hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

:: Romans 15:13

- Another verse that's been speaking to me lately and another shot I couldn't resist, what an awesome scoreboard!

It has been written...

This verse spoke to me on a number of levels yesterday.

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."

:: Romans 15:4

- Photo actually taken by me, I am by no means a photographer, but love scenes like this and couldn't resist. Here's a random but awesome field in Hartsburg, Missouri.

treasures in darkness

… and streams in the desert...


Faithful promises from the heart of my King… Our trustworthy guide who can lead us through the roughest terrain. For He alone provides streams in the desert and rich treasures in the darkness. Love letters from my Savior today and through and intense period the last few weeks. Love letters from my Creator and Sustainer, love letters from the One who sticks closer than a friend, rich promises of His presence from the lover of my soul and reminders of His unfailing love from the One who delights in me.

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. Isaiah 50:10

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and honor depend on God.
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:5-8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, For to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

But I will trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, for he has… he’s been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6, Shane and Shane style


Now remain in my love. John 15:9

And now, Father, I rest in your unfailing love for me. I come, I rest simply as your child, you ask nothing of me, all that I am is enough. You surround me and sweep me away with your love, a love that carries, a love that comforts, a love that guides and protects, a love that cannot be described, yet a love that is more powerful than ever hoped for. A love that saves, restores, redeems. A love that can always be trusted and that gives me a life each day more amazing than I ever could have imagined. You alone are God, you alone are good.

And I will adore you…

because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. :: psalm 63:3

Let him… trust in the name of the Lord…

I loved reading this devotional today, not only can I relate on a number of levels but in the world I live in, the campus ministry world, every day is a battle in the lives of those who are hurting, desperate and broken. Every day is enter into the darkness of the lives of others and helping them know they are not alone, helping increase their sight for the One who is there and His light shining even in the midst of darkness. This is a reality in my own life and the lives of those around me. I realized as there are others in my life going through difficult seasons, that my relationship with God would not be what it is today without those seasons, without those rough times.

Those seasons saved me. And my relationship with God. They stripped me away of all I once relied upon and even the God I thought I knew and brought me into something new and much more substantial. Something life-giving and true, filled with intimacy, romance and adventure. A love that is present in the ordinary and the mundane of my life. A Presence and a Peace that reminds me I am never alone. A relationship that ultimately has taught me how to rely upon my God in any season. It is only possible by His grace, for even the desire to seek Him comes from Him, not anything in and of ourselves or anything we can take credit. He has been wooing me and ushering me in His grace in the seasons I experienced in support raising, seasons that prepared me for this one, so that I may know that He is the Lord and be able to trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon my God, the One who alone provides streams and favor in the desert, and treasures in the darkness.

From Streams in the Desert:

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. Isaiah 50:10

What is a believer to do in times of darkness—a darkness of perplexities and confusion—a darkness not of the heart but of the mind? These times of darkness come to a faithful and believing disciple who is walking obediently in the will of God. They come as seasons when he does not know what to do or which way to turn. His sky becomes overcast with clouds, and the clear light of heaven does not shine on his path, so that he feels as if he were groping his way through complete darkness.

Dear believer, does this describe you? What should you do in times of darkness? Listen to God’s Word: “Let him… trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” Actually, the first thing to do is nothing. This a difficult thing for our lowly human nature to do. There is a saying, “When you’re rattled, don’t rush.” In other words, “When you are confused and do not know what to do, do nothing,: When you find yourself in a spiritual fog, do not rush ahead, but slow the pace of your life. And if necessary, keep your life’s ship anchored and tied to the dock.

The right thing to do is simply to trust God, for while we trust, He can work. Worrying, however, prevents Him from doing anything for us. If the darkness covering us strikes terror in our hearts and we run back and forth, seeking in vain to find a way of escape from the dark trial where God’s providence has placed us, then the Lord cannot work on our behalf. Only the peace of God will quiet our minds and put our hearts at rest. We must place our hand in His as a little child and allow Him to lead us into the bright sunshine of His love. He knows the way out of the dense, dark forest, so may we climb into His arms, trusting Him to rescue us by showing us the shortest and most reliable road.

Remember, we are never without a pilot—even when we do not know which was to steer."

- From the devotional, Streams in the Desert

Eyes that look are common, eyes that see are rare

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

:: 2 Corinthians 4:18

in awe of the one who gave it all

my heart is filled with awe and wonder.
love for my savior king.
the one who is closer than my very breath and more real than anything i can see.

this song captured my heart's cry today as i was able to celebrate and rejoice running through the finish line of the last eight weeks of fall rush in the campus ministry world and a time of entering into newness in just about every arena of my life, a time of flurry and transition, change and stability, hope and grief, strength and joy, life and peace. but the overwhelming sense is of a sustaining grace, a presence that carried me through it all and that gave me life. and strength upon strength, each passing day. you are near. and you have never left my side. you have brought me through it all and awakened me with your love.

you are worthy to be praised.
my heart is filled with awe and wonder.
love for my king.

so what could I say... what could I do... then offer this heart oh God… completely to you? so I’ll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned... in awe... of the One who gave it all... so I’ll stand... my soul Lord to you surrender... all I am is Yours… so I’ll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned... in awe... of the One who gave it all... I’ll stand, My soul Lord to you surrender...

All I am is Yours...

- hillsong united, the stand