Abiding and praising

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord;
 my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise!  (Psalm 84:1-4 ESV)

I remember speaking in prayer class about how I saw myself and God working in my life, I was paired with this Psalm... The first four verses really spoke to me today;
As much as I've experienced of God in my life, and abiding in Him, dwelling in His presence is the most significant, meaningful, growing, amazing thing I've ever been privileged with. I wouldn't change the faith He's given me for the world.
But my soul also yearns, my flesh cries out. Not only from my own suffering, temptations and trials, but with a groaning alongside creation in anticipation of Gods coming kingdom, and my duty to aid that coming.
Verse 3 speaks particularly to my heart; even the sparrow has found a home. My life feels somewhat like that of a nomad, being place to place and not always feeling like I belong anywhere.. But if God is gracious enough to provide a home for her, however more so will God prepare a place for me! (Not that i really belong anywhere but with God, He still may use me to serve him in this earth). But A place close to him is blessed, as are those who dwell in His house; who abide in His presence... We are ever praising you Father.

Heart-throb Holiday.. Christ-in Christmas

It's been a long while since I posted anything here, and not for lack of thought or something to say, but for feeling inadequate in anything I could try to say. For we all fall short of the glory of God, but I'm so grateful for His grace.
He's worked in and through me in greater ways than I could imagine, teaching me, breaking me, remolding me. Through school, through friends, though travels and through struggles.

What do you struggle with?
How Do you see God?
How do you see yourself?

Having a right view of self and a right view of God are very important... and life shouldn't be focused on ourselves or our struggles.. but on Jesus. On God. On His Holy Spirit.
To be sanctified, transformed, renewed and revitalized into Christ's new creation so much that your world, the people in your life, see the difference in your heart, through your actions and attitude...
I'm sure many people have heard these things before... But as we're in full swing of the Christmas season, isn't it import to check ourselves? Definitely.

so to check myself... I'm a sinner. regardless of what I do, I NEED God's grace, and I can't do anything to forsake it or earn it; I just have to accept it with a humble repentant heart. sometimes that's hard to do...
I spent a week visiting in southern Alberta, and it was great; I got so see some great friends, make closer connections and try to let God's love shine through my words and actions. But I know I didn't make as much time for God as I should have.
Plus Christmas is a big time for family, and with me... sometimes it's very bittersweet.
My family doesn't reminisce or accept the glorious story of the birth of Jesus or the incredibly beautiful things God's placed before their very eyes. But my family is so beautiful, each of them uniquely created and wonderful.. and insanely crazy, in their own way. How could I not love them, regardless of the burden in my heart.
so my challenge for this week, this month, life, is to love people regardless of how hard it can be... because God chooses not to see the muddy marred awful versions of people, but His beautiful creation, a person who has potential to be an incredibly beautiful creation in Christ... they just need to be loved into the right spot for God to work in and soften their hearts.
Merry Christmas ya big softie.