Just because, He's God!

"When I come into His presence, I humble myself.

I lift up both my hands, and I begin to worship Him.

I worship Him, for what He's done for me.

Redeemed and set me free.

And because... just because... He's God"

Just because He's God! Yeah He's all these other wonderful things coming from an infinite list of amazing things that don't do justice to His abundant grace and unfailing love, all we really need to know is that He's God. Just because His grace is enough. Just because He's sufficient. Just because His perfection covers my flaws. Just because He makes me beautiful. Just because He never leaves my side. Just because He gives second and third and fourth chances. Just because I don't deserve Him. Just because...

He's God

I had choir practice today, and we were singing the song quoted above. I began to think about all the things that I label God to be. He's my best friend, my husband, my savior, my comforter, my defender, my strength. All these things are great and wonderful, but often I forget that Him being God is all I really need. He's God and I'm not, therefore He makes all things and all situations dripping with everything He is and everything I'm not. How awesome is our God?

I hope you're letting Him be your everything today! I love you all more than you know!

Forever His,

EmilyJo

"Two Weeks In Africa"

Johannesburg to Capetown,
the plane had barely touched down.
She was taking photos for the friends back home.
This was always where she felt her heart belonged.
She was finally here,the sky was bright and clear.

(Two weeks....)And we all can feel the calling,
(Two weeks....)to make the world a little smaller.
And so a girl got on a plane,
for two weeks in Africa.

Johannesburg to Houston,
she came home on a mountain.
But school was starting, things kept moving on.
Before you knew it, seven years had gone.
She found a picture of her,standing, smiling,arms around the starving kids.
She swore not to forget,
she swore not to forget...

(Two weeks....)And we all can feel the calling,
(Two weeks....)to make the world a little smaller.
And so a girl got on a plane,for two weeks in Africa.

And if we follow our dear sun to where the stars are not familiar.
Faces turn to numbers,numbers fall like manna from the sky.
Why, oh why?Oh Father, why?

One village in Malawi now has water running pure and clean.
One church alive in Kenya's full of truth and love and medicine.
We put the walls up, but Jesus keeps them standing.
He doesn't need us, but He lets us put our hands in.
So we can see, His love is bigger than you and me.

(Two weeks....)And we all can feel the calling,
(Two weeks....)to make the world a little smaller.
And so a girl got on a plane,for two weeks in Africa.
~Caedmon's Call

I guess you could say I'm missing Africa today! This so so speaks to my heart, not only because Johannesburg is where I want to be, but because of the part that I bold. "We put the walls up, but Jesus keeps them standing. He doesn't need us, but He lets us put our hands in. So we can see, His love is bigger than you and me". How awesome are those lyrics?? He doesn't need us, but He still lets us help and lend a hand! What an awesome God we serve!!
I hope you guys are having an awesome week!! I love you all more than you know!
Forever His,
EmilyJo

In My Place

In my place, He stood condemned
He Who knew no sin became sin for
us. That we might become, His righteousness

Bearing all my sin and shame
The punishment and blame He conquered
the grave. That we might become, the heirs of grace


In my place, Jesus died
The spotless Lamb laid down His life
The wrath of God was satisfied
In my place, Jesus died


Nail pierced hands, Bleeding side, His body bruised, My God
crucified. A crown of thorns, Dying cries, His flesh was torn, My God
crucified. Hallelujah, What a Savior!
-Michael Bleecker

I really don't think this song needs much else. I was challenged today but how drastically different my life would be if I woke up thinking about Him and all He could possibly mean to me for the day, instead of trying to keep my life together for the day? Maybe instead of cursing the alarm clock, we lay in bed and pray thanking God for another day to live and asking Him for an awesome day. I know I don't do that enough!

I hope your week went by smoothly! And I hope the Lord was awesome to you! Rest up... it all starts again on Monday! Have a great weekend! I love you all more than you know!

Forever His,

EmilyJo

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

I'm not going to lie to you guys, I'm exhausted! I feel like I'm running on empty and scrapping the bottom of the barrel for a little extra energy. So here I sit, in class at 8:27 in the evening longing to be back at home, resting, talking with my family and possibly watching FRIENDS. The last thing I want to do is sit in this class for another hour and a half. My feet hurt, my head is pounding and my spirits are low. But Jesus says,"Come and I will give you rest!". What a beautiful picture. I think it's such an awesome reminder of what God can be for us. When we're caught up in the craziness of life and we're exhausted beyond belief, we can find rest and comfort in His arms. But I have to ask, are we so busy with life that we forget to include God in it? Do we serve Him leftovers because we can bare the thought of staying up a minute later to say a prayer or to open the word? Is our life so busy that we don't notice God knocking on our front doors to come in for dinner? Between school and work and trying to have a social life, who has time? Maybe it's time we make time, to rest and to be still before the Lord. To let Him embrace you, captivate you and give you rest.

"The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved
me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet
from stumbling" Psalm 116:6-8

Find rest in Him today. Let Him hold you. Let Him captivate you! Just breathe... the week is almost over! I love you all more than you know!

Forever His,

EmilyJo

I need You, Jesus, to come to my rescue

"Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me." Psalm 31:2

I've been so captivated and obsessed with the idea of God rescuing me. Who am I that the God of the universe would choose to recue me? It doesn't matter how many times I screw up or go the wrong way, He welcomes me with open arms and we start off right where we left off. He's rescued me from destruction and pain. I can't wrap my mind around. Today, I spent a couple hours trying to find a good reason that He would do such a selfless thing, and the only answer I could come up with was His love for us. Everything comes back to that doesn't it? He loved us enough to live, to die and to rise, saving me from having to pay for my own sins. I'm so enthralled by His willingness to always rescue me! What an awesome God we serve!

I know this is a short post, but what more needs to be said really? He always comes to our rescue! I hope your week is getting off to a great start! I love you all more than you know!

Forever His,

EmilyJo

You are stronger! You are stronger! Sin is broken, You have saved me!

"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."

2Samuel 22:33

I've been having somewhat of a rough week and as I was on my way to work today in tears, a friend texted me this verse. How encouraging! God is my strength! He knows exactly what's going to happen next. I can't even begin to grasp my mind around the idea of God having this ultimate plan for me. It seems so simple and child-like to point out the obvious truths about the way God works, but do we really ever think and dwell about it? When life gets tough do we start pointing fingers or do we get down on our knees and seek Him? I think so many of us, me included, try to fix everything and give ourselves strength. But ulitmately God is our strength. I'm so captivated by this fact. I can't wrap my mind around it.

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted! I have a lot to talk about from the weekend! Maybe I'll post on my day off tomorrow! SO excited!!

Happy Labor Day! I love you allmore than you know!

Forever His,

EmilyJo

Seek Justice

I recently met an extraordinary young man who devotes his time and efforts to the International Justice Mission (visit www.ijm.org for more information). The theme verse for the organization is Isaiah 1:17 " Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.". IJM provides aid and relief to individuals all over the world who are being oppressed in ways such as slavery and sexual exploitation, in the hopes of bring justice and basic human rights to people who may not have a voice. Go to the site, pray over it, see if you can help in some way! Everyone deserves a voice.

In other news, RENEW MY SOUL '09 is coming up this week. It's going to be an incredible time of worship and fellowship. There will be two different speakers to bring the word along with a few bands who will bring the jams. I'm so very excited to see how the Lord uses this revival to be the change in the students of Frisco. God is so good. I would ask that you guys would lift the revival, that the Holy Spirit would come and move, that God would bring students and willing hearts. Also, if you'll be in Frisco this Satruday feel free to stop by. We'll be at Frisco Commons from 1pm til 10pm. If it happens to rain then we'll move to FBC, but plan on Frisco Commons.

Man, isn't God so good?? There are so many awesome opportunities coming up! I challenge you to get involve! This life isn't ours, so why not give it all to Him? It's going to be great!

I hope your week is filled with fun and smiles so far! We're half way! I love you guys more than you know!
Forever His,
EmilyJo