Gaining Christ

This world is full of things that pull my attention off of Christ. In a single second, my gaze can turn from Jesus to something temporary, and my soul tells me that the pursuit of the latter will bring the most comfort and fulfillment.

So lately I've been praying that God will make Himself my single vision...my single pursuit in life. The lyrics to a song we sang at church on Sunday are a beautiful prayer to that end...

"Lord be my single vision,
I'll run my race to receive my crown.
But You are the greatest gift I've been given,
Help me lay all my other treasures down...

That I might gain Christ, that I might know You. That I might find life, help me lose what I must lose. That I might gain Christ."

Please be praying this for me...
Thanks,
K.C.

Photo Credit: Bekah Bennett

Focused and Beholding...and other stuff ;)

Just love this quote from Chambers...

"The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God. Let everything else go...saving that one thing. The rush of other things always tends to obscure this concentration on God. We have to maintain ourselves in the place of beholding, keeping the life absolutely spiritual all through...never allow anything to obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God. Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in Him."

On a much less serious note, y'all should check out this "Japanese Silent Library" video on YouTube...I had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard when I watched it! :D You'll probably pick this up, but whoever gets the skull card gets the bad thing done to him, but they're in a library so they have to keep quiet. It's ingenious... Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO9dN9zpmiA&feature=related

~Kristen.

P.S. Thanks for all your comment's guys! It's so great to hear from all of you and it's really encouraging to read what you write! :D

Trip to "EgoLand"

I took a trip to LegoLand this past weekend with some friends, their little sisters, and my host family's daughter, Sara. We had a blast together, and when all the rides had been ridden, the sunblock wore off, and all the snacks were in full bellies, we were dog tired! :)

But we had some really fun memories, like when Sara asked why the sign said we were at "Ego-Land," (The "L" was hidden to our eyes :) "Ego-Land" stuck, and we referred to the park as that for the rest of the day. ;)

When strength is small

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world." -1 Peter 5: 6-9

These verses clung to my heart last night. For the last few days I have been experiencing some spiritual warfare where satan has been feeding me lies. Things I know of as untrue resonate with me because they feel true. And I'm left discouraged.

Yet I love the first part of these verses that call me to cast my anxieties and cares onto the Lord because he wants to bare that for me. I think of the lines from Jesus Paid it All which say,

"I hear my Savior say, your strength indeed is small. Child of weakness watch and pray, find in Me your all in all."

He is so good!! :D

Spring Fever in January

Hey everybody!

I'm indeed alive and well...Sorry I haven't written sooner, things have just been on the busier side... ;)

I'm doing really well here though, and am loving where God has me right now. I feel especially blessed to be more involved in my new church out here. The Lord is so kind.

And the weather has been particularly amazing too...granted, it's San Diego, so it's usually pretty nice around here anyway. But lately I feel like I've got spring fever! It's amazing what warm sunshine, a gentle breeze, and a good book can do for one's soul... :)

Have a great Monday,
Kristen.

Retreat Recap

Well, last night I got home (California home that is) from our 2nd Annual Bring Me Hope Retreat!

About 45 of us headed up to Lake Arrowhead for a long weekend, and God was so faithful to meet us and bless us with some really fun memories.

I mentioned to a few friends that when the New Year rolled around and I surveyed all that will being going on in 2008, (just the things I know of anyway) I wondered if I could get through it all because my tank already felt empty. But God really used this retreat to "recharge" me in a sense and fill me up with Him.

It was so refreshing to take some time and think, hear, and talk about the Lord and His word. And it was so fun being up in the mountains and laughing together. Thank you for your prayers...they were heard and answered!

Back to Cali on New Years

Happy New Years everyone! Well, I suppose it's a day late, but it is still a relatively new year so I think my wish can still stand. :)

Yesterday morning I headed back to San Diego. My trip to PA was fantastic, filled with lots fun times and memories, but it was time to come back to California.

God surprised me on the way back when I got a peak at the Grand Canyon! I've never been there before, but have always wanted to visit. So it was a great New Year's treat to see one of the world's wonders from the air. So fun!

Anyway, please be praying for Bring Me Hope's retreat in Lake Arrowhead, CA this weekend. It should be a good time, and I'm excited to take some time to pull away with the Lord and maybe even see some snow! Speaking of the retreat though, I need to get packing, and planning some games. Pitt anyone? ;)