Sore Muscles... Ugh!

"Do you know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air."

1 Corinthians 10:24-26

Yesterday my roommate's car wouldn't start so we (along with the help of a few others) pushed her SUV out of the garage... I am definitely not in the best shape and am not very strong... so today I am feeling the ill effects of sore muscles and an achy back... That reminded me of this verse. Often in our Christian lives we forget that we need training to keep in "shape"... just like a runner or a boxer would not do well if he/she only trained randomly or spontaneously so it is in our walk with the Lord. The Lord desires that our relationship with Him be an ever-growing, productive, "Trophy" winning, life long relationship. He gives us all the "equipment" we need... his word, prayer, the church... We just need to take advantage of these freely offered tools! Come on... Who will join me! Lets get in shape for the King of Kings!!

OUCH!

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed."

Today I got a paper cut... I really don't understand why such a little thing can hurt SOOOO bad... the paper cut brought to mind this verse... This verse was written LONG before Jesus even came to earth yet it is about him. (That in and of itself is amazing!) When I got this painful paper cut today I was kind of complaining about it... But my Lord and Savior Jesus took a much harder beating for me... He was pierced, crushed, punished and wounded... all for me!

What an AWESOME blessing!

Frosty trees

On this beautiful, January day in Fargo there was a wonderful sight. The trees had this layer of frost that turned the branches pure white... against the bright blue sky it was marvelous! Truly an awe inspiring sight! As I was driving through this winter wonderland it reminded me of the verse in the bible where it says, your sins are washed away as white as snow. That verse is Isaiah 1:18. and it says, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." What a wonderful promise. Daily remind yourselves that Jesus died on the cross for you (For ME!!) what a crazy thought! Though we have sinned, He sees us as though we have never done wrong! Thank You JESUS!!

Let HIM!

"My beloved speaks and says to me. "Arise, my love, my beautiful one and come away. for behold , the winter is past; the rain is over and gone"... " Song of Solomon 2:10-11

Two phrases really stick out to me on this one - The first is "Come away" and the second is "The winter is past"

Come away- Have you ever felt so far away from the Lord? I think we all have at some point. This phrase is reassuring to know that He desires us in an intimate way! He calls us and draws us to Himself!
The winter is past- I take this to mean that the dry season is over, the time of feeling so far away from Him is over! The past is past. Now it's spring the earth is awakening! The Lord is doing NEW things!

What an awesome promise!! Meditate on Him and the word that He speaks over you! He wants to know you and love you in a deeper way! Let HIM!

Funny Teacher Quote!!

I thought this was soooooo funny I had to share it!

Following an intercom announcement, a student came to the office saying, the ceiling said my name! Isn’t technology magical!

Kids... gotta love 'em!

We Are A BUILDING!!

Romans 14:19 "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (NIV)

Last night a group of my friends got together, hung out we talked, prayed and worshipped it was truly a wonderful night! Today I feel so loved and encouraged. The word that came to my mind was edify. Edify means to instruct or improve spiritually but it also has another meaning that seems strange but is connected (at least I will connect it!) It also means to build, as in a house or building. Now I know what your thinking... "Carin your crazy! How is that connected!" but think about it... just as a building needs a firm foundation, the supporting beams, the walls, the nails and screws, etc. so it is in the body of Christ. We are a building for Christ, like a body, each part is necessary. If one beam was out of place the whole building would fall.

The ESV version of Romans 14:19 says, "So then, let us aim for harmony in the church try to build each other up." We need to work together to edify, uplift and encourage eachother.

Thank you too all my friends for working together to build a building for HIM!

Psalm 4:3-4

"But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;the Lord hears when I call to him. Don't sin by letting anger gain control over you. Think about it overnight and be still."

Psalm 4:3-4

I am a teacher and sometimes I find it fascinating to do a little word study on bible verses. Yesterday at church a man read this verse and I really liked it and wanted to know some of the root meaning of the words in the verse so here are 2 that stuck out to me!

Set Apart: Hebrew word: Palah

1) to be distinct, marked out, be separated, be distinguished
2) to be wonderful

Be Still: Hebrew word: Damam

1) To be silent, to wait

The man's word about this verse (vs.3) was "Imagine you are in a crowd and God is looking at the crowd with a straight face, no emotion and then He sees you and His face lights up, He smiles on you!" God finds us faithful and he separates us from the rest of the crowd. We are wonderful and distinguished in His eyes! Even when we have sinned... the next verse says to not sin or let anger control us, but to be still and wait on the Lord. Wait on Him, meditate on Him and His word. We are, I AM, His favorite one!! What an awesome promise!

Here it Goes!

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; He was lost but now he is found!" Luke 15:20&24.

Isn't this just so WONDERFUL!! I love this verse! We may walk away from the Lord but He never walks away from us. He is with us whether we feel so close to Him or if we feel so distant. That is so encouraging!

You may have a past or things you regret but remember this verse! He sees you and He has COMPASSION on you! He will throw His arms around you and kiss you with His love!

We are alive in HIM!!

... Hmmm Revamp...

I sometimes think about how nice it would be to truly just start over... so... I guess I will start simple and "revamp" my blog. I have heard people say that they do something interesting with their blog (i.e. funny thing for the day or I'm thankful for... etc.) Anyways I wanted to think of something to do with my blog. So I thought of doing a random fact, or a wacky word (all of which I might do at some point) but I wanted something more meaningful. So I decided to do a blessing blog. I hope to find a bible verse and use it to encourage anyone who happens to read this blog. This will not be a daily thing (I do have a life) but as often as possible! I hope and pray that God encourages and uplifts some people!