Thinks I Aspire To Do, But Have Never Actually Done

 Have you ever had a bunch of things you would like to do, but you never really get around to? Join the band wagon. This here, sister, is one thing I struggle with. I make all these resolutions to change, which never actually come to be a reality in my life. Why? Because I can't change on my own. I guess this is something I've been realizing lately, ya know? I am so incompetent of doing anything good in my life, then I get discouraged, depressed--call it what you like--instead of turning to the One who can actually CHANGE me. I'm learning that changing happens not when I hold onto my struggles, and try in vain to mold myself, but when I hand my struggles over to God, and cry out "HELP...!"

 

I seem to learn this lesson over and over, and over, and will continue to be taught this for the rest of my life! I still am struggling, falling...failing. Thanks be to Jesus, who is still there, picking me up, and taking me by the hand!

 

Anyway, here is a list of thing I would eventually like to do (They aren't all serious. Some are actually quite stupid, but I still want to do them sometime in my life... I guess you could call this a kind of bucket list. Pictures are from Pinterest (you know, that website you go on for hours with all those cool ideas, that you never get around to doing!) * insert a smiley emoticon, because I can't figure out how to do that, and don't want to take the time to figure it out*

 

 Please note, these are not in any sort of order, just whatever I feel like doing at the moment.

#1
-Go on an Adventure

I'm terrified of heights, despise spiders, and have an fear of mice, and insects...etc. Yup, I'm a city slicker. I guess the kind of adventure I have in mind is a road trip, or camping trip. Maybe through some hiking in the mix, and I'd be pumped! I guess you could say I'm kind of like a version of Bilbo Baggins (although not half as brave, witty, or really any of his characteristics except the cowardly part). But I would like to go on a slightly dangerous, but mostly safe adventure. (Is that even a thing?)


#2
-Drink Coffee Black...and Enjoy it.


I think coffee is an acquired taste, thus, I have resolved (not really) to start drinking it more with less added sugar/milk. I had a cup today, and didn't add any sugar, and *drumroll* enjoyed it. It's working you guys!


#3
-Be A Hermit For a Week.

Before you get freaked out, let me explain! I think it would be fun to go to the mountains and find a cozy cabin to spend the week in alone. I like being alone sometimes to think, and maybe to just be there, out of the hubbub and stress of normal, everyday life would be really refreshing. Pack a few books, Bible, and a couple movies...and walah! Dream land! =) Maybe not alone...that would be kind of scary. Maybe bring a person, and have them close by... can you tell I'm not very adventurous?

#4
- Keep My Room Clean on a Regular Basis...


Ya'll, I'm a messy person who likes to be organized. (Why did I write Ya'll? I'm not Southern! Oh dear. That was my natural instinct...scary. No offense to Southern people.) It drives me crazy sometimes (the room, not writing like I'm Southern!) I need to get into the habit of cleaning up after myself, 'cause it's not gonna clean itself up on it's own!

#5 Get into the Habit of Praying Continuously


This is an area I still struggle with. I get so distracted that I often forget to pray of even ask Him for help. Other times when I pray, I start, and then I get distracted---squirrel---! Have you ever felt that way? Anyway, this is definitely something I aspire to do!

So anyway, that's the end of my post! I hope you enjoyed it, and that I made you smile! Thank you if you read all the way through it! You guys make my day!

-Natalie

                                         --------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

Heaven’s bounties raining down

The Holy Spirit, pouring out

The worthless vessels-- transformed from dust

Into treasured children, adopted sons.

Though hands and feet, crucified,

The love of God was magnified.

To show the price, His blood was shed

The spotless one has paid our debt.

Freed from the prison, shall I return?

Eagerly running to chains and dirt?

Forsaking the freedom, ignoring the cost

All to seek treasures easily lost.

 Redeemed saint, why do you sin?

Why does this body rebel once again?

Compelled to run from the God who has loved,

Not without cost, nor sparing His Son.

 What I despise, I am most prone

The sins I fight, I love the most,

Daily I battle the desire for more

I struggle, I doubt…I’ve been here before.

 Who will free me from this sin?

Thanks be to Christ Jesus once again!

He who won the battle once and for all

And gives me the strength daily—on Him I will call!

 

A Poem of Grace

Hey Ya'll! I've kind of stopped writing poems, but I had an idea for one, and I figured that since I haven't posted in a while, I might as well share it! It's definitely in need of some heavy duty editing, =) but I thought I'd share it anyway. Feeling like I have to measure up (to God's expectations, mine, and of course other people!) is something I definitely struggle with, and hopefully this poem will remind you (and me!) that our worth and identity is found solely in Jesus! Thanks for reading, and have a fabulous day!


Defined by Grace

Standing at the measuring stick

Dazed at just how tall it is

Expectation towers high

Scoffing at how hard I try

You know you’ll never measure up

Failure says “not good enough”

You’re falling when you need to fly

Hitting ground hard—why even try?

Distant hope fades to dread,

The waking sun goes back to bed.

Storm clouds roar inside me ear

I’m torn between trust and fear.

But He says:

“Your victories don’t define you!

Your failure is purchased and paid.

Your battles aren't graves that describe you!

You’re loved by a King who has saved!

Your identity is not in success,

Worth is not in what you hold

Your value springs forth from the price that was paid

To ransom your captured soul. “

Standing at the measuring stick

Dazed at just how tall it is

Expectations tower high

Scoffing at how hard I try

Jesus broke that measuring stick

My sin is exchanged with His holiness

My failure replaced with victory

The death He paid has ransomed me

 I trust in the One who saves

Who triumphs in my darkest day,

Teaching me to live as free,

A new creation, no longer me!

“Your victories don’t define you!

Your failure is purchased and paid.

Your battles aren't graves that describe you!

You’re loved by a King who has saved!

Your identity is not in success,

Worth is not in what you hold

Your value springs forth from the price that was paid

To ransom your captured soul. "