Lord, Save Me!

Sermon Title from Sunday: “Hosanna, In the Highest: Hope”

At Christ Fellowship we started the Advent Season and sermon series called “Hosanna In the Highest.”

Hosanna means save us we pray.

Okay - so we took communion and there is a section of scripture that I always read before I take communion: Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He has inaugurated for us, through the curtain (that is, His flesh); and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:19-23)

The passage of scripture that the message was based on was Psalm 118. (Check it out)

One of my pastors made the point that we have three ways to hope in God: hope in His character, hope in His works and hope in the coming One of God. (Jesus)

JESUS is our SALVATION and our ONLY HOPE.

I have never read my ‘communion passage’ when the word hope sticks out so much. So after asking the question: where is my hope? I read v 23 that says (in case you forgot): Let us hold on the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Sunday was my connection point.

I Praise You, Lord. Save Me.

new place

so... I made a new post at http://emilymcguire.tumblr.com

check it out if you would like

break from accounting just in time.

So.. what to do when accounting has you down in the dumps ... post a BLOG!

I don't really even know where to start. It has been so long since I have written anything (a few months).

Well let's just start with the fact that I am addicted to music. I have been sitting at Spencer's (local coffee shop that I adore) for a few hours and my homework skills have been horrible because of the lack of music. I can't seem to focus without it. I feel like there should be a constant flow of Dave Barnes' "Everybody Knows But You," or Will Hoge's "Even If It Breaks Your Heart."

I do believe that ACCT 200 will be the death of me. I have taken a break from it to post a blog - I mean that's how serious it is.

So on to other things. I have recently realized how blessed I am. Just by looking around at life. And I guess I could say I have been blessed with material things... but the main thing has been friends. I am so unbelievably blessed with amazing people in my life. I have also recently realized that a few of those people are my parents and grandparents. I haven't been home since July (it's November officially) and I can start to tell that it is wearing on me. I am looking for any chance to go home. And the first time I can go home is going to be November 20th for my friend's wedding. That is a completely different story. When I go home - I never spend time with people from high school. Maybe because I don't really have any friends from there (except a few that I still keep in touch with) and I want to spend all of my time with my family. Well I have (get) to go to this wedding on the 21st and I am super excited, but that does mean seeing people that I haven't seen in a few years. I feel like it is a going to resemble a high school reunion - that should be interesting.

But.. back to what I was saying (high school anxiety aside) - my grandmother has recently been having health problems. She has had trouble in the past - colon cancer & tons of stuff because of that and she has been having tests run for some other reasons. My grandfather's health continues to deteriorate slowly. If you know anything about my family, you know how close I am to my grandparents. They practically raised me since I was six years old. My papaw (don't know why I have been calling them grandmother and grandfather - that's just weird) told me when I was younger (before my amazing dad came into the picture and adopted me) that he was my dad and that he would take care of me. My mamaw would always do anything for me and sacrifice anything she could for me. They have always been my heroes. And now to see their health failing and them relying on other people - it breaks my heart a little. And I still won't be able to see them until a few more weeks.

I was talking to a good friend about this whole situation and she gave me some great insight on the situation. She reminded me that the Lord is sovereign. It is a thought that you would think wouldn't escape my mind... but it does. It is so easy to try and take control in life. To think that what I want is the best thing for everyone else. But the truth is that it isn't. I am just one person who doesn't know what is best. So I will try to let go.

Let go and finish accounting - taking each day one at a time remembering the Gospel.

And can I just say - I am absolutely in love with my church right now. I mean... I couldn't ask for something better right now. It has been such an encouragement and challenge to me. Exactly what I have needed to grow. All I can say is Praise the Lord. He is amazing.... and what is that other word... sovereign.. yea. definitely that.

Life & Such

It has been pretty eventful - this life thing that is happening.

The title on my journal is "Life Begins".

I can tell you the reasoning behind that. It's not the fact that I just start living - but instead - this whole crazy life after being in a summer missions program. Sometimes it's just so hard to go from a place where you are always being poured into, encouraged, motivated and held accountable. But then life happens - and things aren't always perfect.

But on to life & what's been happening.

I am not the intern at CEI - Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovate at WKU and it's pretty exciting. I am doing "pr" work for them now and it's exciting. I get to actually come in to work and worry about projects, instead of doing silly things like filing (no fun).

School has been absolutely hectic. there are certain weeks throughout the semester that it seems like every professor you have joins together to give tests on the same two days. That was this week. I had three tests in my three class and then one on the next day. So one professor was merciful but 4 out of 5 had it out for me this week.

But the few people that didn't... Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz, Matthew Perryman Jones and Katie Herzig. I got to see all these wonderful musicians in Nashville at "Live On The Green". It was amazing. Usually concerts seems to be kind of hectic when they are free and outside. Everyone rushes the stage (especially if they have beautiful hair like the first two guys mentioned earlier). But instead I got to be contemplative. Instead of staring into Dave Barne's face being squashed by girls who love him, I was laying on the grass staring at the sky. It was marvelous.

The best part about the whole event, it was after a completely stressful day of three tests (darn professors). It was a night to unwind and forget about everything... which I did.. and then around 9:45 - I was reminded that I had an accounting 200 test scheduled for 9:10. GREAT. I could have regretted the night that I spent enjoying music and neglecting to study - but instead I saw it in the positive light - I wasn't able to worry about my test that next morning. So I guess it all worked out okay.

Life & Such.. God is good & life is beautiful.

quotes & thoughts

There have been a few quotes that have stood out to me recently. I have been reading 'My Utmost For His Highest' & it has been amazing.  So there are a few (all but one) that will come from there... but I thought it would be neat to just put them on here - they are amazing and I hope that you find Truth in them.

We are to a large degree the sum of our loves and we will of moral necessity grow into the image of what we love most. - Tozer

The preaching of the gospel awakens intense resentment because it must reveal that I am unholy; but it also awakens an intense craving. - My Utmost- Oswald Chambers. 

- this whole gospel adventure has been a crazy one. It seems like every time I think about the gospel... I just get so overwhelmed and excited.  Craving is the exact word that describes it.  I learned about the gospel (it came alive) this summer and was completely in awe.  I have a friend that reminded me to remember the gospel when I go back to real life.  Since this summer there have been plenty of times where I have been talking to friends and my exact words have been, "Jesus, Gospel, Love, Grace... WHAT?" really... how amazing it is to just think about it and attempt to live it out. 

It is an insult to use the word happiness in connection with Jesus Christ.  The joy of Jesus was absolute self-surrender and self- sacrifice of Himself to His Father, the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do.  The life rightly related to God is as natural as breathing wherever it goes.  the lives that have been of most blessing to you are those who were unconscious of it.  - My Utmost - Oswald

- wow. the next line in my journal says, "such good stuff. JOY... how do you start? Live life rightly related to God." 

Faith is unutterable trust in God. Trust which never dreams that He will not stand by us. - My Utmost - Oswald Chambers (again...) 

- After I read this, my mind automatically went to Isaiah 43 - WHEN you walk pass through the rivers - they will not overwhelm you.  You will not be scorched WHEN you walk through the fire. - Such a beautiful & true promise that He will never leave you or forsake you.

We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring. - once again... my utmost - oswald. 

- I keep going back to this quote - it is so true. He doesn't need something extra special to make it wonderful. He works.  He is truth and beauty and justice and peace and mercy. What.. really? 

Another thing that I realized this summer is that Belief = obedience(I may have written this many times before.. but here it is again).  So belief in all this gospel, inspiring, faith, grace, and love stuff is/should be followed closely by obedience.. and this obedience I think - looks like what I read today about Holiness. 'Destiny of Holiness' and it said, 'continually restate to yourself what the purpose of your life is.  The destined end of man is not happiness, nor health, but holiness. ... Holiness means unsullied walking with the feet, unsullied talking with the mouth, unsullied thinking with the mind - every detail of the life under the scrutiny of God. 

"Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought ot you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  All obedient children do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written. Be holy, because I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:16

(the best motivation for holiness... to follow the example of the One who has made the promises)

-have a wonderful day!

-Emily

listen... what?

rejoice alway, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

I have recently started reading My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  It was recommended by a few of the people who led the discipleship sessions during Acts 1:8. 

The title for today's devotion was "Quench Not The Spirit".  I started reading this book each morning a few days ago and have found it to be challenging every time I open it.  

I have been asking some friends, "How do you hear God?" It seems like the simple answer would be to, "Listen." Honestly, the next question is, "How?" It is so hard to hear... to actually take the time to sit down - and truly listen to the voice of the Lord.  Today when I opened up to listen to what Oswald had to say, the first sentence said this... "The voice of the Spirit is as gentle as a zephyr, so gentle that unless you are living in perfect communion with God, you never hear it."  

... Okay... well.. thanks Oswald.. that is a wonderful answer to my question. 

After reading 1 Thessalonians 5... I looked deeper into the verses that I put at the beginning.  

ESV notes: 

Rejoice always: joy in Paul's letters is a basic mark of the Christian and a fruit of the Spirit. It is often associated with the firm hope of the Christian.

Pray without ceasing: suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day.

Give thanks: Christians are to be marked by thanksgiving.

-it's funny how when you study things you realize how much certain things are lacking in your life... 

 

on to an update about life: 

It has been a very interesting past few weeks.  This time in life is just awkward. It's hard to figure out where home is and this whole growing up thing is quite scary.  - I typed that as my roommate walked up the stair and I was freaking out because I heard a squeaky door open.. not the best thing to hear at night when you are home alone. -

This weekend will be very refreshing. I get to visit my family in Ohio and spend time with my grandparents - that is always the best.  Then there might be a reunion with one of my friends when I get back to Kentucky - who knows.  

I am still a little curious about how it will feel to go back to my "home" - and by home - I mean my parent's house. I think that is the hardest thing to figure out when you are in this stage in life.  Where is 'home' and what does that even mean? When you grow up, you live in your house, anticipating the time that you will move out and become and adult.  But then once you are in college (if it is a different town from where you grew up), you wait to get out of the dorm (if you have to live in one during those first few years) to move into an apartment.  But that apartment is just a transition 'house' until you move out on your own... and then moving out on your own (if you don't already find him or her)- you are just waiting until you meet 'the one' to move into your official house. Life is so interesting.... these are the thoughts that develop from a day of painting a room.

so... as the days pass by - I will continue to daydream and try to figure out this thing called life and this stage where I am stuck in the middle of things. 

-a few song suggestions from the Worship playlist on my iTunes: 

  "You Won't Relent" by Misty Edwards

"We Are Yours" by Charlie Hall

"My Soul Longs For You" by Misty Edwards

"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Chris Tomlin

"Warrior" by Sojourn church in Louisville

"May Your Power Rest On Me" by Sojourn

ENJOY!

overwhelmed. definitely.

okay. so this is a sudden, not thought out post. 

I was talking to my lovely roommate, Mallory about what we have learned the past few days.  I am leading the devotion for tomorrow (we take turns every day) and I am talking about Amos.  What the heck? Since when would I ever want to talk about Amos and the northern kingdom and the Israelites?

To tell you the truth... I didn't even know the story of the old testament until today. I know that is horrifying, but I believe that many people are in the situation I was (mainly because not very many people on our team knew until today). 

I am just blown away by the grace of God for a sinful, rebellious people that He created.  He could have easily wiped out the Israelites when they left the promised land the first time.  But he didn't. Solomon's heart turned away from God and followed other gods even after the Lord had commanded him not to.  But even though Solomon turned away - God waited until after his lifetime to tear away only ten kingdoms and leave one because of his father David.  So... there is still grace because God will keep his covenant - even when man fails to keep it.  

So.. this is me rambling - but I am just... overwhelmed with all the information right now.  I think we need to continue to dive deeper into the old testament and learn more about the character of God - it is so inspiring and just.. awesome.  I say 'we' with myself included and excluding whoever already has this knowledge and need to go deeper.  Sorry for the generality.

So Acts 1:8 has taught me to fall in love with the Bible and renew my love for God's redemptive story that is found throughout the old and new testaments.  How beautiful is this story and what God is continuing to do!

..... so there is my random post that poured out from my excitement.  And now. bedtime!