Rapture?

The prophecy that we'd all be raptured or that the world would end yesterday obviously didn't pan out. But I was thinking about the word rapture. It means captivated, excited, happy. And yet as Christians how often are we that about Christ's return? We think of all we need to do here on earth, and the cares of this life pile up and over power. I'm learning to be in raptures about Jesus. That's what He wants. And even if we don't meet Jesus in the clouds of thousand years more, I'll still be in raptures, knowing that I love Him and He loves me, and I'll get to be with Him for eternity(not rhyme intended)....
And too, knowing that Jesus is coming back eventually puts the fear of God in me to be a bolder witness to those that don't believe yet. I'm praying for them. 

Open those curtains!!!

I've been busy lately, doing nothing. How ironic right? Reading books, watching movies, painting, lazing around the house. It's nice in a way, because I know in a few short weeks I'm going to go from doing nothing to not having a moment of rest. But I was thinking about it last night and I felt God press on my heart that all the time I spend being entertained, I could be talking to Him or spending time with Him. I've been told that I'm easily entertained and I know it's true. But if it's true then why do I spend all my time looking at things that don't really entertain me? When I know I could go outside and spend an hour and half just looking at my yard and seeing the birds and plants with eyes that appreciate God's creation. But instead I bury my head in a book, or waste my time on the internet and thus miss out on beauty that I only have a couple weeks left to enjoy. (Yes, I'm on the internet right now, yes, I'm getting off as soon as I finish:)). I keep saying I want to treasure this time before I leave and yet I spend my time doing nothing. It's like..... Having a house full of windows but closing all the curtains. I want to see out. And I want to praise God for what I see. Look outside! It's a beautiful world:)

Oh, so Criminal

I dearly love a good book, but I've realized something. As much as all girls love traipsing off into fantasy land, dreaming of a knight in shining armor and kisses that knock you to your toes..... They're not too good for emotional health. Discontentedness is a crime in my mind, and I can't count how many times I've been the criminal. And how wrong too, when so many others don't have what I have and long for even just a slice of the pie I eat generously from.(Speaking of life in general and wealth, not knights in shining armor;))

Girls are prone to long for men to fill the void in their souls, and dreamers even more so. I read an interesting tidbit on the lazy afternoon that made me think. I don't know about you, but I'm in the habit of pushing into things that are better left off brought about by God's sweet, slow timing. The comment that made me think was that girls too often try to find Mr. Right and in so doing, waste their years, not accomplishing what they could be. Not fulfilling the desires and goals God has placed in their hearts for just such a season. I don't want to be like that. I don't want to be a waster of time. I've done it before, and it always brings regret. When I move back to the States I want to do the things that God has laid on my heart to do. And not worry about the things I dearly love worrying about.

God keeps reminding me to trust Him. And I'm learning that although life is never safe, it's always worth it. If you're having trouble, take heart, Dear One. There's always one above, loving, cheering, and singing over us.

Thoughts

I'm taking my senior trip to the bush tomorrow, so I won't be posting til Saturday. But I wanted to share something.
I was reading in Matthew, where John the Baptist is in prison and he sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is really the Messiah. And Jesus tells John's disciples to tell John what they see. That the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf here, and people's lives are changed. Jesus then tells them to say "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." It struck me that we often get stuck in ruts and start to ask God questions that we already know the answers to. John know that Jesus was Messiah. But it's like he wanted to remind Jesus,"Hey I'm here!! You know, in prison??? What's going on out there?" And Jesus doesn't even give him an answer. He just says, "Look at what I'm doing, and there is your answer." I've asked God why, what, and when so many times I feel like I could burst, and He reminded me through this scripture, "Look at what I'm doing. And be content."
Have a glorious day!