wait patiently.

[["The Heavens declare the glory of the Lord" Psalm 19:1]]

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         So quite a few posts back I talked about how God had been telling me to wait on something...let's just say, I didn't listen. I mean, I still haven't gotten what I'm waiting for, but by trying to take control of the situation and not trusting God through this situation, I have only created more heartache for myself. I am a firm believer that good things come to those who wait, so all I have to say is that what I'm waiting for has got to be one of a kind, because I have literally waited all my life. "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him" (Psalm 37:7)

I was reminded, while in conversation with the adults on our trip last week that if it is written for me to have this, then God will provide for me... And I truly believe that to be true. But I haven't been acting on it. HELLO! God has been asking me to trust Him (in more than just this one area) but I have failed at doing that.

["Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" Proverbs 3:5] This verse is one of my favorites among many, and every time I'm reminded of it I gain a new insight as to what it means to me. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

If God wants me to wait, then I'll wait. I mean, there's really not much I can do about it until God sends it my way. I have to trust that His timing is right, as it always is. And I'm going to use this energy that I've been spending on searching and thinking about it, and put it towards prayer and building my relationship and trust with God. And know "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

So here's to being an obedient and faithful servant. And to patience.

God is good ALL the time.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5) 

Reminder.

Things I've learned or have been reminded of the past few days:

• Good, true, genuine, trustworthy friends are hard to come by. But once you find those people, life truly changes.--I have some of the most amazing people in my life. So thank you!
• God calls us all to be in ministry with him--all in different and unique ways.
• When God wants you to do something, He doesn't give up until you answer Him.
• God loves me more than I can ever imagine.
• My love for Christ has to come before my love for any man.
• God uses people in extraordinary ways.
• That I AM called to ministry.
• That God will use me wherever I am, in any situation.
• God constantly finds ways to remind me of my call.
• Confidence in what you are doing has power.
• Encouragement from others is a very nice thing to have.
• God has a plan for me.
• Being positive, confident and happy is so much easier (and WAY BETTER) than being negative and unhappy with low self-worth.
• I am a child of God.
• Forgiveness is possible.
• In every situation, in every relationship we encounter, there is something to be learned (good or bad).
• True JOY comes from the Lord
• God will provide for me all I need
• God wants 100% of me, no less.
• Smiles are contagious.
• God is so so GOOD!

I am literally shaking in happiness and crying tears of joy because God is so amazing. I am continually reminded of how much I am loved. God provides me with the confirmation I need. Etc. Finding passion in life and certain areas of it have been so rewarding! And I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me!

Bring it!! :)

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. [Psalm 19:8]

A God Moment

"Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!"

Psalm 150:6 (NRSV)

I cannot even begin to describe how much joy I have in my life because of Jesus Christ. It's an experience. A relationship. And it really is indescribable. I am reminded EVERY DAY that God loves me.

This morning, as I looked into my mirror that hangs on the back of my door in my room to put my make up on, I looked in the mirror and started crying. As I stood there crying, staring at myself in the mirror I couldn't help but wonder how a God as wonderful as my God could love someone as broken as me. I have a photo hanging on the side of my mirror of me from a year ago and I started crying even more. It was an emotional morning. I've seen where I can be and where I am now, and while there is great improvement, for a moment this morning I couldn't help but be unhappy with the way I look now..."it's not good enough and I'm never going to be pretty". Yes those words did come into my thoughts this morning. Guys, Satan knows exactly what to say to you, how to say it to you and when to say it to you. But after I had those thoughts, I looked at myself in the mirror once again...and I got these soft chills (it was like 1,000 degrees in my room cuz I hate my heater on!) and I heard this really soft voice say "Corey, I have loved you since before you were born and you have ALWAYS been beautiful to me"...and of course I started crying EVEN more than I was already crying.  I may have allowed Satan to tell me those things for a few seconds, but my God is way bigger than that!  

For those of you who are skeptical of "God moments"..trust me, I am too sometimes, until they happen to me.. (and even then, I am sometimes a little skeptical)..experiencing the Holy Spirit is one of the most amazing, wonderful feelings in the entire world. And hearing the voice of God is.....I don't even know how to describe it...I'm speechless, it's THAT amazing.

My hope for you is that you find time to experience God in our crazy, busy world. Take time to listen. Be open to the Holy Spirit;before, during and after. 

“Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.”-John Wesley

i am blessed!

i seriously do NOT know what i would do without you all in my life; past & present...

Each of you have taught me something about myself and about life that i will NEVER forget. Thank you for being positive influences in my life, for encouraging me when I need(ed) it most and for loving me.  My life has been changed, because I know you! <3 

i LOVE YOU!

(if your photo isn't on here or you were't tagged in the post on facebook, it does NOT mean you aren't important to me--because YOU are, it just means i don't have any photos of you and that's lame, and should change)  =)