I Am Nothing Without You

I have been struggling a lot with certain situations, relationships, etc. And feel completely broken and incapable of doing anything for anyone (including myself) that is of any good....I am lead to the grace of God. I begin to realize all my failings and am overwhelmed by my weakness. In that same instant, however, I am struck and immediately captured by the power of Christ and His great sufficiency. He is my strength. He is my song.

Nothing Without You (by Bebo Norman)
"Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise you near enough
I have nothing, I have nothing without you
And take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing, I have nothing without you
All my soul needs
Is all your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without you
Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing, I have nothing without you
But I love you
With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
And all the strength that I can find
Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that you are worth
For I am nothing, I am nothing without you"

May I glorify You for all that You are worth!

Psalm 5

Pray that God would show us His severe mercy--though it be a frightening thing to wish for.

Better Than Wine

I got the new Derek Webb cd for Christmas. woohoo! I must say, it is amazing!! This is one of my favorites on the cd. In case you didn't already guess, the title is Better Than Wine.

"You ravished me with one look of your eyes
You, you are fair, you're so fair, oh my love
Better than wine is your love
If you can't find me its alright, oh my love
Stay with your friends, i will come speak to you
'Cause you are mine, oh my love
And better than wine is your love
Better than wine is your love, is your love
Better than wine is your love, is your love
You are beautiful, eyes like doves, oh my love
You have lips like jewels, hair of gold, oh my love
Wild as a vine is your love
But better than wine is your love
I tell you, my beloved
You cannot be replaced
With my left hand beneath your head
And my right arm around your waist
So take a deep breath
Because I feel a little drunk
But I'm in my right mind babe
And I know your love is much..."

From the album: I See Things Upside Down :)

Christmas Time

"...And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, becasue there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them,
'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.'
Luke 2:6-14

Merry Christmas to all! May we remember the riches of Christ's abundant love...

A Call To Suffer

"So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city
which is to come." Hebrews 13:13,14

Derek Webb, Woohoo!

My sister is taking me to a Derek Webb concert on friday! Yaay!!! It is my super-de-duper birthday spectacular and I am soooo excited!
It is his new tour--I See Things Upside Down--and we might get to meet him! Hopefully it won't be as awkward as when I spoke to David Crowder, hahahaha. Anyhow, its at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix...road trip! :)
I'm so happy.

Wedding Dress

"If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I’d ever need
or is there more I’m looking for

and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want

I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I’m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you

So could you love this bastard child
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side

I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood

Because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife"
-By Derek Webb

Sigh...This is such a good song...
And he has a new cd! It's called: I See Things Upside Down. woohoo!

Encounter With Light

"To believe with certainty, somebody said, one has to begin by doubting."

"The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians--when they are sombre and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths. But, though it is just to condemn some Christians for these things, perhaps, after all, it is not just, though very easy, to condemn Christianity itself for them. Indeed, there are impressive indications that the positive quality of joy is in Christianity--and possibly nowhere else. If that were certain, it would be proof of a very high order." Sheldon Vanauken (A Severe Mercy)

A Birthday

Tomorrow is the birthday of a dear friend (Hannah). I'm writing to wish you (Hannah) a happy birthday NOW because tomorrow will be crazy with stage crew business and I'm afraid I will be unable to post. :)

I love you and want to wish you a most joyous birthday! May God bless you and keep you as you embark on yet another year with Him! woohoo! The great adventure.....
You are amazing and I love you so so much!

Passionate Surrender

For The Sake Of The Call (by S.C. Chapman)

Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said "Come follow me" and they came
With reckless abandon they came

Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe
And none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus led
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die...

BRIDGE :

Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey
And we'll answer....

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call....

Holy Blood

I've been thinking today about the persecuted Church. We had a speaker in chapel share a little of what is going on globally in the sphere of missions. As I sat there, I was overcome with the desire to go and be a part of that work. I felt the familiar pang of longing to meet lost people and proclaim the love of Christ to those who have not heard. I thought of the quote by Jim Elliot that I seem to have come across a lot lately:

"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. I'll tell you why I left. Because those stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the day of judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it -- while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot (taken from Shadow of the Almighty)

I think that what has added to my desire to go is seeing my sister prepare and head in that direction. I feel so helpless--so useless. But I know I'm not ready...I must be content with where God has placed me currently. There is a time for everything...
Please pray with me as I continue seeking His will for me now.

"Father, take me life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar." Jim Elliot

Struggling to live in passionate surrender,
Andrea

Too Much Sugar

I am exhausted and on sugar overload...not a good combination. yuck.

Today was so beautiful! I love, love, love the weather! Sigh...

Anyway, I am really upset that I was so tired because I couldn't pay attention near the end of Christian Living and I was super antsy in English. Government was better but still...I hate feeling so sleepy. Why have I been so tired lately?! Hannah, a theory?...

Hannah's birthday is a week from Wednesday and I'm super excited! I want to give her her present now...bummer.

I guess that's all...this was super pointless and now I am going to go take a nap...or do homework. hmmm, take a nap. :)
Andrea

Hot Coffee on a Crisp Evening

Tonight I played with Allie. Woohoo! We went to the mall...first to Old Navy to exchange one of her shirts, and then to Gap and other random stores. I didn't find anything until....Borders! (books, books, books!) I found both of the books I wanted to get for Iain Monroe ( I can't tell what two they are) and they were cheap! I was so excited. So, instead of only being able to afford one, I got two! yay! I am so very excited about this gift. They are two of my favorite childhood books...sigh.

Anyhow, getting to the title of this blog. Allie and I went to starbucks afterwards and both ordered something hot! Because........that's right, it's finally getting cold! Oh, so wonderful. It was a marvelous evening. Thank you, Allie, you are such a wonderful person. I am most glad that we are friends! :)
(Oh, and tomorrow I am going on a road trip to Phoenix! woohoo!)
That's all...In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.

The Flip Side

It's beginning to look a lot like fall!!

Isn't this weather beautiful? Sigh...I love Arizona rainstorms. If there is anything that can even partially redeem the hot, dry, summers, its the amazing rains! And the smell after it rains....

I wish we had a fireplace. I would curl up in front of it with a book and a cup of tea and I would be so very content.

I love winter! I love tea and sweaters and hot chocolate and Christmas music and rain and snow and gloves and rosy cheeks...Oh how I love winter!
That's all I have to say...merry fall and winter!

Andrea Childs

Lead of Love

Looking back at the road so far
The journey's left its share of scars
Mostly from leaving the narrow and straight
Looking back it is clear to me
That a man is more than the sum of his deeds
And how you make good of this mess I've made
Is a profound mystery
(Chorus)
Looking back you know
You had to bring me through
All that I was so afraid of
Though I questioned the sky now I see why
Had to walk the rocks to see the mountain view
Looking back I see the lead of love
Looking back I can finally see
How failures bring humility
(I'd rather have wisdom and pain)
Brings me to my knees
(Than be a comfortable old fool)
Helps me see my need for thee
(repeat chorus)

**James 1:2-4**

"Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
1 Peter 2:17

Charlie Brown

I just watched a Charlie Brown Christmas...I love that movie so very much. I can't wait for Christmas and all that comes with it!...hot cider, a fire in the fire place, candles, christmas music, stockings, all of us kids sleeping together on Christmas Eve, reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning, prune tarts, almond balls, snow, scarves...sigh. It is so wonderful.

Resolutions

RESOLVED

"...after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them."

"...never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can."

"...to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it."

Jonathan Edwards

Sheep for the Altar

"You have bargained for a cross. Overcome anything in the confidence of your union with Him, so that contemplating trial, enduring persecution or lonliness, you may know the blessings of the 'joy set before.' We are the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.' And what are sheep doing going into the gate? What is their purpose inside those courts? To bleat melodies and enjoy the company of the flock? No. Those sheep were destined for the altar. Their pasture feeding had been for one purpose, to test them and fatten them for bloody sacrifice. Give Him thanks, then, that you have been counted worthy of His altars. Enter into the work with praise."

May we give thanks to the Lord that we have been counted worthy!

The Narrow and Wide Gates

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"
Matthew 7:13-23

Take the narrow path...Even if it means going against popular trends in the Church today!

"For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." Luke 9:23

The Beauty of God's Creation

"The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil..."
-Gerard Manly Hopkins

Have you ever seen an Arizona sunset? Witnessed a desert monsoon? Smelled the creosote after a cleansing rain? Sigh...God's great gifts to mankind. His glory is all around us! The world proclaims the beauty of the Lord.

Far Too Easily Pleased

"We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." CS Lewis

"'Too busy'--cursed words, those. Father, forgive me for being so academic and material in my outlook, so much feeding of the mind and outer man, so little genuine concern for spiritual things." Jim Elliot

"Father, take my life, yea, my blood if Thou wilt, and consume it with Thine enveloping fire. I would not save it, for it is not mine to save. Have it Lord, have it all. Pour out my life as an oblation for the world. Blood is only of value as it flows before Thine altar." Jim Elliot

Discard the American mindset of walking through life halfheartedly, blind to the infinite joy offered us. Do not be too easily pleased.

Give us a vision for Your work and Your passion, O God. Lead us into Your glory boldly proclaiming the glory of the Lord!

Longing to Catch a Glimpse of Thyself

"What a ragged, shoddy thing Christianity has come to be, honoring men and means, places and crowds--O Lord, deliver me from the spirit of this faithless generation. How I should long to see the simplicity and powerful beauty of the New Testament fellowship reproduced, but no one seems to be similarly exercised here, so I must wait, O Christ, let me know Thee--let me catch glimpses of Thyself, seated and expectant in glory, let me rest there despite all wrong surging round me. Lead me in the right path, I pray."
Jim Elliot (Shadow of the Almighty)

A Thorn in the Flesh

"Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Teach us, O God, to rejoice in the thorn, that we might gain power in Christ through our weaknesses.

Learning to grasp the concept of God's grace being my soul's sufficiency. May I boast in Christ alone.

My Super Friends

I have been reminded today of God's great goodness and provision in my life. Every now and then I am struck by the reality of all He has blessed me with. Today the reality was what amazing friends I have. I only have one more year with all these wonderful high school friends. I don't want to waste this time that I am privileged to take part in, but rather spend it enjoying and investing in the incredible people God has placed around me. I love my friends and I love who they are, each with their own unique gifts and personalities. Thank you all for your love and desire to serve our incredible Savior and Lord. May God bless you all.
Finding satisfaction with where I am, Andrea.

Waiting for His Perfect Plan

Word of God Speak mercy me

"I’m finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it’s ok
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say

Oh word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak

I’m finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice

Oh word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak"

Here Now, That's Enough

“I don’t want to be somewhere else anymore. I’m not waiting for anything new to happen, not looking around the corner, no next hill. Here now, that’s enough.”
CS Lewis (Shadowlands)

Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God! Find satisfaction in who it is God has created you to be. Be content today, a day given you by the Sovereign. Live to give all honor and glory to His name.

What a wonderful day. What a glorious day, today!
DCB

Satisfied in the Word

"Don't follow the example of those you left in the world, nor those you find in the church. Rather, the Law of God, found in His Word, shall be my standard, and as I see it, there are few examples of this sort of living anywhere." Jim Elliot (Shadow of the Almighty)

I have been quieted to consider the heavy importance of time spent in God's Word. Too often we believe it must be an enlightening experience. We dig and search for meaning rather than let Scripture reveal itself to us. Do not waste your life waiting for pleasant impulses to draw you to the Lord. Rather, redeem the time and embrace the journey you are on.

"How lost, alas, a life lived in any other light!"
Jim Elliot

"Too many devious paths lead down the land
And I shall need in that strange, vast unknown,
Thy hand upon my hand."
Jim Elliot

Boasting Only in the Cross of Christ

"But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

"May God grant us to dream and plan and work and give and teach and live for the glory of Christ and him crucified." Piper

"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24

Oh that we might boast only in the cross and Christ crucified, through which we enjoy every good thing and every "bad" thing God turns and uses for good!

May you all be blessed this day!