life.is.sweet.

10 things that make my life all the sweeter because they exist

1. writing anyone else who is a writer ultimately understands that this needs no description, and why I include it a lot.
   
   
   
2. relentless my word for 2012. a first for me. something I am striving relentless-ly for.
   
   
   
3. microsoft office 2010 totally God's provision. I've been in need of a newer version of office. I've been struggling with 2003 and it was causing more problems than it was helping. it was a total God-thing I was able to get a HUGE student discount from Microsoft and get the professional version for a third the normal price.
   
   
   
4. stargate: atlantis what can I say? loves me some scifi!
   
   
   
5. sanctuary yes...two syfy shows in a row.
   
   
   
6. learning my college classes started again today. daunting but exciting. my english lit class is going to be challenging, but in a good way I think.
   
   
   
7. buachaill on eirne oh this song...  
   
   
   
8. new year
   
   
9. kindle I was able to check out two books last night, instantly. did I mention they're books from two of my favorites series'? oh yes. I was squealing with delight all over the place!
   
   
10. blue sky peeking through the clouds in the winter. most definitely something that makes life sweet.
    
    
    
    

reading: reckoning by lili st. crow --- listening: how He loves by flyleaf

word for 2012: relentless

I see so many making resolutions.
Knowing a word or verse they are led to, that will define their year.
I've never really done that; made a resolution, had a word or verse.
But blazing relentless after God has been weighing heavily on my heart, thanks to God's inspiration through the Fine Arts theme for this year.
And I believe that is my word:
relentless.
After Him, no matter what.
Giving all I have to give.
Stepping out. Running to braver, instead of safer.
I keep asking myself, "what am I living for?"
And the fact is: myself.
I am selfish with the gifts He has given me.
Too caught up in being "individual" to share anything with anyone. Too scared of being taken advantage of. Scared of what I might lose.

I read Isaiah 55 the other day, and God really spoke.

 ¹Ho, 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.
 ²Wherefore 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.
 ^3aIncline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live...
 ⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
 ⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
 ¹⁰For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
 ¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

You see, I counted the total of my college fund just recently. My "college fund" being the 'piggy' bank I put loose change into for a decade.

$61.50

Sixty one dollars and fifty cents.
I've always wanted to go to college. I never looked forward to highschool. College was always my aspiration. Not community college mind you. Oh no, that was never good enough in my mind. University. That was it.

But in truth, whether or not I have money, I have a calling. Whether or not I have a university degree, God is going to use me in ministry as I have been called. He is going to provide, in His time, by His will; not mine.

And the chapter provoked the thought in my head, why do we do I spend so much on things that don't really matter? "that which is not bread"
Why do I give so much, for the things of this world; that do not satisfy?

In 2012 I want to be live relentless.
That means giving all I have to give.
Not thinking of what's in it for me.
Not fearing.

That means not procrastinating.
Not being lazy.

That means not letting these gifts God has given me, go to waste.
Not being selfish.

 ¹²For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

God,
Help me to live relentless. Free.
Father, I want to live for You, not me, not anyone else. Lord, light in me a fire that I may blaze relentless-ly after You.
Let's start some spirit - fires this year, Jesus.
Let's live relentless.
In Your name I pray,
Amen.