2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through

Two blog posts, this close together.. Woahhh now. Doing work so far in 2013.


Since I am doing this from my phone I cannot post a YouTube video so if you are reading this and want some jams, I suggest you listen to "Need You Now" by Plumb (here is the mobile link http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zzikLM0NrfM)

But honestly, I love to write. I used to hate to write and it used to be one of my huge weaknesses. The cool part about it is that I don't decide when I write. I truly believe God place the words in my heart and my hands just go to work. I talk a lot, but I used to never be a writer. I was nervous to write and I just hated doing it. I love how God has been strengthening me and using, what was truly my biggest weakness, as an outlet for me.

Now that I like to write I do, but if I try to write or try to decide for myself I want to write... Nothing comes.
But when God tells me "write" the words flow to this computer screen (or this super fancy iPhone blogger app.. Thank you Google!)

Right now, some of my other weakness are being tried, challenged, and strengthened... Patience. Worry. Trust. Three things that I would love to say I don't struggle with but I don't like lyin.

I am in a place right now where I truly have to lean on God for His strength and guidance. I am thankful when I have a smile on my face and thankful when I have a heavy heart because I have seen God take a weakness of mine and make it stronger. I have seen what He has done with just one thing, my writing... And now I get the opportunity to see how He strengthens and works with three things. I cannot wait to see how I grow closer to Him as He works in my life.

I have a feeling my mind is about to be blown.

Is there something you're struggling with... A weakness you have that you think can never be used... That you'll never get over or it's just really knocking you down?

Maybe just maybe God is bringing it to your attention for a reason. Maybe He is working as you struggle. Are you going to open up and let Him work or keep struggling with a weakness that He tells us He can use to work trough you...?

As scary as it is, let go and let Him work.


-B

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

It's the 4th day of the 2013 New Year...
Gosh! I haven't written all year! ha! 
Big changes means a lot of road blocks, traffic jams, flat tires, car trouble, and red lights going on in my head. Things are finally starting to slow down and clear up.

So far these past couple days of the New Year, and the last few weeks wrapping up 2012, I have a lot of time to think and reflect over all of the things that happened in 2012 and all the things that are happening now and all of the things that will be happening. 

"Look back and thank God.

Look forward and trust God.

Look around and serve God.

Look within and find God." 

That is the quote on the lock screen of my lovely little iPhone. 
Sometimes we get caught up in everything going around that we lose sight of the one thing that never changes, never leaves us, never gives up on us no matter who we are or what we have become where we have been or what we have done. 
I fall victim of it all of the time. 

the other day I tweeted (@brookenicole91 if you're a tweeter too)
"It's so easy to forget to thank God when things are bad, and see His guidance when things are good."

& it is true. We get so caught up in the why...
why are things bad?
why am I going through this?
why do I feel this way?
why is this happening?
why...
and we lose our trust. 
we get so caught up in our own thoughts and our own wants that we sometimes think God is being silent because "we are doing what He wants us to" because things are good or are falling into place for us, when really... we just aren't seeking Him. We aren't asking for His guidance or His strength or His will to be done because we manipulate who God is. If we are happy and things are what we want, we tend to think that is what God wants for us too.

Regardless of our situation, we try to close the door on God. We forget the door to God is always revolving and can't ever be shut. 

Since it's the new year, there are resolutions... what are you going to try to do different this year.. how can you be a better you this year... or how can you make this year the best yet...

that's why I have the quote I do on my lock screen. 
Sometimes I want to be, and need to be, constantly reminded to "Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God. Look around and serve God. Look within and find God." 

I don't want to tune God out when I'm happy, or shut him out when I am in a struggle.
He knows what He is doing and all things work together for my good. 

He is the only thing that will never leave us. He always wants what is best for us. He is the only light in the middle of the darkness. He is the strength when we are weak. He is the breath of air when we feel like we are drowning. He is the only thing that stays the same while all others are constantly changing...

So what are you choosing to do with you 2013 year... I know what I struggle with and what I need to do to stop trying and struggling to close that revolving door.. 

look back, look forward, look around, look within; thank, trust, serve, and find God, He is always there. 

-B