Count it all Joy

I know you've had some troubles in this life. I know sometimes the road gets so long. But I know our God is walking right with you, yes he is. And he'll give you all the strength. Oh yes, He'll give you all the strength. He'll give you all the strength you need, to carry on. So count it all joy, when you're faced with sorrow. Count it all joy, when you're faced with pain. Count it all joy, and a stronger faith will remain. Count it all joy, for this present suffering, can't be compared with the joy to come. Count it, count it all joy. Let us look to Jesus, the author of our faith. Who for the sake of the joy set before Him endured the cross. So let us not grow weary, in the face of discipline. Our father is training us how to win. We know that all things work together, for the good of those who love God. Nothing can ever separate us, from God's mighty love in Jesus. Neither life, nor death, nor angels, things present, or things to come. -"Count It All Joy" Choir Tour 09

Reflecting back on that week, I learned that God can use you, even if you don't want to be used. So many days, I just felt like crashing after long days on the bus, but we had to do concerts. Every church was such a blessing, and it was great to see what a blessing we were to them. Voices of Triumph sang for an old lady who was very sick. We sang, "Every time I feel the Spirit," and she was so touched. By the end of the song, everyone was crying. She said, "When God gives you the gift, USE it." Then VOT starting crying, because to hear her say that was such a blessing. Her spirit was so strong, despite her weakness. God was at work in her. Later that night, her husband came to the concert. The choir sang, "It is Well with my Soul," and everyone who knew could tell that he was telling God that it was well with his soul. That blew my mind, and it was such an inspiration to live everyday, and use the gifts that God has given me. Choir Tour was such a blessing, and the people have a wonderful, and irreplaceable spot in my heart.

"Right with God"

I've been learning a lot about who God is this past year. It is funny how God broke up the past two semesters. First semester a friend was going through a terrible time, so I was there coaching her through and hoping that she would come back to God. Eventually, with a lot of time, she did. Then second semester hit, and I felt more alone than ever. I was so sick of listening to people's problems. I was selfish enough to think that they should care about me a lot more than their needs/school work/spiritual life. It didn't help that I was trying to juggle school work, 2 shows, dance groups, getting ready for a recital, VOT, and choir. Not a good idea. I kinda just left God in the dust, and told myself that I could handle everything. It worked for awhile, but then everything just fell apart. I was believing all the lies that Satan was telling me, but throughout all of it, I knew God was calling me back to Him. When the world finally did crash around me, I did a lot of thinking. Was my relationship ever right with God? And what does being "right with God" even mean? That is pretty hard to accomplish. He started showing me that contentment wasn't good enough. In my opinion, being "right with God" doesn't exist. We should always be striving for the next level of our relationship with Him. There is so much about Him that most people don't see, and I know that I'm going to be discovering that more and more as I get closer to Him. It just blows my mind how He lets us walk away, and stay away, but there is always a voice calling us back to him. We serve a Mighty God, who loves us with a love that is so beautiful it is hard to comprehend. I'm so thankful for grace and people around me that push me towards Him.

GUIDANCE

G U I D A N C E
Author Unknown

When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow withthe music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.When one person realizes and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudgeto the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body,moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE. When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i.""God, "u" and "i" "dance." God, you,and I dance! This statement is what guidance means to me.As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be uponyou and your family on this day and everyday. May you abide in Him as He abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and to guide you through eachseason of your life. I hope you dance!!!