Just When I needed it most

You know those times when the Lord surprises you?

Frankly, the last two weeks have been such a struggle for me emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and yes even physically (gotta love food poisoning) and I was completely drained. Friday night I had absolutely no idea what on earth I was supposed to be sharing in my girl's Bible Study. As the day went on I started to get some idea of what I wanted to share so ,once I got home, I ended up getting on my blog and printing off an excerpt from a post I had previously written. As I started to share it with the girls it really hit home for me as well so I thought I would share it with you once more:

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

1 Timothy 4:12

As young people this verse is exhorting us to be an EXAMPLE to the believers. How? Well the verse tells us exactly how:

~In word: Ok so what have the words from your mouth been like lately? Do they mirror the Lord? Do they build others up or do they tear others down? I was told once that people can tell what is the most thing in our lives by what we talk about. Yeah...that can be a good or bad thing.

~In conduct: So how do you act? I mean do you believe that how you act is a reflection of what is in your heart? Now that can be a good or a bad thing? Do your actions show that Jesus is the most important thing in your life or do they show the opposite?

~In love: So do you love people? I mean, really love them? Do your actions prove it? I am not talking the gushy, romantic, head-in-the-clouds kind of love; I am talking about a sacrificial, putting others first, unconditional, Christ like love. What kind of love do you have?

"Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed OUTWARD toward others, not inward toward ourselves.

It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps us set aside our own natural desires so that we can love and not expect anything in return.

Thus, the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to others."

~In spirit: What consumes you? I don't mean the outside...I mean the real you. Who is the master of your soul? Jesus or the deceiver? I love this saying that character is who you are in the dark...who are you in the dark? Who are you when there is no one else around? Who are you?

~In faith: What are you putting your faith in? In yourself? Your own works and the things you have accomplished? Or in Jesus?

~In purity: Ok, so I know that people are always saying that physical purity is important and DON'T get me wrong-I am not saying that it isn't- BUT have you ever thought about what it means to be emotionally pure? What about mentally pure? How many times have we given our hearts away in useless flings and/or crushes? I don't think that we realize it but that part of our heart/emotions we gave away we can never get back...

So what do you think? What is your example like? You never know who may be watching you. You may never know how a word or an action could effect someone for good or bad.

So there are some things that I have been thinking about lately. Love especially. Truly, I desire that when people look at me they would only see Jesus shining out of me. I am learning that that means people like my family and close friends as well.

I am so thankful that we serve a loving and merciful God!

The fact that He loves us in spite of us is so wonderful!

He is worthy!

A Creation

Where upon Katy shares with you  

her most recent mishap in the kitchen

her most recent amazing success and creating in the kitchen.

 For those of you that know me, 

you may have realized by now that I am not 

exactly the most-how shall we say it-

gourmet chef. 

Ok, so I have been known to turn microwave oatmeal into

rubber at the bottom of the bowl

multiple, many, a few times BUT THAT IS IN THE PAST!

You all will be pleased to know that the past few months

I have actually started taking the time to enjoy learning how to cook

and have accomplished...well...I don't burn microwave oatmeal anymore!

I have actually started to LOVE cooking. 

I find it very relaxing.

ANYWHO.

Last Friday, I decided to make cookies for my girls Bible study.

It is a recipe that I actually invented myself 

(even though I am sure that someone else has probably thought it up

but I like to think that I thought of it myself).

  

Apple Oatmeal Cookies 

• 1 Cup Shortening (margarine)
• 1 Cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Cup White Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2 Tsp. Vanilla

       Blend shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla. Beat.

• 1 1/4 Cups Flour
• 1 Tsp. Salt
• 1 Tsp. Cinnamon

      Mix flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon (don't be afraid to put in a lot of cinnamon). Combine with the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• 3 Cups Oatmeal (because we know that is what makes oatmeal cookies-well-oatmeal cookies)

 
 Diced Apples (I found that a food chopper helps them get really fine) 

Add the Oatmeal...

 

 

...and Apples to the batter.

 

 

Stir.

 

Note: the apples can cause the batter to be more liquidy.

Do not be afraid to add extra flour to the batter to help alleviate this problem.

 If you choose to not follow my advice and not add extra flour to the batter to make it less of a liquid form BEWARE.

You may end up with

a scary looking mass of just baked cookies

Apple Crisp Topping just Apple.

Not that I would ever make that mistake!

Nope. Nuh uh. Not me!

Once your batter is mixed up-

spoon the batter in small balls onto a greased cookie sheet.

Pop them in the oven.

Bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes (or until the bottoms of the cookies are browned)

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes so they can harden a bit.

Now here is the most important step:

Eat them.

Simple as that.

And yes I have an apron on.

I love feeling domestic :)

And just for the record-

the cookies never even made it over to my Bible study.

They were consumed very quickly.

And I didn't even burn one thing!

It was a fun day of creating in the kitchen.

Just thought I would throw in this picture of my friend Jacquie and I:

I haven't had the chance to actually edit pictures in forever a really long time but I am trying to get back into it again.

Well, I am off to go and learn some songs my sister Jen wrote. Blessings to you all!

 

Back to the Basics: Salvation

Last night at Bible study I decided to go back to the beginning. Back to where it all begins in our walks with Jesus Christ. Back to Salvation and what it really truly means to be "saved".

So often people today depend on their own "goodness" to get to Heaven. Even many so called "Christians" think that as long as they say and do the right things, go to church, and have Christian parents they will be able to some way get into Heaven just because they have done almost everything "right".

Not so.

Salvation is about trusting in Jesus Christ. In Him and Him alone. Believing in Jesus Christ and trusting in His ABSOLUTE perfection enough to be able to turn away from our sins in complete repentance and not only turn from our sins but follow Him wholeheartedly not only on Sundays but every single second of every single day for the rest of our lives.

So why trust Jesus?

This is what He has done FOR YOU:

"And you, being dead in your trespasses
and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
He has made alive together with Him,
having forgiven you all trespasses,
having wiped out the handwriting of
requirements that was against us,
which was contrary to us.
And He has taken it out of the way,
having nailed it to the cross."
(Colossians 2:13-14)

Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, DIED for you and for me! We deserve an eternity in hell and yet because He loved us He sacrificed His life as an atonement (substitute) for our sins. We didn't deserve it. We are all sinful human beings who deserve to spend an eternity in agony in hell.

You could argue: "Well, I am a good person." Are you really? The Bible says this:

"As it is written
'There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.'"
(Romans 3:10-12)



God is absolutely perfect. He demands perfection from each and every one of us. Have you ever told a lie? What does that make you? Well, a liar. Have you ever stolen something? What does that make you? Well a thief. We are accountable for every single idle word that we have spoken. That alone strikes fear in my heart. Have you ever dishonored your parents? Have you ever murdered someone? Jesus said that whoever is angry with his brother (or sister) in his heart without a cause is just as much in danger of the judgment (Matthew 5: 21-22).

God demands perfection.

None of us are perfect.

Even if we only sinned once
in our entire lives.

We would still not measure up
to God perfect standard.

So what did Jesus do?

The PERFECT Son of God came to earth
and voluntarily offered
Himself as our substitute!

He DIED so that we might LIVE!

How can we NOT trust Him and turn to Him in repentance from our sins?

Is it worth it to us to give up our sins what ARE pleasant for a time but have ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES?

I believe with all my heart that it IS WORTH IT! To be a CHILD OF THE KING...there is no greater HONOR!

Think about the lyrics to this song:

"Jesus is
The sweet, sweet love of my soul
Jesus is
The only thing making me whole
He's everything to me
All I desire to be
That's what Jesus is" (Jaci Velasquez)

Is Jesus the sweet sweet love of our souls? Is HE the ONLY thing making us whole? Is He EVERYTHING to us? Is He all we desire to be?

IS HE ENOUGH?

Is He worth it to you? Have you found your completion in HIM or are you still searching for it in other things (significant other, possessions, money, prestige)? Let me tell you from personal experience. Until you realize that Jesus Christ is the ONLY thing that will complete you-you will never find that completion you are so desperately longing/searching for. The thing is...it is YOUR choice "...Choose you this day whom you will serve..." (Joshua 24:15).

If you claim to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ then STAND UP and start to live it! Do you ever think what would happen to this world if we who call ourselves Christians began to LIVE each and every day in reckless abandonment and devotion for and to our God?

The things that our Lord endured FOR US on that cross and beyond imagination! And yet, HE DID IT. The almighty God DIED for you and I! He did not have to but out of His love for you and I He CHOSE to...That thought alone makes me want to live each and everyday in thankfulness for what He has done. To offer myself for His service as He offered His body as atonement for me...

Here is a quote that ,when I first read it, made me stop dead in my tracks. I actually have it hanging on my wall now. Take some time and ponder this last thought:

"Tell me in light of the cross, isn't it a scandal that you and I live today as we do?" - Alan Redpath. "

Christ died for us...the least we can do is live for Him! Something to think about...

That is part of what I shared during Bible study last night.

Afterwords, I found out that a little girl named Nora.

Went to my sister Jen.

Nora is actually on Jen's team at work.

She and her sister and Dad had come over last night for Bible study.

The girls sat in on our girls Bible study upstairs.

Nora asked Jen if she was saved.

Jen told her that yes she is.

Nora then said: "Well I am not."

Right then and there Jen was able to share the gospel with Nora.

Nora was broken about her sin.

She realized she was not good enough to get to heaven on her own.

She realized that she needed to believe in Jesus Christ.

She realized that she needed to repent of her sins.

And so she did.

Last night in a little country church in the middle of nowhere.

Nora gave her life to Jesus Christ and a new name was added to the Lamb's book of life! WOW! What an AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!!!!

The angels were rejoicing last night! :)

I am so in awe of my God! Truly, He is so worthy!

Is He worth your all?

Little Tidbits

Tidbit #1:

As many of you know, last night was the first
ever girls Bible study at my house! I was so
thankful for how the first one turned out!
Right now we are focusing on what it is
to be a girl that lives a 110% Surrendered
life to Christ (go figure) and so last
night we started with...CHRIST.
These girls are AMAZING (and we didn't get
pictures of all the girls sadly but
here are some):






Margo. Christy. Cassie. Stephanie. Jacquie, Jen. Cindy. Allie. Makayla.

I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us! Please pray that He would continue to give me wisdom as I am leading the Bible study. Above all I only desire that HE would be honored and glorified and that the girls would be challenged and encouraged in their faith.

Tidbit #2:

I have decided to challenge myself to see if I can go one month without chocolate, candy or deserts of any kind. Not because I am dieting or think I am fat or any of those other "normal" reasons. Nope. I am doing it because I want to see if I have enough self control to do it.

*INSERT SOB HERE*

I seriously thought that it would not be a problem at all "because I really don't ever have a lot of opportunity to eat deserts/candy."

Yesterday was my first day.

In scrap booking club at work I had to say no to STAR BURSTS AND SKITTLES. That was rough but I worked through it.

Then I came home and was preparing for the Bible study and started craving some of those LIFESAVER MINT THINGS. When Jen informed me that they were indeed candy...well...it was rough but I worked through it.

There was ICE CREAM CAKE at Bible study last night. Oh those oreos and whipped topping looked amazing! But ,even though it was rough, I worked through it (plus it was Neapolitan ice cream which I don't really like anyway so what made it easier!).

THEN. The WORST thing EVER happened.
My loving sister Abby.
Brought in a
HUGE
HEAPING
MOUND
of...
CHOCOLATE.
She set it on my bed.
And ALL THE GIRLS EXCEPT ME
started to eat it.
THAT WAS TORMENT.
Ever been SURROUNDED
by EIGHT GIRLS
eating chocolate bars?
The smell.
The pain.
WOW.
IT WAS ROUGH!
BUT.
I DID IT!

Now...I am on the second day.
Sheesh.
I didn't expect it to be THIS hard!

Tidbit #3:
I was blog surfing today (I love Saturdays!)
and came across Her Price is Far Above Rubies.

One of Jessica's post included this video by Leslie Ludy
on TRUE BEAUTY. I was so challenged and encouraged after watching so I thought I would share it with you girls:



Isn't that amazing? What are your thoughts on it? I would love to hear them either by comments OR email! ;)

Tidbit #4:

I have really started to make more of an effort to get my life more in order when it comes to practical things like learning how to cook and clean, keeping my room clean, getting up earlier in the morning (HAH still working on that one I am NOT really a morning person), making a TO-DO list the night before each day, keeping on top of school and working towards achieving my goals.

Have I mentioned I am so thankful I serve a GRACIOUS Heavenly Father?

One of the little projects I love the most lately is a collage of quotes I have collected over the years and ended up putting on my wall.

 
 
 
Tidbit #5:

Oh the many faces of Abby! This was at a girl's night we had with one of our friends Jacquie and UNLIKE THE PICTURES SUGGEST I WAS NOT TORTURING HER!

It was such a fun night and actually was the first time I had ever had pictures taken WITHOUT MY GLASSES so ,besides the amusement I am sure you will get from Abby's facial expressions, you also get to see ME. The one WITHOUT glasses :)



Ok! That was a really long post filled with...
well...
tidbits.

I am off to eat some lunch and get caught up on some emails that are LONG overdue!

You know those times when?

Hey all!
So you know those times when you have this whispering of an idea?
I had one of those at the beginning of this week.
I was talking to Lauren and she had been
asking me about Bible study ideas for a study her
and some friends were planning on starting.
As I was talking to her I kept thinking how neat it
would be to be able to start a Bible study for girls
AND GUESS WHAT?
The next night I was approached to start a Bible study
for girls,
We have decided that I will be leading it on Frieday
nights as we already have so many people over
and normally a group of us girls
end up apart anyway.
I am super excited for this opportunity!
I am really praying that the Lord will be
honored and glorified in it!

So for all you GIRLS out there:

What kinds of things would YOU be interested
in studying at a Bible study?

What issues do YOU deal with day to day?

I might end up taking these devotionals and
transfering them into some blog posts...

We will see ;)