Light Up The Sky.

When I’m feeling all alone and so far to go
The signs are nowhere on this road guiding me home
When the night is closing in
It’s falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close

Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me
I, I, I can’t deny
Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me, that You are with me

When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don’t feel them shining
When I can’t see beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I’ve almost reached the end
Like a flood You’re rushing in
Your love is rushing in

So I run straight to Your arms
You’re the bright and morning Sun
To show Your love, there’s nothing You won’t do

Oh I can’t deny that You are right here with me
You’ve opened my eyes so I can see You all around me
Light, light, light up the sky
Light up the sky to show me You are with me

The Human Race

Imagine the rush of people running the Boston Marathon, all running towards the same finish line. Each year, thousands of individuals train, do intense work outs, discipline themselves, train even harder, and then work out even harder all over again – all for one thing; to complete the Boston Marathon. Runners from around the country may train year round just qualify for such a race. It takes dedication, pain, endurance and perseverance.

I was driving home from dropping my sister off at work this morning and all the traffic reminded me of a different kind of race, this time not with runners but with luxury vehicles (I wouldn’t consider my car necessarily a luxury vehicle – just the cars around me of course), racing to get to their high paying job. Racing to get their kids to their expensive private schools. Racing to beat the red light or cutting people off just to get a car or so ahead. If this was counted as a sport in the Olympics, it’s fare to say a lot of the athletes would be disqualified for playing dirty and not sticking to the rules.

Noticing these suit wearing business men racing by in their BMW’s and plastic looking soccer moms racing by in their fancy SUV’s, reminded me that so much of humanity is stuck running the wrong race. They are chasing after the wealth and affirmation of man, ultimately missing the point. Yeah it's taken a lot of training, pain, endurance and perseverance to run this type of race, but for what? They’ve been training for years, for a race that will never fulfill the emptiness in their souls – making good grades, getting into the right colleges, getting the right job, and still never making enough money or feeling true purpose. Missing the real race, the race that was marked out for us – the race that has purpose, eternal metals and grand prizewinners.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
– Hebrews 12:1-3

Jesus has set a race for us. Not a race for earthly possessions or glory, but for His glory. Not a race towards pleasing human or terrorizing others just to get ahead. The race marked out for us is a hard course; it’s to be proceeded with caution. We must be ready and equipped to take on this race, persecution and strive might pass us along the way, but we must keep on running.

The race is towards the ultimate finish line, eternal life with Jesus Christ. This race isn’t glamorous or popular; it’s about taking risks, sacrifice, and living life uncomfortably. It’s not an easy course, the paths are sometimes unclear but we must keep running. The Holy Spirit keeps us hydrated and training simply involves pursuing an intimate relationship with the Creator of the world, meditating of the Word, stretching ourselves to be more Christ like daily, and developing a disciplined prayer life.

Ask God to reveal himself to you and He will. Examine the race you’re currently running and make sure it’s the one that’s worth it in the end. Rearrange the desires and dreams you’re racing towards to be sure God is getting the glory!

Sweet Mercy.

Sweet mercy! I pretty much had the best weekend ever. Super low key and relaxing. Spent time with good friends. Finished some last minute edits for some jobs. Relaxed. Went to church, heard a great message and was lead in awesome worship. [side note: 90 pictures I took the other day, were looped in the background of the PowerPoint when we sang With Everything in big church a.k.a. the largest audience of my work thus far...made me kind of nervous & a little excited!] Some good friends got baptized. Spent time in the Word and prayed in my church's back yard. Took a long nap. Went to church again and it was amazing.

Oh yeah, and in the midst of a seemingly good and relaxing weekend, I managed to get into with my mom. -- how annoying, I ruin an almost perfect weekend! Sweet mercy! Even though I'm having a good weekend, the way I talk or act brings another person down. How selfish. We talked about in church today how we're made in HIS image, all humanity, made in HIS image. Nothing is accomplished when I'm rude, disrespectful, ungrateful, or arrogant towards anyone, especially my mom in this particular situation. When we tear people down we're tearing down; a human being that was fearfully and wonderfully made, in the image of God! How could I?! Why don't I think before I speak or act?! ugh... frustration.

All these things were on my mind this afternoon. When I got to church [for the second time] I was just annoyed with the way I was acting, after a good weekend I ruined it with shallow words. My delightful weekend shifted into a melancholy, annoyed weekend. We started a new series at church called Thread, how every story {ours, others, stories in the Bible} all have a common thread; Jesus of Nazareth dying for a imperfect sinful human race, saving us and CHOOSING to show us mercy and forgiveness.

What an example of love to learn from. Giving of His life, to show us what true love, mercy and forgiveness really looks like. To be a Christian, is to be a "little Christ", an imitator of Christ, constantly dying to yourself, making Christ first in every aspect of life. Putting others down and saying unkind things is surely not of God and it makes Him sad to see his children bringing other children down.

Ephesians 5:1-2 {Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.}

Sweet mercy is an interjection a lot of people in my life use on a regular basis. Thinking about how I acted towards my mom this weekend makes me think in my head "sweet mercy, what was I thinking?!" Turn it around and I'm reminded of the s w e e t m e r c y God lavishes on us... when we DO NOT deserve it! A lot like the mercy my mom has showed me time and time again. Even when I'm a brat to my mom, she still loves me and she still has my best interest in mind, she still looks after me. I don't deserve the mercy she shows me day after day.

God forgive me of my arrogant attitude, rid me of impure motives, and take away my thinking I have the right to treat my flesh and blood unkindly. Mend the imperfect relationship my mom and I have, allow us to start over freshly this week. Leaving behind my wrongs against her. Thank you for my mom. Thank you for blessing me with a wise, Godly, mentoring mom. Thank you God for a mom that chose to keep me and take the risks of having a sick baby. Thank you for her shoulder to cry and lean on. Jesus forgive me for not always honoring my mom & dad. Nothing is impossible for You, don't allow yesterday to define me. amen.

psalm on my heart.

For the director of music. A song. A psalm.


1 Shout with joy to God,
all the earth!

2 Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!

3 Say to God, "How awesome are
your deeds! So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.

4 All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name."

5 Come and see what God has done
how awesome his works in man's behalf!

6 He turned the sea into dry land,
they passed through the
waters on foot — come,
let us rejoice in him.

S e l a h

7 He rules forever by his power,
his eyes watch the nations—
let not the rebellious rise
up against him.

8 Praise our God, O peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard

9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping.

10 For you, O God, tested us;
you refined us like
silver.


S e l a h

11 You brought us into prison
and laid burdens on our backs.

12 You let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a
place of abundance.

16 Come and listen,all you who fear
let me tell you what he has
done for me.

17 I cried out to him with my mouth;
his praise was on my tongue.

S e l a h

18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;

19 but God has surely listened
and heard my voice
in prayer.

20 Praise be to God,who has not
rejected my prayer or withheld his
love from me!

Slight change in plans.

I'm leaving for Australia in January now, therefore I'm able to continue raising support. I have a great sense of peace about it, so I know it's of God. He will and is still providing. Taking everything day by day. Trusting that support will come in. Daily God is preparing me spiritually, mentally and emotionally for this next big step in my journey. It's been exciting thus far... I'm stoked to see what's in store come January!


It's good to because now I can spend the holidays with my family and friends! It will surely be the last 'hooray' before jet-setting to the land down under.

Get Away

I'm guilty of shallow God and I time. My human nature allows "things" to get the in way of the perfect get away. Personally my fondest times spent with God are when I'm in a secluded area. Where I can talk out loud. Stretch my arms. Lie face down. Meditate on the Word – simply listen, without distractions.

Today my heart was heavy. The only way I could relieve it was to get away; away from noise, away from life, away from wants, away from needs, away from traffic. Away from everything that constantly gets in the way.

I found myself at one of my favorite parks. Lots of hills, trails, open space, streams, and nature. With nothing around me except for Gods creation, I sat in a huge open field of grass to listen, pray, and read. It's crazy how you can feel the Holy Spirit moving in moments like that. Burdens were lifted and I released aches to Lifter of my Head.

When people say they are going on a weekend get away it usually entails some sort of a break, an oasis, relaxation, or time off. That's exactly what it is to spend time with God. A time to take the load off, to rejuvenate, to refresh, to breath, to rediscover life's value. The amazing thing about God is that we don't have to request work off; we don't have to make plans, pack, or prepare to take a get away with God. We can come to Him anytime, anywhere to simply get away. Just as we allow our selves to rejuvenate physically, we must allow ourselves time to rejuvenate spiritually, taking time to get away with God.

keep calm & carry on.

landing in Miami last summer.

This is my life motto from now on. From this moment forward I have to simply keep calm & carry on. Such a good phrase to live by. Especially because I know how I am and how I handle stress.... I need to remind myself to keep calm in everything I do. mmm...cannot wait for the the deep sigh of relief I will be able to take when I walk into a Sydney terminal in 20 some days [that thought gives me chills... ehh... that's REALLY soon]... LORD give me strength & perseverance!

Fall is nigh...but so is summer...what a conundrum!

Ah, ¡Septiembre! For some reason the month of September is the only month I can remember from when I struggled through Spanish in high school & into college. That's besides the point. I just cannot even believe it's SEPTEMBER?! What in the world... why is my life sliding by so quickly and seemingly nonchalantly?! I leave for AUSTRALIA in about 30 days. That's thirty days to wrap things up here, to savor every second of "fall" that I can, to emotionally and spiritually prepare myself and to raise as much support I can. The panic is beginning to set in [typical me...]. Praying, praying, praying for strength and courage as these 30 days of preparing, packing, planning, and taking off come rushing towards me. No turning back now, eh? Exciting and terrifying at the same time. It's strange to me that something that I've only ever dreamed of is coming true in front of my eyes and I'm slightly terrified. God wants to know how much I trust and lean into Him it seems...it's hard but it's what I have to do. A common phrase thrown around in my church family is:

"how big is your God?"

...such a valid question. We so often doubt the power and strength of God... HELLO He can move mountains; He's bigger than any bill we have lingering, He's bigger than any petty conflict we find ourselves in, He's bigger than any dream we're trying to fulfill. There's no way around it, I just have to buckle up for this adventurous, yet terrifying ride that God is about to take me on.

Enough ranting for now. I was just encouraged to read Joshua... I need the courage of Joshua right about now ::

"... I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night {c o m f o r t}, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:5-9

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[EDIT...hour later...] just read a devo on Josh 1:1-9!!

God is so cool... He knows what we need, when we need it.

"Obstacles (a.k.a. getting to Australia) are one way that God strengthens faith. When you are confused and cannot see how He could work out your situation, do not walk away in defeat and miss His blessing. He wants to teach you His way of obedience, trust, and courage. Believe Him; He always keeps His promises. "