Am I fulfilling the purpose God has for me?

(Source)



You know those times in your life when God just really convicts you and shows you some things that He wants you to change?

"Then they can urge the younger women to

 love their husbands and children,

 to be self-controlled

 and pure,

 to be busy at home,

to be kind,

 and to be subject to their husbands,

 so that no one will malign the word of God."

Titus 2:4-5

The Lord just really amazed me with this verse within the last few weeks. Yes, I had read it before but you know that 21st time time you read something and it just seems as though the Lord put it there just for you?

Well, I really starting thinking about being busy at home. And the Lord began to convict me about some things. Things like how I manage my time, moving to a more natural way of living, making my home a haven etc.

Because of these things I have been stepping out and trying new things. Is it because I am radical that I am moving towards a more natural life style? No. Is it because I think I am better then others. Absolutely not!

My desire from that comes from previous experiance. I lived an unhealthy life style and as a result was extremely sick for a year. I wrecked my body from poor nutrition etc. So now I KNOW what certain foods do to me and the effect they can have on the body and yet-I had started eating them again. WHAT? It didn't make sense!

Then the Lord showed me that not only am I responsible before Him for myself but now for my child as well! Whew. That was a revelation! Not really but in a sense it was!

So, I have been making that transition (once again) to more of a natural way of living. I already have stories and will be sharing more with all of you here.

Something was still missing though.

Then, once again I realized something. I have been trying to live for the Lord but without HIM in the picture. What? Honestly, I have really been struggling with making time to actually spend time with my Savior. To go before HIM and seek HIS face. To spend time in prayer and meditation on His Word. The excuse? Well, I am busy. The problem is-when this baby comes I will be even busier! And I do not want to sacrifice my relationship with Jesus! He needs to be FIRST! Priority. Over all things. Even...ministry. Facebook and blogging (huge distractions for me sigh).

In the Word we are called to do all things to the glory and honor of God. Well, I am realizing all things entails-laundry, house cleaning, cooking, etc. The little things that may seem so mundane and yet God wants us to do them for HIM!

I am a paper keeper. Especially in my Bible (much to my husband's chagrin!) and a few days ago I found a paper I had saved that had a bunch of notes from a sermon.

It is dated August 16, 2009:

Am I fulfilling my duty? Am I an unworthy servant who is just doing what I am told to do? Has God told me what to do with my life (yes I am to be a wife and Mama right now serving God and ministering alongside my husband)? If He hasn't-why?

We are servants of Christ...we need to do what He tells us to do. If we can not hear Him...if we do not know what His will is...we need to spend more time with Him. Am I investing the talents God has given to me? I need to be using my gifts for God's honor and glory alone.

Am I walking with the Master? Am I spending time with my Master so that I know His will for me and also His love for me. Am I allowing my hands to get weak instead  of asking God to strengthen me and stopping and putting my hands together and asking God to help me.

Funny how just random thoughts from years ago God can use to convict once again. I want to live my life for Christ. But I have just been trying to fit Him in it when it is convenient for me. It seems as though this is a continual battle for me to center my life around HIM. But I believe that is part of the journey.

Oh how thankful I am that my Heavenly Father is so patient and forgiving. How thankful I am that He receives me with open arms.

I want to be all I can be for my Master-Jesus Christ. Right now that involves being a keeper at home and soon being a Mama to my child. Trying to do all that though without Jesus-does not work.

Give me Jesus...truly I just want Him once again.

I feel as though I am at the beginning of yet another journey! I am thinking about possibly starting a new blog as I feel I am moving into a new chapter of my life. What are your thoughts?

Also, if you have any fun tips, advice, favorite blogs about healthy, more natural living I would LOVE to hear them! :)

May the Lord richly bless you!



What about a woman that got pregnant after a rape?

Note: This post contains some mature content. Reader discretion may be advised.

So many of my late posts have been about abortion. Some of them have been in answer to some comments that I have received which is what this post is about as well. I received a comment this morning that asked a question. The question was this:

"One thing that you did not address, though, are babies conceived through incest or rape. Would you support abortion in those cases? What about these types of pregnancies in minors? I feel so strongly that these are cases where abortion is justified and I adamantly oppose further legislation of abortion specifically for this reason. The progression of the pregnancy poses far more damage to the "mother" than destruction of the fetus, in my opinion. Would you be willing to expand your dialogue to these types of pregnancies? (or at least share the opinion of your "pregnancy center")"

I knew what my stand was about this but I thought that I would let these women speak for themselves. Please take the time to watch this video and see what women who got pregnant through rape have to say:

I found this video  while browsing the internet looking for women's stories and found a website headed up by a woman named Rebecca Kiessling. Please visit her website here: RebeccaKiessling.com.

Not only is Rebecca a pro-life advocate but she is a child that was conceived by a rapist. One thing that she said in her personal testimony that really stuck me was this:

"Please understand that whenever you identify yourself as being “pro-choice,” or whenever you make that exception for rape, what that really translates into is you being able to stand before me, look me in the eye, and say to me, "I think your mother should have been able to abort you.” That’s a pretty powerful statement. I would never say anything like that to someone."

Go HERE to read the rest of her story.

"I think your Mother should have been able to abort you." Would we ever truly look some one in the face and say that!?! I do not believe we could conceive being that rude and hurtful to someone and yet, so many people are saying that today. Even some Christians have fallen for the lie straight from the devil that a rape or illness or whatever (fill in the blank) can some how justify knowingly taking another human being's life (even though that baby had absolutely no choice in the matter).

Rebecca also shared these insights (as a child that was spared an abortion):

"I’m so thankful my life was spared, but a lot of well-meaning Christians would say things to me like, ”Well you see, God really meant for you to be here!” Or others may say, "You were meant to be here." But I know that God intends for every unborn child to be given the same opportunity to be born, and I can’t sit contentedly saying, “Well, at least my life was spared.” Or, “I deserved it. Look what I’ve done with my life.” And millions of others didn’t? I can’t do that. Can you? Can you just sit there and say, “At least I was wanted . . . at least I’m alive” or just, “Whatever!”? Is that really the kind of person who you want to be? Cold-hearted? A facade of compassion on the exterior, but stone-cold and vacated from within? Do you claim to care about women but couldn't care less about me because I stand as a reminder of something you'd rather not face and that you'd hate for others to consider either? Do I not fit your agenda?

 In law school, I’d also have classmates say things to me like, “Oh well! If you’d been aborted, you wouldn’t be here today, and you wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so what does it matter?” Believe it or not, some of the top pro-abortion philosophers use that same kind of argument: “The fetus never knows what hits him, so there’s no such fetus to miss his life.” So I guess as long as you stab someone in the back while he’s sleeping, then it’s okay, because he doesn’t know what hits him?! I’d explain to my classmates how their same logic would justify me killing you today, because you wouldn’t be here tomorrow, and you wouldn’t know the difference anyway, so what does it matter?" And they’d just stand there with their jaws dropped. It’s amazing what a little logic can do, when you really think this thing through -- like we were supposed to be doing in law school -- and consider what we’re really talking about: there are lives who are not here today because they were aborted. It’s like the old saying: “If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?” Well, yeah! And if a baby is aborted, and no one else is around to know about it, does it matter? The answer is, YES! Their lives matter. My life matters. Your life matters and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!"

Rebecca is not the only survivor from being conceived in rape. Here is another video that shares men and women's perspectives that were conceived in rape:

I asked my husband his thoughts and this is what he had to share:

Two wrongs do not make a right. To kill the innocent is never ok. Many people wish to be compassionate and perceive themselves to be compassionate yet they have fallen for the world's lie that just because a baby comes from a traumatic experience that the Mother will live the rest of their lives with negative feelings towards their child because of that. When, in reality, just like in the first video three women proved that wrong and many other women have also as well as .

A simple illustration about how pathetic the world's logic is concerning this is:

If a friend of yours attacks or breaks a law that hurts me in some way it is then justifiable for me to have you destroyed/killed just so I won't be reminded as often of the horrible thing that your friend did to me.

Pretty lame huh? And yet this is a lie that so many people believe!

This is proven not only in these videos but also in the stories of real life women and their children. Below is a link to multiple women's life stories who became pregnant by rape. Some on the positive side trusted God and chose to give their child a chance at life and were blessed through. Sadly, others chose to not trust God or were forced or bought into the lie that having an abortion would solve their problem. Tragically, it did not and these women who shared so candidly regret that decision to this day HOWEVER, God took that guilt and shame and gave them hope in and through Jesus Christ. Today all of these women are testimony to what God can do. And how truly, Jesus Christ can make beauty out of even the worst of ashes. 

 Please click HERE to go and read these amazing stories from both sides (you will have to scroll down).

This all together only leads to this: The Word of God is the only firm foundation. You can believe it and prove it right or you can not believe it and still prove it right meaning-the destruction of human life is never the only or right answer. Difficult situations will arise however even in these difficult situations destroying a innocent life will never solve the problem.

Is there hope after an abortion? Absolutely! Jesus Christ is that hope!  And if anything is taken from this post I would pray it be this: whether or not you have been raped, molested, aborted a baby, been abused, and the list could go on and on-there is that hope in Jesus Christ!!!! And it is for each and every one of us! The Bible says: "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Many people heave a sigh of relief and think well I am a good person. Whew. I have never murdered or committed adultery. I am not as bad as ___________ (fill in the blank). Yet, Jesus said if you look in lust you have committed adultery and that hating someone in your heart is the same as murder. That convicts me! We are all guilty with that kind of standard! None of us can live up to it! But that is ok. "God commended His love toward us in this-that while we were still sinners Christ DIED for us." (Rom. 5:8). He took that guilt! He took our shame! He took our sins on His shoulders. He paid our fine. He took our judgement! What glorious HOPE AND TRUTH IS IN THAT! And it is for everyone!

My prayer is that God's love and Word would reach all who do not know Him as their personal Savior. That they would realize that God can take ashes and make beauty out of them. Just like these women whose testimonies we heard about how God took a horrific situation and made something beautiful out of it-their child.

What is our Sacred Intent as we become Women?

I decided to go back to the archives today and re-read some posts and was convicted once again. I thought somehow that when I got married things would get better and life would be ,well, not quite perfect but almost-you know things that many young, dreamy girls believe.

Now I am not saying that I am not blessed with an absolutely amazing husband and marriage, but-it was an adjustment (and I am sure will continue to be for my whole life). When you go from being single minded and one person to all the sudden having a husband to support and love and be a help-meet to things change!

Sometimes I feel as though the house will never be clean enough. Or I get discouraged because I am unable to have piping hot, home made meals three times a day (although I am working on that one!), or the laundry is just a mountain that seems unattainable or...well, you know the things that are every day things for a lot of people.

Sometimes it is easy to forget Jesus.

I get so so busy trying to be the "perfect wife" I have in my head that I do not go to my Savior and spend time with Him in the Word and in prayer listening to what He wants from me.

So what is our intent?

What are we supposed to do as we move from girlhood into womanhood. What an amazing, scary, emotional, uncertain time of life that can be! Sometimes it is hard to even remember amidst the housework and the laundry and the phone calls and work what we are really here for.

I am going to share with you a quote from a post that I wrote on July 14, 2009. Two days before my 19th birthday.

A few years ago and yet, it still challenged me as I re-visited it this afternoon:

"I love this quote from Leslie Ludy and thought I would share it with you girls out there as an encouragement and a challenge:

'God's sacred intent for us goes far beyond just saving

sex till marriage, wearing one-piece swimsuits instead of

skimpy string bikinis, or idolizing Christian bans instead

of secular ones. It is not just making sure we tack on some
Christian morality to our self-indulgent lives.

His sacred intent for you and for me is nothing short of

absolute abandonment to Jesus Christ, entire separation from

the pollution of the world, and ardent worship of our

King with every breath we take.

Yes, it's a huge vision-one that is contrary to everything

our culture presents. In our modern world, we as young

women seem to be presented with only two options for our

femininity-we can either embrace the sensual, sexed-up

version of womanhood glorified by pop culture or we can

go the opposite direction and trade in perfume and makeup

for grit, grunge, and guy-like behavior.

But both of these options cause us to completely miss out

on the glorious pattern God designed for our femininity. We

were created to shine with heavenly beauty, to radiate with Christ-
like feminine loveliness, and to sparkle with the lily-white
purity of our Prince (Jesus). We were created to be set-apart
for Him.

-Excerpt from 'Set-Apart Femininity'"

We were created to be set-apart for HIM. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Who CHOSE to lay down His life for each and everyone of us on that old rugged cross. What a glorious freedom that brings! Is it really a sacrifice to surrender our lives (even the little parts we don't want to let go of) to HIM considering He willing laid down His entire life for us?

Absolute abandonment. Total separation from the pollution of the world. Ardent worship of our King.

This post is more a challenge to me than anything else! I want Jesus! In all areas of my life! I want to radiate HIM. And I want to stop saying that and move forward to take steps towards that end. I no longer want to fit Him into my life when it is merely convenient. No. I want my entire life to be completely centered and revolving around Him.

So what is our true sacred intent?

Oh Jesus, may You continue to teach us each and every day of our lives may we become more and more like you and fall deeper in love with You.

So what about you ladies? Are you living out what God would have you to live out? The intent that HE has for your life?

Just some thoughts that the Lord gave me today and I thought I would share.

What are your thoughts?

O Victory in Jesus!

An Excerpt from my prayer journal dated Monday, September 26, 2011:

"Yesterday in church Pastor was in part seven of his series on no limits. One thing I have been learning about lately is taking control of my thoughts. It seemed impossible but then he was talking about how we have guarenteed victory in You Lord!

'But thanks be to God!

 He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm.

 Let nothing move you.

 Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,

 because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.'

-1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Wow! I (and every single child of God) have the victory in and through my Precious Savior Jesus Christ!!

The next point was how in our guarenteed victory we have absolutely incredible weapons:

'

'For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;'

-2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Casting down imaginations and bringing into captivity every thought to the obediance of Christ. That is what I really need to work on! The awesome thing though is that I can have the victory over these seemingly giants in my life because of Jesus christ and His power working in my! Thank You Jesus!

And to think-that I also have angels to help me as well according to this verse:

 'The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them. 
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
  Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
¹ The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.'

-Psalms 34:7-10

Wow! Wow! Wow! Oh my Jesus! Thank You! Now Lord, help me today to live this out. To take these precious promises and stand on them believing that You will bring them to pass. Help me Lord...

I have been allowing myself to listen to the enemies lies and live in defeat. Forgive me for that Lord and help me to move forward in victory from that lifestyle. Victory I can claim in and through You as YOUR child! Thank you Jesus!

In Your Name I pray,

Amen "

What is something in your life that you know that Jesus can give you victory in? Our God is so good and we do not have to live in defeat! We have the victory, the battle is already won, in and through Jesus!

So often we live in defeat though...

I needed this reminder and these precious promises today, Lord willing you did too :)

Have a blessed day!

Oh and on a side note:

I took this really neat picture of a Florida grasshopper (or are they locusts?) well, whatever they are they are big! Anyway I took this picture this morning and thought it was so cool!

Cute little guy huh? :) Have an amazing day! :) Keep your eyes on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ :)



Before and After

So I have not updated in a bit. Obviously. Things have been a little bit crazy to say the least! And yet they are starting to become a lil bit more sane. If that makes any sense?

My amazing husband and I celebrated our four month anniversary. Four months? Only four? Honestly it has felt like a lifetime! In a good way :) Here are some of the things we have done in the last four months just since getting married:

• Got married
• Went to Canada for our honeymoon-now I am remembering some of the pictures we took and am digging around for them:

Oh yeah, and who can forget about the time I put dish soap in the dishwasher because I ran out of dishwasher power stuff. Ahem. I would never do something that would cause a small waterfall in our kitchen at our cottege. Nope. Not me.

•  Got home from our honeymoon and packed our life into Jason's lil Ford Taurus. By the time we I was done with it the poor car was on a scary upwards angle there was so much weight on the back! But with prayer we struck out.
• We stopped in Connecticut to meet/visit a blog friend that I have known for over two years. Rebecca and I had quickly become best friends and as close to sisters as you can get without actually being sisters! What a joy it was to finally meet her and Justin as well as her family! We had so much fun with them :) You can visit Rebecca's new blog Butterfly Days.

Jason loved playing with her younger siblings! :)

•  We went from Connecticut to North Carolina to visit some very close friends and what fun we had! Sun, Beach, friends that are like family-it was such a blessing from the Lord!

•  While in NC we learned something that was a complete and total surprise! Jason went out kyacking on the waves and I took some pregnancy tests. It was official-Jason was a Daddy! And I told him so:

 What a perfect day that was. We were thrilled beyond words! And so excited to see what God was going to do with our lil family!

•  After saying goodbye to our friends in NC we struck out for our new home in Florida. Summerfield. We had no idea what would await us there but we knew that the Lord had most definitely called us there. They had even supplied a house for us! What a blessing that was. Jason was going to be working with the youth and we were going to also help out in whatever way around the mission compound for Evangelical Bible Mission.
• We got to Summerfield and immediately began to work on it. Rooms like the living room went from this:

To this during renovation:






• It was during this renovation process of my entire house-

that I went to get my positive pregnancy test at a women's pregnancy center and we were overjoyed to find out that I was indeed pregnant although not even five weeks yet.

On the way home I began to have some problems and the next morning I woke up and knew that I had lost the baby. I was overwhelmed by the amazing support I received from women who had experianced the same thing and I started to gain new perspective as I read their stories and realized that I was not alone.

Honestly losing a little one was one of my greatest fears in life but one thing I have learned is that truly sometimes the Lord brings us face to face with some of our greatest fears just to show us that TRULY His grace is sufficient in our greatest times of need. I have a lil one waiting for me in Heaven and I can hardly wait for the day I get to meet that lil one face to face. Until then-he is in the arms of Jesus and what comfort comes from knowing that!

• Soon after I lost the baby my family and friends came up to surprise me from NY for my 21st birthday! What a fun time we had :) It was such a blessing to have them here and especially because I was still dealing with the loss of my baby I so appreciated them!
• Did I mention that I had also taken over a thrift store during this time? I was the official manager and Jason would help me. Whew what a lot of work that was!
• At the same time we were also ministering to those in the church as well in the community and for quite a while I had people in my house 24/7 which started to just drain me (with everything elso going on).
• One night I took a pregnancy test about a month after my miscarraige and was devastated when it was negative and once again I had to surrender it to the Lord. Well, another weekish went by and I was really starting to wonder so in the Walmart restroom while I was waiting for our car to get an oil change I took another test, walked away from it and surrendered me not being pregnant to the Lord, walked back and guess what?!?

The Lord had blessed us with another baby! What a surprise to me and what a precious gift from God! At nine weeks we got to go and get an ultrasound. What a blessing that was! To see our lil bean moving and wiggling was such a relief! It was amazing we even got to see its lil heart beating. At NINE weeks! Here is our lil bean:

• Now that we knew we were pregnant again things continued to become a little more solid. Meaning my house began to be more finished-

Things were beginning to turn around and yet in my heart I was still really struggling. I have it all! A house, a wonderful husband, amazing friends and family who are so supportive and something was still missing!

Someone once commented on how it was not a good thing I was depressed already (just being married) and I am sure some wondered what it was.

It was not my husband . He is the best thing besides Jesus Christ that has ever happened to me and truly is my prince. He exhibits what real love is every single day and is so patient and so loving with me. He puts Christ first and foremost in his life and you can tell!

It was not losing my child. Although that was so difficult I know that my baby is in heaven and God gives healing.

It was not________________________________ whatever fill in the blank.

So many women all over the world deal with so many things that are far greater than I could ever imagine and yet-they are at peace.

Why?

How!?


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


Present your requests to God.




Sounds easy right?


Sounds like it should be the first thing you should do anyway right?


Well, to my shame, I didn't.


I kind of forgot about my Jesus.


I mean of course I knew that He was there like always but I did not act like it. I tried to be the "perfect wife" on my own (and failed miserably). I tried to fix my problems on my own. I tried to deal with my sin that I was really struggling with on my own (anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, pride).


Notice a common theme there?


I.


Wow. So easy it is to get so consumed with ourselves. And how much easier it is to get our eyes off of the very One they are supposed to stay focused on-our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Today I had that priviledge to go to a conference that was being streamed live. Wow did the Lord use it to convict me. Convict me of what though?


Trying to live life while attempting to fit Jesus in when it was convenient for me instead of living my life in such a way that my all was built around HIM.


Then-they sung this song and oh, how did it touch me! To think that my Jesus paid it all!


All for me!


All for you!


So then I had to seriously ask myself why on earth have I been living like I have to pay it all. Why have I been trying to buy approval from my friends, family, my precious husband and my Savior when He already had paid it all!?


My debt is gone.


I am set free!


What glorious freedom! And how that makes me want to change how I have been living! I no longer want to live for me. I want to live for my Jesus. I want 150% surrender!!!!! He paid it all!!!! It just makes me want to live for HIM!


So what about you?


Where are you today?


What has Jesus been whispering in your ear?


Will you stop and listen?


I am posting the song "Jesus Paid it ALL" and I really want you to take time to listen and pray through it. He paid it ALL for you! What an amazing Savior we have!




The Lord speaks!

So yesterday

I was weary.

And this morning.

I was weary.

But I opened my Bible

and not once,

but twice,

the Lord reminded me

of something:

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted in me?

 hope thou in God:

 for I shall yet praise him

 for the help of his countenance."

-Psalm 42:5

And then-

as if one time was not enough-

a few verses down

I read this:

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

and why art thou disquieted within me?

 hope thou in God:

 for I shall yet praise him,

 who is the health of my countenance,

and my God."

-Psalm 42:11

What an amazing God we serve!

So today.

I am hoping in my Savior.

What comfort that brings! :)

What are you hoping in today?



An Investment.

Hey all you fellow bloggers out there.

So I really should be working on homework.

I really should be cleaning my room.

I really should be getting caught up on my email.

I really should be doing a lot of things.

But I was looking at these pictures and thought I would

share them with you.

It is amazing to me the people that the Lord brings into our lives.

11 years ago He brought into my life some amazing

mennonite young women that took me under

their wings and have been there for me ever since.

Every other Tuesday, for as long as I remember,

we would have Girl's Club.

As time went on and we grew older

my sisters and I as well as some dear friends

"graduated" to the older group of girls

and started to meet seperately.

The woman that mentored us was Linda.

I can honestly say that if it had not been her

and the time she invested in my life I would not be

the person that I am today.

I am really excited for what God has

for her! She got a job working at a nursing home in Virginia.

She will be overseeing the volunteers and mentoring

the girls that work there.

I am so excited for her!

But it is bittersweet at the same time.

So us girls took her out to dinner the other week.

And I taught Jacquie how to wash her hands like a nurse

(considering she is starting the nursing program in January)

And I FROZE in the parking lot but

managed to get a cute picture with Jen :)

We had so much fun!

But like I said it was bittersweet.

Seasons in life.

Seasons of change.

Investments.

Linda has invested so much in us.

I pray that I will be able to invest just as much

in those around me.

That I will be able to make a difference.

And that that difference would be Jesus Christ.

When I grow up-

I want to be just like Linda.



I have been struggling.

I really have.

It is hard to put into words all my

thoughts.

Honestly, I have so many I don't even know where to begin.

I have a lot of decisions that I have been struggling with.

A lot of fears and insecurities.

A lot of things that I have been having

to surrender to Jesus over

and over

and over again.

I want to be able to invest in others lives.

I want people to look at me and not see me

but see Jesus Christ shining through me.

I want to make a difference for Christ.

I want to bring

honor and glory to HIM in everthing

I do.

I want to be like Jesus.

Please pray for me.

What are things you need to invest in?



Grace.

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men;

 and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

 For ye see your calling

, brethren,

how that not many wise men after the flesh,

not many mighty,

 not many noble

, are called:

 But God hath chosen 
the foolish things of the
world to confound the wise;

 and God hath chosen the weak
things of the world to confound 
the things which are mighty;

 And base things of the world,

 and things which are despised,

 hath God chosen, yea,

and things which are not,

 to bring to nought things that are:

 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,

who of God is made unto us wisdom,

 and righteousness,

and sanctification,

 and redemption:

 That, according as it is written,

He that glorieth,

let him glory in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 1:25-31
It has been a long time since I updated.
I have not been trying to neglect but with finals
coming up in school
this blog has been sadly neglected.
Thankfully though
only eight more days until freedom!
I can hardly wait!
In the meantime I am praying that I will be
a light and that the Lord will be honored and glorified
in and through me.
He is worthy!
So just thought that I would let you know I am alive.
And also share that verse with you.
What are your thoughts on it?

s

A Video Blog

Here is the long awaited video blog!
Sorry I didn't get it up sooner it has been a crazy week.
The volume may need to be turned up
if you are having a hard time hearing it:



These girls need the love of Jesus Christ.
The healing.
The forgiveness.
The freedom that can be found in HIM!
So what are we going to do about it?

PLEASE PRAY-It would be a matter of life or death.

Thursday, November 18, 2010.

9am.

That is tomorrow. 

Less than 24 hours away.

Please pray.

It is a matter of life or death.

For not one.

Not two.

But three lives.

See, there is a girl

who is young,

who is scared,

who is alone,

who is pregnant with twins.

Who is scheduled to have

an abortion.

Tomorrow.

At 9am.

Life.

Death.

She feels that she has no choice.

She has been given no other alternatives.

She has no hope.

Abortion.

Death.

Please pray harder 

than you ever have in your life!

She does not want to have the abortion.

She wants her babies.

But she is afraid.

And has no were else to go.

So tomorrow.

We will be heading to the clinic.

To try to find her.

And offer her hope.

Offer her a choice.

Share with her about Jesus.

Show her an alternative.

Life.

Please pray.

There are three lives at stake.

A young girls.

And two precious little 11 week old babies.

 

 

Source

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please pray.

There are so many lost people in this world.

They have no hope.

We have that hope.

Hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

What are we doing about it?

I am learning that it is not enough 

to just talk about it.

We need to start doing.

We need to start living.

We need to stop judging and 

start reaching out to others with 

the love of Jesus Christ.

I was thinking about this the other day.

There are things like picketing that we can do.

But how often does that involve judging the girls?

How often does it involve labeling

these girls as murderesses?

Instead of looking though eyes of judgment

what if we took the time to maybe look at them as a person?

A lost person?

A lost soul who without Jesus Christ is destined for an eternity in hell?

Judgement.

So often we pass it.

When instead we should start looking with eyes 

of love, care and compassion.

You know-

like Jesus loves you

and like Jesus loves me.

Instead of passing judgment

what do you think would happen 

if we offered that hope that can only

be found in Jesus Christ alone!

What a difference that would make.

It could save lives.

Please pray for these three

lives that are at stake.

Tomorrow.

9am.

Watch it if you dare. Prepare to be convicted.

Were you convicted?

I was.

Now what are we going

to do about it?

If you couldn't view here just 

follow the link below to view origional source:

"Radical Christian-Paul Washer"

No way.

Ever had one of those times

 when you said:

 "No Way"

 to God?

I had one of those yesterday.

Actually, I have been having one of those for months.

So this whole weekend I have been really struggling.

I had been holding on to things.

I had been refusing to surrender.

I had been relying on my own "strength."

I had not been in the Word or in prayer.

I had allowed myself to get completely overwhelmed.

Then yesterday I got angry.

Now, I am not the type of person that tends to get really angry.

I get frustrated.

I get stressed.

But I don't often get super super angry.

Yesterday I did.

Why you ask?

Well because Jason and Danny had the audacity

to suggest that I delete my facebook.

*Insert look of shock and horror here*

Delete it?

What?

So I tried to laugh it off but then I started to get annoyed.

See, they wouldn't let me laugh it off.

They wanted to know why it was so important to me.

Why I just couldn't live without it.

So I started to think.

And steam.

And think some more.

And suprisingly I really could not think

of very good excuses I mean reasons.

"Ministry"

was the best one I could come up with.

Now, I am not in any way trying to bash facebook.

I believe that you can most definitely minister through it.

However, when it starts to consume you and your time

when do you draw the line?

So, I was just miserable.

I have realized something.

When you know that you are not doing the Lord's will

and yet you are fighting

what you know He wants you to do.

Well.

It is painful.

So this morning I woke up.

And I just felt dead.

No joy.

No peace.

Nothing.

Just spiritually dead.

So I texted Jason and asked him to pray for me.

And he called me.

As I was talking to him the Lord just put this thought in my head.

"What is an idol?"

Now, I love this definition of an idol by Leslie Ludy:

"An idol is ANYTHING

 that claims our ATTENTION

 and AFFECTION

 above Christ."

As soon as I thought about that another thought popped into my head:

"How do I know that something is an idol in my life?"

Here is another quote I think sums up the answer to that quite nicely:

"One way you can tell if

 something is an idol

or another lover in your life

 is that you are unwilling to let it go.

You can't picture living without it.

 Most of us,

 if we were honest,

 would have to admit that

we are unbelievably attached to worldly entertainment.

 Life would seem empty and bleak

 if we didn't own a TV

(or a computer, cell phone, again: fill in the blank)...

Even though we have everything we would

 ever want or need in Christ Jesus alone-

we still look to these other means

 for the peace, joy, excitement, and refreshment

 that HE HIMSELF desires to give us.

 All we have is the counterfeit version

 of peace and joy because

we aren't willing

 to let Him give us the real thing."

 (Leslie Ludy)

All the sudden I knew what I needed to do.

"Jason," I said,

"I need to delete my facebook."

As soon as I verbally spoke those words

I can not even explain the joy and peace that just flooded my soul.

It was as if I had been holding facebook up between me and God.

I would let Him have everything else except for that.

Why?

I guess just because of the status.

I mean I got to share my accomplishments with the world on there.

It was all about me.

Selfish ambition.

Pride.

Now maybe you remember this post that I wrote a few months back.

I didn't remember until just today.

I am going to share a few excerpts from it (in italics).

To view the complete post click below:

An Idol.

Do I think that facebook is bad?

NOT AT ALL!

For me personally however,

 it has become an idol

 and because of that it needs to be taken care of

 which is why instead of just deactivating it

I am completely surrendering it to the Lord

and deleting it.

 It had come between me and the Lord.

 Time spent on facebook was more

 of a priority in my life

 then time spent with my Savior.

 It is so shameful to admit that but it is true!

What about other forms of entertainment?

 Movies, internet, magazines, books, cell phones, fill in the blank.

 Are they necessarily in and of themselves wrong

 (well, within certain boundaries of course)?

 No.

What are the things in your life

 that maybe the Lord has been asking you to surrender to Him?

What do you think would happen if,

 instead of spending hours doing

*fill in the blank*

we used that time to get to know our God?

What if we treated our BIBLE

 like our cell phone

 or the internet

or the television

 or movies?

What if THE BIBLE

 was one of the first things

that we turned to in the morning?

What if we had to check THE BIBLE

 at least once every two hours a day

so as to not go through withdrawals?

What if, when we have been away from

 THE BIBLE

 for any amount of time we felt

we had to check it

and then re-check it?

What if we had been away from home

 and THE BIBLE was the first thing

we went to when we got home?

What if THE BIBLE

 was one of the last things

 we thought about at night?

What if we let go of those idols

 that have control of our lives and

instead threw ourselves at Jesus' feet?

What if?

This is something that is between each of us and God.

 No one on earth can make these decisions for you.

I want to live a 110% Surrendered life

 for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I read today in Galations 3:13:

"Christ has redeemed us

from the curse of the law, having

become a curse for us

(for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who

hangs on a tree.')"

To think that He willingly became a curse for you and for me!

He died on that tree...for you and for me!

The least I can do is live for Him.

And I want to.

Oh so desperately.

For Jesus Christ alone.

I want Him to be my everything.

I want Him to be my all.

I want people to see Jesus Christ in me.

So yeah.

Things are going to be changing on this blog.

Like, I am going to be posting a lot more.

The Lord has been teaching me so much and I

 just have so much to share with you all!

So stay tuned for some exciting things!

And to sum up:

Am I a super spiritual person just because I am deleting facebook?

No.

Do I think that people that have facebooks are sinners?

Uh no.

My challenge to you would be this:

really ponder what priorities you have in your life.

What are the things that fill up your time?

What do you turn to for refreshment, fulfillment, and satisfaction?

Is it the world?

Or is it JESUS?

Is Jesus Christ worth YOUR ALL

(even the little, seemingly "insignificant things")?