Day 1: Genesis 1:1-Genesis 16:16

CH 1: As I read the account of creation, I can’t help but marvel at our amazing creator. The intricacy of his design is enough to point men to a savior. I love that when he talked about creating the animals and other things he said to create an “abundance”. You can see Him as a master creator with a vision for His creation. When he begins to talk about creating man and making him in His image, I can almost hear the excitement and love in His voice. Charles Stanley’s study Bible points out a life principle during this passage,

“Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.”

How true this is! His desire for intimacy with his most prized creation is clearly seen in this account of creation found in Genesis. It is essential that we deepen that intimacy more and more. Our impact in this lifetime for the kingdom is directly correlated to the level of intimacy we have with God.

CH 2: How awesome is our creator that he knows our ever need and deepest desire. He saw Adam’s need for his missing piece. The relationship God forms in this chapter between man and woman is a beautiful thing. The account of God taking Adam’s rib reminds me of a quote the pastor said during my best friend’s wedding ceremony, “God did not choose a piece of Adam’s head, so that woman would be over him; nor did He select a piece from Adam’s foot, so that he would step on her. Rather, our loving Creator chose man’s rib, so that woman was taken from his side–to be his equal…from under his arm–to be protected by him…and from near his heart–to be loved by him.”

CH 3: One thing that caught my eye in this chapter is that the end is the first time we see “woman” given a name when Adam names her eve. This deception by Satan shows his very nature. He looks for our weakest moments (Eve was alone) and uses our deep desires (Adam and Eve sought knowledge and perfection) and uses them to draw us into sin. I see Eve’s reaction when God finds out about her sin to be much like many of our own’s. She automatically blamed someone else. Isn’t is so easy to say “The Devil made me do it.” rather than dealing with the issues at hand and our own failures before God.

CH 4: I have heard the story of Cain murdering Abel my whole life, growing up in Sunday school. It is so easy to say how awful and unfathomable his actions are, but when I stop to think, I am reminded that without daily walking with God and resting in his grace, I could quickly find myself doing things I never thought I would do. My sins are no worse in the eye’s of God than Cain’s were.

CH 5: I used to think geneologies of who begat who were beyond boring; but when I take time to look at it and really pay attention, there are many things to learn from it. Here we see the family lineage of Adam, which includes Noah himself, future boat enthusiast

CH 6: My favorite quote in this chapter, “Noah walked with God.”  If God were to have written about us in his word, could that quote apply to our lives? Would our name be able to be placed where Noah’s is and the word of God remain truth? Now that is something to strive for!

CH 7: Fact, it wasn’t two of every animal that went into the ark. 7 of every clean animal, and 2 of every unclean animal. However, they did enter two by two How excruciating must it have been for a Creator to destroy is beloved creation. How gut-wrenching must it have been for God to look down and only see “wickedness continually” What do you think God is thinking as he looks down at us now, during our generation?

CH 8: I love this beautiful picture of God taking care of those who serve Him. In the midst of a world in chaos, God hand delivered his faithful people. How encouraging!

CH 11: In these geneologies, I learned that Abraham and Lot were descendants from the lineage of Shem, Noah son.

CH 13: What I find interesting about Lot’s decision of which way he wants to take his herd is that it was based solely on aritficial appeal. He did not seek counsel, but rather made a decision on the plains of Jordan because they looked good. Looks can be deceiving though, as we will later see that Sodom and Gommorah, home of so much wickedness and evil, was a part of the land Lot chose.

CH 15: I love what God says to Abram at the beginning of this chapter, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Those words are wonderful to me, and much needed at this moment!

CH 16: Sarai’s actions in this chapter show a tendency I feel many of us struggle with from time to time. She got to impatient to wait for God to complete His work in her, unfolding his perfect plan in His own time. Rather, she decided to take matters into her own hands, not trusting God to take care of things for her. Many problems start from this choice. I do it so often, I forget that there is a sovereign savior in control of every aspect of my life. There is not need to worry about tomorrow or try to work it out myself, God is already there and has everything set just the way he intends it to go if I will just follow Him and trust.

Wow, day 1 of this challenge was incredibly. I have a heavy heart about a situation, and there is nothing more encouraging than digging into God’s word and reading stories of provision and promise of God to those who trust in him. What a blessing.

Though I am certain I don’t have an overwhelming amount of readers, probably zero to be exact, I have lost my resolve to blog regularly amidst the craziness that is my life. So, let me update you and let you now the direction my blog will be taking over the summer.

Well, my best friend is getting married in four days. FOUR DAYS! It is hard to explain the mix of emotions I have. So much will change, that much I know for sure. However, I am so extremely happy for her and excited to celebrate her and her fiance this weekend with a beautiful wedding. Tomorrow will be our last night as roommates and I am trying not to think about it for now. I will definitely blog all about the big day.

Yesterday was my one year anniversary with my love I am so thankful for this person that God has given me as a best friend and teammate. He makes me stronger and better and understands me like no one before. We spent a fun-filled day at Disney, making an appearance at all four parks! We were exhausted, but as well got home we still had present time. I got a beautiful promise ring. It is three hearts, to represent me, Vincent, and God in the middle. It was a moment I will never forget I proudly wear it, knowing I have found the person God has for me, and I can’t wait to see where He takes us

Here’s to the Future……….

1. Over the summer, I, along with my lovely friend Ashley Buchweitz are challenging ourselves to read the Bible in 90 days, from June 1st to August 31st. We will be blogging about our experience. Stay tuned!

2. I am taking my grandpa on a roadtrip to Tennessee in about three weeks to spend time with his only living sibling. I can’t wait for him to be able to spend time with his big brother

3. I am getting a great camera, very very soon. I am talking big lense, legit camera and I could not be happier. I am leaning toward the Nikon D5000 over the Canon rebel, but it will be one of the two. Any suggestions?? (I ask as if I actually have readers).

4. Most exciting, I am quite possible going to KENYA! I cannot wait. I am waiting on the dates to be finalized, but If all goes according to prayer I will be headed to Kenya late Dec/ early Jan. Pray with me, it will take a lot of fundraising.

Well, I believe we are pretty much caught up. I am looking forward to a wonderful summer, void of school work and full of friends, family and laughter.

I am back, trying to shake the title of “Bad Blogger”

  First, it is important to know that there is a full length mirror on the back of my door and I never sleep with my bedroom door closed, pretty much for that reason. That being said, when I woke up this morning, I stood up and starting walking toward my door to get ready for work. It was very early in the morning and the sun hadn’t begun to come up yet so it was very dark. As I approached the threshold, I saw the silhouette of a person. In that moment, I froze. I honestly thought that there was someone standing a few feet away from me. I was terrified. I honestly thought for that split second that something terrible was about to happen to me. I thought, this is it, this is the end. Then. . . . my crazy little self realized that I was seeing a reflection of my silhouette. 

OK go ahead and laugh. I am a loser and get scared of my own reflection. I guess we have all learned that I am not a morning person and cannot think effectively without a cup of coffee. 

Anyways, my point in telling this story was that afterwards, I remembered what had flashed through my mind in what for a split second I thought could have been my last moments. I remember the faces of my close family members and Vincent. I remember think please no. I realized it was me before I had any real words form in my head but I do know that images of the people I love the most in this world flashed in my head. 

SO, I am writing this blog because I want you to think. What would you think about in your last moments? What is so important to you? I think it is all very interesting. I know a casual friend whose material possessions have supplemented for other things missing in their life. I was just thinking what would people hold on to in their last moments. There are many books written about the end of life and the experience it is for someone, but I was struck with a little piece of that feeling today, even if just for a split second.