water, water everywhere

Happy Spring! This is the first official week of spring and I can honestly say it is a long time coming. I love warm weather and the beautiful flowers that are beginning to bud, it is so refreshing to see new life after such a cold winter. Another wonderful thing that spring brings along every year is my birthday! The countdown has begun until I hit the big one eight: 4 days! yahooo!

With the conclusion of spring break, and the beginning of my final semester of high school I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! However, I feel that I may be coming down with a bad case of senioritis..cough cough. Just kidding, I always like to see that any job I start is completed and this is no exception. I am going to finish out strong and keep my focus on the task at hand..I hope!

As I continue on with my priority time each day, I can feel things beginning to become more comfortable. The first few days, things felt a little awkward..like talking to a friend I haven't seen in months. It helps so much just to be able to clear my mind with prayer and open up space in my busy head for God to reveal something to me in His word. Tonight, I am swapping my addiction for the bachelor for a far more worthwhile addiction, My Savior.

This week I am visiting the woman at the well and her encounter with Jesus. This woman was very well-know in her small village, but not for a good reason. The woman had married five men and was now living with a man she was not married to. This day, was just like any other day and the woman needed water for something at her home. She came at an off-time when no one was around, not expecting to see anyone and certainly not thinking she would meet Jesus. The woman at the well was thirsty, and she was sure shootin that her water would quench that unyielding thirst. I mean can you imagine living in the desert?! It gets hot in Memphis but these people knew what a true thirst was. However, this woman did not realize she was trying to quench a thirst that did not present itself with parched lips, but with an aching soul.

How many of us are like the woman at the well; trying to work our way into the heart of a guy who is a total jerk just to get some attention, stopping at nothing to be #1 and achieve perfection, or buying every new coach bag or video game that comes out because we need to newest and the best everything. We too have that unyielding, undying "thirst" for something that seems to be incurable.

Jesus said to the woman, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst." John 4:13

Sometimes looking for our "water" can leave us exhausted and disappointed. Jesus told us to take our thirsty souls to Him and He would satisfy it. Today, instead of digging your dry well trying to find water, go to the well Jesus has already offered to you and drink the water that will satisfy forever.

Bring your thirsty souls to Jesus and let him be the one that fills you.

I Shouldn't Be Alive

Earlier this week I made a commitment to a priority time every day, and so far I have stuck with it! I hope any of you who walk with the Lord take time to read the Bible. It is an invaluable tool that I have lived in ignorance of for so long and I am very thankful that God is helping me discover what I have been missing out on. So to all of you out there, keep up the good work! It is time well spent.

so anyways, I have been reading in Mark 5 about a man named Jairus who has a daughter who is dying. Jairus is the synagogue ruler and is pretty well-know throughout his community. On this particular afternoon, Jesus is speaking to an audience of people when Jairus' life is turned upside down. Now I don't know about you but in a crisis situation I would probably call 911 or rush to the hospital, because I would want someone to fix whatever is wrong and make things better. Jairus, however, had a different plan that didn't involve a doctor or any human power. He immediately ran to Jesus in faith that He would help his family. Jesus told Jairus, "Do not be afraid; just believe." What encouraging words! Even though the mourning had already begun for the loss of this precious child's life, Jesus knew this story was not over. He laid his hands on the child and she got up! Jesus then told them to give her something to eat.

Jairus has been an inspirational man of faith to me this week. He stepped out and asked God for a miracle. In our time of need it is often easy to give up hope and faith in the one we know can make all things new. Have you ever felt hopeless? Lost in the world and sure that no one cares about your problems? In these times I encourage you to do exactly what Jairus did and run to Jesus and tell him your needs.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Jairus and his wife were completely astonished when they saw their little girl get up and walk. Jesus gave this twelve year old girl new life and He can do the same for you. Once He gave her life, Jesus told Jairus to give his child something to eat, likewise, once you have been given new and eternal life you need the protein of God's word. Knowing you are forgiven in Jesus Christ will make you alive on the inside and His light will shine through you.

Continue trusting God with every problem you face this week. Let Jairus be an example to you during a time of need and give it all to God.

Addiction

When I woke up to the annoying sound of my alarm this morning I was less than excited to get out from under my warm covers, and get ready for church. To be honest, for the past few weeks church is one of the last things I have wanted to do on my short weekend break, but this morning, my parents decided to visit a new church. Oh boy, I definetly do not like to step out of my little bubble and into the unknown with strange people I have never met and little old ladies with crazy hats. But I flattened out the unruely curls, put on my new boots and a fake smile and hopped in the car. Since we are ALWAYS late we didn't have much time to even find the right entrance so we slipped in the back door and sat on an empty row. The pastor was out of the counrty so they had a guest speaker. I really think that the Lord put us there this morning because he wanted us to hear this man preach.
The message was on addiction. Now, I have never struggled with any of the typical addictions we tend to think of when that word is mentioned so at first I figured this would just be another sermon to those adults out there that are having a rough go of it, or that are addicted to something awful that I would never do. But to my surprise the preacher was preaching directly to ME! I am generally a good person and I go to church on sundays, but my life is lacking passion. At the moment I see myself as one of those christians that is luke warm and the Bible specifically says that lacking passion is just as bad as having none at all. I go to church out of duty and prays before meals, but other than that what am I doing to get to know God? It is hard to say that I will live my life for someone I don't even know! The preacher made some awesome points and encouraged the audience to spend more time with God through a priority time. A true follower of Jesus Christ should be addicted to spending unrushed, uninterupted time in the word to get to know God on an intimate level.
Lately, I have been struggeling with the temptation to quit on church and just do things my way with a little guidance from God when I think I need it. Wroooong answer! I need God because I am the bride of Christ. He is my partner in every single decision and through the everyday journey of life. The preacher said it like this: My parents are married, and if my dad only came home to visit and talk with my mom once a week is that ok? Would that show my mom that He is truely committed to her and that they work as a team? Of course not! That would NEVER fly around my house! Likewise, If we are the bride of Christ, and we come into his presence once or twice a week is that a true intimate and passinate relationship? No! We should visit and spend time with our creator every single day! I think that is an awesome way to look at it, and it really made me think. It's embarrassing to think that I spend more time on facebook, than with the one who created me and loves me more than any human being on this earth! So, I am going to challenge myself to set aside 20 minutes a day to dive into the Bible and see what God can teach me! I encourage you to take this journey with me, and see what God has waiting for you! The one who is in control of all things will never cease to be who he is. His love is everlasting and He wants to show you!

Psalm 119:9&10 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from your cammands."

Think about it. Meditate on it. Let that thought change the way you spend your time and the way your view your relationships! Let yourself find a new addiction, become addicted to God and the love letter he has left for us, the Bible! Don't continue to say no, say YES! Let your heart say yes to what he is doing in you and embrace it with passion!

Enjoy this absolutely beautiful sunday!