2014

A look back at the past year, from January to the present moment.

As far as years go, 2014 was pretty epic. It started at the 2014 Passion conference and will end back at home, celebrating the New Year with old church buddies. 2014 was the year of the woods, and of photography, of God stretching me in ways I never knew were possible. 2014 was the Appalachian Trail, and prayer; meeting new friends, writing letters, sharing the Gospel, and Word of Life. God has done things beyond belief for and through me this year, and even though life has been kinda tough at times, I know that my circumstances do not dictate my joy.

"For when You did AWESOME things that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled before You." ~ Isaiah 64:3

2014: You will be missed.
2015: Welcome, friend.

"good boys they seemed, and let them love the city."

Days have been good. Even if I've had my anxious or irritable moments, each day has held a little glimmer of its own: a visit with old friends, outlining my novel with God's help, reading my dad's favorite book, freedom from Romans 8, Bob Dylan songs. It's been good! Break is kind of crazy, though. I want to be home and yet I don't; I wouldn't mind going back to college and at the same time, I'm dreading it. Folks, I am an enigma. I think that's just part of being a girl, though.

i want You

It's amazing what God can use. Yesterday, it was a Bob Dylan song.

I hadn't been dwelling in the Word for the past couple of days, and let me tell you, I could see a difference in my mind and attitude. I was fixated on old things, things of the past. Anxieties and thought patterns that used to consume and rule my life. But I prayed, weakly, and He answered me.

"In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah." ~ Psalm 81:7

I came back into my room after praying and put on a Bob Dylan record and just felt this overwhelming rush of freedom. The worries that I had had only moments ago were settled and stilled, and Jesus used my delight over a simple sixties song to make me joyful again. It is no coincidence that in my prayer I had voiced my love for that silly song, and my desire to rejoice in the Lord. He uses all things for our good and His glory.

Why worry?

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will." ~ Romans 12:2

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come!" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

-- Glorious photograph of Bobby D found online.