A no good, terrible day...or was it?

Let me be completely honest with you for about .5 seconds or however long it takes you to read the next sentence.
Today seemed rotten because of my nasty pride and the deceptiveness of sin.
How quickly we turn to our own devices, thinking we know our way is best and not being totally honest that God's way is 100% right 100% of the time.
ALWAYS. and it's dependable. He isn't always right unless you know a better way, or always right unless someone else tells you differently. God's ways have never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever been wrong.
But I still blow it. big time. And it hurts. It hurts to have your errors laid before you. It hurts to have the humbling realization that you are in the wrong, that you have, like a stupid sheep, wandered from the fold once again. And it can be very humbling and painful to confess those wrongdoings to others.
But Christ still loves us. Our penalty was paid at the cross. We don't have to dwell in the evils we have committed, but look unto Jesus, who took on the wrath of God that I deserve.
And so when you are His, there is such a strange beauty in falling. Because when we fall, our gracious Abba Father picks us up. He still calls us child and embraces us, loving us the same yesterday, today, and forever because he doesn't see our filthiness anymore. All He sees is the purity and radiant holiness of the Spotless Lamb. The valleys help us stop and fix our eyes on the God who is so far above us. And fixing our eyes on a holy, just and miraculously forgiving God puts even the really bad days into an eternal perspective of everlasting forgiveness. And what could be better than that?
~Bugg

Miscellaneous

Yeah, from the way I describe miscellaneous, the title will pretty much fit the post. :) I just thought I put down some random thoughts... But, if you've ever read this blog you'd know that randomness isn't too much out of the ordinary...
Life goes on...Pictures could probably describe better than words, otherwise ramblings may stretch far beyond anyone (including myself) would appreciate.

Jellyfish.
I told you it was going to be miscellaneous around here... :) No, but in all seriousness, I just have to let out a breath and stand in awe of our artistic Creator once again. These little blobs are gorgeous! Fragile as a sprout pushing it's way out of soft soil, yet you don't want to get too close because you know it's flowing tentacles aren't just ribbon like decorum on the sea creature and they will sting! And obviously I'm no ocean expert, but I have to out on a limb and say that these creatures aren't really on the top of the "Most important Water Creature" list. So, why do we really care whether jellyfish have been invented or not? Well, one verse that pops into my head is Psalm 46:10...
 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”God shows His glory through His creation. He is an artist, a designer.
He didn't just make jellyfish, an outstanding feat in itself, He created it. He knew that a little mushroom shaped organism fluttering through the ocean would show His glory.
Sometimes in my flurry to try and behold God's glory and to get closer to Him, I don't stop and be still. I don't look around to the earth He designed and marvel, knowing that the God who created all of this sent His only Son to save my soul for eternity. I need to do that more. He is God.
The biggest thing that stands in our way of knowing God more is satan. Keeping us from the salvation of Christ and knowing our Savior more isn't just a fun hobby for the devil, it's his passion. He desires that we would fall away and forget our God,  he wants to cloud our eyes and turn our heads away,make us think we can handle our lives on our own,  putting our strength above God Almighty's. I don't know about you, but thinking about an active enemy who is passionate about keeping us from Christ, makes something inside of me flicker and want to run to Christ and never ever ever let go. I want to fight the devil and his wily schemes. The thing is, I'm not always fighting. Sin is subtle. We have to be watchful, preparing ourselves for battle, the sword of the Spirit continually at our sides. If sin announced itself with a flashy neon sign that sign that said "Turn in here!!! Sin reeks havoc in your life and you know that's what you want! Pride, arrogance, disrespect, impurity, gossip, blaspheme and everything else God tells you to turn away from, it's all here!"
No. It's not like that. The devil whispers. very very very quietly. He twists what is right until it's wrong, and then hands it back to you. "It's not wrong...." he whispers, "You aren't as bad as that guy.......He deserves it.....nobody will ever know you thought that..." I could think of many more examples....And when we give into that, it's like throwing ourselves onto a bed of this...

Ouch.


So....all that being said, I want to be aware and FIGHT by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit. We can trust our God to hold us. He is eternal and holds us, past, present and future.
Jumping right to the next thing....

Mom and Dad! <3

Dash and Oggie

Erna and I :)

I'm so thankful for relationships. I have a wonderful (not perfect, but wonderful all the same) example of the relationship of a husband and wife in watching my parents. And I'm am proud to say that Christ is at the center of my mom and dad, and even though I've observed hurt feelings or misunderstood situations, when they run to Christ as their first love, forgiveness and a deeper love comes between them. I am so so so thankful for my parents, and I am realizing the value of their being in my life and in my life even more as I get older.
Oggie and Dash. Huge sigh. Not sure what emotion flows through my mind when I think of those two, but love for sure. If you have brothers, or if you even have more than one brother, you have probably observed that  there is competition. But, I have to say, I'm proud of them both and most of all thankful to Jesus for the growth in their relationship. Oggie, one of my 5 best friends, and brother in Christ has grown a lot and I am thankful that I have a brother so close to my age and that actually likes to hang with me. :) Dash is another one of my best friends although it can be hard sometimes, I love him more and more each day.  :)
Erna, (my lil' sis) and I are so different. so different. But God I think God is using our relationship as sister to grow us both, and Erna has pulled out the goofy, crazily creative side and oh, I just love having a sister!
God has given me 7 awesome relationships to grow in  in this stage of life, and He has shown me that I don't need any more to worry about right now. :)

 And...here is some random-ness for you :) We went to a museum with some friends and the triangle of mirrors fascinated me! haha :)

 I LOVE this picture. I don't know why, but I do. I love the little girl in the picture even more though!

 Yep. I love her!

Well...closing down for now! Thanks for reading (or skimming the page...)
~Bugg~

He's got a plan

One thing that I so admire and am in awe of about God is His sovereignty. Since the beginning of time, to the sending of Jesus, God has been in control. His being in control isn't some kind of band-aid solution for every time we mess up either. God doesn't nervously wait up in heaven trying to think of ways to fix what we mess up. He knows us better than we know ourselves and our failures and sins are woven into his eternal plan.
1 Timothy 1:16-17
"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen"

He knew that man was arrogant and so confused their languages at the Tower of Babel. (Genesis 11) But getting to listen to all the languages of the world sing praises to Christ is wonderful and makes me look forward to heaven all the more. He used the weak to humble the strong and Christ, God in the Flesh was born in a smelly barn and laid in a manger that animals ate out of. 
God uses our weaknesses and imperfections to glorify Him. As a Christian, I want people to see me and know that anything I do that is "good" is ALL God's grace in me. I could never, ever, ever on my own strength obey him or even desire to strengthen our relationship by getting to know Him. And even then, I stumble. Sometimes it's like 2 steps forward and 3 steps backward. I dishonor Him by dishonor others and not shining his light.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
We can trust God with our futures and know that even when we stumble, He can use it to glorify Himself and teach and discipline us.
~Bugg


Continuing on with being thankful...
21.) God's sovereignty
22.) Grandparents
23.) Cousins
24.) Chai Tea
25.) Bible verses put to music
26.) The freedom we have to worship God
27.) Fresh snow
28.) Playing with my sisters
29.) Being able to run
30.) The opportunity God gives us to pray, and that we know He hears us :)
   

Oh my Stars!

Who thinks God is amazing! ME!!! My younger siblings have been studying astronomy and I have been able to listen in once in awhile. A couple startling facts slammed into my brain and put a whole new sense of WHOA! into Christmas for me. Did you know... If the sun was the size of a basketball, the earth is the size of a peppercorn? Okay. So if the sun is about a thousand times bigger than the earth, and the sun is still just a star in the universe, and the universe is like a kajillion-billion-trillion-million light years long. (Don't laugh, I'm obviously not scientifically or mathematically minded) And God created the universe, that makes us really really small. And I for one, didn't really realize how truly small I really am. (I still don't) But just think. The creator of all that hugeness, came down to earth. (really really small!!!!) And I mean didn't just become the size of the universe, not just the size of the galaxy, not just the size of the sun, not just the size of the earth but the size of MAN. I can't even begin to wrap my mind around the amazing things God can do. And then think, He didn't come here to be a ruler arrayed in splendor and glory with gold and silver and all that jazzy stuff. He was born in a stable, the son of a carpenter, to grow up and be persecuted and eventually killed. WHAT?!?! He did that for me? He loves me that much? I sin against him everyday, and disobey, and lie, and cheat, and think awful things and HE STILL LOVES ME?! I am in shock. I love my brothers and sisters or friends or mom and dad, but if they do something 'wrong' to me, I want to hurt them, or do bad things to them! But, We have been doing that to Jesus ever since the fall, and this was his plan all along. Why? Oh, Jesus! Why can't I have your selfless attitude,your servants heart, and your willingness to die to self daily? You drank the cup given to you, please make me more like yourself! I don't want to be ashamed of the gospel, not sharing what you did for me, just so I don't feel embarrassed. Please help me to remember how big you are, and how small I am. I can't wait to come and see you someday. Please help me to share your name throughout the nations! Amen.
~Bugg 

 Yep, That's the sun!!

This is called the sombrero galaxy. IT IS HUGE. And very beautiful.

A supernova called the Crab Nebula....

This is the photo of the day on NASA.gov. 

And here we are, teeny tiny us.....

Whoa.....

God has been showing me a lot things about him lately, but the one that keeps getting thrown in my face is that he is BIG. Much bigger than I thought he was, which is really rather sad, because I want him to be the biggest part of my life. So, let me try to explain my thought process of what a galactic God we have. I am at a loss though, because there are no pictures or words or videos or anything to describe the hugeness of God. I can only try, (in a pathetic, human, way) to tell you what I am thinking. So, here is a bible verse I read this morning that might help......
    Job 37:1-13

1 “At this also my heart trembles

and leaps out of its place.

2 Keep listening to the thunder of his voice

and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go,

and his lightning to the corners of the earth.

4 After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice,

and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.

5 God thunders wondrously with his voice;

he does great things that we cannot comprehend.

6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’

likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.

7 He seals up the hand of every man,

that all men whom he made may know it.

8 Then the beasts go into their lairs,

and remain in their dens.

9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind,

and cold from the scattering winds.

10 By the breath of God ice is given,

and the broad waters are frozen fast.

11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;

the clouds scatter his lightning.

12 They turn around and around by his guidance,

to accomplish all that he commands them

on the face of the habitable world.

13 Whether for correction or for his land

or for love, he causes it to happen."

    When I read this, I was like, whoa....And to think, I hardly ever throw a thought towards the direction that God has SO MUCH POWER. We are not serving some measly little God here, folks. He is not a little god who's power can be contained in a little wooden or metal figure and then placed on a shelf, just to gather dust. He is a galactic God. He's simply profound, hopelessly merciful, and terrifyingly beautiful. And I love describing him in confusing terms because he can be very confusing. Doesn't he deserve so much more praise then what we as humans think is enough? He created us, but he doesn't even need us. Right now the stars, sun, moon, ocean, sea creatures, flying things, creeping things, land animals, trees, flowers everything is praising his NAME!! It doesn't stop, it's not just worship at church, bible study, and cool christian concerts. I want be praising his name all the time. Which now brings me to show you this crazily cool video. 

You don't have to watch the whole thing, but fast forward to the last 9 minutes or so. You will be BLOWN away. I was. God. is. big. That is all I can say. He constantly amazes me with the blessings and trials he puts in my life. And I am really glad he decided to give me a little peek through verses, videos, studies and more how huge he is.

~Bugg~

Some of my Favorites

I went on a hike with my family and some friends a few weeks ago. I took a ton of pictures and these are some of the best ones.

Fall would have to be my favorite season. There are so many breath-taking colors, the trees are stunning, bushes burst into flaming beauty, the sky turns a blue unlike any other, I could go on and on. I love the way God makes each season so different, yet each so wonderful.
            I saw this video on my Uncle's blog and you just have to watch it. But before you do, go run and grab a box of kleenex's or something, because (if you are anything like me) this will make you cry. Here it is.
Thanks for reading!!
~Bugg~

2 Corinthians 6: 14-16

I read this passage today and I liked it so much, I  just had to write something about it.  Here it is..... :)
2 Cor. 6:14-16
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
    "I will make my dwelling place among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." 
         We should expect to have a disconnection with unbelievers because the purpose or goal of their lives is not pointing to the Creator. The purpose of a believers life should always be pointing toward Christ and trying to be more like Him. We are the body of Christ, the temple of the living God. God has no similarities to the idols  and because He is the light, has no connection with the darkness. He is righteous, which means no partnership with lawlessness. But even though we were sinners and idol worshipers and law breakers and full of darkness Jesus humbled himself all the way to the teensy weensy itty bitty size of man. But He was fully God at the same time! My mind doesn't even wrap around that a billionth of an inch. Christ made a way for us to take part in a wonderful relationship with Him. We are now in His body, the body of Christ. He fills us with light and covers us with His righteousness and causes us to listen to Him, for the sake of the name and to bring us joy. Christ was persecuted by the ones he came to save and the ones he created, those whom he loved turned their back on Him. We spit on him, cursed him, reviled him, hated him, beat him, called him prince of demons, when he was really the Son of God. But he loved us so much, with a genuine, unworldly love. He forgave us, healed us, blessed us, called us to himself, died for us. The lamb of God, who has no connection to sin, or darkness, or the devil, became sin, took our sin, and made us clean.       
~Bugg~