Sunrise, Sunset

I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful

-Phil Wickham

The past few weeks, a dear friend of mine has been texting me to remind me to look at every sunrise and every sunset. This has been an awesome blessing and reminder. Now that the time change has occurred, I get to witness God's gracious designs every morning on my way to work at 6:45. A full thirty minute show. And it never fails that on this drive, Phil Wickham's voice comes out of my speakers and reminds me that I am looking at the face of God as I pursue the sunrise. I literally have the privilege of driving into God's glory every morning, how cool?

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

{Psalm 19:1}

I am so thankful that I have a God who is not just some dead guy that was worshiped once upon a time. He is a living, breathing, concrete man who lives inside of my heart. This man that I speak of loves me unconditionally, even with my bucket of troubles and gallons of tears. He is, was, and always will be. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I am working on trusting him with my future, my whole being. But, the funny thing is, he already has it under control. My lack of trust and faith in his work is what got me that bucket of troubles and my gallons of tears. So why not trust? Is it a blatant lack of faith? Fear? I don't have a good reason, I just have a good God that I know I need to place my trust in.

Sunrises and sunsets are amazing to me. The second I wake up, I look out my window. I can tell by this little glance if the sunrise is going to be spectacular. The mere reflection of the sun on the clouds is an indicator for what is to come that morning. Half of the period of time that the sunrise occurs is just a reflection, not even the real thing. The sun often waits to make it's appearance until long after the colors in the sky have made theirs. 

But, it's still beautiful. 

I hope that is how my God sees me. 

Just a mere reflection of his work and glory, but still beautiful. 

Not even the full show, but still beautiful. 

I long to be that reflection. So that others may see his glory in me. So that I can shine the light of Christ and share it with all of the world. But only until the real thing comes, the full show starts, and our God receives the biggest blessing in history, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." {Philippians 2:10} Oh how I stand on tip-toe for that day. The coming of my King. 

It's so funny to me that we know these things, yet we ignore them. We know that God's plan is better than ours, but we still choose our way. I've got news for you party people: OUR WAY STINKS. Like last week's garbage. So why do we choose it? I think it's easier. What about you? 

Your challenge:

The next time you are driving into the sunrise or the sunset, do me a favor. 

Look behind you (at a stop sign of course). What do you see? 

A pretty sky, maybe some clouds, maybe a tree or two. 

Now turn back around. What do you see? 

The overwhelming glory of God's face? Yeah. Me too. 

I like to think of that as God's way and the pretty sky with a couple of trees as my way. Sure, it's nice to look at and doesn't look to terrible to be a part of. But is it as spectacular as all that the sunrise has to offer? Is your way as unbelievable as all that God's way has to offer? Not for a second!

I want to choose God's way, friends. I want to love driving into the sunrise and sunset because I know that it is only a sneak peek of all that God has in store for me and for this dreary world. I want to pursue God's face with all that I have. I want to be a reflection of all that he is. I want to stand on tip-toe for all that is to come. Won't you join me?

 

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful

Father God, thank you for your wondrous love for me, a simple sinner. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Let us not treat them cheaply. Thank you for the opportunity to get a peek of your glory every day, Lord. I long for the day that you take us to be with you on eternity's shore. Until then, prepare me, refine me, and take me out of my comfort zone. Strengthen me to shine your light in a very dark world. Create in me a bold heart that trusts you unconditionally. I love you with all that I am. Amen. 

The Reineke's {baby#2}

My youth pastor and his wife were expecting their second baby here recently... NEWSFLASH!!! She is here!!

Norah Elizabeth arrived on September 16th at 8:29 AM. Her little lungs weren't quite ready yet and she is in the care of the wonderful nurses and doctors God sent for her. Pray for sweet baby Norah, brother Collin, Brad, and Kathryn that peace would overwhelm their lives and that the hand of the Ultimate Healer would come and mend their little girl!

Below are some of the maternity pictures I had the pleasure of capturing:).

I love this little family and their new addition!!

Pray for Baby Norah!

Up From The Grave He Arose!

 

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."

-Matthew 28:6

 

Happy Resurrection Day to you all!!

 

 

Mim and I's new spring decoration we created.

 

Continuing the tradition at Aunt Kelli's with Easter egg decorating!

 

P and her lovely duckface...

 

 

My favorite egg!

 

Only a few of us ladies this year were able to make it :(.

 

Sabbath Sunday

Yesterday was the final day of Upward season 2 at our church! It was such an exciting year and I am so glad to have been part of it:)

{this is only half of the kids}

I got the opportunity to cuddle with my little Maleigha again today during service! Sister is so cute I could eat her cheeks!

This was my view on the way to church this morning:

{Sign up here for my Safe Driving 101 class.... if only.}

For supper we went to Grandma and Grandpa Berger's to dicuss what we will be doing during his surgery on Friday. Luckily, most of us will be able to make it down to Cleveland for the day of his surgery!

Prayers for a safe surgery and for guidance of the surgeon's hands are much apprectiated:)!

Lord please put your hands of peace and healing on Grandpa, and give Granny peace through this storm. Please guide the doctor's hands and make for a successful surgery! Amen.


Jeremiah 17:14Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

Psalm 41:3The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

Music Monday: Grandpa

Starting today I'm introducing Music Monday! This is going to (hopefully) make me blog more frequently!

My new found love for 10th Avenue North's song "Worn" has grown stronger over the past week.  My Grandpa is facing surgery on his heart sometime this week and this song captures all of the weaknesses in our life and how they just wear us out. Obviously, Grandpa is terrified, as are all of us family members.

Prayer is much appreciated for this situation. Despite his physical and mental strength, Grandpa needs the help of the ultamate Healer.

 

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:13

 

Dear Heavenly Father, I'm placing my hope, trust, fears, and other insecurities in you Lord. Be his healer and be our guide through this process. Put your hand of peace on Grandma as she stands by and watches her husband endure this trial. Be with us as his kids and grandkids, and give us the perserverance and hope to make it through this scary time. Take our hope and place it in you! Amen.

 

 

 

"God did not give you a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

Love One Another

Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours!

 

 

Now, whether you do or don't celebrate this holiday, I encourage you to love on somebody today! It could be your kids, spouse, parents, or the lonely kid at lunch...it doesn't matter! God has commanded us to love one another:).

 

Happy Love Day to you all!

 

 

{My new Valentine's Day decor I crafted}

 

 



 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”   John 13: 34-35

Learning the Word

Lately, I have been searching for ways to grow closer to the Lord through His Word. I was ready my devotions late one night and the author suggested carrying around a notecard with a verse on it all day.

I use the verse from the day I'm on in my devos the entire next day. I keep mine in my case with my meter in it, which is opened 4-5 times per day and is a great reminder for me to look at the verse.

I date my notecards and then store them in a notecard box for safe keeping. Once I have a years worth of verses, I'll be able to reuse the cards and really learn those verses!

It's been working great! On the first day, I found myself quoting my verse from memory all day! I'm so excited to have finally found a memorization technique that works for me!

I also started keeping a "Thanksgiving" journal back in September. I write down almost every day what I am thankful for. This has really caused me to become thankful for even the smallest things in life. Even after having a crappy day, I can ALWAYS find at least one thing to be thankful for!

I hope that these methods help you as much as they have helped me!!


"I have hidden your word in my heart that i might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise, Sunset

Last Wednesday, this beautiful portrait was painted by Our God. There's something about sunsets that draw me nearer to my Saviour.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

-Psalm 113:3

 

 

"When the sun has set, no candle can replace it."

-George R.R. Martin

 

 

"There is a sunrise and sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them."

-Jo Walton 

 

 

Those who stand at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. from where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

-Psalm 65:8

 

 

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go -
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne.