I'll Remember

Almost a week ago, America remembered the events of September 11, 2001. It's hard to believe those events happened 12 years ago. Last week, my Facebook status boldly declared "I'll Remember - 9/11/01," and I did. I thought of where I was as a 13-year-old homeschooler thinking I was getting in trouble for not doing my work when Mom called us downstairs to see what was happening on TV. The terrorist attacks on that day are something this American will never forget.

But today I was convicted of something that I tend to forget. I am really good at comparing myself to others around me and thinking I'm not good enough. Questions I often find myself asking are, "Why me?" "I'm 25-years-old and single, what's wrong with me?!" "Why can't I be more like...?" All of these questions shout discontentment. These thoughts come when I forget what I should remember. I should remember that I am made in the image of God and that I am to be an image bearer of Christ. According to Psalm 139:14 I am wonderfully made and in Jeremiah 29:11, God has an plan for my life. God don't make no junk and is at work in my life.

There is another day of remembrance I have in September. On September 28, 1996 I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. At this point, though I did not fully understand it in my 8-year-old mind, I was no longer my own. I could no longer live my life the way I wanted to but it was to ordered by Christ. I am so glad I am not in control of my life and all I have to do is follow. This is not always easy, however. Especially when I forget to remember and start comparing myself to people, things, and circumstances around me.

So from this day forth I choose to remember to focus on Christ and trust in Him in everything.
Praise the Lord!! He's not finished with me yet!!

Peace like a River

I've got peace like a river. I've got peace like a river. I've got peace like a river in my soul.

I used to sing this song with motions as a kid at church, complete with pointing to the sole of my shoe when singing the word "soul." This past week I have thought a lot about the peace I have in my soul and mind concerning my future.
In a recent sermon I heard on peace the pastor gave six steps on the path of peace. These steps included:
1. Rest in the peace God provides- God is with me in the midst of my not knowing what my future holds. Peace is not the absence of the storm but the presence of God in the storm.
4. Access the peace of God's Word - the only thing I can be sure of in this world is that the word of God never changes. I need to know more of it today than I did last week.
5. Learn to be at peace with your life - when I compare my life to others my age or others in my vocation it is easy to become discontent with where I am in life. Yet my job now it to live this moment for him.
I am glad to know the One who holds my future in His hands!

Celebration in Creation

The Handley family had such a great weekend staying in cabins, hiking the waterfalls, and swimming in Mentone, Alabama. Home-cooked meals, movies, and games made for a fun time of just being together.
I am taking an Intern Leadership Development course at the church I am working at this summer. For the class I am reading The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard. One of the disciplines Willard advised in his book is celebration. We should celebrate what God has given us and enjoy what we do. I experienced great celebration yesterday as I hiked though God's beautiful creation and swam under a magnificent waterfall. 

Introduction

I have always enjoyed writing stories. If you asked me at any point between middle school and now if I had a story I was working on in my mind, I would say yes. The characters were from my imagination in times and places I had only dreamed about or perhaps seen on a field trip (i.e. Colonial Williamsburg). Lately, I have had the urge to begin writing again. But instead of using my imagination for fictional stories I have decided to use my own life. I will share some of what I experience in my day to day life with the world (or whoever actually reads this).

The title of my blog is the cry of my heart to God. Wherever he leads me I will follow. On August 21 I plan to begin my final semester of college at North Greenville University. I plan to pursue a future in children's ministry in a church. I have no idea what this looks like or where I will go as God has required me to be willing to go anywhere in North America. I thought this blog would be a good way to record this journey and to share it with whoever is interested. The address mbdisciple.blogspot.com is a reminder of who I am and my place and calling in this world. I am a disciple (a follower) of Jesus Christ.

I am aware that I have begun similar blogs before with only a few entries. With this blog however I plan to keep it going to see what God has in store for my present and future. So without further ado let us begin....