Christ is All

Boy, I'm such a horrible blogger! Dear me.

And there are so, so many things that I want to blog about. Christmas, music, books, my new room, my new NEPHEW!!! Inception, bread baking mishaps...the list goes on. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will be able to post about most of those. But right now, I want to post about one thing.

Christ's preeminence.

That's a weird word, I know. According to my pastor, it only occurs one time in the New Testament: Colossians 1:18. As a church, we are going through the book of Colossians by memorization and the sermons. It has been wonderful! I have been learning so much. But the main thing that has taken hold of me is the fact that Christ is ALL. This was the main point of one of the very first sermons in the series. It's so true. Here are some verses that back this up:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven making peace by the blood of His cross." Colossions 1:15-20

Try reading that by replacing all forms of "He" with "Christ". Notice how many times Paul uses the words "Christ" and "All". It's staggering.

This is how our pastor started that sermon. Do you see the preeminence of Christ in this passage?

This sermon was preached at least a couple months ago. Then, last night, I decided to begin studying the book of Hebrews on my own (I've been wanting to have more structured personal devotions for a while, and I decided to actually "start" last night. Our pastor had read a portion of Hebrews yesterday morning, so that seemed like a good place to start. Anyway.) I was so excited to find these verses:

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs." Hebrews 1:1-4

Doesn't that sound incredibly similar to the first chapter of Colossians? I thought so, at least.

I feel like God is helping me realize how important He is, and how important His Son is. I know that sounds strange, but I'm afraid that He is not "All" in my life. Other things sometimes take a higher place. It's not like I actually believe that other things are more important, but my actions speak otherwise. Would I really get irritated with my sister if Christ was always preeminent in my thoughts? No. Do I desire to spend my time watching movies and listening to music rather than reading my Bible? Yes. Now, I'm definitely not against movies and music. I love both! And I actually think both can be very good and beneficial, in addition to being fun. I just have to keep my love for these things in check, and make sure that I don't stay up too late watching movies so that by the time I'm doing devotions, I can barely keep my eyes from closing. Does that make any sense?

Well, I need to get lunch ready for the kids. But, I do want to share one last thing. This is a song that we sang in church yesterday that really sums up everything I've said so far:

The First Place

by Matthew Westerholm

Jesus, the perfect picture of the unseen God
Maker of things we cannot comprehend
Wisdom, the earth displays Your strength and beauty.
Sovereign, yes, every throne knows You are God.

Chorus:
Every inch of this universe belongs to You, O Christ.
For through You and for You it was made.
Your creation endures by the order of Your hand.
So You must have in all things the first place.

Victor, over sin and death You triumphed.
Firstborn, You've shown us life beyond the grave.
Bridegroom, we long for You in expectation.
Jesus, Your church rejoices to proclaim:

Every inch of this universe belongs to You, O Christ.
For through You and for You it was made.
Your creation endures by the order of Your hand.
So You must have in all things the first place.

In Christ Alone

Just click. Then listen.

http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/

Amazing.

Yikes.

Alright. Well, I think I've just about met my previous record of not-posting. Oh dear. I must work on that.

However, now it feels like there is just SO much to write about, that I get overwhelmed.

Let's just pick one topic. How about school? Boring subject, I know, but it's kinda a big part of my life right now. Okay, never mind--I'll do one sentence about school and then write about something else.

This year I am taking 7 college credits (Nutrition, College Algebra, and a Child Development class that's already over) through PSEO, as well two high-school classes (twentieth century jistory and literture) with some awesome girls.

There. Okay, now you're a little caught up on school stuff. And now for other things.

How about muffins? I love muffins. And I'm sort of addicted to making them. Be they pumpkin, banana, or blueberry&oat, muffins are delish.

This is BO-ring. Soooo...maybe this is why I stopped posting? Hmm... Oh well.

I'll write more later (hopefully). I have a precious Morning and Evening to share with you all, so that will most likely be my next post.

And now, you have read the lamest post in history. Sorry. And on that note, adios! :)

Anne of Green Gables, new poll, new design :)

Hey, y'all!

I just got back from our family reunion/vacation. It was great fun. While I was there I read Anne of Green Gables and started Anne of Avonlea, as well as some other books. But this post is about the "Anne" series, by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne Shirley is the heroine of this set of eight books. She is an orphan girl of eleven when she is adopted by the kindhearted and lonely Matthew and his sister Marilla. Anne is a helpless romantic and uses her imagination at all hours of the day. She is dreadfully conflicted by her red hair, which seems to be the only thing that she cannot imagine away. As she finds true friendship in the neighbor girl, Diana, she also warms the heart of crusty Marilla, and brings joy and life to dear Matthew. I have only read the first one and a half books, but I can already tell you--they are books to be treasured. The characters in Anne of Green Gables are all so well-rounded and funny--you will love them all immediately. Except perhaps the dreadful Josie Pye. :) Anyway, I highly, highly, highly recommend these books. You will fall in love with the red-headed Miss Shirley and the wonderful town of Avonlea.

Okay, on to the next matter of business :) If you have already discovered this gem of literature, please vote in my new poll! Also, let me know who you picked. If you've seen the movie/s, you can vote, too! The first book is very, very similar to the first movie :)

And lastly, as you can see, I'm toying with the design of my blog again. We'll see what it actually ends up being :)

Well, I have to leave for orientation in a few minutes, so I have to go.

~Katie

New Blog: Orange Marmalade :)

Well I have sufficiently neglected my blog, I think. This seems to be quite the cycle, does it not? Oh well. I can only do what I can do. And today I'm going to give you a real treat :)

A wonderful friend of mine, mother of two of my dearest friends, has started a scrumptious blog that I would like to share with all of you. It's called "Orange Marmalade" and it's goal is: "spreading the word on delightful children's literature". Sounds awesome, huh? You can visit the blog at: www.jillsbooks.wordpress.com.

Mrs. Swanson (the blog author) led my book group this past year. Thanks to her, I have found some of my very favorite novels, including "Jane Eyre" and "A Tale of Two Cities" and "The Three Musketeers". Her love of literature is irresistibly contagious--I can't even tell you how much I have grown in my own love of written works in large measure due to her enthusiasm and discussions that we've had. She is also a lover of our Lord, and an amazing person, mother, and friend. :)

One of her posts on "Orange Marmalade" has inspired me to find and read "Winnie-the-Pooh" by A. A. Milne. It is such a hoot!

So, I encourage you to join me in enjoying some delightful "Orange Marmalade". You won't regret it! :)

Love Song for a Savior

My family has just started a "Secular Music Fast" where we only listen to worship music for a while. I think it's a great idea, even though it's hard. :) Actually, the fact that it's hard confirms all the more that I probably need it. Anyway, I was looking through a bunch of my CDs, and I came across one by Jars of Clay--I think it was my brother's, because he loves that band. Anyway, the third track on the CD is this:

"Love Song for a Savior"

In open fields of wild flowers,
she breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daises and the roses
in no simple language
Someday she'll understand
the meaning of it all
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on her lips
Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call her and she will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

Sitting silent wearing Sunday best
The sermon echoes through the walls
A great salvation through it calls to the people
who stare into nowhere, and can't feel the chains on their souls
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on our lips
Someday we'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call us and we will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and we'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

It seems too easy to call you "Savior",
Not close enough to call you "God"So as I sit and think of words I can mention
to show my devotion
"I want to fall in love with You"
"my heart beats for You"

Given the "theme" of this blog, I thought it was a fitting song to post. :) Hope it gave a little sunshine to your day!

p.s. I think the lyrics are correct, but I found them online, so you never really know. :)

Drawing Closer to God

Lately I've really felt the need to draw closer to God. I'm not sure why, but I've just felt a distance between myself and my Heavenly Father. I know that nothing can snatch me out of His hands, and that He's always right there beside me (Owl City's "Meteor Shower" :). I think every Christian goes through drier times--or rather, what feels like drier times--but we do not need to fret! God will not let us wander away, because we are His precious children! Anyway, I really feel like He's drawing me closer in many ways, and also showing me how to draw closer to Him. Here, I'll explain a little bit.

My family and I started going to a new church a couple months ago. The Lord has used this change for so much good!!! Every week I come home refreshed from a time of fellowship with the body of Christ, a great time in the Word with all of our pastor's sermons, Gospel-focused worship, and wonderfully intense, sometimes interactive, times of prayer. Suffice it to say, the Lord has provided a place that my family feels "at home" and that we love! So, that's one way in which I feel Him drawing me closer.

Then, this morning, as I was reading Morning and Evening and my chapter of Hebrews, I came across these little jewels:

"The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be;
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee." ~"Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon, May 4

and here is a section of Hebrews chapter 4 that really touched me:

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I'll sum up with a short little prayer that all this lead me to pray this morning (hopefully this doesn't make anyone feel awkward, or like this is a lame blog :) :

Father, please strip all idols (I have so many!) away from me, even though it will hurt. I want you to be the only One on my throne--you're the only one deserving of that place! Thank you SO MUCH that Jesus came to die for me, and while he lived on earth, He was tempted in every way but yet did not give in to sin! Thank you that He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. How incredible to have a Savior who understands the feelings of the ones He is saving! Thank you, also, for allowing us--horrid sinners, yet by your Son we have become righteous--to draw near your throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need!!!!! What an awesome promise you've given us!

Anyway, I often times just pray the scripture I'm reading, whether by turning it into a plea or into a praise or into a prayer of thanksgiving....I think this one might have all three :)

So, be encouraged today, friends, that our Savior knows how we are feeling, and that God can and will strip away all of our idols, so that we might indeed draw nearer to Him.

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it!
Prone to leave the God I love!
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above."