okay, so i know i have been putting up a lot oswald chambers quotes lately...and there is about to be more. i have been reading my utmost for his highest in my quiet times, and i think it is awesome.

"our Lord's teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person- His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure."

so last night, i put up a post, but deleted it this morning. and reading that quote above is bascially what i was trying to say. i am no where near to being like His Son, i fail many times, but God has patience with this stuborn child, and continues to form me into the likeness of His Son. over the past year and a half, i have learned that a relationship with God is what is important. not just attending church and calling yourself a christian, but an actual relationship. relationships take your time. in order for them to grow you must put your time and energy into them. the same applies to your relationship with God. you must spend time with Him, revealing your heart and getting to know His.

"...not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son 'that the world through Him might be saved' (john 3:17). are we perpared to pour out our lives for Him?"

the closer you grow to God, the more you realize it is NOT about you. this life is not about you at all and never will be. it is all about the One who created all this, the One writing this story, the Savior, our God. i like the phrase 'wreckless abandonment'. i like to think that God call us to wrecklessly abandon our foolish ways to follow Him and be formed into the likeness of His Son.

"our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us- and we cannot measure that at all"

the truth is none of us are perfect. we are going to fail, we are going to sin. but we have to keep persevering to the end. the Word says, anything is possible with God. and He WILL form you to be like Christ if you allow Him. it is all a process, one full of ups and downs. and the world may not understand what you are doing, and it will be difficult. but that doesn't matter. what matters and what lasts is your relationship with God. continue to let Him form you.

"my soul clings to you" -psalm 63:8

"you have made known to me the paths of life; you fill me with joy in your presence" -acts 2:28

"you will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" -isaiah 26:3

"make known among the nations what he has done...tell of all his wonderful acts. glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always" -1 chron. 16:8-11

well, God is pretty awesome. despite me, His love, patience, and Grace continues to cover me.

and yay for all of you who just finished your first week of college! once you get used to it things will get easier! hope everone has a great day!