Peace In A Storm

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be 

perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James 1.2-4

My heart is heavy. 

My family's heart is heavy.

My friend's hearts are heavy.

While I completely understand this verse, I have a hard time understanding why, when we've been tested and been proved, we still have such adversary against us.

But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. 

In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. 

God has called you to peace. 

I Corinthians 7.15

I firmly believe we serve a God of Peace; Jehovah Shalom. I believe that Peace will come from all attacks of the devil. I believe that my Maker speaks Shalom over my life, my family's lives, my friend's lives, and those who listen and believe in Him. 

Let your speech always be gracious, 

seasoned with salt,

 so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 

Colossians 4.6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him, 

and He will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3.5-6

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. 

Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14.27

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer,

My Lord, my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

My shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.

Psalm 18.2

The Lord will guide you always;  
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. 
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58.11

He tends to His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers His lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.
Isaiah 40.11

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. 

But take heart; I have overcome the world!

John 16.33

Alone

I posted this in my other blog (lauraschaefer.theworldrace.org) tonight, thought I would share here too.

On the way home tonight from Bible study I heard this song by Sanctus Real that I've heard a million times. Every time I hear it I can't help but think how it applies to my life.  I was on my way home tonight, listening to these words and all I could think about was how I feel so alone. Everyone was getting into their cars together, going home together, and there I was alone. Granted, I now live with my parents and not going home to an empty house, but still, an all too familiar feeling.

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone

Someone sitting around a campfire told a story once about how he thinks God feels lonely too. He was saying that at Christmas time they were having a party with some friends and while everyone was having a grand time, no one was mentioning Christ. He went to have some quiet time in a solitary room and God told him that He would be there if invited. Now, I'm not sure that God feels lonely, but I do know that I don't invite Him to be part of my life as often as I should; not just with me when I pray, but with me on my way to work, at work, when I'm out with friends, whatever it may be. All too often I find myself praying that He would take my lonliness away; send me someone who makes "me" an "us", but really I'm not alone, He is with me always.

"Be strong and courageous
. Do not be terrified for the
Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you, nor foraske you"

Isn't it amazing that we (I) can be completely surrounded by the best of friends and family, whom I love and love me dearly, yet feel so alone? Back to the lyrics, God is definitely my strong hands; He has given me the strength to move back in with my parents, away from solitude and independance (not that my parents are controlling by any means). God is opening doors to fulfill dreams I didn't know I had. If you told me even five months ago that I'd be doing something like The World Race I probably would have laughed. I never thought I would be selling my things to do a trip around the world preaching the Gospel! Now, I'm so excited I wish it were July! I can't wait!
I've been reading Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot (its been put on hold since the move, I need to get that back out!). God is definitely the love of my life! If he isn't then no one else ever could be. I'm learning that things may not be the way I want them to be (a concept I know all too well, but don't understand when it comes to relationships) but God knows why they are the way they are, why and when they will change, and how it will effect my life in the future.

"I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future"

Another song I'm reminded of (maybe not so Christian) is Carrie Underwood's Temporary Home. It says

"This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my temporary home"

How poignantly true is that! I'm not afraid because I know the Home I'm going to has so much more for me than this world!
So, while I still feel loneliness and solitude, its a growing process. Its me finding out who I am in Christ. It is me learning how to TRUST Him; to know that my future is in His hands and nothing can harm. It is me learning to lean on His wisdom and know that His LOVE is so much more than enough.

Mmmmmm

Today I made cupcakes for a friend's birthday. As I have stated in past posts, cupcakes-and-birthdays, I love to make sweets for my friends on their birthdays.  He requested carrot cake with cream cheese icing. The last time I did this it was requested to me to do a photo log of my process. Here you go, L, I hope you enjoy it!

Carrot Cake
2 C. Flour
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1-1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Tsp. Salt
2-1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
4 Eggs
1-1/2 C. Vegetable Oil (I used apple sauce, its healthier and more flavor)
2 C. White Sugar
2-3/4 C. Shredded Carrots
1 C. Pineapple (crushed and drained)
3/4 C. Walnuts (or Pecans)
1 C. Raisins
  
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, and eggs. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in shredded carrots, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts and raisins. Pour into prepared pan, or cupcake tin.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

The Icing
1-1/2 Bricks Cream Cheese
1/2 C. White Sugar
1/4 C. Powdered Sugar
1 Tbs. Vanilla ( I used half Kahlua, half Vanilla ;) )
16 Oz. Heavy Whipping Cream 

Mix the Cream Cheese, Sugars and vanilla. Slowly add Heavy Whipping Cream and mix on high until peaks are created.
Normally I use a pastry bag, but I recently moved and have no idea where my pastry bags are. A zip-loc bag works just as well. Be sure to only cut a small hole to begin with; you can always make it bigger but not smaller :). 

And Voila! Add chopped nuts for visual and taste enhancements :). 

Beautiful

My words cannot be shared. I will share someone else's.

The days will come when you don't have the strength  
When all you hear is you're not worth anything 
Wondering if you ever could be loved  
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much
 
Chorus:
You're beautiful You're beautiful  
You are made so much more than all of this  
You're beautiful You're beautiful  
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His 
You're beautiful
 
I'm praying that you have the heart to find  
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight 
For all the lies you've held inside so long  
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross 

Before you ever took a breath 
Long before the world began 
Of all the wonders He possessed There was one more precious  
Of all the earth and skies above You're the one He madly loves Enough to die
You're beautiful You're beautiful In His eyes 

Watch Here