy Spirit and the gifts are for today. And when you work in them get ready! 

6. Love people. No matter where they are in life. Just love them. 

7. Never take for granted family. 

8. You really can be too cool for school. ;) 

9. God places you in divine places for a reason. You never know who you are going to impact.

10. Never go a day without smiling, laughing, or giving someone a hug. 

11. My life is not my life. It is a life I have been extremely blessed to have, and it must be lived for Jesus and His glory.

12. The devil ain't got no thing on me. I'm taking back my authority.

13. Constant motion is a necessity. 

14. God speaks through my dreams at night. 

15. Butterflies = transformed life. 

16. Bangles and big ear rings make you look put together. 

17. Caramel is the best compliment to coffee. 

18. There is no better feeling than being exactly where God wants you to be. 

19. It is a choice to love life even if it sucks sometimes. 

 So- happy birthday to me! 

Happy birthday to my beautiful twin sister! 

Me- Age 20! Look different!?

And on a side note:

Yesterday I posted on "more" and desires. And last night Pastor Jeff Phillips said something that went right along with it- "Can your character stand up with your desires?" Smack! Right in the face. Think about it!

All Who Are Thirsty

I had a friend, Stephanie Wright, you can check her out here, and she asked me to do a post for her blog. And she would feature me. Fabulous! I love it. How fun. I'm a guest blogger. Hehe! However, I still wanted to share it with you all! So my lovely blogging friends, enjoy my All Who Are Thirsty post! :) 

All Who Are Thirsty

     What is funny about my blog title is that my personal blog’s name is the opposite. All Who Are Weary. But I think that in all reality they go hand and hand. Weary and Thirsty. To sum up those words; you just want more. The other night I was praying over a friend and the Lord brought that word to my mind. More. Defined by Webster more means greater, additional, further, adding to. When we are talking about our relationship with the Lord- more is never a bad word. In fact, it’s biblical. The Lord created us for more. To be constantly moving forward in our walk with the Lord. To be adding to our relationship. 

It’s how we are designed. We are designed for a constant state of more. To be expecting what is to come. Yes, we are to be thankful for what the Lord is doing, but we are also to be expectant. Never putting God on a “this is all you can do” level. Jesus tells us himself in red letters:

‎"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear." 

John 16:12

He always has more to tell us. What the Lord is revealing to us now is preparing us for what He will reveal to us next. Glory, Hallelujah, and Amen! I am so thankful that the Lord wants to continue to teach, show, reveal and release blessings and direction into my life. Come on! That gets me so excited. The Lord not only wants to say more to us he also wants to take us from glory to glory. 

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another.” 

2 Corinthians 3:18 

This scripture came to me today in my daily reading. I was reading “Daily Secrets of the Christian Life” by Hannah Whitall Smith and she said it like this, “Our work is to ‘behold the glory of the Lord,’ and as we behold, the Lord effects the marvelous transformation, and we are changed into his likeness.” She continues to say that we must behold the glory, and that the glory is His character. I see the same thing with Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” When we begin to delight ourself in Him, our desires actually become His desires. We begin to desire the very thing that He desires for us. (Only good things!) That’s one of the prayers I constantly am praying- Lord, make Your desires my desires! Such a simple prayer, but it can change your look on life. You begin to see things in your Holy Spirit eyes. Your heart and your desires change. 

After I returned from Panama,
after 6 months
of not seeing each other!

Let me tell you a little about myself. I graduated high school in 2009 and with graduation comes a multitude of decisions. Life hits you like a ton of bricks once you graduate. In our society, you are expected to know what you are going to do with your life. I have always been ready to go against the flow and be different, but I never would have guessed where the Lord would take me. I graduated in June and by mid July I was in Panama, Central America for 5 and a half months doing a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission. (I highly recommend to anyone wanting more in their walk with Christ.) I have a best friend, who happens to be my identical twin sister, and I left her for the first time for more than 2 weeks. My freshman year of high school I never would have guessed I’d be in villages and the streets of la Ciudad de Panama sharing the love of Jesus. What I am trying to say is that almost a year later I still am in that same boat. I don’t know what I want to be [technically/career wise] in my life. But what I do know, is that I am under the authority of Christ and I will do whatever it is He tells me. My desires have changed from wanting to have a 6 figure income to simply wanting to go where He instructs and serving where it is needed. 

Am I saying that college is bad? No, not at all. My twin is exactly where God has placed her in a public university studying math. (How that is biblically sound, I have no idea. I call her crazy. ;) She assures me she is sane.)

The bottom line is- each of us have to make a decision that we want more of Jesus. We want more gifts, we want more discernment, we want more worship, we want more intimacy with Him. And all it is is a decision. After we decide- it’s a hunger and thirst for Him that we pursue. We simply become thirsty. And he is our ultimate thirst quencher. Gatorade ain’t gonna do ya any good this time around. Dive in, go deep, hunger, thirst, and let the Ultimate Provider supply your every need. 

Shout of Faith.

     (First note- if your new to my blog I would suggest you go back and skim the past 2 blogs! You'll appreciate this one more.)
    
     This morning as I was reviewing my last blog to see where I left off I realized that we aren't done with chapter 5! I left out some interesting stuff! From Joshua 1-5 we understand the importance of obedience, taking authority, faith, stepping into out Jordan, and change. Yep, I said it... change. The thing I left out is so key to this last point. After the Israelites crossed the Jordan, Joshua was commanded to circumcise at Gilgal. The reason why?

     "Joshua 5:4-6 Now this is why he did so: All those ho came out of Egypt- all the ment of military age - died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt died, since they had not obeyed the Lord....."

     After they obeyed the Lord- He removed the reproach of Egypt from them. Hallelujah. The Israelites are camped at Gilgal and they celebrated Passover. The day after- the manna stopped. This is where change comes in. The Israelites were used to the manna, everyday they knew they were going to eat it. It was regular, scheduled, normal. Then.... manna stopped. It doesn't go into any detail on their reaction to the manna stopping, but I can only imagine. Think of how we react to change and I'm sure that their reactions had some similarity. It was time for a new thing. The Lord was about to take them from something they were in and move them into something greater. When you are in the midst of change, letting go is neccesary. Letting go is not always a bad thing, it can lead you into greater and better things. Our relationship with Christ should be a constant moving forward. With this constant "more of You Jesus" attitude we will go through change. It is inevitable. And it is good. Dr. Phil Brassfield said this statement this past weekend at a Destiny Ministries Conference at Promiseland Metro, "The role of a leader is to manage the motion of change while moving in advancing IN the Kingdom." Good stuff huh? If you are a leader- then get your boots ready- because your gonna be changing. The manna stops, change is coming, the Lord provided. 

     Fall of Jericho..... here we go! :) The Commander of the Lord's army visited Joshua- Joshua fell face down (act of humility and reverence) and the Commander said- this is Holy Ground. Joshua was moving into the will of God- he was stepping into Holy Ground. When we obey the Lord and step into the things He is calling us to- we are also stepping on to Holy Ground. 

     Israelites are moving toward Jericho. Jericho is tightly shut up. Noone is entering or leaving. Walls are bound. The Lord instructs the Israelites to march. March around city with all armed men for 6 days. On the 7th day, march 7 times. There was lots of other "rules" that were given. And what did the Israelites do? Complete obedience. Did exactly as the Lord commanded. Which impresses me, because if the Lord told me to walk around a city 7 times in one day.... I would laugh. (Just saying.) So they marched.... in silence (that would make me laugh too). And on the 7th day, 7th time around, after the long blast..... the Shout of Faith occurred! They let out a shout as the Lord commanded them and the walls fell. Notice that the walls didn't fall after they walked forever. The walls fell when in faith they shouted that those walls were going to fall. And what did the walls do? Fell. Funny how God does what He says He will do. ;) Hehe. 

     The Lord also warned them that when the walls did fall- that they were to be careful to stay away from the devoted things and to spare Rahab and her household. Whenever we receive our breakthrough we still have to be on guard for the "devoted things". The city was burned down so that nothing tempting would be there. Sometimes- our obedience is radical. And thats how it's supposed to be. We have to do whatever we have to do to obey. The last verse in Chapter 6 says "So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread thoughout the land." Hallelujah!

     My challenge.... what is our Jericho? What do we need to have a shout of faith for? What are the things that we need to burn down so we aren't tempted anymore? Will we embrace the change that will come with it?  My tip? Complete obedience. Complete faith. Radical faith. Shout it out. Shout it down. And live in freedom with the Lord. 

<3B. 

Step into your Jordan.

As I continue to study Joshua the Lord continues to teach me new things. I am by no means a bible scholar- but I do want to learn as much as I can about Joshua and his journey with the Lord. From the last blog post we know that the Lord promised Joshua some pretty big things for his life. And Joshua took them and obeyed them. He had 100% obedience. (Something I need to learn; not just 80% or 50%, but 100%.) The Lord gave Joshua a pep talk- which I love. (How cool is that?) preparing Joshua to cross the Jordan River. 

As you continue to read in Joshua 2 you find out that Joshua sent two spies to check out what they were going to be coming up against. The spies stayed with a prostitute Rahab so they wouldn’t appear suspicious. I am still chewing on the significance of them staying with a prostitute. According to my commentary in my bible it says that, “It was not unusual for strangers and foreigners to go to Rahab’s house... God did not bless Rahab for lying, but for her faith in the report that the spies gave.” So, if you have any insight on this then fill me in. I do believe, that no matter what you have done in your past that God can use you to advance the kingdom. The past is the past and when you became a Christian you have a new identity. You are no longer a sinner. You have been saved from your sin. And you are a new creation. Joshua was Hoshea before being commissioned by God. So, feel free to make up a name of your old self, pre-Salvation, if you’d like. I think it’s a fabulous idea.

So after the spies confirm that the Lord is giving the whole land (2:24) then the crossing into the Jordan begins. This is where it gets exciting. So if you’ve been bored- get ready. This is my favorite part. 

Joshua takes authority and they leave Shilting to go to the Jordan River, they camped for three days and then the orders were given to follow a new path. They are to follow the ark of the covenant. Now, I read this and had always passed up what the ark of the covenant was, so I got out my Bible dictionary and this is what I discovered. The A.O.C. is a sacred chest where the mercy seat (the resting place of God) and the cherubim (winged angelic beings) were seated. To me this means that when we are called to a new path, our own Jordan River, we are to pursue the resting place of God. Cool huh? 

The Lord continues to speak promises over Joshua in 3:7 that he would exalt him like He did with Moses, so they know that the Lord was with him. Then the cool part comes. Drum roll please....... They reach the Jordan. So in my head I can picture this huge army of men reaching a flooded Jordan River, the priests in the front. The waters are rough and they have to get across. I’m sure doubt was creeping in on at least one person in the group if not all of them. But someone had to have the faith to step into the Jordan. And when the “foot of faith” stepped into the river, the river parted. (I’m ready to dance and sing Hallelujah now.) Can you imagine the joy that must have came over them. Relief that they didn’t have to do anything but walk across, no building a boat or blowing up a water raft- simply walking into what the Lord had promised them. The priests were required to put their faith into practice. They had to take that step of faith into the Jordan. And according to my commentary- the Jordan no longer floods like it once did. The entire nation crosses the Jordan (on dry ground). 

With a single step of faith, God can turn your wet and mucky ground to dry and solid. It requires faith and it requires obedience. In 4:10 it says that they did everything that the Lord commanded. Another thing that was revealed to me, was how scared their enemies must have been when the Jordan River parted. When you do take that step of faith and your ground turns to solid- you not only receive breakthrough but your enemies are also defeated. They lost courage when they saw what kind of God they served and what He could do. Your step of faith brings about more than just the obvious. It defeats your enemies. 

From Chapters 2 and 4 we learn so much that we can apply to our lives. We must take a step of faith to get major breakthrough. We must step into our calling. We must take a first step. You know, everyone had a first day at their job, school, university or whatever they do. They had to learn the ropes. Everyone was once a beginner. So what are you scared of? What is holding you back? Fear. Pride. Jealousy. Bitterness. Selfishness. Fear? I don’t know what it is for you, but we must break those thoughts that we can’t do it, we’ll be rejected or that someone else will do it.The time is now- step into what God is calling you to. Step into your Jordan, and that Jordan will part. With God- all things are possible.

There’s a song that we sang in Panama that says- if you tell that mountain to move with just a mustard seed size of faith- that mountain will move. MUEVETE! So tell that mountain to move. Tell that Jordan to part. And tell those walls of Jericho to fall. And watch what God can do. 

Strong and Courageous.

     A few days ago I read my short devotional out of Hannah Whitall Smith's, Daily Secrets of the Christian Life, book. It was on Joshua 6 and the shout of faith that brought the walls down. Which I will write about soon. So I decided that I wanted to know what God was speaking to Joshua about before the walls of Jericho fell. I set on an adventure in the book of Joshua. There is so much to share from this book. I am amazed at the things God is teaching me from it, and I haven't gotten past chapter 6! Here's what I'm learning.

     

     Moses, a servant of the Lord, dies. Joshua is the son of Nun- who was Moses' aide. God begins to speak to Joshua and tell him these promises of what is to come:

1. You will cross the Jordan River.

2. I am going to give you (the Israelites) the land you cross into. 

3. I will give you every place you set foot.

4.Your territory will be great.

5. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.

6. I will be with you always.

7. You (Joshua) will lead these people to the land I have swore to their forefathers.

     Let's put ourselves in Joshua's shoes. God just revealed this to him. I can only imagine myself being in my prayer time and the Lord telling me that I will lead an entire people group to a land that He had sworn to their forefathers. Or that I was going to take Moses' place!? What kind of craziness is that? That just kind of blows my mind. I can hear my thoughts right now- "Where in the world did I come up with that? I am so crazy. Satan, are you tempting me? Jesus- surely you didn't just promise me that!? I can't do that.... so God you didn't tell me that. (LIE)" I mean- lets get real- these promises are going to carry some crazy responsibility. In an instant Joshua's life and future was changed. Pretty awesome and scary if you ask me. 

     So what happens next? I think that the Lord is so smart on the next few things that he speaks over Joshua. He immediately began to encourage Joshua to be strong and courageous. To not be terrified. (Instant reaction to those kind of promises.) So basically, Joshua gets a pep talk before the big game from the Lord. God works in great ways and will prepare you for them. (Truth) 

     And then....... Joshua obeys. Obedience is so key to our relationship with the Lord. We will never receive the things God has for us if we don't obey.... immediately. The big and the little things. To be faithful with the BIG things; we have to be faithful with the little things. So Joshua obeys and takes on the responsibility of being a leader to an abundance of people. Which will require the people to obey Joshua. See the scariness of God's promises to Joshua? They require faith. 110% faith. 

     So Joshua begins to lead his people. He teaches them. He listens to the Lord and shares what the Lord is telling him. He prepares and commands his people that God has blessed him with. And comes steps closer to walking into his calling, the promises over his life, and his destiny. Joshua was born to be a leader. He was formed and created to lead people. What is your calling? What are the things that God has promised over your life? Things that have been prophesied to you? Do we sit back patiently and wait for them to come? Or do we step out on faith and walk into them? I think we will learn from Joshua. 

     But for this post- Here are the things I learned from Chapter 1 in Joshua. God has promises and plans for my life. He will equip me when the time comes. It takes faith and obedience. I just have to be ready to take the step.