God has been good

I'm amazed and stunned at how good God has been to me!

Not only is tithing a biblical command,it also gives me a chance to count and recount the many blessings God has given me. Praise Him!

When trials come...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

-James 1:2-4


Thank you, Lord, for putting your wisdom in me and help me remember it when I most need it. I will praise you with all my doings, and I will act like a child who belongs to you.

Sharing Burdens

Today's fellowship at my small group was so wonderful and full of encouragements. We talked about one verse from Galatians 6:2-

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"

I am once again reminded that we are not made to carry our own burdens; this will never work out as we are not created to do so. Instead, a Christian community is to share joy and carry burdens together. In Christ, the yoke is easy and the burden is light. Just how great is my Father to command this of us!

Tonight, also, made me think about how I should be able to carry others' burden while trusting God, that I am not to take the matter into my own hand and worry about it but rather, rest it all in Him. Yet at the same, it is my responsibility to love and care for others selflessly with the love of Christ. What a hard and important thing to do!

Prayers to the Baylys and those who have shared/shown their burdens tonight.

Love,
Anna

Wisdom

So, how should I equip myself to speak with God's truth and act an godly woman when I go about my daily living? Simply meditate on God's word, pray and ask for wisdom, and trust that He will give generously. Then act...

However, such simplicity has proven itself to be extremely hard as I am proud and selfish, constantly thinking about "I"...

Some updates

Dear all,

It's funny how I have to write a post specifically to update myself because I have been away for so long:) I think it's really nice how the blog didn't expire on me after not signing in for half a year...

My junior year is coming to an end, and I am very blessed with a wise mentor who is such a godly woman. Her name is Jenna Killingsworth:) I really cannot imagine how someone is able to be a mom of two young children (2-yr-old and 11-mth-old) and still have time for someone like me. Purely the grace of God, I must say, that I am able to have someone like her.

It is exciting to know that some of my relatives are coming to visit my family in Georgia this summer! I haven't seen my grandma for... 4 years? Wow! My parents and I are very excited for this opportunity to spread the gospel to them in such intimate setting. If you are willing, please pray for us.

There are also many other things. Perhaps I'll type them down bit by bit later. But now, I think I should go take a nap since I was up 'til 4 am this morning for a paper that I actually enjoyed writing for:)


Love,
Anna

Something convicting for me...

I'm recently reading through a book called "Practical Theology for Women" by Wendy Horger Alsup-- a book that I was supposed to be reading last semester for the women's discipleship group (...oops!).

Here's something that I find very convicting:

"But somehow, over time, our Christian culture has changed the focus of faith from what we do to what we say..."

"We may stand on our soapbox and proclaim Jesus to be the way, the truth, and the life. But how do we respond to trouble? How do we deal with harships in life? What good is it if you can verbally defend Christ with the best of believers if your life contradicts your words..."

Blogging is back!

Dear all,

After taking a long, 6 months break from blogging, I'm back and I'm excited! :D God has been faithful and has been looking after me. He has pulled me out of the dark pit when I was desperately lost, and He has been teaching me through the various channels that He has put into my life. Praise Him! My love to you, Anna

Faith vs Worry+Anxiety

"Faith is the theological concept. Worry and anxiety are the practical issue of life. Here is clear evidence that the practical issue of worry in our lives is intensely affected by our theology. We cannot separate the two."
-Wendy Horger Alsup