bible verses

after a few weeks (rather an eternity it seems) of not having a functional computer, i am finally able to post on this blog once again.  

how have you been readers? what have you learned the past few weeks? is there anything exciting happening in your life right now? what up coming events are you looking forward to?

i am sipping on some homemade, frothy cinnamon swirl java. (inset very content face here) what is your drink of choice?

for the past few weeks, i have been going to university bible study.  in the past, university bible study isn't something i have always found comforting nor have i been its biggest advocate.  i just felt, as i am sure several people feel, like an outsider.  being a student athlete, my friends circle primarily encompasses the track and cross-country team.  i felt alone and like that girl with no friends.  i didn't even start going to my current church until my sophomore year of college (a year in which everyone is so excited to get back to school to see their friends they made the previous year).  for me, i was automatically isolated because i didn't have a "mom" and a "dad" to guide me through out my freshman year to find the perfect church home. that, or maybe i am just sulking.  however, here i am a senior, and i decided to make going to university bible study a priority (first time, ever).  though i choose to still sit with grown-ups, i enjoy their fellowship and the occasional moment where a person i am acquainted with says hello. i like grown-ups.  i still feel like an outside floater, but sometimes i don't think that is such a bad thing. maybe i just need to suck it up and force myself to talk to people.  i have feelings of indifference and the desire to invest emotions is lacking, admitting this hurts. have you ever  felt on the outside of cliques?

within the past few weeks, i have decided to start writing down bible verses that struck a chord with me.  i write them down in a flip book.  here are a few that have really inspired me lately.  

• "You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you." -Exodus 34:14
• i pray that i stray from spiritual prostitution.  i constantly put school work, my personal time, photography interest, running, and bitter grudges in front of my relationship with God.  i commit adultery with my Lover. look at this verse. GOD IS PASSIONATE ABOUT ME! ABOUT YOU! ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM! i pray to be as excited and as in love with my God as he is with me.  
• is there an area in your life to which you are being a spiritual whore? 
• "may the lord bring you into an even deeper understanding of love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ." -2 Thessalonians 3:5
• i never want to stop growing deeper.  i want my roots to grow forever and for my fruits to be ripe and to be connected to the true vince which is Jesus.  
• where are you in your relationship with Christ?
• "don't talk too much, for it fosters sin.  be sensible and turn off the flow." -proverbs 10:19
• i talk, a lot.  we have two ears and one mouth for a reason.  i'm trying to work on this.
• what is one of your weaknesses that you find harboring sin?
• "the day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone's secret life." -romans 2:16a
• i had a secret life. i will one day write about that secret life, but i am not ready for that just yet. 
• is your life secret? are you a different person in front of different crowds? is your life compartmentalized? 
• "for the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. and we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. we should live in this evil world with self-control, right conduct, and devotion to God, while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed." -titus 2:11-13
• turning for godless living is a daily choice.  i find myself at a corssroads and i can choose right or left.  choosing sin is enticing, yes it really is, but when i weigh the consequences, i want to choose the right way.  i hope this decision becomes easier each time, but i have a feeling it will be a life-long struggle.
• is it hard for you to turn from "godless living"?
• "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away.  Then God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us.  He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.  in this way, God disarmed the evil rulers and authorities.  He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross of Christ." -colossians 2:13-15
• the thing that sticks out to me in this verse is "all." God has forgiven ALL my sins.  that's difficult for me to wrap my mind around.  i beat myself up time and time again for things that happened in the long-long ago past.  dreams, thoughts, memories, moments; they all haunt me and try to remind me who i was with out Jesus. 
• are you holding on to anything in your past that is inhibiting the advancement of your relationship with God?
• "and then he added, 'it is the thought-life that defiles you.  from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  all these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God'." -mark 7:20-23
• the human heart still amazes me.  all the mentioned sins above, it comes as no surprise, but i struggle hardcore with each.  (okay, i've never stolen or killed anyone, but in my mind i find these thoughts at bay ready to set sail.) though i am so unworthy and undeserving of God's love, he loves me any way.  i do not want anything to separate me from his love, let alone make me unacceptable for him.  God is the ultimate heart-changer.
• have you ever thought about what makes you unacceptable to God? what you struggle with?

i know this blog post was really choppy and really had no sense of flow or depth, but that is how my brain feels right now.  i just wanted to share with you a few of the neat things i am currently learning or with which i am dealing.  i hope to update a little more often now that my computer is working semi-decently.

thanks a latte for taking the time to read. (see what i did there)