Lame Jokes and Merry Hearts

I had a very productive day today full of reading about how to construct sermons and what not to do. I also did a book report and managed to spend time with my suitemate at the same time. But the best I felt today wasn't only in my alone time with the Lord, in getting ahead in my studies or having the day for down time. Dinner tonight with my suitemates and a friend of theirs was by far the best part. Becki told random jokes that have thus far proved to be out of character for her; she was laughing SO hysterically that even though the jokes were as lame as the dead frog she talked about we couldn't help but crack up. She had us laughing all the way back to the room. Today the Lord showed me something or rather reminded me of something very important. Laughter truly is a medicine (Proverbs 17:22), friends really are a gift from the Lord. The other thing He reminded me of was a plaque I bought this time last year which reads "You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips." I could preach all day about the joy of the Lord but on the way back to the room tonight we lived it. We practically rolled back to the room due to laughter. Sometimes you won't feel like laughing but never fear! Happiness and joy are two separate things...Joy was joining in laughter not because the joke was funny-it was pretty sad actually! But we were laughing because Becki was happy! We were laughing because we had never seen her that way and it freaked us out a little. Maybe I'm not expressing this in the best way I know how but what I'm saying is joy isn't about your circumstances. The stacks of books I have organized representing the reports due between now and April 30th, the sicknesses of those I love, the unsure (to us, not God) future, the devestation of Haiti's population don't lend to laughter. But knowing that Jesus Christ came to this earth to live a sinless life, die on a cross for my sins and your sin, rise from the dead to prove that He is in fact who He said He was, and the knowledge that He now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for me no matter what circumstance I'm going through lends to a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. You can be sad and still know joy, His joy. The joy that gives you strength to face another day, the joy that gives you strength to climb up on His lap and learn how to get through the pain you may be feeling. Beyond your present circumstance there is hope for your future! (Jeremiah 29:11) There is the promise of Jesus Christ HIMSELF being our peace (Ephesians 2:14). You may not feel it right now. But there is the fact that a better day is coming for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as savior. That's something to be joyous about!

Rest

Tomorrow is the first day of classes for my second semester at Southeastern. I can't believe it's already been five months since I submitted to my destiny. I've never been so at peace; I've never been so fulfilled. I have goals and a planner and hope to utilize both this semester to help me climb to my purpose. With all of that said, I know that this semester is going to have a personality of its own. I can't depend on it to be like last semester. The first reason being that I just spent the night in my room without a roommate for the first time-ever. I'm a social bug so that was a little hard to accept at first, but at the same time I can see the good things about it too. I'm working on it. Another reason is that this semester is preparing me for my summer internship. When you're in high school you do (or don't do) the work assigned to you while in the back of your mind you know that what you want to do won't come your way for several more years. But now, I'll be gaining instruction knowing that in a few short months whatever I have learned or haven't picked up will affect teens. I have a responsibility! The third reason this semester is going to be different is because I believe the Lord wants me to become more Spiritually involved. I took a semester to get the hang of things but now I need to go after Him even more. I can't get flakey and lazy! I have to press on and press through. With the responsibility I was just talking about comes the need for a deep, deep, deep spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and with the leading of the Holy Spirit. I can't lead others on my own! I can't learn to lead others on my own either! I need His help. On the way back yesterday I passed a couple of billboards that said "Are you depressed, angry, afraid? Jesus is still the answer." I would like to add to that "Are you tired, weak, hopeful, trying to find fulfillment and purpose? Jesus is still the answer!" Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Luke 12:6&7 assures us "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."



He offers to take our burdens if we come to Him. He will give us rest! More than that He knows us better than we know ourselves. AND HE LOVES US ANYWAY! Praise God for that! As I've heard growing up, He knows how many hairs are on our head and how many fall out in the hair brush. We are not forgotten.

As I work and love and live through this semester with workstudy and 20 credit hours and helping with the great youth group at church I can do it because if I give HIM my burdens and don't try to carry them on my shoulders He will give me rest! I can also rest in the knowledge that He has all of the details of my life worked out if I will just let Him have His way, because if He has the hair on my head numbered (and I have a LOT of hair), then He can most definately take care of the smallest details. He can do that for you too! The Bible says that He is no respector of persons. If He'll do it for me, He'll do it for you if you allow Him to.

Be encouraged.

Newest News

The busiest semester in my 4 year college career is fastly aproaching. I'm ready to be finished with school! I want to do what the Lord wants me to do and I want to finish well. Sometimes all the planning in the world can't prepare you for what actually happens. God is continually taking me by surprise. I can't explain it really. I like what He's doing though. I'm changing and my circumstances are looking a little more up. Maybe I'm sentimental and the new year has inspired me. But that false sense of renewal can't really be it. I think it's because of this new season that I feel is opening up. Somehow, I think the things expected are coming-just not in ways expected. There's a sense of anticipation as I can't wait to see what God is up to. This isn't so much an inspiring blog. I'm just being self-centered enough to think you may want an update! If I had to give one piece of advice though I'd say don't limit God. Don't ask Him to help you with things on your terms. Give everything to His hands completely. He will make things turn out much better than we could ever think of.