She sneezed in my face and I think we laughed for She sneezed in my face and I think we laughed for a full minute.
. I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I k .
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

— sovereign grace
realizing lately the sweet grace of an ordinary mo realizing lately the sweet grace of an ordinary moment — Anna’s talking, hearing birds from the living room couch, the smiles in my favorite coffee shop
@kiokeebaptistchurch fam, 1 Corinthians is doing a @kiokeebaptistchurch fam, 1 Corinthians is doing a number on me. Anyone else? 

What a mission + vision. “I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did — Jesus crucified.” (2v2)
Discipleship to me is like making introductions at Discipleship to me is like making introductions at a dinner party. Have you meet this side, this way, this love of God?

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✨ To easily keep up with new blog posts, click the link in my bio to opt-in and have them delivered weekly to your inbox. ✨
praise God from whom all breezy, sunny Sabbath day praise God from whom all breezy, sunny Sabbath days flow
Trying to make this a Saturday tradition. Trying to make this a Saturday tradition.
This morning, to my tired self, John said, “Your This morning, to my tired self, John said, “Your personality has a toddler.” 😄 Motherhood might be the art of resting [in God] when you can’t fully stop, or recharging in the slivers on the day when you’d rather have hours. Yes? Grace.
loving today — and excited for the day Anna join loving today — and excited for the day Anna joins us in conversations about life and Jesus and friends and clothes and school
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faith, inspiration · 03/05/2014

Pause and Treasure

God’s words revive the soul, grant wisdom, rejoices the heart, enlighten the eyes, and endure forever (Psalm 19:7-9).

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).

I’ve recently been made aware of the dangers of reading God’s Word for knowledge only. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). Paul is clear that knowledge without love leaves us with “nothing” (13:2).

Once this dawned on me, it became even more clear how the past few weeks I have fallen into this place. I recalled a past truth learned: reading the Bible should do more than create a standard for godly living — although that is one of its purposes, I believe — it should be something that transform your heart. During the past few weeks I confess I have been very self-absorbed, tense, and stressed… but I prayed, and I studied. But I always felt the practices were missing the intimacy that has always been characteristic of my relationship with Jesus. Because I was only reading it for head knowledge, not for heart change. If I was allowing the Bible to do the latter, if my soul was in a place to receive that, it would have transformed my stress to peace, my tension to rest.

So, I stumbled upon an article that was more than applicable. Thanks, God.

It points out three encouragements for studying God’s Word.

Stay amazed at grace. I never want to be dulled to the Bible. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in information. Not just with media, but even in the realm of the Christian world. Sermons, articles, blogs, more social media. It’s so much that it has the potential to dull my sensitivity if I’m not careful. Jonathan Parnell said this,

“All this information, all the effortless access to truth about God, freezes over our sense of miracle.”

Stay dependent on God. “Prayer is our participation in the fellowship God has accomplished.” God gave us the Bible so that we might have him, and we meet him when we offer his truth and our heart to him in prayer. I sometimes forget about the power of prayer, and what it means. Prayer is the closest I can come to my Heavenly Father. The danger in lacking a solid prayer life is that the doctrines and truth we study will cause some pride buildup in us. Parnell also states,

“You must pause and pray, for only prayer can transform information into intimacy.”

Stay focused on Jesus. Persistently look for Jesus. Every time I read my Bible, I desire eyes to see someone to enjoy in a new or fresh way. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Parnell, again,

“The anchor that can keep our hearts steady amid all the studying is the resolve that Jesus must be tasted and treasured by us and through us.”

Miracle, pause, treasure. Yes. 

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In: faith, inspiration · Tagged: Bible, faith

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I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend who enjoys all things peanut butter, clean beauty, the written word, and a good sports movie. This is my place to share real life and Biblical encouragement to draw us all to deeper joy in God. Pull up your favorite internet browser and stay awhile!

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She sneezed in my face and I think we laughed for She sneezed in my face and I think we laughed for a full minute.
. I once was lost in darkest night Yet thought I k .
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

— sovereign grace
realizing lately the sweet grace of an ordinary mo realizing lately the sweet grace of an ordinary moment — Anna’s talking, hearing birds from the living room couch, the smiles in my favorite coffee shop
@kiokeebaptistchurch fam, 1 Corinthians is doing a @kiokeebaptistchurch fam, 1 Corinthians is doing a number on me. Anyone else? 

What a mission + vision. “I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did — Jesus crucified.” (2v2)
Discipleship to me is like making introductions at Discipleship to me is like making introductions at a dinner party. Have you meet this side, this way, this love of God?

// linked in bio //

✨ To easily keep up with new blog posts, click the link in my bio to opt-in and have them delivered weekly to your inbox. ✨
praise God from whom all breezy, sunny Sabbath day praise God from whom all breezy, sunny Sabbath days flow
Trying to make this a Saturday tradition. Trying to make this a Saturday tradition.
This morning, to my tired self, John said, “Your This morning, to my tired self, John said, “Your personality has a toddler.” 😄 Motherhood might be the art of resting [in God] when you can’t fully stop, or recharging in the slivers on the day when you’d rather have hours. Yes? Grace.
loving today — and excited for the day Anna join loving today — and excited for the day Anna joins us in conversations about life and Jesus and friends and clothes and school
Shamelessly using Operation Lose Pacifier as an ex Shamelessly using Operation Lose Pacifier as an excuse for an extra caffeinated treat (with @journeywomenpodcast + @jtenglish in the background)

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