Thankfulness

Currently -2 C(28F) and I am sitting in Fredrikstad, south of oslo, the sunshine light beaming through the window, Feeling so blessed by Filips family. Life is good in Norway. and yes this is now a comfortable temperature for me to be in.

Life is amazing in Norway such a beautiful country, I am so lucky that i am getting to spend part of my life here. And I have to admit Norway with all of its snow and coldness was not my first choice in life, when I first kind of considered YWAM I actually applied for the one in Australia. And i ended up in Norway haha quite opposites sides of the earth. and very different climates. But I love the snow the cold the fresh air, and  everything here, I am just so thankful for it all.

Its good to be thankful in life, even at the worst of times. Just to remember what has happened to you and all the good things that have happened and all the promises that are to come. And its funny when you say what your thankful for, aloud, it turns yours spirit around and you start looking at the bright side of things. And it sounds so stupid to do and maybe that you are trying to escape what has happened. But its not escaping, I cannot change what has happened  or you cannot, I only want to look past things and see the good out of all things as my Father does.

I am thankful for:

Jesus, My family he has given me, life, Norway, each and everyday, all my friends, the sun, the ocean, the mountains, music, my dog olga!, the city of Eugene, the church, rest, joy, laughter, love, America, freedom, Holy spirit, God wanting to use me, God trusting me, the bible, each and every breath I take, for being my protector and my understanding. I could go on and on and on and on.

I thank my God for all he has done for me, what he is doing and what he has promised me. And starting my days with him and saying this to him, is such a great way to start my days. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

           "Be Joyful always; Pray continually; give THANKS in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

  

for when you give thanks to him this what you do

Proverbs 3:5-6

             "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

I miss you guys all so much, Ill see you in 3 months!

Ecclesiastes 3:11

            "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Running in Circles

1 month until I go to Colombia! crazy!!! so crazy, It feels like just a month ago I moved to Norway and now in 1 month I will go to COlombia with 7 others. Fantastic. I have just been so thrilled on what has happened in my life and what will happen where God is leading me, its quite fun and the thing my heart has always been longing for.

          Have you ever wondered why it takes a kid so long to learn something? and its extremely frustrating after you think he or she has figured out what your trying to tach them and then some time goes by and he has completely forgot what you have told him and you do not even want to try and teach him anymore.. I know this feeling even though i do not have kids but I have done a lot of work with youth in my long 18 years of life. You know what is even funnier, that I am like that toddler so many times I am taught a lesson and so many times after some time has gone by I forget it, and how frustrated the person must be that teaches me these things. To bring it to more of a here and now, it happens over and over with me, God will show me something or give me a really big revelation and you know some months go by and I'm dealing with the same problem and going to God again and again and again. And the best part about that is time and time again God never gets frustrated with me, He is more than willing to show me again and again. That is such great mercy and grace He is showing to me.

           The lesson that God is currently refreshing in my mind is his sovereignty and through that humility. And how this came up is I get so caught up in the things I have (spiritual and physical blessings, materials, money, ect.) and I am reading through the book of Daniel and I was just so amazed how God proved himself to the king and again and again showing him that He is the living God and He is the Most High. and when he learned this he fell to his feet and worshiped and gave praise to his the Lord. and I was thinking the whole time "Why can't he just learn!" and then i thought Why can't i just learn? How many times has God shown His power to me, how many times has He demonstrated His love for me? to many to count. And everything He has given to me is from him he gives to who He pleases to. Because He is Sovereign and He is Lord over this world. Daniel  4:17b " So that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest men." this verse slapped me in the face when i first read it, all these things are from him. I really pray that I do not have to learn this lesson again but that I can constantly be reminded of this and live it out giving thanks to my God for what he has done.

           Also in the story of Daniel, over and over again bad things happen to Daniel and his friends, thrown into a lions den, thrown into a furnace, hunted by the king. And Daniel trusts in his God so much  and knows that he is faithful that he looks at these problems and shrugs his shoulders because he knows his God will deliver him and keep him safe. and every one of these God spared his life. He took refuge in him and God kept him safe because is a faithful God. And this is something else I am being taught.... that i can take refuge in him and when I am in him no matter what comes my way I cannot be s And I cannot be shaken and will not be moved, because my God cannot be moved and I am living with him. I can literarily see Daniel yawning as he is being lowered into the lions den, because he does not fear death. And I want the trust Daniel has. This is what i want.

Psalm 27:1-5

"The Lord is my light and my salvation-

        whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life-

        of whom shall i be afraid?

When evil men advance against me

        to devour my flesh,

when my enemies and my foes attack

        me,

        They will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,

        my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

         even then will i be confident.

One thing I ask of the Lord,

        this is what i seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the

         Lord all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

        and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble

        he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle

         and set me high upon a rock."