Rain

Today after school as I was sitting mindlessly on Facebook, I heard a roar from outside. "Is that rain?" I hollered to my mother in the living room. "Yep." She replied. I walked into the room she was in and stared out the large windows at millions of gallons of water falling from the sky. As Mom tried to find the weather channel, I said, "Be right back." and slipped outside. There, standing in front of my car in the garage, barely shielded from the rain, I witnessed liquid pound from the heavens with such a force I've never seen. It was amazing. I knew God was trying to show me something. His power. His marvelous strength and wrath. I smiled and looked up and the gray above from which the rain fell. Awestruck. For some reason the power of this rainstorm spoke to me. And then, as soon as it came, it left; leaving my driveway and yard drenched and strewn with leaves. 

I stepped out into the wetness and my feet felt the cool water. I heard millions of little pitter-patters of drops falling from the trees. I saw the long slap of concrete leading to the road laden with gold leaves. I looked around silently noting all the little details left over from the rain. Leaves, water, freshness. And ever since I had stepped outside I had been quietly singing to myself, "You makes things new, You are making me new". This made me smile again. I kinda walked in a little circle then looked up and saw the sun shining brilliantly through the clouds and trees. The light was golden and hopeful. I walked up my driveway toward it and stared. God showing me His glory. I stood like a little girl being shown all the treasure in the world. Innocent. Amazed. Then I turned and looked back at the messy driveway and yard behind me. Suddenly it looked beautiful. Like perfectly placed chaos. Such contrast mixed together painted beauty. The dazzling yellow leaves hung above me and lie below me. The tree trunks were dark from wetness. The air was moist. Everything wet. Everything beautiful. Everything screaming God. It was all proclaiming who He is. It all cried out, including my own heart, "You make things new, You are making me new". 

It was a majestic moment. It was as if the heavens were opened and I was revealed true beauty. God's beauty. And then, all at once, I was content. Perfectly, abundantly, endlessly content. It didn't matter what happened next. It didn't matter who or what was going to walk into my life at any second. God was in control and He made that known to me. And that is one of the most comforting facts known to man. 

Now I know I may seem way too dramatic about this all, but God isn't simple. He is intricate and brilliant and dramatic and complex. He makes little things awesome. And bland things savory. He is an amazing God.

With love for Him.

Yours truly,

SD

The rest of my thoughts

Sorry about that, guys. I had to get off very abruptly and didn't have time to close or anything. So anyway, back to where we were.... let me think out loud for a second. I explained my missing a friend, I discussing my extreme case of writer's block, so... that leaves me at... my thoughts today.

Today, I think, will be a good day. The only homework I have left to do is studying for a Geo test and I woke up singing Beloved by Tenth Avenue North in my head. It's rainy but that's ok because I love the rain. :) The leaves all around my house are either a rustic, dirty-looking yellow (beautiful if you ask me) or a dark, deep red with a slight hint of brown coming through. It's like a color wonder-land. If only the weather would get cooler! I am ready for chilly days and frigid nights. I ready to see the huge water bowl for our outside animals freeze over in the morning and I'm ready to anticipate snow even though it rarely comes. But we have a long time to wait for that. 

I'm also excited for this summer. I am going to Puerto Rico!!! This is the first time my church has gone on World Changers and it be to such an exotic place. Lately they've gone to Alaska, Brunswick, GA and places like that. But this isn't a state of America, it's a territory. That's way different. Haha ;) I need to get good at speaking Spanish so that I can impress the people we're working for. 

Oh, and if you don't know what World Changers is, it's when you go (normally with your church) to some place (like I said, it varies) and work for the people there. Commonly you would do roofing or painting or something like that. So, it's like construction. And you get food and lodging usually from a church at your location. The people always appreciate it and it can be a great way to reach out and share Christ. I'm super excited. :)

So... yeah. That's just about it. My thoughts are a lot more cheerful today than they were yesterday. :) Guess that's a good thing. Thank you, Jesus. :) 

With love for Him.

Yours truly,

SD

It's been awhile...

I've been having thoughts lately. Lots of thoughts. I decided I needed to write them out somewhere and since I've never been able to keep a journal in my life, I thought, why not share it with you? So here we go.

Recently (as in, since just a few minutes ago) I realized a really miss this person from my old school. Let's call him... Dud. Yes, Dud. Just go with it. Anyway, Dud used to always make my day, everyday. Even if I only went to school three days a week, things he'd post as statuses on Facebook would make me laugh. Something about him is different. He's a dork. A huge dork. But he's a genuine dork. A genuine dork with a genuine heart. And ever since the very beginning, I could tell there was something different about him. Even when everyone was talking about how weird he was, I knew there was something there, though I kept that to myself. And now, I see him posting inside jokes and pictures from costume parties at the school, and it gets me down thinking that I'm not there to laugh at him anymore. I'm not there to watch him to stupid stuff and say the most random, and funny things you'd ever hear. And I guess that's just the way it is. I mean I'm not depressed and I'll move on very soon, but I'll also still miss Dud. I guess that'll be ok. 

Another thought is this nagging question that has been torturing me lately: Why can't I write? I've been trying to think of something to write about but I forget or am completely un-inspired. It worries me. Writing is my stress-reliever, my comfort zone. No matter what school I go to or who I hang out with, I can always write. But I'm losing my touch. I haven't written in... oh, weeks if not months. It's awful. But then there's school, and tons of ROC meetings and then I'm just plain tired and feel like doing nothing.

Thoughts to be continued later... 

(sorry for the suspense)

With love for Him.

Yours truly,

SD

Songs that speak

Love of my life
Look deep in my eyes
There you will find what you need
Give me your life
Lust and the lies
The past you're afraid I might see
You've been running away from me

You're my beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
It binds you to me
It's a mystery

Love of my life
Look deep in my eyes
There you will find what you need
I'm the giver of life
I'll clothe you in white
My immaculate bride you will be
Oh come running home to me yeah 

You're my beloved
Lover I'm yours
And death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
and it binds you to me yeah now now

Well you've been a mistress, my wife
Chasing lovers it won't satisfy
Won't you let me make you my bride
You will drink of my lips
And taste new life

You're my beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
My Love it unites us
it binds you to me

You're my beloved
Forever we'll be
My love it unites us
And it binds you to me
It's a mystery

 ~ Beloved by Tenth Avenue North

I love this song so much! This is exactly what God's trying to say to us. This is exactly what He's trying to make us realize. He is more than a Lord, more than a powerful Ruler. Yes He holds the universe and will judge everyone and punish those who refuses Him with a holy wrath, but He is also a compassionate Lover who longs and desires you.  This is what He wants everyone to understand.

Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough?
To where will you go child?
Tell me where will you run?
To where will you run?
 

Cause I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

(Chorus 2x)

~ By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North

Another wonderful one. This is another message from God. He'll always be with us. Even when we can't feel Him or we feel like He's distant, He's never left our side. I love the second verse. It's like a father gently admonishing his child trying to run away. Where will you go, child? he says. You cannot flee from Him. 

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
And weakness or trial or pain
There is faith proved more worth than gold
So refine me lord through the faith

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conquerer and co-heir with Christ
So fill my his promise ill stand

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have reason to worship

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and he is here

And this is my prayer in the harvest
And favor and Providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empties again
The seed I receive I will sow

~ Desert Song by Hillsong United

This song is a little different from the other two. This one isn't from God, it's our prayer to God. This should be our attitude constantly. There is a verse for every situation and in every situation you praise God. One part I especially love is the bridge: "All of my life, in every season, You are still God. And I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship." And it's so true. You could be held captive in North Korea being tortured for being a Christian and still you have a reason to sing and worship God because He loves you and He died for you. It's such an honor to be persecuted for Christ, though I could hardly imagine myself bearing that. And so we have a reason to sing and worship and be thankful because here in America, we are so blessed. 

Sorry this has been a long entry. These songs are long, but they are my favorites (especially the first one). So I don't know if you care about my opinion on these songs but they mean a lot to me. So there you go. :)

With love for my Lord.

Yours truly,

SD

A time for laughing, a time for reflecting, a time for relaxation

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Ah... it's so nice to be up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. :) I am very tired right now so I may keep this short. I really want to tell you guys about my big idea but I don't know how long I'll last. So I'll just keep going and we'll see how far I get.

Anyway, yes this weekend I'm in Blue Ridge. I'm staying at this cute cabin we're renting along with my Aunt Lori and two of her friends. It's been pretty good so far I've just been sleepy all day and these ladies just talk and talk and talk either about people I don't know or weddings (which, I've been sick of weddings since my sister's in June). So I've been a little bored and quiet but I'm sure it'll be a fun weekend none the less.

The view off the porches is great. It's not like we're at the very peak of the highest mountain in Georgia or anything, but there are several mountains in front of us that create a lovely scene. It's actually a little chilly up here, too, so that makes me very happy. :)

Um... there's not much else to say about the cabin or the mountains. One of these days this weekend, I want to get up early and see the sunrise while doing my Bible study. I think that could be a beautiful moment.

Ok, I'm still awake so I'll tell yall about my idea. So as you may or may not know, at my school, the chapel is very... sad. Not emotionally... just, pitifully. I don't feel like going into it so if you want to know more about it just email me (sdobbie123@aol.com). But anyway, so it's been killing me. I mean, driving me so far up the wall my head's about to bump the ceiling. So God's given me this idea: start a Student Leadership Team.

A Student Leadership Team would...
    - come up with new things to do in chapel (in a way, be partially in charge of chapel)
    - help start a student band to lead worship for chapel sometimes
    - be there for students to come and talk to and we could pray for them
    - host spiritually growing events (example: Disciple Now)
Any many more.

I really think it's a good idea. It'd only be for high school and we would have a few representatives from each grade. We'd have meetings and set a goal for the school spiritually. This school could do so much better. It's like they don't even care if their students dread "chapel fridays". I think God could move powerfully in this school if someone would just stepped out and speak for Him.

So I'm praying about it and I think I'll suggest it to the headmaster soon via email. So if you would be so kind, I'd appreciate your prayers about it. ;)

Well, there's my idea and there's my recent news. I'm gonna go to bed now because I'm so sleepy (plus I got a cold). I may write another post later this weekend. Enjoy the cooler weather!

With love for my Lord.

Yours truly,
SD