It's 1:30 a.m. ...

...which means it's time for me to write another blog post!  :P  I realized that I haven't exactly kept up with my blogging since my move to Dallas.

First off, I just want to say that God is good!  He has been gracious and merciful time and time again this semester!  He has provided in areas where He really didn't have to (ask me about it sometime), and has really been magnified in my eyes.  The ultimate goal of my move here was that He would be magnified, and He hasn't disappointed.  I can't tell you how often my heart has been filled to overflowing over the past couple of months!

On a slightly random note, did you know that it's possible to worship while working out?  Seriously.  I went on a run the other evening, worship music blaring in my ears, pony tail swishing back and forth (which I actually find more annoying than anything else, just fyi).  My heart sang praises to my Savior, thanking Him for the wonder of movement, the creation of oxygen, and oh the glory of sweat (I was telling my roommate the other day that it just doesn't feel like a workout unless I'm soaked)!  Yes.  I love Jesus, and I love exercise, so why on earth not spend some Jesus/Alex time while running?

My eyes are trying to droop shut as I write this, but I've got so much studying to do that  I think I'm just going to tell them "NO," make a pot of coffee, and get back to it!  Haha!

God is good.  Life is good.  :)

Love y'all!

An Issue of Trust

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  ~ Matthew 6:19-21


Why is it so hard for us to keep our focus heavenward?  Why isn't it the case that as soon as we profess belief in Jesus Christ, we can suddenly overlook the troubles of this world and build up our heavenly storehouses?  Why is it so easy for us, like Peter with the waves crashing around him, to take our eyes from the Prize - that is Christ - and to put our dependency on the tangible things surrounding us?

It is my firm belief that we stray so far from straight and narrow at times because we've never seen, touched, or experienced in any way the treasures of heaven that Jesus promises.  What have we experienced?  Accolades from Man.  What does that entail?  We get our name in the paper.  We have books written about us and movies portraying how we rose from the ashes to climb the ladder of success.  People covet our autographs and desire to get their picture with us; people we've never even met and have a 99.99% chance of never seeing again.

It is an issue of trust.

It was lack of trust in Jesus that made Thomas doubt the reports he had heard of the resurrection.  Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas, but here's what He said, "Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." ~ John 20:29  Who is blessed?  Those who believe in Christ - that is, putting their trust in Him - without physically seeing Him.  It is because of their trust that they believe, and it is because of a lack of trust that we stray from the path set before us.

When we were little, my siblings and I were forbidden to ask "why," when Mom or Dad asked us to do something.  We wanted the reasoning behind it, but they required obedience; immediate obedience with no questions asked.  Oftentimes certain things they'd ask us to do wouldn't make sense to our young minds, however, we had no choice but to trust that Mom and Dad knew what they were talking about.  It wasn't until much later, when we matured a bit, that things began falling into place, making perfect sense.

I desire to be a disciple of Christ that trusts Him so much that I'd be willing to do anything for Him, no questions asked.  I have to understand that I don't always get to know the why behind a situation, but that I just have to do it because it is what He requires of me.  It's not going to be easy, but I'm told the reward is worth it.  :)

Before the Throne of God Above

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
The great high priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I Am
The King of Glory and of Grace
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God!