take the world, but give me Jesus

one of the most played songs on my iTunes would be Take the World But Give Me Jesus by Ascend the Hill [listen to it & you'll know why]. the first time I heard it was when I lived in Australia, I had just finished watching Blood Diamond, weird but profound memory I guess. I always remember where I was when I hear a song for the first time. ever since then, it's a song that I really never get tired of hearing. anyways, this is my prayer...




Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
For His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching over me,
I can sing though billows roll

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout this life's long journey
He will lead me all the while

Take the world, but give me Jesus.
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see!

So take the world, but give me Jesus
Take the world, but give me Jesus
Take the world, but give me Jesus
Take the world, but give me Jesus

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

So take the world, but give me Jesus
So take the world, but give me Jesus
Take the world, but give me Jesus
Take the world, but give me Jesus

walking on water.

Oh God... what are You telling me? where are You sending me? why am I so confused?!

I really don't think I've ever been so confused about the future in my life... I'm getting super anxious [hate it] about what's going to happen next. I'm TRYING to walk on water and I keep looking down. it's so frustrating... I just want to walk towards Jesus and my human mind of logic, planning and reasoning is getting in the way. I like things to be definite, this or that. and right now life's next stage is definitely indefinite and more like this, that or maybe that... too many choices for what's next. >> this is such a scary spot for a VERY indecisive girl.

there are four different locations, one school option, one leadership opportunity, or being left clueless in Michigan for another season of life... none of this is making sense now, but it some how makes sense in my head... I'm just REALLY confused on where/what I'm supposed to do next.

every time I pray about what's next I don't hear anything? so does that mean I'm just supposed to keep waiting?! just keep trying to listen? God I need You to speak as clearly as You did in the past, why am I not hearing You right now!?

if I get into Moody Chicago, am I just supposed to go there!? what if I get into Moody's WA campus? what if I'm supposed to move back to Australia?! what if I'm supposed to stay in Michigan?! I. am. so. confused.

this is my way to written-out-word-ly processing the situation, obviously :/

“Come, he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat,
walked on the water and came toward Jesus."
Matthew 14:29

help me.

Insta-friday

1. YAY! it's finally warm enough to run outside... fresh air beats the treadmill any day!






2. clinging to this a lot lately.










3. gotta love having a twin to go see cute movies with & eat at our fave 24/7 restaurant with!









4. some days I really miss the smell of salty ocean air... thankfully this candle helps.

exciting.

if this is the case, I can't begin

to imagine what's to come...

gush.

Can I just take a second to gush about my life?! Oh yeah this is my blog of course I can :) These last few weeks God has REALLY opened my eyes to see HOW MUCH I have to be thankful for.... it makes me feel so happy & kind of guilty that I have it SO good!! My family/friends/community/job are such a huge blessing...! trying to count my blessings more frequently. just had to take a second to gush about my surroundings, out of sheer thankfulness!!

very moody

this afternoon it dawned on me how long it's been since I've applied to Moody! I started the application in August, turned it in September and still have no idea if I've gotten in. it made me so discouraged and frustrated that it's taken THIS LONG! plus it's SO intimidating to think about what's next in my life... moving to Chicago? staying in Michigan? moving back to Australia? other school options? other job options?

frustrating!


but then God reminded me of some things...

God has a sense of humor... once again using a major life decision to teach me lots & lots of patience. it's also teaching me that God is a lot bigger than the plans I plan for myself. we can only do so much to plan/prepare, the rest is [cliche-ly] placed in His hands.

so I'm trying to find the freedom that can be found in the fact that I have NO idea what my life will look like in six months or in six years. just trying to remind myself that the unknown is FUN / EXCITING / ADVENTUROUS ... all I have to do is sit back & let God lead me to all of my where/what/who/when's of life.

praying for peace / understanding / wisdom today ...
I'll need all of that IF I get into Moody
and IF I don't get into Moody.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
- 1 peter 5:6-1

speak now Jesus

a nice part of my job is getting the music ready for the weekend at church... therefore I get an in on what we will be singing, it's fun! I'm excited that we're singing this gem! I've been listening to it all week... it's literally exactly what I needed to hear this week.



Say the words and I will listen
Show Your way, impart Your wisdom
open up my ears to hear, open up my ears to hear

Speak now Jesus, speak into my heart
I am desperate to hear Your still small voice
I need to hear Your voice

The noise of life is overwhelming
Drowning out the truth that I need
Open up my ears to hear, open up my ears to hear

Speak now Jesus, speak into my heart
I am desperate to hear Your still small voice
I need to hear Your voice
Lead me Jesus, I need direction
I am so lost, without You guiding me.
I need to know Your peace.

When you speak I'll listen
Where you lead I'll go

Speak now Jesus, speak into my heart
I am desperate to hear Your still small voice
I need to hear Your voice
Lead me Jesus, I need direction
I am so lost, without You guiding me.
I need to know Your peace.

Insta-friday

this has been such a good week! I'm overwhelmed by God's goodness / grace / joy / mercy in my life. this weeks instagrams are just a reminder to me of how much I have to be thankful for!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults, and with

my song I give thanks to him."

psalms 28 v 7

L to R

1. at WSM the other night everyone was wearing their TOMS.. love it!

2. our church just added a HUGE youth facilities & it opens in a few short week... I'm stoked to see what God has in store for this building... it gives me chills to think of the 100's of students that will soon pour in there & how the message of Jesus will be spoken over them!!

3. my twin semi-surprised me the other day & picked me up for lunch from work!!

4. one of my favorite tracks on the new Passion album is Sing Along, it's basically a prayer over everyone hurting in the world & when I was singing along to it I couldn't stop thinking of how it was nighttime in Thailand & praying that God would wrap His arms around the women/girls starting their shifts at the clubs/bars... seriously crushes my heart to think about the women I met in Thailand... keep praying for them.

5. this morning I was driving in the worst fog ever.. but made for a pretty photo :)

6. last night Linds & I went to visit Ange & her little Loves.. it was so great to just relax and chit-chat with her! I haven't seen/spent time with her in quit a while since her & the fam moved down town to their sweet little loft!! I feel super blessed to have a woman like her in my life... every girl needs wise godly women in their lives!! [read their story...God is so evident in their life]

7. YES I broke out my favorite sandy's... I just need to work on getting a pedi!

8. the final insta needs to explanation... but could have a huge part in my over flowing JOY :)

HAPPINESS!!!

hello sunshine! If you know me at all you know I despise winter/cold/snow ... being cold is the worst feeling ever. I LOVE the feeling of sun on my skin, grass under my feet and being able to go outside without having to put ten million layers on! this week has made me SO HAPPY! It's been 60's-70's, with thunderstorms and SUNSHINE!! Mich already had the lamest winter ever this year, so to have this kind of weather in mid-March is seriously God sent!! He knew my Aussie-thin skin couldn't handle a rigid Mich winter :)


hello white flag! Another thing that makes me very happy today is that the WHITE FLAG album came out this week!! every track gives me chills & reminds of how good God is. the worship leaders from Passion are very gifted, so you need to get your hands on this album. of course, this weather and album go perfectly together... once you buy the album, get in your car, cruise around town with all the windows down, turn the volume up all the way & sing as loud as you can... you won't regret it.

thanks Jesus for giving me a lot of JOY today!

week - end

Friday -

after work I was really looking forward to relaxing and the thought of doing nothing sounded very inviting. but since the rest of the fam had plans besides my brothers & I... I decided the boys & I should go out!! so we went to chomp for dinner, the dollar store for movie theatre snacks, and to see the Lorax! I love spending time with them, they crack me up & it makes me sad that they are so grown up now, they are still babies to me :( gotta value the time I have with them now, before they get too old to hang out with their older sister!!


Saturday -

I love having plans on the weekend, but if there's a Saturday with no agenda, I'm very keen! I spent three hours re-organizing my bedroom...sounds a bit over board, but I haven't really taken the time to get my room the way I want it since I've been home from Aus! And it was nice that I was in such a cleaning / organizing mood, it made the task enjoyable. I always wonder what my house will be like when I have my own family... my bedroom is rarely clean, but I LOVE cleaning and keeping things organized...other than my room?! It doesn't make sense I know....

after the cleaning kick wore off, I went to the Professional Bull Riding competition that was in town with some friends... what was I thinking!? totally not my scene but it was fun company and people watching :)


Sunday -

Since we lost a hour of sleep and got in super late, I may or may not have slept in way too late and didn't make it to church this AM... but it was nice to just relax! Sunday is a day of rest after all. It's also high 63, blue skies, and sunny today... so I'm naturally in a GREAT mood...! looking forward to WSM & Lighthouse tonight, the u-sh.

insta-Friday

Hopefully I'm not cheating if my insta's are from my week,
not just my friday :)

just a glimpse...

you must watch this... it gives me chills, everything about it; what God did that week, what we did as a generation and what is to come! you have to come to Passion conference 2013, if you haven't been... it will change your life, I promise.

commune

lets bother God w/
relentless prayer.
listen to podcast here.

sweet surrender?

God's teaching me A LOT lately that surrendering to Him is a daily thing... more like a minute-by-minute thing! I REALLY need to work on surrendering my plans, my thoughts, my dreams, my life... that's where closeness/oneness with Him comes. Whoever is reading this is probably thinking to themselves... duh! Well hello, way easier said than done & I'm learning to lean into Him. His ways are HIGHER, so why is it so hard to surrender!? It's difficult for a planner/perfectionist to live life with open hands... I know I am capable, I just have to hype myself up for it... like I did all the other times, Jesus I need Your help.

For my [dreams/desires for you]
are not your [dreams/desires],
neither are your [plans/agenda]
my [plans/agenda for you],
declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my [plans/agenda for you]
higher than your [plans/agenda]
and my [dreams/desires for you]
than your [dreams/desires].

Isaiah 55 v 8-9


[slightly] intimidating,
yet comforting nudge.

listen to this Truth

chains are broken
scales are on the floor
Truth is spoken
I'm no orphan anymore
I am loved
I am new again
and I am free
I'm no slave to sin.
I am all HE says I am.

PS is it REALLY March 1, 2012?!
Where is my life going...?