Hello!
I have officially moved my blog! You can find it here. Go check it out and help me answer an important question!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
God is in the Details
This week I have had some trouble with my electronic devices. First, my ipod decided to stop playing through the auxiliary cord in my car. The ipod itself was functioning, but the auxiliary hole where you plug headphones in apparently wasn't and without that in proper working order an ipod isn't of much use. It was slightly annoying not being able to play music that I actually want to listen to in my car, but not a huge devastation. My thought was, "Well, I will just have to wait until Christmas to get a new one. I can hold off for that long."
Then, my computer charger started acting funny. It would only charge if it was in a certain position, so it took me a good 3 minutes to get it right each time I plugged it in. Again, not a huge deal but slightly annoying. But then a few days ago, I came home from work, plugged my computer in, and started maneuvering it around until the little orange light came on. This time the little orange light was not coming on. My computer was completely dead and I began to get a little panicky. I did not want to have to bring it to the Apple store or get a new charger because that just is not in my budget right now. I didn't know what else to do, so I prayed... over my computer charger. Yeah, you heard right and I did feel a little ridiculous doing it. I prayed and fiddled around with it for a good 20 minutes before I decided to run to Wal-Mart to find the right screw driver to open up the back to see if I could fix anything ( like I would have any idea of what to do.) When I got back, I did open it up, but like I expected I had no idea what I was looking at. I just blew some dust away and closed it back up, plugged it in, and continued fiddling. Nothing was happening, nothing was working, so I picked up the whole computer (still praying) and tipped it up on its side. Right when I did that the little orange light came on! Thank you, Jesus! He healed (?), fixed my charger! Now when I plug it in no fiddling is necessary, that little orange light comes on immediately. He fixed it completely and I am so thankful. It really is the little things.
After I asked God to fix my charger I was reminded of my broken iPod, so the next time I got in my car I decided to pray over that too. It wasn't an immediately fixed, but today as I was driving I heard God say, "Try playing your iPod." So, I did and guess what? It started playing immediately!
This may seem a little silly and out there to pray over a computer and an iPod, but I learned through this that God does care about the small details of our lives. He loves when we include Him in those small details and ask for Him to work in them. It also served as a faith booster. If God can and is willing to "heal" some electronics what more does He want to do in regards to healing in my life and in the lives of others. It has strengthened my faith and challenged me to look for bigger opportunities to pray for God's intervention.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10: 29-31
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11
Then, my computer charger started acting funny. It would only charge if it was in a certain position, so it took me a good 3 minutes to get it right each time I plugged it in. Again, not a huge deal but slightly annoying. But then a few days ago, I came home from work, plugged my computer in, and started maneuvering it around until the little orange light came on. This time the little orange light was not coming on. My computer was completely dead and I began to get a little panicky. I did not want to have to bring it to the Apple store or get a new charger because that just is not in my budget right now. I didn't know what else to do, so I prayed... over my computer charger. Yeah, you heard right and I did feel a little ridiculous doing it. I prayed and fiddled around with it for a good 20 minutes before I decided to run to Wal-Mart to find the right screw driver to open up the back to see if I could fix anything ( like I would have any idea of what to do.) When I got back, I did open it up, but like I expected I had no idea what I was looking at. I just blew some dust away and closed it back up, plugged it in, and continued fiddling. Nothing was happening, nothing was working, so I picked up the whole computer (still praying) and tipped it up on its side. Right when I did that the little orange light came on! Thank you, Jesus! He healed (?), fixed my charger! Now when I plug it in no fiddling is necessary, that little orange light comes on immediately. He fixed it completely and I am so thankful. It really is the little things.
After I asked God to fix my charger I was reminded of my broken iPod, so the next time I got in my car I decided to pray over that too. It wasn't an immediately fixed, but today as I was driving I heard God say, "Try playing your iPod." So, I did and guess what? It started playing immediately!
This may seem a little silly and out there to pray over a computer and an iPod, but I learned through this that God does care about the small details of our lives. He loves when we include Him in those small details and ask for Him to work in them. It also served as a faith booster. If God can and is willing to "heal" some electronics what more does He want to do in regards to healing in my life and in the lives of others. It has strengthened my faith and challenged me to look for bigger opportunities to pray for God's intervention.
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10: 29-31
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11
Friday, June 3, 2011
More Items...
I have been crafting a lot lately and have more things than I know what to do with! Hair clips and rings are taking over my dressers. These are some of the newest items to the collection that are for sale.
*Remember all of the proceeds are going toward my participation in church planting school and then to my upcoming trip to Thailand through the school.
Hair Clips $8
*Remember all of the proceeds are going toward my participation in church planting school and then to my upcoming trip to Thailand through the school.
Hair Clips $8
Rings $8
Bobby Pins $6
Bangles $10
*This bangle above was covered with fabric from Mali, West Africa
If you would like to make a purchase just leave a comment!
Check out the rest of my items here at my etsy shop!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Getting Crafty!
So, lately my friend and roomate, Amanda Larsen, and I have been getting into vintage buttons and fabric flowers and making awesome accessories out of them. My friend is selling her creations to raise money to go to Namibia, Africa in September (you can check out her stuff here or here ).
In September I will be starting Church Planting Training school through my church here in Omaha, Way Point. The school itself is $700, so as a way to raise money to fund that I am selling these lovely items...
Fabric Flower Rings $8
In September I will be starting Church Planting Training school through my church here in Omaha, Way Point. The school itself is $700, so as a way to raise money to fund that I am selling these lovely items...
Fabric Flower Rings $8
Vintage Button Rings $8
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Etsy
So, now I have opened an Etsy shop! This will make buying and selling my items so much easier. If you are interested please take a look and tell all of your friends too!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mmotl?ref=si_shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mmotl?ref=si_shop
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Hope
I have been learning a lot lately about trusting God. To really trust Him with the deep things of my heart. It's easy for me to trust Him with things like finances and future plans. I know He is a Father that provides and I've experienced those provisions. But when it comes to my desires and the things of my heart, it's hard to trust because there is a risk of being disappointed and I don't want to get hurt or let down. When I don't trust Him with my heart, I don't hope in Him either. Hope and trust go hand in hand.
God has been in a persistant pursuit of my heart. He wants the whole thing, not just bits and pieces. In 2008, I remember during one of my quiet times with Him He asked me if I trusted Him. I said, "Yes, of course." Then He asked, "Do you believe you can trust me with your heart?" I wanted to say, yes, but was more hesitant. Then, this past December while in Thailand I got a word through someone. They said I have a sweet relationship with God, but He wants more of my heart. He's been after it for 3 years now (probably longer). He wants me to trust Him with my hopes, my dreams, and my desires and I can because He has put them in me and He is good.
I read this verse today, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope" Psalm 130:5. What does it really mean to hope in His word? I always thought of hoping in the promises that He made in the Bible and that's true, but I think it's deeper than that. I looked up what "word" meant in Hebrew and it means "speech, sayings, utterances, or words." It clicked with me when I read that because that means that the things He speaks to us personally are His words and we can hope in that!
God is a Man of His word and will keep His promises. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
I will end with a little food for thought from, Amy Carmichael.
"It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates."
God has been in a persistant pursuit of my heart. He wants the whole thing, not just bits and pieces. In 2008, I remember during one of my quiet times with Him He asked me if I trusted Him. I said, "Yes, of course." Then He asked, "Do you believe you can trust me with your heart?" I wanted to say, yes, but was more hesitant. Then, this past December while in Thailand I got a word through someone. They said I have a sweet relationship with God, but He wants more of my heart. He's been after it for 3 years now (probably longer). He wants me to trust Him with my hopes, my dreams, and my desires and I can because He has put them in me and He is good.
I read this verse today, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope" Psalm 130:5. What does it really mean to hope in His word? I always thought of hoping in the promises that He made in the Bible and that's true, but I think it's deeper than that. I looked up what "word" meant in Hebrew and it means "speech, sayings, utterances, or words." It clicked with me when I read that because that means that the things He speaks to us personally are His words and we can hope in that!
God is a Man of His word and will keep His promises. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
I will end with a little food for thought from, Amy Carmichael.
"It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates."
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
What Wondrous Love
As a part of Holy Week, my pastor has been posting daily meditations about the events leading up to Jesus' death. They have been so good to read and to be able to reflect on Christ's sufferings. In Philippians 3:10 it says, "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." It is through sharing in his sufferings that we can know Him in a new and deeper way.
Today's reflection was about betrayal. Jesus was betrayed in many ways that last week: by Judas- who was the one who turned Him in, by His disciples in the garden who couldn't stay awake to pray with Him, and by Peter- who denied even knowing Him 3 times. This was Jesus' weakest time, a time where He needed His closest friends to support and comfort Him, but instead they all left Him. Being fully human, Jesus felt all of the emotions and hurt that comes with being betrayed by those closest to you, but He never responded out of that hurt. He always responded out of love. He greeted Judas as "friend" in the garden, He healed the soliders ear that Peter cut off, and He asked His Father to forgive those who had beaten, mocked, and tortured Him. I can't comprehend this kind of Love, but it's beautiful and it compels me to love like this. But that is hardly ever my response. I like to play the victim, have people feel sorry for me, and hold a grudge for awhile. There isn't freedom in that though, there is freedom in loving. There is also great risk in loving. There is the risk of being rejected or not receiving love back. But it's comforting to know that Jesus has been there too and continued to love in spite of the rejection and abandonment.
I am overwhelmed by His love and gentleness today and my prayer is that He would give me a heart like His, to love like Him.
Here is the link to the meditations
http://worldarena.tumblr.com/
Today's reflection was about betrayal. Jesus was betrayed in many ways that last week: by Judas- who was the one who turned Him in, by His disciples in the garden who couldn't stay awake to pray with Him, and by Peter- who denied even knowing Him 3 times. This was Jesus' weakest time, a time where He needed His closest friends to support and comfort Him, but instead they all left Him. Being fully human, Jesus felt all of the emotions and hurt that comes with being betrayed by those closest to you, but He never responded out of that hurt. He always responded out of love. He greeted Judas as "friend" in the garden, He healed the soliders ear that Peter cut off, and He asked His Father to forgive those who had beaten, mocked, and tortured Him. I can't comprehend this kind of Love, but it's beautiful and it compels me to love like this. But that is hardly ever my response. I like to play the victim, have people feel sorry for me, and hold a grudge for awhile. There isn't freedom in that though, there is freedom in loving. There is also great risk in loving. There is the risk of being rejected or not receiving love back. But it's comforting to know that Jesus has been there too and continued to love in spite of the rejection and abandonment.
I am overwhelmed by His love and gentleness today and my prayer is that He would give me a heart like His, to love like Him.
Here is the link to the meditations
http://worldarena.tumblr.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)