What You Will Get

This is today's entry from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers and I thought it was so good, I had to share it with you all. 

{I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go. Jeremiah 45:5 }

'This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him- "I will give your life to you..."What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. "...your life...as a prize..." means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go- the life that "is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, "Well, what about this?" Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, "What about this?" you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, I will give your life to you as a prize..." 

The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything- they have not been given their life "as a prize." The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.'

Monday's Rehearsal

I bet you all are sitting on pins and needles wondering how my Monday night rehearsal with the jazz group went. I know I would be. I actually still am. Because it didn't happen. Sad day, right?! I know, but, an even cooler thing happened. I got to be part of the Easter service Cardboard Testimonies at our church. (We rehearsed it Monday night.) Remember that post a while back of the video (2.18.2009)? Well, we did that and it was awesome. Awesome. 

My testimony? 

"Selfish Sideline Christian" -flip- "Surrendered all to live a life of ministry". 

All that Jazz

I miss singing so much. I miss Jazz Festival in Moscow. I miss Bella Ensemble. I really miss performing. I miss concerts. I don't want to do it for a living or anything, but I do miss it.
Well, get this- I found out that a guy I work with at Barnes and Noble is part of a Jazz combo, and so of course I asked him about it. I told him how awesome he was and how I wanted to come listen to him play, whenever that may be. Then me and my big mouth started telling him how much I loved jazz and about the Festival in Moscow and how I had competed in it since I was in 4th grade and just how much I miss it and how great it was that now I can go somewhere and listen to it! Well, apparently he thought it would be sweet if I would come and sing with them at their rehearsal. Yah, that's right...just come and jam with them. Oh my goodness! I told him that I wasn't really that good, that it was just for fun that I sang and that all I wanted to do was come to their shows and hear them play. But, oh no, you have to come sing with us. HOLY COW. These guys are legit! http://www.myspace.com/flagstaffjazz And I'm just little old me! And I am nervous as all get out. But, as excited as a little kid in a candy shop. So, I'll let you know how it goes...Monday night, 7 o'clock. Pray that I don't make a fool of myself. Oh dear.

ADD

I promise I won't change my layout anymore. I'm sticking with this one. 

For now.