Saturday, September 24, 2011

Psalm 145:7 - "They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness."

Sometimes it is good for us to look back over our lives in the past days, weeks, months and even years and remember how the Lord has worked and to remember how much He deserves our praise. I've listed a couple of things that I am thankful for and feel free to comment and list a couple of things that you're grateful for as well.

I'm thankful for-

1. Christian camps- God has used camp in my life in a great way. Without them I know for certain that I wouldn't be enjoying the blessings of my relationship with Him. Both the Wilds and Servants Heart camps have been God's way of getting a hold of my heart.

2. Changing Seasons- Maybe I'm being overly dramatic but can you seriously imagine what life would be like if it was always winter around here? I could go for a little more Fall, but even so, after a while I think it would grow rather old. Or even worse...can you imagine if everything was brown and white? Even the changing seasons shows God's creativity and care for us.

3. Answered Prayers- Its so neat to see God answer a specific prayer and know that He has heard your special cry. Sometimes it can be something as small as trying to find your glasses (the hardest thing to find is your glasses, without your glasses! ;) or to something as major as allowing my sister, Renee, and her husband, Jon, to have children. God doesn't always nescesarily answer the way we wanted but He still answers each request with our best interest at heart.

4. God's Forgiveness- Over and over and over I fail God and yet He never tires of trying to draw me back to Himself and to show me that His grace is sufficient. He died on the cross, knowing full well that I'd continue to fall. His mercy is amazing. Psalms 145:14- "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down."

5. The Bible- Specifically I'm thankful for Romans and Psalms. Two books which have been a huge encouragement to me. (Romans- because Paul asks the most basic questions and then proceeds to give the answer. Psalms- because David shares his struggles and then continues on to turn the focus to God.)

6. Christian Friends - God has given given me a whole storehouse of godly friends and there are times where I feel overwhelmed with thankfulness for them. Have you ever been discouraged and down but noticed that there came a point in your day where there was a marked change in your attitude, only to later find out that a friend was praying for you at the exact time? I have. A random text, an e-mail, a prayer, a verse, a word of encouragement, a laugh, or a smile from a friend...these are things that have lifted me up when I felt down. Ec 4:10 "For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."

6. Free Salvation- "Complete in Thee, NO work of mine, can take dear Lord, the place of Thine. Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and I shall stand complete in Thee!"

7- The Promise that Someday He's Coming Back for Me!- The more that I learn about God, and the more that I struggle with this flesh and the more that I see the sin and death of this world, the more I understand the words to that song "This world is not my Home, I'm just a passing through!" I can't wait for the day when I'll get to see Him face to face, put my arms around Him and tell Him in person how grateful I am for His love.


Psalms 145:2-"Every day will I bless Thee and I will praise Thy name forever and ever"

Chrystal

Monday, September 19, 2011

Yes folks, it's true.... (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)


...God has given me an incredible gift.
He is good.
I am thankful.

Monday, August 29, 2011

So Much to do and Such little Time....

Yes, dear blogging friends...I am alive. Life has been very busy right now between the times spent catching up with my family as different siblings and their spouses/children/girlfriends/boyfriends travel here for visits, dating my best friend Mike, reconnecting with old friends ad staying in touch with some of the new ones, harvesting the garden, working a job, etc. etc. etc. I'm looking forward to long winter nights where I should have plenty of time for writing, thinking, and studying.

However, let's hope it doesn't take me until Winter arrives to get back to you all! Sometime soon I'll write out some thoughts and get some pictures up from school, the summer, and a bit of my life since being back home, but for now I'll just say that I wish I had more hours in a day (either that, or that I didn't have to waste time in sleep!) =)

Monday, August 15, 2011

Only a Sinner...but I'm saved by GRACE!

Naught have I gotten but what I received;
Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;
Boasting excluded, pride I abase;
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Once I was foolish, and sin ruled my heart,
Causing my footsteps from God to depart;
Jesus hath found me, happy my case;
I now am a sinner, saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Tears unavailing, no merit had I;
Mercy had saved me, or else I must die;
Sin had alarmed me fearing God’s face;
But now I’m a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Suffer a sinner whose heart overflows,
Loving his Savior to tell what he knows;
Once more to tell it would I embrace—
I’m only a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner, saved by grace!
Only a sinner, saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory—
I’m only a sinner, saved by grace!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Camp Prayer Requests

I'm heading out to Servants Heart Camp tomorrow morning, so if you think of me at all over the next seven weeks, please pray...

1. for all the staff at camp (unity, servant heartedness, teachable attitudes, joy, love for God and others, wisdom when counseling, etc.)
2. for all the campers (tender hearts, understanding of the Word, willingness to surrender, etc)
3. for all the building projects, etc. going on (there is going to have to be a lot of flexibility at camp this year with this being the first year on new property)
4. for safety (traveling, games, activities, etc.)
5. for a fun and enjoyable summer!!!

My desire for this summer is that both I and the campers might "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." so that we might end our time at camp by saying "To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

Anyways, I know I'm really not all that regular when it comes to blogging, =) but I'll try to check back in at the end of summer and let you know some of what God did and how He answered your prayers. Until then, my friends, adios!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Together Again...

Since Mike wasn't able to be at the Cornerstone School Banquet with me when I was in SD, we made up for it by going out after I got home. We went out to dinner at Dobbins Restaurant in Gettysburg and then went to see "The Mount Rushmore Presidents" at the Majestic Theater. (How appropriate that they would have something like that after I just got back from SD! ;) The four presidents gave speeches and then they had an answer and question time. It was a very enjoyable evening and more than made up for the time that we weren't able to share at Banquet.


The restaurant...
The four Presidents together on the stage
In case you can't tell this is Abe Lincoln ;)
Mike and I with President Theodore Roosevelt--- (My Dad's hero and thus the president I probably know the most about ... )
The beautiful flowers Mike gave me which are now smelling up my whole room.


Yes, I do miss school, my CBI and Pleasant Point friends and the beauty of the west etc...but at the same time....folks, I gotta admit....it's good to be back in PA. =)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Choir Tour Request

Prayers would be much appreciated as I travel with the CBI choir until June 6th. (You can look at the following link to see our schedule http://www.cornerstonebibleinstitute.com/news/choir-tour-2011/). If you're reading this, please just take a second or two to pray for the group. It would be much appreciated. We've only been on tour for three days now and already I am realizing how physically, emotionally and spiritually draining it can be. Please pray for strength in the Lord.

THANK-YOU!!!!!!!!