Sight.

Psalm 51:10-12 

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

¹¹ 

Do not cast me from your presence 

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation 

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Why was the Holy Spirit so important to David? How do you think David felt about the pestering thought that he might have to get along without the Holy Spirit?


What about you? What's it like when you feel you're without God? 
When God feels far away and it's been awhile since you've connected? 


It's a desperate feeling. We need God's Spirit to guide us, to comfort us, to restore us, to cleanse us. Just the idea- even a fleeting though- that God's Spirit might not be with us leaves us lost and vulnerable. Even frightened. 


Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would always be with us. God doesn't take the Holy Spirit from us. God restores us. Purifies us. God's Spirit is always with us. 

The Iron.

Ironing calls for a delicate balance. You use heat and pressure to shape your clothing, to smooth imperfections, to get your shirt or slacks crisp and looking their best. In a way, heat and pressure combine to mold and shape you. To prompt you to deliver your best and become your best. To do what you thought was beyond you.


It's a delicate process, and you probably resent every minute of it. We don't enjoy being molded. We'd rather avoid pain. And it may feel unfair that God uses pressure and heat to call us closer to him. The pressures of a world in need to prompt our response, the heat of our passions to ignite a love for him and his purpose. 




1 Corinthians 10:12-13 

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Pressure and heat aren't your enemies. You needn't fear them. The pressure will never be too great, the heat never overwhelming. 
Because you're not along in the pressure cooker. The Holy Spirit walks with you. 

Its Valentine's Day!

¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

john 15:13

Im not a big valentine's day guy, the whole lovey dovey thing, there were so many things going on at school today, maybe it be the candy grams, the roses, or the sing o grams, love was in the air. Seeing couples everywhere, just enjoying each other's company and presence. But things popped into my head today.

Valentine's day is clearly known as a day of love, and i feel like its a day where EXTRA love is shown. We should be showing as much love as we can, on every single day! Not just on the 14th of the second month. I challenge you to continue to love others, those you know, those you dont know, those you love, and those you hate. Love them. Give them a hug, give them a high five, you dont need to buy them a rose and have a candle light dinner, but just show love by simply helping them, caring for them, and being a friend.

Being single on valentine's day. People are all saying HAPPY SINGLE AWARENESS DAY, blah blah. I guess today i guess since its "the day of love", use the day to reflect on GOD's love for you. His never ending, never failing, everlasting love for you. Its deeper than the sea, and he sent his one and only son to die for you.

I think i've realized that love is truly shown through sacrifice. If you're willing to sacrifice something thats yours for someone else, thats love. It doesnt have to be something huge like a laptop or something, but something small. Time. Thought. Effort. These little things seem like they have no impact, but together can easily show your love for someone.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Why Not With God?

This thought just popped into my mind.

Today i found was one of the most productive days i've EVER had academically, how much was good and will stay in my mind? i have no clue, but i was able to study 3/4 of my math course, and i completely my first round of studies. I couldnt believe it. I was blasting music, singing along, but i was surprised i wasnt tempted to check twitter, facebook, i wasnt even tempted to have breaks. Even times when i said "you deserve a break", i wouldnt, i was totally in the zone and the momentum contuinued to carry. Working from 11am - 8pm (with breaks of course, lunch and dinner, and my... occasional get up, dance and sing moments), it was extremely efficient and im so proud of myself.

But now sitting down, thinking about what to post, a question popped into my mind, why dont we spend this much time and put this much effort into our relationship with God? Why cant we do this with God? Is it cause we're not being marked? Because it doesnt impact our near-future? Because it's "old" and "boring"? Because we cant see Him? What's stopping us from spending a day with God, whether it be studying his word, or communicating through prayer? What is this barrier that is hindering us from doing this?

Quickly reflecting upon it right now, i actually dont know. I cant figure out why i am not able to do this with Christ? Im thinking maybe because its boring? The bible isnt fully placed in today's context, but there are so many things in there that we can learn from and need to understand. Maybe its because it happened so long ago? I know i struggle with this. Yes i know God died for me, but that +2000 years ago. It just doesnt fully feel relevant to me, like i dont feel the connection because it was just so long ago. I dont feel like i dont fully know God like how i know a friend, but that's partially my fault for not taking the time to know Him.

Think about it, what's really stopping you from doing that? Its kind of mind boggling, that we're able and willing and will even force ourselves to sit down and practice graphing squiggles on paper, and learn about how enzymes in our body's work, but not sit down and communicate with the Father, the Creator, the One that sent His Son down to earth to die for us?

just a thought.