Pressing Into Christ Through Prayer

       I am very thankful to have been encouraged by a friend to,"press into Christ." At first I was somewhat confused as to how to do that. I later learned prayer is one way in which I can press into Jesus Christ. I am prideful and it is challenging to stop what I'm doing to be still and pray. Living out 1st Thessalonians 5: 17, where the word says, "pray continually," and that is challenging at times. It takes effort on my part to stop my restless self and be still before Jesus.
      There are days in which I have chosen to harbor bitterness against loved ones. I have brushed passed people and circumstances in bitterness, allowing bitterness to make a home in my heart, and choosing my way over Christ's. I am praying that Christ would help me not to harbor bitterness in my heart. The word says, "Each heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share in its joy," in Proverbs 14:10. I do not want to have a bitter heart and I want to share the joy that Christ has given me.
      The above two lessons are ones that through the power of the Holy Spirit I can apply in practical ways. The Holy Spirit can totally gently nudge our arm when I need to press into Christ through prayer and ask Jesus to help me not to harbor bitterness and additionally to help me to truly forgive others.
    In what ways do you think you have been challenged or encouraged to press into Christ this past week or coming week?
      

Goodbye June, Howdy July!

Ladies and gentlemen, we are halfway through the summer of 2012! Crazy, is one word to describe what has taken place. Here is a list of several fun things I have done and would like to do before the summer is over.


Start a blog for my art projects. read "Passion and Purity". spend time with my sisters who live with my dad. go swimming. play video games with my brother (and at least win one race). spend time with family friends. Go to Magic Wings Butterfly House. start packing for school in the fall. Ride a train! Watch and listen to an awesome thunderstorm. read "Heaven is for Real". knit a few scarves for the fall. Go for a jog with my brother. watch a chick-flic at a cheap movie theater. Spend time with my roommate from SCSP 2011 summer project! go on a coffee date with my cousin. Reread: "Lies Young Women Believe." Reread: "Wild at Heart". Dance in the Rain. Go to a Kari Jobe Concert (AUG 23!). Attend She Speaks Conference. go bowling. make my own envelopes.

Freedom!

I love the word and I love artsy afternoons!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. -Galatians 5:1