Source: macapereyro.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Matt Redman- Never Once

Love this song!!  My heart bursts with thanksgiving every time I sing it!

Lifted Up

This morning as I watched the light play on the plants and trees as it slowly rises, I am reminded of how amazing and good my God is and how personable He is as well.  All He made was for mankind, for me, but it also says in His Word that it also brought Him pleasure as well. I love that.

Last night, we had a sneak peak for the upcoming extension school, Charis Bible College, that will be starting here in Clermont.  Years of interning, study, moving across the country from my beloved Colorado.... a culmination of following the Lord's leading were brought to fruition last night.  My heart is so full.  We have friends that left North Carolina and sold all they had to help us and the campus in Lake Mary!  A pastor and his wife and a congregation that have done nothing but lend support, help, encouragement, and love.  Directors of the Florida schools in Jacksonville that have lent help, and encouragement and prayers.  Coordinators for the Lake Mary campus that have given and given.  My family...Mother, sisters, brothers... have been nothing but wonderful as they have prayed with us and loved us along the way.  All rejoicing with us when we shared a vision that seemed too huge for our natural minds but a vision that ached from the very depth of our hearts.   It was difficult not to cry or fall on the floor face down before a God that would take me.. a person with no real education, hardships, a past, mistakes, hurt...and then place me in a place where I can love, guide, and strengthen people through the Holy Spirit.  Humbling.

I also am humbled by my dear husband.  His decision to follow God no matter where it takes and no matter what may be lost, to gain great things in Christ.  Strong in the Lord.  A leader of this family that guides and directs his children and makes it a joy for this wife to submit to his leadership.

John 15

King James Version (KJV)

15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

I know we have heard this verse and most often in our churches we have heard it in a very negative light. It pretty much goes...you mess up...God is going to cut you off!  I believe this is a grace verse. If you look up "taketh away" in the Greek it actually means to lift up. If you ever have been to vineyard you know that the vines are on a trellis and every so often the vine will fall. When it falls it cannot get the light and and nutrients so the vines keeper comes along and puts it back. I love this. I feel that the Lord has done this for me so often. When I fall, He lovingly lifts me up as I abide in the vine. He is that good.

"Our deliverance from sin is based, not on what we can do, nor even on what God is going to do for us, but on what He has already done for us in Christ. When that fact dawns upon us and we rest back upon it, then we have found the secret of a holy life." - Watchman Nee

"Oh, it is a great thing to see that we are in Christ! Think of the bewilderment of trying to get into a room in which you already are! Think of the absurdity of asking to be put in! If we recognize the fact that we are in, we make no effort to enter." (The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee)