my safe place

Yesterday marked the end of my 6 week journey through Deuteronomy with Beth Moore. This journey has been truly intriguing. What I thought was just an old testament book of law has become so much more. This study has become a place where I have built a monument of remembrance. Studying the cycle of the Israelites I have learned why the Lord has asked us to "do this in Remembrance". Our easiest pit is becoming so satisfied with what life has to offer and sometimes (most times) these are blessings from the Lord himself that we forget the Lord. We forget what we have come from. We forget grace. We forget mercy. We forget our Father, our Creator, our Healer, our God. We must remember the works of the Lord or we will fall into sin of making ourselves our own god. We must remember or we become prideful and arrogant in our own abilities (which were given to us from Him so you think it'd be easy to remember).

Yesterday we ended our time in Deuteronomy 33 and 34 (which makes complete sense since those are the last 2 chapters of the book...). Boy did/do I love reading 33:26-29!

"There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy. So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs."

My safe place is in the Lord. No matter where this journey leads me I am "safe" in the Lord. This promise isn't saying that I will never hurt or that I will never be in danger. The Lord has called me to battle. He has called me to take the gospel to the wolves. So I will go praying the whole way that the Lord would use me and protect me and I my strong-willed, self-righteous self will rest under the wings of the Lord. So often I fail at this. I trust more in me to protect and all my self protecting tactics lead to is riding the bench. I allow myself to stand on the sidelines just watching war waging around me because of fear and doing what I think is right. I am "protecting myself right out of a calling!" (Beth Moore)

So as I close this book I desire to remember. Every time I see these pages I will be reminded of the works of the Lord and the daunting cycle of the Israelites. I desire to live a life remembering Jesus and I can best do that by talking about him! So let my lips never shut. Open your mouth and remember. And as I live to do this I know that I am dwelling in my safe place. In the place with my Savior. In a place were grace is lavished and mercy reigns. A place where blessing pour down like rain. A place that may lead to suffering, but this suffering is for my sanctification and it is good. A place where I am armed with shield and sword. A place where I can rest in the arms of my Redeemer.

joining in on the fun!

So today I am finally joining in on of the with Miscellany Monday from lowercase letters. Every Monday my friend Carissa writes on the miscellaneous things of her life. So here i go...

1. I love birthdays. And there is nothing better than celebrating birthdays with friends. Last Monday I turned 25 which I have been a little hesitant about but there is no stopping time! So I'm 25 and a week today and so far so good.

2. We had our Fall Retreat this past weekend in Rock Hill. We spent all day Saturday at Carowinds and that is when I began to realize that i wasn't 18 anymore. By the end of the day I was exhausted! The weekend was great though. I had lots of good time with the girls from CSU. We also heard the gospel clearly presented 3 times and the students were challenged to make Jesus their treasure.

3. Completely random but I wanted to share! Please visit this website! http://www.chachaforchange.com/ There is a family at my church here is Charleston who is raising funds to build a home and start a ministry near the hospital downtown for families who have to come to MUSC children's hospital for an extended period of time. Check out there story and there journey over the past two years. But if you are going to be in Charleston on December 1 register for the second annual Ansley's attempt! They need 3300 people to make this happen!

4. So it's been over a month since sweet little Brinkley was born! Little Brinkley is still in the hospital and still needs your prayers. He continues to have a little difficulty with feeding. Yesterday the family got to meet Brinkley through the window they were all so excited! Here's a video of the meeting! Thanks Stephanie for sharing!

              (I stole these photos from my aunt...I wish that i could have been this close though)

today begins a new season

Just yesterday I was 24 and I claimed that 24 would be "my year of possibilities". And it was just that. I put myself out there and tried things I'd never done before, accomplished goals, and grew up a bit. But today I am 25. This day is bitter sweet because 24 was so great and I let me be me and I opened myself up for change. I was excited and joyful for a whole year about the possibilities life might throw at me. So I sit and think why should 25 look any differently. Over the course of the past year I have begin to see that the Lord does not want anything but for me to walk in obedience and seek opportunity in each day. This truth has opened me up to enjoy life and all that my God has created! This year the Lord has just as much or even more in store for me than the last. I am excited to begin this season and walk on the path the Lord has planned out for me.

Also, this weekend I was able to not only put on my 8th bridesmaid dress but I was able to celebrate the marriage of 2 very special friends. I have had the joy to love and encourage these friends in their relationship not only with each other but also with the Lord. They have been dear to me for several years now. Their relationship has had there ups and downs like any other relationship but I will say that I have never seen such a relationship that speaks the gospel so clearly. The way they were pulled apart for seasons and kept fighting for each. They love each other with all their being. You can see the joy that they bring each other through their love for each other. Just like the Lord delights to love his children and Christ fights for a relationship with each one of his people. Watching these two individuals be joined in matrimony was a beautiful celebration! The vows that said to one another and before God brought tears to my eyes. These who were once far off have been brought together and made one. Their story speaks forgiveness, redemption, and now victory. I was overjoyed (and a little anxious) all weekend just knowing that their marriage will do wonders for the Kingdom of God.

so a new season today. another year. another friend married. the Lord continues to teach much of him and much of myself. He continues to stretch me and take me places of humility and growth. I am excited for this new year I'm excited for new friends and old friends and being joyful for friends who are also walking into new seasons!

 Ben and Kay's wedding reception! She was one beautiful bride!

 mom and dad stayed all day sunday to surprise me for birthday dinner!

my friends helping me celebrate! the Lord has blessed me with some pretty great friends and this is just a few! thanks for celebrating me!