Jesus Take the Wheel

I just got my permit this summer, it has been so much fun learning to drive. But driving is also very dangerous.  You always have to be aware of your surroundings and you have to always be watching ahead of you on the road. Driving can also be a good example of life and your "drive" with God. You have to keep your eyes on him, he is the road, if you don't keep your eyes on him you can veer off the path and end up in a wreck. Col 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. The earthly things are the distractions that can cause you to look away for too long and hurt yourself. We need to keep our eyes on Jesus.

In my driver's study guide I learned that I need to make a path that is easy and safest o go on towards my destination. God does not require this he gives us obstacles and helps us through the storm. But he lets us fall into trouble sometimes so we can turn to him and say, "Lord , I need you, help me." Have you heard the poem about the footprints in the sand?

There wa a man walking on the beach with God, but sometimes there was only one set of footprints in the sand, and this was where the water came and where the hard parts where. The man asked, "Why do I see only one pair of footprints during the hard times", he said thinking they were his footprints. But God replied, "Those were the times that I carried you."

God carries us through all sorts of storms. Those storms are the hardest parts of the path we walk on and those are the times God carries us, most times without us even knowing. But somehow after all these hard times I hope to reach the day where I meet God and he lets me into heaven saying, " I know you come in." I'm crying tears of joy just thinking about that right now.

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

He Loves us oh, how He Loves us!

I am a sinner. But God loves me.

It's hard to love everyone, and I know that well. I have to pray a lot to God for help loving everyone. These past two years it feels like I made God my acquaintance, and pushed him out, it was like I didn't even know him. It was terrible. I was also bullied a lot this past year I got to a point where I felt depressed and torn down by everything this person said that I shut everything and everyone out. But one Sunday before church even started I broke down and sobbed.But then I started praying and I figured out I had been a bully too. I started talking to my friends again and apologized for the things I did wrong leading up to my depression.  

But there was good that came out of being depressed, I can now help so many others by knowing what to say and how to build them up out of that "pit of despair". What really helped me during that time was God he called out to me and told me that he loved me, and that I wasn't worthless.

He loves us enough to make us. He also loves enough to send his son to die for us, and he didn't have to. That shows above all that he loves us. We can show we love him by respecting others and ourselves, we show we love him by shining his light through our actions.

We can't ever repay the Lord for what we have done. Yet he loves us no matter the circumstances. His love satisfies. His love is sufficient.  So...

Dear Reader,
The creator of the universe loves you. he made you exactly the way he wanted to. and He has no fault. His love is overwhelming because he loves more than anyone can imagine.

With Love I leave, Emma.

On the Solid Rock I Stand

Of course, another song title, but there are lots of blog post titles like these to come!

I'm never good with introductions, especially written ones. But today I want to talk about standing on the rock and striving to be a rock that others can look to. God is the rock we stand on, he will always support us, in our good decisions, and he is always someone we can fall back on when we need help. When we have all the distractions in life we can always go to God seeking refuge. He is wise, patient, merciful, and loving. We can always fall back on the rock. Psalm 61:2 Is a great reminder that he will always be there.

There are many of verses of God and Jesus being called the rock. and We can take so much from that. Two years ago the theme at the summer camp that I go to was, Higher Ground. and our theme song was the one with the lyrics that say, "On solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand." I actually can't remember much more than that, but I know we had devotionals about the Lord being the rock in our life and us striving to be the rock of Christ's church.
( Matthew 16:8- And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. )

I can't say I know the full reason that Christ is called the rock. This is what I understand, Christ is called the rock because he is strong, he supports us, his love never changes. he is called the Rock because he is solid in being there for us. We have probably heard of the Wise and Foolish Builders before, in this story Jesus is calling he and God the rock that we can depend on. (No devotional about the Rock can be complete without this parable.)

I hope this helped you in some way, and I hope you have a blessed day (or night) Don't be shy in saying that Christ is your Rock. Much love. -Emma

Light a Fire in my Soul

Light a fire in my weary soul

fan the flame make my spirit whole 

Lord you know where I've been

so light  a fire in my heart again.

I think we all know this song. Recently I've had trouble with letting the Lord light a fire in my soul. I haven't let him in, I have so many ups and down in my relationship with God. I know everyone has relationship roller coasters with him. I love having the chills of , "Wow where has God been in my life?" ( I just made those up) 

And all I do is look up and say, "Hey God I've missed you"

I hve a lot more connections with God during my school year because I always strive to bring my school chums closer to God by showing what he can do with his power and love. In the summers things have gotten quieter between God and I and I missed him so much. So I made up my mind, every morning I am going to let the first thing I say be a prayer saying thank you for another chance to show you and further your kingdom. I love going to sleep and waking up to the glory of God. 

My mom just now took me to the top of a hill where you could see lightning all around and I had one of those chills race up my back. Whenever I surrender to God he forgives me and welcomes me into his arms with an open smile every time.  I love the Lord with all my heart. 

 I found this list on Pintrest ( of course) of things to do before getting on the internet:

• Read a chapter of the bible
• Make a list of people and pray for them! Become a prayer warrior!
• Tell God about your day
• Call someone just for the sake of calling them
• Text someone you haven't talked to in awhile and ask if they need anything to be prayed for
• Hand write an uplifting note to someone

This helps a lot. 

Let the Lord light a fire in your soul, God made you special and he loves you very much.

-Emma