my new mantra.

James and I had the privilege of attending his youngest sisters baptism yesterday morning. Alongside Chelsea there were seven others who shared their testimonies and 'took the plunge' in front of hundreds of people, letting the congregation know that they too were followers of Christ. I've seen numerous baptisms since being brought up in a Christian home and generally accepted this was something that was done when a Christian decided to follow Christ full-hearted, whether young or old. It wasn't until a few years ago that I started becoming emotional during these events, possibly because I had such an incredible experience surrounding my baptism (but that's another story for another post). Regardless of what has triggered me into becoming a blubbering mess during these confessions of faith, I was quite moved by yesterday's service (to the point that I was biting my tongue to keep from experiencing more that just a chin-quiver). Every testimony and baptism was touching and special in it's own right, but it was actually a verse that a young man read that had me the most moved and affected to the point that I was positive it was being read to me. The verse came from John 16:33 and it reads,

"In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world."

It would be no stretch for me to say that since James has been laid off each month has been more financially and emotionally taxing than the last. I am hoping that with James now getting steady work with a good company we will enter into a more restful time, but my nerves are already shot and I'm so easily stressed by the smallest things. However, with all of this trouble whirling around me, I know that God is working in my heart and I know that there have been specific words/books/people/situations that are causing me to think twice and change my attitudes towards so many things. One book that has been a rather unexpected eye-opener is Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig which is an account of how the 24-7 prayer movement began and how it is awakening a whole generation of young people. If you haven't read it I highly recommend picking it up and reading account after account of the power that prayer has. Truly incredible. Anyways, the words that were read yesterday have caused me to stop and re-examine my worry and stress. Obviously I can't rid my life of conflict and trouble, but why not cast my cares on the one who has already overcome the world? There isn't a long enough vacation or large enough pile of money that could bring that much peace to my soul.

When I came back from YWAM in Australia I started experiencing significant twists and turns/highs and lows in my life; some easy to deal with and some...not so much. James gave me a verse soon after I came back which has become my 'recite50milliontimesaweeksoIdon'tloosemymindandgopostal' verse. It is Psalm 27:5, and it reads, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." While I LOVE these words and while they've gotten me through many dark and lonely days (and I'm sure I'll still be flipping to them over and over), I think it's time to move on. I feel that God is telling me, through a series of events, to focus on Him overcoming and that I too can overcome, not just hide away. I think it's time to make John 16:33 my new mantra.

And while I'm on that topic, what is your verse or mantra that gets you through?

{p.s. i'm officially done my year of thrifting!}