Isaiah 61

" The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;

because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;

he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

' To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all that mourn;

' To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give them beauty for ashes, 

the oil of joy for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord,

that He might be glorified. 

' I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,

my soul shall be joyful in my God;

for He hath clothed me in salvation,

He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments,

and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

' For as the earth bringeth forth her bud,

and as the garden causeth the things sown in spring to bud forth;

so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations. "

 I know these verses above are lengthy, but they are what brought me much hope and comfort a few days ago as I read my Bible one morning. The last few weeks have been quite a struggle for me, a real war in my spirit and flesh. So many days I would feel depressed, weary, and sorrowful all day long. I'm sure everyone goes through time like that. I'd worry if not! =D Despite the struggle of feelings and thoughts sloughing about inside me I kept on trying to tell myself this was only for a season, that God was still with me no matter how alone I felt. Truly, He was and is. I am so very thankful! All those lying, negative feelings are but shadows now and I have victory in Jesus! 

 So. If anyone out there is having a rough time of it and feels like there is no hope and no way out, Jesus is calling. He wants to help you. He'll lift your burdens if you'll let him and trade them for peace and contentment. None else will satisfy but Jesus. It does not matter what you are battling. Jesus is the answer to everything!

 Here are the words to a little song my grandma wrote a long time ago. They have such truth in them. :

" I'm NOTHING Satan says I am,

and little of what others think I am,

so why should I let this influence me?

I'm cleansed, redeemed, and sanctified,

walking with the Lord in this evening time.

I'm EVERYTHING God's Word says I am. "

Amen!

New Seasons, New Beginnings

 While I know that it is not yet Fall, the arrival of September and a new school year brings to mind to many that a season's change is just around the corner. Technically, it is still Summer, and I'm glad. :) Things are beginning to slow down for me as far as going hither and yon, to and fro. My parents are more than secretly relieved, hahaha. I guess I am too, for I can begin to settle in and get some things done and truly relax and enjoy the tale end of Summer.
 My greatest accomplishment thus far has been that I finally got our Fall/Winter garden planted a few weeks ago and have more or less succeeded. Little green shoots are peeking out of the soil and I am proud and excited at my accomplishment. ( Well, my Mom's too, as she did help with research and set-up. :P )
 The biggest change, however, involves my dad. Every quarter at his work everyone gets to bid on routes and this time around he decided to try for a different route. Things have been rather rough-going where he was at and he was ready for a change. So, he got his bid, and as of yesterday he began working a  day shift!!! Now, to most that would be like, so what? big deal! Not so for us. This will be the first time, with a few short exceptions, that my dad has worked a day shift in twenty-two years - give or take. That is a  big deal!!! Admittedly, I was shocked he actually got his bid and it has been hard for me to get used to the idea of basically having his schedule - our schedule - reversed. In fact, I don't know if I know just what to think still, and here he is just about to get home from day two of his new shift. But, I can't complain too much because my mom is a pretty happy camper. Dad is too, since he's got a less-stressful route - which, in turn, makes it a bit less stressful for us at home. 
 Aaaannd....the saddest news for last. =( My camera is kaput. =( So, I won't be posting pictures of my own until I can conjure up a replacement. =( =( =( Which may not be for awhile. Bummer. Blah. Ugh. And all other similar noises of disgust. And yeah. End of story, end of post. =(

Ode to Fall

 I know this may seem silly, especially since Fall is not yet here. I tend to hold Fall in a mix of joy and anticipation - it's my favorite season. I was inspired to write a bit of a poem about Fall. ( Perhaps due to the fact that I'm reading the Anne books and she is always in rapture over the land and seasons. ) That is what may seem silly...the poem. BUT, I am going to be a brave soul and post it anyway, terrible though it may be. :D

 Fall is in the air again,
 Her fragrant breath upon us.
 She comes dressed in regal, royal splendor
 Such as no season e're did festoon.
 Warmth of summer has cooled,
 The crispness of Fall is here -
 Smokey, damp, musky too.

 Oh! The awe of golden-crimson leaves!
 They rustle and mingle with velvet green grass;
 They contrast sharp and wondrously with clear blue sky.
 Such beauty takes breath away,
 Yet beckons for to inhale deeply.
 Save the pleasant memory!
 Tuck it away for a cold, rainy, dismal Winter day.

 Fair Fall has slipped in again
 On the tails of Sweet Summer.
 Enjoy the perfection so as to hold through Winter.
 Fair Fall, I bid thee welcome!

Camp Time

 Hey there! I'm back! I've actually been home for a few days, but I've just been enjoying not having to do much of anything. However, the fun of that only lasts for a certain amount of time before you feel as though you must do something. Especially when I've been doing stuff almost constantly all summer.
 So, camp was incredible. The services, the activities, and the fellowship were wonderful. God really moved in the services and changed lives that had been so hard and resistant to the moving of the Spirit before. There was so much answered prayer and the worship and atmosphere was beautiful. I got to know people better and am happy to say I believe I've begun a life-long friendship with one of the girls from my cabin. God is good!
 Of course, as always when you've been a part of something so amazing as a youth camp, coming out and away from being around those of like-precious faith and the presence of God is difficult. I must confess that though I'm not struggling as much as I was, I am still battling things the enemy has been hounding me with since even before camp was totally over. It's such a let-down to go into camp feeling strong and victorious and to leave feeling a bit weary and pounded. Not from the Word or from those I was with, but with the fiery darts of the wicked one. So if you would dear friends and readers, please keep me in prayer as I battle my way through this time of trial.
 I must say that the key thing in times like these is to not let go of the Lifeline. I'm ashamed to say that I got so caught up with CBW camp and our church camp right after that I didn't truly keep in touch with God like I should have and that is part of why I was struggling so. I kept thinking to myself, " I'll have time when I get home. If I can just hold out until I get home. " That was NOT the right way to think. No matter how busy or weary, praying and reading the Word is first. Pushing yourself when you don't feel like it. Actually, those are the times when you can sometimes get the biggest blessing. Entering in when you are exhausted and don't feel like praying or reading. That's what happened friday night at camp. All of us were so tired, but we entered in and it was the best, most anointed service the whole camp.
 " We need faith for the time when the sun does not shine, and the mountaintop is just a memory. When there's no signs to be seen and you don't feel a thing, to the Word alone I must cling. I need faith for the day when troubles comes my way and I just don't understand what it means. That's when nothing else will do, faith alone will see me through, and believing becomes my victory! "
 Believing when believing isn't easy, that is the testing!
 No pictures this time my loves, I didn't take all that many and they didn't really turn out that well. :( So sorry.

To God be the Glory

 Hello! Here I am, on the eve of yet another trip, and I have things yet to do, but there are some things on my heart I wanted to share. Where am I off to this time? A youth camp in Washington. I've gone several times and although it is the only camp I have ever been to besides special services at my own church, I do believe it is my favorite camp! :) I think a lot of it is due to the fact that this camp has been life-changing for me. Last year I was re-baptized at the camp. I hadn't backslid, but I wanted to give unashamed testimony to all that God had done a work in me and to let the devil know that I belonged to God!
 As I write these things, I have such tender feelings welling up within me due to an email I received from a friend yesterday evening. I titled my post ' To God be the Glory ' because that is to Whom all praise and honor is due for her testimony.
 I don't see this friend very often because she lives quite a distance away. I saw her a few months ago and we had a fun time together. We email here and there. In my last email to her I shared some of the same things I shared here on my blog concerning what God has been doing in my life. I also told her about the song Clear the Stage. She wrote me back yesterday and said she was in tears over the song. It had really touched her. Then she said she wanted to tell me something. She told me that when we had seen one another she had been struggling and that she took note of my relationship with the Lord and it reminded her of where she used to be. God convicted her and she is now climbing higher! I was blown away with her heartfelt thanks that I shined for Christ. ME?! Needless to say, I hadn't tried to be anything. I was just living my life. Yet...God used me!
 I am not relating this for any accolades as to the events that took place. I am in absolute awe of how amazing God is! I had no idea anyone was watching my life or that God was so much on display. I always try my best to do all that is required of a Christian not because it is a requirement, but because I love Jesus. I think that is how many of us believers are. Though we strive to do the will of Christ, so much of it is subconscious. So take courage! You may not even feel like you are much of a Christian or that you are not much of a blessing or testimony, but Christ living through you in your subconscious words and actions speak volumes!
 I probably won't post for awhile. As soon as I am done at camp I will be busy with prep for our church's family camp next weekend. So, Lord Bless you all!

My Apologies!

 I am SOOOO sorry everyone! I have tried time and time again not only several times this week, but also several time today, to upload/post pictures from Alaska. It's not been cooperating! I'm totally frustrated and beginning to wonder if I'm even supposed to put up pictures. So. I have compromised GREATLY and have narrowed it down to...what? FIVE?! Whoa... I originally had 16! I think part of my problem was that it was taking too long to load that many and blogspot was just not able to handle it. 

Me and Amelia!
( Otherwise known as 'Milia, Millie, Mia, or Mil....depending on who is calling her =D )

The Carlson Family!
Chris, Jennifer, Martha ( Mattie ), Nathan, Josie, & 'Milia
Note: Nathan does NOT usually have hair like that, lol. He was sweaty and Mia fluffed it up. =P
Not my pref. Hahaha

Ahhhhh, the astounding, beautiful mountains of AK!

New Friends! Sisters: Samantha & Tiffany. LOVE! =)
( Wish I had a better pic though...this ones kinds awkward, lol =D )

Alaska: Land of the Midnight Sun.
( This really was taken at close to midnight! Probably 11:30 or so. )

Idols and Challenges

 Going to Alaska and living the way I did for two weeks really changed my perspective in a lot of ways. Though there were a few things I don't personally agree with as far as what the people there do and how they believe, there were also many things that they do and believe that I'd never even thought of before in my Christian walk.
 There is an artist my friend really likes that I don't care for, except for one song. That song has turned my world. The original writer of the song is a man named Ross King, but the man who sings it that I heard is Jimmy Needham. The song is called Clear the Stage. For some reason I can't get it to download so that I can post it on here, so I would like to strongly encourage that you go listen to it on YouTube before you keep reading my post. Otherwise, it just won't mean as much to you.
 Idols. Anything I put before God, anything I want with all my heart, anything I can't stop thinking of, anything I give all my love IS AN IDOL. Wow. Why worship something that's not even worth it? Wow. The whole entire song wows me. The first time I heard it I wanted to run off somewhere private and cry out on my knees to God for forgiveness and mercy. It is a life changing song, a song that will continually challenge me all my life.
 Then I get home and I have this book waiting for me at the library. So I go pick it up and started reading it last night. Again, I say WOW. Goes right along with not only what I've learned about living while in AK, but what the song talks about. Titled ' Almost Amish ' by Nancy Sleeth, the  books talks about this woman ( and her family's ) journey to living a more simple, God-honoring life. I highly, highly recommend this book. Although I would not want or be able to do all that these people have done to de-standardize their way of living, it is yet another challenge to me. So much of what she brings to light in her book is from the Bible. I can see it plain as day, though I never did before. Or maybe I just never thought of it in the way she expounds. More homework: if you really want to get at what I'm saying so I don't have to write the whole book out for you, read it!
 Through all these things, I have been really convicted about my life. Do I have idols? Have I put anything before God? Do I think of Him first each day and last every night - and every moment in between - or what is gonna happen next in the book I'm reading? Do I want a future life as a wife and mother more than a future in Heaven with Him? Do I think of certain people or circumstances more than Him and how He wants me to handle things and what will bring Him honor and glory - not my own? Do I love the idea of God and His wonders and the beauty of His creation or anything else - people, things, etc... - more than Him? Do I live conscience of what I say and what I do and how it will affect others, myself and if it pleases the Lord? Is my heart cluttered with things I need to ask forgiveness for? Things I need to forgive? Is my room, my home, filled with too much that is being kept for no apparent purpose? What do I use? What do I really need? How much do I have laying around forgotten and unused taking up unnecessary space?
 These questions and more have been filling my mind. Take a tally of your lives, I challenge you now. What are you doing? Where will it take you? How much will a pleasure for today cost you tomorrow? I know these are not the things most teens and young adults think of. I don't care if I'm odd. I don't want to be consumed with the things of this world that will not matter in the next. Having fun and using the good things of this life are certainly okay, if you are careful they do not consume more time than you really have to give.
 It's okay to slow down and live simple. I want to try to not use my computer every day, and on the days I do, not for more than an hour or two at the most. I want to learn more skills. Give more time to my Lord and my family. Read more books that are about real things that really happened instead of ones that just mess with my emotions and don't make my life better in some way. I want to clear my head of all the constant buzzing of " gotta do this, gotta do that " and not be a slave to my thoughts of what " has to " be done. What about you?