You have been called into action... action deeply rooted in simple and perfected love. May the Lord of all that is good and perfect protect your heart from deceit. May He empower you with strength to choose what is of Him and flee from the ugly sins of the world; and may He expose more of His beauty to your sweet, longing eyes. May He meet you where you are as you seek for more wisdom, but push you to dive deep into growth with Him. Be wise. Be wise with your heart, and with the hearts around you. When you are with your family, may you lead them with wisdom that isn’t your own, and a humility that is. May you set yourself to always learn and grow, just as Jesus Himself had to learn and grow. May you be quick to ask forgiveness of others; and may pride be nowhere in sight. Let God’s peace, joy, and love so fill you. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and allow Jesus' all consuming love to wash over you.
Friend, pursue wisdom.
Pursue God’s presence.
Don’t be concerned with provision. Provision comes from God; let His peace give you security.
Throw away performance based thinking. They are lies of Satan and they will trap you in your pride. They will prevent you from seeing past your own accomplishments and your own failures. Your victories are the Lord’s victories. You can’t take credit for anything; Offer Him any praise you yourself receive. Live your life with excellence so that HIS excellence may be put on display.
Do you believe that Christ loves His Bride? Do you believe that He loves with great passion and longing? Do you believe Christ offers great intimacy and authenticity? Then love your family, your friends, and the church the same way. The world can receive a revelation of God’s perfect love through you, and His name will be glorified and lifted high.
Love well and extravagantly.
Pursue God's heart.
Live a life filled with joy and thankfulness.
I love you.
~A
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Nehemiah, Boldness, and Jerusalem.
The life that God calls His children into is full of open doors, favor, and grace.
I was reading the first two chapters in Nehemiah today. I asked Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to me and I became deeply engaged in the story. Nehemiah’s heart was broken for Jerusalem because it was in shambles. God’s city had been destroyed and it’s walls were torn down.
Discouraged and full of sadness, he brought his heart to God, he fasted, and he prayed for several days.
I love how his burden for Jerusalem became a life’s calling; and God turned the pain of that brokenness into great victory and destiny. I love that, perhaps because I see tragic problems with the sinful world that move my heart to mourning. Nehemiah’s story gives me hope that my purpose, calling, and victory can be in the same areas that begin in deep grief. God redeems grief and turns it into strength.
And then I noticed, like a ray of sunshine amidst a darkened sky:
“The King granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.”
The good hand of my God upon me.
God’s hand, His GOOD hand is on my life. When I live in that confidence, everything changes. His good hand will lead me to places I never could've imagined; but I must keep choosing boldness. Jesus works in my boldness... and He works in yours, too.
The good hand of God is upon me. If you are living in Christ, desiring His heart and seeking His face... then the good hand of God is on YOU, too.
And I think He has a few walls and "Jerusalems" that He wants to rebuild, so I will strive for humility before Him, begging Him to come. To bring justice. But also thanking Him that He has already won the war. Victory is already claimed.
I choose joy. I choose boldness. I choose strength. I choose contentment. I choose holiness.
I choose JESUS.
I was reading the first two chapters in Nehemiah today. I asked Holy Spirit to reveal His truth to me and I became deeply engaged in the story. Nehemiah’s heart was broken for Jerusalem because it was in shambles. God’s city had been destroyed and it’s walls were torn down.
Discouraged and full of sadness, he brought his heart to God, he fasted, and he prayed for several days.
I love how his burden for Jerusalem became a life’s calling; and God turned the pain of that brokenness into great victory and destiny. I love that, perhaps because I see tragic problems with the sinful world that move my heart to mourning. Nehemiah’s story gives me hope that my purpose, calling, and victory can be in the same areas that begin in deep grief. God redeems grief and turns it into strength.
And then I noticed, like a ray of sunshine amidst a darkened sky:
“The King granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.”
The good hand of my God upon me.
God’s hand, His GOOD hand is on my life. When I live in that confidence, everything changes. His good hand will lead me to places I never could've imagined; but I must keep choosing boldness. Jesus works in my boldness... and He works in yours, too.
The good hand of God is upon me. If you are living in Christ, desiring His heart and seeking His face... then the good hand of God is on YOU, too.
And I think He has a few walls and "Jerusalems" that He wants to rebuild, so I will strive for humility before Him, begging Him to come. To bring justice. But also thanking Him that He has already won the war. Victory is already claimed.
I choose joy. I choose boldness. I choose strength. I choose contentment. I choose holiness.
I choose JESUS.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Immoveable. Unshaken. Grounded.
A few months ago, life was a little shaky. I wobbled and tiptoed and wondered whether or not life was ever going to be stable and consistent. I cried a lot. I was scared a lot. I wanted to give up a lot. I was wounded easily and "vulnerable" seemed to define me. I was bathing in insecurities, and doubt crept into my thoughts daily. I was constantly searching, and never seemed to find any answers. I was confused and weak.
Yet, God was there. In ALL of it.
In the weakness and the brokenness, the wobbly knees and the vulnerability.
God was there.
He held my hand and pulled me through the muddy pit of insecurities, re-affirming in me the gifts He had given me.
He spoke truth over my life and reminding me of how loved I am.
He faithfully forgave me over and over again.
He was there at 2pm and at 2am, too.
He was the best listener.
He whispered Bible verses and reminded me of my worth and beauty.
He lovingly convicted me and challenged me to pursue His heart.
He sat with me when I cried.
He protected my defenseless heart.
He restored joy to my heart and brought unwavering peace.
He planted strength to get back in the ring and fight.
He equipped me for battle.
He breathed life back into my dry bones.
God was there.
He was there in the quiet, intimate moments spent at His feet. He was there in the public displays of worship and adoration. He was there in the random outbursts of laughter, and the sudden onsets of tears. He was there in faithful friends.
The sunshine is here... the flowers are blooming. The rain has gone, and new days have come upon me. Today, I am thankful for new life. In all its forms. I'm thankful for friends who are there No.Matter.What. I'm thankful for Jesus.
... and I'm thankful that my perfect God is immoveable, unshaken, and grounded.
And He's molding me to become like Him~ immoveable, unshaken, and grounded.
LOVE.
Yet, God was there. In ALL of it.
In the weakness and the brokenness, the wobbly knees and the vulnerability.
God was there.
He held my hand and pulled me through the muddy pit of insecurities, re-affirming in me the gifts He had given me.
He spoke truth over my life and reminding me of how loved I am.
He faithfully forgave me over and over again.
He was there at 2pm and at 2am, too.
He was the best listener.
He whispered Bible verses and reminded me of my worth and beauty.
He lovingly convicted me and challenged me to pursue His heart.
He sat with me when I cried.
He protected my defenseless heart.
He restored joy to my heart and brought unwavering peace.
He planted strength to get back in the ring and fight.
He equipped me for battle.
He breathed life back into my dry bones.
God was there.
He was there in the quiet, intimate moments spent at His feet. He was there in the public displays of worship and adoration. He was there in the random outbursts of laughter, and the sudden onsets of tears. He was there in faithful friends.
The sunshine is here... the flowers are blooming. The rain has gone, and new days have come upon me. Today, I am thankful for new life. In all its forms. I'm thankful for friends who are there No.Matter.What. I'm thankful for Jesus.
... and I'm thankful that my perfect God is immoveable, unshaken, and grounded.
And He's molding me to become like Him~ immoveable, unshaken, and grounded.
LOVE.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Grief.
My heart was saddened as I scrolled through Facebook last night. One status update after the other... repeatedly proclaiming victory and excitement over the death of Osama bin Laden. I have two things to say about this.
1. God is a just God. I love this. I love that God brings justice upon His people to bring further glory upon Himself.
2. There is absolutely nothing happy or joyous about the death of a non-believer. It grieves my heart to know that this man (however evil he might have been) is going to spend eternity rotting in the depths of hell instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus.
How can we sit and rejoice over the loss of a life from the Kingdom of Heaven?
Instead, I'm rejoicing that I serve a just God and thanking Him for saving me from a life of slavery to sin.
Thank you, Jesus.
1. God is a just God. I love this. I love that God brings justice upon His people to bring further glory upon Himself.
2. There is absolutely nothing happy or joyous about the death of a non-believer. It grieves my heart to know that this man (however evil he might have been) is going to spend eternity rotting in the depths of hell instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus.
How can we sit and rejoice over the loss of a life from the Kingdom of Heaven?
Instead, I'm rejoicing that I serve a just God and thanking Him for saving me from a life of slavery to sin.
Thank you, Jesus.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Love.
I wish you could meet my friend, Emma. There's is no seventeen year old woman that I admire and respect more than her. She's talented, hilarious, and serious about the time she spends with Jesus. She has a gorgeous smile, an adorable laugh, and dark, mocha eyes. She volunteers at the hospital once a week, and cherishes her family time. She thinks about others first, and has an eye for photography. We both have a thing for a great love story, babies, and hearing of God's faithfulness. My dear friend is traveling the world this week. She's in Paris right now, then headed to Israel. Jealous, much? haha. But as she is gone, I am able to pray more intently for her, and reflect on the great gift she is. Recently, I was thinking about a time when sweet Emma showed me what unconditional love looks like at its best... sit down for a bit. Let me brag about my sister :)
I've decided the weight of a mistake never feels heavier than when I'm trying to sleep at night. Sometimes it's an uncomfortable heavy... as if I ate way too much at a restaurant. Other times it's like my comforter is made of concrete, like my mind is a surround-sound theater that keeps playing the words I shouldn't have said or the moment I talked myself into doing something I knew I shouldn't have done.
It was a night like that, when all the thoughts in my head seemed as loud as thundering skies over the house. Luckily, it was summer. No school to wake up to come morning, no agenda for the following day... so I got up. I grabbed my phone and went outside. It was dark, but we were at the lake... the water was calming and the bugs were somehow reassuring. I called Emma. We attempted small talk. I even told her about the amazing day I had the day before. Finally, I knew something needed to be said. The unspoken barrier (that was caused 100% by me) between us just couldn't be there anymore. I sat down in a chair outside, and watched the few lone pieces of grass sway and struggle as I stumbled over my words. I'm pretty sure I didn't even take a breath until I was done talking. When I finally finished and Emma's words followed, in that moment I realized another one of the million things I love about her~ There's nothing judgmental about the way she loves. We talked and laughed for a while, and then Emma asked me if I wanted to pray. In my groggy I'm-finally-exhausted-voice, I agreed with a full, peaceful heart. That evening, we were on our knees side by side yet hundreds of miles away, praising God for who He was. Emma talks to Jesus with an uncanny sense of reverence and love. There is sweetness mixed with her respect, and as I listened as she prayed for me, my mom and my dad in serious detail. Everything I had ranted about for weeks, my best friend was lifting up in prayer. It doesn't take a genius, or even a night owl, to see Emma genuinely loves meeting with God... and she genuinely, unconditionally loves her family and friends. Accountability and transparency with another person can replace a constant freaked-out feeling with complete peace.
When I was doing my devotions today, all I could think about was praying with my dear friend that hot and muggy June night almost a year ago. I hope you have someone in your life like that, too. If there's something happening in your world, or something that has happened that makes your heart feel like a brick inside your chest when you try to sleep at night, it's good to talk through those issues.
James 5:16 says we should be confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other. In Titus 2, Paul talks about how important it is for women to mentor other women. I've been blessed by some wonderful women who pour into my life on a regular basis.
The more you grow, the more you should be intentional about pouring love into other people's lives. It's wonderful to realize you aren't alone in any season of your life. Sometimes just knowing someone will listen and pray with you gives you the push you need to keep moving. For what it's worth, Emma and I pray for YOU, too. Yes, you. Sometimes I just say a name or a situation, and we pray fervently before our ever-so-gracious God. We pray for the ways you're growing, the decisions you're making, and your relationships. We're always thanking God for you and the way you're turning this world upside down with His love.
In fact, today I am thankful for love. I'm thankful for love that's brighter and more beautiful than spring days and more peaceful than April showers. I'm thanking Him for that perfect, unconditional love that offers new starts and forgiveness and peaceful sleep when my mind is restless. I'm SO thankful I get to see that love in my sister, my friend, Emma. I'm thankful that together we get to walk this road with Jesus and watch Him move and work and breathe life into our friends.
I am praying today that I can make someone feel as safe and loved as she always makes me feel.
I love you, Emmy. I'm thinking of you while you are gone, and am so thankful for you who are :)
Hugs and kisses,
Lyss
I've decided the weight of a mistake never feels heavier than when I'm trying to sleep at night. Sometimes it's an uncomfortable heavy... as if I ate way too much at a restaurant. Other times it's like my comforter is made of concrete, like my mind is a surround-sound theater that keeps playing the words I shouldn't have said or the moment I talked myself into doing something I knew I shouldn't have done.
It was a night like that, when all the thoughts in my head seemed as loud as thundering skies over the house. Luckily, it was summer. No school to wake up to come morning, no agenda for the following day... so I got up. I grabbed my phone and went outside. It was dark, but we were at the lake... the water was calming and the bugs were somehow reassuring. I called Emma. We attempted small talk. I even told her about the amazing day I had the day before. Finally, I knew something needed to be said. The unspoken barrier (that was caused 100% by me) between us just couldn't be there anymore. I sat down in a chair outside, and watched the few lone pieces of grass sway and struggle as I stumbled over my words. I'm pretty sure I didn't even take a breath until I was done talking. When I finally finished and Emma's words followed, in that moment I realized another one of the million things I love about her~ There's nothing judgmental about the way she loves. We talked and laughed for a while, and then Emma asked me if I wanted to pray. In my groggy I'm-finally-exhausted-voice, I agreed with a full, peaceful heart. That evening, we were on our knees side by side yet hundreds of miles away, praising God for who He was. Emma talks to Jesus with an uncanny sense of reverence and love. There is sweetness mixed with her respect, and as I listened as she prayed for me, my mom and my dad in serious detail. Everything I had ranted about for weeks, my best friend was lifting up in prayer. It doesn't take a genius, or even a night owl, to see Emma genuinely loves meeting with God... and she genuinely, unconditionally loves her family and friends. Accountability and transparency with another person can replace a constant freaked-out feeling with complete peace.
When I was doing my devotions today, all I could think about was praying with my dear friend that hot and muggy June night almost a year ago. I hope you have someone in your life like that, too. If there's something happening in your world, or something that has happened that makes your heart feel like a brick inside your chest when you try to sleep at night, it's good to talk through those issues.
James 5:16 says we should be confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other. In Titus 2, Paul talks about how important it is for women to mentor other women. I've been blessed by some wonderful women who pour into my life on a regular basis.
The more you grow, the more you should be intentional about pouring love into other people's lives. It's wonderful to realize you aren't alone in any season of your life. Sometimes just knowing someone will listen and pray with you gives you the push you need to keep moving. For what it's worth, Emma and I pray for YOU, too. Yes, you. Sometimes I just say a name or a situation, and we pray fervently before our ever-so-gracious God. We pray for the ways you're growing, the decisions you're making, and your relationships. We're always thanking God for you and the way you're turning this world upside down with His love.
In fact, today I am thankful for love. I'm thankful for love that's brighter and more beautiful than spring days and more peaceful than April showers. I'm thanking Him for that perfect, unconditional love that offers new starts and forgiveness and peaceful sleep when my mind is restless. I'm SO thankful I get to see that love in my sister, my friend, Emma. I'm thankful that together we get to walk this road with Jesus and watch Him move and work and breathe life into our friends.
I am praying today that I can make someone feel as safe and loved as she always makes me feel.
I love you, Emmy. I'm thinking of you while you are gone, and am so thankful for you who are :)
Hugs and kisses,
Lyss
Friday, April 8, 2011
Dreaming.
I want to get an "A" on this physiology exam today.
I want to make the most of these last few months of my first year of college.
I want to cherish every moment this summer with special family and sweet friends.
I want to get accepted into the nursing program and pursue pediatrics.
I want to get married to a Godly man who loves Jesus more than me.
I want to be DAILY pursuing God's heart together in my marriage.
I want to adopt children and save them from destruction and potential poverty.
I want to carry babies in my womb and praise God for new life.
I want to watch God grow my family, and worship Him every step of the way.
I want to be radically living for my Savior and passionately loving Him and the people He so graciously created.
I want to get back on the stage and sing and act and dance.
I want to be a peace-maker, and joy-dispenser.
I want to have NO control over my life.
I want to be immersed in the words of my Father.
I want to be surrounded by truth.
I want to be speaking life into dry ground.
I want to be resting nowhere but His will, a will that is so beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.
I want to be sacrificing SELF.
I want to have fun, and have the imagination of youth.
I want to write. LOTS.
I want to be actively involved in church and community.
I want to remain pure in motive and thought.
I want to be wise with my money.
I want to be a good listener.
I want to honor Jesus in my speech.
I want to have a prayer life that rocks my world.
I want to be a mover and a shaker.
I want to never settle for anything less than a holy life devoted to bringing Christ glory.
I want to dream God's dreams for me.
I want to pursue HIS heart. My God is enough for me :)
I want to make the most of these last few months of my first year of college.
I want to cherish every moment this summer with special family and sweet friends.
I want to get accepted into the nursing program and pursue pediatrics.
I want to get married to a Godly man who loves Jesus more than me.
I want to be DAILY pursuing God's heart together in my marriage.
I want to adopt children and save them from destruction and potential poverty.
I want to carry babies in my womb and praise God for new life.
I want to watch God grow my family, and worship Him every step of the way.
I want to be radically living for my Savior and passionately loving Him and the people He so graciously created.
I want to get back on the stage and sing and act and dance.
I want to be a peace-maker, and joy-dispenser.
I want to have NO control over my life.
I want to be immersed in the words of my Father.
I want to be surrounded by truth.
I want to be speaking life into dry ground.
I want to be resting nowhere but His will, a will that is so beyond my largest notions of what He is up to.
I want to be sacrificing SELF.
I want to have fun, and have the imagination of youth.
I want to write. LOTS.
I want to be actively involved in church and community.
I want to remain pure in motive and thought.
I want to be wise with my money.
I want to be a good listener.
I want to honor Jesus in my speech.
I want to have a prayer life that rocks my world.
I want to be a mover and a shaker.
I want to never settle for anything less than a holy life devoted to bringing Christ glory.
I want to dream God's dreams for me.
I want to pursue HIS heart. My God is enough for me :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Life across the Border.
Oh goodness, my brain is a swirly mess of meaningless thoughts, deep insights, and joy. The fast few weeks have been ones chocked full of emotion and memories with special people.
I crossed the border last week to spend nine days in desolate villages desperate for medical care and the love of Jesus. It was a breathtaking time of giving and pouring out into His loved people. Our team was able to come in contact with a myriad of people, ranging in age... all with smiles as wide as the sea, and happiness leaking out from their eyes. The language barrier seemed to fade away with each tight embrace and look of thanks. At the end of each day, exhaustion set in and our team looked grimy and rugged. Looking at pictures from the week, I'm beginning to think that's when Jesus saw us as most beautiful. The sweat, the dirt, the wrinkles, the frizz... it's a sign of service, of sacrifice, of love. In our messiness, we were able to lift up praises and beg Jesus for healing... play with children in the sand and dirt... cry with mothers... rejoice with men as they receive glasses and are able to read... smile at the sweet baby with sad eyes... watch families do back-breaking work for close to no payment... meet fellow believers and offer up our humble worship in separate languages... and laugh with excitement at the thought of making more memories as a team.
Our messiness is God's beautiful. I one hundred percent believe that with my whole heart.
I saw, experienced, and felt things this last week that will forever have an impact on the way I serve my incredible Jesus. I was taught that messiness is OKAY. In fact, it's beautiful. God USES messiness. While physical messiness is very much included in this, and there is incredible beauty in allowing yourself to literally sit in dirt, slave in the sun, and get paint in your hair... I'm talking about the deep, ugly messiness that we all carry. The secret, most intimate parts of us that are scary, painful, shameful, and vulnerable. The MESSY parts. I saw this week that God wants those parts of us, too. He wants those scary, painful, shameful, vulnerable pieces of us. I saw the RAW beauty that comes from allowing God to have complete control over a life, even the messy parts.
Messy is beautiful. God works in messiness.
I think also of our team. Ten BREATHTAKING girls who journeyed together across the border to serve. God orchestrated moments, memories, and conversations that I never could've dreamed or planned. Because of His love for us, He allowed our team to grow together and enjoy time spent with one another. Our team consists of a small but fierce "ghetto" sweetie, an organized leader who does a legit British accent, a master story-teller with a heart for service, a Happy Birthday song genius with a perpetual smile, the hardest worker I know who literally had to be pulled away to rest, the gentle and quiet spirit from Africa with the cutest laugh, the most precious and lovely nursing student who didn't know gray cows existed, a prayer leader who fought for unity, a witty and hilariously funny random thinker who never complained... and yours truly. They blessed my socks off. Whether I was hurdled over laughing on car rides, or lifting my hands in worship during the unplanned worship times... this team was so perfectly put together by our God. There was growth. There was messiness. There was friendship. There was love. There was joy. There was peace. There was unity. There was togetherness. There was service. There was hope. There was LIFE.
I am realizing that my thoughts are kind of all over the place... not eloquently stated or planned. I just sat down and started to write. It's well... messy. But I pray you see the beauty of our Savior through this post. The absolute, undeniable beauty of a GOOD God who allowed a team of girls to serve Him in Mexico and will be forever changed.
A HUGE thanks to the beautiful team of girls, but an ever bigger thanks to the God of the Universe. The people You created, both here and in lands far away... leak of Your glory. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
LOVE,
Alyssa
P.S. Photo Credit~ the amazing CP
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