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| I am saddened to tell you all this, but I am done with Xanga. Don't be
heartbroken - you can still keep in touch with me on a different blog.
Here's the link:
http://spaces.msn.com/members/tracylynnconroy/
Hope you check it out! Love you all, God bless!
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| Wow...it's been a while, eh?
Okay, so I think this is the passage that I am supposed to put on here today.
"Get on your knees before you Master, only then will you be able to get on your feet." - James 4:10 (MSG)
It is the most humbling experience to kneel while you pray. If you've
never tried it, I urge you to. I used to think that kneeling -
especially in public - was just a chauvenistic way to say "Hey
everyone, look at me kneeling - I'm such a good Christian." At least,
that's how I thought everyone would take it if I did. Well, the other
night while I was at Real Life, we were singing "How Great is our God"
by Chris Tomlin. During that time, I felt like all of a sudden, I
understood the words of the song - what they really and truely meant.
And it wasn't a feeling so much as just a realization. And for the
first time in my life, I kneeled - and I believe, that I was kneeling
in the presence of God. I didn't care what anyone thought - I didn't
even think about it, to be honest. I just did what I thought God wanted
me to do at that moment. Before I did it, I was fine - fully composed
and just enjoying the music. As soon as my knees hit the floor, I felt
the tears fall. Where they come from I can only guess - it was the
humility I felt at finally showing
God that I was giving myself to Him. I am finally feeling, like the
passage says, that I am finally on my feet - and it's only because God
has helped me up - again.
I hope this means at least something to you who are reading it....it
meant more to me than you may ever know. I hope you do know, some day.
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| The real work
On October 20, 1968, a dramatic moment took place at
the Mexico City Olympics. A few thousand spectators remained in the
almost-dark Olympic Stadium awaiting one last runner.
Finally
the wail of police sirens ripped the air. As all eyes turned to the
gate, a lone runner wearing the colors of Tanzania staggered into the
stadium. John Stephen Akhwari was the last contestant to finish the
26-mile contest. He had injured his leg in a fall and entered the track
bloodied and crudely bandaged. While he hobbled the final, lonely lap,
spectators rose and applauded him as if he had won.
After the
race, someone asked him why he had refused to quit. "My country did not
send me 7,000 miles to start the race," he replied simply. "They sent
me 7,000 miles to finish it."
This
is an excerpt from a newsletter I get everyday - I thought this was
very profound in comparing the race that Akhwari ran, to our own
everyday race of faith. Everyday when we wake up, we have a
choice - We can follow God, or deny him. We can go where our
faith leads, or take a different route. There are many distractions:
work, friends, family, school - but in all these things you can still
be a light for God.
For instance: "Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord
enthusiastically." - Romans 12:11 NLT We don't have to give up our
everyday things to follow God, we can be a light for Him even when we
do this - by working hard and loving others! So no matter how hard it
gets, persevere! Endure, just like John Stephen Akhwari did and be the
light that God has called all of us to be!
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| You know what I've decided? I've decided that whoever argues that God
doesn't answer prayer, is looking for the wrong answer and decides that
when God does give them the one they don't want, they choose to ignore
it. I've found that the more I pray, the easier it is to see God's
answer clearly. Even if it isn't AT ALL what I expected. So give it a
try - and don't ignore His answer, heed it.
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| Did everyone's summer go as fast as mine did?? Man! Craziness! Who
thought 2 months could fly by so quickly! I certainly didn't!
Anyways.....
I hope y'all had an awesome summer! Only a couple more weeks until most
of us get back into the school-groove  I'll be praying for everyone
as we all head into a new year
Well, God really opened my eyes - as if they weren't opened enough! -
this summer to many things. Not only about myself, but about His love
and showing that love to others. One thing I would like to stress right
now is never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone a bit. Remember
that God can't use a light in an already lit place! I learned that I am
not perfectly independent - like I would like to think - but that I
need people and familiarity as much as the next person. I learned that
no matter what your weaknesses are, God is stronger than all of them if
you look to Him for the strength to pull you through. And most
importantly - it DOES matter what you do and the choices you make. But
not just for yourself, but for those around you that watch you - those
that know you're a Christian or even those that don't. Your choices
effect those around you as much as just yourself. Once choice - it
could be a hypocritical comment or one too many drinks - could be the
difference between leading someone toward God or steering them away
from Him. And don't tell me that's too much to ask, because Jesus did
it and he was human just like the rest of us. Aren't we supposed to be
living to that standard?
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