God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. (From Desiring God)

How do we know we are satisfied in God?

We search through His word, learn of His revealed character, and REJOICE in His character. We understand the gravity of our sin before a Holy God, and repent of it. We trust in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross to atone for our sins. We remember Christ's suffering, and rejoice when we can suffer for and with Him. We remember that God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, and death is defeated! We have been brought from a kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light. We look forward with eager expectation to our Savior who will fulfill His promises. He is ALIVE! We pray trusting in God's Sovereignty and His faithfulness. We pray and act trusting in God's goodness and love toward us because our sins have been atoned for.

These things are essential to think upon, and we must always remind ourselves of the truths in God's Word. However, we cannot do any of these things without our Great Giver. He alone gets the glory.

God is SO good. I know such mercy from His hand. I hope I can remember always His great love for me.

Christ My Purpose

When I despair of living, and remember no purpose and joy, my only prayer in that time is that I will remember my life is about Christ. As I remember this, I need to muster all my strength and turn my face yet again upward, to my Savior and Lord, who is my hope.
As long as I fix my eyes on myself - my anxieties, my hopes, my failing and weaknesses- I will despair. I have such high expectations of myself.. I have no reason for this, but I seem to always think I should be doing better than I am.
My hope and trust is in Christ, and He will not forsake me.
I pray that when all seems dark, empty and meaningless, that I will remember Christ and turn again to gaze upon His beauty.

Glorious Day

I have been reminded recently of the hope I have in Christ, and that "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. Each pain I feel on earth, however strong, I pray will be a reminder to me that I do not have to experience eternal pain in hell because Christ paid for my sins and defeated death on the cross. This is why we can see our trouble as light and momentary, as Paul said, because we will be prepared for "an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison". I want to see my Jesus. I can't wait until I can see my Savior, and be rid of this body of decay. No more pain and death because of the beautiful cross.

This song is called Glorious Day by Jeff Johnson. I have posted the lyrics, and I hope they sink in. I am so thankful for that glorious day when Christ died, the day He rose again, and I'm eagerly waiting for the glorious day when He will come again. Amen, Come LORD Jesus!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fh6mUjHjL4
Go to this link to hear the song.
These are the lyrics:

One day when heaven
Is filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to
Be born of a virgin
He dwelt among men, my example is He

[Chorus:]

Living He loved me
Dying He saved me
Buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified
Freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day

One day they led Him
Up calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him
To die on a tree
Suffering anguish
Despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose o'er
Death He had conquered
Now is ascended
My lord evermore

[Chorus]
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day

One day the trumpet will
Sound for His coming
One day the skies with His
Glories will shine
Wonderful day
My beloved was bringing
Glorious Savior this Jesus is mine

[Chorus]

Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day
Oh, Glorious Day

One day the trumpet will
Sound for His coming
One day the skies with His
Glories will shine

God's Joy in the Midst of Loss

I decided yesterday it was important for me to write to share with you a great renewing of my heart by God. I have many thoughts jumbling around, so I hope I can express them effectively and bring honor to God. I wanted to write this out to share a bit of my heart.
Tuesday was a very physically painful day, and Wednesday was a very emotional day, because for those of you who don't know, I had a miscarriage. Dispersed in between moments of grief were moments of intense encouragement and joy in Christ. I am so thankful for Jesus' payment on the cross so I don't have to experience eternal pain, damnation and judgment. Thank you God! My physical body hurt so much yesterday, but that wasn't anywhere near what Jesus experienced on the cross. My heart hurts deeply because of the loss of this baby, but nothing even comes close to the pain of being forsaken by God, as Jesus was. Jesus was willingly forsaken so I won't be. He is such a great Savior! I am able to cling to Christ for comfort, and come before Him boldly because He endured the cross for my sins and for the glory of God. Not only have my sins been covered by Christ, but even more, God defeated death by raising Christ from the dead. I also am deeply thankful to God for the incredible opportunity to glorify Him in this difficult circumstance. I do not want to say it is easy, by any stretch of the imagination, but God's grace has been so evident in this time, and I have received such immense comfort from my Savior. What is so important to me in this is that I glorify Christ with the way I love and trust Him, and that I can encourage you to delight and trust in Him as well.

It's hard to say... but I thank God for this miscarriage- it has allowed me to be brought closer to Him, to remember once again how much I need Him, and how much I needed the cross.

I am so glad I can know that this suffering is not just a random event, but will be used for my good and His glory. When I practice rejoicing in suffering, it prepares and reassures me that I will rejoice anew when Jesus comes, because He was the One to suffer most. I hope and pray that this, and any other suffering in my life, will be the Lord's refining of me, removing what He hates, and making me more like Christ. All I can do is trust my Savior, that He will be upon me in suffering, to accomplish His glorious purpose in my life. I know that as I rejoice in suffering, I am declaring that Christ is in me, and I am united with Him. Rejoicing in suffering, though incredibly difficult, is glorifying to God, so that is how I want to live.

I ask that you will pray for me, that the refining fire of suffering will push me to my Savior. Please pray also that I will remember that He reigns, and that I will bring glory to His name in the entirety of my life.

I long for my words to be encouraging to you. I hope and pray that you will delight and rejoice in Christ because He has paid the ultimate price so we can rejoice in our suffering.

Are you Resolved?

It may take a lot to read all of these, but I hope you will.

I want to commit myself to read these as often as I can, and do my best to live according to them. Christ Be Glorified!

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God's help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ's sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God's glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is

perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narration's never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord's day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.

43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God's, agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.

44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.

46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.

47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peace able, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.

48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.

51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May27, and July 13, 1723.

59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July ii, and July 13.

60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; "knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord." June 25 and July 13, 1723.

63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14' and July '3' 1723.

64. Resolved, when I find those "groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those "breakings of soul for the longing it hath," of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear', of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton's 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.

66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Aug. 17, 1723

Be Ever Watchful

"Blessed is he that watcheth."
-- Revelation 16:15

"We die daily," said the apostle. This was the life of the early
Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We
are not in this day called to pass through the same fearful
persecutions: if we were, the Lord would give us grace to bear the
test; but the tests of Christian life, at the present moment, though
outwardly not so terrible, are yet more likely to overcome us than even
those of the fiery age. We have to bear the sneer of the world-that is
little; its blandishments, its soft words, its oily speeches, its
fawning, its hypocrisy, are far worse. Our danger is lest we grow rich
and become proud, lest we give ourselves up to the fashions of this
present evil world, and lose our faith. Or if wealth be not the trial,
worldly care is quite as mischievous. If we cannot be torn in pieces by
the roaring lion, if we may be hugged to death by the bear, the devil
little cares which it is, so long as he destroys our love to Christ,
and our confidence in him. I fear me that the Christian church is far
more likely to lose her integrity in these soft and silken days than in
those rougher times. We must be awake now, for we traverse the
enchanted ground, and are most likely to fall asleep to our own
undoing, unless our faith in Jesus be a reality, and our love to Jesus
a vehement flame. Many in these days of easy profession are likely to
prove tares, and not wheat; hypocrites with fair masks on their faces,
but not the true-born children of the living God. Christian, do not
think that these are times in which you can dispense with watchfulness
or with holy ardour; you need these things more than ever, and may God
the eternal Spirit display his omnipotence in you, that you may be able
to say, in all these softer things, as well as in the rougher, "We are
more than conquerors through him that loved us."

By Charles Spurgeon

I must remain firm and steadfast in Christ. I must cling to Him. He is my only hope for enduring to the end.

New Chapter

I finished my last day of work on Friday, and today is my first day at home for an indefinite period of time. I always have to keep in mind, indefinite doesn't necessarily mean long!

I have organized our bookshelf and done some work on our desk. I washed dishes, and did laundry, read, and listened to a sermon. I have enjoyed today so far, but I feel so scared that I will be at home and lazy.. even if I have gotten a lot done. I can only pray I will seek God's glory in all I do, so that I will not be lazy, but bring joy to my husband, and honor to Christ.

I think it's been a while...


So often I wake up, and I'm grumbling about getting out of bed, or what I have to do during the day.

I want to delight in my Savior, because He is Sufficient. I simply give up, and don't keep fighting.

Lord help me to find my delight in you. I desperately desire joy rooted in Christ Jesus. Forgive me for my despising of your glory and ungrateful heart. Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross Jesus. I want to glorify you with my life.

I have this song in my head today:

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast.

All fairest beauty, heavenly and earthly,
Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;
None can be nearer, fairer or dearer,
Than Thou, my Savior, art to me.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and forever more be Thine.


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

I have had the immense privilege to listen to Piper sermons on my way to work in the morning. I wouldn't trade this time for anything, except for Jesus to come back so I can see Him face to face!! I am so thankful for Godly men who share insights revealed in scripture so that I might learn. I then have the opportunity to think about these sermons all day, and pray through them. If I forget, I have an mp3 player to listen to the sermon all over again if I want. I don't want to take this kind of freedom for granted.

I am so excited to go on the cruise next week. I am excited to learn a bunch from the conference, and also to spend time with Mike and Kim and DJ. Should be fun! I thank God that I do not have to fear what happens because God will, and does work everything for His purpose, His glory and my good. This is freedom!

I love being reminded again and again different things about Jesus. Jesus is truly all-providing, faithful, spotless; His sacrifice was sufficient, the outcome certain. He cannot fail. It is in this Savior that I put my hope. He is the reason I live and breathe. I want to live to "glory in my Redeemer." (Sovereign Grace- they have great worship for a GREATER God.)

Having an aggressive staph infection has not been fun, but God has reminded me again, I lose NOTHING by dying, in fact I GAIN! What have I to fear? Not sin, Not death, Not man, Not Satan. Jesus is my hope. He has paid for my sin, conquered death by rising from the dead, defeating evil through his death, and is the omnipotent One, who will not fail. Jesus! What a Savior!

Thoughts

I feel like my brain cannot fully grasp all the things I should know about God and religion. I am just learning that there are so many different facets of understanding, and it seems like everything is on a razor's edge. I am rather nervous that I could easily slip off the side, and therefore I am very careful about applying new truths without sufficient scriptural backing. I guess I'm trying to figure that all out too, because I'm pretty sure lots of people can provide what they would call sufficient scriptural backing... There are so many different interpretations of scripture, and so many different perspectives which sometimes seem to define interpretation. I want to read scripture and have my perspective defined by that, instead of interpreting scripture and basing my perspective on my imperfect and not necessarily accurate interpretation.
However, this might sound like a roundabout way of saying that I don't want to specifically decide anything for fear of choosing wrongly. NO. I am not emergent, and I do long for the truth. I am so thankful for God's word, and for this specific revelation of truth. I hope I can learn to understand it more and more throughout my life.

Sometimes I feel like I am completely lost in figuring out all the little things I believe. I sort of feel like it's like choosing a facewash product from among 50-100 different ones. How do I decide which one will work the best for my face, when all of them make similar promises and I still haven't found any that perform the way they say they do. This analogy doesn't really cut it though, cause I don't pick and choose what I believe; instead I am responsible for being passionate about the full truth.

I sort of feel like I'm rambling, and I hope this post makes sense. I wish I could be clearer in my thoughts. I appreciate so much being surrounded by people who are willing to teach me and encourage me in the truth, but also who will rebuke me if required. However difficult this feels, I appreciate when my wrong thinking is exposed and defined truly by scripture.

On other thoughts, I love being married. I could not ask for a better husband, or for someone who points me to Christ so fully. I can only hope and pray that I will be the godly wife he deserves. I know I am not perfect, and will always fail, but I long to point my precious husband to Christ more than I point him to me. Christ has blessed us so much already, even through this first month of trials, and Jesus deserves all our praise. I do want to be certain that even if all the blessings Christ has poured out were removed, that I would still praise God, because HE IS SUFFICIENT.

Wow, I seem to have a lot to write. On rather mundane news, I locked my keys in my car this morning, after saying, for no apparent reason, "DJ, I should find the extra key to my car in case I lock my keys in!" I know our loving and gracious God also has a sense of humor, because within an hour I'd locked my keys in!! I was at work thankfully, and could wait there until AMA came, which was within half an hour of making my request online. It was great! If you need AMA, they respond SO FAST if you can manage to request online instead of calling.
I am so glad I can thank God for His grace in this tiny situation. I hope I can thank Him in any and every situation.
I am so thankful for Bible Study. I appreciate so much learning and growing with a group of people who long to learn and grow as well. I was thinking in my car as I was driving, how great it is that I can pray for patience and joy and more trust in God, and I can KNOW I will recieve it, because these are promises from God and I am called to pray for Him. He will be glorified as I grow in these attributes (among many others) and I am so thankful for His immeasurable grace to me.

I was singing Majesty with the Bible Study group on Saturday, and my heart was broken before God. I am so thankful for this. I have taken His grace and love for granted so often, and praised Him with only a small part of my heart, or even only sang the words without paying attention. He still has extended such a wretched sinner His grace, because Christ is glorified by displaying His mercy to me. Christ died a horrible death on the cross for such a terrible, ugly sinner, so that God could extend His mercy and extend to me eternity as a gift. I pray often that He will ever increase my delight and joy in Him. I hope this never ceases.

All glory be to my Savior, Redeemer, stronghold, fortress, salvation, hope, joy, love, peace, righteousness.. to the only Faithful One, Jesus Christ the Lord.