FW: Pressing Forward

I wanted to share this. It is all material from a devotional that I occasionally glance at. Enjoy!

Pressing Forward

 

"I was crushed...so much so that I despaired even of life, but that was to make me rely not on myself, but on the God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:8, 9).

 

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"Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;

Pressed so intensely it seems, beyond strength;

Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul,

Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.

Pressure by foes, and a pressure from friends.

Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

 

"Pressed into knowing no helper but God;

Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.

Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;

Pressed into faith for impossible things.

Pressed into living a life in the Lord,

Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured."

 

***

 

The pressure of hard places makes us value life. Every time our life is given back to us from such a trial, it is like a new beginning, and we learn better how much it is worth, and make more of it for God and man. The pressure helps us to understand the trials of others, and fits us to help and sympathize with them.

 

There is a shallow, superficial nature, that gets hold of a theory or a promise lightly, and talks very glibly about the distrust of those who shrink from every trial; but the man or woman who has suffered much never does this, but is very tender and gentle, and knows what suffering really means. This is what Paul meant when he said, "Death worketh in you."

 

Trials and hard places are needed to press us forward, even as the furnace fires in the hold of that mighty ship give force that moves the piston, drives the engine, and propels that great vessel across the sea in the face of the winds and waves.  --A. B. Simpson

 

***

 

"Out of the presses of pain,

Cometh the soul's best wine;

And the eyes that have shed no rain,

Can shed but little shine."

November 18 Entry

http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/desert/

The Big 2-5.

When I woke up yesterday, I was recovering from the night before. The night prior to my "big day" I was overwhelmed, exhausted and emotionally spent.

My roommate surprised me with pumpkin scones in the morning even though she got up earlier to get on the Market Bus headed for Walmart!! And low and behold, my neighbor Brittany also made me some pumpkin scones with a cream cheese frosting!!!  :D So to say the least, I had a wonderful breakfast... it was delicious!! But even after the wonderful breakfast... I couldn't stay up on the mountain. My spirit needed to get away and take in another surrounding. So I joined Britt on an adventure to the city for lunch (at Matambritas...yumm) and time spent at a coffee bar (The Mocha Lounge). As Britt and I were sitting down eating lunch under the warming sun, three beautiful ladies drove by (Keri, Lauren and Sarah), rolled down their windows and sang the birthday song to me right there in the middle of the road. (!!!). It was the best unexpected surprise! Later on Lauren came up to our table, and surprise hugged me! So sweet!! We finished up lunch, then I headed off to Mocha Lounge. I ordered the Milkyway Cappuccino - the most intense blend of chocolate, coffee and peanut butter drink I've ever had. I enjoyed the next two hours sitting on the comfy couches, sipping on my intense drink and reading all about God's goodness (not to mention also catching up on texts and facebook messages). It was definitely what I needed for that time. Baking in the midst of God's Goodness. :)

It was soon time to head back up for all the Birthday festivities. When I entered my apartment I was embraced by my roommate, Julie, who I hadn't seen all day and some good neighbors getting everything for the birthday dinner (chicken alfredo pizza w/roasted broccoli and bread sticks!). I sat and just took everything in. I was still overwhelmed with so much on my heart. i really wanted one specific person to be there, but knew that it was an impossible request. And thinking about it brought tears to my eyes. To say the least, I broke down. Tears filled my eyes when I tried to explain how I was feeling to Julie.  She prayed over the night and the festivities began. Soon our apartment was filled with 7 beautiful God-fearing women who got together to make dinner and sit around the coffee table in celebration of my birthday. The food was delicious, and the surprise homemade strawberry cheesecake (made by our very own Josh) was the best was to end dinner. We quickly packed up the mess we made from dinner and headed over to A2 for games and a cupcake competition.

Dinner Ladies Minus Julie the Photographer  ;)

As I entered the door, a bizillion people screamed out HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! It was epic! I felt the love for sure! Hugs went around and we just enjoyed the night being in each other's company. A few rounds of the card game Spoons were played, fireworks were released just outside of the apartments where we were able to clearly see from the back balcony (Thanks Presidential preliminary elections!!), and of course there was hot chocolate and cupcake decorating/kicking/grabbing involved throughout the night. After the party died down, we went outside for a little star gazing (the sky was so clear and BEAUTIFUL!!). Josh happened to stop by with his telescope and set it up so that I could see Jupiter!! It was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! His little star gazer app was pretty cool too.

We had a Shark in a sea of blue hearts, A Panda, Mountain of Oreos, Ode to Mustache, two-tiered cupcake, snowman, person with a hat, Texas!!, use to be a guy before it got kicked cupcake, and a mouse. All entries in the contest. (From top left to bottom right). .... oh, the Panda won. Texas was a very, very close 2nd. 

To top off the night, and into the morning, a fabulous group of 6 of us went out for a late night trip to Denny's. It was a great end to a pretty wonderful birthday.

I was definitely spoiled and overwhelmed with love yesterday. I'm so thankful for the friends and family who took the time to wish me a happy birthday. I really do appreciate it and it means a lot. I'm also thankful for everyone who came out to just hangout. The party turned out to be so much more than what I had imagined. You all are amazing.

To say the least, I'm excited for what this year has to offer. I'm believing for big things to happen this year. God knows the desires of my heart and I know that He's listening closely.

Worship at it's Purest

It's overwhelming. But in an overwhelming sense of peace, comfort, and security in that I follow a God who is never changing and whose love is never ending.

Tonight I experienced my 2nd concert here Honduras. The main performer was Christine D'Clario and even though I really didn't have a clue as to who who she was before tonight, I am a new fan. Her presence on stage was truly that of a pure worshiper. Her love for God and to bring others to Christ was clearly presented. And her voice... man.... how amazing that our God could create such beautiful things? I was definitely blessed by this concert. It was a chance to really just spread out in the middle of a baseball field and worship. With arms wide open and without a care in the world, singing my heart out even when I didn't know the words in Spanish but remembered them in English. I've been waiting for a moment like this. For the renewal of my spirit and a clear reminder from my Father in Heaven. The atmosphere was so sweet... difficult to explain... there just aren't any words that could perfectly describe the feeling of being in the presence of God like that. One of the things that really just warmed my soul was seeing so many young men down on their knees, worshiping and calling out to God. How encouraging. I pray that God raises up strong Christian men to be strong leaders in my generation and those to follow. We need them. And tonight was a reminder... that God is working. He is present and He has BIG plans.

How awesome.