I'm a rebel.

I'm at school right now, and I'm posting a blog. I know...it's out there. The truth is I can't help it. I was born to be a rebel. The rules just don't apply to me.

On a more serious note:

Last night I read the First three chapters of Genesis, and Gen. 3:8 says this:

"Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden."

I thought it was weird that God was walking around in the garden. I always thought that the only time he was in human flesh was Jesus...It's interesting. I'd like to talk about it more, but the bell just rang...off to choir!

~Lauren~

Thankfulness

Thank-ful: /ˈθæŋkfəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[thangk-fuhl] –adj. feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

My prayer life is weaker than I'd like it to be. It's something I'm working on for sure. I've realized how much I ask of God. Not that asking is a bad thing, but God has done so much for me that I just look over and never acknowledge. So many of the things I have asked for has been answered, and I have not thanked God for those blessings.

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."-Col. 2:6-7

Blessings:
-I Lettered in Academics this week. 2nd semester of senior year... it's about time. (so not over it yet)
-Safe Trip to and from Abilene last weekend, with only a few minor directional errors.
-Amazing friends who always have my back.
-The fact that God is opening up my eyes to see his glory.
-God working in my weaknesses (see last post).
-My mom and Bill's divorce!(probably wont ever get over that one)


I'm so glad I'm able to see God's hand in all of this. When I received the text from my mom last Friday morning that said "I'm divorced wooohooo!" I was so happy, I cried in Chapel. It's one of those things you never think will happen, and when it does you really can't believe it. All I ever want is for my mom to be happy and now she finally can be without Bill in her life to bring her down. God is so good.

So now I'm asking for prayers. Please pray that I can forgive Bill. The very thought of that makes me cringe, but when I try to see him through Christ's eyes, I see a human who is hurting. A human who has an addiction, and needs Christ's mercy. Honestly, if I had it my way I'd never forgive him. I hate him. He's down there with Satan to me. But, if God is love and hate is the exact opposite of love, and I'm striving to be an imitator of God, then I have to love him. There is no other option. So please pray for me to obtain this love.

That's all I have for tonight fellow bloggers.

Peace, Love, and Lauren.

When I am weak, my Lord you are strong

Story time.

Ever since I was a little girl I always prayed for my dad. He left us when I was about 4 or 5, but he's always been in my life, in fact I have lived with him for the past two or so years. Lately, those prayers for him came to a halt, because of arguments and the fact that he seemed almost like a lost cause. Then, last night I had a panic attack. I have been struggling with anxiety since this past summer. For anyone who hasn't been through that, be thankful. Anyways, what triggered this attack was a bible study that I lead in the office on Tuesday. We were discussing God's calling, and Drew was telling us how he believed that God called some people to his kingdom and didn't call others. I started wondering if I was actually one of those who God did not want. God hardened Pharaoh's heart, what if he wanted to harden mine? These thoughts made me sick, literally. I have never felt so close to Satan. I felt like he was consuming me. While this was happening, I was writing in my prayer journal, and praying aloud. I kept asking God to keep Satan away from me, and telling God that I needed him. I decided to call drew and talk to him, but he was on the other line. So while I was waiting for him to call me back I walked into the living room, and my dad saw that I was upset and asked me what was wrong. I asked him to hug me, and he did. Then he told me to explain myself. I'm not always the best at expressing emotions, especially negative ones. However, I sat down and did my best. I'm not sure if he really understood. Then, I had the urge to ask him If he ever read the Bible. He said "not as much as I should." I was expecting an answer similar to that. Then I said, "would you like it if we read the bible together sometime?" He agreed. Then I asked him If he had a bible ( i knew he didn't) He said no, but he said he'd buy one. Then he of course asked me if he "could get one with the big letters." I laughed. The conversation ended, and I went into my room and cried. I was having a panic attack and while I'm having it God is using me. Not only is he using me, he is answering a prayer I've prayed since I was a little girl. Also, I wrote in my journal for God to open my heart and eyes to see his Glory. Then I called Drew back and told him what happened, and he read me a verse:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor. 12:9-10

And it is so true. I'm so glad I serve a God who is way bigger and stronger than any of my weaknesses. A God who knows me better than I could ever know myself. Satan is good. He knows what hurts me, and he knows exactly where to put the knife. He knows what lies to whisper in my ear to cause me to doubt. But he's also scared. He's more afraid of God than I am of him, and If God is for me who can be against me? This is what I love about God. He always has my back ;)

Story time is over.

I hope everyone has a good day :)

~L.rUt~