What could have been.

One thing I have asked of the LORD, this is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.

Who is it that you seek?

We seek the LORD our God.

Do you seek Him with all of your heart?

Amen. LORD have mercy.

Do you seek him with all of your soul?

Amen. LORD have mercy.

Do you seek him with all of your mind?

Amen. LORD have mercy.

Do you seek him with all of your strength?

Amen. Christ have mercy.

Christ as a light, illumine and guide me.

Christ as a shield overshadow me.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all powerful.

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak, and in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all powerful.

Christ as a light, Christ as a shield,

Christ beside me, on my left and my right.

Simple Devotion. [by: Misty Edwards]

I remember the first glance
I remember the first romance
I remember the first dance
When I fell in love with you

The first time God ever spoke to me I was six years old. I was in the first grade ccd class at St. John LaLande. Joe Ridings dad was the teacher. Joe and I have the same birthday... I think that's why I remember. Either way, the teacher was saying something and I thought to myself, "What if I don't believe in God?" and immediately after, he said, "And God knows if you don't believe in Him." To which I thought, "Ok, God. I'm sorry."

I decided to follow Christ when I was 10 years old. It was the summer before 6th grade. My sister came into my room one night and told me that there was more to getting into heaven than just going to church. I don't really know what made me want to do it, but that night I prayed that Christ would be my savior. I remember feeling the chills... and then my sister told me to start reading Romans. :)

The first time I ever danced during worship, I was 17 years old. It was the summer after my senior year and I was teenstaffing at youthfront camp south. Jason Ellsworth was leading worship and I just remember being so overcome with joy that I lifted up my hands and spun around. Something was awakened in me. Later, Jason told me that my dancing had really ministered to him. Lindsey Klapper said she saw me and thought, "Good for you, Veronica."

These are some of the moments I remember that have made me fall in love with Him. Just thought I'd share.

Love,

Vern

Some things I have realized.

He is a dreamer. He walks into places and is unsettled deep inside of him by what they are because he sees the potential for what they could be. He walks in the Spirit, in a way that fire almost burns in his eyes. When he talks to a person, he sees beyond the surface, beyond the how are you, I'm fine's and into their deepest hopes and hurts. He lives with a power that comes only from assurance in the freedom and righteousness of Christ. People alway notice that something is different about him. He speaks boldly. He is unafraid of the consequences and pursues his Lord with everything he has. He loves Jesus deeply. He hears the poetry of the story. Sometimes it moves him to tears... or at least, he understands when it moves me to tears. He feels it: the beauty of life, the immanence of the Kingdom. He understands that Jesus died to give us life now and seeks to live it to the fullest. Yet, he is a thinker. He poses hard questions. He knows what he thinks and why, yet remains willing to learn. He challenges me to continue to the next level. He awakes the dreamer inside of me and shows me that God isn't quite done with me yet. But he embraces humility. He knows that everything he has comes from his Maker. But he uses that freedom to serve others in love.

I don't know him yet. Someday, God will bring him to me. I believe this.