Praise!

 

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire at his temple."

~Psalm 27:4

 

  

    I wrote this verse in my journal some time ago with the wistful thought, If only... Now, though I have not at all fully arrived or grasped this concept, I can tell you that my Jesus has placed such a deep desire in my heart for this and has grown it by a little (or a lot) every day. He is faithful to do that which He promised!

     I just want to give praise and honor to Jesus Christ for this work He is continually doing in my heart. He is so incredibly faithful to continue that which He starts. And though there is no good thing in me, He has made my heart pure with His precious blood, so that I may know Him and worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Oh, praise the Lord, oh my soul, and bless His holy name!! 

     What has He been doing in your life that you can give praise to Him for?

The Promised Land

"And they returned from searching of the land after forty days... And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there (giants)... And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land..."

~Numbers 13:25, 27-28, 30-32

I am reading in Numbers now and am at the part where the children of Israel have spied out the promised land and brought back an evil report of the land. As I read I can hear my God say to me:

     "This is you! Will you go up and take what is promised? You have been set free and unchained from sin, you have tasted of the promised land; but have you gone up and claimed it for your God? Even though there are giants in the land, walled cities, and 31 hostile empires. Even though the giants of sleep, popularity, worry, and busyness live there. Will you trust what your God has told you? Am I trustworthy? Do you trust my Word when He says that He will drive out the nations before you and make the walled cities to crumble? 
     Knowing about the promised land and how to rise up and take it is useless unless you exert by faith the grace, power, and wisdom given to you in Christ to claim your body, soul, heart, mind, life, and very existence for the Living God alone. Will you sit quietly in your knowledge, (knowing what you should do and yet not doing it), or will you rise up to battle for what rightfully belongs to your Prince? 
     Now is the time my daughter. Now you must make a decision. Are you with me or are you against me? I will give you every last thing you need to live for me, and the result will be fulness of joy, peace that passes understanding, and life abundant. All flowing from the ultimate gift: JESUS.
     Are you with the fearful and idolatrous children of Israel, or are you with Joshua, Caleb, Moses, and Aaron? The end of the multitude was wandering the desert for 40 years and death. While the end of the few was life with God, favor with God, the honor of bearing the name, nature, and essence of the coming Messiah, victory over the giants at an impossibly old age, and entrance into the very near presence of God. Which will you choose?"

"Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness. 

And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. 

Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. 

And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: 

But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it." 

~Numbers 14:15-24

     This call to action rouses and stirs my soul. But as a wise and devoted preacher once said, "What's the use of being challenged if we are not changed?" 

P.S.  God gave me a beautiful sunset this evening to enjoy. This is a different sunset from this summer, but still beautiful!

The Ark

"...And the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered."

~Genesis 7:18-19

     "Wow. Just imagine looking out of the ark and seeing all the water...everywhere. If I were Noah I would fall on my knees in gratitude and awe that I am safe inside the ark." I thought to myself.

     "You can do that right now." I heard Jesus gently prompt. "Just look out at the flood of sin that covers this world. You are safe inside the ark: Me. Your Lord."

     "Lord Jesus, thank you for this impenetrable wall of Your blood. I am safe from all in sin in You!" 

     I wrote down this conversation during my semester at Ellerslie. Reading it again now, I am freshly convicted. (Funny how "my own" words can be the most convicting!) Do I daily recognize and appreciate what my God has done for me? Am I daily and constantly thankful for the safe, strong, and mighty tower my Jesus is and that I can be In Him? All to often, I am not. I get caught up in me. In MY problems. In MY issues. In MY troubles. I forget about all that my precious Saviour went through to save me and make me safe from myself and from the enemy. And I am unthankful. 

     Take a moment and try to imagine where your life would be right now, if you weren't rescued by the King of kings. It's a mess, huh? It's ugly, it's awful, it's dirty, it's sinful. Now look at where He has you now. Look at the beauty He has scripted into your everyday life! Look at the hopes and dreams He has placed on your heart! Look at the beautiful relationship He has crafted between you and Him! And fall on your knees in gratitude, thanksgiving, praise, and love. He is totally worthy. 

     Father, remind me, every second if necessary, of the most beautiful gift You have given me. Keep me humble, thankful, and gracious. May every piece of my life be a testament to your salvation. I love you. 

~Victoria Eira

A Cup of Cool Water

"Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.

And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines garrison was then at Bethlehem.

And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!

And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the Lord, and said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing; shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest."

~1 Chronicles 11:15-19

     This story blows my mind. The devotion, the daring, the honor.... Wow... Would I be willing to do this? Am I near enough to my King to hear His whispers? Do I know my God well enough, am I well acquainted with the deepest and secret longings of His heart? Does He trust me enough to make such secrets known to me? All these questions and more search my heart when I read this. 

"And the three brake through the host of the Philistines..."

     Joab, Eleazar, and Jashobeam (King David's three mightiest men) were willing to give up their lives in order to fulfill the smallest request of their King. Their lives belonged to him. This is the only explanation of such sacrifice and audacity! They no longer cared for their lives, only for the life of their King. Basically they were living dead men. They gave up everything for David. They lived in a cave with nothing but essential survival gear (sometimes) and no family. They were hunted, hated, and "uncool". Their names were a bad word in the mouth of the world. But, oh, how sweet a time was this! To be alone with their King! To be in his presence always and to intimately serve and obey him. What joy!

"And David longed..."

     One does not usually speak of their deepest longings out loud or to many people. They are usually expressed in a sacred whisper or in hushed tones to an intimate friend. These men had to have been very close to David in order to hear and perceive this longing; much less do anything about it. 

"Now three... went down to the rock...into the cave of Adullam..."

     The only way these men heard their king was by being where he was. David was in the Rock, Adullam (in Christ), so there must they also be.

"...and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the Lord, and said... shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy?"

     Our King does not waste a single drop of our blood, nor cause us to uselessly sacrifice our lives. Everything He does will bring glory to Him. He values our lives and greatly desires to have full access to them. Oh, that I would attain to such an honoured status as to be known as one of the King's closest friends!

     More questions come to mind. Am I truly willing to be dead? Have I dug my grave and declared to the world that the only way to get rid of me is to put me in it? 

     Do I desire my King's affection so much that I would do anything to get it?

     Do I know my position as God's warrior? Do I even fully realize that as His soldier-saint such missions are entirely possible? 

     What are some small things that my King might desire? That one orphan in Haiti. A job for that jobless father of 4 down the road. A friend for the lonely girl in school. The evenings of that overworked dad who usually spends that time watching tv. The empty lot where gangs fight. The unborn baby inside a young girl whom no one cares about.

     God cares about the little things. He says that if we are faithful in the little things, then we are fit for the big things. 

     Am I willing to give my life, to die, to see any of these things come to pass? Am I willing to spend my entire life on my knees, praying (fighting), to give my King what He deeply desires?

     Father, my heart aches with the desire to be made into a woman known in this generation as a lily-white, set-apart princess of the Most High God whose life, when dissected into tiny pieces, declares upon each piece Jesus Christ and Him crucified! You have promised and, "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." ~1 Thessalonians 5:24

~Victoria Eira

~Awestruck~

     Just a couple of weekends ago, I went camping with my Dad. He was meeting with a few of his Ham Radio friends to make contacts and test their equipment, so I went along for the ride since they were going to a location that was new to me (adventure!). The location: Aquarius Campground on the North Fork of the Clearwater River. What a beautiful place! We were situated in a steep valley alongside the river, surrounded by trees and wildlife. The river was wide and soooo clear! I could see straight to the bottom even in the deeper areas. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my Dad and having a quiet weekend to reflect on Jesus and his awesome creation. 
     So, the next time you are in awe of the beauty around you, just turn your eyes upon Jesus. He is entirely, all-surpassingly more beautiful than anything else! I pray this blesses you and presses you deeper into Jesus.
 
For His Glory,
 Victoria Eira
 

Taste of Heaven on Earth

 ~Ellerslie~

  This weekend I was down in Windsor, Colorado for the first ever Ellerslie Reunion. Oh, what a sweet and precious time with my dear brothers and sisters in Christ! It truly was a taste of heaven on earth. I loved every minute of it, from the beauty of the Colorado Rockies, early morning prayer with the whole campus, hearing the Gospel boldly thundered forth, to savoring precious time with the students from my semester, testifying of the faithfulness and glory of my God, seeing dear friends, and worshiping once again in the chapel. 
     This weekend was all about Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. And I would have it no other way. There were so many times when we all were moved to simply be on our faces before the Living God in worship, adoration, and prayer. It is truly beautiful to see how God takes so many lives who are already given unto Him and takes them even deeper into Him, and only in one weekend! He truly was magnified and lifted high during this weekend and we all were given a greater thirst to know Him and seek His face. I pray that all of us are pressed deeper into Him as a result of this glorious reunion of the saints of God and that we are called to a life of prayer. I also got to spend time with my cousin in Ft. Collins and Estes Park (some photos are from that).
    I'll let the photos tell the story, though there aren't many people in them. :) I was too busy being with them all to take pictures! I pray that these pictures will give you another glimpse into the beauty and grandeur of our great King's creation and His glory.

 

Thirsty for the Word

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."

1 Peter 2:2

"And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

Luke 4:4

God has been building a thirst within me for His Word. As a result, time spent in His precious Word are sweeter, His presence more wonderful, and the joy truly does overflow within my heart. Prayer becomes more powerful with a whole arsenal of Scripture fresh in my mind. Sin doesn't have room to invade my mind because it's full of truth! Here are a few of the treasures that I have discovered (or "re-discovered"). :) 

"Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

Psalm 141:2

"My beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away."

Song of Solomon 3:10

"My beloved is mine and I am his."

Song of Solomon 2:16

"Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it."

Song of Solomon 8:7

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."

Psalm 46:1-2

 I know there are many more ( like the whole Bible! :) but this a pretty good sampling. I hope you enjoy and this fuel's your thirst for even more! His Word is so precious! Praying that this drives you further into Jesus Christ.

Joyfully His,

Victoria Eira 

Adventure!

     So, many of you know that I love exploring new roads, wilderness areas, mountains, etc. On Tuesday, Dad took me to not one, but TWO new places! He had some business out in Elk City and up on Pilot Knob Lookout. :) Super adventure! (+ it was with my Dad!) 
     We had a grand time on the long drive to Elk City along the South Fork of the Clearwater River, checked in at the Forest Service station to make sure our planned travels weren't going to run into wildfires, then took off the back way to Pilot Knob along the Old Elk City Wagon Road. It was the most horrible road I've ever been on, but quite the adventure! I stopped several times along the way to collect specimens of plants I didn't recognize, to identify later.
  Pilot Knob tops out at just above 7,000 ft. It was spectacular and the view would have been quite something had it not been for the smoke. Still, the fall colors and majestic height of the entire area made for a wonderful photo op. I went crazy with my camera and I tried to pare down how many I posted but there are so many I want to share! I hope you enjoy these images of God's creation and that they fuel your excitement for the little things in life that make it so rich and full! 

 ~Beautiful Adventure~

 The lovely road we had to drive on. :) Like I said, an adventure...

 Cute little chipmunk that was right at my feet!

This was neat, from when they actually surveyed and didn't use GPS. ^

 Yeah, we hit some of these.... :)

   

Abundant Life

"There is no fear that His resources will be unequal to the emergency. 

And His resources are mine for He is mine, and is with me and dwells in me."

~Hudson Taylor

I heard this quote earlier today while listening to a sermon (link at the bottom of the page). It gripped me, as well as the subject of the sermon, and changed my life forever. Let me share some of what I wrote this morning as a result of what happened. I highly recommend watching/listening to the sermon as it says all this far better than I ever could. 

"I am His and He is mine."

     "The first part of this statement I find easy to grasp, understand, and accept. I gave myself to Jesus long ago and continue to do so as He reveals pockets of my life not yet fully surrendered to Him. But look at the latter half - "He is mine". I am having a hard time truly grasping this. 

HE IS MINE.

     Everything Jesus has, possesses, owns, is available to me, through Him. At face value I hear this and nod my head pleasantly. But when I look into my soul, it reaches out to grasp this TRUTH and seems to slip every time.

     Father, give me understanding, give me sight to see and knowledge to understand. I cannot do it without You."

     I wrestled with this for some time; praying, thinking, grasping, reckoning. Then, almost effortlessly, it hit me... HE IS MINE. The following is what I wrote after this reckoning, I apologize if it's a bit scattered. It was a combination of God's searching light asking my soul questions about specific situations and truth being declared in my soul. 

     "When I take communion, I give all to Jesus, but do I claim all of Him? If we are symbolizing an exchange, then how come we only give... and don't receive?

"There is no fear that His resources will be unequal to the emergency!"

     We have nothing, NOTHING, to fear! He holds out every single thing we will ever need, and we lay helpless on the ground! Reach out! Take what He is offering! 

     He has everything, and because I am in Him I HAVE EVERYTHING. Every bit of patience I need to be with people. All the grace and love necessary to live in whatever situation I am in. Every shred of forgiveness I need to give people who wrong me. All faith that He will provide money, safety, and protection for every situation. Health and life abundant until I die. Love for every person who crosses my path. Strength to resist every temptation and be faithful to my future husband."

ALL THESE THINGS ARE MINE IN CHRIST!!

     I do not pretend to have mastered this in any degree. And something tells me I've only tasted a hint of the endless frontier that God has to offer in understanding and living this out. But oh, the sweet knowledge that my God and King and I are one! That His Spirit is poured out without ceasing upon my life and I need only acknowledge and reckon it to be true!  

     So what about you? Have you given all of you to Jesus? Are you prepared to enter into the exchanged life and receive all of Him? I hope and pray that this will bring you closer to Jesus, the King of all kings, and give you a hunger for Him that you've never had before.

The Promised sermon link:

Ben Zornes Sermon - The Gospel Engine

All Things

     I am writing to testify of God's faithfulness and absolute control. :) Though this story may seem small and rather insignificant, it stood out to me; it showed me something.
     I went about my business yesterday morning and started up my laptop. About a week ago it had been "dropped" out of my truck and suffered some shock. (surprise, surprise...) So, when it gave me trouble starting up yesterday I was more perturbed than surprised. It persisted in giving me trouble, so I called my computer savvy brother. He advised me that he couldn't really do anything about it if the laptop wasn't in front of him. So, I drove home, perfectly prepared to hear that my laptop was done for and that I needed a new one. "Okay, Jesus, this is all in Your hands." I said. "If you say I don't need a laptop right now, I'm ready to obey."
     Eventually we got it to start up normally, and then we proceeded to create a back up, just in case it decides to really bite the dust. Then the wait began.... 
     I never realized how long it takes to back up a computer. :) I passed the time with my siblings and enjoyed being home again. However, looking back, I realize just how impatient and frustrated I was. I couldn't see how my being at home for so many hours when I had other plans was a good thing! Well, plain and simple, I was wrong. 

     Right after my computer finished up and I was finishing a game of checkers with my brother, we got a call from my other brother, who was at work. He needed someone to pick him up early from work... and since Mom wasn't home, that would be me. I drove over to his work place, hoping the whole time that he wasn't sick. When I found him, he got in the truck and told me that he had something in his eye that prevented him from working. 
     It wasn't until on our way back home that it hit me... if my computer hadn't stopped working, I wouldn't have been home. And if I hadn't been home, there would have been no one to pick up my brother. I felt very foolish. As it turned out, there was still time for my "other plans" and they were made all the sweeter because I was once again surrendered to Jesus. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 

Romans 8:28

 

Just for kicks, here are a few more pictures. Because a post is always better with photos. :) 

 

When a Friend Dies

     I have been going back and forth for days now about this post. Whether or not to post it, what to say, how to say it... 
     I mean, really, what does one say when a friend dies? How does one even begin to communicate to others how it affects you, or what kind of person they were/are, and how big of a hole they leave? 
     Preston Vorhauer passed from this world into the arms of his Beloved on Saturday, September 1st. When I heard it, my heart dropped. My world was rocked. If not for the strength of Jesus and His comfort, I would have fallen apart. I watched as my family and my friends around me absorbed the news. Reactions went from disbelief to horror to grief. So many of us knew Preston well and loved him as the amazing brother in Christ that he was. 
     I was immediately strengthened by the knowledge that Preston knew and adored Jesus Christ and was now far happier and safer. He was resting in His arms, worshiping at His feet, and reveling in the presence of his King, and still is. For eternity. I'm almost envious. 
     This, I believe was his greatest defining attribute. Preston loved Jesus and lived his life for him. I think of this every day and smile. It comforts me to know that this event, no matter how hard for those of us left behind, is truly one of joy. And when it seems to hit me afresh that he is gone from this earth, I run to Jesus. He comforts me again and again, even as the tears fall and my heart grows heavy. And I am reminded always that my pain and sorrow is only a brief shadow of what his family and really close friends are going through. It reminds me to pray for them. 
     On that Saturday, even as I grieved images, memories and thoughts kept coming to me; memories of Preston, all of them good. So, I wrote them down. 
     His tear stained face in church when he was brought before the throne of God. His wild red hair and the way he used to braid his beard. Watching him play bass guitar and drums on the worship team, how he truly worshiped. How crazy good he was at accents (especially Russian and Irish). The way his hair stuck out of his football helmet, always making him stand out on the field. His kindness in always genuinely asking how I am and really listening to the answer. How he liked horses but horses don't like him. How he and his friend/brother, Dale, goofed around. And how you could always tell it was him coming down the road in that red pickup with the huge whip antenna. I will always remember these things and treasure the memory of his life. 
     Even though thoughts try to sneak in that say, "why would God take such a young, promising life? How is this even fair? Why him?", I push them away, choosing to trust my God. No matter how hard it is. God is always in control, he knows exactly what He is doing. So I choose to trust that Preston's days were full. That his life was leveraged to the fullest extent for God's glory. Even though we down here will always miss him, let his life be an example that to live for God is to truly live. 
     I miss you, Preston. Emmanuel, I trust him to your care... forever. 

Beauty, Letters, & a Foal

     The end of summer in Idaho often brings the greatest bounty from everyone's gardens. And this year is no exception. I had the privilege to house-sit for a neighbor who is a very great gardener. He was kind enough to allow me to harvest the excess while they were gone. I got a beautiful basketful of gorgeous produce, plus a happy sprig of lavender. (I LOVE lavender!) 
     As I was on my way home from said job, I found a letter from my dear friend waiting for me. :) Twas quite the finishing touch to the day. Letters seem so much more personal than say, emails or texts, or such. The time it takes to sit down, get out stationary (choose stationary if you have several types), write something worth reading, and then posting it, makes it precious and shows that the other person truly cares about you. Letters give you a glimpse into the soul of the writer and allows you to pour into each others lives no matter time and distance. Plus the old fashioned feel it brings just gives me such a joy. I'm hopelessly old fashioned. :)  

On another note, I got a call at 6 am this morning from my friend, informing me that her mare had foaled earlier this morning. :) As soon as I was able ( 3 hours later ), I drove to her house and met the little fellow. His perfect tininess was astonishing and awesome. The miracle of new life hit me anew as I studied him and how he interacted with his worried mother. God created that tiny, perfect, new life 11 months ago and formed it completely before bringing it fully into this world. I fully enjoyed stroking his silky coat, folding his almost completely soft ears, and watching him learn to live. It was a beautiful morning. 
     Jesus brings our attention to Himself with the smallest things. Little, almost insignificant, things can draw our eyes to Him. Take the time to look for them. It is so beautiful to have our Beloved constantly on our minds all the day long, and it only increases the longing and anticipation to be with Him one day! 

Sienna & Baby

~Victoria Eira

Cup 'o Tea

Tea Anyone?

     Ah, tea. One of the great wonders of the world. Just kidding. :) Although, tea is pretty amazing. Some friends and I celebrated the Olympics with a British Tea party; fitting since the Olympics are being held in London. We started off by simply watching the Olympics sports scheduled for that day, and then followed with a delicious luncheon of cucumber sandwiches, mini quiches, scones, cookies, veggies, and the all important tea. I simply enjoy occasions which call for using the nice china and dishes. It is so much fun to dress up a table by bringing out the finest you have and makes one feel so much more elegant. (After the everyday use of mugs to drink tea, drinking out of a fine china cup and saucer makes you feel positively regal.) 

     I thought you may enjoy seeing a few photos of our ladies day of fellowship. I have been incredibly blessed by these girl's lives and thank God for them every day. The next time you have people over, take the time to make it nice and have fun being just a bit nicer than usual.  

Vaya con Dios!

Victoria Eira