New Eyes

We had a Bible Study with our dorm wings and our RA's and I think it was one of the best ones to date. I LOVED learning more about Moses and the Burning Bush in Exodus. All the girls on my wing have such deep thinking minds and its amazing that one topic, GOD, can bring us all together. It is what He wants...togetherness and compassion. My roommate is becoming a close friend and I really like the feeling of that. After a rough start this year, and a few apologies from both parties, I am seeing who the true Claire is and I am savoring every awesomeness. :D


Our RA, Massaly, challenged us for twenty-four (24) hours to experience God's beauty and love in many ways; by feeling it, seeing it, and just observing it through other things around us. I really took this challenge to heart and man have I experienced God in EVERYTHING today. I never really new how MUCH He was with us. It is literally like He says....I am with you ALWAYS. God's desire to love us and have us love Him is extreme.  His LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL. We as humans have a conditional love. As much as we try and try and TRY to love unconditionally....we Cannot. We Fail. We NEED God to help us. If we LOVE God, we will LOVE People.                                                                                                 


 And then we all saw the world one day, just like every other day, with our eyes. This day, as we viewed, we didn't see trees, grass, flowers, people; this day we saw more. We saw the oxygen-making thick-stem like plants growing up from the ground - defying all forces of gravity. The individual green flourishing blades of flush grass that could be a comfortable place of rest, if we so desired to rest upon it. And what about those flowers? Who ever knew that radiant color and deliciate forms of life where just at our nose end?! 


Then, there were "the people." We see them everyday, those creatures that we live with. They, just like me, see what I see. But I wonder if today, they are seeing what I am seeing. Looking at the person briskly walking past me, I notice their spirit and zest for life. "Going to class," I say, as they ignore me with their determined mind. Such blessed souls I was surrounded by. They could all walk, talk, breathe, smile, laugh, grumble, whatever they choose. 


All they had to do was choose.

Today, I saw the world. And its beauty encompassed all understanding that I've ever had for the definition of beauty. For this beauty that I was seeing today, it could not be defined. It was definitely a God thing.






One Bible verse that has stuck out all day to me regarding God's Love for us is     John 15:13. It says, "Greater LOVE has no one than this, that he lay down His life for His friends."


I read this and my heart, soul, and mind are just torn to pieces. HE, the ruler of all the UNIVERSE, cares for me, you and everyone soooo much that He gave his only son for US. WHOA!! INSANE! I myself, can barely give 30 minutes a day for a Bible Study, a one on one with my Abba, but He has offered me eternity...Sounds a bit selfish to me. 


There is this poem that is rocking my heart for all to read about how amazing God's Love is. 

Amazing Love   How is it that the blind could see That the lame could walk That the deaf could hear And the mute talk How is it that the sea obeyed And that the nets were filled How could the prophets know That The Son was destined to be killed How is it that the wise men came To praise the newborn King How on earth were shepherds picked To hear the angels sing How is it that King David Could write about the cross Knowing that Messiah's sacrifice Would signal Satan's loss How is it that the leper Could see his hands made clean How could it have happened And what could it mean How could His chosen people Turn upon The Son And let a ruthless killer free As they scourged The Holy One How did the water turn to wine And how was the stone rolled away How could He speak so assuredly Of how He'd rise that day How is it that the veil was torn And that a virgin bore a Son How amazing that He'd die for us So our victory could be won How is it that Lazarus rose And that He walked upon the sea How could He forgive the tormentors As He hung upon the tree How is it that Bethlehem was chosen That His birthplace was foretold That John The Baptist spoke of Him In words so sharp and bold How is it that His disciples fled On that fateful night Only to die a martyr's death Convinced that He was right How is it that we go on living As if His words weren't true How amazing that He still awaits Sinners like me and you

Blessings In Christ,
Bre` 

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

I have seen so many things today that have blessed me, and it is only 2:13 p.m. God has really used a lot of people and things in my life lately to speak to me! I am just soaking up every moment of it and trying to learn as much as possible. 

God is so good and I thank him daily for all he has given me and all the opportunities that have been put in my path since getting to know Him.

So to brag on God a bit......

I was told today in one of my classes that I am a great encourager. I then proceeded to tell the person that it is not me by any means who is doing the encouraging. I told them that on the inside I could use it myself, but that God gives me the words when needed and sometimes he even uses what he gives me to have me learn. 

Here are a couple of verses that have been brought upon my heart that you should study, memorize, or just read when you need an encouraging word. They sure have helped me all day today!

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.                                                               - Romans 15:5 -

Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.    - John 14:1 -

I really enjoyed reading these and just getting to truly understand what God has in store for me. I have been asking God why these two verses have popped in my head and heart all week and all day. I found out just a few minutes ago. A really good friend of mine, C-dog for purposes of concealing her name, father passed away unexpectedly. God gave me these verses as encouragement to her. We thank God that He was in her father's life.  :)

Remember to not let your heart be troubled....Trust in God and rely on Him.

B.S.

When you see the initial "B.S." what do YOU think of? It shows us what type of people we are when we see simple initials and immediately think something of this world. When I see the initials B.S. I used to think "Bull S***." However, I now think immediately of "Bible Study."


So on the topic of Bible Study here is a good one I did this evening and just HADDDD to share my thoughts on it!


It was entitled, "Spray On Mud" and was based out of 2 Timothy 3:5 which says, "Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"


It talked about how a British company had developed a product called "Spray On Mud" so city dwellers can give their expensive 4x4 vehicles the appearance of having been off-road for a day of hunting or fishing without ever having to leave their town. The mud was even filtered to remove stones and debris that might have scratched the paints. According to teh company sales were going well. 


Think of this...There is something within each of us that values how we look on the outside more than who we are on the inside. It causes some people to pad their resumes or embellish their memoirs. But it has no place in our lives as followers of Jesus.


Paul warned Timothy about people in the church who had a form of godliness but denied its power. "They will maintain a facade of 'religion', but their conduct will deny its validity. You must keep clear of people like this" (2 Timothy 3:5 Phillips). The inward reality of Christ is what counts, because ti will produce the outward signs of faith.


Paul's authority to instruct the church about spiritual authenticity came through his suffering, not by "spraying on mud." 


"I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus," said the apostle. 
(Galations 6:17).


God calls us to authentic living today.


We fuss over form and we put on face,
All the while showing God disrespect,
Not seeing how pride is eclipsing God's grace
That the light of Christ's life should reflect.


If you are true to God, you won't be false to others.....

Birthday Surprises!!!

Well, to start off...I had the most amazing Birthday Presents ever!!! They are called my FRIENDS!

My surgery went extremely well and I am doing loads better. There are still a few complications as with any surgery where you spend 7.5 hours or more on the table under General Anesthesia. However, When I got back my friends had ballooned my room for my birthday.

That leads me to my wonderful birthday! My friends had thrown me a surprise party before the surgery, but when i got back my bestie, Clara, had thrown ANOTHER one! She is the bomb!

I am now officially 21, and dont know what to do with myself! :) I love being 21 because I feel sooooo old and responsible. however, I may feel like this but we all know I am NOT. :D

Now, i have to get ready for my wonderful friends' birthday here in March. Clara will be 19 years old....she says SHE'S getting old. I am now officially THREE years older and I feel ancient. lol

Happy Birthday to my Dear Friend...Bet you feel good having a whole blog on you. lol

Blessed Be,
Bre`

Movies, Movies, Movies

There have been soooo many good movies on today that I have had to sit down and have a movie marathon with the Bestie, Clara Stewart.

The wonderful Best Friend that the movie day is with!! <3 Gotta love her

Movie one was called "One Day", and it was the most touching and romantic movie EVER! I am not one for romance...however....This one ROCKED! ^_^

The next movie that was watched was part one of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows." Come to find out it was pretty good as well. I am in love with all the Harry Potter movies, but due to the nature of the films and my past I had decided not to watch them for a while. My bestie, Clara, talked me into watching again and if I were to start feeling weird then to just start praying. So far it has worked and part one has been really good. One part of the movie really made me jump and i ended up almost peeing myself...Thank you Clara!

The next part is part two of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows." We started watching part two and OMGSH it is INSANE! I jumped like ten feet in the air a few times and Clara has just sat there and laughed at me. Funny thing is, in the middle of it she jumped and screamed and I got in a lovely laugh as well.....

Well guess who laughs last!!

V-Day and Parrrtttaaayyyy

There are so many things going on in life right now that I can't seem to understand all of them. Although there is a bunch going on, I realize that I have many fantastic friends here at school.

Last night, as an early birthday gift, my wonderful friends threw me a surprise birthday party. I was soooo overwhelmed, I just didn't know what to say!! :D

Some of the lovely girls who were at the party.  

Cheyenne, One of my best friends

Then I wake up this morning, fully aware of how single I am, and I was given a rose made of chocolate Hershey kisses, a balloon and some sour worms from my best friend in the dorm, Clara.  It was the sweetest thing EVER! Thanks guys! There were two amazing parts to my day....number one was that I got to spend the day with amazing friends and I got to go to a Valentine's Day party and chill with some of the guys. Cheyenne, Jules, and Shelbs...you ROCK!

Me, Lauren, and Kailey. Two of my good friends who were at the party.

The second part is that I got asked out for coffee with a crush of mine. I know the whole love at first sight isnt always true...but this time it feels like it. I have never thought that about any guy before. I pray that whatever happens in my relational life it is done for the Glory of God.

I go into surgery on Friday and I am quite worried, well...concerned. I was told some things by the doctor that they shouldn't have told their patient and now it has my head spinning in confusion! I pray it all works out.

Until next time,

Bre`