The Meaning Behind the Title

Returning to the Cross... the title of my blog may seem curious to some. But to me and my sisters, it is unique to me, and significant in this last year of my life. As I mentioned in my blog about growth, I had a lot of struggles last year, and in talking (or rather listening) with my older sis, Cassie, she described to me something very insightful, and very profound to me. She described that in order to find complete redemption and reconciliation from sin we must return to the cross, because that is where it all happened for those of us who believe. It was there that Christ' blood was poured out for us, sacrificially; it was there that He said, "It is Finished!"; it was at the foot of the Cross that I was given new birth. At the cross, my sins were taken away and removed for eternity. Then Cassie shared with me and incredible song that led me to the title of my blog. Here is the song: Lead Me to the Cross, by Hillsong

"Savior I come, quiet my soul remember, redemptions hill, where Your blood was spilled, for my ransom, everything I once held dear, I count it all as lost, Lead me to the cross, where Your love poured out, Bring me to my knees, Lord I lay me down, rid me of myself, I belong to You, Lead me, Lead me to the Cross, You were as I, tempted and trialed, You are, the word became flesh, bore my sin and death, now your risen, Everything I once held dear, I count it all as lost, Lead me to the cross, where Your love poured out, Bring me to my knees, Lord I lay me down, rid me of myself, I belong to You, Lead me, Lead me to the Cross..."

It's amazing, and probably one of my favorite songs!!!

Also, ever since I heard the story of the Footprints in the Sand, I have loved it. I especially love the impact of the statement when Christ says, "It was then that I carried you..." because it reminds me that even in the hard times, God is ever present and with me! He will never leave me, and as I return to the cross to be cleansed once again, He will be there carrying me.

Blessings, Lindsey <><

wor·ship: (wûr'shĭp) n. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity;

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. -Psalm 100:2
The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior! -2 Samuel 22:47
I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders. -Psalm 9:1

Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. -Psalm 33:2

A Heart that Hears

Sometimes I feel like I am all alone, like I am crying out and not being heard. But, recently I find myself just listening. I love days that seem still, when the wind blows and you can hear it in the leaves, and faintly, if you listen closely, you can hear the birds. I experienced one of these days recently while I was at school. I was leaving one building and walking to the next, when I felt a sense of peace come over me, I just stopped for a second, closed my eyes, and listened. In that moment I wished there was someone with me to share in that beauty and joy. I sensed the presence of the Lord about me.
But, I am also in a time of wrestling. I feel like Jacob as he wrestled with God, except I am wrestling about my future; about what God's will in my life is. I read through one of Cassie's blogs about the will of God and walking in it. She put it like this, "so often I get caught up in WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD ??? I forget to just be in it! The silence is deafening, and the cry of my heart pierces the night, but when I choose to quiet these things and let my PAPA, my ABBA God love me...my heart melts." This so describes how I feel... I am longing to be in the will of God, and to have a heart that hears from Him, but in the quieting of my heart, I sometimes forget what I am listening for. The options I have tend to distract me, and I lose focus of just resting in Him, and waiting for His perfect timing. Because God never messes up... His timing and will is always perfect and how can I even begin to ask that He meet my will, when His is so much greater than mine. Matthew 6:26 says, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?" This just exemplifies the fact that hello, the God of the universe cares even for the small birds, how much more for those who are made in His image! I have no need to be anxious, but must cast all of my anxiety on Him, because He cares for me. His yolk is easy and His burden is light. And as Paige says, "Seek wise council, trust God and smile BIG because He's got it all planned out and MAN I hope it's a wild ride!!!"
My heart still longs to hear His tender voice, but my spirit is at peace because I know that what is said in Jeremiah is true of me too. He has a HOPE and a FUTURE for me, not of destruction, but of prosperity. And I am confident in this, that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
May His ever tender voice speak to you in new ways, and His peace be like arms about you.
-Linds <><


May you find that quiet place.......

Be Thou My Vision

Growth

Growth... it's something that happens to everyone in various ways. Some grow taller, or smarter, or older. The last few months I have been growing physically (somehow I am nearly as tall as Jeremiah, and just as tall as Gregg), but one of the ways I like to grow is in my relationship with Christ. That is also something that has been taking place in the last few months.
Last year was good in many ways, but also challenging in many ways. It was a year of consequences, some good, some not-so-good. But, through it all I have learned that God is with me and no one can snatch me from His hand. When I was rejoicing at our families decision to adopt three beautiful children from Ghana, God was rejoicing with me! When I was crying over the poor choices I had made, God was crying even more! He has seen my struggles, and has seen my triumphs. Though growth is sometimes hard, and we are confused and tend to ask God "why this?" or "why now?", in the end we want to be healthy fruit. Without pruning and fertilization, it is hard to grow, and God uses people and circumstances to bring that about in our lives. One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mocker, But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever he does prospers." It really speaks to me, and helps me to realize that there are blessing to walking in righteousness!!! And how important it is to meditate on the Word.
So, I encourage you to allow God to prune away the things in your life that are hindering growth, even when it hurts, because eventually you will begin to see the blossoms and buds of good fruit! I have found this true in my own life, and God is so faithful in using your fruit too.
Lastly, I am so excited for the growth in my family as we add Jacob, Sarah, and Rachel to our household! We found out today that my parents will be traveling within the next two weeks to Ghana to pick them up! Yay!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!


My prayer is that we may all continue to grow in the Lord and in His mighty power! Many blessings in each of your adventures and journeys with God!

~Lindsey <><

Welcome to my blog!

So, as my parents and siblings have gotten blogs, I think I should join the movement. And, I want to express my heart, as I feel led. So, here is my first blog entry and I guess the first thing I will share is my worldview. I had to do this for an assignment at Dream Realization School (a school I am attending at my church).

"My worldview is that which positions me to see the world as I do; to process information the way I do, and to interpret life as I do. I have been challenged in my beliefs and questioned on my motives, but what causes me to make the decisions I do comes from aligning my life with the Word of God. At times, I have been blinded by the enemy and have made decisions based on the desires of the flesh. But, though this battle wages, I strive toward viewing everything through the eyes of my heavenly Father, who made everything. This alignment causes me to hate the innocent murder of children through abortion, to mourn at the sight of people dying from preventable causes, to cringe at the immorality of teenagers, and to be absolutely blown away by the miracles that God continues to perform day after day."

Well, I hope to express my heart and thoughts as the Lord leads me to. May this be the journey of a devoted walk with Jesus in which He carries me!

Lindsey <><