Proverbs 3:5-7

2 Samuel 23:9-10

keep swinging.

it's hard to believe it was almost 10 years ago already. i was at camp, i remember the speaker and everything. the message awakened fervor inside of me. i will fight.

when "the men of Israel retreated", "he stood his ground" and kept swinging. his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. he kept swinging.

a story of an incredible fight under the heading of "David's Mighty Men". i couldn't imagine such a fight. an impossible fight. being so tired and numb that his hand froze to the sword. everyone else left. everyone else gave up, retreated. except one.

my heart came alive. i could be mighty for God. i would stay. i would not retreat. i would do whatever God wanted. he would find me fighting, no matter what. i would keep swinging.

the ending?

"the Lord brought about a great victory that day."

Holy Spirit Have Your Way

long after the tears fall I'm still your child

i put down my defenses and lay down my pride

love and forgiveness flow in deep and wide

so I run to you and surrender all!

[CHORUS]

as I lay down my life

and pick up my cross

what a joy it is to give my life away to you

all that I need,

all that I seek

is You here with me

holy Spirit have Your way in me!

in times of trouble, though trials may come

the rock of ages is standing strong

i'm fighting battles, but the war is won

so I'll run to you and surrender all

[CHORUS]

as I lay down my life

and pick up my cross

what a joy it is to give my life away to you

all that I need,

all that I seek

is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

more of You and less of me, God

more of You and less of me, God

more of You and less of me, God

more of You overflowing

[CHORUS]

as I lay down my life

and pick up my cross

what a joy it is to give my life away to you

all that I need,

all that I seek

is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

Matthew 11:28-30

this is a verse that i used to so passionately attribute to others. it was something i so much wanted others around me who were hurting in life to experience. i believed with my very being that he could be their hope.

i wholeheartedly felt that those words were so very real and so very true.

because my burden was already light. i didn't realize just how much, but i grew up so blessed. my parents were together and always loved me. i had a sister who was a best friend. a best friend who was just like a sister. a group of friends that were a really good influence.

but life has a way. 

weariness will show its face. burdens will hard weigh down. and then it's not as easy to so clearly and wholeheartedly believe it's true.

but i come.

Ephesians 4:29-32

this was a portion that came alive to me many times and drew forth conviction and resolve in my heart. that's what i wanted to be. that's what i wanted to do.

just imagine.

what if everything that came out of my mouth built others up?

what if my words were a river of healing in people's lives?

what if i could be known for only speaking words that were "helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen"?

maybe that's not "real life", maybe it's not realistic. but it wasn't just some fake platitude to me.

that's what i truly longed to do. that's who i truly longed to be.

Psalms 119:36-37

i remember when i read this in psalms 119 and it came alive, i prayed and meant these words with my whole heart. i was in high school. a group of friends decided to meet regularly before school to have a 30 minute separate "Take 5" time:

five minutes of worship

five minutes of prayer

five minutes of reading

five minutes of being silent

five minutes writing

five minutes worship

thirty minutes of set apart time broken up in short, five minute segments. then we'd go to school with our hearts and minds set on God.