Created In His Image

I find myself at many moments taking a small step back, looking at my life and asking "How can I be more like Christ?". I often wonder what is it that I need to say or do, or how shall I present myself in a manner that others may see the love of Christ through me? I have found myself asking these questions almost too often if that is even possible. I have come to the conclusion that instead of thinking these things, I need to first begin with the relationship that I have with God. Am I giving Him my time? Is He the one that I am in tune with when I fall asleep and when I wake each morning? Do I work to reflect His image for today? That is being pure, humble, faithful, selfless, and loving. Am I diving into His word, speaking to Him, and DWELLING IN Him? I do not need to know whether or not I lived for Him yesterday, nor will I live for Him tomorrow, but am I living in and for Him TODAY. I have found the answer to my question. What can we do in order that others may see Christ through us? Let Christ consume us, captivate us, and once we dwell in Him, he will overflow from us. Now THAT's powerful.
Dive. Go. Read. Learn. Reflect. Do. Be. Live. Love. Dwell.

In Christ we live and breath,

One of many daughters of the King

Skin-on

As I said in my previous blog, God is there. He is everywhere, breathing in everything, moving throughout, and living amongst everyone. He's in you and he's in me. Although feeling His presence is needed and longed for, it's almost as if sometimes we need something more. Something tangible. Something with... skin-on. I believe that is why God gave us the gift of relationships. God uses our loved ones to help us, encourage us, give us a shoulder to cry on, walk with us, conquer with us, share joy with us, and grow with us. Throughout ALL of that is God. He lives and moves in the relationships that we have and build on. I'm thankful for that. I think we all are.

Thank you Lord for the relationships that you bless us with. We would be nothing without you, O Lord, and would go nowhere without them. Father, throughout this messy life of mine, please use someone near with skin-on to help conquer, encourage, grow, share joy, and walk with me. I need that, but I need you more than ever. I love you.

In YOU I live and breath,

Courtney :0)

God is There

In the midst of unworthiness- God is there

When showered in hardship- God is there

When all you know is the frustration overpowering you- God is there

Among the shattered pieces that you feel inside- God is there

When soaking in your tears- God is there

In the corner of that smile that you have- God is there

In the look in your eye- God is there

In the love that you show- God is there

In the joy that you feel- God is there

In your heart- GOD IS THERE

I'm in awe. I have no words for how astounded I am at our indescribable Lord and Savior- our Father! I'm full of wonder and amazment at how He is there with us through everything we go through whether good or bad. Through subtle, day to day experiences He shows us His love, patience, and grace. How incredible is the Lord our God who will carry us through anything! Who desires us to CHOOSE Him! He longs for us! He cries out for us! He LOVES us. He chose us! Abba Father, How I choose you in return!

Thank you Father!

Your daughter,
Courtney :0)

Hope

She is trapped in a cave of darkness. Continuing to climb further and further into the cave she cries for she cannot find the light. "There's no way out!" She shouts. Her body is worn out, her knees are bleeding and her legs are weak. Bruises and scrapes cover her hands from keeping herself from falling. Dirt covers her face and begins to creep into her eyes. She trembles when she feels the loss of hope flowing through her body. All of the energy that she could possibly have has now left through her fingertips as she lies helpless against the rocky ground.
-Suddenly a voice calls out to her.. "Beloved! Beloved! Where is your hope? Where has your faith gone? Have you lost it all? I beg you, don't let it go!"

She struggles to fight the voice only becoming weaker and weaker. Finally there is nothing left inside of her and all she has left is to bring back the hope, the faith that she once had- crying out to the only one who can save her, Abba Father.

As I take a look all around me, my heart sinks. I see a loss of hope that is overpowering us. Where has it gone? My prayer, my PLEA is that we bring the hope back. Don't be afraid to cry out to God and ask our creator to help! He's listening.. He's ready to give it to you. Just ask.


Lord, I'm hopeless without you. Please give me the faith, the hope that I need to get through this day. Thank you Father :0)

-Your daughter,
Courtney

Heavenly Father,

I long to be under your control. Lord if I had only one plea it would be that you may take hold of my unformed heart and do with it as you please. Savior, please help me to be faithful to you TODAY. I am learning that I have absolutely no control over myself and therefore I ask that you hold me, mold me, love me, and use me. If I turn to the things of this world, the days become difficult and my heart becomes weak. If I turn to you, O Lord, the days may become difficult, but my heart becomes strong in you! Which shall I choose? The answer is simple yet the task seems to be more challenging. I cannot do this on my own! Please, Lord, walk with me, carry me. I need you. I desire to be yours and I believe you'll have me. Thank you beautiful one! Who am I that I deserve a Father to love me like you do? I do not deserve you, yet your unfailing love overflows into my life!
My life is in Your hands
Your daughter,
Courtney