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.