Love You Forever

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

This is my favorite worship song ever. I am not usually the type to be the hand raiser, eye closing, or dancing type of worshiper. I am presbyterian and we are board straight when it comes to worshiping. No clapping, no "AMEN BROTHA!", and never raise your hands. Boring right? Yah, I know. But it was how I was raised so really it's not that boring to me. But everytime I read or sing this song, it brings me to tears. I just want God to know that I love him so much. I have messed up a lot but he still takes me back in his arms again.

My youth pastor was talking about this video ( http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=mlb+philadelphia+daughter+throws+ball+back&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701&fr2=tab-web&tnr=21&vid=0001597231796 ) God gave us life with Him for eternity and we took that ball and chucked it as far as we could, not knowing what we were doing. And even though we did that, He still takes us into His arms tells us how much He loves us. Do you remember that kid in your gym class that nobody ever threw the ball to because he always throw it the wrong way? We are him. But, God continues to give us the ball and we continue to throw it away. And He continues to love us.

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Wow. It has been a long time since I have written. Those of you who now me know how HECTIC my life has been recently between church, school, future plans, etc. God has really showed me who is in control of my life by turning upside down!

I recently (last night) have devoted myself to a nightly Bible study that I will do everynight. It's more like a devotion but I'll be studying AND spending time with God. So I started at James last night, and it was the most amazing devotion I have ever had! I'm kind of weird in that I like all the books that some people find confusing. I like 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, Acts, Galations, basically all of those. So, anyway, it was great. 

I read the first chapter just to start and I also turned my last journal into a "thought" journal to write down notes and feelings on what I was reading. 

The verses that stuck out to me the most were 1:2-3, 12, 19-20, 21, 25-27. So basically all of them. :] But the one that I loved the most was verse 27:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I have such a big heart for orphans. They mean little or nothing to the world so we need to love them! I believe that God has given me this love for a reason and I hope and pray that I will use this love for His glory and honor. 

The next one that stuck out to me, not in a good way, was 26:

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

I struggle with holding my tongue. Yesterday was no exception. I feel the need to correct and argue points even when I don't have proof. (PRAY FOR ME PLEASE!) So to me this verse means alot to me and I'm going to post it around everywhere. Along this subject is verse 19-20: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." I have the reference to this verse faintly written on the inside of my hand to remind me to think before I speak in order to live the righteous life that wants me to live.

The one verse I found particularly interesting was verse 15: 

"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death

 I can't really comment on it because it kind of perplexes me. I know the verses previous to this one talk about blaming others for your own actions, but if whoever reading this could maybe explain a little further that would be great!

Well, I need to get started on my schoolwork. Thanks for reading and, Lord willing, I will write again soon!

Figuring It Out

I have been thinking alot about making a blog, but just brushed it off because I am way too busy as it is and who has time to write down their entire day. NOT ME! I can barely keep a journal. Anyway, I read a few of my friend's blogs and decided that I should make one.

It took me a while before I could come up with a name for my blog. I wanted a cute, nifty one but I just couldn't think of one. So after about 10 minutes of staring at the screen I decided "In the World" would be perfect. As the reader, your probably thinking, "Henley, we are in the world, duh, what a weird name." Au contraire mon ami, you see, we live in the world, but Christ said that we are in the world, but we are not of the world. We should not be looking at Christ wanting to love Him and to walk in His ways, but at the same time wishing we had enough money to buy those super cute stilettos.

I struggle with this everyday. I pray for my life to be completely taken over by my Lord and wanting to have the same relationship as my grandma does, then McKendra walks by mutters something and I shoot back at her and we go on and on until one of us is really hurt. Then later beside my bed, I ask for forgiveness and asking Him to help me to be more like Him, to be strong in my faith, and to walk away from tempting situations. Then tomorrow comes, and it starts all over.

As I now think about all I have said, I think about all of us who fail in these trying times. But it gives me hope to know that no matter how many times we mess up, He will always forgive us.
That's a peaceful assurance.