Get up and rejoice! : )

Mark 10:47-49~
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you."


(I don't know why I got so stuck on these verses...I know that we're supposed to cry out to God - He already knows everything we're going through, but He wants us to exercise our free will and approach His throne of grace with confidence. But I also wonder if there aren't times that we're still crying out and don't even realize that He was already calling us...hm.) Plus, he (Bartimeus) was still blind when he got up to go to Jesus - he didn't sit there and say, 'Nope, I'm not moving until I can see where I'm going.' He chose to follow Jesus' voice and trust that his healing would be there.
v50~And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.
:) ah, I LOVE it! Let's throw off the sin that has us all tangled up in ourselves and pursue what God has in store!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)


2 Corinthians 13:11~
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

(rejoice! I love that we finish that heavy letter of 2 Corinthians, and then you just get to rejoice at the end :)
I'm praising God for the chance to keep that in mind, as TOMORROW, is the beginning of the end. (hahaha, not reeeeally) But, I can definitely see the light at the end of the Chattahoochee Tech tunnel...I've been ready to move onto my next school for a while now, but God has been gracious to shift my perspective and cause me to praise Him for this season...lots of lessons were learned that will stick with me for quite some time - praise the Lord!

ha, I was also brought to this appropriate entry in Jesus Calling yesterday:
Stop trying to work things out before their times have come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda. If it isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life: a time for everything, and everything in it's time.

Father, let my remaining time at this school be used to share Your light, further Your Kingdom...let me see others first through Your eyes, not my own judgement. thank you, Holy Spirit, for giving me Your words, Your response for any circumstances I find myself in...just, MORE of You and less of me!
So excited to see how God is going to move over the next 10 weeks and beyond...=)

Happy Birthdayyyyyyy!!

to: my brother, Sam-a-lam! =D
I love it: 24 = "never ending sodaaaa!"
But if you'll notice (totally unintentional placement), 25 = a massive metal weight?
hehe, do with it what you will!

Observe people who are good at their work—
skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
they don't take a backseat to anyone.
-->Proverbs 22:29, the Message

I love you, Sammy!!!

Gentle boldness

*Disclaimer: this is totally and completely preaching to myself. If it sparks something within you - bless God, amen! =)

Just wondering, have you allowed God to lavish you with His love this week?
Or has He already lavished you, and you haven't even realized it?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
~ 1 John 3:1


Let God speak to you. Seek His face. Ask Him to speak to you (slash, open up your Bible and it's gonna happen!).
Wait upon Him. Let HIM renew your strength - it's exhausting trying to build yourself up all the time (slash, you could just be puffing yourself up with knowledge/pride).

"Lord, I want more of You
Holy Spirit, rain down on me
Lord, I need more of You
Living breath of Life, come and fill me up"


Be excited and expectant about what God has for you in the future, but thank Him for today. Praise the Lord that He is so gracious to break down our lives into 24-hour segments...we couldn't handle more than that!
If you're feeling lackadaisical, just lacking purpose - serve someone. Quit focusing on yourself, look around, and see who God has waiting for you to go and bless.

latest contemplation/revelation: Gentleness can be bold.
I'm not a timid person, but I greatly value calm, peace and simply being nice. However, it also says in Proverbs that "the righteous are as bold as a lion." I know that I'm righteous by the blood of Jesus, but am I choosing to walk in the boldness that He's given me/called me to? But gentleness is also part of the fruit of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit can definitely be bold. As I'm wrestling through this, I asked my mom (of course!) for some perspective/answermyquestionsforme,thanks. She pointed out that in this current age - being gentle IS bold.

GENTLE (courtesy of Google):

• Someone who is gentle is kind, mild, and calm.
• Gentle actions or movements are performed in a calm and controlled manner, with little force.
• If you describe the weather, especially the wind, as gentle, you mean it is pleasant and calm and not harsh or violent.
• A gentle slope or curve is not steep or severe.
• A gentle heat is a fairly low heat.
• Synonyms: compassionate, genial, disciplined, pliable, tender, noble (as in, being of noble birth...as in, a daughter/son of the living God!)

BOLD (yes, Google again):

• Someone who is bold is not afraid to do things which involve risk or danger.Someone who is bold is not shy or embarrassed in the company of other people.
• A bold color or pattern is very bright and noticeable.
• Bold lines or designs are drawn in a clear, strong way.
• Bold is print which is thicker and looks blacker than ordinary printed letters.
• Synonyms: brave, vivid, adventurous, courageous, fearless, undaunted, valiant

geez. I'm so thankful for how God creates fusions. (and then opens up my eyes to see it!)






Take my will and make it thine
It shall be no longer mine
...
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee

Reason #5,000 to love my little sister

(We're currently reading through Mark, and these are her thoughts from today's chapter)

Mark 5:39-40a ~ He went in to them and said, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep." But they all laughed at him.

We need to trust God, because doubting would be like laughing in His face.
Love ya!

Well then...if that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will.

haha, this is for Gilberto

This chicken goes into a library and says to the Librarian, "Bawk" in a high pitched chicken's squawk. The librarian looks down, says "Oh, you want a book?", and gives the chicken a book. The chicken walks out the door with the book but is back in five minutes, drops the book in front of the Librarian, and says "Bawk, bawk." The Librarian says, "Oh, you want two books?" and gives the chicken two books. The chicken walks out the door with the two books. Five minutes later, the chicken is back, drops the books in front of the Librarian, and says, "Bawk, bawk, bawk." The Librarian says, "Oh, you want three books now?" and gives the chicken three books. The chicken walks out with the three books. This time the Librarian follows the chicken to see where the chicken is going. The chicken walks down to the pond below the Library and drops the books, one at a time, in front of a big bull frog. The frog looks at the books as they drop and says, in his deep bullfrog voice, "Red-it, red-it, red-it."

source
=]

TGI Wednesday

Thankful for: Mark (the book), my Mom, Jayme (b/c I want to grow up and be like her ;), Ashly (for being excited :), the 2nd cup of coffee, three year olds that sing about socks, a sneak preview of this weekend's sermon, annnnd the list goes on... =]

ha, I wonder how weird it seems that I suddenly have so much to say? Except I don't think it's all of a sudden, because I have three full journals from 2009 that would indicate otherwise. I'm so grateful for Mark 4 today, because it's helping settle this quandary for me...

²¹And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure or under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand?
²²[Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known. ~(Mark 4:21-22, AMP)

*muchas gracias to Jayme, for pointing out that this is a season of writing =) I've tucked away His promises in my heart for quite some time, and He is causing it to spill out now.
It's also a season to increase my prayer life/habits. From Dutch Sheets, to Beth Moore, to Sarah Young, to my small group, to my dance company, to my co-workers - God has ceased to be subtle! Fortunately, journaling can also be coupled with prayer...which, a lot of the time when I'm writing it turns into praying, but I'm not being intentional, specifically praying about something in particular. (haha! Did that make any sense? It looks so vague..) hm, God must mean it when He says to pray continually.

PLUS! Encouragement from my Streams in the Desert today (via my amazing Mom):

God places Himself within our reach through His promises, and when we can actually say to Him, "You have said," He cannot say no. God must do as He has said.

Jesus desires that we would be very specific in our requests, asking for something definite. "What do you want me to do for you?" (Matt. 20:32) is the question He asks everyone who comes to Him during trials and affliction. Make your requests earnestly and specifically, if you desire definite answers. It is the aimlessness of prayer that accounts for so many seemingly unanswered prayers. Be specific in your petitions. Fill out your check for something definite, and it will be cashed at the bank of heaven when it is presented in Jesus' name. Dare to be specific with God.

"I seem to see more clearly how all the peace, happiness and power of the Christian life hinges on one thing. That one thing is taking God at His word, believing He really means exactly what He says, and accepting the very words that reveal His goodness and grace, without substituting other words or changing the precise moods and tenses He had seen fit to use."

God has been faithful to point out how I've been able to trust Him absolutely in certain areas of my life, but then choose to waver in the midst of other circumstances. (ie, 'God, of course you can heal my body, but there's no way You can get me through this quarter of school!') Yikes. How prideful to think that a season God Himself ordained, is too much for Him to handle...thank the Lord for daily (shoot, hourly!) grace, because I can get so sick of myself!

This I know, that God is for me.
¹⁰In God, whose word I praise,
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
¹¹in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me?

¹²I must perform my vows to you, O God;
I will render thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered my soul from death,
yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
~Psalm 56

Believe it - God is for you!
And to pursue this calling to pray specifically...

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
~Philippians 1:9-11 (The Message)

=) Doesn't that just make you smile?
Pass it on; pray it over someone else.

Relentless

Your love is relentless
And I'm glad for it, I'm glad for it
Your love is relentless
I am glad

Your love is relentless
And if not for it, if not for it
I'd perish for sure
If not for it
~Birmingham (We Are Safe), DC*B

Lately, my Father has been reminding me of how terribly fond of me He is. How His Love is unstoppable, unchangeable, overflowing, neverending...and lots more DC*B songs, haha.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.~~Ephesians 5

Wow...thank you, Lord, for even more encouragement/confirmation to keep sharing Your Word - it's just the intended, natural overflow from a Spirit-filled life! =D

Recording my testimony went well - there are some pretty awesome people at McDonough Christian Church, woohoo! Of course, it's slightly varied from the massive amount of thoughts/notes that I had pulled together, but I think that's inevitable when "the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say" (Luke 12:12).
But something that God so sweetly revealed to me on the drive down there - for years, I was walking around just carrying the shield of Faith by itself...only playing defense. It's really over the past year that He has taught me how to wield the sword of the Spirit, how to play offense (take dominion) in addition to defense. Especially when you go through a season of jumping from doctor to doctor and hear all of their diagnoses - you have to know where God's diagnosis comes in and combats their opinions.
I am so grateful that we've been led to wise doctors with helpful intentions, but we still have to take what the world is saying and contrast it to what God has already said. I know that's why at 15 years old I knew meds were not the answer, but now at 20, (at least for this season) I'm getting to experience God work through medicine, as well. If nothing else, I know He's using me every single month I visit that office to simply smile at some weary people...Lord, please let it be You that they see; remind them of how much higher Your thoughts & ways are than our own.
(Also, why in the world am I still talking about my health so much? praise God, time to let my words be few..)

Let hope rise
And darkness tremble
In Your Holy Light
That every eye will see
Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised

Thank you Father, for having purposes that are so much bigger than me, plans that affect the lives of more people than I could ever realize...ah! thank You for keeping me in a state of continual amazement - You are worthy to be praised!

Transparency

So, I have the privilege of sharing part of my testimony on Good Friday this year. (ohh, how He shoves us!) I'm loving how it's when I'm doing something with Refuge that God wants me to get OUT of my comfort zone and share His truth/love like that. I'm so thankful to be part of a group of people that know the right times to encourage and prod...I just love how the Holy Spirit works like that. =] Being transparent and being specific are apparently two traits that I still need to practice...because I keep receiving opportunities to be active in sharing my faith! woohoo! I tend to brush off what I've actually gone through and jump straight to all of the amazing truths that God has written on my heart...they are profound and wonderful realities, but I can't deny the fact that God is glorified in and from my weaknesses. (and there are PLENTY of them! hallelujah!)

Since I have to go and record this testimony later today and I need to gather my thoughts for it, I figured I may as well share right here what's going on...I have no clue who will be seeing the finished product, so why not share the process here? Right? Awesome.

1) Who are you? Please tell me your name and give me a little background of your life.

I'm Emily Seibert, and I'm here 1) by the grace of God, and 2) with Refuge Dance Company. Over this past year in particular, my natural family, spiritual family and Refuge family have all been significant sources of accountability, encouragement, and prayer covering, as I've faced some health struggles.

2) What is your story? Please tell me about what you experienced/are experiencing in your life.

Well, I've been dancing since I was 9 years old, and dance for me, has always been a point of physical fitness, building relationships, and worshiping my Savior. When I was 15 (fall 2005, nearly 16) years old, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The year prior, I had faced (what we thought was) a stomach virus that caused me to lose a lot of strength and drop below 100 pounds. Closer towards the time of diagnosis, I was experiencing a lack of muscle control and stability on the left side of my body. At that point, we decided that drugs were not the way to go, I was prayed over, I altered my diet and began seeing a chiropractor. By the spring of 2006 I was no longer experiencing any MS issues.

Last April (2009), after nearly four years without issues, I began to experience the similar lack of muscle control and dexterity, in additon to some double vision. This entire relapse escalated and fluctuated from April - October, and my body is still working its way back to 100%. Now at 19/20 years old, I'm taking this more seriously and questioning why God would be bringing this up again?

3) How is God’s healing power at work in your life? Please tell me how God has restored/is restoring your life. If you haven’t yet experience healing, please tell me about how you are waiting on the Lord.

Last July, after the worst portion of the relapse, I did receive healing for the MS. (GLORY to God!) It was during a Wednesday night worship service, my pastor called me up, and I received this amazing, anointed prophetic word. But even before I received that word, God had already told me that I was "healed," but I was also reminded that "every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." (prov. 30:5) I already knew that God was at work, but I had to keep reading His Word and reminding myself that His word accomplishes what He says it will.

4) What can we learn from your experience? Please tell me about how God is using your experience for good. For someone who is viewing your testimony and experiencing the same thing, what do you want them to know?

I was actually listening to a sermon last week, that said that God uses our trials/pains as megaphones for HIS hope & faithfulness. It's an opportunity to trust that no matter what He allows to come our way, God is working everything together for good. If I could leave you with anything, it's the reminder that God is right beside you...and I believe this quote from Ravi Zachiarias hits it right on the head: "We may change, but His Word does not change because it is true for every stage of life, in every circumstance. It keeps us in in touch with the new. It keeps us real in our expectations, promising not a trouble-free trip but God's presence in every trial."

hm, that wasn't so bad. =) Father, glorify Your Name!

Unfinished

Don't you love it when conviction just washes over you?
Pretty sure I was supposed to give up Facebook for the duration of Lent. But I didn't. Now, as I'm praying through different things and desiring clarity...I realize how much easier it could have been if I had responded sooner to what I know God asked me to do. (Maybe not easier, but I would have had fewer distractions vying for my attention, and more time to commit to the Father.) Oh Lord, would You continue to take my every thought captive to Your perfect will...


Looking at my blog, I have three different posts that I started earlier this year, but never finished...I think I was waiting for the right words to wrap it up with a profound thought. (haha! Talk to me sometime - how profound do I think I am?!) More posts will be popping up, because God keeps revealing too much for me to keep it to myself ---> and it doesn't all fit within my facebook rectangle! I also began to question why the majority of my 'status updates' are Bible verses, and whether or not my 'friends' are encouraged or irritated by all of it.
...but I'm being honest! God is so gracious to have massively increased my desire for His Word (His truth! His promises! His love! His LIFE!!!) every. single. day. When I share a verse, it's just a snapshot of something that jumped out to me that morning. Somedays it's a hug, other days it's a knife that removes something of myself that shouldn't be there. ah! Another reason to appreciate blogging: italics. I can't italicize in a status update!

So, praise the Lord for being imperfect, unfinished jars of clay. =) I'm currently reading through the New Testament with two ladies right now; in 2 Corinthians with one and Mark with the other...love love love it. It never ceases to amaze me how the Word doesn't get old! 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 has been on my bedroom wall for years, but it was verse 15 that really echoed in my spirit today...
"For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God."

All that I've tasted lately is His abundant grace and mercy, by the Blood of Jesus...God, may the thanksgiving abound, all for the fame of Your Name!

and oh snap! Yesterday was 2 Corinthians 3...so very rich.
verses 4-5: "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming for us, but our sufficiency is from God."
(wow) Would you let it just sink in that we really can do all things through Christ? In case you haven't heard - I am somewhat of an acronym fiend...love it, wouldn't trade it, praise God! But now I'm learning that it's a gift from God, how He'll give me one word and just escalate from there. So I'm sitting there pondering self-sufficiency and realize that it comes from

Surrendering
Everything (to the)
Lord
Forever.

(isn't God so cool?!) Simple words, daily/life-long process.
Hope your week is off to a fantastic start...and if it's not, just go to sleep. =) You'll wake up to new mercies, made especially for that day.