// tribute //

This post is a little more personal than what I would typically share. But it's something that is indirectly relevant to my readers and also, it's about something I want you all to know about. because even though we aren't supposed to be respecters of persons, we are supposed to give honour where honour is due and so i want to give honour to someone who deserves it. And to publicly thank God for one of the biggest gifts I've always taken for granted.

Last night was my church's last night with our pastor. He's been at our church for 14 years, 11 of which my family has also been attending. Since we first found out he was leaving, about a month ago, it's been hard, more so on some than others. This is a scary time for our Church family! For me personally... I try quite hard to avoid difficult emotions because I don't handle them well. It's not too hard because my mind is usually flitting around and I don't typically choose to dwell on things like this. I would lie and say I haven't even cried but it wouldn't be true. I couldn't say anything last night at church because, well, I knew I'd start crying and that wouldn't have been good.

 So anyways, as he and his family move forward in God's will, I'd like to take this post to give a little tribute to them.

Our pastor(technically he isn't ours anymore I suppose...) is a true man of God, devoted to preaching the Word, even when it's not what he wants to say, or listeners want to hear. I've seen him grow in the years I've been aware enough to pay attention, and for the last year or so in particular I've been so blessed by his preaching. I would not be the Christian I am today, I wouldn't be the person I am today, without the lessons I've learned from he and his family.

 My thinking patterns and approach to the Bible have been shaped by his teaching, by his expositional approach and thoughtful presentation. even though there are somethings we might not agree on, I cannot express how thankful I am for his standards. as I've begun writing and working on my blog, and having my eyes opened to a broader world via social media etc., I've realized what a difference it's made.

As I'm getting older, I'm realizing how much different most Christians have it. How many people have pastors who don't give them any real meat. And I have been increasingly struck with thankfulness for the way my mind has been stretched from an early age, until without even realizing it, truth is part of its fiber. I credit a lot of that to you, Pastor. Or rather to God working through your faithfulness. As I move forward in my life, there may be ways we differ slightly. And that's ok. As you reminded us so often, the church is a body and we aren't all meant to be the same.  But the truth of the pure gospel you've shared with us all will always be my foundation.

You've shown me things I might have not seen otherwise about God and His word. You've prepared me to really think about what I believe. To attach the proper importance to truth, to really care about what the Bible says. I think that's the hardest thing for me through this change- losing that food just as I'm finally old enough to really digest and appreciate it.

 Ugh there are so many things I could say, but I don't even think I have the words. And, anyways, it would be impossible to list everything I could say thank you for. So I'll just say thank you-for everything.

And to the family- there have been ups and downs over the years. I'd be lying if I said there weren't things I wish had been different, or that I had no regrets in relationships and choices. But in the end, what matters is what we take away, and there have been so many things I would not have learned yet if it hadn't been for all we went through.

Girls, maybe we had a lot of fights over the years,but what I've been remembering over the past few days is the good in them. Even in the stupidest of arguments we had, now I can look back and laugh a little. Wouldn't it be nice if those little things were still the biggest deals in our lives? Remember the friendship we shared, not the distance that grew up between us. You guys were and always will be a huge part of my childhood and I thank you for the good memories as well as the bad.

{also, daddy long-legs ARE NOT, have never been AND NEVER WILL BE POISONOUS. end of story. }

I wish you all the very best and I know God will expand your, and our, horizons in ways none of us can dream. I can't wait to see what is in store, and to be able to someday see each other again and share it.

I guess all that's left to say is-

Farewell.

//God be with you till we meet again/ by his counsel guide, uphold you/with his sheep securely fold you/ God be with you till we meet again//

//just to let you know//

I'll be gone for the next week.
My mom and I are going to BJU for a college tour.
I'd appreciate prayers for travel safety and also that God would use the trip to show me His will, or at least 'nudge' me in that direction.

And, I probably won't be blogging while we're gone.

That's all... thank you! Have a wonderful, blessed week.

//Grace- a song/poem by me//

Grace

I'm holding out this gift, 

It's just within your reach,

Believe and take what's offered 

And step across the breach.

I know you feel unworthy,

Like you shouldn't get this grace,

But I died for your redemption,

 And you're not a hopeless case

No one's too far for my love,

No one's beyond its endless reach 

Believe and take what's offered, 

And step across the breach 

You know how much you need me,

 Though you've tried to keep it in, 

I AM enough for all you are,

Every past and future sin

Don't keep on resisting,

Let go of self and pride,

I long to give you perfect peace,

And see you wholly satisfied. 

No one's too far for my love, 

No one's beyond its endless reach,

 Believe and take what's offered,  

And step across the breach

Come to Me now, I'm waiting, 

For you to repent and believe,

Turn from your sin to salvation, 

To the cleansing you can receive

* * *

A song I wrote awhile back.

It's a weird thing... I've written two songs that I actually like

 and both times they woke me up in the morning demanding to be written.

They didn't come from me.

Because I was asleep.

Not thinking

About writing songs or anything else.

But I think it did have some inspiration, other than just God deciding I should write this song,

Someone who was on my mind.

Never stop praying for those who you long to see saved.

Never never never.

Because God wants them too. 

But He wants you to pray for it.