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The Prodigal God series part 1 (STELLAR sermons btw)

So I've been listening to the Prodigal God sermon series by Tim Keller. Amazing. It's absolutely incredible. I could listen to them over and over. In fact, my sister has. haha... It doesn't matter what stage of life you're in, this series is for you. Here's something that I wrote down because it was so profound to me.

"Repentance is an experience of LIBERATION. A repentant person is someone who is FINALLY free from the pretense and evasion. Free from the need to win every argument, free from the need to defend yourself. Free from the need to expose others ans say, "You're not so great." A repentant person who is vulnerable and happy to do it and says, "Yes, I was wrong, I was absolutely wrong. I shouldn't have done that. Let's make it right." Quick to repent, joyful to repent. It's liberation. I don't have to spin everything, I don't have to have control what everybody thinks."
-Tim Keller

Keller talks about 2 kinds of repentance:

1-The kind that leads to salvation and no regret.
2-The kind that leads to regret and devastation.

The first kind of repentance is one that is focused on how the sin that has been done effects the heart of the One that matters. It focuses on the hurt, grief, and pain that the sin has caused the lover of souls and how time does not heal hurt, but a repentant heart and love, grace, mercy, and joy.
The second kind is one that is more self centered. Focused on the sinner and what the sinner did. The sinner might think that if they feel bad enough about what they did and people see that they feel badly then, they've suffered enough of the guilt and everything can be okay again.

The rain is my gift and the thunder, music to my ears.

I've come to the realization that this day, my 22nd birthday, is not about me. Today I am proud of myself for being who I am, yes. BUT- without the gospel, without love, compassionate grace, mercy, redemption, sacrifice, zeal... etc. Where would I be? This is not MY day. This is the Lord's day for me. I'm so thankful and blessed to be a proclaimed daughter of the high King of Zion, the almighty, the most high God. I'm honored that He would think of me. His greatness humbles me. The lord my God is on my side. He has called me to Him an d today He blessed me the minute I woke up. He knows my heart loves to wake up to the rain. This morning, I woke up to thunder and within minutes it began to pour. I immediately opened all my windows and went outside and started my day with my Abba, my Lord.

How great is our God? :)

Each day the Lord gives us is a gift. It is also a responsibility. What we do with His gifts is very important. We are image bearers of the King. You and I represent an idea, a faith, a love, the truth, the gospel, the only wise God. How will you bear the image so graciously bestowed upon you? You are a masterpiece.

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I say again, Rejoice!"

"And I will fear not evil, for my God is with me. And if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear? WHOM THEN SHALL I FEAR?"

You're Beautiful

'You're Beautiful'
by Phil Wickham


I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You’re beautiful

I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It’s all proclaiming who You are
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You’re beautiful, you're beautiful

When we arrive at eternity’s shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we’ll sing
You’re beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful

I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, I see Your face
I see Your face, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful

This is one of my favorite worship songs. Phil Wickham is probably my favorite christian artists.
This morning I was sitting out on the screened in porch listening to the sounds that come with a new day. I made a list of things I'm thankful for... This list is SO short compared to the one that is actually all the things that my savior has given me. But these are the ones that came to mind first.

This is what I wrote in my journal this morning:

-My wonderful family-I'm so blessed by just being with them and knowing that I matter to them. Always.
-Lady-she's really affectionate and rubbing her face all over me cuz she wants me to pet her. (She's pregnant) I also love that I love cats. My mother loved cats. It's kinda of like a piece of her that I have...
-The outside-I don't have words to express the JOY I receive from just being in awe of your creation. It brings so much glory to you and such joy to me. Your works are indescribable! You know my heart and pursue me with love. You are the lover of my soul. You are the author of my heart, mind, soul, and story. You're the bridegroom of my heart. Yet you are my Father, whom I revere. You are the creator of all things. You show me you love me.
-When the sun hits me just right.
-When a song comes on the radio and my heart jumps
-When there's a breeze
-The sound of the wind making the trees dance.
-The morning birds that sing their songs for you.
-The shadows and lights that make the leaves look dynamic.
-Animals
-Coffee- the smell of coffee.
-Shade
-Playing sports with friends
-Being a kid
-Music- God, music is so wonderful. I want to sing to you everyday.


Micah 7:18
"Who is a God like You, who pardons sins and forgives the transgression of the remnant of inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."