One Step At A Time

Throughout this school year thus far, I have learned the importance of setting goals.Whether it be spending time with God, time-managing in general, running/working out, making good grades, or eating healthy, wisely setting goals has helped me tremendously.

 I have given up on things easily before. I have quit before my time to do so rather than persevering. I came to a realization that I had unrealistic goals, or did not go about achieving them in the right way. Sometimes I had no goals at all. HELLO?! What was I thinking? And when I set goals, rather than being wise about reaching a goal, I tried to do everything at once. I strive to accomplish more than I was capable of doing at a certain time do to certain circumstances and I held myself back. I would get aggravated, lose hope in myself, or at times, both. Then I would sorrily give up. I began to examine what I was doing or more-so, what I was not doing, why, and what I could do to change for the better.

I have learned to set short and rather small, reachable goals first. Smaller steps create a large staircase, and so it is the same with goals- setting smaller goals lead to reaching the big goal. Being realistic is key. Having faith in yourself is another important key. Seeing yourself the way God sees you and believing in yourself is extremely important. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I fall short of this too though. If you provide opportunity for yourself to grow, you will. If you take the time to improve anything, it will happen. Diligence and hard work pays off. But you have to do push toward the result that you desire. Each week I try to write out goals for myself and pray over them. Setting small goals has helped me actually accomplish something good. After reaching each small goal, I can gradually set a larger, long term goal to work towards.

With God, all things are possible; He has created us to do more than we can imagine. I truly believe this and I try to always embrace this truth. He has given us His Spirit. He has provided us with opportunity. He will pull me through anything and I know that in Him I am more than capable, but I have to do my part as well and take advantage of all that He has equipped me with. I continually remind myself to live as Colossians 3:23 says: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Sometimes I still mess up or give up. Either way, there is always beauty in re-dedication, and I am thankful for that.

Goals for this week:
-Wake up and put the Kingdom first; fully submit myself during the quiet, still morning. I'm not setting a certain amount of time particularly, but just to spend time with God, in His Word, Presence and Love. (I'm currently re-reading Matthew chapters 13-28, Jesus Lives- a devotional, and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis...little by little, of course.)
-Drink 64 oz of water each day
-Strive to eat healthy including my RDI of fruits & vegetables each day and eat six small meals
-Exercise every day (Monday-Friday) for at least 30 minutes 
-Study diligently after classes
-Make A+'s on both quizzes this week

Things to do:
-Get TB skin test so that I can observe
-Study for quizzes
-Vote on Tuesday
-Volunteer at Hospice of the Shoals
-Observe at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital
-Organize my drawers & closet
-Continue praying for Keith, Kathy, and Mrs. Plane
-CA interviews November 9th and 10th


November goals:
-Make an A+ on Psych test #3
-Hopefully get the CA position that I applied for
-Continue visiting different churches
-Bring up my Nutrition grade and continue making good grades/have good study habits
-Run the March of Dimes 5k or if volunteer if needed
-Begin training for a half-marathon?!
-Compile my research paper
-Be in a constant state of prayer
-Watch my words and actions so that I will glorify God through them

Some Scripture that came to mind: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-3

Little moments, Big impact

I was sitting in multiple classes on Monday, and the Lord spoke to me during the slightest moments.

During Psychology, my professor was talking about selective viewing. It is when we tend to focus attention on one particular stimulus and fail to recognize other stimuli. This is due to change blindness and our failure to see the change in a stimulus, such as in the "flicker paradigm test". This all seemed interesting, but then he said one sentence and it hit me. He said "We have a tendency to look but fail to see things." 

This is entirely too true. We often look at everything around us, but we really fail to SEE things. I often fail to see with God's eyes- to see the heart of others, to see the root of a problem, to see the true circumstance behind an issue/sin, or to see the causation of why someone is doing something that is "wrong". I often fail to see those who need love, who are hurting, and lonely. I often fail to see those who are lost and broken.

Every morning and throughout the day, I pray that I see with God's eyes. He wants me to see the lonely, hurt, broken, and lost. He wants me to notice problems and allow Him to solve them. He wants to heal. He wants to save. He desires for me to love with His real love and to spread His truth through my actions, and when needed, with words. I am called to this. 

Sometimes our vision gets blurred by the world or by society's skewed views. Sometimes its easy to forget about what is really important, focusing on a deadline or minuscule things such as appearance or selfish desires rather than spreading love and sharing the Gospel. When we come to the Throne of God, He forgives us of our sin. During our moments of surrender, He cleanses us, purifying our hearts to become more like His. He showers us with His Mercy, Grace, and Love. He fills us up so that we may overflow. He gives us HIS eyes so that we can see everything that we keep missing on our own. 

During Human Anatomy and Physiology on Monday, the professor was talking about the nerve cell membrane and how it is much more permeable to potassium than sodium because potassium tends to leak out of nerve and muscle cells causing any sodium that leaks inside to immediately be pumped outside by an energy using (ATP) sodium pump. For every three sodium pumped out, there are two potassium pumped inside. The ratio is 3:2. And then he said something that hit me (yet again on that lovely Monday): "There is no explanation. It just is."

Sometimes we search for explanations. We want to know why something is a certain way, what the future will hold, why something happened to us or someone else, why Calvinism and Arminianism seem to conflict with one another, why God is God? We search and search until we become exhausted. Sometimes we fail to accept the fact that God is all-knowing. Sometimes we fail to accept that we cannot comprehend the plans of the Lord because His ways are greater than ours. But there is beauty in His plans and in His timing. There is beauty in Divine mysteries. Sometimes there is no explanation. It just is. We have to trust in God and keep the faith because He knows what is best, for our good and His glory. 

1 Peter 1:8-9 ~ "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

2 Corinthians 4:18 ~ "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Hebrews 4:13 ~ "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

"If you want to go somewhere, it is best to find someone who has already been there."
Robert Kiyosaki 


I'm thankful for the wisdom, advice, and guidance of those who have "been there"... 

Selfless

I have been convicted this week of being entirely too consumed with myself recently. Not only have I allowed my school schedule or school work control me because of my lack of time management (discipline is another issue of mine), I have continually been thinking about what I "want" or what I "need" to do. This is normal in a sense, but not when it's obsessive or when you think so little about other people. God spoke to me through His Word on multiple occasions this week. In 1 Corinthians 10:24, Paul says "No one should seek their own good, but the good of OTHERS." How often do we focus on our own successes, or getting "ahead" in this world (and a lot of time without even realizing it)? I know that I unintentionally do so at times. My successes here on earth are not defined by worldly matters. It is not even about my success. The world does not revolve around me. My purpose here is to share God's Love. I am called to share His Gospel with the world - to reach His children so that they too may come to a greater understanding of Christ Jesus, and receive the greatest Love of all, His Grace, and eternal life with Him. Another Scripture that really grabbed me by the heart and humbled me yet again is Philippians 2:3-11, which says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value OTHERS above yourself, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death -- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Thank you Lord for opening my eyes to Your Will for me yet again, bringing me to repentance and cleansing me of my sin. It's not about me, it's all about You. Rid me of myself. Holy Spirit fill me up. I pray that I see through Your eyes and that I am Your vessel to allow the fruits of the Spirit to flow through me so that others may see Your goodness. I pray that I Love with YOUR pure Love in a way that is entirely selfless, just as Jesus did for each person in this fallen world. Thank you for being You. Thank you for bridging the gap, and for your relentless Grace, Mercy, and Love. I Love you. 

Thankful Thursday

On this day, rather than the common "Thirsty Thursday" in which one participates in drinking alcohol to have a celebratory evening, I decided to remember the things that I am thankful for. So in honor of "Thankful Thursday", here is some goodness that I would like to simply celebrate through this blog post:

-Each breath that I take.

-Waking up knowing that I am made new each day in Christ Jesus.

-Jesus time.

-Clean water.

-Toilet paper, and of course, a toilet.

-Breakfast...Well, I'm just thankful for food. Food is tasty.

-People; I LOVE people!

-Random acts of kindness, and southern hospitality.

-The beautiful weather that illuminates the beauty of God's creation.

-Being able to attend school at UNA.

-Brothers and sisters in Christ that continually hold me accountable and encourage me along His path.

-Smiling faces.

-The warmth of the sun on a chilly morning and hot tea on a cool evening.

-Hearing my mother's voice.

-Sending out a care package to my best friend.

-Handwritten letters.

-The Lord showing me His Truth, and turning me from evil/helping me resist the flesh; as tough as a temptation may be, He provides a way out.

-A kind stranger complimenting my dress.

-Being able to get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. 

-An hour drive to and from Decatur, jamming to some tunes with the windows down.

-The wind flowing through my hair.

-Fall and all that it brings: Leaves. Sweaters. Boots. Pumpkin Spice Latte. Bonfires. 

-My beautiful roommates that are so wonderful to live with.

-Being Free.

-The Power of testimonies.

-Laughing, and pure Joy.

-A simple "hello."

-Beauty in the little things, that just so happen to be the big things.

-Purchasing new ink cartridges. 

-Chocolate. Sometimes a girl just needs some chocolate.

-Discipline - difficult at times, but very rewarding.

-Repentance. Grace, Mercy, and Love. That real Love.

And God's Word, which speaks for itself:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (NIV) -- 
"Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."