Today I Am 9...

Nine years old as Your child. Nine years ago today I was brought to my knees in realization of my sinfulness and Your holiness and grace. Because of Your great love for me, I stand here today, forgiven. I don't even want to imagine where I would be right now without Your sacrifice! I don't think I can ever grasp the full extent of Jesus' sacrifice. For me. Never in a million years could I deserve it! Yet He came and died in my place, took my shame, and has now given me new life! I am a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! (2 Cor 5:17) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor 9:15)

As I think back over the years, I can't help but be overwhelmed by Your faithfulness. You were with me through it all, You never failed...even when I did. Your mercies never came to an end, they were new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! (Lam 3:22-24)

So, I am nine years old. But I'm still constantly struggling, God. Sometimes I get distracted. My sin gets in the way. I think I can do this on my own. But I can't. After growing in You for nine years, I feel like I should have learned this by now. Thank you for Your unending grace that picks me up each time I fall!

God, I don't want anything to come between our relationship. I want every day to be a new opportunity to deepen my love for You and continually seek Your face. In Your presence is fullness of joy! (Ps 16:11) I pray that You will become my the love of my life, my number one priority, and my sole satisfaction. Remind me every day of how unworthy I am. Instead of people noticing me, may they only see You. You must increase, I must decrease. (John 3:30) May my boasting be in You alone (2 Cor 10:17) because it is only You who can do anything great with me.

In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I’ve been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I’ll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

- From "In Christ Alone" by Brian Littrell

Year after year, Your grace is sufficient - and it still amazes me. Somehow, in Your sovereign plan, You chose me and are growing me and molding me to become more like You. Take me and use me; I am Yours. My deepest desire is to be used by You, for Your glory. I know that You will, as long as I am fully surrendered to You. As I surrendered my life to You for the first time nine years ago, so I surrender my life anew to You now. I have decided to follow Jesus.

No turning back.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. - Philippians 1:6

We Are the House of God

"House of God" - John Waller


So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22



Partly because I memorized it for my Bible Quiz team, but also because it has to do with the song I've been listening to lately, this paragraph from my Bible study book has been on my mind:

Long before He created the world, Jesus planned to die for sinners. But He saw beyond that. He planned to unite each forgiven sinner with all other forgiven sinners, and all of them to Himself. Together they would become a living organism, always growing, becoming more and more like Him in holy character. This is the Church.

When I think about what the Church is, I get so excited! I can't really explain it, but there's something so awesome about how Christ unites the Church. Just think, in Christ I'm united to EVERY believer--even if I've never met them...like many of you! One thing I'm really looking forward to in Christ's return is that "heavenly reunion" with the entire Church. Imagine what a glorious reunion that will be!!!

Come quickly Lord Jesus! Your Church is waiting!

My Apologies

No, I haven't forgotten about you. Yes, I am still alive. But let's just say my life has become increasingly busier, and my time had to be cut somewhere. Unfortunately, I'm sad to say, that happened to be my blog. (Whoa. Has it really almost been a month?!)

So...I humbly apologize for my lack of posts. =) Of course, I really couldn't help it! Also, I just want to say that I'm sorry I haven't been commenting much on any of your blogs. It's that time thing again. I promise I'm still reading them, though!!! I can't promise, though, lots of more posts on my blog, for now (not until school is over anyway).

Just to prove that I have an excuse, here's what I've been up to:

• Writing a research paper on Joan of Arc
• Memorizing my piano recital piece
• Getting reading for Bible Quiz in Kansas City (oh no! It's this Friday! =D)
• Then after that, studying for Summit Quiz (Nationals)
• Playing tennis matches for the home school NOAH team - at least 3 times a week!
• Getting ready for Broken Arrow Bible Ranch with my youth group in June
• Trying to keep my room clean and stay on top of my chores
• Finishing the rest of my school
• Trying to stay consistent with my time with God

Have you all ever heard of the word "busy" standing for "being under Satan's yoke"? Now, I don't think that every time we get busy it's because Satan has a foothold in our lives, but when we start to believe the lie that "we're so busy we don't have time for God right now", that's when we fall under Satan's yoke. That is a scary thought!!!

I'm believing a lie when I think that I'm just too busy. I don't think anyone can be TOO busy not to spend ANY time with God. Ten minutes in His Word, praying little prayers throughout the day - it doesn't have to be hours. Unfortunately, I have believed the lie and many days have gone without me digging into His Word. But, with God's strength I can sacrifice some of my spare time and spend it in a way that will last for eternity. Because, in reality, the time I have isn't mine, is it?

Well, I hope you all have a great 4th quarter! Yes! We're 3/4 of the way through the school year! Have a great week!