Pray

I was reading a book today which really encouraged me. Its called "You Were Made to Make a Difference" by Max Lucado and his daughter Jenna Lucado Bishop. So far I've only read the first part called "you were made to belong to God" Its super inspiring. The part I'm going to talk about in this post is prayer.

We all often talk about how powerful prayer is but do we really know? Do we realize that prayer is the single most important thing we can do? That we can change the world if we just prayed more and if these prayers were not always for ourselves. The bible tells us to pray without ceasing or to "pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17. People have done this and changed a big part of the world.

Also prayer is always effective. God will use our prayers to change the world If we ask, he will take care of it. This is talked about in James 5:16. He says he will answer. Jeremiah 33:3 says "call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

It's amazing what prayer can do. I'm going to try this. I challenge you to. Pray every hour for one day. Remember prayer IS important.

Trust

I know I have way more than enough to think about right now. I over analyze everything. I seriously do. I also worry about everything. Recently I have come to know that. I also have come to see that God has my back and I do not need to worry. I just need to put full trust in him.

Whatever ends up happening in my life has happened for a reason. God knows his plans for me. Even if they seem to definitely not be plans I would want to do. Or it seems to be running everything in ones life. So I also don't need to wonder these or worry about them. I get daily bible verses sent to my phone and one recently just calmed my nerves for the whole day.

I didn't save the text. But I know now to trust God just a little more. I hope you can as well.

Hot Chocolate

Often when Im down or having a bad day I go to McDonalds with one of my best friends, Aubrey. We often sit and drink  some type of warm drink well there. Most of my thoughtful conversations come from there. Being able to ponder about what God has done in my life.

I wonder so much. I often will sit around and ask lots of thoughtful questions, or I will just listen to what she has to say. Interesting enough lately, I have been having this burning passion for not discriminating. Like seriously a burning passion I can sit and tell Aubrey or anyone who will listen my beliefs on how to be treating others.

I wonder if this love for every single person. Is it a new love or passion God has layed on my heart. I know that God calls us to love. It is one of the greatest commandments given from him. Matthew 22: 37 "the second of these is to love your neighbor as yourself."  I feel like this is so important.

I know that every single person on this earth was created from him. And we need to love everyone. 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. We ought to do the same for our brothers". I want to take this to heart. I don't want to judge for any reasons. I don't want to say mean and hurtful things. I want everyone to feel safe. And I want to move the world or just SAU campus to see that love needs to be happening.  Mother Teresa says "if you judge someone you have no time to love them".

I am going to do something about this. I want to be able to show Love. And I want others to agree with me.

The night brings sadness.

I really wish that I could sit down and visit a dear friend from SpringHill. I loved being able to focus solely on God. Why can't I now? Why do I get caught up and everything around me? Why can't I sit for a moment of silence only thinking of him. Why is it I can't? I just want to sit and cry my heart out to him. I want to have all of my life devoted to him. I want so much more than I have. 

Why do I feel I have failed? Why do I feel like I could just sit here and hate myself for what I've done? When I just need him. I need to focus. I know that God loves me and I know what my current life plan is. But sometimes I struggle but we all do. We all fail. But the glorious thing about that is our God will give us another chance. 

I love God more than I ever thought I could. I love life more than I thought I could. I want more of that time to focus on him. I want to be able to grow stronger. I want to be the best christian I can be. And well Im not doing that right now. 

Who am I?

If you sit down and talk with anyone who knew me a year ago they would tell you I am increadibly different, Im not the same person. You wouldn't even know who I was back then, I didn't even know who I was. I didn't care to know. But now thats different. Who am I?

This is not some story of who I am as like where I go to school, etc. But who I am spiritually How have I changed. I know that a lot of who I am now came from SpringHill camps and from my own learning. My own trial and errors. Over the school year I failed at many thiings, I encountered much drama. Things such as a romantic situation with a guy, a relationship with another guy, a roommate fight, a few expolsions, etc. A lot of serious dramatic problems. Some hard times with people around me. But I made it threw and I learned through every single one of them.

Life

What does my life mean? A question asked often and it super hard to figure out. I know that everyone struggles with the answer to this question. Its not easy. We all hurt. We all want love. We all want happiness. We all want truth. We all want to know the point of life. But how do we find that? 

Its hard for any girl to sit around and not know what the point of their lives are. The only thing we are given is that God has a plan for us, and that our plan is to live whole heartily for him. But what else is there? How are we to do this? What if we fail? What if no matter how hard we try it just doesn't seem possible?

I know that for me. I hurt everyday. Something in my life comes back to hurt me. Whether it be school, home, boys, or friends. But I know that the devil wants us to live in pain and hurt. He doesn't want us to be able to see life in a positive way. But we will always hurt because we are human, and live on earth with sin. But what can we do about it? 

I know that I always am looking for love. I enjoy loving others, and I want to be loved. But I know that I have been learning what its like to truly feel Christs love. Something so amazing. Something I need. A love I will never find anywhere else but with Christ. But I still at times find my self wanting more love. The love of my peers, and the love of a man. But this love won't be found until, I can fully love myself and Christ. How do I do that?

I know that I sometimes feel like I can never be happy. That my life just never will be something to be happy about. But other days I just sit there feeling so happy, I dont know how to hold all the happiness in. I find that I want the most happiness I can get I want to be forever happy. I don't want pain. But its kind of part of life. But the more I live for God the happier I should be. How do I do that? 

I know that I don't always know what truth is. I look for the truth everywhere. Sometimes its right in front of me. Isn't the truth God? But why do I always feel like Im not being told everything? Why do I need to know this, I should be happy with knowing that Christ is the truth. How do I face that the truth I know is revealed by God? 

I know that sometimes I sit around wondering what the point of my life is. Why I sit here going through things like this. Why can't I have the no hurt, lots of love and happiness? I think I just have to be able to lay it down to God. It will be clear when the time is right.

To figure out how to understand hurt, I need to see that Christ suffered for us. God hurts when he sees his people so far away from what he designed us for. The bible tells us the road won't be easy, we will suffer. I chose this. But I won't always have to feel this way. I need to do what he asks of me. 

To know how to love like Christ. I need to remember I love because he first loved me. 1 John 4:19. We wouldn't even be able to love if he didn't love us. If we show love for him. If we read, and study his word, if we pray, and meditate and work on the removal of our sin. This will help. If we help others, if we don't think of ourselves everything would change.

Being happy will come. Even if I don't have it when I want it. If I wasn't so selfish I wouldn't have this problem. I need to know that God tells me that I will not always be happy. But as long as I don't lose hope in him. I will get the happiness he promises in the end. 

Truth will come as long as I only find the  truth from what God has to say. He is the only real answer. This takes time. But he is the truth. The bible mentions that. Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life..... John 14:6. Knowing the truth will bring great things. 

With all of this. I know that my life can be fulfilled the way God intended. 

Child Like Faith.

The other night I sat and talked with my best friend for a few hours. Its great to be able to share finally with someone all the thoughts in my head. Those thoughts that only my Savior knows. It was great to be able to know she would just listen and share how she felt. We agree on many things one being the faith of a Child.

Its great to have an accountability partner, thats what she is for me. I know I can tell her anything and she will pray for me, and she will help me. So thats what we do, I give her my problems, she gives me hers and we pray. We talk.

Bringing up the thought of our families. The children around us love eachother so unconditionally. Its true. The love I have for my little cousin is so strong, and the same for her with her nieces and nephews. Its amazing that we can love them so much. To love God that much is so wonderful as well. But its hard to see how he can love us that much and to know the love that we can imagine is much less than the love God has for us. He loves us no matter what, this is amazing.

Children love their parents, and family no matter what they do to them. They would do anything for the ones they love. They put all of their faith in those around them. Why can't we do that? I mean at times we can. But how many can say I never doubt, I never fail, and I never get angry. No one. Children can seriously forgive and love so easily. Love isn't easy. I think this is why God calls us to have faith like a child. They have amazing faith.

I want this faith. I want to not ever doubt. I don't mean on him being real, I just mean in general. I need to always remember that he loves, and as long as I live for him. I am taken care of. Child like Faith.

What Oh Lord Do You Call Me Too Do?

Well I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do with my Majors. They are Social Work and Childrens Ministry. Both call so much to me I love people, I want to help them meet their needs, I want them to know they are not alone. I can't stand people hurting. I also have such a terribly strong love for Children, I don't want to see them hurting. I want them to know life has good. That there is love. I want to show them the love of Christ.

Lately, I have been thinking about just what do I really want to do. In one of my classes we have been doing local justice projects. Organizations that our helping the hurting, etc. This makes me think. Also in my ministry class we have been talking about what is your philosophy of your ministry. I've been really thinking about this. I think that I want to other work with a Christian Adoption Agency or make a Christian environment for children who are homeless. Take them off the streets and provide them with love of Jesus and a safe environment. I want to do anything I can to help them. To see them hurting, hurts me I want to know that I can work with them. Thats some of what God has been laying on my heart.

Luke 12:34  "Your heart will be where your treasure is"
Isaiah 54:13 "All your sons will be taught by the Lord and great will be your childrens peace."
Matthew 25:35-40

Nothing Compares

All I can ever think about is my God. I know hes there for me, and I know I am on the right path. Every single time I reflect I see him there, and if I don't I know its something I did wrong. I know from what he is telling me how to change it. To make it all for him. I know that he makes me knew. 

No one ever can compare to him. I'm not just saying that because of the bible or because Im a Christian I truly feel this. Every joy in my life is because of him. I can't help but reflect on truth. I know that every moment I have is for him. I don't want to waste time on things that don't belong to him. 

1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason that the world does not know us is that he did not know him". 

Isaiah 40:18 says "To whom, then, will you compare to God? What image will you compare to him"? 

I'm thankful and I know I can never compare something to his love. 

I'm not Worthy

Lately I've been feeling down feeling, that I am not worth of any of your love. And its true none of us are.But I shouldn't be letting that get to me, or let it hinder our relationship. Often many people feel this way, but we aren't worthy of HIM but we can live for him, and be strong. If I feel not worthy I can do something to change that. I can live more for Christ. I know that I can continue a relationship for him and live a holy pleasing life on to him. I don't need to feel unworthy to worship him. I need to just do it. And so do all of you. He wants to hear from his children. He also really wants to hear from them when they are hurting. Because he loves us. And we are his Children.

Beautiful Things

What is beautiful? Its hard to say. Beautiful is described differently by each person. Regardless of what it means to each individual we know that we all find  things beautiful. Things such as flowers, the stars, the earth and sometimes specific people. If I were to describe beautiful, I would say its more than the way we look its a deeper meaning. If a person mean, rude, uncaring its harder for me to see their beauty. I believe that every single thing created from our God is beautiful. I can't help but look around and think wow this is so beautiful. This world is incredibly gorgeous. We are one of his most beautiful creations. He took the most precious time ever to create us. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says he made everything beautiful in its own time. We also must remember that it doesn't matter what others have to say about us for we are beautiful. 1 Samuel 16:7 says "The Lord doesn't see the things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart. The word beauty is defined by God not by the world. We are beautiful.

I shall not fear.

I learned the other day that the words "do not be afraid" is mentioned in the bible 365 times, the same amount of days in a year. That amazes me. Only my God could be so wonderful. I often worry, I am often afraid. This comes to me at just the right time lately I have been worrying everyday about something. But I need not to. He has my back, he will not let any harm come to me. 


When I was at camp a month ago I was often told by a great friend to not worry, or to fear not. Our store that I worked in had a ring that said fear not. I got one to remind me to not fear that he was always there. It really helps. Its great to know hes always there. Some verses about this are. 


Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"


Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. " 


There is just two of them.  But there are so many out there. Remember do not be afraid. 

He has always has a WILL

Well I moved back into college, it was fairly interesting. There are already some stresses but like always I know my God will handle them. My god is always there for me. He always always will be. I need not to worry. But its always hard at times. But I know he has a will and I need to just let him do his will. I hope this year is awesome and I have no troubles. For its possible but I'll leave it in Gods hands.

Summer!!!

 How do you spend your summer? What things keep you busy? What ways can you make your summer for God? How are you going to be able to afford the next school year? All questions my parents ask me about my summer.

Its easy to get caught up in the constant day by day activities and work. Its easy to say that there is no time for anything during the summer. Or that all I havd time for is work. Any way you put it, its saying sorry God but I have no time for you.

These past few weeks I have noticed how much I need time with him. Spending any free moment with Christ makes everything wonderful. Digging deep into my relationship with him, as I would with any one else. I encourage you out there to do the same. It will bring you joy, you will be able to accomplish anything. It can bring you anything you desire.

With the more time I put into him, the more I get out of it. I know that working at a small paying camp for him will bring me happiness and him. I know that even if I do not make a ton of money its what he wants. College will be taken care of because its in hands. Anything and everything in my life is in his hands. I want you all to relize this as well he is our creator he has EVERYTHING in his hands and he loves us.

Enjoy your summer. Live for him and make the best out of it. Give him all you got. Dig Deep.

Sunshine and Spring

Another blog from Spring break a few weeks ago.

On a different note now.. When looking outside these past few days I have been blessed to see the wonderful sun shining. It reminds me that in just a few short weeks spring will be here. I love that time of the year. Not only because of its warmth but because it reminds me so much of what God has done for me. And all that he has done for the world. God is wonderful. I mean look outside right now. Who besides God could create such wonderful things. When I look outside this very moment I see complete darkness, but this is because he created day and night. And on some of these nights when I look outside I see the stars shining bright, I see the moon shining even brighter. And it makes me think about how wonderful the world is. How about those who live by a lake? When you look outside and see the moon and stars shining over the lake, what can you not help but think? How about how beautiful and wonderful it is outside. Or what is it that you think? I like to go outside and just think about my day and the things that have been bothering me. Its very easy to do this when outside is wonderful and beautiful. I could sit outside for hours just thinking. Pondering on life.

I am thankful for what I have been given. And even though I know my life isn't all what they would consider perfect, I'm happy with it. Because its what God gave me, so I can make the best of it. He doesn't give us anything he doesn't think we can't handle, so if my parents want nothing to do with me, people treat me bad because of what I believe, etc. I will be just fine because its all in Gods plan. Besides I do have wonderful people in my life who make up for those I don't have in my life. And they sometimes don't realize how much they mean to me. I am so very thankful.

Some don't have anything. They are dying, starving, sick, help less, etc. So why should I be complaining? When I have so much more than they do? I am able to go to college, when so few can't do that. I have a warm house to stay in, no matter the circumstance, some don't have that. And many things like that. Why am I so SELFIOUS? Why is it that so many Americans and non Americans are like this????? Ever wonder?

Love.

Today I was reading the last few chapters of Isaiah when I came to a wonderful realization. In these last few chapters, the new heaven and earth our talked about. It also is brought to our attention how God will judge who gets to be there. And why he does it.. I would have to say that my thoughts are completely changed because of this. Not to mention I think the Bible alone is proof that God exists.

First off, I'll explain why I think the Bible alone is proof of God. The Bible was written very long ago, like hundreds of years. But there are defiantly things that have been written in this book that have come to pass. Also it can help you through anything you are going through. What other books can do that? I do not think no person could write such a powerful book. I do not believe that a human could predict the future in such a way. So I think that God himself is the only answer for the book. So he must be real right?

My amazing concept. People always ask how a wonderful loving God can send his people to hell. But I think that he gives us free will because he loves us, in our hearts we already know what is the truth and what is right, if we chose to ignore it, or not act upon what is right then we are choosing not to love him. We are then choosing not to accept his gift of heaven. So in return we send ourselves to hell. I truly believe this.

This is my new changed look on life. I hope you the reader of this take that in too thought. And act upon what you know is true, and right.

An absolutely wonderful god

I love knowing that no matter who we are, or what we have done that Jesus still loves us. That he will always want us. The Bible says that he will never forsaken us. (Deut. 31:6) All we have to do is understand he loves us, that he died for us, and that we are all sinners. Then we can simply just follow his rules. And live for him. I'm happy that when I die I get the chance to go to heaven and be with him. Even though none of us deserve that. But he will reward us if we do as he asks. 


God wants us to know that when we feel discouraged he is there for us. “I will not leave you comfort-less: I will come to you.” – John 14:18. That he created us all equally none of us are better than the other. He will love us all the same and he will in the end judge us too. In the thought that he created us all equally then we are all beautiful. Our beauty shines even more when we can demonstrate Gods love. If you ever feel like no one loves you, remember this God does no matter what you have done. Just give it to him and he will take care of you. We are his everything. We are to live all for him. He is gave us the best gift. He truly will always care about us.

Beautiful One.

I wrote this blog entry awhile back. Well on Spring Break.

Waking up early in the morning is never an easy task for me. But once I'm up, I'm such a morning person. Well today I had to wake up at seven. Not always so enjoyable.

In a bible study today with my uncle and some home-school teachers I though about what a wonderful SPRING day it seems to be. Im thankful to see what a wonderful world God has created for me and the rest of the people living in this world. Spring always reminds me of how wonderful our God is. To think he made those birds we hear chirping, he made the green grass, the blue skies, the sun, and all the other wonderful things on this earth.

Besides my thoughts on spring, I have been thinking about the Bible in general. Also at this time devotion they talked about how important it was to know the scripture so that you couldn't be tricked. It all came up because of the Pastor Rob Bell and his new book Love Wins. I remember Eric, a good friend of mine always telling me that I am easily tricked into believing things. I have a hopeful goal to work on learning more about the Bible in order to know Gods word.

I love just the little things I learn at Bible studies, and the other places I learn things about God at.Im hoping with more involvement with them and with personal Bible study, and devotions I can improve myself. So that is my goal. Now a hopeful enjoyment of that.