A work in progress...

I hate Goodbyes...

2012-01-26T21:55:00.000-05:00

I have a multitude of things happening in my life right now. Exciting things, mundane things, sad things, just really difficult things. One of the hardest is saying goodbye.

When you break off a relationship, one that has been going on for many years, it is so hard to say goodbye to the memories, the laughter, the things you shared that you haven't shared with anybody else. It is super difficult to leave behind the people you met through that person, be it their family, friends, etc. That is proving to be one of the hardest for me right now.

I am the person that gives every person I meet all that I am, as much as possible depending on that relationship...obviously a close friend is going to get more of me than a co-worker...but, that being said, I have poured so much of myself into these people and received so much back. It makes it hard to move forward I may or may not see them again until Heaven.

So...my prayers and thoughts will be with them...I will laugh and probably cry as I reminisce about the time we spent together...but I am so thankful we share a God who links us together into one body and we will be together again one day, with no worries or drama there to cause conflict...it will be one happy, blissful, joy-filled day.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

Sinful Nature

2012-01-17T16:49:00.000-05:00

So, pretty recently, within the last few months, I underwent a serious Spiritual battle. I knew when I was going through it that I was going through it. I made a very clear decision to "gratify the desires of sinful nature."

I am not in any way proud of the situation. However, I have been able to see God's grace and redemption in new ways and I am beyond grateful for His son Jesus Christ who made that possible.

It is my goal to now live life by the Spirit. It is amazing how you can read Scripture over and over, and then when a life event happens, that piece of Scripture changes and becomes your lifeline for that exact life circumstance you are facing.

Many times when we fail, it is easy to beat ourselves up and to be bogged down by the failure we have made. Shame creeps in and can demoralize us, which is completely against what God wants for us. In the past I have done this and I realized at the time that is completely disregarding God's sacrifice of His son Jesus. He sacrificed His son so that we could live under the umbrella of grace and NOT allow the power of sin or satan get us down. Jesus was HIS GIFT to us so that we can live in love and allow His light shine into the lives of others.

The Scripture that has spoken to me is the following:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit, what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:16-26

It is God's will that when we mess up, we repent (check), apologize for our actions (check), and face the consequences as well as realigning your life with what God wants (progressively checking).

I am so thankful for His grace, beyond what I can express, and hope that I can be a forgiving and loving friend to anyone who sins against me, as those I love (mostly) have done the same for me. For those who haven't and who still hold bitterness in their heart...I am praying for you.

Put away pride.

2011-12-28T18:39:00.002-05:00

A theme that has been in the forefront of my mind lately has been redemption as well as the church's role in the lives of sinners.

There is a problem in many churches. The problem is pride. We are all sinners, however, many times when we come forward with our sin and are upfront about it, we are judged, slandered, and gossiped about. Pride is hated by God. When we are sinful, yet try to cover it up and pretend we are above our sin that is pride. Many people believe their lives are "perfect" because it looks like it on the outside, but the truth is we are all marred with sin and for those who are in denial, they will answer to their pride. Matthew 23 speaks perfectly to God's feelings on pride. Verse 23 spoke specifically to the inability of prideful people to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

One of the imperative roles of the church is also a role that Jesus played as listener's and helpers. We need to be able to admit our own need for God's impact and redemption, seek His face completely, and be there to listen and encourage others.

I pray that those around me would be filled with the Spirit and not worried about what the world around them thinks about anyone's reputation. The Bible is full of many who had what we could consider "bad reputations." The first and foremost in my mind is Mary, mother of Jesus. Either she was truly pregnant with the son of God, or she was a crazy liar. Obviously I believe her son Jesus is the son of God, however many did not. Her husband Joseph was amazing to take her at her word and accept her and love her and to trust God through the road He led them on.

Through the forgiveness of my own sin and becoming vulnerable to confessing to the Lord and others about my own sin I have been convicted to be more accepting of others who sin and are looking for help. God has changed me for the better, squashed any semblance of pride that I've ever had, and molded me into a stronger person for it, who will have to deal with some consequences, but will accept the consequences as well as the grace and redemption that God has extended.

He is so much more than I deserve or could ask for...wait...that makes me think of another verse...

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Cleanse

2011-10-16T23:15:00.003-04:00

Somewhere along the line, where and when doesn't matter, I made a wrong choice. I know when that moment was and it effects me still today as I feel God's will was different than what I chose.

I can't go back.

Because of that wrong choice I find it hard to accept God's forgiveness and move forward. I feel like I am standing in quick sand where I find it hard to not only move forward, but even come up for air.

I am going through the motions, work, friends, run, smile, friends, work, smile, etc...but my heart isn't fulfilled. Don't get me wrong. The people in my life are phenomenal. The void is in my walk with the Lord and I have been saying to myself I need time with God, and then I put it off for everything...suddenly Facebook, Words with Friends, Bejeweled Blitz, and a few other random things are the best thing I can be doing between the hours of 10 and bedtime.

Last week I was convicted by a sermon to say no to those things more often in order to say yes to Jesus. Follow through = 0.

This week I was slapped in the face and broken into a million pieces...if I could have curled up in a ball on my Savior's lap and cried forever I think I would have.

Instead the next best thing occurred. There is just something so cleansing to me about being able to pour myself out through singing, and thankfully God provided the perfect songs through the Revolution Band this week...

I will be saying no to some things this week cleansing myself of things as God leads. I will be saying yes to Jesus and filling back up so that God can come down and help me outta this pit I dug for myself...

"Very early, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where he prayed." --Mark 1

Thankful

2011-08-14T01:35:00.000-04:00

For a while I was struggling.

I had been struggling with the lack of my ability to do anything but work there for a while.

I was working, running, and that was about it...getting time off was impossible cause everyone had requested every day off.

So, I was frustrated.

My time with God was non-existant because I was choosing other things over Him...

Recently I had been praying that God and I could get back in cahoots to where I could FEEL it...you don't ALWAYS feel Him and I am ok with that most of the time...but I was missing Him and it was my fault. And sometimes you go through the motions of church and worship and forget just what it is you are doing...

I am SO THANKFUL for the past week...

He met me in Nashville and this weekend and it was in ways I didn't expect.

Nashville was a great break from work that was MUCH needed as I hadn't had more than 2 days off in a row since last October.

Then this past week I spent some time with him and last night attended some FABULOUS worship.

Tonight God provided me with tickets to Charlie Daniels and wouldn't ya know...of course...God was there too. We done worshiped at the concert! We sang Amazing Grace with Charlie and it touched me in ways I didn't expect but I SOOO needed.

So...I am thankful.

Thankful for the friends I have around me and thankful for the time He gives me to experience His glory.

People just suck!

2011-08-12T03:25:00.000-04:00

Today was an especially hard day at work. I have been sick and lacked sleep but was in a good mood. For some reason one specific person made it very hard for several of us to work. I could go one about how selfish they were or whatever, but the fact of the matter is, we are ALL imperfect and I am just as guilty for being in a bad mood sometimes.

What made it a little harder by the fact that the person is a Christian sister.

We work among others who are not Christians.

We are called to be different in this world and for crying out loud, I would think we could encourage one another instead of lashing out at one another. I could go on about how terribly I was treated but I refuse to be the victim, and I want to focus on God’s word from here on out...the above is simply an example of how God’s Word applies to my situation today and is relevant to the here and now.

I first opened up to Psalms 27... “The Lord is my light and salvation--whom shall I fear?” It goes on and then says, “Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

It was certainly comforting to read that and receive the comfort that I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord one day.

After that, I was lead to a scripture, that I am sure God put on my heart for a reason...if the door opens, I will share with that person.

John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Next came part of the Beatitudes...and it is funny how something I have read SO many times can come to life so suddenly.

“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23

Now, I am sure there are definitely more extreme cases of being persecuted, but I know for a fact that I was talked about today and I know that I am not invited to certain things because of who God is in my life. For the record...I am WAY ok with that. There may have been a time when I wasn’t, and I wanted to be included...but God has provided me with such fabulous friends and community that I cannot even be bothered with such nonsense. This Scripture was just SO reassuring!

I am so thankful to God that this world is temporary and not my home. It is not an easy place to be and we are all flawed. I am thankful for the people He puts in my path and for the many qualities He has given them to make them beautiful. I pray that each person I come into contact with could see Him more clearly and learn to glorify HIM with those qualities.

WATCH OUT!

2011-08-06T14:41:00.000-04:00

WATCH OUT!

These words were spoken by minister in a sermon about greed last week. It originally reference Luke 12:15 in his sermon and those words have spoken to me all week long.

I think that Greed is certainly something to watch out for and in my life, it isn't necessarily the material greed that I am needing to be aware of. Lately I have been SUPER greedy about my time. I have wanted time to myself to unwind and relax, be it with friends, in front of the TV, chilling through my iphone apps, etc.

What I have failed to remember is that God desires our FIRST FRUITS...not our LEFTOVERS...

He deserves my time and my energy BEFORE work, relaxation, exercise, etc. He doesn't deserve what I try to save for Him AFTER all of that.

What I have found, is that when I save Him what is left...He doesn't get anything. The ONE who gave me everything is SO MUCH MORE DESERVING.

I am revisiting the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, and I am so glad, the first time I read it I wasn't listening...

He says, "But the fact is nothing should concern us more than our relationship with God; it's about eternity and nothing compares with that. God is not someone who can be tacked onto our lives."

So, as I sit here in Nashville, and we have planned a fun evening out, I am struggling with whether I should go, or remain here, in the quiet with the LORD. It is one of those decisions where I know what decision I SHOULD make...but it is difficult. So...does my relationship with God concern me more than with my friends??? That is the question that I will have to answer through my actions tonight.

The ultimate source for all of this has been God's word as it inspired Francis, and as I sought it out, so the complete list of Scriptural references is: 1 Corinthians 13, Romans 16:17, Luke 12:15, Malachi 1:8, Proverbs 3:8-10.

HELP NEEDED!!!

2011-05-28T13:53:00.001-04:00

OK people...it is official beginning TOMORROW!!!

I am training for the Columbus half marathon! WHAT?!?!?!

Thankfully I am not doing it alone, and though I have faithful training buddies Karen and Lucia by my side, it is not of them I speak when I say I am not alone.

This is MOST DEFINITELY a Spiritual matter and God is here with me. I know for a fact it wasn't an accident when God included a comparison to a race in Scripture. There are many references to racing and I am sure I will NEED to revisit these over the next weeks and months (race day=OCTOBER 16th 2011) however, there is one particular verse I would like to visit today.

"I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain." Galatians 2:2

You are probably thinking, "this isn't the verse I thought she would pick..."

Me too!

I think that running is great when I get the runner "high" known as endorphins however those don't start my workouts...it takes motivation beyond endorphins to BEGIN.

I want to know that I have a purpose and a reason for running a race...not to "run my race in vain."

I am not running it to be healthy, though that isn't a bad reason to run...and I hope it is a side effect!

I am running for kids in Romania. For the kids that will one day live in the house that is being finished in a village named Ghioric.

It is my goal to raise funds for the purpose of raising them in a place where they can learn and know God's love and that they haven't been abandoned by the FATHER that matters.

Please be in prayer that my training is not in vain and that I continue to be motivated and spurred on by His love and glory. Pray how you can be involved, whether by praying, donating, or attending the race to cheer me on at any point throughout the course...cause I will need it!

A friend who sticks closer than a brother...

2011-05-22T15:41:00.003-04:00

So hey...

"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." --Proverbs 18:24

I haven't had a ton to say honestly. I have been super busy and enjoying the people that God has placed around me for sure. I am simply amazed at the people blessing my life that have popped up at God's prompting and I just love it. Don't get me wrong...by quoting the above Scripture I am not discounting my family time and relationships at all...but sometimes friends become like family.

Two friends I want to mention specifically are Karen and Lucia. Karen and I met several years ago, when she was pregnant with her youngest son, Tyler. I love her smile, laugh and joy! She is also so dedicated to her family and an inspiration for me personally when it comes to my NEW love of running!

Lucia and I...well it is a super cool story and I honestly am in awe at how much I love the girl in such a short time since it usually takes me a little time to be so sold out to a friendship. I am not a shy person by any means, but I feel like I could tell Lucia anything or call her for anything and not feel like I am burdening her...and likewise, I would DO anything within my power to help her out!

Our story is quite fun. We were supposed to be roommates on a mission trip to Ukraine. My brother and sister in law planned their wedding like a day or two before the trip returned so I had to cancel the trip. On went life without much more thought about the matter, except I prayed for the group and later found out that Lucia and her husband JJ had decided to move to Ukraine as a result of that trip...Pretty cool!

Fast forward to about 2008 or so...I was working here at Starbucks and I also had friends who were friends with Lucia...so we saw each other and knew who each other were. She came into Starbucks a few times...she was a face I knew.

THEN...I move away to Ohio live for a year and a half and move back. My friend Karen and I had remained close through my distance in Ohio and so when I moved back it was natural to hang with her and through her, I began hanging out with Lucia...and their 4 AWESOME boys! :)

We run together, eat and drink together, and there is always laughter! LOVE them! Through their friendships pushing me, I ran my first 10k and am actually planning to train for my first half marathon! What the heck?!?!?! The other thing I love love love is that many friends will think that because they are married and or have kids and I am not married and have no kids that we have to limit our interaction. NOT TRUE WITH LOOSH AND GEORGIA PEACH (Karen is from Georgia)...I love to be invited to their kids birthday parties and playing Wii and dinosaurs with them...and even doing the potty dance after a successful potty time. I have lots to learn from them...and believe me...they have lots to learn from me...hahaha! Just kidding.

Anyhow...I am so stinking blessed by them and wanted to share.I was gonna post some photos...and frankly, I don't have many, I had some on my old phone of us trying on fun hats and accessories at Charming Charlies and Wal-Mart and that phone is now dead...and the others I take are usually of their kids...what the HECK??? The few I will share include a couple of their kiddos at their birthday parties and some sombreros...have I mentioned they are GREAT moms???

my Flying Pig Marathon 2011 - Toyota 10K results

2011-05-01T18:53:00.000-04:00

my Flying Pig Marathon 2011 - Toyota 10K results

Flying PIG!!!

2011-05-01T01:02:00.001-04:00

So my view on running has changed so significantly I can't even begin to tell you...but...of course, I will try! :) I hadn't posted much about my training on here because 1. I didn't know if I would go through with it and 2. I didn't train as much as I should of because it was rainy and yucky so much of the time I was supposed to be running...so, needless to say, VERY little training went into this run. Though I kept in shape cardio wise with zumba, some running, and elliptical machines, I didn't do my long runs on the weekends like I should have...

When I began training I was thinking, ugh! A mile??? Now I think...1-2 miles is a SHORT run! Weird how perspective can change.

So, I will just tell you my mindset in the past few days leading up to the race and the race itself...I find it all quite amusing at times...

A couple of days ago, when I realized none of my family or boyfriend was going to be at the race, I was bummed. I still am kind of but I am SO glad to have had Karen and Lucia with me! We began this journey together and I am so blessed to have them as friends! It is times like this when you realize who is really WITH you if ya know what I mean!

Yesterday I went to the Flying Pig Expo, by myself, as I had to work in the evening when Karen and Lucia were going to attend. So, I drove to downtown Cincinnati around lunchtime on a Friday...PARKING!!!! UGH! So...I drove around several blocks and finally found a place...and walked to the convention center. Once I was there I thought, "I sure hope I can find my car later!" So...I went through, registered, got my shoe tag, my t-shirt, saw my friend Daren Wendell who works with a GREAT organization www.activewater.org. And I left, thankfully, I was able to find my car right away! It was also SUCH a beautiful day to walk downtown! So...I was SUPER pumped up and ready for what the next morning would bring...yet I still had to work a shift at Starbucks...

So, I worked, and it was fine...I designed some special addition Starbucks cups for Karen, Lucia and I with pigs...they were SUPER cute! I got off work at 11:15pm and went home to make my playlist for the run!

When I got up this morning at 5:15 I was pretty tired but I pressed on, ate a banana, dressed in a stupor and headed to Lucia's to pick her up and meet Karen and some other girls (my new friends) at church at 6:30!

We got to the race, crossed a bridge on foot to Cincinnati, from Kentucky...if you don't know...I have a FEAR of bridges...and...I had to cross 2 BRIDGES during the run...cried when I crossed one of them that a train was crossing at the same time...and then crossed BACK over the one to Kentucky after the race...that was the hardest part about my race...BRIDGES!

So, we got there, used the port a potty, and warmed up by running up a little hill...once we got up there we were in the line to start and waited till the horn blew! Then...WE WERE OFF...and my PANTS STARTED FALLING DOWN!!!

So, I walked to tie them tighter...lol...

I turn on my headphones...J-LO and Pit Bull start with "Get on the Floor" (My zumba warm up song!)

As I was running, the first mile was pretty easy because everyone is super stoked and excited! The second mile a little harder, the third was ok...but my time was still about what I was hoping for...then...ummm WHERE IS THAT 4TH MILE MARKER???? Am I EVER going to get there??? UGH!!! LONGEST MILE EVER!!! Then, out of nowhere I see it...MILE MARKER....NUMBER 5??? YESSS!!!

It was a nice surprise seeing mile 5 when I though the next one was 4, though that mile seemed sooo excrutiating!!! So then I grab some water...my FIRST one...and drink...and...CHOKE!!! It was G2!!! LOL! I thought it was water...but HEY! I NEED those electrolytes so I grab MORE!!!

At maybe 5.5 miles I get me some Black Eyed Peas on my playlist...YEAH!!! I GOT A FEEELING...

I hit a downhill slope right as Fergy hollers DRANK! MAZELTOV!!! I sang it out loud...the guy I was PASSING looked at me like I was CraZy...lol...I am...whatev!

So then I got to jam to Hillsong Take it All...and pumped my fist and yelled..."Take take TAKE IT ALL!!!" and got stares again...AWESOME!

And the FINISH SWINE came into view...as "Doing it Well" began playing!

IT was the best song that could have played at that point...I was SOOO tired. And, I thought of my minister, LD Campbell, when he used to say, "Finish well." So...I was "Doing it well" and finished my race as well as I could...

When I crossed the finish line my friends were waiting and Brenda and Joe (SOME VERY AWESOME PEOPLE!) Brought me flowers!!! So BLESSED!

Then...Lucia, Karen, Angie, Heather, and I went and ate the BEST ORANGES EVER, chips, granola bars, peanut butter crackers...ohhh yeah...best food EVER! LOL! AND...I got a FLYING PIG FINISHING MEDAL! And...the best part...one of those silver blanket things you wrap around you...seriously...until I got it, I was like, "oooh...I wonder how you get one of those..." And then...I GOT ONE! It made it feel so OFFICIAL! Weird...

Lots of Biblical things I could parallel my experience to, but I am gonna sit on that for now...chew on it, and see what it is God wants me to learn most...then, I will share again! Till then...Godspeed!

Oh...and I didn't take my camera (IF YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT)...check some pics out on facebook if you are my friend!

Still small voice...

2011-04-07T14:15:00.003-04:00

I want to be like Elijah...

In 1 Kings 19 he goes out to find the presence of the Lord...He stands on a mountain, a HUGE wind comes by...not just a gust or two, but wind that "tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks"...that is SOME wind! Then to top off the WIND that broke rocks and mountains, there comes an EARTHQUAKE...we have witnessed MANY of these around the world lately so I will leave those images to your imagination. THEN as if that weren't enough a FIRE breaks out. REALLY!?!?!

So, you mean to tell ME that he just stood there through all of that and STILL didn't find God's presence??? How many times in this world are we so quick to point the finger at God when these kinds of natural disasters occur? Yet, Elijah didn't find God in any of it...

He waited for the GENTLE WHISPER that followed...

I would like to say that I am quiet enough to hear that GENTLE WHISPER if and when it comes...but I am not always that quiet...

I fill my days and time with so many things...things that many times are just meaningless in the eyes of God and if I am honest with myself, meaningless to me!

So...I want to be still. I want to hear His voice, because HIS VOICE IS THE ONLY ONE WORTH HEARING...

"The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

-- 1 Kings 19:11-13

Check this out!

2011-03-21T17:36:00.002-04:00

I found a new blog I am absolutely obsessed with now...thanks to Jennifer!!!

http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/

CHECK IT OUT!!! LOVE IT!

Judgment

2011-03-10T13:05:00.007-05:00

Several times in the past month or two the subject of "judgment" has come up in my life. It came up on facebook, with my boyfriend, and at zumba of all places...

So, I ask myself, and God...what role do Christians have in judging and/or holding each other accountable, and are we to hold non-Christians to the same standards?

The following is what I deduce from the little bit of Biblical research I have done today. I don't feel comfortable AT ALL saying that my opinions are 100% correct so I am open to discussing what others think, however I would ask for you to back up your opinion with evidence, not just what you THINK should be right.

Judgment...Deuteronomy repeats, many times to "purge the evil from among you." This IS under the old law so I do not think that we are to stone anybody (21:21), or put anyone to death. I do believe that the sin itself must be put to death.

In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul speaks of sexual immorality WITHIN the fellowship. He says that TOLERANCE is NOT appropriate and that behavior would not even be appropriate among the pagans. I urge you to click on the link and read it for yourself since I am not quoting it in it's entirety here.

He says that we should not associate with those who CLAIM to be a brother or sister and continue in sinful behavior knowingly. We are not to associate with them, or to even eat with them. IN MY OPINION...by doing this we are NOT judging them...we are keeping the body healthy, just as if we were to expel a virus or infection from our physical body.

He says, "hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."(1 Corinthians 5:5) WOW! Makes me want to mind my P's and Q's for sure!!!

So...that also brings me to my second question...Are we to hold non-Christians to the same standard?

In 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 it says, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked person from among you.'”

The word "wicked" is defined, "evil or morally bad in principle or practice; playfully malicious." This is to say that in verse 13, the wicked he refers to are the people who are KNOWINGLY doing what is wrong. It means we have already gone through the steps spoken of in Matthew 18:15-17, they are aware of their sin and if they continue in it, are not healthy for themselves or for the body of believers. They bring in illness.

I cannot finish this without saying that our God is a gracious God. He came so that our sins can be forgive and so we are called to do the same! I am so thankful for that gift and though I find it hard to forgive at times I am called to it! Luke 17:3-4, "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Don't forget that part!

There are many other places in Scripture that speaks to this topic. For the sake of this blog and the time I had before going to work today, I had to narrow it down. So, I am sure there is much more I could have covered but that is it in a nutshell. I hope it is glorifying to my God! BLESSINGS!

Blessings...

2011-02-20T23:50:00.005-05:00

There are times when we struggle and times when we just feel blessed.

Right now I am basking in the blessings and soaking it up until the next struggles come along...I am blessed with a GREAT GOD, family, friends, and boyfriend.

I have ESPECIALLY been enjoying memorizing God's word. One verse every two weeks, along with Beth Moore and all the other Siestas...This has especially been a blessing as I have been able to use each verse that I have been memorizing at least once since I began memorizing each of them. I love it when they come to mind and I can recite it and KNOW it is true...because it is God's word! :)

Here are a few pictures from my weekend with Ryan over Valentine's day. We like to cemetery hop...actually, he mostly does...but I take my camera and stay occupied! :)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

-- 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

My Inheritance

2011-02-06T15:13:00.002-05:00

My dad died almost 5 years ago.

He left me a house, for which I am SOOO grateful! Well, I decided long ago that I want my life to be available for Jesus to use as He pleases, meaning, I don't want to be tied down by property or any other number of things that could have the ability to hold me back for His cause.

So, several years ago I sold my house. My paternal grandma apparently had issues with me selling the house. I could not have a conversation with her on the phone without her being negative about me and my decisions and life. She told me to "take care of your inheritance, it is all you're going to get." She would also make comments about my cousins and how certain ones were better than me because of the stage of life they were in. So, instead of putting up with the negativity, I eventually stopped calling her. I stopped for my own health and well being, however I kept in contact with her by sending letters, cards, etc. so that she would know what was going on in my life. I never received a call or card back. It was silent for about 2 years, maybe a little more.

February 2nd was her birthday. I sent her flowers, like my dad used to do, and I have done since he passed away.

The following day I actually received a call from her. She was thankful for the flowers yet she verbally told me she didn't do anything wrong and she was not going to apologize for any wrongdoing.

I have never been fully accepted by her, not that anybody in her life has. I don't think she has it in her to extend her acceptance to anybody, probably because she has never felt and or known acceptance herself.

Today the Lord hit me full force in the gut with His love for me...

When I doubt my decisions or if someone else doubts my decisions...I am reminded that I belong to HIM...

My inheritance on earth PALES in comparison to the inheritance I will receive in Heaven. I am SO thankful for HIS love. It is so much more than ANYONE on Earth can extend to any one of us...and it is impartial and perfect.

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.” For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

1 Peter 1:17-21 (NLT)

Meditating

2011-01-30T16:24:00.004-05:00

If you know me and have been a reader of my blog you probably know that I took a 40 day journey with God a few years ago. I went seeking answers to several things and though I didn't necessarily get clear cut answers to those questions I was seeking I found a special relationship with my Father that I hadn't really known before.

I had so much fun as I drove, each day deciding which road to take, two lane road, or highway...north first then west or west then north? I let each day be directed by God and absolutely had one of the most fabulous times ever. Part of that fabulous time was just discovering His creation, how vast and beautiful it is. The details of the world around me are so beautiful and He created it all. I love to get lost in my thoughts and meditations.

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." --Colossians 3:2

Lately I have been trying to direct my thoughts Heavenward instead of toward myself and the world around me and thinking about the experiences I had on my trip help because I have such beautiful memories of His creation and our time together. When I think about the times we had, all other thoughts and worries fade away. I am able to focus my thoughts heavenward...

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." --Isaiah 55:8-9

I think we gain so much when we take our focus off of our needs, our insecurities, our future, our pride, our fears, the situation we are currently in, the situation the world around us is in, etc. We HAVE to focus Heavenward to be effective for Christ. It is NOT about us...

"I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes." --Psalm 119:99

By meditating on the "higher things" we are able to see things in this world more clearly and take them on.

My encouragement for you is to find your avenue to meditating on things higher. Find a way to focus your mind upward whether it be through His creation, or through another means.

How do we spend our time?

2011-01-22T15:05:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking a LOT lately about what I think I deserve sometimes and what I deserve in reality.

In our current world, we are so used to thinking that we "deserve" a break, or we "deserve" a treat, or we "deserve" relaxation. When we look to the Scriptures, the ways that they did these things are supposed to be our examples of how to live AND they were so different.

For example, I want to be alone sometimes...yet when I am alone, what do I do with my time. Sometimes I choose to watch some TV, sometimes, read a book, etc. Most of the time my alone time includes eating...HA! When we look at Jesus, our example, his alone time was with the Father in sweet conversation and fellowship.

What things do I get excited about? Well, I LOVE shopping, coffee, UK basketball, Facebook and a lot of other things. And I think that these things can all be ok...but how much time do I devote to these other things, when I could be devoting time to my God. And how much more effective would we be as Christians if we ALL took this time and devoted it to fellowship with Him and each other, building each other up as He builds us up?

I have just been convicted that my God is so much more deserving than I give Him credit for. In my mind and heart I know without a doubt that He deserves more but my actions fail to show Him and the world just how much I love Him and honor Him.

Though I am convicted to try and "do" better, I know that I will fail...Lord willing, I will improve but perfection is beyond my reach. That is why I am so thankful for the Savior who came and gave His life for me, that I might be covered by His blood and made righteous through my faith in HIM.

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood."

--Romans 3:22-25a

Wait for the Lord...then follow

2011-01-19T13:28:00.002-05:00

I am participating in Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture memory team for 2011.

We pick one verse, every 2 weeks throughout the year, to memorize and my first verse was chosen ON New Years Eve at about 11:58pm. I asked God to lead me to it because I wanted my first act of the New year to be an act of obedience and love for Him. So, I found and wrote down Psalm 27:14,

"Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord."

It is so hard to wait sometimes. I am not sure what I am waiting on honestly. I know I am tired of waiting on people (one in particular) and I can't do that anymore. That brings me to my second verse, which showed up in my devotion on the day I had to have a new verse!

"When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." John 10:4

So...needless to say, I am waiting on HIM and when I hear his voice calling, I will follow. Wherever, whenever He calls. I know He is there right now making the way for me and that brings me peace.

This comes a little late, but I pray that your new year will be filled with peace and whether you are waiting or following his voice, I pray you are in His will!

So blessed to be...

2010-12-13T00:18:00.003-05:00

Tonight I attended the annual Candlelight service at my church...

I reflected, between taking pictures, on the God I serve, the family I was surrounded by, and the church family that I am surrounded by and was overwhelmed. I am just so blessed to be me!

Here are a few pics from the service...

Story of Forgiveness.

2010-11-26T21:17:00.002-05:00

So here is the thing. In the past I have been one to be easily offended at times. I get my feelings hurt and I want to find someone, or anyone, for that matter, to blame for my hurt, so I blame it on someone else for hurting me. While the hurt might be real, I have no reason to judge them or to stop being their friend at all.

There are two stories I am reminded of. The most obvious being Jesus Christ, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." While we were SO hateful towards Christ, and each ONE of us put Him on the cross with our individual sin...HE LOVED US and DIED FOR US!!! We are commanded to LOVE ONE ANOTHER and to hold our brothers up. Not think of ourselves higher than anyone else so that we ignore them or are LESS than what Jesus is to us. We are called to not only be Jesus to the world, but Jesus to one another. So, if you have a problem with your brother go to him...but don't condemn him...lest YOU be condemned.

The second story I am reminded of is one I heard at the National Missionary Convention. The ULTIMATE example of forgiveness in today's modern world. Ajal Lall, from India told a story about Immanuel, his friend:

Immanuel and his wife were called to a specific people group on India. A group of Hindus that had never accepted the message of Christ. Well, after years of hardwork and dedication to God and HIS people, they began to see the fruit of their labor and were baptizing up to 30 people a week. PRAISE THE LORD! Well, some government officials caught wind of what was going on and three of them came and took Immanuel and his wife out into seclusion, presented them with papers stating that they renounced their faith and that Hindu was the supreme religion, and told them that if they didn't sign those papers, they would cut their hands off. Well, of course, Immanuel and his wife were faithful to their calling and would never sign such papers.

Instead of cutting off their hands, these three officials tied Immanuel to a tree and raped his wife in front of him.

Let that sink in for a minute and think of the deep hatred you would feel for those men, either as the woman, her husband, or as a family member or close friend of that woman...

Then...forward years later. Immanuel calls Ajal (The man I heard speak at the National Missionary Convention) and is rejoicing about 10 baptisms...which is great but Ajal questioned why the rejoicing when they had been baptizing up to 30 a week at one point. Immanuel said, "The men that raped my wife were 3 of them."

WOAH!

The ability of that man and woman to forgive has resonated with me ever since. I know they were able to do it because of CHRIST'S forgiveness for them on the cross and I am so thankful for their example. Glory be to GOD!

BREAK MY HEART FOR WHAT BREAKS YOURS...

2010-11-20T22:24:00.003-05:00

Break my heart for what breaks yours....

This line from a powerful song is stuck in my head as I walk through the aisles at the National Missionary Convention...I walk through the booths, scanning for people I know, glancing, but not paying attention to the booths, I have been here so many times after all...

I walk to a booth with really cute purses, journals and paraphernalia that I of course fall in love with...and it is ALL for sale! I don't pay attention to the title of the booth selling it but I begin looking at prices and thinking about what I can buy for myself and others that I know that would also like those things because one thing is for sure, regardless of the mission sponsoring this booth, it will be for a good cause...whatever the cause is.

As I am looking at a particular purse, I hear a girl speaking with a strong accent, saying, "I am from Cambodia."

Immediately I got "Jesus bumps" and I knew exactly what I was looking at. Rapha House is an organization that aids in the restoration of girls rescued from sex trafficking. The items I was looking at were all handcrafted by the girls that had been rescued and were now learning trades to make a living with.

Later, I attended a workshop on "Male sexuality, porn, and sex trafficking." That night in the main session statistics were thrown up on the big screen and I literally have a feeling in my gut like I have been punched and tears are constantly on the brim of spilling over.

Recently, when I invited someone to attend the "Missionary" convention with me...they said, it was "my thing." I am here to say it is not MY thing...it is GOD'S thing and it is the GREAT COMMISSION...to ALL believers...

Praying, and giving are not enough...Jesus prayed, but then he got up and WENT...

If you don't think you are called to go beyond our borders then making yourself aware of the issues that face the church is your responsibility. Shutting ourselves into our comfortable homes and spending our money on ourselves is selfish and NOT what God had planned. 80% of the world is living on 20% of the world's income...the rest of us 20% live on 80% of the world's income. We are called to LOVE others...not pity them from our living room couches and church pews.

Stay tuned for some more stories and thoughts from this past weekend...

If you are uncomfortable with some of the things I have written...good...we aren't called to a life of comfort...turn your eyes and hearts upward toward HIM and when He calls....GO.

Thankful!

2010-11-17T22:58:00.003-05:00

Today I am just so thankful and blessed...

Yesterday was my birthday...I was scheduled to work 5am-1:30pm (So I thought)...my favorite shift...

I got up, got ready, finishing my look for the day with glitter in my hair! :) My birthday also landed on our Christmas launch day at Starbucks! Starbucks recognizes what a great day my birthday is of course...HA!

Anyhow, I got to work, and found out I wasn't scheduled till 6:45...bummer...

So, instead of driving home (less than a mile) and going back to bed, I got my Bible out of my car,bought one of our new Christmas mugs (SUPER CUTE), french pressed our brand new blend of Espresso Christmas Roast, a Cranberry Bliss Bar (YUM!), and sat and memorized Proverbs 2:1-5:

My son, if you accept my words and store up
my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
find the knowledge of God.

I had a fantastic day at work, received a call from a fantastic man along with a special delivery of some happy daisies from said man...

After that I got to join fantastic friends for dinner.

The day was simple, yet I couldn't feel more blessed! I am so thankful to God for those He has surrounded me with in life.

I seek to do as the above verses say in my daily life...I want to accept HIS Word, apply it, and I want to find the knowledge of God...My morning set the tone for the day...praying that we each find the quiet time we need to fill up on HIS word DAILY!!!

Blessings!

What now???

2010-10-11T23:54:00.004-04:00

Well...things have moved quite rapidly for me these past few weeks...

I walked through doors that were opened for me and I was super excited...and I still AM super excited though my excitement has been seasoned with a dose of reality and the simple unknown. I thought I was following God to a specific place and though I didn't know the timing I assumed I would leave directly from Ohio to that place. Well, I left Ohio unexpectedly and I am not sure where He will take me from here.

Since being back I haven't really spent much time around my friends, or what little time I HAVE spent with them has been pretty surface as far as conversations go. Just know that I have been away from my God for quite a while between the job I worked and the environment I was living in. You see, I have always wanted to be in relationship with people that can be mutually encouraging. By that I mean in Christ. When I am down, I need the people in my life to point me in the right direction (upwards). I quite honestly did not find that where I was and that is not blaming anyone. We are all responsible for our own Spiritual lives and I take full responsibility and am working right now to get back with my God through His Word and prayer. It has been a struggle every day to be in the Word and in prayer...so, I covet YOUR prayers as I rediscover who I am in Him once again.

I have also had some time to get reacquainted with my family...I have been away from them longer than I would like to be, though sometimes it is necessary...unfortunately. Here are a few pictures of my nephew from Sunday...we went to Georgetown to Evan's Orchard, and he crocheted with my grandma! LOVE him!

I don't know where God is going to take me next, though I am almost positive it is something I didn't expect and may not even desire...but I WILL follow!

Blessings!

Judging those who judge???

2010-10-07T23:35:00.003-04:00

Today I was reading about a particular situation in which I could be quick to judge and say the people involved are being hypocrites, however...if I call THEM hypocrites, it kind of makes me one too.

Scripture teaches us to love and to forgive. Not that we shouldn't hold each other accountable but that should ALSO be done in love and a way that is in the best interest of those involved. When the thought first crossed my mind, it wasn't in a loving kind of way and that is just honest! HA!

I want to be more focused on God working in my life than how other people live their lives. I want to learn to control my tongue especially, which was the focus of my Bible study tonight...Scripture teaches, "If anyone is NEVER at fault in what he SAYS, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." (James 3:2)

Imagine...that one part of our body has been impossible for us to train and perfect since the beginning of time. We struggle with profanity, gossip, boasting, misusing God's name, inappropriate humor, and I am sure many that I haven't mentioned. Only ONE man was able to tame his tongue...and as a result was completely perfect in everything he said and DIDN'T say...

I pray that God would give me the wisdom and courage to speak when it is warranted and GLORIFYING to HIS name...and the wisdom and insight to know when to keep my lips sealed and to allow the silence to speak HIS glory!

Letters of Paul

2010-09-07T15:19:00.005-04:00

I have been struggling for a while with having time with Jesus...

It is usually evident in my frequency of blogging and as you can see it has been quite a while since I last blogged.

Since my last blog things have changed so much from the direction I thought things were going. I am simply trying to walk with Him. And I have some important decisions to make.

In my time with Jesus the past week or two, I have been reading Philippians, and the letters written by Paul, although mostly Philippians. I can't remember which study I was doing that led me to Philippians but I was taken by the introduction and closure of his letter. Something I usually breeze over, because I see it as boring...just being honest...lol.

So, as I was reading, I was taken by his relationship with the people he wrote to, and their relationship to him. I love that he prays for them and was so connected to them even though he couldn't be with them all the time! I feel this way about many of my friends that I left in Kentucky...so much so that I just teared up writing this. I miss being there, miss being included in birthdays, births, deaths, zumba, coffee, dinners, worship, and the tears and laughter we all shared.

I miss them but I know God has a place for me here and now, and may move me somewhere else in the future though the timing and places are unknown...

My thoughts and prayers often turn toward friends and family from home. I want to be more intentional in my prayers for them. I want to be more intentional in keeping in contact with them and encouraging them in the Spirit as Paul does.

The specific passages that spoke to me are lengthy, so if you would like to read them in full, they are:

Philippians 1, 4
1 Corinthians 1:1-9
1 Corinthians 16

Otherwise, I leave you with these words by Paul:

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1:9-11

Walking with Jesus!

2010-07-05T21:30:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday Jesus and I had a conversation...

I Have been asking Him to go ahead of me each day before work and to prepare the way...but this Sunday I realized, I always pictured Him going way ahead of me...and we weren't really walking closely...

Sunday I told Him I want Him to go RIGHT before me so we can still be close because I need Him next to me, so I can lean on Him and talk to Him...I just love having Him next to me all the time!!!

Now I picture it differently. I picture me walking on his feet...STEP by STEP!

I LOVE the picture He gave me because several weeks ago I took pictures of a friend's baby. She didn't want to be in them but I caught a few of him standing on her feet while she walked...much how I picture walking with God.

Take a look...and let's try to walk closer to Him...if we walk on top of His feet like in these pics...He is big enough and strong enough to reach ahead and clear our paths!

WE ARE LOVED!!!

2010-07-01T12:14:00.003-04:00

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

ROMANS 8:37-39

A lot of changes have been taking place in my life. SO much in my life is taking form and in ways that I never would have expected a year ago. I felt God lead me to move to Ohio a year ago, thinking that He was moving me toward Romania. How I LOVE to make assumptions...I am learning MORE and MORE not to make assumptions but to truly live DAY by DAY for Jesus as my blog address says...

So, as I was saying, things look SO different now. I am struggling to make sense of what I think God is doing, and I am realizing, it is not for me to make sense of. GOD has it all worked out and has prepared my way. My way toward what, I am not sure but this is what He is teaching me...

I AM LOVED...

again...

I AM LOVED!

Two nights ago, I sat there, with my Bible and my summer Bible study book (Ruth). My study told me to "sit before the Lord in the true state of my heart..."

I didn't realize how ALONE I have felt over the past months and maybe the entire year. That is what came out during my time sitting before Him. As I felt this, I asked HIM, God, what do you want me to know right now? I stopped and waited to hear (I rarely actually stop to listen). I stopped, listened AND HEARD, "I LOVE YOU." I was like, ok, what else (AS IF THAT ISN'T MORE THAN ENOUGH!!!)

So then, I heard it again, "I LOVE YOU."

Then I sat and soaked it in...The CREATOR, LORD, DELIVERER, ABBA, SAVIOR of this world and EVERYTHING in it loves ME!!!

So, then I opened up another book I have been reading...As I was reading it took me to the above Scripture in Romans. The words that stood out most were:

neither the present nor the future will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How I needed those words...right NOW when everything about my life here in Ohio is hard God is here loving me...When everything about my future seems so unsure...God is THERE loving me...

The same goes for all of you...

WE ARE LOVED!!!
need to hear it again?

WE ARE LOVED!!!
soak it up friends...

Update!

2010-06-28T16:55:00.003-04:00

Hey friends...today is the first day I have had off since last Monday...

I updated the links on the right side of my page so take a look and check them out if you haven't!

I added Jennifer's blog, a friend of mine from church in Kentucky and I also added Bethany Dillon's blog. She is a Christian song writer/singer and married to Shane from Shane and Shane! :)

Also, God has been speaking and moving in my life and I have been striving to follow Him in everything I do...He is moving me into unknown territory and even though I hate to leave some things behind I am excited to see what HE will accomplish. He is my EVERYTHING...

Here are a couple of more pictures...I was able to get away for a 3 day weekend to Niagara Falls 2 weekends ago. I didn't turn on the TV or have internet on at all. I sat in the parks and walked and talked with Jesus and read His word...It was fabulous...the other favorite from my trip = the pictures I got to take! So here are two more...

Moving Forward

2010-06-22T22:05:00.004-04:00

Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."

As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

The sorrows of those will increase
who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 16

God has been speaking LOADS into my life...The chapter above has meant SO much during this time I am going through. I am struggling through moving forward the way God wants, but I was assured today that it is okay to "weep forward"...meaning, it isn't always easy to move forward...it is even painful sometimes, but when we are following God, it will be more than worth it in the end! So...I will weep forward and find refuge in Him and one day receive my delightful inheritance. I will keep Him ahead of me and He will fill me with joy in His presence!

Keep moving forward friends...He is there before you preparing the way!

Idols

2010-06-17T23:11:00.006-04:00

Idols take all forms.

In my life it can be shopping, or calling on a friend instead of Jesus. For some it is having the biggest and best house, for others in the Old Testament it was building calves out of gold and worshiping them...

Before I say this, let me say, I am not judging...just thinking...and wondering.

If you have ever driven on I-75 in Ohio, just north of Cincinnati, odds are you noticed one of the biggest statues of Jesus ever built. It is also known as "Touchdown Jesus" by many because his arms were stretched up toward Heaven, much like football fans do when a field goal is kicked.

Anyways, this past week it was struck by lightning and burned. It is completely destroyed and there is an estimated $70,000 in damage. My question is, who paid that much to build it in the first place when there are starving people, orphans, and so many people in this world that are in need? Not only around the world, but right in the backyard of where that statue was built.

Again, I am not judging or making any presumptions as to if God struck it down on purpose, but I DO wonder...and I pray that I can stop putting other things ahead of HIM, who deserves all of my attention and efforts!

Here is a link to a video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGTBFPte-MY

Like Water in a Dry Land...

2010-06-17T00:56:00.003-04:00

LAUGHTER!!!! OHHHH SWEET LAUGHTER!!!!

I have not realized how little I have laughed until tonight! I went to a friend's house and played Scattergories and ate junk...We also did our hair up real nice and just laughed! I praise the Lord for the opportunity and I want to do more of it...I used to laugh it up almost constantly...As of late I have struggled.

So funny how God works too...If you go to Beth Moore's blog on the right side of the screen...her latest blog was about laughing too...I just read it a second ago...God knows what I need! :) LOVE HIM!!!

I want to make it a point to laugh more often, but I am not sure how yet...

Beautiful baby and QUICK update...

2010-06-13T00:19:00.004-04:00

So, things at work continue to improve...still smiling everyday knowing it is my God that is carrying me through! My bosses probably think it was the awesome pep talk they gave me...LOL!

In other news...I took pics of one of my favorite babies the other day...here are a few faves!

I can't help but smile...

2010-06-09T22:46:00.005-04:00

Today...I couldn't help but smile...and laugh to myself WITH my God... (:

It began last week when my bosses took me aside at work to discuss my numbers and some other things, which I won't get into here. Suffice it to say, Verizon Wireless is much different than ANYWHERE I have EVER worked and numbers mean a TON!

So...that being said I have been feeling soooo stressed!

Well...I don't want to lose myself (who GOD wants me to be) while working any job. I don't want to fake anybody out to make a sale or mislead anyone...

So...I went to God...in our discussion, I mentioned that I really didn't expect to be in the job that I am in...I expected to be on the mission field by now. I am ok and at peace with the fact that I am not on the mission field yet. What I don't like is that at Verizon, I am under SO MUCH PRESSURE!

So...this weekend in my small group Romans 12:1-2 came up...I LOVE THOSE VERSES!!!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:1-2

So...That got me to thinking...I REFUSE to give up who GOD wants me to be to succeed in my workplace. And I determined THEN that I would do business as HE would want me to and if things don't work out so be it...it would be in His hands...

THEN......

The next morning I was reading the end of John when Jesus appears to the disciples as they are fishing. They are unable to catch any fish while casting their nets...

Jesus tell them, "Throw our net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." (John 21:6)

So, I took "right" as a double meaning...for them it was the direction...for me, I translated it "correct". I will do things at Verizon the RIGHT way...

When they cast their nets on the right side...they couldn't even pull in the number of fish in their nets.

So, I sat before God, presented my needs to Him and asked Him to bless my work to HIS glory.

Needless to say, this week alone...my sales have been more than ALL OF LAST MONTH!!!

So...today as I sold 2 netbooks (Last month I only sold 1) I could NOT hold back the smile and the rejoicing in my heart that I know it isn't me, it is God in me...and His favor coming through.

I love Him SOOOO MUCH!

God bless! Keep serving Him in the RIGHT way! ;)

As the sweat dries...

2010-06-01T20:46:00.004-04:00

Well...As my sweat dries from the walk that turned into a run...I couldn't wait to say...I HAVE MISSED EXERCISING!!! What in the world have I been waiting for???

I haven't been quite the zumba queen I had been for a while...I miss sweating and panting, gasping for air...somehow in the pain of not being able to breathe...I find enjoyment...lol...

Besides that...I have some other thoughts.

In my past posts I have mentioned that things are changing. I am not sure how but they are. I have been so uncertain about SO many things. But one thing is for sure...

God is in it. He is transforming me into what He wants when I follow Him and make choices that glorify Him. So, for now I am taking it day by day. Hopefully I will keep up with the day by day living in His love and acceptance.

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."
Romans 8:29-30

"All of the other things we long for in life--love and friendship, freedom and wholeness, clarity of purpose, all the joy we long for--it all depends on our restoration...He knows that in order for us to be truly happy, we have to be whole. Another word for that is holy. We have to be restored."

--John Eldredge
Walking With God

Anxious Thoughts

2010-05-28T18:42:00.004-04:00

"Search me O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Without giving much detail, because of the sensitive nature of what I am struggling with and others involved that may or may not know what I am struggling with, suffice it to say I have had a LOT of anxious thoughts....

Today I was walking from my bathroom to my living room, literally couldn't stand it anymore...

I dropped to my knees, crying out to God.

He answered with Scripture. Because I didn't know what to read or where to begin, I picked up the program from the memorial service I attended last night.

It led me through several Scriptures. Some very familiar and others not as much. I am on the verge. I will move forward soon. The hardest thing about this is that I never imagined moving forward would be this hard and I never imagined it would be in the direction I think it will be in. (That is what I am struggling with). Sometimes in life God gives us a clear direction to go in. Sometimes you have to step out in faith. Sometimes, His leading can be so easy to follow! I love when His leading and what I want match up! Sometimes His leading takes us into territory we never thought we would be in.

All I know right now is that last night I attended the memorial service of somebody that spoke more truth into my life than about anybody I know. It was heartbreaking. I know she is in Heaven, I know I will see her again but how I wish she were here to call on. To ask what I should do! The last time I spoke to her she told me exactly what she thought I should do and I didn't do it. She was amazing at telling me things I might not have wanted to hear, but in a way that was so gentle and kind that you couldn't deny her love for you. She wanted the best for everyone she came in contact with. Now, I am kind of sorry that I didn't follow her advice because it relates directly to what I am struggling with and it was about a year ago that we had that conversation.

Because of the experience last night, I was able to be called back into the relationship with Jesus that I should always be in. It had become a struggle for a while. I had not been giving it everything that I am capable of giving.

She was an amazing woman, I want to be better. I want to be like her...

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." Proverbs 31:25-26

Conversations with God...

2010-05-24T22:33:00.004-04:00

In my last post I mentioned a conversation with God that turned out kind of funny...

Well, if you read my last post, you will know I was going through some turmoil with my job situation. I wasn't sure where to go if I lost my job, though I have a few options...the conversation went something like this...

If I am told I will lose my job on either of these days then I will choose option A. If I am told I will lose my job on these other days, then I will choose option B.

I was set. I knew what I was going to do, because I prayed and I know God is faithful and WHAM...God gave me an option I didn't even ask for....I was told that I would keep my job of all the wild things! I had assumed...well, you know what they say about assuming...

That day in my quiet time I had learned that the purpose of life isn't necessarily what we are doing, or rather that we are going through EXACT motions that God wants us to go through, but it is about being in relationship with God. Sharing the daily ins and outs with Him and glorifying Him in our lives, whether it be through a job, unemployment, being a parent, a spouse, a friend, etc. He wants us to take it day by day...How do I forget this with my blog being "day by day for jesus"???

HA!!!

I am so glad that God and I have a relationship where He can turn this situation into something I can laugh at...Laughing is one of my favorite things and I haven't done enough of it lately! Thank YOU Father!

Also...4 years ago today, my dad died...Just a little note of remembrance...Miss ya pops!

God speaks...

2010-05-22T21:49:00.002-04:00

I am amazed at how God speaks...

This week was super hard! I can't even begin to tell you, but I'll try...

First, I went to a meeting Tuesday morning to find out that as of July 11th I might not have had a job...I JUST GOT THIS JOB FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! At Starbucks I showed up one day and they were closing...and 4 years ago on May 24th, my dad died, the day after which the company I was employed with informed me I would have to be let go because of an issue with the type of degree I had...Also, during this week I also learned of a dear DEAR friend dying from a brain tumor.

This was NOT a good time!!! But, God spoke Scripture into my heart through friends and the one I kept thinking of was Matthew 6. I went to my car during my lunch break, opened up "My Utmost for His Highest" to that day's entry and it was based on Matthew 6!!!

God never fails...EVER!

So...I went on with my week, fought off a migraine and just worked through it to the tune of 52 hours. Friday morning, during our weekly store meeting we found out we would not have any job losses in our store, that we would be able to maintain everyone with a little bit of shuffling around in positions! PRAISE THE LORD!

In all of this I learned that, I cannot try to be in control. I might not know where I am going or how I am getting there, but the most important thing is to be in relationship with Jesus. Believe me, this week got me back in relationship with Him...we have had some conversation and one that turned out to be pretty funny...that will have to be another blog!

Until then, I leave you with this...

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

Comfort for today.

2010-05-12T00:56:00.004-04:00

A voice of one calling:
"In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Isaiah 40:3-5

As part of my Bible study this morning I was supposed to read Isaiah 40:1...but I kept reading as I sometimes do when I am captivated by what God's word is telling me. In the above verses I found some comfort. I found comfort in knowing that life is NEVER going to be perfect...BUT with God it becomes easier...as we walk with Him, the roads become straight and valleys and mountains disappear, because He is more than able to carry our burdens...and the hills, valleys, mountains, and the wilderness ALL bow to His command. Therefore, we are never more in control than when we surrender our lives to Him to direct.

Thank you God for showing me this today!

Sunshiney days...

2010-05-04T02:04:00.003-04:00

I am so thankful today...

For the past several weeks I have been really down and depressed...struggling with just lots of stuff including the ability/will to get out of bed on my day off.

So...knowing that I had today off my prayer last night was that God would motivate me today. That I would awake and be rarin' to go...

I woke up to such a beautiful morning that for once in a SERIOUSLY long time, I couldn't get ready fast enough! Praise the Lord!

I was a bit productive while still enjoying the sunshiney day off...

I had my oil changed and 4 (YES 4!) bulbs changed in my car...got a mani and pedi...AND went up to Mt. Pleasant, OH to enjoy sunshine and some kiddos for pics and fam for dinner...

It was a much needed HAPPY day!

Here are a few princess and the toad pics...

The Princess!

Trying to catch the toad!

Princess and the toad!

The toad

WHAM!!!

2010-04-28T00:42:00.003-04:00

Funny...

Just when I walk into Barnes and Nobles, see a book on a shelf, and think, "I don't need that...I have it covered..."

I open it up and WHAM!!! Gotta buy it.

That is what happened today. I bought the book Breaking Free by Beth Moore. It is funny because I have heard about how wonderful it is and I am a HUGE fan of Beth, but I kept thinking, I have freedom in Christ, I should be good.

Well, I opened it up I read several things but understand the mindset I was reading from. I have been struggling a LOT these past few weeks with temptations and a conflict that I don't want to describe in detail yet. I have been allowing myself to be stifled and to be held "captive."

Here is what I read...

"Come to a place of breaking free. The place where we seek His glory and forget our own. The place where satisfaction comes from the only true satisfier of our souls. The place where we experience His peace no matter what the world may throw our way. And the place where His presence is our constant desire and our daily joy."

She goes on to say, "A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit filled life God planned for him or her."

Boy oh boy oh boy...needless to say I walked out of Barnes and Nobles with this book and as much as I hate to admit it...a Godiva chocolate bar...it was tormenting me from the impulse buy section next to the register...the gold shiny paper promised silky smooth milk chocolate underneath...

So...I got back...called a friend in Mexico...talked a little bit...ok a LOT about myself and what I have been going through and then told her about what I saw in the book...

I say all of this to conclude with this...

My life is going somewhere that I didn't expect. I am not sure what steps it will take me to get there...but somehow I know this book and God and His book will help me through it. Along with the support and love of those around me.

In the midst of the trials I have faced, I know one thing for sure...God is who He says He is...and I am who He says I am...I can do all things through Christ... and God's Word is alive and active...and I believe God...OK...so that was 5 things...even better!

New Look

2010-04-27T21:31:00.002-04:00

Let me know what you think about the new look of my blog! I took the pic at the top...after a particularly meaningful study in the hall of faith...The line I was particularly touched by was, "by faith the prostitute Rahab..." It isn't very often that faith and prostitute go together...LOVE IT! Anyhow, there may be more on that later...

Grace

2010-04-24T23:30:00.007-04:00

For now all I can say is I am so glad that grace exists...

I am so unworthy to receive God's grace, yet He extends it to me each time I fail. He accepts me back with arms wide open!

I am praying that He will continue to provide me with the strength I need in the days to come!

The adjustment up north has been a hard one...but God is and always will be the same. He is my comfort, my safety, my refuge, and my home!

"Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:18-19

Here are a few pics from today!

Karen and I stopped to smell the roses during our break!

Karen and 2 new friends!!!

Two of my favorite people!

Becky and her work buddy! LOVE Beckster!

BEFORE the women invaded!

They're here!!!

My 7th grade history teacher (left) and her sis!

Miss Shirley...taught me in Whirly Birds when I was like 4 or 5... LOVE HER!!!

Part of the 300,000 that watched the satellite simulcast today!

Being fetched

2010-04-24T01:06:00.003-04:00

All I can say that I know is true is the following...

I am imperfect....VERY imperfect...

I am sorry.

And God can put it back together if I let Him...

I love what I just read by Beth Moore... "Maybe that's what I love best of all about God. We've never gone so far that we can't be fetched."

I am praying that I can still be fetched...and that I would be fetched soon!

Here are a couple of fun pics I haven't posted yet...

SPRING!!!

2010-04-12T22:15:00.003-04:00

So...I got a new job and have been busier than ever...and God still keeps blessing me with opportunities to take pictures! My favorite thing is capturing the precious moments that people will hold dear for years to come...here are a few from this past weekend!

Praise the Lord for beautiful weather, flowers, sunshine, babies, and families!!!

Only in Belmont County...

2010-04-03T16:48:00.004-04:00

So...The past couple of days I have just been appreciating laughter...sometimes I forget how good it feels to laugh...

So, today I went to Starbucks. I saw my friend Kera walking out to a car and two ladies open the back up. I walked over to say hello and see how she is and low and behold...this is what I saw...

It just made me laugh...

In some places Starbucks customers are too refined for such things...I love that the ladies that brought this goat were laughing with me as I asked them if I could get my camera because where I am from...you would not see anything like it!

Psalm 90:17

2010-03-25T11:42:00.002-04:00

"And may the Lord our God show us his approval
and make our efforts successful.
Yes, make our efforts successful!"
--Psalm 90:17 (NLT)

So many things have been going on in my life...

I never know which way God is going to lead me but the above is my prayer...
that God would approve...and that what I work for, would be to HIS glory and that He would make it successful. If not, then it is not worth striving for.

Be Strong and Courageous

2010-03-21T18:08:00.003-04:00

So...what a week!!!

I endured a time change...with a positive attitude! I said it was an extra hour of daylight...which it was and I am grateful...but boy am I tired!

I started a new job! Went from 0 hours to over 40 on my feet all day...I am feeling it!

I endured hearing heartbreaking news from family and friends. Including arrests, deaths, and more than one marriage may be breaking up...

All of that plus personal issues and day to day life to deal with.

ABOVE ALL ELSE THOUGH...GOD IS SOOOO GOOD! And FAITHFUL!

He has given me strength and endurance to keep going and I am SO thankful!

One story, a Scripture, and then I am on my way again...

I went to a concert last night...Skillet (hard core man!), and Toby Mac...Such a PHENOMENAL show put on by some of the best Jesus Freaks out there!!!

Well, I went with two other gals...and we went hoping to buy tickets at the door. As we approached the ticket counter a man approached us and showed us 3 tickets. Before we could say anything he said, "You don't have to buy them." He threw them in my friend's hands and ran off...

All I had time to think was I need to THANK HIM!!!

So I chased him down to make sure I could, looked him in the eye and thanked him...later I thought...WHY DIDN'T I GET A PIC? I knew I would blog about it later! LOL...

So...we proceeded to our seats...and they were all of 50 feet from the stage!

And...of course it was the concert that I didn't bring my camera to! But...I got to enjoy the show and rock out for Jesus!

It doesn't require many words to tell you this was a GREAT encouragement to my soul this week!

The Scripture has been on my heart for a couple of weeks now and has come up in a sermon and a Bible study...it has gotten me through a LOT! The entire book of Joshua was a great read for me this week, but I will leave you with the following...

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go."
--Joshua 1:9, 16

Fab days...

2010-03-17T22:20:00.004-04:00

I spent some fabulous days at home visiting many people last week...one day in particular, while at Starbucks...one of our favorite places to meet, I took some pics of my friend Kelli and her daughter...here are a few faves!

Purge!

2010-03-11T00:25:00.003-05:00

Today, I went to lunch with a certain fabulous friend. And just for the record...I love conversations with her...and her smiling face!

Anyways...

I was telling her about how I got a new job (I start Monday) and how I needed a bunch of new clothes for the job because I haven't had to dress to the standards they set in my previous position. So...to figure out what I needed, I purged! I got rid of so many things, actually truth be told they are all still in garbage bags ready to be taken to Goodwill, but they are OUT of my closet! Once these things were gone, I was able to see more clearly what kind of clothing I would actually need, and which things I could put off buying until I get a paycheck or two in the bank!

She was telling me how in her life, she has had to reevaluate and change things up. She needed to stop being involved in certain areas so that she can have more time. She isn't sure what she needs the time for yet, but one thing is for sure...she is seeking to please God, and followed His lead in doing this. So, by being faithful to His will she will surely be able to evaluate what it is He wants!

Several times in Scripture we see where God has cities or individuals purge to make room for what it is He wants. The examples I found were mainly in the Old Testament.

Therefore the Lord, the LORD Almighty,
the Mighty One of Israel, declares:
"Ah, I will get relief from my foes
and avenge myself on my enemies.

I will turn my hand against you;
I will thoroughly purge away your dross
and remove all your impurities.

I will restore your judges as in days of old,
your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you will be called
the City of Righteousness,
the Faithful City.

--Isaiah 1:24-26

In this passage, it says, " I will thoroughly purge away your dross
and remove all your impurities."

This shows that before God could make them into the city worthy of His calling, He had to rid them of everything that was holding them back.

What can you purge in your life, to become more of who God has called you to be?

Contrary to Popular Belief...

2010-03-09T22:53:00.003-05:00

Contrary to popular belief in America these days...It is NOT about YOU!

Now, I can say this because it is a struggle for me to overcome as much as anyone else.

Daily, in this country we are made to believe that it IS indeed about us. We are bombarded with media and imagery and radio and literature that all points to one thing...satisfying ourselves.

I often take notice of these things easily in what you could call the "secular world". I notice magazines such as Cosmo, Vogue, Sports Illustrated, etc. all vying for our attention and wanting to make us believe that if we could obtain all the things they say are important, then we will be happy. The same thing with TV. Shows showing the houses of the stars, The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor, and many others, lead us to believe that the things to obtain are physical perfection, a big house, the perfect companion...they want us to believe these things will make us happy.

Now, I can handle the "secular world" putting these ideas out there. What I despise seeing is those who claim to be Christian telling us that self fulfillment is the answer...or that by improving ourselves, we will be happy. It is simply NOT true. Take a look at the following picture that I took on my cell phone in a certain Christian bookstore...

I don't know if you can see the titles to all of these books but the majority of them have the words You, Your, and ME...

My point in writing this is that we need to be intentional about guarding our hearts and minds.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." --Philippians 4:6-7

In reading this I have another thought. In verse 6...the things we are generally anxious about are the things we are seeking to obtain. Are you seeking to obtain a richer life in Christ? Or something that you think will fulfill yourself?

Let God's peace guard your heart and mind...There is nothing more fulfilling!

Passing the Staff

2010-03-08T12:29:00.005-05:00

I am 31 years old and have never been a member of a church other than 1st Church of Christ in my hometown. I have never known another Spiritual leader for our church than LD Campbell. I have grown to know this place as my home, the hustle and bustle of the people that attend there, the ins and outs of how that building runs, and one thing I LOVE...is LD's laugh! I love to be sitting in the cafe area, reading, talking to someone, whatever, and to hear LD laughing it up with someone!

LD loves his family, the his flock (the family at 1st church), the Wildcats, and most of all Jesus Christ...and when I think of him I think of the things that HE SAID are important to him...

He is a man of integrity and a man who follows through and FINISHES WELL.

I am so thankful for the Godly man that has led the church I have been a part of for 30 years! I don't have many words to describe the feelings I had on Saturday night as he passed the staff onto our new Shepard, Greg Marksberry...so...I will post pictures...and expand here and there!LD preaching...Love his face here! Typical LD!

The shepard preparing to pass the staff onto the new shepard...I LOVE this shot...the depth of emotion in his face makes me tear up!

I LOVE the look of respect and understanding that Greg is giving LD...enough said!

Now...I will say that even tough I am so sad to see LD moving forward in a different direction...I am SOOO EXCITED to see how Greg is going to strengthen and mold 1st Church in the coming years! My favorite things about him during this service were the respect and emotion that he wore on his sleeve. That was important for me to see because I know that he takes this change so seriously and will do his best to honor God with the future of 1st church. My 2nd favorite... was the following...

I LOVE that he loves his wife and displayed that so openly!!!

I LOVE that he told LD, "The shepard loves his flock, but the flock also loves their shepard!" WAAAH!!!

I love that LD said he isn't leaving his shoes for Greg to fill...Greg has to bring his own!!! HA!

I love that they are both God fearing, God following men!

May God bless the adventure both of their families are on right now! They are entering new territory and I can't wait to see how God uses each of them!

Welcome Greg!

Pray for those in Chile

2010-02-27T11:40:00.004-05:00

Hello...

I have friends in Chile. Their names are Mike and Tabi and their parents haven't heard from them and other missionary friends of mine that live in Chile haven't been able to contact them. So please pray for them! Pray for God's glory to come from this situation in Chile as much as possible!

I will update as soon as I know anything!

I JUST HEARD FROM TABI! Praise the Lord for when He answers quickly!!! They are fine, the only damage they have is a broken plate. Other than that phone lines are down and whatnot...but they are fine! Pray for those who aren't fine and for those in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands!!!

Hairy man!

2010-02-24T12:53:00.002-05:00

So, I was just reading about Isaac , and how he blessed Jacob (his second born) instead of Esau (his firstborn). The story is in Genesis 27.

I would like to say that I have some deep and profound thoughts about this story...but I can't get past laughing about the fact that Jacob and his mom deceived Isaac by putting goat skins on him. I don't think I have ever met anyone THAT hairy!!! HA! Imagine petting a goat....now imagine that feeling while petting your son's arm...oh my!

In Genesis 25:23 God told Rebekah that Jacob would receive the blessing instead of Esau. I DO wonder why she couldn't just trust God to take care of it instead of stepping in to deceive Isaac. God is beyond having to prove Himself...but I take comfort in the fact that she was human and I can relate to her in that I sometimes try and do things on my own instead of waiting on God.

Knit together

2010-02-11T14:14:00.002-05:00

God is so good and most certainly faithful!

He doesn't ever fail me, but when I choose other things above Him I am unable to be filled by Him.

I have been thinking about and studying Creation a little bit. It is so fascinating! Beth Moore touches on Creation in her study, "Believing God" and I love the following quote from her Bible study book:

"I learned that about 2 meters of DNA can be found in every human cell, each packaged with 46 chromosomes in and infinitesimal nucleus. While Darwin sat at his desk and reduced all of creation to simple blobs of protoplasm, the outstretched DNA in his body could have reached back and forth to the sun about 50 times. Charles Darwin was fearfully and wonderfully made. He just never knew it. So are you, Dear one."

I am not here to argue against Charles Darwin...The thing that sticks out to me is the complexity of the human body and how marvellously and wonderfully we are made. It is beyond my comprehension that something that is so small within us (DNA) could stretch to town and back, let alone to the sun and back 50 TIMES!!!

I also LOVE the following description that David gives us in Psalm 139:14-18

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Not only are we made so intricately by our Creator...He is so personally involved with us that He has searched us, and taken the time to KNIT US TOGETHER. He knit every inch of that DNA within us together...It takes a while to knit, and those that knit, usually consider each stitch carefully and if not perfect, may back up and remove stitches to perfect them to their liking.

I can imagine our Creator doing that for each of us, personally knitting each of us together...What a cool picture!!!

Let it snow......

2010-02-07T15:40:00.004-05:00

The snow here fell to the tune of about 16 inches a couple of days ago! I stayed with Ryan and his family because we knew the snow was coming and I didn't want to be stuck in town all alone!

The snow is fabulous...it stops the world around us from going by so quickly. We take the time to enjoy rest, each other, and I stopped and enjoyed the Lord. In the stillness of this snowy Sunday I thought I would rest in His Word instead of snoozing, so I will post some Scriptures here as I come across anything He lays on my heart to share and I will also post some pictures from the snow as well!

"Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"
says the LORD, who has compassion on you."
--Isaiah 54:10

"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
--Psalm 46:10

"The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."

--Isaiah 40:7-8

Toooooo long!

2010-02-03T13:39:00.004-05:00

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

I have been away from blogging for a while now...too long if you ask me.

To be a little more transparent, I have been spending little to no time with my Lord and my life has been suffering because of it...so, I am going to be more intentional about time with Him. I have lost part of who I am somehow in the past month or so...the songs that used to flow so easily from my lips have slowed and the words that flowed through my fingertips onto this keyboard have stopped altogether...so, be in prayer for me. Pray that my time and energy would be where HE wants it.

I pray you all would have the time you need with Him...and that we would continue growing as His body of believers...More to come!

For now, these pictures just makes me smile...cause I miss my family and friends at home!

Christmas in Romania

2009-12-22T15:38:00.003-05:00

So, I have been in Romania since Thursday...

Got through jet lag mostly and have been spending time in a house with 4 boys plus 2 overnight visitors and two visitors from England, both named Susan! We are going to bake cookies tonight, polish off shopping tomorrow and wrap presents too at some point for the boys here.

We were originally going to have Romi, Mando, and Arnold here for Christmas...however, Arnold's brother Ervin will be joining us too now, so we have to scramble to get some things together for him...It is amazing how God can answer the cry of one's heart...

Through Romi, Mando and Arnold were all orphans at one time we feel they have been made to feel welcome here for some time...it is their home. My heart wanted to be able to share Christmas with someone in need...God had just placed it on my heart...in walks Ervin!

Ervin is 18 years old...He has been in a children's home for a long time and the children's home he was in decided to make him leave a couple of days ago. He is delayed mentally and not able to live without assistance. He is living in a sort of halfway house although he had nowhere to go for Christmas so we will get to have him join us! Our desire for the kids is that their Christmas is magical and that the love of Christ would shine above all else.

Please pray that Christ's love would be evident during the next few days!

Merry Christmas to you my friends! Craciun Fericit!

Thankful

2009-11-30T00:04:00.007-05:00

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Maybe this post comes a little late than necessary but it is a culmination of events over the past 10 days.

So...

I explained that I lost my job. Well, I am thankful!

I am thankful for the time I have had to spend time with the youth last Sunday at the Toby Mac concert!

I am thankful for the time spent with family this week, which wouldn't have happened, had I not lost my job!!!

I am thankful for time spent with friends on a trip to Longaberger country (the Red Velvet cake at Popeyes in Dresden was the BEST!) and the fellowship at church today! (No pics for that one)

I am thankful that today I was able to use God's gift of photography to raise funds for Romania!

I am thankful that even when I am home and enjoying family, I have another family in Ohio now that I am missing! And of course Ryan, who I will THANKFULLY get to see in less than a month! (Lord willing)

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Faithful God

2009-11-19T22:04:00.002-05:00

So today I go to Starbucks (my place of employment) which is inside a mall...I walk in and they are packing everything...I mean everything into boxes and bags...I was like what in the heck?

So then I went to see my store manager at another store she manages...We are closed...and I don't have a job...nice right?

Well...thankfully God has purposed me for other things and I am completely confident that this move for me was not a decision made by Starbucks or anyone else but God Himself...They may think they made it but it was God...ha!

So, plans? Well, I have no clue how it will all work...but I will be raising prayer support and finances to move to Romania...Lord willing, that will be sooner rather than later so I don't have to search for a job then leave shortly after!

I DO know that this works out better in the short term because I was going to take 3 weeks off, unpaid, to go to Romania for Christmas...Well, now I will be receiving severance pay and unemployment and that was more than I would have gotten otherwise!

During my trip, I will not only celebrate Christmas and New Years. I will also be visiting apartments and investigating what living expenses will be that I will need to raise to live there. I will also be working on small projects at the house being built. Painting ceilings, maybe making curtains for the windows, helping to install light fixtures, etc. are all on the list of to do's while there.

After I return I plan on visiting churches and writing letters and working on taking photos for donations to the Romanian fund!

Pray that I would follow the Lord daily and that I will continue to recognize His faithfulness even when I get bogged down in my humanity...Cause He is ALWAYS faithful...

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."

--Deuteronomy 7:9

Christmas is coming!

2009-11-10T16:34:00.002-05:00

So, needless to say for a while I was struggling...

I was struggling with being here in Ohio, missing my friends and family, and most of the struggle was because I felt trapped here. My store manager at Starbucks is not very lenient...That and she has the dates between black Friday and New Years Day completely blacked out for requests. We can't request so much as a minute off let alone enough time to visit home or family for a day or two...So that had me getting depressed.

So I was down but certainly not out and was praying and asking God to allow His will to be done but to know that I was not going to be very happy if I couldn't go home though my real desire was to travel to Romania...

So...I thought, I will ask Lee Ann, my store manager...Can't hurt right? Worst she can say is no, then I can apply for leave and see what happens there...

So, I mentioned it to her one day. She said what I thought...that I couldn't request it but to get her the dates in case I could apply for leave or something. So, I thought that it would be a no for sure...I thought, well I will just go home one day at a time when I have a day off...

Well...I got to thining I might just apply for leave and see what happened...I thought, I will apply for as close to Christmas as possible so that my chances maybe go up...Then one day when Lee Ann was in I told her the dates that I had in mind....December 21-January 13.

AMAZINGLY she said, THAT SHOULD BE FINE!

PRAISE THE LORD ABOVE! I mean seriously! I never dreamed she would say that!!!

God is so good and I believe with everything that He prepared her heart, the timing, and everything for it to work out...

I know that it would have been a super tough Christmas if I had not been able to spend it with Ryan or the family in Kentucky...but God worked it out as He usually does...Praise Him who is more than worthy!

More to come on what I will be doing while there...besides enjoying Christmas with my boyfriend! There WILL be work!

Joshua

2009-10-27T22:51:00.002-04:00

God is sooo faithful! It is times like the time that I am in now that I stand in wonder and awe at how faithful He REALLY is!

There are times when I KNOW He will come through...times that He works when and how I think He should, based on His promises...

But at times like this, when He works in ways that I never could have imagined, I am in awe!

I have been studying Genesis on Monday nights with a set of ladies from my church...we are actually working our way completely through the Bible and are now in Exodus...however I was struck by the life of Joshua.

He is favored by his father, Jacob, because of the favoritism his brothers HATED him...he was thrown into a well by his brothers, sold by his brothers and eventually taken to Egypt, was blamed for things he didn't do, went to prison, stayed there for years, then lived in Egypt finding favor from the Pharoah...

It is quite a feat for me to make it through some DAYS without complaining...however Joseph, had such a difficult life...his BROTHERS treated him horribly.

When it came time for him to reveal himself to his brothers, as they did not recognize him when they approached him, the governor of the land, he forgave them by accounting all that happened to God being in control and having a plan.

To have faith like that is so commendable...I pray that faith that Joseph so readily had would be in me when the times come that aren't so easy.

I pray that I would see obstacles as stepping stones and trials as blessings...

Opportunity Knocking?

2009-10-18T23:12:00.002-04:00

Hello friends...

SUPER sorry I haven't blogged for a while...I haven't had anything to say really...

Honduras was such a high...and coming down from such a high is sometimes overwhelming so I guess I have just not had the words to say and quite frankly I was still processing all that God was teaching me through the experience.

God is so good! Like, I can't even express the gratitude I feel toward Him in my life right now...and is gratitude even a strong enough word? Probably not! :)

So, I have a prayer request. I don't want to say too much here but I am really praying about a certain opportunity that has been knocking a little bit. One that I wasn't really expecting but I am not gonna lie I was kind of hoping for it, just not in the exact way it is forming...probably because God knows better than me!

So, please pray that God would lead me in the way HE wants me to go about taking advantage of the opportunity I speak of...I shall hopefully let yall know more later...until then enjoy some fall pics I took today!

Love ya!

When words fail...

2009-10-01T22:25:00.006-04:00

Untitled

2009-09-30T17:49:00.004-04:00

So, I have a story, again...

We were providing shoes for people without any...to be brought up to speed read the previous post. I was going along, tryig to offer a smile to everyone who entered, washing their feet, trying to not let them feel awkward, making as much conversation in my broken Spanish as possible. I would ask each of them if they know Jesus loves them. Many of them would answer with a firm yes...then many of them would answer yes, but not as firmly. So I would make sure I told them, "Cristo te ama MUCHO!" And look them in the eye and smile...

One man in particular grabbed my heart that day...I was going from one person to the next, my back was hurting from being bent over and I was trying to hurry while still getting their shoes on them and telling them Jesus loves them. This guy made me slow down...to REALLY make a connection and let him know his worth. Not the worth I place on him but the worth Christ places on him. He came in and sat in the seat in front of me and I literally had to stop, step back, and take a breath, get my mindset right (meaning I prayed) and then go back...now while I did this I was scoping out the shoes I would place on his feet and got a pair of socks...I didn't want him to feel bad or know that I was a little bit shocked by his appearance.

As I walked back to his chair I smiled and God enabled me to have a conversation. We talked about Jesus, church and his job. He does not have much work. Being a one armed man in Honduras where the jobs are mostly physical labor, makes working difficult. He walked for what I am guessing must have taken him at least 1-2 hours to get the shoes I placed on his feet. While washing his feet I took my time. We only had wipes and he is the first person that I literally thought, I wish I had pedicure supplies...I wanted so much to communicate my care and GOD'S care to him. Below are the pictures...below the pictures, the story continues...

So, the day of shoes came to an end and we were tired...afterward we drove for about 2 hours back to the mission where we were staying...my mind staying focused on this man many times throughout the evening.

The following morning we traveled to a hospital in Tegucigalpa that is for those with low income. We visited the orthopedic children's section and the children's oncology section. In the first room we visited there was a little boy. He was 5 years old and had his hand amputated. The thing about him was that he had such a light in his eyes and HUGE smile on his face! I gave him a dinosaur and Charlie, a fellow traveler, gave him a little boxcar to play with. The circumstances in which he lost his hand weren't important to me at the time because all I could think about was the man from the day prior. I pray for this little boy daily now. That God could provide a way in life for him to be able to make it. The road will be hard and knowing what I learned from the first man, I know that this little boy most certainly has his work cut out for him. Join me in praying for him as the Lord leads you...maybe it is a one sentence prayer right now and maybe God will place him on your heart more often. Whatever the situation, I know God will work in His life and His glory will come from it!

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet,'" so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:12-14

Miracle in Honduras

2009-09-29T21:28:00.004-04:00

I had so many amazing, blog worthy moments during my trip to Honduras last week...there are two or three moments that stand out though...the first being our trip into a village to deliver shoes to people who either don't have any, or their shoes were to small or worn out.

We had 300 pairs of shoes. The church that we visited to distribute the shoes had a list of about that many to deliver the shoes to....There were many more than that waiting for shoes...Though this picture is not the best in quality, it sort of shows the number of people outside the church waiting for shoes.

We began by sorting shoes into piles based on the sizes. We then brought children in, several at a time, washed their feet, and sized them, then placing a brand new pair of shoes on their feet. This, for many is the only pair of brand new pair of shoes they have ever had! It was humbling, amazing, fun, indescribable to be involved in this! The shoes were all donated by SAMARITAN'S PURSE as well!

After finishing handing out the children's shoes, we had some PB & Js then invited the adults in. God amazed me in how we all were just strengthened and enabled to do His will with the people He sent to us that day. Many of the men had been working, they don't wear socks, and their feet just didn't smell good. Not only that, but so many of them had very scrunched up toes and different things wrong with their feet as a result of wearing whatever shoes they could find throughout their life instead of shoes that fit. It felt fabulous to be able to wash their feet, pt a pair of socks on them, and then a pair of shoes that FIT! So many of them told us they were too big, but every time, they were just the right size, they just didn't know it...so we made them take them! HA!

Now...the amazing part that absolutely floored me...we arrived with 300 pairs of shoes...

MORE than 300 left with shoes on their feet and we had leftovers...

GOD IS SO AMAZING! I am NOT worthy, yet He allowed me to be a part of something I consider so special!

I will tell you more about a special man I met during this day in another blog, for now please Praise God with me...

" Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes."

Deutoronomy 10:20-21

BACK!

2009-09-28T01:19:00.002-04:00

I am back from Honduras! It was a phenomenal trip for me...more to come soon, however...I am exhausted and have to work in the morn...till my first of several posts to come on Honduras...here are a few pics of the beautiful country!

Honduras

2009-09-16T10:04:00.002-04:00

Well, I didn't know I would be going a few weeks ago, but alas, I am leaving for Honduras this coming Saturday morning. I would love for you to join me in praying for the trip!

I do not know the details of what we will be doing on the trip except to say that I will be open to God's moving and following Him each step of the way. If you have ever been on a mission trip you will know that sometimes it is difficult and takes you out of your comfort zone so please pray for the following:

Pray that I am open to God's leading daily and that I don't hold back out of any kind of fear!

Pray that the group I am traveling with and I all get along and can work together toward the same goal.

Pray for the people I will meet there and on my way there, that they will have open hearts and minds to what we have to offer but that I also am open to what I will be taught while there.

Finally, pray for safety for all individuals traveling!

Thank you all so very mucho!

God bless! Dios te bendiga!

Psalm 33

2009-09-11T15:25:00.003-04:00

God is God. He is LORD.

God is beyond our comprehension.

If we fully understood God we would not be the fallen people that we are. In fact, knowing what we DO know, we shouldn't be the fallen people that we are. But we are imperfect and in need of the redemption He offers.

Today I have been thinking about the attack on our nation that took place on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and the plane that went down in Pennsylvania.

Many lives were lost and the bigger tragedy is, we still don't place God on the throne even after we see how the absence of God in the lives of others effects them.

We have heavily relied on the power of our nation, at least the power we THINK we have. Don't get me wrong. I highly support our troops, but in comparison to God, we are not close. I think that is something we fail to realize.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25

God IS in control and has been since the beginning, of those who rise to power and those who fall. He has a purpose and it will be accomplished.

We still doubt and try to be in control...we want control over our lives, our nation, and the world as a whole.

Chew on this passage from Psalm...

Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:8-22

A quick sec...

2009-09-03T18:24:00.002-04:00

I am kind of in a rush to get to my new zumba class but I wanted to praise God...

He is worthy and that is all that matters! It has been a rough day and I am loving the sunshine and the temps outside...

I am thankful that tomorrow I close at my Starbucks so that I can get some work done on my letters!

And I am thankful that in a world of uncertainty God is God...Always and forever...

God bless your day!

Unknown Territory!

2009-09-02T00:18:00.003-04:00

For those of you wondering, and even if you're not wondering...things here are good! I am adjusting and beginning to build some friendships and get to know people better. I am stepping out and figuring out where I want to serve, of course it will be amongst the kiddos...

I think I will be working with some older kids...which doesn't come naturally to me, but I want to step into unknown territory for me. I am used to babysitting and just naturally gravitate toward the youngsters but I want to gain experience and I feel that it is needed and that God has placed some things and specific kids on my heart! I want to help with small groups as well as hosting some teenage girls in my apartment once a week or so to hang out, build friendships, play games, and study God's word!

Any suggestions on Bible studies for teenage girls? YIKES! Like I said, UNKNOWN TERRITORY!

The plans for Romania are currently on hold as I am working on raising funds to help complete the building of the house there. I will help with that because without there being children in the house, there is little work for me to do! Once the house is built I will begin working toward moving to Romania. I am trying my best to follow God's plan and not rush things...so pray that I would be at peace in His timing at all times!

ALSO...please pray for me as I prepare to travel to Honduras for a mission trip. It is unknown territory as well! Even though I have been there before I don't know anybody that I am travelling with! I am super excited to see how God will be working within this group though! I know He has a plan and a purpose for my involvement and I plan on just being available for whatever comes my way. The details of what we are doing on this trip are vague and I prefer to keep it that way so that I just keep an open mind and spirit and allow God to move how He wants to!

OHHH I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT IT!!!!

Also, I randomly met a man today at Starbucks who is a retiring minister of a Methodist church in this area...We had a great conversation about differences in beliefs and plans he has made and how he and his wife plan to be a part of ministry after retirement and we talked about my plans to eventually move to Romania...His first name is Lester...I just praise God for the contact and want you to whisper a prayer for him and his wife and whatver lies ahead if you don't mind.

I praise God for the opportunities ahead and I am praying for family and friends that are still pressing on at home and in their respective locations!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Oh...I'll leave you with this picture that I took during the Fall Kickoff for the kiddos this weekend at church...I adore it and the precious gal in it! She belongs to some new friends of mine!

More fun with the Canon Rebel...

2009-08-28T13:18:00.002-04:00

I am having so much fun with this precious pixie of girl! She LOVES to dress up and when I went up to the house to help paint, she was dressed in this little getup! We had some time before pizza and painting and she LOVES to have pictures taken so she ran and danced in the garden. I never once asked her to pose...al the pics are HER doing what she wanted to do...right down to climbing the tree! Had a blast! I also got a LITTLE sidetracked by the little bee you see on the purple flower...LOVE IT!

Memory...

2009-08-27T02:53:00.000-04:00

I was just lying here thinking...

Do you ever do that? It is amazing what memories can come back to me in a flash and hit me in my stomach at the thought of how I could have and SHOULD have done something about it......

I was spending the night with a friend in 7th grade. The whole night was kind of weird. I have issues within my family, we all do... but this was different.

Her mom, sister, and I were all cooking dinner and hanging out. When her dad came into the house the whole place changed. The mood was tense and there was laughter but it was guarded. They had a paddle he kept on an old wood burning stove and they were showing it to me, with him in the room. I, not understanding all the power he felt from it and the fear the girls felt from it, picked it up and was jokingly threatening him with it. Looking back, I can see the fear in their eyes, and his glaring eyes, almost daring me to.

That night when we went to bed her and her sister begged me to be quiet, but at sleep overs you were supposed to talk into all hours of the night. When I heard his voice I understood. He was yelling at his wife, in bed, to MOVE OVER and other demands. Again, me not understanding the severity of the situation, I yelled, BE QUIET! The girls tensed up, I am sure because they feared him coming into the room to find out who yelled.

He never came...eventually things loosened up and we fell asleep. At least I did...

The next morning I went to their church. He didn't go. Their mom went forward during the invitation crying and asking for prayer. At that moment I realized all that was going on, and had an understanding of what was happening in that little blue house.

I remember my friend, how we grew apart, not long after that. How she would prank call me and how I was hurt by it.

Now, I see.

I see that she was the one hurting and afraid and I pray that for all those girls out there that are hurting and afraid and don't know where to turn...that they could turn to a friend. I pray that ultimately they could turn to Jesus...

That's all...

Don't get LOST...Get FOUND!

2009-08-25T00:36:00.003-04:00

I remember as a child, the one time a week I got popcorn and coke was during Dallas and Falcon Crest! My mom loved those shows and I am almost positive that if I asked her today why that was the night we got to have coke and popcorn, she would say that was how she could keep us tame enough for her to get her shows in.

I see similar patterns in the world today, including myself. We brush so many things aside so that we can watch TV. There are many reasons as to why we might do this. I think the biggest reason is that we feel that we DESERVE to "chillax" or get a bit of peace weaved into our day through Jack Bauer, Ugly Betty, and the HEROES.

Since I have been living without a TV, and I have done this before...I have been spending more time with my Heavenly Father. I can guarantee that there is no better "chillaxin'" going on than when He and I sit and have time together. He is molding me and forming me into the person He wants me to be. Every day, I strive to glorify Him, in whatever it is He brings my way.

So...in 10 - 20 years, I hardly think that I will be thinking much about what happened to Jack Bauer, Ugly Betty, or HEROES...oh yeah, and what about those one guys that got LOST? I don't think my mom sits and thinks a whole lot about who shot J.R. either. So, I am really convicted right now, that the TV, and some other things, definitely need to take a backseat in my life. Who knows where I will be in 10 to 20 years? GOD DOES! And He wants to prepare me now for the obstacles and accomplishments I am working toward.

So...I want to encourage you to turn off the TV, open the Word, which, by the way, will be more relevant than any show on TV. It HAS been relevant for over 2000 years! And memorize God's Word and spend time with something and Someone who will continue to be effective in your life throughout the years!

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

--2 Timothy 3:14-17

LOVE MY REBEL!

2009-08-23T01:54:00.003-04:00

Sooo...I have been loving my new Canon rebel! Here are a few of my favorite first shots taken during a fabulous day with fabulous people! They were edited on Aperture on my mac as well... Feedback would be fabulous!

Love ya'll!

Day by Day...literally

2009-08-21T00:45:00.003-04:00

I just want to take a chance to praise God...

God is so faithful and so able to care for every need...big or small.

I literally try to walk day by day for Him...obviously I fall off the path sometimes...but last week I heard Him calling...and I am so excited to see what following Him will mean this time!

I was on facebook and a missionary friend of mine announced that he needed someone to go to Honduras for a week in September. I told him I was willing for sure but God would have to provide the time off from work, the ability to renew my passport before then, and the finances. Well...God has provided all three...to my knowledge. I say that because I haven't received my passport yet, but I do have the ability to have it expedited! They were in need of a willing individual and God provided. I was in need of all the above mentioned things...God provided.

So...I will be traveling with a group of folks that I don't know to Honduras! I am super excited to see what this trip has in store...I can only imagine! I know that they want to concentrate on street evangelism, washing feet, etc. Something different from anything I have ever done, so, I am actually filled with a nervous excitement!

I pray that God will be glorified in this and that this example of following Him and making MYSELF available, would show OTHERS that all we have to do is be willing...He takes care of the rest.

"For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love."

--Psalm 33:4-5

Living for today!!!

2009-08-16T03:20:00.004-04:00

Natalie Grant has a fabulous song! I was driving home tonight and as many times as I have heard this song, it spoke strongly to me tonight...Things don't always turn out the way we think it will...praise the Lord that when we are close to Him we KNOW it will be ok...all any of us need to do, is live each moment as it comes...

Here are the lyrics:

Sitting in my room staring at the wall,wondering about the meaning of it all. Why is it this thing called life has got me going crazy. So I open up your word and let it speak to me. The purpose and the plan that you've designed is clear to see. And I believe.

I'm gonna live for today, I'm gonna follow in your way. I'm gonna let my little light shine like there's no tomorrow. I won't worry about the past, I know my future is in intact. So I'll choose to live my life one way ,I'm gonna live for today.

You told me not to worry, about what lies ahead. So I am gonna focus on today instead, making every moment count and counting every single blessing. I'm gonna set my mind on the Here and the Now. This is what I want my life to be about, and this is how...

I'm gonna live for today, I'm gonna follow in your way. I'm gonna let my little light shine like there's no tomorrow. I won't worry about the past, I know my future is in intact. So I'll choose to live my life one way ,I'm gonna live for today.

My life's a crazy life...it's got me spinning around and round, hanging upside down...taking one step at a time...holding your hand all the way and it'll be ok...

Living for today, I'm gonna follow in your way...I will follow...YOU...yes I am...I won't turn back now...I AM LIVING FOR TODAY!

As a matter of prayer...there is a possibility that I will be going to Honduras September 19-26th...Please pray God's will for this. There is a group going from Bloomington, IN that I don't know at all...but, they are visiting a place I have been to and the person there put a notice on facebook that the group has 9 and if they don't get 10 they will have to cancel...

Living for today...

Day by day for Jesus....

I guess that is the life we lead as Christ followers!

Love ya'll!

Roots

2009-08-11T14:11:00.001-04:00

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And you may have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fulness of life and power that comes from God.”
--Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT)

Reading this today reminded me how deeply rooted in His love I NEED to be...

I had a tooth pulled last week...and when I went into the office, I didn’t want to see the tooth afterwards, however after it was out, I didn’t care anymore, so I asked the dental assistant to see it and HOLY SMOKES!!! The root on that thing was HUGE! When the dentist was pulling it, he had to really dig and even though I had been numbed there was still a little bit of pain involved...and the deeper the root is, the more pain there is, naturally.

So, when I read this today, I thought...The deeper my roots are in God’s love, the harder satan will have to dig to pull me out...and incidentally, there is more pain involved...

Pain isn’t always bad, besides the fact that it hurts. It means that our roots are intact and ready to hold on for dear life before something else takes control. I am working on establishing my roots as deeply in God’s love as possible, so that when trials come, I am not easily pulled out! I pray the same for you!

GOD BLESS!

Sing With Joy

2009-08-09T17:05:00.001-04:00

The Word truly does speak and fill us...

When I moved up here to Ohio...I had lots of expectations for how it would look...what I would be doing, who I would be hanging out with...

The last couple of months has been very different from what I originally thought. The past couple of weeks I have been SO busy that I didn’t take time to be in the Word like I should have...I CHOSE not to...there were times I thought about it and then made the choice to do other things...

I have felt as if I have emptied myself for I don’t know how long...I have felt like I stepped into a time chamber and travelled back to 1999 where we sing “I will dance on the streets that are golden” 500 times...I’ve felt a little self righteous...I have thought about how I gave up SO much to move up here and do what I am doing and I have been giving giving giving and not really getting much in return...which in some ways may be true but...

HOW DARE I?

Besides the fact that I am surrounded by such great folks, God has given me more than I deserve by blessing me with air in my lungs!

I finally cracked open the Word today to find such great reminders of what I am doing...

When I began this journey the verses that spoke to me over and over again were Matthew 16:24-25, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang onto your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”

These words are why I began this journey...How is it that those words were good enough to sell my house, leave my family, and friends, and the life I knew and loved but when I have to sing a song I was burnt out on 10 years ago, I get upset and wonder what I am doing? SERIOUSLY!?!?!

From now on, I will do my best to sing with joy, laugh with others, and to love the life I live, being filled by His Word...I pray the same for ya’ll!

AloHA!

2009-08-06T22:35:00.006-04:00

Today Ryan left to go back to Romania...

While much was accomplished, there were so many things that both of us wanted to do during this visit that we didn't even have time to think about let alone do, because we were sooo busy. This past weekend we attended the wedding of his cousin Meghan and had a great time...the photos are my favorites that I took of the rehearsal dinner and wedding...

The good thing is that we are headed in the right direction, have gained focus on how to move forward in raising funds and me eventually moving over there. God is so good in that, while I dreaded today for the past couple of days, HE stepped in, comforted me, and gave me motivation to begin moving forward with the plans we have made for raising funds.

I LOVE GOD and how He knows what we need, even when we don't and how He provides it even when we don't ask, because we are His children and He loves us!

Thank you Father for loving me today and always!

The happy couple, Meghan, Ryan's cousin, and Ryan, her husband!!! ...but not the same Ryan...lol

Alex, Ryan's cousin with Kobe, Ryan's nephew!

Kenzie, Ryan's niece

Rod and Wendy, Ryan's mom and dad.

Justin and Carrie, Ryan's brother in law and sister

That is Ryan n me...lol...AloHA!

Long while

2009-08-04T00:54:00.004-04:00

It has been a long while since my last post...truth is I have been super duper busy AND in some pain...

I have been in pain because I had an issue with an abscess tooth, went to the dentist and had to wait for almost a week till they could pull it...it was pulled today and though I am in pain I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Praise the Lord!

Besides work I was also involved in a week of VBS, after work every day a couple of weeks ago...it was one of the highlights of my summer as Ryan and I were the missionaries for the week and got to tell the kids about Romania. We had the goal of raising $3000 so that we can build the girls and boys bathrooms in the children's home in Romania. If we were to raise $1500 there were some adults who would get cupcakes in their faces...$2000 Ray drank a human milkshake (you don't want to know what that is), $2500 Justin, the youth minister/Ryan's brother in law would dress up like a baby, drink out of a bottle and be fed baby food, and at $3000 Rod, the minister of the church/Ryan's dad would get a mohawk and dye it pink (temporarily).

I had a blast with the kids that came to my room each night and I taight them some Romanian words and played some games and sang some songs with them. I taught them that the kids in Romania that we want to help like the same things we like, but they sometimes don't have a mom or dad to love them or take care of them so we are building a house so that we can help take care of them and give them a safe place to grow up.

Here are some pictures from the week...

Set Apart

2009-07-19T17:31:00.001-04:00

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

--Ephesians 4:1-6

I heard a quote in a sermon this week, “The closer one gets to God, the more you grieve over sin.” I am not sure who originally stated this.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem and the sin that had corrupted them.

Jesus grieved over the sin of the world.

This made me think.

When I am walking close to Jesus and in a consistent state of sweet communion with the Spirit, I am more aware of the sin in me and around me in the world. Not only am I more aware, it absolutely hurts me more to see it.

This week I was at Kennywood, an amusement park in Pittsburgh, with Ryan. We were walking through Noah’s Ark, a fun house sort of thing with the theme being the same as the name! There were a couple of teenage boys a few people in front of us who were blatantly cursing the name of Jesus. It hurt me. Physically my stomach turned. I was praying and just telling Jesus that I was sorry that they didn’t love Him yet but I DO!

Other examples of sin that I see and that bother me occur mainly within the church. I think that it bothers me more when I see a brother or sister sinning because they know and understand the consequences of sin as I do.

There are also examples in Scripture who, upon reviewing their own pasts, grieved the sin in their own lives. David grieved over his sin with Bathsheba. Peter grieved when the rooster crowed after he had denied Jesus, 3 times. Paul grieved over persecuting Christians.

So many times in my own life I have justified things. I have made fleshly desires my priority over Jesus. I am realizing that it isn’t how close I can get to the line, whatever that line may be...It is how set apart and pure can I remain.

When I meet Jesus I want to be found pure and blameless.

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
--2 Corinthians 7:1

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in His own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who live in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
--1 Timothy 6:11-16

Sovereignty

2009-06-29T23:23:00.003-04:00

One thing that I lack in so many of life's circumstances is "security" or "assurance." It seems that one thing after another can plague us and we could most certainly let it get to us and knock us down, however God is God and He is sovereign! Praise the Lord!

I am doing a study on the names of God, and the lesson today spoke of God's sovereignty.

Sovereign itself means, being above all others in character, importance, excellence, etc. God is above all others...

In the study I am doing it says, "Just as a grain of sand cannot rightly be called a beach, other deities likewise cannot rightly be called gods. There is no other god beside Him (Isaiah 44:6)."

Many tend to think that God being sovereign, or above all others, or in control of all things, means that we are robots and that we do not have freewill, on the contrary we certainly are fully responsible for the choices we make in life but we do not have the ability to act independently of God. We are always under his sovereign rule.

How does that make you feel?

It makes me feel secure and assured in a world full of chaos and uncertainty, that He is working toward a predetermined goal and I am a part of that plan. His greatness is my anchor and when all is said and done, it will be good!

A sovereign God=a God I can trust!

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!

--1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Things that make life beautiful!

2009-06-26T01:57:00.003-04:00

Just wanna share that...

--I love Jesus more than air or life...He fills my cup to overflowing!

--I miss home and my family and I visited today, but I also KNOW that I am not supposed to be there anymore. I am where I should be! Praise the Lord for that assurance!

--I am looking forward to a lot of things...

--I absolutely LOVED the thunderstorms during my drive today, and the fact that I got a call from somebody who is at the beach because he wanted to walk on the beach with me...too bad I couldn't hear him over the wind and we had to end the call early...but oh how the thought woos me and makes me grin! :)

--AND...the sun peeping out from behind the storm clouds and shooting glorious rays through the sky...reminds me of what I think Heaven might look like, even though I know it is a smidgen of the glory found there!

--I love my 6 year old nephew, his honest candid remarks, how he laughed today when I caught him in a lie...He told me he hugged Ariel for me at Disney and when I asked his Paw paw (the one who took him) he said, "YOU WOULDN'T GO NEAR ARIEL!" And my nephew just giggled...oh dear how I love that boy! I love kissing his face and will miss the day he won't let me anymore...

I think I am done with my blog...but not done praising Jesus for the things that make life beautiful!

Constant suspense...

2009-06-23T23:22:00.004-04:00

At the Beth Moore conference in Pittsburgh Beth talked about being in a state of “constant suspense.” I have most certainly been experiencing the state of constant suspense in one area of my life. While in that state it is so hard to remember what is true. The words I speak to myself and hear from others, has mostly been negative. I have a couple of close friends have been encouraging through this phase however some that I thought were close have asked me, “why do you keep waiting? Why don’t you just move on?” and other such questions and then proceed to tell me it is a lost cause.

It is so hard to keep moving forward with these thoughts that are plaguing me and beg me to give up. I have been so close several times to giving up and just moving in a different direction, but I KNOW that God has called me this way for a reason. I know that His glory will come from it, no matter what the outcome, even if the outcome is not what I want, I know that God is in control and He has my best interest in mind!

So...as Beth spoke of “constant suspense” she also said that when experiencing this, we need to have 10 truths that are Biblical to focus on and recite daily. That is what I am currently working on. I am seeking Scriptural truths in particular because if it is Scripture, it is certainly true and not something I am saying to make myself feel better, it was placed there by God for a time such as this.

I have mentioned some of this in a previous post, but I have been so focused on it, being in the state that I am, that I had to write about it again...

Here are the truths I have gotten so far:

“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” (Exodus 3:13)--God’s name here is YAHWEH...background to this Hebrew word reveals several truths...God is self existent (not created), God is self sufficient (He doesn’t depend on anyone or anything), God is self directed, God is eternal, and God is consistent (He is true and consistent.)
I am His child whom He loves. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” --Romans 8:15-17
"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other.” --Deuteronomy 4:39
”but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” --Isaiah 40:31
“Who I am and what I struggle with are not the same thing.” --Jennifer Rothschild from her book; Me Myself and Lies.
“The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.” --Matthew 12:34 (All the more reason to fill it with these truths!!!)

That is all I have so far, but I am taking my time toward the 10 because I want to make sure they are what I need in this present time...I pray that you all would seek and know the truth that God is trying to speak to you!

Because your love is better than life...

2009-06-20T00:11:00.002-04:00

Even when everything seems so bleak, my soul feels completely at ease and joyful when I remember God is in control. I am not necessarily immediately happy go lucky but I am at peace.

His Word fills me, strengthens me and reminds me of who He is.

"O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you."
--Psalm 63:1-3

Weary

2009-06-15T22:49:00.002-04:00

Well...not many words to describe how I am feeling right now except weary.

I am straight up tired.

I am tired of being unsettled, tired of waiting (on many things), tired of driving, tired of not having privacy while being tired of being alone, if that makes any sense at all...

I am just tired.

Friday night at the Living Proof conference, the Lord began speaking through Beth and the worship band. Since I have moved to Ohio I have had fears and many ups and downs. What stood out to me Friday night was that I have been battered by some storms...maybe more than one storm at a time and I am tired of being tossed around in them! I have thrown cargo overboard, a LOT of it, and I have been trying to follow God as close as possible but still doubts plague me and there are so many unknowns.

Then Beth said, DO NOT BE AFRAID...

I had quite the evening, got lost on the way to eat, broke down sobbing in my car, and then Friday evening in the hotel room, Tammy hit the nail on the head by saying, "You're just weary aren't you?" DING DING DING!!!

It clicked...and I am...

As in Acts 27:33, and Beth said...I am in a state of "constant suspense" right now. I need to hold tight to what I know is TRUTH because everything around me is so shaky and unreliable right now.

The first truths God gave me are the following...

”but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” --Isaiah 40:31

"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other.” --Deuteronomy 4:39

Living Proof Live video

2009-06-14T20:48:00.001-04:00

Watch for me and some friends!!! We are to the left...if you know us you'll see us!!!

Living Proof Live from Kris Seidenkranz on Vimeo.

More than I can handle?

2009-06-11T23:23:00.003-04:00

One of my peeves is misquoted Scripture...

I know that people don't do it intentionally so I never hold it against the person but I have to correct it...in love of course!

One of the most misquoted verses that I hear is 1 Corinthians 10:13. It says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

The way I often hear it quoted is, "God won't give me more than I can handle."

Well, BECAUSE of someone misquoting this verse today, I was reflecting on it.....

As far as I am aware (correct me if I am wrong) the Bible never mentions that God will not give us more than we can handle. I think there are times He most certainly gives us more than we can handle! We are human and He is God.

He wants us to be in relationship with Him! Of course when we can't deal with the things life throws at us, we will be on our knees before His throne talking to Him...or at least we SHOULD be there. So, it is a way for Him to draw us back to Him when we have a lot on our plate!

He wants us, and others to recognize His power at work in the world! When He loads us up, and we allow Him to carry the load, as we always should, then we recognize Him. Then we get to share the story, or others witness the story, and we let them know WHO it was that got us through...GLORY TO GOD!

I love knowing that He is there...I know for a fact that during the past few months, I have been given more than I could handle. But God is so faithful in providing for us and He does it in so many different ways that we need to be sharp, in the Word, and ready, so that when the time comes, He gets to show off for us and the world...and we can learn more about Him and ourselves!

Beauty for Ashes

2009-06-08T21:13:00.004-04:00

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.
--Isaiah 61:3

This week has been fabulous and difficult in many ways! I have rejoiced as God has laid things out before me that weren't expected and were "immeasurably more" than I thought they would be, yet I have struggled through other times of missing the familiarity of home and friends while at the same time enjoying new people and sites. Needless to say it has been different levels of up and down all week! I have been here A WEEK! In some ways it feels longer, in other ways I can hardly believe it has been that long already!

The above Scripture spoke to me today, as I have been having a hard time and almost mourning the things and people I left behind in my ol' Kentucky home. This Scripture reminded me that He HAS proven this to be true this week, and I have received so much more than I thought was possible, because of His people here on Earth living out His word. I have truly received a "joyous blessing instead of mourning" and am striving to give "festive praise instead of despair" and the people in my life along the way have been "like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory."

Thank you Father for working in my life and the life of others!

Ohio

2009-06-02T14:51:00.002-04:00

I have moved to Ohio...

Well, it isn't looking exactly like I imagined...but, AGAIN, nothing ever does! I am quickly learning that whatever I imagine is usually outdone by God...He is such a showoff! I most certainly love HIM for it!!! Thank you God for knowing what I need more than I myself know!

Here is the story...

If you read the last post you got the part about moving up here and the help He provided. Well, I came up here yesterday expecting to work on my apartment and to stay there this week and work on it so that I could live in it before I began work on the 8th, this coming Monday.

Well, I arrived, and the landlord was completing a few last minute things, so I drove to Target to pick up some cleaning supplies. Well, it wasn't until I was about to place a big pack of paper towels in my cart that I realized not one more thing was going to fit into my car because it was still packed to the gills! So, frustrated, I returned to my car, in which the low fuel light turned on and I headed to the gas station...

While at the gas station, Ryan's dad, Rod, called and told me that a gentleman called the church office today. He said that since I was coming up here to help with the Romanian mission that he would let me rent one of his apartments for what it costs him...PRAISE THE LORD!!!

The timing couldn't have been more perfect...I went to see it today...

I was not complaining about the other apartment that I was planning on moving into but I was also missing some of the things my old house had including ceramic tile, a back porch, etc. Well, the new place has ceramic tile AND a back deck! Praise the LORD, who is able to provide immeasurably more than I could imagine or ask!

I am amazed daily at how God is working in my life and in the lives of those around me...so, don't forget, when little details work out...give Him praise! When little details don't work, He probably has something better in mind!

Whose Blood?

2009-05-31T18:25:00.004-04:00

Whose blood is it that ties us together?

Is it the blood of our parents or grandparents that tie us together as family? Or is it bigger than that?

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us

Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

--Ephesians 2:13-14, 16, 20-21

I found out this weekend that God's family can be as close or closer to me than the family I was born into physically.

On Friday I was getting things ready to move up to Ohio. I had planned on using a friends pickup truck, however when I opened up my storage unit I quickly realized that it would take more than that. So, I called U-Haul and ordered a truck, which ended up being overkill but it took care of it!

So, I asked my mom to help me go get the truck, she wasn't able to. I asked several members of my family to help me load it...I guess they were too busy because I never got a response. So, there I was upset and feeling very much alone...

(In walks God)

A friend of mine helped me pick up the truck and her and her husband and my mom helped me load the truck...

Saturday, when it was time to move everything up to Ohio, my friend Becky came along in her car, for a 4 HOUR DRIVE BOTH WAYS so that I could drop the truck off and get back down here for another couple of days. While unloading the truck, we had several helpers from Ohio available, and it was actually like I was more of a helper in that situation because the men did all the hard work! PRAISE THE LORD!

I was so drained emotionally and physically and I don't think I realized I needed the help until it arrived and I physically felt the tension release...God IS in control...why do I forget???

It just goes to show, that AGAIN, I had expectations of HOW things were going to work, not that they simply would work. So, when they began working out differently that I expected, I freaked a little.

God is so good and provides for our every need in His own ways and timing...PRAISE HIS NAME!

I am so blessed to know that there are people who care about me and love me and we are tied together by the blood of Jesus and/or the blood in our veins...at some point it becomes irrelevant which tie binds...we are ALL family.

Father and Daughter

2009-05-25T22:51:00.004-04:00

This weekend was full of hustle and bustle and lots of plans and a visit from a college friend! I had a blast!

Sunday marked the 3 year anniversary of my dad's death. My dad and I used to attend Reds games together and since his death I have attended Reds games by myself to commemorate that time we shared and to remember him. I usually attend on Father's day but since I don't know where I will be this Father's day, I went Sunday!

I had a friend with me this time which was fun and so I hadn't thought a whole lot about my dad. So, when we went to sit down, someone else was in our seats and we settled into some a couple of rows ahead. Well, then along came two others to sit in the seats next to us, a single father with his 9 year old daughter. As I type this the tears are fresh as I realize how fabulous the God I serve is. It was a great reminder as to how my dad and I enjoyed each others company, though neither of us were perfect in our relationship and it was strained at times due to his alcoholism. The little girl was sassy, as I was, and she even got put on the scoreboard while singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

I just thank God for the reminders of how GOOD He is and how good my dad and I were, in the midst of the busy weekend!

AND...Most important! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

Body watch...

2009-05-21T22:25:00.003-04:00

So, about 5 months ago I found a class that I love...it is a dance class to me and if you call it a workout I might not like it anymore so don't call it that! So, I began going about 3 times a week. I don't weigh myself because I am not out to be a certain weight or size. In fact if it becomes about that then I will probably quit because it is too much pressure for me. But, I have since lost about 2 pant sizes. I have muscles in places that I haven't had them in a really long time! I did used to be a gymnast, acrobat, dancer, back in the day...

Anyhow, this class is something I have come to enjoy. Not just because I can shake it, but also because of the fellowship I have found and the relationships I have built with the other women AND men in there! Yes there ARE men!

Last summer I began running, to become "fit" and because I needed a change! I did ok, but not close to the goal I wanted to accomplish! I wanted to train for a 5k but was never able to reach that goal. Well, I ran about a mile in the EARLY spring this year, which was typical of last summer. Then, on Monday, I completed my first 3 mile run!!! I was astonished! This dance class is hardcore, REALLY, and had prepared me for the cardio training needed for running, though my leg muscles begged to differ!

I was super excited and want to encourage those out there that might be struggling in the areas of weight, body shape, etc. to find something you like, in an environment you like! It is so important to enjoy it! If you need alone time, maybe walking in a beautiful park in the evening or morning is right for you. Or if you like community then there are all kinds of group classes out there to join, swimming, aerobics, dancing, spinning, team sports, and the list goes on! Heck, I think roller skating is still around!

God gave us bodies and He wants us to stay in them for as long as possible to carry out His work here on earth...So, be faithful and take care of them!

God on the throne

2009-05-18T14:19:00.003-04:00

I am so tired of being afraid, of holding back, and not living out what I feel God calling me to...it is because I forget to die to myself each day...I put myself on the throne way more than I should!

In this world so many of us hold back. Far too many of us are living in our comfort zones and not living out what God has called us to. For us to live the way God wants, we should die to ourselves each day. Paul says so in 1 Corinthians 15:31, "I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We should be taking up our crosses and following Him...

I heard a song today (I am not sure of the artist or title of the song, if anyone knows please leave me a comment so I can find it again!)

Anyhow the lyrics were something like this:

You have your Savior on the cross
While you sit on the throne
Put yourself up on that cross
Put your Savior on the throne.

It is so true, until we die, thus putting ourselves on the cross, we will continuously live for ourselves, thinking we are above everything, sitting on a throne.

God belongs on the throne...it is time we put Him there and leave Him!

CRAZY!

2009-05-14T00:18:00.005-04:00

I promise you God knew what I needed to hear today!!!

Sometimes, I feel like the things I believe, the things I say or write, or the things I do, are over the top. I feel like they are so over the top that others might think I am crazy...

Take, for instance, my 40 day trip that I took across the country this past fall. Soooo many people made comments about how I was "not being safe" or in one instance that I know of for sure, the person said I was "crazy" because I was telling everybody that I was traveling with Jesus.

hahahaha...

Today, I was reading in 2 Corinthians 5:13-15

If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

This passage helps me to feel a little less self conscious about some of the "crazy" things I might do and I wanted to share...I am not afraid to be crazy...especially if it glorifies my God!

Watch the video...

God's word being preached...

2009-05-11T22:10:00.002-04:00

Our God is so good and wonderful that I can hardly take it in sometimes.

I am amazed at how, even though the past weeks have been soooo very hard, He has been evident and made clear in my life through many different avenues.

I have noticed how much more fulfilling being in the Word is. It is quite literally the air I breathe, what gets me up in the morning and through my days. I have had to focus my heart and mind on His promises when everything else seemed so bleak and often too painful to have to bear or go through. So many times I wanted to give up, but because of hearing His Word, or reading it somewhere...I was able to press on...It was God pushing me forward!!! Praise Him!

One way that I have heard Him through these weeks and trials is through the past 4 sermons at church. Honestly...it has been some of the best preaching I have heard in quite a while and I haven't figured out if it is because I am SOOO thirsty for His Word or if it is because of the preachers talents God gave them (not that I want to discount their preaching ability at ALL).

But as I was sitting in L.D. Campbell's sermon on Saturday night, I realized, while a puddle formed on my lap from the tears that cleanse my soul so often lately, that it was that God's word is being spoken in such a real way...

I appreciate the pastors at my church so very much, that they are dedicated to God's word and not their own agenda being preached from the pulpit, that they are not up there with an ulterior motive to sway everyone to their way of thinking but to preach the Word of God and what HE wants us to learn and know.

So thank you Greg Marksberry for your latest series and thank you L.D. for this past week and for loving God above all, and being faithful to Him with the gifts He has blessed you with!

May all glory belong to God!

1 Peter 4 (part 2)

2009-05-09T16:03:00.003-04:00

As I have mentioned, I am reading Living Water, by Brother Yun. It is phenomenal to see how literally one CAN live out a life completely dedicated to Christ in the modern world.

I see and hear others make excuses, and I make excuses myself, for living life the way I do. Life here is so easy and yet, it is difficult for us to stand up for Jesus Christ in our world. What are each of us doing to spread what Jesus did for us?

Are we sitting in our homes each evening, eating dinner, watching TV and saying that our job is how we spread Jesus' love, when in reality, we go to work, complain about the work we have to do while there, talk about people we work with or for, etc.

Is this how our lives should look?

The answer is a resounding NO!

I cannot claim that I am not guilty of that lifestyle though. I desire comfort...I am made of flesh. The call of the Gospel is to fight against flesh and to sacrifice our lives for Him.

"For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1b-2

I want to be anxious to DO the will of God. When I put myself aside, and do the will of God...there is no better feeling. I love when I am working, with a JOYFUL heart and know without a doubt that I am supposed to be right there right then, serving God. I long for every moment to be filled with the knowledge that I am not letting HIM down in any way! I want to use my time, talents, and energy for Him and not for the things of this world that I think will fulfill me in some way.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not need more "down" time or relaxation. We need to make sure we are filling ourselves each day, through a relationship with HIM...and we need to take what He gives us and use it to HIS GLORY!

"Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen." 1 Peter 4:11

Lastly, when things are hard and we think that because it is hard, we aren't supposed to move forward...

THINK AGAIN!

When things are hard, that can be a sign that it is that much more important to complete and that Satan is against it!

We should be joyful during these trials...as hard as it is, this is the time we know, beyond anything, that we are where He wants us, growing, and working for His glory. It isn't about us at this point. It is about the ONE we SHOULD be living for. As soon as we give up and make it about us, we have failed...

"Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you."

1 Peter 4:12-13, 19

To God be the glory!

1 Peter 4

2009-05-09T00:28:00.003-04:00

You know...in this case, I am just posting the Scripture I read today...more reflection to come later...

1 Peter 4

So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead. That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
Suffering for Being a Christian
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?”

So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Drawing closer

2009-05-07T15:06:00.003-04:00

Well, I have been counting on the fact that Romi and Armando, the boys Ryan takes care of in Romania, would get their visas to return with Ryan to the states this summer. The problem being, since he takes care of them, if they didn't get them then he wouldn't be able to return...

They had their meeting at the US Embassy early this morning in Bucharest and did not receive the visas...

I am disappointed...and a little sad that things aren't turning out the way I thought. But God has bigger and better plans and all I can do is wait on Him and His timing...

I am drawing closer to HIM and relying on Him today.

I pray that I remember to do this daily, when things are hard, or not. He wants relationship with me above all else and I need relationship with Him more than anything else...

I was encouraged by this Psalm today...

Chapter 34

1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.