He's Been There

I am the Gentle Shepherd--watching over you

I am the Gentle Shepherd and I'll surely see you through.

I have been where you're going,

And I know what you have to do.

Oh, I am the Gentle Shepherd and I gave my life for you.

Two weeks ago a friend shared this song with me. I had heard it before, but she sent it at the most appropriate time....because she knew I was having some difficulties and because she wanted to be an encouragement to me. It reminded me that God does know what I'm going through and He's already gone through it for me. He gave His life for me--why would He not carry me through the rest of life's journeys?

Listening to this song for a second time, I was reminded of the past events that God has brought me through. Thinking over prayers that have been answered in the past years showed me that He was there all along. I know He is...but sometimes, I need that reminder, that proof, that encouragement, and one way I received that was by counting my blessings, including the answered prayers.

He was there with me several years ago after I was convicted of some of my beliefs and had to step out in faith, knowing that most of my family and friends believed differently.

He was there when I watched the friends I had grown up with all my life, graduate, leave for college, and then find homes of their own.

He was there when I *shock* decided not to attend college, but pursue a BA at home. ;)

He was there when I needed friends--I found Him, first, to be the best friend ever--and provided them in a way I never expected.

He was there with me when I pursued better, closer relationships with my siblings.

He was there in that room with me on September 29th when I took my first CLEP test.

He was there as I helped and encouraged friends through difficult things.

He was there with me when I decided, a few months before, to "cram" for a harp exam in January; He was also there when I took that exam on the 26th.

He was there with me when I had several music performances. Unexpectedly, He also (through the help of a friend) gave me a way to get through the last festival without physical discomfort (my wrists were really starting to hurt because of all the piano technique I had/have to practice).

He was there with me a few weeks ago when I again faced difficulties that would not be resolved. I was overwhelmed by the encouragement and support I received from friends.

And that is why I know that He will be with me every single step of the way for every single future event.

He will be there when my coaching hold decision is made.

He will be there when I struggle through high school.

He will be there when the time comes for me to make a degree decision.

He will be there when I have to get my wisdom teeth taken out.

He will be there as everything crunches down into one long to-do list and I can't seem to get it all done.

He will be there for my next piano exam.

He will be there at my graduation as I speak and try to present my future plans.

Because He's been there, I know He will be there. He is faithful. He cannot go back on his promises and what He has said He will do, He will "perform it until the day of Jesus Christ". (Phil.1:6)

I Thessalonians 5:24

Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.

He's been there,

In good times and bad times,

He's been there.

When I could not carry on,

My Lord's been there,

When my heart had no words,

The loving Father still heard,

I've never been alone,

For He's been there.

God bless you all.

Your sister in Christ,

Kaleigh

Peace

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (NKJV)

Finding a quiet time during the day with our busy, day-to-day schedules can sometimes be difficult. With school, jobs, families, and the responsibilities that are added to our already “packed” days, it may not always be easy to find time to talk to God. Sometimes the word “overwhelming” may seem like an understatement with all of the work that we have to get done throughout the day. With all of this work and no end in sight, it’s hard to find peace and quiet.

I’ve found that to be my problem lately as I’ve been working on three school courses in college, starting to work with my horses again, outside work on our hobby ranch (as it has started to warm up earlier this year), and many other tasks that keep me busy throughout the days and weeks. There is never a dull moment.

How do we, as Christians in today’s society, find time? God reminds us in John 16:33: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” If we seek Him first (Matt. 6:33), before all else, He promises to give us peace. One verse that I have found to be very helpful is Ephesians 2:14 which says: “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.” Colossians 3:15 and Romans 5:1 are two other verses that I have found very comforting as well.

We can search high and low for peace on this earth, but the peace that the world has to offer does not begin to equal the peace that God gives us.


In Christ,
Anna
Numbers 6:24-26

From Collin

March 10, 2011 through March 10, 2012 was a very interesting year for me. Through it all, I saw the death and birth of relationships, the expansion of new spheres of opportunity, new realms of leadership, and new challenges, trials, opportunities, and victories this year.

In March 2011, I was on the home-stretch for finishing high-school, and ultimately homeschool. I knew that I needed to trust that God would sustain me through the end, but I did not yet know if the end was accomplished or not. Colossians 3:23 certainly came into play here.

Also, being 18 meant increased privilege. However, as the now-famous line (in our home) of my grandfather certainly rings true. "With privilege comes responsibility." I had additional privileges, such as a full-fledged driver's license and the opportunity to vote, but that also brought increased responsibility.

In April, a symbolic end to something I had wrestled with for years seemed to be at hand. I knew in April that my last attempt to develop lasting friendships had failed yet again. I had always desired friends for years that could be God-honoring in relationships and loyal in times of adversity. Fire tests the mettle of a man or woman...and it also tests the mettle of relationships. In every single instance before this, no lasting friendships had remained. It was only a few months before this that our entire family lost a precious friendship with another family. At the time, I was rather stunned that my best friend would suddenly disappear without any explanation. April marked the end of any hope in my heart for any lasting friendships.

May brought increased decisions to make. I knew that I needed to make a decision as to college. I knew about CollegePlus for several years, but wasn't 100% sure if it was the right decision to make. Also in May, I had the opportunity to graduate onstage at our statewide homeschool convention, although I wasn't actually done with school until a couple months later.

June and July were typical summer months, except for the fact that I registered with CollegePlus in June and began social interaction in July. I also received an iPad in June through the promo, and that has become an irreplaceable benefit. Registering with CollegePlus took some faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 certainly came into play here. ;) Becoming friends with Elliot and his family in June is worthy of another post.

August marked both a major end and a major beginning in my life. After 12 years, I was finished with homeschool. A major journey in life had come to an end. It was at times difficult; at times unsure; at times discouraging. But by God's grace no one quit the course God had impressed upon us, and we had finished indeed. It also marked the major beginning of college study...which was something completely new to me at the time, except for one chemistry course in high-school.

September marked a battle in a field I was growing ever more and more involved in and familiar with- social networking. I was somewhat askance back in July and August about some of the themes I saw in it, and In September, I saw those themes explode into an ugly war. Lack of responsibility in what people say, such as anger, flirting, pride, and over-sensitivity, while being challenges in real life, can be even more of a challenge in real life. Emotional purity is certainly a fight in real life, and people who are not careful on the Internet with that will have to reap what they sow. Trying to mediate between two people who's hearts had been burned over that did not result in any good from that that I have seen so far. Perhaps one day I will know whether anything good came from it or not.

October was WC1 month. Taking that test was an experience I will never forget. The most memorable thing for me from that was the power of prayer. I firmly believe it was that and that alone that caused me to pass. Dueling prayer at the same exact instant from friends was something I will always remember as well.

November I started becoming more and more involved with Anna, Kaleigh, and Andrew. God brought together four people from two countries together, and it will be interesting to see what God does with that in the future. It is indeed a blessing when friends all share the same basic convictions, and it has been excellent to get the families more and more involved. Youth culture is certainly not a goal in any friendship I have.

December marked me finishing up CollegePlus for the calendar year with 18 credits. Visiting the Creation Museum was also nice as well. Being able to see my cousin after his year in Afghanistan as a sniper was also good.

January marked a new calendar year, and a return to studying. I took out College Comp by God's grace, followed by College Math in February. I was now a sophomore...and that was a milestone I was not sure when I could hit. Before I knew it, I was already done with one whole year of college in the span of six months.

Overall, the themes for this 18th year were:

-Standing firm under fire

-Being willing to step out in faith and see what God has in store

-Developing blessed friendships that are God-honoring

-Being willing to step out and say "I will be the leader" when God asks me to be one, and to lead not only in word but in action...something I must work to do daily.

-Increased responsibility

-Increased challenges, but increased blessings as well

Thank you to Collin (whom we met through CollegePlus!) for the permission to post this on our blog. :)

God bless you all,

Kaleigh

One of those days...

We all have difficult days. Some perhaps more than others. I have had several of "those days" in a row this week.

I remember a similar day when I was grade nine. I don't remember any of the circumstances, but my Algebra I teacher (I use the BJU curriculum--teacher's instruct the students through recorded lessons) listed several passages of verses that really meant a lot to me. So...when you are having a challenging day read these and remember that God is in control. ;)

Psalm 86

3. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

4. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, I Lord do I lift up my soul.

5. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

7. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

10. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefor will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Lamentations 3:22-25

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 55:8-11

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For 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:

So 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.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

There are so many other verses that I could list, but I hope these encourage you in some way. God is always with us. Even when we can't see Him, He is still there, waiting to carry us through every circumstance in our life.

God bless,

Kaleigh