Perfection

"Each time you fall, He'll pick you up. He knows your own efforts are never going to bring you anywhere near perfection." -CS Lewis

Why do I expect myself to be perfect when He doesn't? I can make Him proud but do I ever disappoint Him? This gives me something to think of. He knows I'll never be perfect. He delights to see me walking in truth... When He looks at me He sees Christ... So again I have to ask, is it possible to disappoint Him? Are there any New Testament references to such? I know there is a verse that talks about being perfect like Christ but what about disappointing like the Israelites did in the Old Testament? I suppose I'll have to just read it straight through and see!

Is He Strong Enough?

WOW. I have an INCREDIBLE story to share. My friend Cassi Coder told it tonight in lifegroup. I met Cassi in August and have gotten to know her better this semester as we are in Lifegroup and two classes together. Well tonight she told a story I have to pass along. This weekend her family came to visit her in Norman. She has a precious little four year old brother who always says that he "wants to see her school." As they were driving around this weekend he asked, "Cassi. Is God strong enough to lift things?" Trying to figure out what he meant, Cassi explained that God holds the earth and such. "But is He strong enough to lift things?" he asked again. Cassi asked if he meant things like a car or what he was meaning. He replied, "Can God lift your school? Because He is right now. Do you hear that booming? It's so loud and I see Him lifting it!" Chills? I think so!! Man, that's some incredible knowledge and faith of a child! God is ROCKING NORMAN, and I can't wait to see what He continues to do! I look forward to the day when people think of the revival rather than football when they think of Norman. Fire reign down!

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told... For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay... The righteous shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 1:5,2:3-4

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." Joel 2:28

"For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:6-7

"And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us." 1 John 5:14

"Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" Psalm 80:19

"For our God is a CONSUMING FIRE." Hebrews 12:29

God, I long to see Heaven come to Earth!

My Patronus

Yes. You can laugh if you desire, but it occurred to me last night that Jesus is the Patronus to my demons. Because "when I speak Your name, mountains move; chains are loosed. When I speak Your name darkness flees. It has no hold on me." So I'll just keep letting him protect me from the dementors = )



To anyone who reads this, Satan has really been attacking me the past few days. Please pray against all attacks in my life and in the this city. Evil is very real but "the enemy has been defeated. Death couldn't hold You down. We're gonna lift our voice in victory. We're gonna make our praises LOUD!" Thanks you for all of your prayers. Blessings!!

The Universe Without It's Creator...

Today my astronomy teacher was explaining what the universe is made of. He was ranting about how confusing it is because the universe is actually only 5% matter as we know it. The rest is made up of this unknown "dark energy/matter." Not only that, but the majority of the universe (dark energy-72%) is responsible for the expansion of the universe. Stop and think about that for a moment... 95% of the universe is made up of unseen energy and matter which is responsible for the continuing development of the universe. Does that blow anyone else's mind? What's incredible to me is that people try to explain this without taking the spiritual realm into consideration. They can't! My professor is flabbergasted over the concept and he's known about it for years! It blows his mind. I don't really have any more to say. I don't know enough about the universe or this unknown matter to talk about it in an educated fashion, but I just wanted to throw this out for others to think about. While 95% of the universe is made up of something scientists don't understand, the part responsible for the development of the universe makes up 75% of that while the rest makes up the remaining 1/4. I don't know if my rambling makes any sense. I also know that sometimes I like to think too outside the box about how the spiritual world relates to the physical world, but I think the speculation is so fascinating! I'll just leave you to think about this...


For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

I am...

I am a child of distraction, a daughter of the Most High King. Born into darkness, adopted into light. Loved beyond imagination, forgiven endlessly. Weak but made strong. Molded by the Creator. An adulteress who is passionately chased again and again. Dirty but made clean. Accepted despite my faults. Perfect despite my imperfections. On the road to glory though I detour. Beautiful though broken. Pure despite my tarnishes, despite my past. I am cherished by my Beloved and He is mine...

New House!!

I am a mere 12 days from being a homeowner!! Super scary but also very exciting! I thought it was time to upload some pictures of the new home for those family and friends who have been asking. They aren't very great pictures, but they're better than nothing. Enjoy!!

Springtime

I adore spring. I'm sure that's no secret, but I just have to say it again. I've recently become very fond of walking. As the weather is so nice, I'm making it a goal to not drive anywhere that is closer than 2 miles away. I'm confident I won't always stick to this, but hopefully I will be driving less. It's cheaper, better for the environment, and better for me. Today I walked a mile and a half to the realtor to sign some papers, then walked back. It was SO nice! I was planning on going running this afternoon but was tired by the time I got back!
The last few weeks of school are flying by. I'm not ready to say goodbye to Norman! God has blessed me so much. I leave for India in only 52 days. I get more info at the meeting on Thursday, but I'm getting WAY EXCITED. It's going to be so incredible. Also coming up (a bit sooner actually) is the Hillsong United concert!! It is in only 16 days and I can't wait. My lifegroup and I are going together. We're going to grab dinner and then head to Lloyd Noble and stand in line so we can get some fantastic seats. Speaking of Lifegroup, they are SUCH a blessing to my life. I really can't even put it into words. They build me up and love me like you wouldn't believe. If the littlest thing is going on in my life they encourage me with the Word, prayer and all types of support. I am so thankful for you guys. I've also started going to Encounter which is Antioch's college service that meets on Thursday nights. We have a new college pastor named Blake Slatten. He has already been such a blessing. God is moving in Norman! It is something worth rejoicing over, no doubt.
As for other exciting news in my life, I am in the process of buying a house (scary)! My dad is blessing me with the opportunity by being my mortgage company so that I can gain credit and take advantage of the stimulus package tax break for first time home buyers. I won't be moving in until July, but I'll definitely upload some pictures when I do! It is so intimidating to go through this process, but also very exciting. I just hope I'm not getting in over my head! It's a little 3 room, 1 bath home close to Berry and Acres in Norman. The current owners completely restored it in 2009 including new appliances, new HVAC, refinished floors, repaired foundation, etc, and I think that I got a really good deal on it. I've got a roomie all lined up for next year. Her name is Koby, and she is so precious. We go to church/lifegroup together, and she has become one of my dearest friends throughout the course of this year. Also, she is a reliable renter, which is good since I'll have monthly house payments! = ) Growing up isn't nearly as scary as I once thought it would be. It's all about balance. If you enjoy your life, seek the Lord, love others, and do what you love, you'll always stay a kid at heart. I'm content with that discovery. May the Lord bless and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you rest!!

Makenzi

My Life Lately [picture post]

The past month has been so fun! Family vacations, hanging out with lifegroup, puppies, two year old bug birthdays, brothers coming into town and Easter with the Tulsa family. God is so so good. Here's a glimpse of my life lately!!

Faith of a Child

I was reminded a few days age of a story my mom always tells about me as a child. When I was three I got in between my dad and cousin during a football game. The result? I broke my leg. That night, after the hooplah of going to the hospital and getting a cast and such, my mom was walking down the hall when she heard me in my bed saying "Jesus! Jesus! Help me Jesus!" My mom always talks about how cute it was, but the other day it occurred to me what a picture of childlike faith it is. Now, hear my heart and know that I'm not trying to compliment myself (I mean, that was a LONG time ago and I was only three). But what if we had faith like that? What if in any time of pain or turmoil, we immediately cried, "Jesus, help me Jesus!"? What power there is in His name! Our first thought should always be "Jesus." I want to cling to His hand like a child clings to a parents when in a room full of strangers. God hold me in Your will. May I never quit crying out Your name!!