#proverbs16:9

God continues to speak even when we aren’t really listening. 

We can plan our days out: set aside prayer time, make our to-do lists, etc. but I am finding that the most important part of my day (and currently most challenging) is PAUSING in the middle of EVERYTHING just to listen.

Waking up this morning out of a painful body aching daze - I realized I was still sick in bed. For 5 days I felt like I dropped the ball, let down my coworkers, and was completely unproductive. I was obsessively stressing over something I had absolutely no control over. Within a few minutes I received a text from a close friend asking me how I was feeling. As I started to explain my physical pains as well as how I was feeling...about how I was feeling... she quickly reminded me that I needed to “focus on healing and taking time to rest. Don’t worry about timing. Let God do what He needs to do in His time. No deadlines. Just rest.”

By worrying was I telling God that I am too busy to rest in Him?

What a humbling moment! If we are so focused on our own plans (even if with the best of intentions) we can lose sight of Who directs our steps and what He is REALLY asking of us in that moment.

LIFE QUOTE FROM “PROVERBS16:9″

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. It Pays to Take Life Seriously. Proverbs 16:9

For pics, visit my flickr account :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/lieutenantluci/7808886148/

The trek To Bubble Rock is not an easy one, moreso for those who are hardly ever exposed to the world of hiking such as my family and myself. The trail is a short 30 minute climb from bottom to top; while it’s easily accessible, it is equally dangerous as you wind through a forest laced with slippery moss and loose rocks. The trail isn’t always easy to see—discernment is necessary and every step you take must be precise and sure.

I did not know exactly what I would see up there except a rock that somehow sat precariously on the edge of a steep edge. My brother’s expectation was simply “just a rock”. My father’s expectation, and later his story, was simple yet humbling: he would have been happy just viewing the rock from a close low angle.

Much to our collective surprise, the trail took us higher than Bubble Rock. In fact, we had to climb down several feet to get to it up close! But the rock wasn’t the only feature to gaze at—everything around it, the scenery of the hills, lakes, ocean, road—just everything. The bigger picture was incredible and nothing near what any if us had expected!

Likewise, following and walking with Jesus is not for the faint of heart. There are steep hills and mountains to climb, sharp turns to make, and daring descents to brave; our expectations and plans are one thing, but God’s purpose, His bigger picture, is, more often than not, something else entirely and infinitely more beautiful.

Proverbs 16:9  “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”

WHAT'S UPPPPPPPPP NORCAL?! READ ALL THE WAY PLEASE & RESPOND ACCORDINGLY TO YOUR ATTENDANCE This Saturday will be our last Norcal Assembly of the year & we will be the host! :) What: NorCal Assembly!! Our last one of the year! :) Where: Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco CA (Our venue is gonna be in the heart of SF so PLEASE we HIGHLY suggest you take bart because there's NO PARKING) (it's 10 mins away from Union Square!) When: Saturday, Nov 5th 2011 Time: 12pm-5pm (DO NOT BE LATE! Please be there on time so that we can start on time!) You don't want to miss out on seeing everyone from NorCal! Questions? Leave one for the ask box! or contact the youth leaders from Bayside!

Please also respond to this event invite because we are using this for headcount!

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141828559251517

God Bless everyone! see you all this Saturday! ♥ Marielle SPREAAAAAAAAD THE WORD!!!!!! REBLOG!!!!!!!