"...Like a little candle burning in the night..."

"...In this world of darkness so we must shine: 

you in your small corner, and I in mine."

A Year Ago Today...

June 16th

the day I reckoned myself dead to sin and alive in Christ

My declaration was, 

"I am unworthy of my high calling, but He is worthy of the reward of His suffering. 

I don't so much want to live for Him as I want Him to live through me." 

That is still my declaration today.

Happy Anniversary of Baptism, 

Brooke, Thaysse, Mike & Courtney, Chelsea, Teresa, Hannah, Maranda, Kala, Elisa, Liz, Kourtney, Samantha, Alyssa, Nathan, Bri, Kelsey, Aaron, Josh, LeRoy & Erin, Madison, Ben, James, Dave & Megan, Camille, Mel, Tessa, Amy, Gavin and Nik!

Rejoice!

I have too much to say about this so instead I am going to just smile. :)

My Only Need becoming my Only Want

"I want You more than I wanna live another day."

"Give me one pure and holy passion, give me one magnificent obsession, give me one glorious ambition for my life: to know and follow hard after You."

"I have counted all things lost for the sake of knowing Christ."

"You are my only need."

"None among the sons of man, none among the heavenly train, can with Jesus then compare, none so sweet, none so fair."

"Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet, oh, to dwell and never leave."

My Jesus has faithfully shown me over the past year that He is ALL I NEED. I trust He will continue to show me that through the rest of my days on the earth. Now He has drawn me into a new lesson. He has been bringing me to my knees over the weekend. He's stirring my heart. He is enough. But, is He ALL that I WANT? No. He isn't. When I truly face that fact it breaks me. He is a jealous Lover. He is all that I could ever want, why do I settle for less? Why do I seek out something else?

Isaiah 55:1-2

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

The Lord is good. So good. As He teaches me heart, refines my life, draws me closer... As I surrender, repent, draw near and open my mouth wide... He is proving to be nothing other than faithful, good, patient, ALL. I listened to Paris Reidhead's sermon "Except ye repent" yesterday as I drove home from northern Minnesota. It was another tool used skillfully in my life by the Hand of my Beloved. Its a lengthy listen but its worth it. May He use it to slay you at His feet today, right where you are. This blog post of NJThompson's served to spur me on even today, here at my desk, half way through another work day. May He use it to bring you gently to your knees today, right where you are. 

"I love You, Lord, Jesus, my King. I want to love You more, my Great Reward."

Dear James & Kelsey, 

I've jumped up and down, I've burst into giddy laughter, I've cried the most delighted tears. Words fail me. I am so happy for you! See, that doesn't come anywhere close to describing my joy.

James, Big Brother-- you've brought me such joy, encouraged me in the Lord, protected me by taking blows for me even when I didn't know, you've served me and taken thought for my needs-- you're such a servant! Your adoration of, hunger for, and submission to our Jesus has blessed me, inspired me, and humbled me. Your obedience to Christ, your heart for the least, your love for those around you (your ability to make a "best friend" anywhere you go), and -- of course -- the way you have guarded and treasured Kels has been an example to me of a real man. Your entire Mills family is so blessed by you (We miss you!). I look up to you, I respect you, I love you!

Kelsey Lynn, my dear kindred spirit-- you have spurred me on, lifted me up in prayer, fought beside me, basked in the warmth of the Lord's smile with me, laughed your guts out with me. We've cried in anguish for the lost, cleaned other peoples homes, taken long walks, gone on drives, sung loud, goofed off, prayed, dreamed about the future, shared excitement and troubles, read together on the grass in the sunshine, and so much more (and by the way, I miss "doing life together" on a regular basis -- those are some of the sweetest times I've ever had). Your passion, confidence, humility, joy, love for the Beloved and for the lost, steadfast faith, femininity, sweetness, and genuineness are just a few things that I treasure. My friend, my sister, my comrade in the way-- I am so thankful for you, I have such respect for you, I love you -- so dearly. (P.S. You're amazing for taking kindly to the brother-sister bond between your man and I!)

You two have walked through some trying and refining seasons and now the day has come: you're lives are merging together from here on out and the day of your marriage will be one of great rejoicing!! I cannot wait!!

It is my honor to know you and to have witnessed the development of your relationship. I am eager to see what the Lord has in store for you; expectant for how He intends to pour out your lives for His kingdom and glory. I hope I will get the pleasure of walking beside you both in days to come, but regardless of whether we ever get to "do life together" again or not I will be cheering you on in prayer and will love you so much -- no matter what distance is between us geographically. :) :)

Congratulations on your engagement!

Love,

Chelsea/Chelsea Anne/Chels/Sis/Little Sister

All God's Children celebrates 20 years

2011 is the 20 year anniversary of All God's Children International (to learn more about this ministry go to the tab labeled "links" on my blog). This morning I received an email from them telling me about their 20-20 Challenge. I went online and checked it out. Essentially the idea is to donate $20 per month to the ministry and spend 20minutes a month for the cause of the orphan. They also have 20 ideas of ways to spend your 20minutes per month. This is a neat opportunity to advocate for orphans. Ask the Lord if this is where He wants you to invest His resources. Regardless of whether you're led to give money or not, the 20 ideas for the 20minutes (especially prayer) are ways you could be giving more than just monthly, but daily.
By providing information about this challenge from AGCI I am simply hoping to lay another option on the table for you, so to speak, and allow the Lord to direct your steps. He knows where He wants to use you.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6