The meaning of rest as defined by house-sitting and other things. :)

Ha!  The title cracked me up for a minute there. :)

Today was the official start-date for the house-sitting job I have over the weekend.  It happens to be at a place I absolute love and adore, with 4 of the coolest dogs I've met (probably 'cause they crack me up with their antics...and they're weiner dogs...always makes me laugh).  Did I mention that there's a pool here? :)  Which is how this blog came to be, well, sort of. :)

Mostly started last weekend at the retreat for Fuel.  It was an amazing place to stay, where we were at...filled w/ cubbie holes, crawl spaces, a fireman's pole you can slide down from, plus chocolates on our pillow as well as packs of gum.  And did I mention the what seems like gazillion books scattered throughout the place.  PLUS a working jukebox, foozeball table, air hockey table...yeah, this place was amazing...and I loved it there.

But I realized that last weekend was only partial rest.  Pretty much my fault on that one.  I got so caught in trying to make sure everything was done BEFORE leaving, that when I finally got there, I pretty much just crashed out.  Now, don't get me wrong here...it was excellent and amazing and MUCH needed.  I just forgot how to sit for a moment without moving. haha

Which brings us to this passing week.  It's been hectic and busy.  Filled w/ drama, things going on at work, more drama, parental conversations, good compliments, constructive criticism, late nights working, with even later nights working from home, to early mornings at the office, to, well, you get the picture.  I've never drank as much caffeine in 1 month as I did this week.  My poor body lived off caffeine...and will continue to do so until tomorrow after ER day...But anywho...

This whole week has been filled w/ craziness.  No rest, no relaxation.  Pretty much, work, come home, eat the one meal (maybe 2 if I remembered to eat breakfast...which consisted of the leftover casserole I had from this weekend to maximize time and not cook), sleep, get up, work, come home, eat, repeat cycle...  With bouts of tears thrown in just at how hectic and busy and stressful it's been having to deal w/ certain...uh..."situations" thrown my way.

So, when I get the text asking me to housesit at one of my favorite places, I was like YES PRAISE THE BABY JESUS! (haha  Always reminds me of Rita for some reason...)

And tonight, I was all ready to snuggle in bed a bit early, so excited at the thought of relaxing, that in my excitedness to relax, I couldn't even fall asleep! (I know, sad, right?!)

So, decided to head for a "midnight swim" so to speak (yeah, I know it's not midnigt, but that's okay!).  With my cup of pumpkin spice coffee (oh, how I love this family!! :)...they have a Keurig machine w/ pumpkin spice coffee cups...can we say, FREE coffee that's my favorite drink!?!).  And, in the cold water, I just floated in the pool, looking at the clouds moving, the stars twinkling, talking to the giant dog named Cocoa, who I love and adore and could hug and squeeze and...well, you get the picture.  Talk about gentle giant of a dog! haha

Anywho, I was just floating along, praying, talking to God...when He reminded me that even I, yes, IIIIII (stretch this out in a long sort of voice), need rest.  I'm known at work as the one who's willing to do what it takes to get the job done, who puts in those extra hours for the kids, who goes above and beyond.  Not only that, but just...well...yeah.

So, listening to Him, He reminded me of my desire during the retreat...which was to not just be a vessel of His love, but to rest in Him, knowing that every time I look up at that night sky, I just laugh with joy at what my Abba has created for me. :)  The beauty around me, just...well...WOWZERS.

So, I floated along, and this happiness began to bubble up in me.  I even started talking to the dog (yes, I know...Jesus loves me. :) ).

Which is when I realized what He wanted me to learn all along this summer, the summer where I was told to rest...

I feel safest when I rest.
In His arms, in a pool, in a chair...
When I'm at rest, no matter how hectic my day is, no matter what's been going on in life,
When I take the time to rest, I feel SAFE.
Nothing can harm me
Nothing can come against me (though it may try)
But feeling that perfect peace which comes from Him.

Now, some of you may think that's silly,
But I am starting to realize just how important rest is.
Even resting from all the "religious" things we do...
reading praying journaling meditating
I know...some of you are probably gasping right now at the last 2 sentences there
But hold on, let me finish!

Resting from those things...
meaning, taking the time to put those aside,
And just basking in Him
Listening to Him
singing to Him off key in the dark where no one can here you but the dog...and the howling cat next door
Setting aside my agenda of reading a good book by Dutch Sheets,
or setting aside the journal that reminds me to pray,
or setting asie the phone w/ the portable Bible on it...

And just sitting down somewhere,
quietting the mind,
and CHOOSING to listen to Him
with my giant cup of Pumpkin Spice coffee
and my ears turned to heaven
the dog lying across my legs
and the phone on some pretty cool jammin' worship

All that to say...

Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day.
Deut 5:15

And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies.
Josh 21:44

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.
Isaiah 30:15

Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.
Isaiah 56:2

For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”
Jeremiah 31:25

All who found them devoured them. Their enemies said, ‘We did nothing wrong in attacking them, for they sinned against the Lord, their true place of rest, and the hope of their ancestors.’
Jeremiah 50:7 (The Lord is our TRUE place of rest...nothing else will satisfy us as a long soak with the Lord)

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

King David said this about him:
   ‘I see that the Lord is always with me.
      I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
 ²⁶ No wonder my heart is glad,
      and my tongue shouts his praises!
      My body rests in hope.
Acts 2:25-26

Hebrews 3:19
So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

[ Promised Rest for God’s People ] God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God.
For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world.
We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”
So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God.
So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”
Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come.
So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world.
So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
Hebrews 4:1-11


So, take your favorite cup of coffee, plop yourself on a chair outside, enjoy the cool breeze, and rest. :)

Beautiful

I know.  This song has been on K-Love for awhile now.  And I can't help it...I've fallen in love with it.  I think it's because every time I hear it, I start tearing up and crying, just listening to my Abba's heart and His love.
Wow.  I was thinking about today, and just these past few weeks.  And how hectically busy they've been.  With so much to do, so much to get done, and so much yet to be completed, on occasion, I've just sat down and cried.  Just...sat and cried.  That overwhelming feeling where there's so much pressure and it's not going away...
And at those times, I'm reminded how He has made me beautiful, is making me beautiful, out of the simple dust.  The dust of my past, my present and my future.
Not only that, but how, every time my heart tries to get overwhelmed, I stop and listen to the heartbeat of, "I love Jesus", that my heart pitter-patters to the sound of.
Realizing that no matter how busy I may get, my love for Him never changes.
And how, at times like these, in the night season, up working late, getting things done, taking a breather from the work...
I'm reminded how much He loves me.  And my heart just turns mushy inside.
"You make beautiful things out of us"
Make me new, Jesus
Transform my heart
Thank You for making this beautiful thing out of the dust
And now, even despite the busyness, the frustration,
I look, and I see His amazing beauty.
I see Him all around me.
And my heart grows lighter.
I start laughing.
I receive His joy and grace
And above all else, I'm reminded that He loves ME.
So, this weekend, when I COULD have been spending working, getting stuff needed...
I went on a retreat,
and rested.
And rested in Him.
And rested in the truth of His love for me.
And knew that there was so much more He wanted to give.


All of this to say...
that I understand how busy life can be, how insane it can all get, and how hectic it can become
feeling like you're being battered and tossed
thrown aside by winds and waves


And I'm here to tell you...
don't give up
He's making you beautiful
He's taking the dust, the things that you so desperately are asking Him WHY?,
and making those things beautiful
For His glory
For His cause
Knowing that He loves you beyond measure
Beyond what you can think or imagine
My God is bigger than all of that


And at those times...
when you want to cry
to give in
to get so frustrated you quit
you give up
you stand in hatred, bitterness, anger and forgiveness


Just remember...
He makes beautiful things out of the dust
He makes you beautiful
He can turn your bitterness, anger, hatred, rage and unforgiveness
Into a flower that blooms


It blooms with...
love
peace
forgiveness
joy
gentleness
repentance
love


He's making you new.
He's making me new.


So, with that being said...
I'm praying for you
Whoever you are
I know you want to give up
But I say
Don't quit
Don't stop
Keep going
Keep standing
Even when all you want
Is to crawl along
Take my hand
Take His hand
And just know...
I'm praying for you
I'm believing for you
I'm standing for you
I have faith in you
Even when you don't have faith in yourself


Why, you ask?
Because I love you with His love
I see Jesus in you
And I call you by name
Beloved
Beautiful
Healed
Whole
Wise
Forgiven
Clean
Unashamed
Daughter
Son


I call you free
By the blood of the Lamb
and the Word of His/Your testimony


You
are
beautiful
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




[verse 1:]
All this pain..
I wonder if I'll ever find my way.
I wonder if my life could really change, at all.
All this earth..
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground, at all?

[chorus:]
You make beautiful things,
You make beautiful things out of dust.
You make beautiful things,
You make beautiful things out of us.

[verse 2:]
All around,
Hope is springin up from this old ground.
Out of chaos, life is being found in You.

[chorus:] 2x

[bridge:]
You make me new,
You are making me new.
You make me new,
You are making me new. (making me new.)

[bridge & chorus together]3x

[chorus]

[bridge]2x

A joyful noise.

This song has been in my head over and over and over.  I think because I understand what the artist is saying...where he came from, what he's come through.  And my heart just soars at the joyful noise He is making inside of me.  I've gotta say...since Monday night Fuel, and the ladies praying over me, for me...just...WOOOOW.  I know so much has changed.  It's like...how to describe this...the temptations aren't temptations any longer.  The desire for love is no longer awakened, but instead, went back to sleep until it is time to awaken love. (Does that make sense?)

It's been quite lovely this week.  And even despite my grumpiness, it's been a good week.

I do have to say this...I was ecstatic last night when I turned my eyes and ears away from something on TV and changed the channel.  It was a Dr. Phil episode that was on, and he was talking about sleeping disorders.  1 lady on there was talking about her horrendous nightmares, and describing them while the show produced images to that effect...and I heard the Holy Spirit to turn it off, change the channel...that it wasn't something I needed to hear or see.  So I did.  YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Jesus! :)

So, one small victory in the battle.
Keep moving forward!
Share what's in my heart
Knowing I'm an overcomer.
Jesus who lives inside me,
The enemy He shall defeat.
Thank You my Living God
You love me so deep.

Joyful Noise, by Flame feat Lecrae

You know what it is

I love it

Let's talk about it

[VERSE]

Your boy's been a Christian, quite a few years

Victory and faith, but I failed in my fears

I heard a lot of words that have tickled many ears

That's why I praise God for the Word that we adhere

The Word became flesh, lived for thirty years

Died at 33, but after days reappeared

Jesus Christ anointed one ascended in the air

Or you can say the air where the Father made Him heir

Of all things the throne know it's more than a chair

But after our redemption yes He did take a chair

Greater than the angels name superior to theirs

This is Hebrews Chapter 1 if you cared

I'm leaning to the right

The light is where I'm running

I thought I wanted life, drunk, sexed out and blunted

But all I really wanted was the One who really won it

Fought death, beat it gave His life to the public

I love it!

Lyrics provided by http://www.kovideo.net/

Source - http://www.kovideo.net/joyful-noise-lyrics-flame-344034.html

[HOOK]

Angels surrounding His throne and

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

The whole earth is full of His glory

All nations bow to His name

His majesty fills the Heavens

Our hearts give thunderous praise

Declare the Lord is forever

Make a joyful noise in this place

[VERSE]

Man I'm trying to lift Him high

Higher than the stars

I am not of this world like I'm from the planet mars

I love to preach Jesus you can read it in my bars

I'm pretty straight forward when I'm speaking bout my Lord

He paid the sin price being beat by Roman guards

But when He resurrected gave us life free of charge

Now me and my boys need to be in a psych ward

Cause we went crazy for God our lives was scared

Now in the Book of Life, our names have been written down

We're casting our crowns before His feet on the ground

It's such a holy melody and a heavenly sound

Hearing holy holy holy coming out of the mouth

Of the four living creatures by His throne all around

Can you picture the scene this this is how it's going down

You just need a little faith and a new set of eyes and a telescopic lens to look in and see God

I love it!

[HOOK]

Angels surrounding His throne and

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

The whole earth is full of His glory

All nations bow to His name

His majesty fills the Heavens

Our hearts give thunderous praise

Declare the Lord is forever

Make a joyful noise in this place

[VERSE]

One day we gon' be out man, like three strikes

And home son like a homerun CHRIST

IS - KING - LION - LAMB - GOD - MAN - SIN CONQUEROR - GRAVE CONQUEROR - SATAN CONQURERED

Can take a sinner, atheist sinner to God conscience

Can take nothing

Make creation and God's honor

The same God that came through a fetus as Jesus

Limited to breathing

Got believers singing

[HOOK]

Angels surrounding His throne and

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

The whole earth is full of His glory

All nations bow to His name

His majesty fills the Heavens

Our hearts give thunderous praise

Declare the Lord is forever

Make a joyful noise in this place

How to be P.U.R.E.

Today was a battle.  Yes, I'm admitting this out loud on cyber space.  Why?  Because if someone doesn't, then it stays hidden in the dark, allowing the enemy to win & fester in this area of our walk.  So, I'm choosing, today, to be brave.  And to say...

These past several days have been a battle to remain pure.  To watch what I read, what I see.  And some battles were lost.  Some were won.  And some tears have yet to be shed, pouring my heart out to the One who knows me best, and knows all of my heart's longings and desires.

So, what did I do?  I started looking up a church I kept passing by on the way to the house I'm at for a few more weeks.  The church is right around the corner, so I was curious about it.
And I found his message on Vanishing Virtues, and part 2 was on purity.

I thought I'd share that with my little world.  Why?  Because so many people have asked me what it means to guard your heart.  So many people have asked me how to stay pure, and why.  And why wait.  Why not give in to the temptations, the desires, the longings?

And sometimes, though we know the right answers, it doesn't make it any easier.  Sometimes the battle just becomes more rough, making us feel like we've been drug through the trenches, crawling just to see some type of light at the end of this temptation tunnel.

All that to say...is here are some of the notes that I took.
I hope that by sharing this, others will realize that it's not just them that struggles w/ this issue.  And it's not just a man/male issue.  But that, instead, we ALL struggle and deal with this in one form or another.

So, dear hearts, take heart.  There is a sister who is battling in the trenches w/ you.  And there is a sister praying that He gives her strength to overcome the temptation.  There is a sister praying for each of you dear hearts reading this.  And there is a sister who, one day, will say that by HIS strength, the battle was won!

How to be PURE

Protect your heart above all else (Prov 4:23 NLT)

Unload the past (no matter when you stopped, make it a priority to abandon impurity and take up purity; I John 1:9 NLT; confessing is agreeing w/ Him…confess it’s sin, give it up & begin to walk away from impurity)

Run from sexual sin (pastor believed that Joseph ran b/c he knew if he stayed, he would regret it…RUN!!! Get out of dodge when there is a possibility of sexual sin; 2 Tim 2:22 NLT)

Embrace God’s plan for sex (accept His plan, for He does have one!  It is meant to be a gift that’s enjoyed & cherished.  Matt 19:4-6 NLT. )

His plan for sex is through marriage, not for someone you think you might end up marrying some day.  From images you see to words that you read, it is intended for marriage.  It is an exclusive offer from God that we can’t afford to keep messing this up.  We need to value purity the way God desires us to.  Purity diffuses the landmines targeting our family, our faith and our future.  Lust is the most cunning, dangerous and effective landmine.  So let’s choose to live a life of purity!

Take a position that says, “Lord, I’m ready to live a life of purity.”  Let today be a day that you tell Him you’ll take on this battle, w/ His strength, and are ready to be victorious!