A Different Kind Of Christmas Post: Come As You Are

Christmas Eve dawns wet and dreary here, but it cannot dim the joy of Christmas in my heart.

However, among the lights, trees, family, and joy, tears flow and a dull ache is found in the hearts of many. Over the past month, I have become more and more aware of those who spend Christmas in pain. It is not that there is no joy (though for some, I know that is the case), but it is a joy that is overshadowed by pain. Like a silent shadow, it sometimes fades, but it is always present ... haunting the minds and hearts of many.

It reminds me of the birth of our Savior.

Christ was born into our world like any other baby; it was painful and tedious. He was born in the lowliest of places ... a stable for barn animals. There was little comfort to be found for Mary and Joseph that night.

Sometimes I feel like we sugar coat the pain of Christ's unusual birth and agonizing death and just skip to who He was and is. Not that that aspect is not important, but we cannot fully appreciate who Jesus is and what He has done until we understand the pain He went through in the process.

Hebrews 4:15 comes to mind: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with us..."

Christ knows our pain. Just think on that for a moment.

He felt the pain of being born into a world that did not know Him. He was crucified like a criminal on a cross after being beaten within an inch of His life. He was perfect, and yet, never did He receive any of the honor and respect that He deserved.

From birth to death, He was humble, loving, a ray of hope, our Savior and intercessor. He deserved to be treated like a King and yet, He never demanded that treatment and He was certainly never given it. He was treated like a lunatic, a liar, and worse ... a criminal.

Dear One, God understands your pain! He sees those silent tears. He sees the haunting memories. He sees the brokenhearted. He sees the lonely. He sees the distressed. He sees those who have regrets. He sees the abused. He sees those who are fighting uncertain battles. He sees those who need proof of who He is. He sees those who need a miracle. He sees those who are weary.

He sees YOU where you are at! Do not think for one second, that no one can understand your pain.

He understands.

Stop running! Stop trying to fight these battles alone! God's Son came on Christmas to show that He is with us.

Matthew 1:23 says, "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a Son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"

That word "us" means you and me.

As we go about this season of joy and cheer, we can find assurance in the fact that the beauty of Christ's birth can be found in the fact that the Savior of the world came to meet us where we are at, no matter where that may be.

1 Peter 5:7 says that we can "give all our worries and cares to the Lord because He cares for us."

We can bring Him our tears, our uncertainty, our pain, and our doubts.

He wants us as we are.

That is why He came and that is why we can take refuge in Him this Christmas and always.

Merry Christmas everyone. My prayers are with each of you. 

 

"Different Kind of Christmas"

Mark Schultz



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PBEMfbWq_Y

To See People Through God's Eyes

People, people, and more people! Everyday we come in contact with many people. Some we may just pass by on the street and share a glance or a smile, while others we have intimate friendships with. Each face tells a story, each smile has some pain, and each person has their own unseen battles that they are fighting.

I have always thrived on people, but when I started actively walking with the Lord, He gave me a special love for all people.....strangers and friends alike.

I am a people watcher. I love to meet new people; I love to try and read the stories people's body language and eyes can tell. I also love getting to know people for who they really are.

See that man with the cane that walks by your house twice a day on a walk? He was born into a Russian family and served our country for over 30 years. He has a purple heart for saving 5 fellow service men.

See that woman at the gym with sad eyes? Her husband left her and she is fighting a bitter custody battle. She comes to the gym to forget for awhile the pain as she pushes herself to gain back lost years of beauty.

See that boy who is always willing to give a kind word and helping hand to anyone? He battles depression and fights personal demons that no one can imagine.

See that man who sits next to you in cycle class? He has been divorced twice and will go get drunk tonight because it's his birthday and all he wants is to not be alone.

See that woman with two babies on her hip? She watches children for a living, but longs for some of her own. A childhood illness left her infertile.

These are all real stories of real people.

I wonder what would happen if we all dared to look for stories in stranger's eyes and strived to know the man, woman, boy, or girl behind the mask? I believe this world would be a better place and we could see people through God's eyes.

"God does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearances, but God looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b

Our Tears are Beautiful to Him

I was talking with some friends today and we were talking about how often we hear that "Guys that cry are weak."

Okay, I am gonna just stop right here and call stupid stupid. That is a bunch of bull.....Guys are human too.

Tears are a sign of feeling. They are a sign of pain. They can be a sign of pure joy. They are a release when words cannot explain what you are feeling.

Personally, I am a cry baby. I cry when I am sad. I cry when I am mad. I cry when I am happy. I tear up when I see a romantic moment. I cry at sad movies. I am a cry baby. Yeah, yeah....typical female.

Well, you know what, it's okay! One of my favorite quotes says that, "Tears are silent prayers in liquid form." Now, I am not saying my happy tears are prayers, but many times my sad and angry tears are. Keeping it all pent up makes me a ticking time bomb.

Of course, there are other ways to release pain and anger, but there is no shame in crying. For all the guys (and gals) out there told that real men don't cry and only the weak weep, I am sorry.

The shortest and one of the simplest verses in the Bible is John 11:35, "Jesus wept."

You know, if the Creator and God of the Universe can cry, is there any shame in you or I crying? Sure, we shouldn't cry forever. Eventually, we do have to decide what to do about what made us cry, but crying is a silent prayer; a release.

Sometimes the healing comes in the pain. Sometimes the rainbow comes after the rain. Sometimes the lesson comes after the test. Sometimes the tears heal the broken heart. They are not a sign of weakness. Tears may just be a blessing in disguise and just what you need!

Our tears are held in the palm of the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Our tears are created by Him and beautiful to Him.

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 56:8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNmPL96zHnE 

"You Hold My Tears In A Bottle"

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Here I sit on Thanksgiving Eve. Turkeys have been bought, groceries have been put away with care, and menus are set. As is our tradition, we will be spending Thanksgiving Day itself with family friends and then on Saturday, we will have our own family feast.

Every year, we have a tradition where we go around and tell what we are thankful for before we eat. As I sit here, I am pondering just what I might say this year. This year has been full of many good and bad moments, as life often is. There have been lots of memories made and more than a few moments I wish I could forget. In it all, I have learned a lot.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to: "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." My thankfulness is not limited to my circumstances.

Even the darkest moments, I didn't walk alone. Even the brightest moments were not without pain. The question then comes to mind: What am I NOT thankful for?

We live in a "Me" centered society; thankful for all we have on Thursday and spending all we have on Friday.....I don't want to live like that. I want to live thankful. Maybe it is cliché, but thankfulness is not just a day, but a way of life. It is more than a one day act, but a attitude everyday. An attitude of gratitude will get me much farther than an attitude of complaining. Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up for just one day!

So, as we go into Thanksgiving, my prayer would be that among all the family, food, and merriment, we would remember to give thanks for everything. Not just the good times; not just the fun times. But all times; good and bad.

From my family to yours: Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

God Provides in Small Ways

It's been a CrAzY week! Yes, I know, that pretty much describes every week! Lol. However, the past two days have had a little sweetness to add to the craziness: I have felt overwhelmed in love. Here's how it's been going down:

• Yesterday I went to meet some friends that came in out of town for lunch. I had a wonderful 2.5 hours of just listening, talking, and seeing how God works. These are not your run of the mill people. These are people who understand me just as I am. I need not hide anything from them. They understand how exciting the little stuff is and are much more on fire for God then I am. They have taught me so much of what I know to be true about God and myself. To listen and talk to them was just so encouraging to be soul!
• I mentioned that I had lunch while I was out. Well, the owner of the place considers me family and he paid for my lunch! It was a simple blessing.
• Then, I come home and I get on Facebook to see a message from someone I send letters to thanking me for my letter. This might seem so little in the grand scheme of things, however, people rarely thank me for my letters. When they do, it really means the world to me.
• I also have two events going on this weekend and with my dad being down with strep throats, all our running around has to be done by my mom because I cannot drive yet. So, I set out to see if I could find a ride, at least coming home every night. That was very humbling because I HATE asking for help and after being turned down, I was discouraged. In the end though, God worked it out and I now have a ride home both nights! Isn't God amazing?!
• The trend continued this morning when I received another Facebook message from a woman who is dear to my heart saying that she has been thinking about me and misses me. Simple, but greatly appreciated!

Now, for anyone who hasn't picked up on this yet: I appreciate the simple things in life. To see all this really made my past two days really special. I value people taking the time to show they love and appreciate me, even in the simplest ways. In my mind, I can see how God is loving on me through simple acts by others and it is priceless to me. I am overwhelmed in gratitude!

Is it not awesome how God takes care of even our most basic needs; how He uses the simple things to uplift our spirits? My prayer for each of my readers would be that we not get so busy looking for God to do big things, that we miss the little things. We serve a great God who sees our every need and will provide for them....in big and, often, small ways!

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

God Is Able

This week has been rocky. Every once and awhile I have a week where nothing seems to work. My brain goes into overload with everything going on and has to play catch up. Let's just say it is still playing catch up.....Lol.

I am part of a band that helps lead my youth group in worship every Sunday night. We recently lost our youth minister/band leader, so we have had the interesting experience of learning to bond and lead worship together. Tonight we sang "Our God is Able."

However, as we were singing, I started thinking what we are singing about. We are saying that "Our God can do more than we can hope for or imagine. He will never fail us! Our God is able!" In that moment, the whole week faded away. It was me and God.

I've had two women I would like to think I encouraged, join the Lord in Heaven this week. I have had misunderstanding after misunderstanding with people that I really just want to be friends with despite my best efforts. I have had school stress, family stress, and everything that falls in between. I have striven to encourage and come away feeling generally like an idiot this week. HOWEVER....in that moment, all that faded away.

God has not promised me any easy life. He has not promised that I will not be a 17 year old feeling 37 (I swear that I have more than a few grey hairs already!). He has not promised that I would always feel like I am making a difference. He has not promised that my body will not fall apart (17 with 60 year old knees....lovely....lol). He has not promised that I won't get stressed.

He HAS promised that He is able to do far more than I can ask for or imagine through His work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

So while my life may not make sense to me and while I may have bad days and bad weeks; while I may feel like a pest and like I come across totally not encouraging; while I am stressed and disorganized; God can use me.

He can take my mess and turn it into a message because He IS ABLE! That gives me hope that all my tomorrows are in His hands. It gives me peace that I don't have to be in control. It gives me strength to carry on.

It's funny how so often we say we place our life in God's hands, yet we are so quick to try and take control. In doing so, we don't really show trust in the One who really holds our lives. Tonight, I choose to put my life in His hands once again. I trust that He is able!

"God is Able" by Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bV8fXI5MWk

I Will Boast......The Rocks Will Cry Out!

People will sometimes approach me and tell me that I am really far too serious about Jesus. They will tell me that being a bit more discreet in my sharing with others of what God has done for me will draw more people to me. They tell me that I am shoving my opinions down people's throats and not loving them before I try to "change their lives."

Guys and gals, let me get up on my pedestal for a minute.....When Jesus came, He came quietly. He did not barge in with trumpets or angels singing His praises; however, He did not stay quiet for long. Everywhere Jesus went, He ruffled feathers. He made people mad. He made people want to literally kill Him! Why? Because He spoke up against the norm and socially accepted. While everyone else was out doing what might have been accepted and seen as the new norm, even if it was wrong, He was out speaking truth. Yet, people still came to Him. He radiated Christ's love to some and appalled others; it just depended on what you were looking for!

When Jesus died for me and chose to take my sins on Himself, I would say He was pretty serious about me. When Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and NO ONE can come to Father except by me," I would say He was pretty serious.

See, in today's culture, if people don't like what we are saying (this goes for anyone), they like to say we are "shoving our opinions down their throats." I'm sorry if what I believe isn't what you want to hear, but I am not going to stop talking about it. If something changed your life so much that you desired to walk in a new way, would you not want to share about it to anyone who would listen?

There are enough people out their who live a "timid faith." They don't not believe in God and they are pretty upright people, but they don't try to insert Him into their everyday lives either. They don't give Him credit. They are chameleon Christians. I don't want to be one of those.

This isn't me judging, it's me speaking truth. Of course, I shouldn't go around saying, "You are going to Hell!" However, I should speak truth in love. Love is not timid. Love is not subtle. It is obvious and bold; it is real!

As a Christian, I am called to love as Christ did, yet to not speak truth is to not love someone enough to do so.

Yes, there is more than one way to skin a cat (sorry cat), but this is my way and what I believe God has called me to. I love people. Anyone who doubts that really needs to hang around me a bit more. However, I am not subtle.....at all. I am bold, I am blunt, and I don't disguise the truth.

I can't change anyone, only Jesus can do that, but I can be an instrument in God's hand and speak truth. No one has to listen, but it won't stop me. Like Jesus said in Luke 19, "If they keep quiet, the rocks will cry out." Might as well save the rocks the trouble and just do it myself! Lol.

If it bugs people....well, I can just remember that if I am not bugging someone, then I obviously am doing something wrong. No good thing ever gets done without some criticism.......just look at Jesus! He was lied about, spit on, laughed at, mocked, and nailed to a cross and that still didn't shut Him up.

That's the kind of God I serve and the kind of gal I want to be! "I will boast only in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice!" Psalm 34:2 "Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:31

"I Will Boast" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqZVajT0nA4

Lessons from "The Playlist"

This took more than a few tries, some frustration, and lots of editing and technical issues. This post is the final result and I think it turned out okay after all :) Enjoy!

 

I recently watched a short film called, "The Playlist," that one of my friends brainstormed, produced, and starred in as the main character. The whole film was basically on the joys, perils, and lessons learned from being in a relationship. It was exceptionally well done and very inspirational. It really got the wheels turning in my head and this is what the wheels produced:

 

~6 Lessons To Be Learned From "The Playlist".....~

 

1.    "Love" is NOT merely a cliché. We throw around the word "love" all the time. However, we all know that love is more than something we attach to a favorite food to express our enjoyment. Love is an action; it is selfless. C.S. Lewis put it quite well, "Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained."
2.  Love goes beyond space, time and reason. Love is always a risk. Sometimes you are going to fall for the wrong person for all the right reasons. You cannot control that. What you can control is what you learn from it and what you do going forward. Alfred Lord Tennyson put it best: "Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
3. Putting the one you love on a pedestal ultimately kills your relationship. They don't need the unrealistic expectations you have put on them and you don't need the disappointment when they fail to meet them. The one you love is only human; they aren't perfect. To put expectations on them is unfair to you both.
4. Love accepts what is, not what is imagined. This is similar to number 3. The one you love can only be who they are. They have flaws, weird likes and dislikes, and things that make them who they are. Trying to change them is not love. Love, in its purest form, is selfless. It accepts the flaws, the imperfections, and the risks.
5. The definition of love is forgiveness. This is a really big one. C.S. Lewis was on point when he said, "To love is to be venerable." No relationship is perfect and the odds of you getting hurt at some point are fairly high. The one you love is going to let you down and you need to learn to forgive.....yourself and them. You cannot go through life blaming yourself. It will destroy you. At the same time, you need to let it go and forgive the other person. Forgiveness does not erase the wrong done, but it does free you so that you can move on.
6. Love is selfless. Repeatedly, I have used this statement throughout my points. "The Playlist" concludes with the main character coming to the realization that when you can pray for someone, even someone that has hurt you, that is real love in action. One of my favorite quotes by Max Lucado states, "You are never more like Jesus than when you pray for someone else." Love is never easy; it takes acceptance that, you, and the one you love are not perfect. Prayer may not change the one you love's heart, but it will change your heart. That is really the heart of love. 

 

These are a just few things that "The Playlist" made me really think about. They are things I know to be true, yet are by no means easy to put into practice.

  

"The Playlist" is definitely a film that touched me and one that I would recommend to anyone. I have attached a link and if you get the time, go watch it. It is only 23 minutes long and well worth every minute. It makes you think about what your definition of love is and has a depth that can only come from experience and a lot of wisdom. Check it out!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tvEK5bAg5I

Striving for Holiness

I've been thinking a lot about holiness lately........I still have a lot to learn about this topic, but here are some thing I know to be true:

• God tells us to be holy just as He, Himself, is holy (1 Peter 1:16). We know that no one but God can obtain holiness. However, if God has commanded us to do something, should we not obey Him? If we love God we will obey Him.

• We cannot become holy, but we can strive to obtain it. How we do this is by following the example of Christ. This means not compromising in what we know to be true in our walk with Christ. So often it is easy to think that if we do something just once, it won't hurt us. What we don't realize is that by compromising what we know to be true, we have already hurt ourselves.

• Striving to be holy is taking the high road. It isn't an easy road and often, it is a lonely road, but it is definitely a worthwhile pursuit. It helps us learn more about ourselves, purifies our hearts and motives, and helps us to seek God in all we do.

• Holiness is to not to just seek perfection but to seek to be like God. This means that we are to be one with the Father and to desire only what is true and right. We can never be holy because we are flawed human beings, but by striving to do so we can obey God, and in doing so, deepen our relationship with Christ.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

This has been heavy on my heart today and I genuinely felt like I had to write on it. This is going to be a darker post, so be forewarned.

 

Lately, I have noticed quite a bit of pain being felt around me. It might be a temporary pain or it might be a deep pain that cuts to the core. In my last two blog posts, I talked about how when we go through pain, we are not alone. In a way, this is basically the same message, but I am trying to hit it from a different angle.

 

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

 

This verse is so incredibly powerful. It doesn't say "If I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," it says "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." I can't help but think that this is a promise that we will walk through this valley. It's not a matter of "if" but "when."

 

What exactly is "the valley of the shadow of death?" Well, I believe it is any hardship we face that utterly rocks our world. It shakes our faith in God, people, and in ourselves. It makes us question anything and everything we have ever known to be true. It is a place where we have to live, but question why we are even here.

 

It can be anything from the death of a child, a miscarriage, a divorce, a suicide of someone we love, a bad break-up, the loss of a job, or anything else really that we treasure and value that we suddenly lose.

 

Earlier this year, my family walked through a time that I think I, personally, can say was the "valley of the shadow of death." It rocked my world, my beliefs, and made me question God and everything I knew to be right and true. In this time, I felt there was no hope. I felt that nothing would ever be right again. I even wondered how the world could dare keep spinning under the weight of the pain I felt. I felt hopeless and broken. I didn't know what to do or who to turn to.

 

Unless you have felt this kind of pain, you really are lost at this point. It is such a brokenness and pain that words honestly cannot begin to describe accurately.

 

Yes, I was in the "valley of the shadow of death" and I know many people who have been here and are here. However, the verse does not end there! If it did, there would be no hope. There is a promise: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." 

 

This is a promise that I clung to and that you can cling to too. Yes, we will face trials that rock our worlds, but He IS with us!

 

You know, I hear so many people paint God as someone who expects perfection out of us. I am not going to say that He does not desire us to desire to be like Him, but we also must realize that we serve a God who wants us to be real. He already sees beyond the fluff and pretty stuff we show everyone. He sees beyond the brave faces. He sees the silent pain we bear that can feel like it rips our heart in two. He sees the numerous tears we shed, seen and unseen by others. He wants us to choose to come to Him for comfort and to be real.

 

Only in His comfort can we find hope to get up again.....to live.....to even  keep breathing. The only thing stronger than fear and pain, is hope. This world is temporary and gives temporary pleasures and hopes, but in Him we can find a lasting hope that will get us through. Will it lesson the pain? Not necessarily, but it will help us keep going.

 

Is that not a hope we desire? Is that not a hope we can lean on and fall on? Is that not a hope worth having?

 

In conclusion, I will leave ya'll with this verse from Matthew 11:28-29, "Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

 

All you have to do is come and He will do the rest....



 

"You Never Let Go" by Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oK18qai8tw

 

The Promise: I Am With You

Have you ever been standing in a crowd and just had this feeling that no one would miss you if you just disappeared? Have you ever just felt utterly alone and you couldn't put your finger on why? If you have, then you are in good company. I am not certain of many things, but I am certain that all of us have felt alone at one time or another.

I began to really think about this earlier today.......

I wonder how many times Jesus felt alone. Of course, He was fully God, but He was also fully man. I mean, the God of the universe is trying to convey deep spiritual truths and the people just aren't getting it! Yes, I am sure there were many times where Jesus felt alone.

There are times in our lives where we are going to stand up for things that we believe to be right and we are going to look around and feel like we are standing utterly and completely alone. There are going to be some days where it just feels like no one is on the same page as we are. There are going to be some nights where all we want is a friend, but we honestly can't think of anyone to call that truly gets it.

Guys and gals, that is a totally normal thing to feel! However, let me comfort you with this: In the moments where you feel utterly and completely alone, I guarantee that God is not too far off whispering, "I am with you." This is a promise that He has given us.

It is so easy to look at our current situations and to think that we are alone. A few weeks ago, I spoke on the power of letting others know that they are not alone. That you care and can empathize......but I am trying to say something more here.

There are going to be moments in your life where you will have silent battles. There are going to be moments in your life where no human being can understand the depths of the pain you are feeling. There are going to be moments in your life where it feels like the pain will kill you but you cannot speak of it; it is too much to speak of. Sometimes, there are no words for the battles we fight. Sometimes we do have to stand up for things where we really are standing alone.

We live in community for a reason. We are meant to bear each others burdens, however, in the moments where we do stand alone or where we cannot speak of our silent pain, we are not alone.

We do not serve a heartless God. Nor do we serve a God who is only with us in the good times. We serve a God who walks with us through the "valley of the shadow of death." We serve a God who sees and holds each tear we cry. We serve a God that knows every tormenting thought. We serve a God who cares about every heartache and burden.

Beloved, know that God is with you. You are not alone! That is a promise that God has made to us. Choose to let God hold you, for He truly cares for you.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 41:10


Talents of Many Kinds

I was thinking today about my talents. I am a writer, a mediocre one, but a writer nonetheless. I love writing letters to encourage people; I have this blog so I can share deep inspiring thoughts (lol). I take joy in sharing words of encouragement and inspiration and I am awed at the power words have.

However, there are times when I do not appreciate my own talents. Sometimes when you do not see the good fruits your talents produce, you can become discouraged.

It is easy for me to see other people's fruits as a result of their talents and sometimes I am tempted to (and do) envy them.

I have one friend who produces and acts in short inspiring films. He is just out of highschool and has been doing this awhile with some friends. He is brilliant, to say the least, and it is easy for me to see how far he'll go.

Another one of my friends is an stage manager. When I look at her I know that she will go far. She doesn't seem like much....in fact, she is an introvert! However, put her behind the scenes of any drama or play with teens involved and things will run without a hitch! She has loads of people organizational skills.

Yes, it is easy to see the fruits of their talents. However, there are two things I have to remind myself of:

1. I am positive there are moments when they do not see the fruits of their own talents. Moments where things go wrong or a scene just won't come together right. Moments when they have been up most of the night and might not see much progress. Not every moment in our lives are the fruits of our talent obvious, especially to ourselves.

2. They are only using the talents God gives them. I am sadly an awful actor, I am not athletic, I am not above average in most things in school (besides English). However, God does not make mistakes and God never made an elephant to fly (unless your Dumbo, lol).

God has given me talents.....He has given us all talents...some may seem small and insignificant, but God will use all of them for His glory. We cannot do something well that we were not created to do.

If we all only had the talent of acting, there would be no singers. If we all were writers, there would be no performers. God made each of us for a purpose and He gives us talents to fulfill that purpose. We must choose to use the talents given us!

"Just as each of us are part of one body with many parts, so in Christ we are all one body. We each have a different role to play. We all help each other out." Romans 12:4-5
 

No Man Is An Island

This week started a new adventure for me. I started Physical Therapy (PT). I'm 17 years old and I'm falling apart! I have bum knees. I'm too young to have all these aches and pains!

However, given that I do...I thought, "Why not write a post on it?!" Yeah, I'm weird.

After the first day of therapy I was frustrated because there are certain things that I am asked to do that I have been able to do in the past just fine and simply cannot do right now. Anyone who has ever been in PT likely knows this frustration. I was frustrated and a bit mad at myself. I should be able to do this (I'm only 17!)......

I was being really hard on myself and I kind of let it get to me. That voice that seems to pop up when I'm down started talking. You know the voice I'm talking about....the one that beats down your already crushed self esteem. "You can't do this." "You should have done better." "You'll never be good at that." Yeah, we all know that voice. The voice that tells you that you are not good enough.

I was kind of feeling sorry for myself and talking out my frustrations to one of my friends. Then he said something that really caught me....."You're not the only one who struggles with PT. A lot of people do. You're not alone."

For whatever reason, when I'm in the middle of something, it doesn't seem to dawn on me that I am not the only one who struggles with the issues I struggle with. Maybe it's because I want to feel sorry for myself thinking no one else goes through those issues. Maybe it's because I don't wish my challenging situations on anyone. Or maybe it's something else completely different....regardless, there is such power and encouragement in hearing that you are not alone.

None of us were meant to be islands floating in the middle of nowhere with no support. God has made us to live in community so we can learn from each other; share struggles and triumphs; to empathize and love on each other; to encourage and challenge each other; to not be an island.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

You're not alone. Life is a journey. It is messy, it is amazing and horrifying; it has funny moments, sad moments, happy moments....and everything in between....but none of us walk alone. There is such comfort in that!

Today, take the time to let someone know that they're not alone. It can make such a huge difference....I know it did for me!

"No Man Is An Island"

Tenth Avenue North

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkSBMs_jo6A



A New Creation

I just watched the movie, "The Giver" a few weeks ago. It is very thought provoking and definitely a conversation starter.This may spoil it, but it got me thinking, so I am going to share anyway....

In the movie, free will is seemingly nonexistent. It was an attempt to keep people from getting hurt, but in reality it hurt more not having it. Love, emotions, and even what killing and death really were nonexistent in the hopes of protecting people.

The people are okay with that because they know nothing else. Yet, you see how once they have tasted what pain is, they have no desire to go back to a life without it. They understand the seriousness of death and killing. They understand the sweetness and heartache of love. They understand what negative emotion is. They couldn't go back to their old way of living because life becomes richer when they see the world as it is....even with the pain. It is not easier, but it is worth it.

Following Christ is like that. When we were not Christians, we knew no other way of life. When we became Christians and experienced God's love and grace we couldn't go back to our old lives!

What we had was good and maybe less painful, but what we have dims in comparison to that because a life with Christ is so much richer than a life without.

We see sin as it really is, yet we understand that God has redeemed us. We struggle against our flesh, yet we know we're not alone. We experience hopeless situations, yet we know that we need look no farther than Christ to find hope.

We have seen what God can do and we feel how He has changed our lives. We cannot go back to what we were!

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old is gone forever! All things are made new!." 2 Corinthians 5:17

You Are All He Says You Are!

What would happen if we really believed how much God loves us?

Think about that a moment.....

See, we KNOW how much God loves us, we KNOW what the Bible says, but we have a hard time BELIEVING it!

Beloved, God treasures you (Isaiah 43:4). You are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:12-13). God delights in and over you (Zephaniah 3:17). You are known by God (1 Corinthians 8:3). You are precious to God (Isaiah 43:4). You are loved by God (Jeremiah 31:3). You are chosen by God (Colossians 3:12).

If we believed all these, how much more would we value ourselves and others? How much more would we love ourselves and others? We live in a world that says, "You have to do ____ to earn love." You have to do ____ to be good enough." You have to be ____ to be valuable." God isn't like that though! He says, "I love you. I love you with all your mistakes, failures, broken pieces, and imperfections. I love you because you are you and I made you. You are mine!"

Yet Jerusalem says, “The Lord has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us.”

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?

Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?

But even if that were possible,

I would not forget you!

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands!

Isaiah 49:14-16

If we dared to believe God loves us and sees us as "worth it," "treasured," "loved," and so much more, imagine how our worldview would change! We would dare to love the unlovable. We would dare to love who we are. We would dare to set high standards because we would know our worth. We would dare to believe we are loved. We would value others because they, too, are made in God's image! It would make us brave and bold. We wouldn't be ashamed! We could be honest. We could be free!

Beloved, the facts are obvious! God loves you more than you can fathom! The human word for "love" cannot even begin to give a glimce of just how much God loves you! Dare to know it and believe it! You are all He says you are and you are His!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfFyqSkMiUw

"All He Says I am" by Cody Carnes and Kari Jobe

King of my Heart

Usually I am not this inspired this time of morning, but I have had this song running through my head all morning. It is called, "King of my Heart." Just like the title, it is about how Jesus is the King of my heart and He is bigger than anything I may face.

This really convicted me when I started thinking about it. God doesn't demand to be the King of my heart. He is the Author and Creator of my heart and my very existence, but He does not force me to acknowledge that. I have to choose to acknowledge that He is King of my heart and give Him full control of every moment, every thought, every feeling, and every circumstance.

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." and then Jeremiah 17:9 says, "“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

 Left to myself, I can do so many things to hurt myself and others. I am weak and easily entangled by the ways of this world. I can't guard my heart on my own. I cannot make it pure. I cannot protect my heart from everything that will try and harm me.

That is why I must choose to let God be the King of my heart. He knows everything about me. He created me and He knows my deepest thoughts and desires. Who better to be the King, Savior, and Guard of my heart?!

My prayer is similar to David's prayer in Psalms 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." I desire to be like Christ and reflect His love, but I cannot do that apart from Christ. If I do not let Christ be the King of my heart then I cannot reflect Him fully or properly as He deserves.

Today, I choose God as the King of my heart. He is my Rock; my Creator; my God; my Everything. Apart from Him, I have and am nothing.

~King of my Heart~

by Love and the Outcome

I'm in a war every minute
I know for sure I'll never win it
I am David up against Goliath
And it's a fight for my attention
I'm being pulled every direction
This world tells me trust what I can see
Lord, won't You help me believe what I believe

You are bigger than any battle I'm facing
You are better than anything I've been chasing
Savior and royalty, the only hope in me
Jesus, You are, You are
The King of my heart, heart
The King of my heart, heart

All by myself I fall to pieces
But You are strong when I am weakest
I feel Your kingdom come alive in me
My feet are bruised but they'll follow where You lead

You are bigger than any battle I'm facing
You are better than anything I've been chasing
Savior and royalty, the only hope in me
Jesus, You are, You are
The King of my heart, heart
The King of my heart, heart

Your love is deeper than the ocean
You wash away my brokenness
Your arms are always open
Come and rule in me
Come and be my king

You are bigger than any battle I'm facing
You are better than anything I've been chasing
Savior and royalty, the only hope in me
Jesus, You are, You are
The King of my heart, heart
The King of my heart, heart
You're the King of my heart, heart
The King of my heart, heart
You're the King of my heart, heart

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE8f0OaPSEQ 

Homeschool Perks and Such

These aren't all mine, but most of them are and what's in bold face is. Just some of the perks and struggles we homeschoolers face :)

High School has taught me that becoming valedictorian is not as hard as everyone makes it out to be... #homeschoolprobs 

• Come on, this is easy people! If I can do it anyone can!

People either assume I'm really smart, or really stupid. #homeschoolprobs

• I mean....really.....

#Let'smakeitawkward Ask me what school I go to. #homeschoolprobs

• "Well....I'm homeschooled" "Oh." *Instant conversation killer*

I am the school janitor. #thestruggle #homeschoolprobs

• And you think you have it rough? -_-

Won homecoming queen... again. #homeschoolprobs

• I mean....why does everyone think this is a big deal?

"Why aren't you awkward or antisocial?!" ...well I could go stand in that corner if it would make you feel more comfortable #homeschoolprobs

• Really....you asking that makes you more awkward and antisocial than it makes me....

You spend 8 hours a day in a big brick building, yet I'm the one with no life? #MakesSense #homeschoolprobs

• BURN!!! Nuf said.

Person: Where do u go to school? Me: I'm homeschooled. Them: u don't look homeschooled. Me: WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE #homeschoolprobs

• I can go put on a homeschool shirt or something if it makes you feel better....

Going on a field trip... to the grocery store. #homeschoolprobs

• Everyday is a field trip! I mean...I get out of the house....

You may get to see your friends everyday, but I get to do school in my pajamas everyday... so who's the real winner here? #homeschoolpros

• What now, people?!

When "I never would've guessed you were homeschooled." is a compliment. #homeschoolprobs

• Why thank you kind Sir! I really would hate for anyone to suspect my secret identity *wink, wink*

I break out into song randomly throughout my school day so I guess you could call my life a home school musical. #homeschoolprobs

• Do you wanna build a snowman? It doesn't have to be a snowman! I just can't hold it back anymore..........

Did I take a shower today? No. Does it matter? No. Aren't you glad you asked? #homeschoolprobs

• I mean...no one but my family, the mailman, and the cat are gonna see me today. Why bother being presentable?

When people assume that I'm shy just because I'm homeschooled. #homeschoolprobs

• I am terribly shy...I just hide behind an outgoing, boisterous, attitude!

Being afraid to go out during school hours because everyone assumes that you're skipping school... #homeschoolprobs

• No....really, I am homeschooled! Just ask my teachers....errr...parents.

7 lies about homeschoolers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJHt-m3VX6o Really worth watching if you want a laugh.

And Tim Hawkin's Homeschool Blues: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wu0R_8rH00

Restlessness, Homesickness, and Seeking God

Today has just been one of those days where I am antsy. I want to know what God has in store for my life and when it will happen and all the other specifics. I just want to know (yes, my spiritual gift is the patience of Job.....oh, wait.....that's not my gift....like, at all!)! I want to do what I love. I want to change the world. I want to know all that God has in store for me. I long to know what is beyond these high school years. I yearn for more. I am discontent, I just want to get on with God using me to do great things!
I got to really thinking about it and I think this is what it feels like to be homesick. As Christians, we are called to be content in our current circumstances, but also to not get too comfortable with the world, because the best is yet to come and it cannot compare to the world.
Here is what I think is the difference between Restlessness and Seeking God....
Restlessness is a result of discontentment. It is more than just wanting more; it is being unhappy with what you have in the here and now.
Seeking God is where you desire for more, yet you are content in your current circumstances. It's like being homesick....I can want to be home and miss home without having to dislike where I am at in this moment. I can seek to know what God has in store for me next without becoming discontent with what I have now.
I long for the day where there will be no more pain. I long for the day where I will see Jesus. I long for Heaven. I also long to see what God has in store for my life in the future. I long to know how I will spend the rest of my days when I get out high school. However, I am content with today, as well. I am content to bask in God's goodness in the here and now.
I feel like Paul must have felt when he said in Philippians 1:21-24..."For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live."
I know that God is using me in the here and now, yet I long for home. That is not sinful as long as I do not let it form into discontentment. God's timing is not my own and I am to be patient. However, I can eagerly anticipate all that God has in store for me.
This is merely my temporary home....I am just passing through!

Lessons in Love Part 2

As I said in my other post, God has been reteaching me what love is.
There have been several times this summer where God has not only shown me what real love is, He has also given me opportunities to put what I am learning into practice myself.

One instance of this has been with someone that I do not particularly like, but seems to keep coming across my path. Isn't it funny how the harder you try to avoid someone, the more God seems to put them in your path?

I have been able to comfort this person in several instances. I will be honest, I would never have chosen to do this, but God has a way of convincing people to do things that they really need to do.

To be able to see people the way God does is humbling and doesn't happen often. It did in this instance. I realized just how hard I am on this person. They are human and made in God's image. God has great plans for them. Just because they look okay, doesn't mean they are.

It really showed me how I need to work on my heart attitude. I love people, but love is not selective. It is unbiased and all including.

I also had opportunities to work with children in many different scenarios this summer. Children have some of the biggest hearts! They trust so easily and love seemingly unconditionally. Being human, I cannot ever trust that easily; I have seen too much, but if I could love half that much, I could change the world!

God has placed so many people in my life to teach me what real love is and to let me put into practice what I am learning. This is not so I can go out and date or become a super love woman, but so I can molded into the woman God wants me to be.

How awesome to see God care about a gal like me enough to show me just how all consuming and precious genuine and real love can be!

"Love" is often associated with 1 Corinthians 13 and that is okay, but I think the concept is lost in our world. 1 Corinthians 13 is used so much that it has become cliché. 1 Corinthians 13 tells what love DOES, not what love IS. We say it without truly thinking about it.

Mark 12:31 tells what love is. It is "loving your neighbor as you love yourself." As I mentioned before, I had to learn that you cannot love others if you do not love yourself. I have been told that throughout my life, but it really came alive for me when I heard a sermon that addressed this issue.

Love isn't just some feeling. It isn't something that should be taken lightly. It deserves respect and to be treasured.

People throw the term, "I love you" around all the time, but I was so challenged this summer to not just say that, but to mean it. Yes, you should say it often, but you also should mean it. It's like saying, "I like your dress" but not really meaning it. It looses its significance.

It has been a very eventful and busy summer. As it is coming to a close, I find myself looking back in gratitude at all the things God has taught me. You never stop learning. I have a feeling that I have barely even begun to grasp the true expanse of what "love" is, but it is a start.

Above all else, I have learned that no one can love you as rightly or deeply as God can. He died for me! What higher act of love could I ask for?

God is the Creator and Author of love. He is the definition of love. He is the only true fulfiller of the love I so long for and desire.

May I take what I have and am learning and go and love others now. They will know that I am a Christian by my love, after all!

 

 

To Be Seen

Every human that has ever lived and will ever lived has a desire to love and be loved. This is how God created us to be. We all have a desire to be heard, understood, loved, and seen.

As Christians, we understand that God hears exactly what we say and a lot that we don't say. We understand that God knows our deepest thoughts and what makes us tick. He loves us more than mere words can begin to express. He sees everything that we never show people and He also sees the heart and soul of us.

However, just because we believe that does not mean we do not want to be loved for who we are by human beings. I don't think anything is wrong with wanting to feel like others love you and appreciate you for who you really are, not just what you do or what you can give.

God has wired us to crave affection; we are made to feel loved and give love. However, we must balance a need to express that desire and understand that it is only Christ who can give us the full satisfaction of knowing love and only He can show us how to properly express love.

It is difficult to explain...but as Christians, we have to realize that we are not the most liked people around. God's truth is not a commonly accepted concept.

People who are sold out for God can never look like people of the world. We are set apart. This means that though we crave human love and affection, we may have to settle for the fact that God will provide our every need as He sees fit. That may not include someone who loves you the way you desire.

However, do not let this discourage you! God sees you...REALLY sees you and He will not let your faithfulness go unrewarded. He who sees and knows all things has called you. He is faithful. He will not leave you hanging. The Maker and definition of love Himself with satisfy your every need. Choose to trust Him with your heart; He will never abuse it.

 

I Found Love In Guatemala

I've been home now from Guatemala for 3 days. I already miss it.
I missed my country music while I was in Guatemala. I missed my family. I missed hanging out with my friends. I missed diet drinks. I missed being alone and walking aimlessly thinking. I missed being able to drink out of the faucet (yes, some of us do that ). I missed listening to Christian music in English.
However, for all I missed, there were so many things that I miss about Guatemala now that I am home. I miss NOT having a TV. I miss not having a set schedule. I miss the easy way people connected. I miss the kids and their adoration and kisses. I miss not feeling like I had to look perfect or wear any make up every day. I miss singing out of tune to songs on the guitar and yet having more fun than if we did it perfectly. I miss shameless worship that wasn't about how well you sang, but was about who you were worshiping. I miss practicing dramas.I miss doing puzzles and coloring. I miss braiding girl's hair. I miss the deep appreciation that I saw everywhere for things that we take for granted or worse....complain about. I miss seeing people that don't even have a fraction of what I, myself, actually own, and yet they are truly happy. I miss winding roads and gorgeous views. I miss singing in Spanish. I miss seeing how love crosses any language barriers. I miss sitting in the backseat of the truck for an hour coming to and an hour going from our set destination and just talking about whatever. I miss deep thoughts and talking about the mundane. I miss being together with 16 other people around the table at dinner and hearing all the laughter and multiple conversations. I miss the inside jokes and the deep friendships that were made. I miss playing just to play. I miss the smiles of the children and the light that came into their eyes when you did something that surprised them. I miss the conversations in Spanish and English. I miss the little things and laughing hysterically over kazoos and totugas. I miss my chickitas. I miss having God parties and having the freedom to get excited over the little things that I saw do that really weren't so little.
Yes, there are a lot of things that I have a new appreciation for and miss so much. I will never forget Guatemala and Lord willing, I will return again soon. I am so grateful that God gave me the experiences He did. It was a Mission Trip that I will never forget.
I found love in Guatemala.

This sweet girl stole my heart. Every morning she would great me by running up and flinging her arms around my neck and laying her head on my chest. Every day before she left, she would give me at least one kiss.




This was the guy who was like a brother to me during our trip. He took the time to care.This is him attempting to braid my hair. He did pretty well, if I do say so myself :)

Team photo with the children. The rain wasn't the only form of water that day.

Lessons in Love Part 1

Ever had one of those "Ah-ha" moments where you knew something was part of something bigger and then you suddenly just realized what it was one day? I had one of those moments on the plane coming back from Guatemala.
Remember: This is my heart and I am very real about what God is doing in my life; so if you don't like that sort of thing, I would stop reading now.
This summer, God has been teaching me a lot about love. In middle school, I made a commitment to stay pure until my wedding night.
Then earlier this year, I made a commitment to not kiss until I was engaged because a kiss for me is a piece of my heart that is treasured and should never be given flippantly.
Anywho, I started the summer somewhat discouraged because so many of the teenagers around me are dating and I just felt as though my standards might be to high and that I may have to lower them in order to find a guy who would date me. I wanted a man, not a boy. A mature man who is kind and selfless and sold out for Jesus. I want him to see me because He is so focused on God and God directs him my way.
This summer God brought several incredible younger guys (my general age) into my life that are sold out for God. All of them were awesome...and not single...
God also showed me on multiple occasions what selfless love really looks like.
He showed me that you cannot identify true love until you know the Maker of love. You also cannot properly and fully love others until you learn to love yourself.
On a multiple occasions, He overwhelmed me and wrecked me with His love. He brought me to a place where I couldn't do anything but bask in His love and fall to my knees because I was so overwhelmed.
I knew that God was showing me something big, but it didn't come full circle until I was on the plane. When it did, I felt like a light just came on and it made my whole summer make sense!
I realized that God was pretty much "reteaching" me what real love is.
It isn't something to be taken lightly or to be used carelessly. It is sacred and beautiful...
To be continued...

Choosing to Worship

The definition of worship is as follows:

Worship
: to honor or respect (someone or something) as a god

: to show respect and love for God or for a god especially by praying, having religious services, etc.

 

Worship doesn't just happen, it is a choice. I thought about that a lot at summer camp this year with my youth group.

 

There are and have been many moments in my life where I wanted to do anything but lift my hands to God. There are many moments where it would be easier to let my mind wander during a song than sing it from the heart. There have been many moments where it would have been easier to throw up my hands in defeat than take it to the Lord in prayer. However, God is not some fair weather friend!

 

We serve a God who is worthy of worship in the good times as well as the bad. In the good times, I have to choose to worship Him and in the bad times, I have to choose to worship Him. Yep, there are most certainly days where I have to really make an effort to worship God and sometimes I can muster little more than the name of Jesus, but worship isn't about how extravagant you express your devotion, but in your sincerity and in whom you express it to.

 

One of my absolute favorite quotes in one of my favorite movies is about this....

 

"I want God to bless this team so much people will talk about what He did. But it means we gotta give Him our best in every area. And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him. Either way we honor Him with our actions and our attitudes. So I'm askin' you... What are you living for? I resolve to give God everything I've got, then I'll leave the results up to Him. I want to know if you'll join me." -Facing The Giants 

 

In this quote the main character is asking his team to choose to worship God no matter what the outcome of something is. If we choose and strive to always sincerely worship God no matter what, He will bless us. 

Whether it is in loud shouts of praise to Him or the silent prayer; whether it is in the hands raised or being face down; whether it is in song or in the silence; choose to worship Him in all things!

 

 

 

 

 

I've learned poem

I did not write this, but I can relate to so much of it, that I figured I would reshare what one of my FB friends shared :)

"I've learned"
I've learned-
That you cannot make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
I've learned-
That it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it. That it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned -
That you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you better know something. That you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do. That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned-
That it's taking me a long time to become the person that I want to be. That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned-
That you can keep going long after you can't. That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned-
That either you control your attitude or it controls you. That regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is a first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned-
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned-
That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you are down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned-
That sometimes when I get angry I have the right to be angry, but it doesn't give me the right to be cruel. That true friendship continues to grow over the longest distance, and the same goes for true love.
I've learned-
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned-
That you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what tragedy it would be if they believed it. That no matter how good your friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while, and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned-
That it isn't always good enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you must learn to forgive yourself. That no matter how bad a heart is broken; the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned-
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become. That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean that they don't love each other, and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned-
That we don't have to change friends, if we understand that friends change. That two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned-
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned-
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
That the people you care about the most in life are taken from you too soon.
I've learned-
That it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting someone's feelings or standing up for what you believe. I've learned-
That life's lessons never end and wisdom can always be passed on.
- Susane Pieffer