Beauty of Surrender

        I don't know how many of you knew it was just Pentecost Sunday, but it's definitely a thing to celebrate every day of the year! Do you realize how absolutely hopeless we are without the Holy Spirit dwelling within us??  I mean, Jesus modeled perfectly for us the life He demanded each of us to live--a life One with the Father. But it would be totally unfair to demand that life of us in our broken human state. And Jesus would never make unfair demands. So He gave us His very own Spirit so that we can meet His demands! ONLY through the Holy Spirit's work can we die to our old self and find oneness with the Father just like Jesus.  Please don't think for a moment that you're a good enough Christian, even if you probably aren't technically "One with the Father." If you think you're adequate, you haven't discovered the beauty of total surrender.

       But what is oneness? What exactly does surrender mean? Surrender: to yield to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand. Oneness is not possible without surrender. Plain and simple. If we haven't surrendered our own power, control, or possession of ourselves to God, we cannot be one with Him. Essentially, we are saying that we would rather just be one with ourselves. And if we say that, then we're never going to come close to living the life that Jesus demands of His disciples. We might be "good enough" compared to others, but we're always, always going to come up short on His fair demands. 

I don't want to come up short.

I want to fulfill my fullest potential found in Christ. 

I want to be perfect as Christ is perfect. 

           A life of oneness with the Father demands surrender, but God will never, ever force it on you. He does not want His people to love Him because they were forced too. He wants them to love Him by choice. It is completely up to you to choose  to yield to the power, control, and possession of the Father. 

          If you hear a little voice telling you right now that you need to surrender, then talk with it! Tell God that you want to surrender completely, but maybe you don't know how. I know this sounds cheesy, but the first step to overcoming a problem is admitting you have one. That's not just for alcoholics, that's for anyone! If the Holy Spirit is telling you that you are not completely surrendered, own up to it!  

         Jesus would LOVE to work more of His Spirit into your life and teach you what surrender is all about! It's a continuous process, and it's not always going to be easy, but I can guarantee that the results are absolutely beautiful. 

         If you're really looking to take this step in your relationship with God, I want to encourage you to keep track of your journey. Record the day that you told Jesus you wanted to surrender more. Then record different things that He is teaching you. If you don't have a journal, get one! You won't regret it. And journaling is NOT just for girls. King David journaled all the time! Just read the Psalms. :) In a few months, read back over it and I guarantee you'll be amazed at what Jesus will do in you when you surrender (yield to His power, control, and possession). Again, I say, He would LOVE to work in your life, but He's not going to force Himself on you. He's a gentleman! Will you choose to let Him? 

       Going back to the definition of surrender, this is not surrender based on demand--it's based on compulsion. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit is compelling you to surrender right now. 

Listen to it--it's the best choice you could make! :) 

Running!!

I would consider myself somewhat of a runner, but this past semester it was definitely irregular. I'm excited that it's summer and I can get back into a regular running schedule again! Running is great. It's refreshing and it helps me be more productive with the rest of my day. Speaking of running...the following song is probably my all time favorite. I like to think that when I'm physically running and talking with Jesus, I am running towards Him spiritually. He satisfies my soul in a way nothing or no one else ever will. Ever since I got it on CD two Christmases ago, it has been the prayer of my heart. Some of the lyrics are found in Song of Songs--see if you can find them in there! :)


I hear the voice, the voice of the One I love
He's calling my name.
I hear the voice, the voice of the One I love
He's calling my name.

He's saying 
"Come up higher
and hear the angels sing.
Come up higher, my Beloved.
Come up higher and leave this world behind;
You find me to be beautiful."

I am running, running after You
You've become my soul's delight,
I am running, running after You
Here with You, I find my life.

I hear the voice, the voice of the one I love

He's calling my name.I hear you calling me, Jesus
I hear the voice, the voice of the one I love

He's calling my name.

One thing that I desire; this will I seek after--
To dwell in Your house forevermore.
Now I'm running after the thing that really matters--
You've become my joy and song


I find my joy in worshiping You, Lord.


Now listen to it on YouTube. Beautiful!! :) 
I'm praying that you, too, will run after the thing that really matters; that you find a special joy in worshiping the Lord today. 
Find your soul's delight in Him. Find your life in Him. 
May you gaze upon His beauty and may He be the one & only thing that you desire. 
Jesus always, always wants His Beloved to run after Him. He is always waiting for you. 
Seek after Him and find your joy and song! :) 

Immeasurably More

I'm 21! My day was happy so thanks for all the birthday wishes :)

It started off the best way possible--a little time talking with Jesus. He helped me remember all the incredible things that happened in my 20th year of life. Ephesians 3:20 is spot on for me--"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." His power sure worked in me a lot this year--and He definitely did immeasurably more than I could ever imagine Him doing in my 20th year of life. I'm sure He works a lot other years, but I "habitually neglected to reflect on the past." Not this year! :) Here's a few highlights:

[1] My friendship with Matt started the night of my 20th birthday with a walk...and it's become an amazingly blessed relationship walking by God's guidance the entire way.

[2] I started going to Harp & Bowl on Thursday nights at 1st Ref. in Sioux Center. Amazing time of prayer and worship with fellow brothers & sisters in Christ. I've learned so much about God's heart for me and His people. I've learned what it means to align my heart to His to also love Him, myself, and His people the same way.

[3] I've been blessed with two internships with a stellar ministry here in Sioux Center--ATLAS. One was this summer. I learned the importance of deepening my roots in God's love. He makes me strong so I can stop trying on my own. Ephesians 3:17b "Your roots will grow down deep into God's love and keep you strong." The other one was this past semester. I got to dig deep into Revelation and other End Times books. Exciting stuff!! :) 

[4] I met Arlene Schuiteman in June. She modeled an intimate love relationship with Jesus and has helped me realize that's the relationship that He desires with every one of His people. Do you understand that He is our Bridegroom!? She has also poured so much wisdom, advice, encouragement, affirmation, and loving care on my life. I love our friendship between a 21 year old and 88 year old. :)

[5] I got to go to San Diego, CA along with all around the area during a fun volleyball season. 

[6] I got to go to Chicago by MegaBus to visit Matt and his parents. Then I got to go to Washington to meet his whole family at Christmas.

[7] I got to go to Laos to visit sista Christa over Christmas break. I got to see Kirsten and Heather too!

[8] I've gotten to know my adorable nephews better. Brayden is downright hilarious. Noah never stops smiling. Both of them make me so happy and I'm so blessed to see them so often! :)

[9] I've gotten to go home many Sundays to spend time with my incredible family. Matt's been able to join this past semester too! :) Sundays are so great. I love my family.

[10] I got to see the HOME Building grow from the back of the old Wal-Mart building into what it is today. www.sc-home.org What a story!! :)

[11] I got to help out on Sunday nights at the Asylum in LeMars and meet some pretty cool people that are passionate about helping youth! I also got to pair that experience with a Youth Ministry class at Dordt this semester :)

[12] I got to go to YA-TEC #47 in February and finally got to experience what all the fuss is about! ;)

[13] I learned more leadership skills through a number of venues. God's given me boldness to be willing to use these where He sees fit.

[14] I started this blog and was a columnist for the Dordt Diamond. I got to experience God stretching me into just commenting on what others had to write to having enough courage/boldness to write my own ideas. :)

[15] I deepened friendships. I got to make new friendships. I made a whole lot more special acquaintances. 

[16] God taught me some pretty crucial things: *He rewards those who trust in Him. *the importance of deep roots in Him that never stop going deeper *to not be a people pleaser but a God-pleaser! 1 Thes. 2 *to stop trying to transform people and to realize that God does the transformation. My job is to keep my eyes focused on Him like a dove. *that faithfulness means being devoted to God even when I don't feel like it or feel Him near *that I can boldly come right into His presence (Hebrews 10:19-22) and definitely don't have to earn it--that's ridiculous!! :) 

See? I told you. Immeasurably more than all I could ever ask or imagine. 

And to think!!--God does all this and so much more to reveal how much He loves me. When I realize that God does everything He does to draw me closer to Him, I can't help but fall in love with Him and want to love Him right back. He has captivated my heart! :)

Here's my little encouragement for you to reflect on your own past year and ask God to help you remember what He's done for you and how He's transformed you. Every big and little thing you think of is because God wants to draw you closer.
I hope you can't help but fall in love with Him too. :)

Happy Birthday Becky! :)

To my sister [in-law] and birthday buddy!

B[eautiful] I don't think it's possible for Becky not to look beautiful. Even when she is wearing sweats, she's just simply cute. Likewise, I don't think it's possible for Becky not to act beautifully. I can tell she loves Jesus because she has His characteristics in her. She is Jesus to so many people.She is super patient with her kiddos--I can tell she really loves them. She laughs at all of Dad's jokes. She loves to ask me questions about my life and has a great listening ear.

E[nergetic]  Becky is a full-time stay-at-home Mom of two boys with another one on the way. I think she has a supernatural amount of energy to be able to do all that she does every day. She might say she's tired, but she never shows sign of it. Becky's laughter and smile always comes easily.

C[onsiderate] Becky is the best of us kids at gift-giving and card writing. The siblings have definitely stepped it up in remembering birthday gifts since Becky joined us. She's very thoughtful of others and sacrificially puts the needs of others before her--especially her kids.

K[empt] Becky is neat and tidy. Her house always looks so nice, but I think nearly every time I go there she says something like "Sorry it's not very clean." I think she's super-mom. :)

Y[ielding] as in flexible, submissive, and obedient. She fits really well in our family of girls that are relaxed and flexible. I can't remember ever having a run-in with her or her with anyone else in our family. Whoever said having in-law's is difficult?? :)