Saturday, January 22, 2011

Written on my Arm

   As some of you may know I recently got a partial sleeve on my left arm. The things in it are all things I feel the Lord is showing me or speaking through me. I haven't written out what they all mean and I thought now would be a great time to do so, so here we go...

- The tree is from Song of Solomon 2:3 " Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste."

- The heart and banner is from 1 John 4:16 " And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in us."

- The flowers are from a painting i did a while back about the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-24 " But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

- The rays of light and the sun are from Mark 13:26 " At that time people will see the son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." (I also used the Hillsong United song "Hosanna" for a little inspiration from the line "I see the king of glory, coming on the clouds with fire". That's where the fire colors in the rays come from)

- The peace sign in the heart is from James 3:18 " Peacemakers who sew in peace, reap a harvest of righteousness." 

- And lastly, probably the most meaningful for me, The waves from Jonah 2 " From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the the Lord his God. He said:
In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me.
Out of the belly of Sheol I cried out, and you heard my voice.
For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas,
 and the flood surrounded me, 
all your waves and billows passed over me;
Then I said " I am driven away from your sight,
yet I shall look again upon your holy temple."
The waters closed in over me to take my life;
the deep surrounded me;
weeds were wrapped about my head
at the roots of the mountains.
I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; 
yet you brought up my life from the pit,
O Lord my God.
When my life was fainting away,
I remembered the Lord,
and my prayer came to you,
into your holy temple.
Those who pay regard to vain idols
forsake their hope of steadfast love.
But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
Salvation belongs to the LORD."

One last thing I wanted to share. Last night as I was doing my devotional, the reading for that day was James 3. The chapter where one of the verse references for my tattoo is. It was the first time since getting my sleeve I have randomly read over one of the verses. It was so incredible. As if the Bible wasn't already so special, it became even more to me in that moment. Realizing that I am wearing a piece of Gods word forever was so powerful. It was a great moment.


- Grace & Peace




* Side Note * If your in LV and thinking about getting work done, I would definitely encourage you to go to Chance @ Red Handed Tattoo Gallery. He is the guy that did all my work. Incredible artist. Incredible man of God.

Monday, January 10, 2011

He Fills Heaven and Earth

   Over the past several months, 7 to be exact, we have been lifting up Daniel's younger cousin in prayer. She was first admitted into the hospital in May due to severe headaches, where they found some serious things going on. All of this leading into multiple brain surgeries and a lot of nights in the Hospital. She is only 17, this was supposed to be her Senior Year of High School. She had already began looking at Colleges, envisioning her future, thinking of majors, and all of that has been put on hold. There was a point at which they diagnosed her and began treatments, only to leave her back in the Hospital again with the Doctors at a loss.
   As we have been praying for her I have really struggled with God. She is totally in love with God and pursues Him daily, she is a great daughter, and incredible student, and overall just a joy to be around. And I can't understand why God would let this happen to her. Why He would let it last for so long and not give any answers or Hope that it will ever come to an end. I found myself saying, "God where are you? Why aren't you with her?" And this is what He showed me,

"Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? 
Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” 
declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” 

declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 23:23-24

 He is with her. He is all around her. Even though we may not understand why He is letting this happen, we can rest assure knowing that He will always be by her side. I will continue to pray for her and pray for Gods miraculous healing over her body, but until that happens I know she will never be alone. Please join our family in praying for this Beautiful girl. Strength for the fight ahead of her and for Gods hand of restoration on her body.

Grace & Peace






**** Photo Courtesy of wallpapers.pixxp.com
Thanks for checking out my blog. The writings found on these pages are just sincere thoughts, questions, and feelings I have about life, God, and banana slugs.