The Love of God

People who claim that the God of the Bible (especially in the Old Testament) was a cruel, judging god don't know what they're talking about.  Time and time again I am overwhelmed by the amazing love of God so frequently portrayed in the Scriptures.  Just today I was reading Psalm 81 and was once again reminded of this fact.

"I [God speaking] removed his shoulder from the burden;
his hands were freed from the baskets. 
You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 
Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! 
O Israel, if you will listen to Me! 
There shall be no foreign god among you;
nor shall you worship any foreign god. 
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 
But My people would not heed my voice, and Israel would have none of Me. "

The rest of this psalm is God pleading with His people to follow Him, to listen to His voice, to walk in His ways.  We hear similar pleads from God in Isaiah 44:21-22, Jeremiah 11:7-8, Hosea 11 and 14, Joel 2:12-13, Micah 6:3-4, and so many other places!  The whole Scripture is a love letter from God to His creation.  He wants us not just to obey Him but to love Him back. 
There are now two questions we must ask ourselves:
1. Do I love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength because He is worthy?
2. Do I show the love that God has for me to those all around me?

We must ponder these things every day and hide them in our heart as Mary did.  Our goal at the end of every day should be to look more like Christ than at the beginning of the day.  Thankfully we're not alone in this endevour for Jesus has sent us the Helper (Holy Spirit) to encourage, strengthen, and guide us on the narrow way. 

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy- meditate of these things."
Philippians 4:8

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Day 16: My Dream House

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are busy preparing for Christmas!  I love this time of year!

My dream house...hmm.  My dream house has more to do with the people living within the house rather than the house itself.  My dream house would be a place where people can come when they're in need, where my husband and children (Lord willing) feel at peace, and where Jesus is obvious in all that we do and say.  The people living in a house is what makes a house so special (not how big it is, how nice it looks, or how well kept it appears).

"Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; 

Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain."

Psalm 127:1

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Day 15: A Bible Verse

"We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near."
Psalm 75:1

I found this verse during my quiet time and I thought it was appropriate for this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving.  May we never forget to Whom all thanks should be given!

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Day 14: A Picture I Love

Rainbows over the ocean!  Taken by my sister Kimber.

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah :)

Day 13: Goals

Goals I made for this year (starting in June 2012):

~ Start a B.R.I.G.H.T. Lights group (this goal is getting closer to becoming reality!).
~ Visit Colombia (see this post for more info)
~ Be bold in my love for Jesus (this a challenge every day).
~ Be someone who changes the course of this nation (like Josiah did).
~ Draw closer to my parents and siblings (not sure how long I have with them, you know).
~ Be a better servant (like Jesus was).
~ Get to know Jesus more through prayer.
~ Learn more about herbs, essential oils, and nutrition.
~ Study midwifery.
~ Become fluent in Spanish (wishful thinking :).
~ Finish memorizing certain portions of Scripture.

To be continued in the following months and years :).
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Sermon

If any of your busy folks could take out 45 minutes of your day and listen to this message preached by my pastor yesterday I think you would be blessed.  It is encouraging, it is convicting, is relevant to this day and age!

Please take time to listen, learn, and live!
Yesterday's Message: Helping Wickedness in Jesus' Name
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah :)

Day 12: What I Believe

I believe that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.
I believe that He died and rose again so that all might be saved.
I believe that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and that there are no faults within it.
I believe God created the heavens and the earth in 6 literal days and that He rested on the seventh.
I believe children are a blessing from God.
I believe we are in the last days and that the Lord's return is near.
I believe we will be raptured before the tribulation.
I believe in keeping myself physically and emotionally pure for the one the Lord has for me.
I believe marriage is for life.
I believe parents have the right to teach their children at home.
I believe that the Lord is the head of the husband, the husband is the head of the wife, and the wife is supposed to be her husband's helpmeet.
I believe a woman's place is in the home.
I believe it is important to hide God's Word in my heart.
I believe that brothers and sisters should be best friends.
I believe exercise is good for your body and your mind.
I believe this list could go on forever but I've decided to stop. :) :)

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Day 11: Favorite T.V. Shows

Well, this is a hard one to answer since we don't have cable television.  We only use our T.V. for D.V.D's we can watch as a family.  However if I'm going to watch something on T.V. it would probably be the Duggars or the Bates.

"Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name."
Psalm 63:5

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Day 10: Something I'm afraid of

 
 HEIGHTS!!!!  EEK!

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah

Day 9: A Picture of Your Friends

My siblings and cousins make up the main portion of my friends but I also have a couple that are not related.  I've posted pictures of all three.

2 cousins and 2 sisters after our "make-overs" :)

Family and close friends that live way too far away!

My best friend from childhood and me at graduation

I am blessed to have many other friends.  Three families that are not pictured (but are just as close) are the Jackson family, the Panchision family, and the Bowers family.

Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah