take a sad song, and make it better.

matthew 13:16-17 . . . but blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. for truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

isn't it beautiful to be a child of God? to have a Father who listens? to have a friend to cares? to have arms that are always open?

He chose me.
He opened my eyes. blessed my eyes.
He allows me to hear.
He gives me wisdom to understand.

i'm feeling overwhelmed with joy this morning. empowered by the Word. what a blessing to be given life.

romans 8:10 . . . if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

philippians 1:21 . . . for to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

life. in. death.
my friends, there is life in laying down.

romans 12:1 . . . i appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

we are made complete when His glory is satisfied.

can i get an amen?!

what's in my heart?

i'm kind of feeling like i'm not me. when did relating to people become so hard? maybe it's coming into a group alone, and everyone knows each other better than jack and jill. or, maybe it's me?

i guess reality is, at portfolio it was the same. so the past couple of times i've been placed in a new group of people, i've shut down. these people are great. a lot like my friends. but for some reason, i'm not connected. it's only been 5 days. i understand that. things take time. there are a few people i can have a conversation with, but others that make me feel completely out of place. it's a challenge for me. for sure not what i'm used to.

you at home, i miss you. i miss being around people i can cry with. people i can laugh with. people i can be me, be crazy, be odd....but maybe it's a pride thing.

my prayer is, Lord, that You would humble me. give me a heart to serve and love the people i'm around. laying myself down, thinking about how i can give, and not receive.


i am encouraged though. it's super cool how many kids see the face of the Lord through our shows. even though i have no clue what i'm doing. even though i haven't found how i can actually help instead of being in the way, the shows are making an impact. though i have nothing to do with it, i'm encouraged. once again, humbled.

i'm in a place of need. the best place to be. i don't want to be anywhere else but needing You.

Your will, not mine.

the repeated challenge.

matthew 10:26-27 . . . so have no fear of them, for nothing that is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. what I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.

matthew 10:39 . . . whoever finds His life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

i'm one of those people who continues to want to do more. i'll never be in a place of satisfaction. i'm thankful, now, that the Lord has created me this way. because now, instead of having the desire to perfect myself, i have a desire to try harder to further His kingdom. in Him, my joy is complete.

----

went to Lakewood's youngadults group last night. you know, joel osteen's church. great group. i was really encouraged by their desire to reach out. as well as their desire for personal growth, even within a huge body. they pound you with getting involved in a small group, that's great.

the message was on submission. truly submitting in all relationships, and what that looks like.

ephesians 5:21 . . . submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

submitting is giving up your "rights," is what was explained. your right to attention, care, words of affirmation, you know, all the things you expect from others. we were encouraged to go into a room thinking about how we can give, truly serve, instead of how we can receive and benefit from those around us.

this is the way Christ lived.
therefore, it's my prayer that He will continue to sanctify my heart and place for me on the front of my mind a how-t0-serve attitude.

----

He blesses.
what a mighty God we serve.

and here i am.

it's been a while since the last public blog. but this is probably the first of many for while i'm on the road.

not sure where to begin, it's been a long day. one of those days that seems like a dream cause you're walking around basically asleep but having to act like you're all there. know what i mean? maybe.

i have to confess, i didn't spend my flight reading the Word, or wake up early to dig in. instead i've been anxious and scatter-brained. but i'm re-focusing now. the reason why i'm here is written on my arm. the reason for the trip is written on my heart.

psalm 30:11-12 . . . You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

do not be silent.

one thing to the next.

12:42 pm. phone rings. it's jeff.
jeff is the tour leader from silver ring thing.
jeff is the one who e-mailed me december 14 saying the team was full, they found who they needed.
jeff says to me, "we're adding to the team, we have over 60 events planed between now and may, and we need more team members, you're at the top of my list."
i call daddy.
daddy suggests because of my health, and where i'm at currently, i wait until february 9, after our family cruise.
i call jack.
i call mrs. hollis.
we're meeting at 4:30.
i call jeff again.
jeff says it's okay for me to join in february, and they will help with $100 of my plane ticket to get there.
jeff encourages that i seek support from friends and family.
all the while i'm talking online to josiah, christy, gabriel, trent, and jack.
i'm texting emily.
i'm e-mailing arron, susan, francesca, josiah, teresa, and scott.
i'm messaging the girls who are praying.
jeff calls again. he can get me a ticket from atlanta to houston on february 9 for $99.
susan e-mails back saying she had just prayed for me this morning in regards to SRT.

i'm blown away.
what a mighty God i serve.
truth: He does more than we can ask or imagine.

ephesians 3:20 . . . now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Your hands, my Lord, are so big. Your love and Your goodness are beyond comprehension. i'm in a place of extremely joy and thankfulness. i praise You Lord for You are good, Your love endures forever.

"God let me not be distracted, Lord help me focus on you.
keep sin from ruining my life Lord, make me holy and pure.
Father You pick me up, i feel like a child in Your arms.
i don't deserve this love but, i hear Your voice Lord Jesus." -rebecca st. james.



Lord, You are more precious than silver
Lord, You are more costly than gold
Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds
and nothing i desire compares with You.

i'll be more than okay.

what a glorious thought!

john 10:9-10 . . . I am the door. if anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY!!

thank You Jesus!

such simple truth, but so life-altering, if we let it be.
His desire for me is not to "live the safest life ever." [haha...francis...]
but to have life, and have it ABUNDANTLY!
that includes pain, suffering, EXTREME joy, worth, risks, adventure, excitement, heartbreak, and healing. it's a roller-coaster, which HE has created. a brilliant design that i cannot fathom.

i'm awe struck.
i'm excited.
i'm in love with my Savior.

He's healing me, and giving me life once again.

in the Name of Jesus!

tonight, i've experienced two extremes. i had a dream, by God's grace, which awakened me at 5:28 am. after rejoicing, praying, a thankful heart, and a sense like none other that the room i'm in was filled with angels fighting a battle around me and winning, i fell back asleep. then, the Lord allowed another dream, waking me up at 6:35 am, shaking profusely and praying that in the name of Jesus, these demons have no place here. no place where my Jesus has already been victorious. no place where i'm looking to Him, claiming His Name!

so here i sit, wide awake. after texting my brother, finding out he still has all his fingers, and realizing the silliness in a cereal killer who plays uno as his ploy to chop his prey to pieces, i'm extremely aware of the spiritual, yet SO real, battle happening around me. it's been years since i've really experienced a dark force. satan's power tonight was evident. but what's more amazing is the power of Jesus' name. not only did i experience HIM in a new way, first. as soon as satan attempted to smother His glory, he has been banished, simply by the power of Jesus' name.

He is victorious.

as i woke up in awe of God's glory after my first dream, i could do nothing but rejoice. i prayed. i felt the peace that surpasses all understanding. i smiled. and i rested.

as i woke up terrified, shaking, and almost in tears, i again was in awe of God's glory. what a Name! in moments after claiming, "satan, in the name of Jesus, you have no place here!" i began singing, "God is my victory and He is here." again i experienced that peace, and i believe now, i may rest again.

power in the Name of Jesus
salvation in the Name of Jesus
freedom in the Name of Jesus
everything i need
protection in the Name of Jesus
deliverance in the Name of Jesus
healing in the Name of Jesus
everything i need is in that Name

--power in the Name, james avery simms