HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!!

So tonight as I was doing my Beth Moore Bible Study...she challenged us to reflect on the supreme authority of Christ over all created things after reading Col 1:15-17

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

As I was journaling God reminded me a blogpost I had written back in April 2009. I went to my blog and loooked it up. I just finished reading it and once again was reminded of HOW GREAT my God is. I wanted to share because I think it will change your perspective of God today. I also encourage you to take time to look up the youtube videos and listen to the teachings...They are sooooooooooo good.

The past few days in my quiet time I have been learning and studying about the grandeur of my God. On youtube there are 2 different 5 segment sermons based off of 2 of Chris Tomlin’s songs How great is our God and Indescribable. The talks are done by Lou Giglio and I encourage anyone to go and listen to these. They will blow you away and make you step back and think and put your life in perspective.

The past few days, I have been blown away by God’s greatness. I quickly have learned how really, really, really big so much bigger than I ever thought or realized is the God I worship. I worship a massive God of glory and grace. A God who is able to hold me together no matter what circumstances may come my way. My God holds the universe in His hands. I used to say this statement all the time but now I have a better understanding of what that means. I have never been much into astrology but there is so much to learn about God in it.

We live in the planet earth and earth is a very small part of the Milky Way Galaxy one of hundreds of millions of galaxies in the universe. The Milky Way is 100,00 light years away and our solar system is the size of a quarter and the Milky Way the size of the continent of North America. The Milky Way Galaxy has billions of stars in it. If we were to count 1 star per second it would take 2,500 years to count just the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. WOW!!!

Neil Armstrong on his way back to earth after walking on the moon stated “ I remember on the way home on Apollo II it suddenly struck me that the tiny pee figure pretty and blue was the earth. I put my thumb up and shut one eye and my thumb blotted out earth. But I did not feel like a giant, I felt very, very small.” One of the psalmist wrote “I look at your heaven’s and the stars that you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him or the son of man that you care for him.” That is how I feel…who am I a little spec. We are so small but it is significant, insignificance because as small as we are, we are prized by majesty who sent for us and knows us and loves us even though we are teeny, tiny little people, living on a spec floating through the vas cosmos that he created. Just as God knows every star in heaven and has named them and placed them just where he wants them, so it is with us. He knows each of us by name, has placed us just where he wants us and He holds us together. WOW!! It is amazing to think about how big he is that we know his name.

I could go through star after star that I have learned about the past few days and how amazing and marvelous God is and how these stars cry out the glory of God. But, for time and space sake I will talk about 1. The Darling of Astronomy- The Whirlpool Galaxy. It is 31 million light years away and is made up of hundreds of billions of stars. With the Huble telescope they were able to look into the black hole in the center of the whirlpool Galaxy and you know what they found…..the shape of a cross. WOW!!! All creation declares the glory of God. The grace of God is everywhere.

What is just as amazing as looking at the universe and how big and grand it is, is looking at the human body God’s fingerprints are all over it. St. Augustine said, “men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains. The huge waves of the sea, the long course of rivers, the vast compass of the ocean, the circular motion of the stars, but they pass by themselves and don’t even notice.” How true that statement is. We don’t even realize the miracle of who we are. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the God of the heavens. There is also so much I learned about the human body and our DNA that blew me away, but the thing that blew me away the most was the protein Laminin. Laminin is a little protein molecule that is a cell adhesion molecule. This protein is like our backbone it is holding your membranes together and it is the glue of the human body. What is so amazing about Laminen is that it is shaped like a cross. WOW! The stuff that is holding my body together is in the shape of the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. Col 1- talks about how all things were created by and for Him. Jesus is before all things and in him all things are HELD TOGETHER! Do you know that there are millions and millions of micro crosses holding you together right now and 1 giant glorious cross of Jesus Christ that’s holding everyone of us who have trusted in Him! Now we see the little details God put in our body and in the universe to make stand back and stand in AWE of Him. There is so much we still don’t see or know and will never know. But one thing is for sure. We serve a grand, mighty, powerful, gracious, faithful, loving God.

Sin makes us think God is smaller than what he is. The fall tricked us to think we are so important, but maybe we aren’t as important as we thought we were. Maybe our lives are not as grand as we made them out to be. Don’t get me wrong, we are loved unconditionally by God. He breathed life into us and made us in His image and likeness. He even sent His one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. Oh How He Loves us! But, we are but a grain of sand in this huge universe that God holds in his hands. How amazing His love for us. The cross is even more amazing after looking at the rest of the universe. How amazing that long before I decided what I was going to do for and with God. God decided what he was going to do with me and that was to not give me what my sins deserve but to give His son what my sins deserved. Instead of giving me what I deserve instead he offered me a personal relationship with Him to live forever in a bi story all about Him. How amazing that God casts our sins as far as the east is from the west.

Listen to God speaking through his creation. God says I am the universe maker and I am a heart former but I am also big enough to be intimately aquainted with all the circumstances of your life and I promise you no matter what comes in this lifetime, no matter how difficult the road or how dark the night I will hold on to you and I will literally hold you together and carry you through any circumstances that come your way, any moment on this planet.

I challenge all of you and myself to stand in Awe of God and realize just how big he is and how small we are, but at the same time how unconditionally God loves us and how special and important we are to Him, He has called us his sons and daughter that is how intimately He loves us and cares for us. He cares for us as a Father cares for his children.

Protein Laminen
Darling of Astronomy
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Overflow by Brian & Rachel Lusky

"Lord Bless me so that I may be a blessing, heal me so that I might bring healer, cover me so that I may be a covering to the broken and weak to the weary and meak..." This is the song my blog"Overflow" was named after :-) IT truly is the prayer of my heart.

Things I am Thankful for 4 and 5

#4- FOOD and CLEAN WATER TO DRINK- It is so easy to forget what a gift access to food and clean water is when we live in the United States BUT not so much when you have lived for extended periods of time in a third world country. I have had countless children come up to me rubbing their tummies asking for food…many it had been over a day or 2 since their last meal. I have seen the bloated bellies and yellowish/orange hair… I held severely malnourished children as my heart broke for them. I have had the gutt wrenching job of turning families and children away when there was no food left to hand out…fully knowing how hungry they were and had no where else to get food. I have lost 5 dear friends to cholera in the past year (cholera is caused by unclean water). I have watched people drink brown water, bathe in dirty rivers. I am so incredible thankful for the fact that I can walk to the faucet and get a glass of water to drink…anytime. That I can take a shower and get clean. Thank you God for this privilege and blessing. Lord I pray for all those who don’t have this privilege that you will protect them from illness and disease and provide food for their hungry stomachs.

#5- SHELTER: I am so grateful tonight to have a warm apartment to come home to. There are many days I look around my apartment and feel guilty for the fact that the size of my apartment is the size of 9 houses in Haiti. Each of those 9 houses would average hold 10 people. My apartment has windows, doors, running water, electricity, a toilet, refrigerator, stove and when it rains the water stays out…The people in Haiti have a dirt floors, possibly some chairs, maybe a bed or 2, a few clothes and when it rains they get soaked. The truth be that the ones who have a house (shack) are the lucky few…many people in Haiti don’t have a roof over their head. Many in Pourt-A-Prince are still living in tents since the earthquake. I don’t even have to reflect all the way to Haiti…I look around Vegas and see how many homeless people there are here in America…so many people who are freezing tonight because they have no where to go and no roof over their head. Thank you God for providing me with shelter. Lord please protect all those who are cold tonight and have no where to go. Be with all those who do not have shelter and LORD until they find physical shelter may they find shelter in you.

Things I am Thankful for 1,2, & 3

A few of my missionary friends are taking November as a time to reflect on the things they are thankful for. Each day in November they are picking 1 thing they are thankful for and blogging. I have decided to attempt to do the same…I am 7 days behind and therefore will be catching up over the next few days…

1.) SALVATION- Without it I am NOTHING…My life would have no meaning, no drive, No Joy, No peace…No Hope. The simple fact that the God of the universe would send his one and only son to die for me…continues to blow me away. The fact that through Jesus I am forgiven…given a clean slate…seen as a child of God and given a purpose to fulfill on earth with the promise of the reward of eternity at the end...MINDBOGGLING! Thank you LORD for the Free Gift of SALVATION that cost you so much!

2.) My PARENTS- God has blessed me with the most amazing parents who have poured so much into me. They poured their love, their time, their energy, their words, their hugs/kisses, their finances. They sacrificed so much so I could have a Christian education through 8th grade which truly laid a foundation for my walk with the Lord. They sacrificed so I could go to Christian summer camp every year where I accepted Christ for the first time…They sacrificed so I could go to youth conventions/Ralley’s…even when they were tired they took me to youth group…my dad woke up early to drive me to Tuesday morning breakfast/Bible study in high school. They were with me on my first mission trip that sparked my passion for missions. They have been the ones who have supported me through all the big and little decisions in life…even when it hurt them to let me go…allow me to move…Trust me into God’s hands. My parents sacrificed so much to help me grow in the Lord and I am eternally grateful for their outpouring of love and their faithfulness to serving God. I love you both so much!

3.) FRIENDS- God has truly blessed me some of the most AMAZING friends throughout my life. Not just friends to hang out with but TRUE GENUINE LIFELONG friends…friends that have poured into me, helped me through difficult times, friends I have been able to serve the LORD alongside, study God’s word with, and Just have a fun with. Accountability Partners, Spiritual Mentors, Second Parents, House Mates, Bible Study Partners…the list goes on and on. Friends that even though we are separated by thousands of miles and may only talk or see each other a couple times a year now…I know that they are praying for me and I am praying for them. I am so eternally grateful for the friendships God has blessed me with.

God Of Justice By Tim Hughes

The Race of Life

The last week God has really laid upon my heart the imagery of My Life as a Race. I was born at the start line and ever since I took my first breath I have been running a Marathon with the end point being Heaven/Eternity with my Savior and Maker. There have been different legs to this race so far (Infant/Toddler years, elementary/middle/high school, college/grad school, Carson City, Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada), and God willing many more to come. Each leg of my race has had it challenges; each brought new people into my life some as encouragers, some for me to encourage, some to sharpen me and others so I could sharpen them. Most importantly each has enabled me to grow closer to my savior, and grow in my love and desire for a deep intimate relationship with my maker, savior, and best friend!



I had fun the last week and am continuing to brainstorm and put on paper a visual of my life so far (past 24 years). Including: key events, people, trials, lessons, scripture, stages in spiritual growth/life, and challenges I faced. If you have never thought much about it, I challenge you to take some time to reflect…For me it opened my eyes and reminded me of just how BIG my God is and how intimately involved he has been in my life since before I was born planning out the events that have unfolded and will continue to unfold in my life. When I live a life surrendered to the LORD my life will always be an adventure…there will always be challenges…there will always be moments I will want to give up…always be attacks from satan until I reach the finish line BUT When I am living in the spirit with my eyes fixed on Christ I will always have enough strength to keep going…enough peace…enough joy…enough hope…enough faith…



Throughout the Bible our life is described as a race....



In a race all the runners take part in it, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline; he does so in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. 1 Cor 9:24-25 (TEB)



“…. since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-3



Not that I have become perfect yet; I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upward to receive in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:12-14 (Jer)



...Keep yourself in training for a godly life. Physical exercise has some value in it, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for now and for the future. This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed. That is why we struggle and work hard... 1 Tim 4:7-10 (TEB)



Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules--or is disqualified and wins no prize.

2 Tim 2:5 (LB)



As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, I have kept the faith. And now the prize of victory is waiting for me, the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the Day--and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear. 2 Tim 4:6-8 (TEB)



...I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)



I wrote this a year ago & stumbled upon it tonight and it was perfect….I feel in the same spot today…a little over a year later…As God has called me into a new city, new job, out of my comfort zone…

“Since I moved to Nevada I have been missing Haiti more than ever. Probably because so much is going on, so many changes are happening, God is moving in so many BIG ways & my heart aches & longs to be there. Maybe because I took this job so that I can serve in Haiti in the summers & that is a huge motivator as everything in my life is changing. This move has challenged me to go to a new level of TRUST in my BIG GOD. I don’t know anyone out here, I am in a new town, new job, first job out of college, so much is expected & frankly at times I feel so inadequate. I can’t help but ask Why me God? I have taken a lot of time to think back on my past & I stand in Awe at the ways God has moved to form me into the person I am today. I could go on & on and list pages of situations that have happened (good & bad) that occurred to prepare me to be where I am today & be ready to keep fighting & traveling along this journey God is taking me on. God has blessed me time & time again in my past & He is blessing me so abundantly here in Nevada. During a hike last weekend as I sat on a Big rock overlooking Lake Tahoe from on top of a mountain I had just climbed, I finally took the time to stop & tune into God. God laid upon my heart this poem. It was such a sweet reminder of how God has perfect plans for each of us, He cares deeply about each of us, He loves us each so deeply, and He is so excited to take us on a journey of a lifetime that ends in His sweet precious arms. I challenge you to look back over your past, to see God’s handiwork in your life. His hand is there…even when we push Him away…He never leaves us, never stops pursuing us, never stops loving us. We are his precious children.



What God Sees

In June 1987 God breathed life into a little girl.

In that moment when the world saw a cute, fragile, precious baby…

God saw into the future and saw the women of God she would become.

In elementary school when she was the shyest person in her class and got homesick when she was away from home…

God saw into the future and saw her being bold & courageous for Him while crossing seas to share the gospel and His love.

When she was in middle school and confused about who she was & not the best in school

God saw into the future when she would be full of God-confidence & graduate grad school with a degree she could use to serve the Lord with.

When she was 12 and went on her first mission trip

God saw into the future and saw the missionary she would become.

As she was growing up & she found her talent to be loving on children & she was always being told when you grow up you should work with children

God saw into the future & saw her working with all kinds of children in the united states & overseas.

When that little girl would get easily upset & her heart would break

God smiled and looked into the future & saw a women who had a compassionate heart that broke at the site of injustice & that drove her to fight for the poor, needy, & forgotten.

And now as her heart aches & longs to be in Haiti, serving as a missionary, using her skills/degree to work with disabled children sharing God’s love to the poor, needy, & forgotten.

She is trusting in God’s perfect timing & believes there is more preparation to take place before she is ready to go.

I wonder what God sees as He looks into her future?



I don’t know what my future holds…but I know the one who does & I can face tomorrow because I know He lives & He is Mighty & He is faithful. I just got done reading the book of Genesis & reading about the journey of God’s people. They had to wait on His timing…time & time again BUT He always fulfilled His promises & ALWAYS journeyed with them. He blessed them even when other plotted harm against them. I was reminded that God works everything for His glory & His good. EVERYTHING. What others plan as harm against us God turns for His good. BUT God as I learned from Genesis PATIENCE is key, TRUST is essential, and FAITH is required. I am learning these 3 things. I am excited to see how God is going to use me now & how He is going to continue to mold me & shape me into the vessel He needs me to be, to go on the next leg of my journey. May I be a willing vessel, open to learn, open to be molded, and open to GO WHEREVER He calls me. Thank you for all your prayers & support. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I am being stretched in ways I never dreamed but growing at the same time.



I challenge you to take an hour to sit at your maker (coach’s) feet and allow him to tell you His story of the life He has given you…Let Him reveal truths to you and encourage you in this marathon you are running. I am so thankful that God has brought each and everyone of you into my marathon and whether we got to run alongside each other for a few weeks, months, years, or are still running beside each other…I am so grateful for that time because each of you have helped me make it to the leg of the race I am on today…whether you or I knew it at the time J That is just how BIG our God is!

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