Thankful Experiences

Tonight, some of my sweet friends, the Lipscombs, came over to exchange Christmas presents as we always do. For me, tonight made my heart extra happy. Over the past couple of years, my friend and I have been through stuff that we never would have expected to have to go through, but I am so blessed to be able to say, that through everything that happened, our friendship never faltered. You know a friendship has its foundation on Christ when you can go through highs and lows with them, and boy, has this relationship been like a roller coaster.

 So, why did tonight make this little heart of mine happy? 

Because I got to see my best friend look truly happy.

I have known this girl and her little sister (that is my brother's age) practically since birth, so I know when she is hiding feelings from me, and tonight, after a long time, I felt that they were actually happy and that everything was finally okay again. And its not just because it was Christmas, but I feel like everything is "normal", as normal as things are ever going to get. Now the background story to why things have been troublesome, is a long one that I cannot share, but just know that it was something that affected their family, and so many loved ones around them. It was something that my heart is still somewhat broken about, but after seeing them tonight, I feel like those wounds are a little bit more healed. 

I feel truly blessed to have had the experiences that I have had with my sweet best friend, and while writing this post, so many sweet memories are flooding back into my mind. So many that it is almost overwhelming. Some good, and some not so good, but looking back, I can clearly see God's hand leading me, and my friend through the past few years. Now, the friendship that I have with her, is like a sister-we can go weeks without texting or talking, but then we can just see each other or text each other and its like we just catch up from when we last talked! Our conversations range from family stuff, to of course- boy talk (which we have a lot), and it is just like a sister relationship in the way that we would never "judge" one another on a mistake, and when one of us is going through a tough thing (with a guy or what not) the other is right there to just listen and talk it out! 

Looking back on our elementary and middle school days, I look at my friend and I and I see how much of an influence God has had in our lives as individuals and as sisters. I see how much we have grown to have our own personalities, and I feel so blessed to be apart of her life. My sweet friend is as stubborn and tough as a rock sometimes, but I am so thankful that we have talked about things that are sensitive to both of our hearts. I can honestly say, that without this friendship, I would not be who I am today, and I would not trade anything in the world for our memories together and our friendship.

"Sometimes being a friend means mastering the art of timing. There's a time for silence; a time to let go and allow people to hurl themselves into their own destiny; and a time to prepare to pick up the pieces when it's all over."

Yet God Remains

"Here is the deepest secret nobody knows, 

here is the root of the root

and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; 

which grows higher than soul can hope

or mind can hide.

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars

apart.

i carry your heart.

i carry it in my heart."

e. e. Cummings

So many thoughts circling chaotically through my mind right now. Some exciting, some heartbreaking, and some things that are just there. 

The main reason for this post though.... is to share what God has shared with me recently. 

Some days, it is really hard being a Christian, but the Bible tells us that we'll have those days, so sooner or later I was expecting them to come, but I was kind of hoping that they would not come so soon. Being a Christian girl in the teenage years is a constant struggle, like seriously! I have thankfully been fortunate to grow up in a Christian school, so I have had the opportunity to build a strong foundation for my faith, but the moment I take my life into my own hands and step out before God has totally prepared my heart, things can go down hill, quickly. God is preparing my heart to go out into the world where Satan reigns over people, and God is showing my in the mean time, how much I MUST rely on Him. This time, God taught me the lesson of taking "relationships" into my own hands, and sadly it was a "relationship" with a non-Christian (which I was not aware of). Long story short, I tried taking control of my life and started talking to a guy who said all of the right things to make me believe that he was a "good guy", and posted all of the right things on social media, not hinting at all how dark his heart really was. I was blessed with a Daddy (God) who watches over me constantly, walks hand-in-hand with me, even when I don't want to, who knows when I have gone too far, and knows when and how to pull me back to Him. I knew exactly when God was pulling me back to Him, and even though I tried to go back to the guy I was talking to, God never gave up on me, and just kept pulling me straight to Him and His sweet presence..... and now that I am fully back, I look back to the guy I was talking to, and wonder what I was ever thinking by talking to him in the first place. 

Yes..... that was the short version of the story! Haha!

As I look through my prayer journal through this time, I see God's divine intervention in my life, and I see Him placing things exactly where they should be. I see Him showing me the path and that He walked with me through all of it. One prayer, I was expressing my feelings toward God about the type of guy that, to me, would be right in God's eyes for me to have. As I re-read this prayer, I think of the guy i was talking to, and I see how he had not a single one of those characteristics, and I immediately thank my sweet Daddy that He lead me to ending that relationship. It is truly amazing to me, that when I stop and just look at my life, I can really see how God has total control of my life. I can see how He is woven into the things that I do, and also things that I love and the things that make my heart happy. One night, I asked God to show me what it actually looks like to give Him total control of my life, because I had said those words so many times, but I never really knew what my life looks like when it happens..... But now I see that my life has been in His control the whole time, I have just tried stealing little parts of it from Him (which by the way, does not work, so just do not try it). 

God has control of this little heart of mine, and He remains Holy and loving, despite my crazy mistakes that I make along the way. So from now on, I have decided to just listen to God's sweet voice, who will never lead me astray, and will always call me back to Him. Just like in my friend Avery's last post about being sheep, this is a great example of how much we really are like sheep-we just keep on wandering away, but God (our great Shepard) always finds us and continues to love us. 

 

"I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine."

Psalm 50:11

Captured by Digital Age

(Just a cute little picture I made to add to this post!)
Recently, I have been listening to just a hand-full of certain songs. One of my recent favorites has been Captured by Digital Age. A sweet friend showed me this song, And Then, at my school's fall retreat, the praise band played it, and ever since, this song has been words coming straight from my heart up to God. His love has been vibrantly around my life lately, to the point where some days, all I can think of is how much he loves me!
These are the lyrics to my favorite song, Captured.

"Love
You've captured me again
Love
You steal my heart

And oh when I reach out
You're always there
You've captured me again
Oh God
You steal my heart
And oh when I reach out
You're always there

Cause love has come to rescue me
Your love has come to set me free
Your love, love is all I need
Your love
Hey!

Love
You've captured me again
Oh my God
You steal my heart
And oh when I cry out
You're always there

Cause love has come to rescue me
Your love has come to set me free
Your love, love is all I need
Your love

Your love has come to rescue me
Your love has come to set me free
Your love, love is all I need
Your love

I've never felt more found
Than when I'm lost in you
My head may spin around
Like the stars of the night sky do

Your love has come to rescue me
Your love has come to set me free
Your love, love is all I need
Your love"


So tonight, I had to opportunity to go to a things called The Reset Movement! It's a rally sort of thing, to encourage a revival in our hearts and our nation! The reason my girl Avery and I first wanted to go, was to see our Favorite band, Rend Collective Experiment play, and then it turned out to be a really cool thing to go to! (Yes, Avery and I completely fangirled pretty much the whole time while they were playing!) It was just so cool to finally be seeing Rend Collective In Person! Ahhh! I'm still just a little excited!!! And to make the night even better, WE GOT PICTURES WITH SOME OF THEM!!!!! Add them to the list of bands I've seen and had pictures with!!! These are pictures from tonight at the Reset Movement

 This is Morgan Nichols (Jamie Grace's older sister! So awesome to hear her amazing voice in person, AND get a picture!!)

 This is the lead singer for Rend Collective!!!

 Another member of Rend Collective

This is just Avery, Alli, and I after the Reset Movement.

 

This was an awesome experience, and memories were definitely made tonight!!! I just love my sweet Jesus!!

Habakkuk 3:2,4

" Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.

His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden."

 

 



Second Letter From Nassali

This morning, I received my second letter from my friend Nassali Gorret in Uganda Africa. This letter was the sweetest letter I have ever received, and it seriously almost brought me to tears just reading it. The fact that the Lord can bless me so greatly through Nassali captivates me and ignites my fire to praise Him more! Nassali and I are both 16 years old, and in her letter, she said it was precious that we were the same age! This blew me away because even though we live so far apart from each other, we are so much alike- in the way we talk and in the things we enjoy! She loves playing net ball, which is kind of like our basketball, and she loves sharing Bible verses with her close friends! Um, I love basketball, AND I LOVE sharing Bible verses with my close friends (AKA Avery, Tylar, and Alli)!

 

Here is part of what Nassali's letter said this morning:

" Some other things I enjoy is to appreciate every creature and praise God because of them like birds who sing hidden songs flying up to the sky... I am requesting you that you are precious because God created you in his image, so never argue with any condition just praise God. Thank you."

 

Is that not the most precious thing?

 

 

 

This is a picture from a friend's page who runs the youth gatherings that Nassali attends! These are children who live in a community where they are building new water wells so the community can have clean water!

 

 

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"

 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

 Then the trees of the forest will sing,

 they will sing for joy before the Lord,

for he comes to judge the earth."

1 Chronicles 16:31-33

Not Ready For This

So this weekend, I went to the Oklahoma State football game/Homecoming. Both of my parents are alumni to the school, so of course, as a child, I grew up knowing that I was going to attend there for college. As the weekend went on, my heart grew more and more towards being prepared to get out of high school and head off to Stillwater and start a new chapter in my life. I left Oklahoma today, sure that in the next couple of years, I would soon be returning as a freshmen to OSU.

 

Well, in the car on the way home today, I was doing my usual Pinterest searching, and I came across pictures from a missionary who is currently on a mission trip called The World Race. Now, around a year ago, I found out about this trip, and knew that one day, I would be going on this trip! This mission trip is called The World Race, because you travel to 11 different countries... in 11 months! Crazy, I know! This trip is for adults from the ages of 21-35, so it would be after college. But as I was reading blogs and such today, I went back to the main page and saw a link to a list of trips for ages 18-21, called The Passport Trip. As The World Race is 11 countries in 11 months, the Passport trip is 9 countries in 9 months. As I was reading blogs from people who went on the trip, my heart was literally over flowing with happiness, but at the same time, a great deal of confusion. I went through the whole weekend and pretty much all of my life, knowing exactly where I would go for 4 years for college, and all of the sudden, I had this strong feeling that I will be taking a slight break from college for a year to go on this trip. Of course, a lot of prayer will be going into my decision for my college future, but now, I'm not really sure if I want to go to a big University for my freshmen year! My newest addition to my list of options, is to stay close to home and go to a small school for my freshmen year of college to save money for the Passport trip, and then go on this trip when I'm 19 instead of going onto my sophomore year. And then (maybe) when I return, go on with school until I'm old enough for the World Race.

 

So, if someone were to ask my right now, what my plans are after high school, unless they want to listen to me talk for an hour about my passion, I have no answer yet. Its honestly a little scary, but that is when I really really need to rely on God, because I know that He literally has every detail of my crazy life planned out! And if  I just let him take control, and do everything to the glory of Him, I will be able to walk confidently through my life, knowing that what I'm doing is what He wants me to do.

 

                                (Just a little new picture, that I found on Pinterest, that I adore.) 

 

 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is with out borders, let me walk upon the waters, where ever you would call me, take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith would be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior."

-Oceans by Hillsong United

Captivating, Breathtaking, Vibrant, Overflow

In my last post, I talked about a new book that I am slowly reading, The Organic God. The author of the book, Margaret Feinberg writes each chapter as if she is writing each sentence with her nose deep inside of a thesaurus. She does not use big words, but she uses breathtaking words to reveal her purpose to us, the readers.

While reading through the chapters discussing details of our sweet God, I began to make a list, of not only the words the Margaret used to describe the feelings of being close to God, but also a list of what God is to me. This experience of going through this book during my junior year of high school has been an overwhelming adventure! As junior year quickly and busily passes me by, I have learned to just sit back in God's captivating love, and just breathe. (P.S. Captivate has become a word that is frequent in my vocabulary!)

 My closeness to God has been something that is new to my life, and it is such a unique experience! I have first essentially noticed a difference in my private life- meaning, when I am spending time alone in my room after school, I enjoy the quietness and the peace that comes along with just sitting and listening to my favorite "chill" music, and relaxing in my sweet God's presence. *Side-Note- Does it not overflow your heart with happiness at the thought of having a close-knit relationship with God-the maker of the stars, the mountains, the flowers, and all of the other things that make your heart happy? It does mine, and that overflowing feeling, is a feeling I only get when I'm with God!

 

 

Something that God has really revealed to me during the time that I have been spending with Him, is that in my life as a Christian, sharing my faith is more than just presenting myself as a "good girl" or as a bright light, and it is also more than just the words that I say that represent my relationship with Christ. So what is needed to make these things important?

The Holy Spirit. I was at a church today watching a friend play guitar in the church's praise band, and the pastor spoke on the Holy Spirit. This morning he said that walking into a room and your "Christian light" shining will not start a revival, the person working inside of you will though (the Holy Spirit). With out the Holy Spirit our words and actions mean nothing. The Holy Spirit needs to be intertwined in our lives, and when He is in the center of our hearts and mind, good things that shine Christ will come out of us. I do not know about you, but I know that in my life, its time for me to get serious in my relationship with God, and let Him captivate my heart and flow out of everything I do.

 

"As our view of Christ and the Holy Spirit grows, everything else in the world that we think matters, shrinks."

 

Question to think on: Would you still pursue God with out all of the "extra" things in the church- comfy chairs, air conditioning, a good band, or a big building?

"I Want to Know the Organic God"

I recently started reading a book that I have had forever, but never started! The book is The Organic God, by Margaret Feinberg. From what I understand, is that this book is written to not necessarily simplify our relationship with God, but to take away all of the polluted ideas of what our relationship should/is like with God. I will be honest, after reading just the first chapter, I know for sure that my relationship is just like Feinberg's. Here is a little nugget from the book!

"Why describe God as organic? More and more I realize that my own understanding of God is largely polluted. I have preconceived notions, thoughts, and biases when it comes to God. I have a tendency to favor certain portions of Scripture over others. I have a bad habit of reading some stories with a been-there-done-that attitude, knowing the end of the story before it begins, and in the process denying God's ability to speak to me through it once again.
If that weren't enough, more often than not, I find myself compartmentalizing God. He is more welcome in some areas of my life than others. Prayer, Bible study, Scripture memorizing, journaling, and other spiritual disciplines become like items to check off a to-do list that is eventually crumpled up and thrown away rather than savored and reflected upon. The result is that my understanding and perception of God is clouded, much like the dingy haze of pollution that hangs over most major cities. The person in the middle of a city looking up at the sky doesn't always realize just how much their view and perceptions are altered by the smog. Without symptoms such as burning eyes or an official warning of scientists or media, no one may even notice just how bad the pollution has become.
That's why I describe God as organic. While its a word usually associated with food grown without chemical-based fertilizers or pesticides, organic is also used to describe a lifestyle: simple, healthful, and close to nature. Those are all things I desire in my relationship with God. I hunger for the simplicity. I want to approach God in childlike faith, wonder, and awe. I long for more than just spiritual life but spiritual health- whereby my soul is not just renewed and restored but becomes a source of refreshment for others... I want to discover God again, anew, in a fresh way. I want my live for him to come alive again so that my heart dances at the very thought of him. I want a real relationship with him- a relationship that isn't altered by perfumes, additives, chemicals, or artificial flavors that promise to make it sweeter, sourer, or tastier than it really is. I want to know a God who in all his fullness would allow me to know him. I want a relationship that is real, authentic, and life-giving even when it hurts. I want to know God stripped of as many false perceptions as possible.

I want to know the Organic God."

 

 

 

1 Kings 8:23

"O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below - you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."



Stay Calm?? Ha!

"Sit quietly in My presence while I bless you."

-Jesus Calling, Aug. 5

Last night when I was sitting still and listening, while praying to my Daddy, He told me "Tomorrow, stay calm. Stay in my presence and just stay calm." So of course, my mind instantly thought, "oh my! something bad is going to happen!". But then I realized that I need to trust God tonight, and keep calm in Him in the morning!

So, I wake up to a phone call, from Tyler, Texas of all places! I think to myself that I don't know anyone from Tyler (and this is at around 10:30 A.M.), so I answer it! The first thing the guy said was the name "Global Expeditions"! When he said that, I was too in shock to listen for his name, because I knew he was calling me to tell me something about MISSION TRIPS!!!!

So, once I recover from excitement, the guy tells me of the winter/Christmas time trips that I can join! There are four trips, and I can only remember two of them! Haha!! One of them was a Mexico trip, and another was..... SOUTH AFRICA!!!! When he says "South Africa", I become even more excited about being woken up from my beauty sleep by a phone call!
The guy then asks me if any of the trips interested me at the moment, and of course I told him the S. Africa one! He then tells me All about it! Here is the info he told me:

December 28-January 8 (I think)

Will be working in orphanages

Helping the community we stay in

Sharing Jesus

$3484

I tell you this so you can see why I am so excited! Because if you have read some of my first blog posts, you know that God has placed my heart somewhere in Africa, amongst the children, and it is time that I go find it! (In a good way)

 

 

If this is going to happen, it is going to have to happen All in God's will. because $3000 is a lot, but I know that if God wants this to happen, it will!

I'm so ready to get out of little town Weatherford and "fly"! Adventures of following God are out there waiting for me, and my heart is longing to go chase them down!

 

 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is with out borders,

Let me walk upon the waters, where ever you have called me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

And my faith will be made stronger,

In the presence of My Savior!"

-Oceans by Hillsong United <3



I Am All He Says I Am

"Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes." Ephesians 1:4

 

 

Just the other day, my friend Avery and another girl wanted to do a little photo shoot with us girls! So we all meet and headed to our first spot!

 

The first spot, was a little abandoned house next to our new favorite place, The Coffee House! This house is adorable inside and out, and it was a blast taking pictures there! Here is a few pictures:

 

These girls really are my sisters in Christ! I love the fact that I can honestly say, that this summer has been the best summer. Why? Because not only have I grown closer to these awesome girls, but while growing close to them, I have grown significantly closer to God!

 

A favorite verse of mine recently has been 2 Timothy 2:22- " Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." It is like this verse is exactly talking about this group of girls! We are all running towards God with open arms and pure hearts! I would not trade these girls for anything! It has been the best experience being able to share "little nuggets of joy", that we find like on Pinterest, with each other, and share verses that have touched our hearts!

We all have our different personalities and likes, but we for sure all share one thing, we are all hand-made by our precious Father, and we are made Just the way He wants us to be! In all the pictures from the photo shoot, you can kind of see each of our personalities come out- In our smiles, our eyes. It is amazing to capture God's beautiful creation and Avery and Alli Jeffers did such a great job doing that!

God has given each of us our own light to shine, and as we grown closer with each other, we will help build each other up and we will all shine our lights brighter, together!

 

I am working on having a light heart and a happy spirit, and a verse that encourages me while working on this, is 1 Peter 3:4.

"Instead, [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's eyes."

 

"Don't shine so others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him."

-C.S. Lewis

 





It's the Little Things...

1 Chronicles 16:32-33

" Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth."

 

I write this post from the beautiful Savannah, Georgia on vacation! The trees are beautiful, the ocean is marvelous and big, and the history is breath-taking!

 

 

My family decided to take an RV on this trip, so I was able to sit in the back and look out a small window as we went down the road. Now some people may see this as no big deal, but it was an awesome experience for me.

Why?

Because I began to see God in the little things.

 

(This pic is mine:)

The first "little thing" that I have recently learned to love, is sitting outside or by a window with a breeze blowing against me, and being able to just take a break and sit there! I first noticed the peace I got from doing this, on my way down here to Savannah! We were leaving our campground (which had NO service) headed out, and we had all the windows open, and I was sitting by an open window. I had looked down to see the texts that I missed from having no service, and I was reading a text from my sweet friend, Avery. She had sent a text to my friends and I about acknowledging God when he appears like the sun and the rain (Hosea 6:3). After reading her text, I looked up/out the window, and I saw the sun shining through the huge trees that reached way up into the sky! Trees were all around, and out of every window, all you saw were these trees! In this moment, I was overcome by a peace that I only feel when God touches my heart by something. I stopped where I was, and opened my Bible and just read, and prayed to God thanking him for that amazing "little thing" that he blessed me with.

(Not mine)

 

My next favorite "little thing" also has to do with trees, it is just taking a walk/hike through nature!

Walks with just me, myself, and God are the best kind! All you can hear are the sounds of the trees moving, animals talking, and your own thoughts. In the middle of nature talking to God is one of the most precious things I love to do with Him! I absolutely love to talk to him, and in the middle of his creation makes it even more wonderful!

 

(Not my picture)

My last one for now, is picking flowers!

My favorite thing to do with the flowers that I pick, is to put them in my Bible! I usually put one in my favorite passage at the time! Recently I have put one in Isaiah 43 for verses 18-19.

"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."

Flowers are beautiful to me, not only for their color and brightness, but just a thing I guess, that God and I have, is when I see flowers, I think of "new". When we accept Christ, we become new and even more beautiful in God's eyes. Like the Gungor band sings in Beautiful Things- "You make beautiful things, You make beautiful things out of the dust", we once were dust, but with Christ, bright-shining, happy flowers come out of us!

Do you ever just look at a flower and marvel at how amazing God made them! How intricate they were made, and how its like the color and shape fits it perfectly?

I do!

Don't you think that's how some non-Christians view us as Christians?

They just sit there and watch us. They watch us grow and they see who we become.

 

I know, that when I think about being watched, I present myself in the best way I can! And when God's name is on the line, that makes me want to really show those people who are watching me, that God really loves us, and He wants us all to be his children and to follow him!

 

So, when people see you, do they see God's light and your joy that you have in Him, or do they just see a reflection of the world in you?

 

 

 

 





Can I Go Now?

Goodness!! God does not need to do any more pressing on my heart to tell me that my treasure truly is somewhere deep in the heart of missions. My heart is leading my mind/thoughts every which way lately, and I just do not know where to go from here. All I know is that I NEED to get out of here! I desperately need to be somewhere where I am fully relying on God for my everyday needs, and somewhere were the only thing to do is love on people who need love and worship our GREAT God and Father.

Why can't I just be out of high school already so that I can just go to the Home Sweet Orphanage in Uganda, and spend as long as I want there?!? My heart hurts every time I think of the fact that I could and SHOULD be there right now. But no, a little girl can't just get on a plane by herself and travel around the world to a place she has never been! Really? Do the people around me not remember the God they serve and worship! My God would protect me, and He would lead me wherever He would want me to go.

WHY WON'T YOU JUST LET ME GO?!?!?



 

Just a few minutes ago, I was reading back at my blog posts from this time last summer, and I was brought to tears just thinking back at the feelings and the passion I had last year to go to Uganda.

I will go to Uganda.

I will serve God where He leads me.

I will do what He asks of me, no matter where I am at in my life.

I will go no matter what the people around me say.

 

This is what God has called me to do,

And I must listen to Him,

For I serve Him.

 

 



Earlier today, I was reading my Bible, and I went to my computer to crosswalk.com and I searched "go", to search for all the times it uses that word in the Bible. I made it go to just the New Testament times it is used, and almost every time in the four Gospels, it was Jesus telling the disciples to go and do something to greater God's Kingdom. Go get food for the people. Go find this sinful person for they are going to eat with me. Go and make disciples of all people.
I came to Acts 9:6, and this is when Saul becomes a Christian, and this verse says, "'Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.'"
Saul/Paul was not Told what he was going to be doing, he was just told to GO! Shouldn't this be how our everyday lives should be as Christ followers? Just waking up and asking God to lead us where He wants us to go/do. Just going into our city and town listening for God to tell us what to do next. He does not have to tell us our itinerary every morning for the day ahead of us, He just tells us to go, and we need to listen and obey. Who would want to disobey the God and King of the universe?!?

2 Timothy 4:2,5

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministries."

Beautiful and Dearly Loved

                                 As I was reading my sweet friend Avery's blog (http://nothoughtforthemorrow.blogspot.com/), she ended her last post with this statement:      

 "Don't walk through life accepting everything the world throws at you because the world spits in the face of your sweet Jesus."

 

 

 

As I continued throughout the week working on my Beauty By the Book Bible study, I came across probably my favorite, most cherished day so far. I came to day two, and it was astounding. We read Proverbs 7:4-27 which shows us the characteristics of the "immoral woman" of Proverbs. If you are not familiar with the book of Proverbs, it talks a lot about different characteristics of women, and this week we are studying the immoral woman. So as I was saying, we read this section of Proverbs, and I encourage you to read it and study it.

 As Christian girls, we are to be presenting ourselves, pretty much as if Jesus was standing right beside us. Now doesn't that make you think of that time you wore those short shorts to impress a guy, or wore your hair in a special/different way hoping to get that one guy's attention that you have been crushing on? I admit to thinking those same things. But as I am reading this part of Proverbs, it talks about how the woman entices the young man, and she brings him into her home with smooth words "like honey". At the end of the chapter, Proverbs 4:26-27, it tells us that this woman has brought so many men to ruins, and her house leads to the grave. But leading a guy into her house is not the only way she brings him down, she also "catches" him by the way she is dressed. Proverbs tells us that this woman dresses seductively and is rebellious and loud.

You may find yourself now asking yourself "Okay, so the Bible tells us who Not to be like, so where does it tell us How to dress and act?" Ah, the Bible is all inspired and breathed into the making by God, so He would never leave us hanging with people's lives at stake. You can find the answer to this question in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-4. To sum up these verses, I wrote this down in my book, "God does not want us flashing around our Miss Me jeans, our James Avery jewelry, or our newly styled hair to get attention from guys, not that it is wrong to Have this stuff, but instead of showing off our stuff, we should have a gentle and quiet spirit, doing good deeds for the Lord, because the Bible tells us, that is PRECIOUS in God's eyes! As my Bible study put it, "Flirting, flattering, and flaunting it. That's how the immoral woman attracts guys."

 

So, how has all of this affected me??

It has affected me in a crazy way!!

The other night I went to a swim party, of course right after I read about how swim suits are usually seen as a stumbling block to guys. I was like freaking out! I DID NOT to be a stumbling block, and I for sure did not want to be seen as the immoral woman! Boy, did Satan put those thoughts in my head!! I stopped right were I was in my room, stopped getting ready for the party (already running late), and I just prayed. I prayed that God would show me if I was anything like the immoral woman. All He said, was "Don't worry. Don't I tell you so many times in My Word, NOT to worry or be anxious about Anything?" Immediately, that fear of being a stumbling block was gone. I no longer felt like even just talking to a guy at the party would be a bad thing. Haha! Silly, I know, but I was seriously worried about this! I just really really love when God calms me! He is such a loving and caring God, but I can never forget who He is! He is the King over all kings, and LORD over all of the universe! Sometimes I just forget that! Even as He is in command over everything, He still takes time to talk to me, and comfort me.

 

 

Isaiah 41:10, 13

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  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."

Run then Look

“If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

-Roald Dahl

Recently, God has been working in my heart, changing and shifting me into a woman that looks and acts like Him, and treats others like Jesus does. I have started a Bible study with my girls and the study is called Beauty By The Book. The study is going to show us in the Bible how important it is to guard our hearts from the world's view of "beauty", and concentrate on how God views us as Christian women. This has been tugging on my heart lately because I have been struggling with comparing myself with "it-girls" of the media, while God says we are made in his image.

This study is not only good for myself, but I know it is going to be a great experience to go through the book with my closest friends.


Last night (June 3, 2013), a few of us girls went over to my friend Avery's house and we had a mini Bible study/deep-talk time. It was a great time for us to talk.
Our discussion lead to purity/modesty/relationships, and it was such a God thing, because us three (Tylar, Avery, and I) all have the same views about relationships.

           Now, I have really been praying and talking to God about the whole relationship thing, and I believe that I am at a place where I have placed my life completely in His hands, and if God-My Father puts an amazing Christian guy in my path during high school, then who knows! Maybe God has something for me to learn from this guy! I am not limiting myself to absolutely no dating, but I have decided that I am not just going to throw myself out to the first guy who, even just a little, shows interest.

I was reading Proverbs 31, and this chapter of the Bible characterizes an "ideal, godly woman". My favorite verses from this chapter where these:
V.20- "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."
V.26- "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
V.30- "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

"You're everything I ever wanted, everything I ever needed. You've ravished my heart."
-My Dear by Bethel Music

Why have a guy when you can have the King?!?
It has recently become very very important to me, to know who I am in God. To know my identity in Him. Now I do not know about you, but I have heard that said so many times. But then the other day, it clicked when I read a quote that talked about, if you run fast towards God, and look to your left or right and see someone running in the same direction, that is a man worth your heart. This quote made me realize that I just need to do what God wants me to do, which is to love Him with ALL that I have, and to love others exactly like He loves me.
So this got me thinking, that I do not Need a boyfriend in my life right now! What I really need is to strengthen my relationship with God to the point when I do have a boyfriend, he and I are both able to always put God before our relationship and make HIM center.


"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:8

My Sophomore Year in a post...

Oh boy, where do I even begin to start about my year?!? I had such an amazing 10th grade year, and I do not think it could have been better! I guess I should just start with saying, that I went into this year feeling as though God was going to do some great things.

Well things started off with a Freshmen boy starting a high school Bible study.... and only he, the one Freshmen, and like 8-10 Sophomores came. I know he was intimidated by starting a Bible study with all the students being 10th graders, but he did an awesome job bringing the Word to us every Thursday in Mr. McKinney's classroom. This Bible study was for sure the highlight of not only my day on Thursday, but it was also the highlight of my week!!! It was so cool getting together with my class and just hanging out and talking about God! At the beginning, there wasn't much to it, but then one day, we had like a worship time, and that was so much fun! Our class is Full of musicians...mainly guitar players, and they are really good too!! #mentionaguitarplayer ....NICK VIA. One day, that name will be known! I'm calling it now! ;) Haha!
So as the year went on, something happened with a lot of the Juniors and a couple of seniors and a bunch of kids got expelled. This was a shocker. For some reason, it seemed that every younger classman's attention was suddenly turned directly towards my class, I guess to see how we would respond.... We responded as if nothing happened, and we just continued to shine our bright Sophomore light!:))

One day, my amazing guitar playing friend Nick Via and I decided to plan a worship night at Landon Bell's house over Christmas break, just for our lunch Bible study group! haha! This was so much fun. It was an amazing experience spending time with these guys just worshiping on our own time, not in school...

OKAY!! oh my gosh! I'm like skipping half a year but oh well. The only thing between that worship night and UNITY RETREAT is basketball season, and nothing Big really happened then.

UNITY RETREAT 2013 WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZINGGGGGG!!!!! We stayed at RiverBend for a Thursday day and night, and Friday day. So on Thursday night after the service, I was talking with Katie M. about stuff that was going on, and after I talked to her, I went out and I hear guitars and singing. I walk around the corner and I see all of my guys out on a deck over looking the river, and they are all standing around worshipping their precious little hearts out. The girls were sitting up on the porch of the worship center because they did not want to interrupt their worship. So we sat there and listened. As we listened to them lift up their voices to the heavens, I sat there and prayed and kind of sang along. A few minutes later, Landon and John Roberts walk up and tell us to come down there with them, so we go and join them. Once we get down there, we sing a song, and then we all agree to sit down and talk. We all sit down and some of the guys get up and talk. Ty got up and apologized to Rachel for being mean the past couple of years (relationship wise), and John got up and mentioned that we all need to watch our words towards Shawn and Colton, and that was soft on my heart because I [use to be] close friends with Shawn. After John, sweet Riley Waters gets up and talks about how the guys need to be acting like our Christian brothers, and we need to be treating each other with respect. This was super sweet. I then jumped in and talked about how the guys are such great role models, and I talked about how if they hadn't been out there worshiping, all of us girls would've just gone back to our cabin and gone to bed, but instead they initiated a close time to spend with each other and with God. (Haha then Noah Hertle and Austin Mays gave me a high five for what I said! haha it was just funny! oh and I was the only girl who said anything! Come on girls! ;) . We then all stood back up in a big circle on the deck, and we then sang my FAVORITE song Set A Fire by Will Regean and the United Pursuit Band..... Did I mention that's my FAVORITEEEEEEEE SONG!!!!!???!!! HAHA! Then Carter Skaggs sang a song that he wrote.. "Yahweh Yahweh, we love to shout your name oh Lord!". Best song that he was written! He is so talented, they even sang that song in chapel a couple of times!
So if you didn't notice, I really really liked 2013 Unity Retreat!!
So I'm pretty sure that at the end of this year, I can say that Sophomore year was successful and absolutely AMAZING!!

So Tylar is going me on Community Rehab Project camp this summer..... its like only 2 WEEKS AWAY!!! This year I have decided to journal each day, and I'll probably put them on here too!! Sadly Jessica, Kelley, and Cody can not come this year because they are going to visit Utah that same week! :( It is sooooo sad that they and Pastor Ben are leaving, but it is great what God is going to have them doing up there (ministering and starting a church in an area that is majority Mormon!! :/) I am going to miss Keeley, Cody and sweet baby Jaz; and most of all, I'll miss Jessica Stephenson! She has been my role model/mentor this past year! we have had many coffee dates where we sit and talk about the Bible and what's been going on in our lives! I don't know what I'll do without her, but I know that God has AMAZING plans for her up in Utah!!! I'll be visiting her ALL THE TIME, just in case you were wondering! ;)

"[God] takes not pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love."
Psalms 147:10-11
Xoxo Faith

Power In the Name of Jesus

"There is power in the name of Jesus to break EVERY chain."

I admit to looking over, taking advantage of, and completely underestemating the name of Jesus, our Lord who DIED for us!!
In the past week, I've often found myself just going through the motions and just "talking" to God when I feel like it or when I have time. I Know this is wrong, because God deserves every bit of my time, not just when I have a few minutes free from my "crazy" day. I am ashamed of how self-centered I have been towards Him!

Okay, so have you ever heard anyone say that they have been "burned out for the Lord" or that they need a "spiritual high to get back on track"?? Well I have heard that said so many times, and to me, you can be a lukewarm Christian, but God's fire is NEVER burned out in you! You just cover it up with worldly things and things that really do not matter in eternity! I mean, come on, can you honestly sit there, and tell me that God does not want you to shine His fire in you? So WHY are you covering it up! He put that fire there for a reason!
No one has ever said that a spiritual high was a bad thing! That high could turn your life around! *If you let it. The annoying part of it is, is when people use that high to be "close" to God for a week or two, and then go back to their normal ways like nothing ever happened! And that is when people say that they are burned out........ Bottom line: as a Christian, if you living your life to be like Christ, you should not get burned out. Let's say this, you should not be burned out, because Jesus' name should shine out of everything you do and say! Because....There is such a mighty power in His name! His name makes demons tremble and run away! That same name, also disciplines you, but the same name that corrects you. also tells you everyday that you are absolutely beautiful and made in God's image! Just the thought that the same man who died a terrible death on the cross so many years ago, wants a close knit relationship with ME and You! That is just so comforting!

P.S.
So a terrible thing in my life has just happened recently......My Bible has officially fallen apart...         :(( But you know what they say, a Bible that is falling apart. belongs to someone who's not!!

"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."
Psalm 105:4 <3

Down Right Crazy.... For Christ

I am currently in the proccess of praying to God about where and what He wants me to do. This also includes me looking around at mission trips for this coming summer.....well I have found one.. and I am not sure yet, but it sounds amazing. Where is it, you ask?
Well..... it is in either east Asia or the Middle east....am I crazy..... Yes, yes i am! I am down right CRAZY for Christ! If you are reading this, I ask for you to pray for me as I continue to pray about this with my family. My heart is really in this, and would it not be just awesome to go over there?!?

As I have been praying about this, by heart is not fearful. So I am asking you, as brothers and sisters in Christ, to please pray with me for this! Please and Thank you! :)

"Follow God one step at a time. That is all He requires of you. You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those hights. If He does lead you up those cliffs, He will equipe you thoroughly for that strenuous climb. Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying His presence. Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting HIM to open up the way before you." -selected parts from an insert from Jesus Calling devotional :) <3