Dragonflies in My Pocket

My Last Letter

2012-01-21T21:00:00.006-05:00

Read this first ---> http://thelastletter.org/ (Click on the 'Our Story' tab)

I'm not sharing this with y'all to make myself seem 'holier than thou' or any of that stuff. I do count on my readers to hold me accountable for this... and if anything does happen... to show this letter to those who probably wouldn't see it otherwise. <3

"The missionary heart:
Cares more than some think is wise
Risks more than some think is safe
Dreams more than some think is practical
Expects more than some think is possible"
- Karen Watson

Dear friends and family,

If you’re reading this – then I’ve probably passed on to be with the Lord. As I write this – I’m looking forward to going out and being on the mission field. I love each and every one of you. I know that this work is risky, but this is what God has called me to do. I never want you to think that this could have changed, or that God just sent me to my death. Some are called to go - this was my passion - my part in His sufferings. I was called to go, so I went. I say with confidence that I am now in the arms of my Savior – as you a reading this. Rejoicing with everyone who has passed on before me – before us- I do not regret going out on the field – not for one moment. Those people needed to hear. Everyone needs to hear – regardless of where those people might be. Even if letting them hear means we suffer or give things up for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.

Be strong in the Lord – NEVER give up hope. God is strong in our weakness – because when we are weak, then HIS power and glory can shine through. The things that are worth the most in life – are not easy to get. Sometimes we just have to let go of all our preconceptions, our judgments, our fears – and we need to risk everything – we need to be courageous. Sometimes comfort and riches – are nothing in comparison with what serving Christ our Lord brings.

To God be the Glory.

With Love,

Emily

Almost a year later...

2011-12-30T20:57:00.002-05:00

So almost a year ago I posted my last blog. I meant to keep up with this - so I'll try to keep up with it better from now on. It's been quite a year.

On my last post, I remember that I said something about going back to Brazil. That I did - last March - and I'm saving up for my next trip & seminary - through checking people out at the lovely local Kmart.

Throughout the year - if I were to tell you what happened with a few sentences - it would probably be something like this - I began the year hopeful - wanting to make the best of everything that came my way. Not everything that came this year was good... but not everything bad. My Sophomore year of college began and soon I'll be in my 2nd semester of it. Two people who I was close to passed on to be with our Lord. Ms. Sue Newcomer and Mrs. Joyce McIntosh. These were both ladies who went to my church that I grew rather close to. Ms. Sue Newcomer and I had gotten so close together - that I had a house key and was over at her house 3+ times a week... including before her death... She was a best friend to me. It seems like I have a tenancy to loose best friends. They get mad and leave, or the stop talking to me for no apparent reason... or they die. However, dying, while it's hard on all of us who get left behind, for these two wonderful ladies, I know for sure I'll see them again in Heaven. Without a doubt. A friend of mine moved in with us about 2 years ago... and she had a baby. For the first half of the semester I had a small child to help take care of.. for the last half I was helping Sue out for extended periods.. up until her death. So it would probably be an understatement that this semester was hard. My grades fell... I started with 5 classes... I dropped 2, failed one... and wound up with 2 B's. All of that drama, seems to just be the major points, but of course there's always more - some of which I won't share to the whole world - even though the people who this involves will probably never see this post - because no matter how many times I post it, they're just not interested in reading something I write - even if I do sum it all up into some sort of devotional.

While all of that is super hard - I'm reminded that God is always in control. I know that's one thing I'm going to need to learn how to count on if I wind up on the mission field - completely dependent on Him. No matter what we go through, we need to believe that God will get us through it, and he has a plan - even if we REALLY don't like that plan. I know that's a tough one to believe, but what would happen if we really did trust that God knew what He was doing? Life might be easier. I know it's easier said than done... but we have to remember Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. "

So there is a purpose in all of this.

In conclusion - my advice to you would be to hold on with everything you have... and attempt to make a b-line towards the Father.

Discipline

2011-02-25T00:03:00.005-05:00

A few hours ago, I broke down. I cried like no other. In the past 3 months I've lost my best friend, my job, and honestly, probably my sanity.... however, I'm also 1 week away from going back to Brazil. [The place where I gave my heart completely to missions.]

When I lost my best friend - officially - I was heartbroken, and still am. So, it wasn't meant to be? Okay. Well... what does that leave me with? -- A new school... without too many friends.. maybe one or two, but not anyone I'm particularly close to. I have school... 3 classes, that I tend to study my head off, and I had a job.. but now that's gone now too. I have been... wanting to hide from God. For no particular reason... I've just wanted to hide. I've wanted to portray the perfect life - without a care in the world, seeming to follow God, while somehow still following the American Dream.

Somehow, in the end, I'd be the one with the white picket fence, a loving husband, several kids, and plenty of money.

In the past few weeks, especially in the past few hours, I feel like I've been hit over the head.

Sometimes the the dark times we have - when God disciplines us, is when we learn the most.

As the "Radical" booket from David Platt questions...

"What if we were created, not to advance ourselves, but to deny ourselves? What if Jesus is worth of more in our lives than a Christian spin on the American dream?
And what if there is greater, more lasting success, security, safety, and satisfaction that can be found only in RADICAL devotion to Him?"

The deal is - that we WERE created to deny ourselves. Jesus said in Luke 14:33, ""Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple."

What are you willing to give up for Him?

Most of us have been on a mission trip. Most of us know how to work for the church. We don't do this every day, we don't act the same way we do at church as we do in our personal lives. We should. We should give everything completely over to God. Our thoughts, our hearts, our minds, our computer, our television, even our class time. We should seek God in everything, including the trials.

No one does this automatically. It takes discipline and God disciplines those He loves.

" And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?^d]">[d] He said,

“My child,^e]">[e] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”^f]">[f]

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?^g]">[g]

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong."

Hebrews 12:5-13

Take heart, and be encouraged child of God.

John 16:33 says:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Christmas

2010-12-25T11:31:00.004-05:00

As Christmas morning rolled around, I was snuggled in my bed after a late night of endometriosis pain and talking to friends. I fell asleep around... 5 am, and was woken up by a family member at about 10. Expecting Santa had come, I arose out of bed, and walked down the hall. After my brother and I were given the okay, we went for our stockings and our presents. As usual, I was expecting what I asked for. The previous year.. everything I even hinted at, I got. This year... I didn't get one thing that was on my Christmas list. I had suggested a band - MercyMe. I have a few songs of theirs, but not a whole album. Instead... my parents got me around 20 Third Day cds... which is okay, but I've never been a huge fan of Third Day. They got me a movie that I've watched twice and loved... a book that's the sequel to that and a hello kitty toaster. What really had me disappointed was the fact that my parents didn't listen to my requests. Sure, all that stuff is okay and all, but what I really wanted was Lost season 6. Disappointed, I took all my gifts and went back to my room.

After awhile a few minutes, I picked up a devotional book [Morning and Evening by Spurgeon].. and started to read. It occurred to me that I had been looking at everything... all wrong. While the gifts are nice, that's not the reason we celebrate Christmas. Sometimes we get so carried away with getting and giving... that we forget what Christmas is truly about.

While I'm still a little upset, I know that I have no reason to be. Christ was born without anything... and he took on the very nature of a servant... and didn't see equality with God something to be grasped. [Phil 2] Our savior was born in the most humble of places... and had Christ had a Christmas - with gifts and all... I bet He wouldn't have gotten the best gifts - coming from a poor family. The Son of God... was poor, humble, and ready to serve. Christ gave us the choice to know the father, even though we've sinned. He was the ultimate sacrifice.

So, while I didn't get what I wanted, it really doesn't matter. So what if I'm not in perfect health or don't have the perfect family. Christ sacrificed so much more... so what's a little "suffering" every now and then? If we could even call it that.... compared to what Christ suffered.

While we might be disappointed... or even overjoyed at what we got for Christmas, don't forget the Best Gift Ever... the one that truly matters - Little Baby Jesus.

Merry Christmas.

Note - to watch the video, first scroll down and pause the music player... then hit play on the video. Listen to the words.

To Love or Not to Love?

2010-11-18T01:05:00.006-05:00

So, in short, it's been a rough couple of weeks. Several friends that I've had for... quite a long time seem distant. People betray and look down on other people. Some people get jealous and put themselves above other people. Others talk behind our backs, but still call themselves our friends.

1st Corinthians 13 says....

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Now honestly, I can't say that I've followed this to the letter. I've done the exact opposite of love to people I love extremely much... and that, I'm sorry for. However, I'm not the only one. We've all done it.

John 2:24-25 says, "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. " - Jesus KNEW what was in each person's heart... the opposite of love.

Thankfully, when all else fails, love does not... and God is love.

Thank God for His Marvelous Grace!

As Psalms 73:26 says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

In the Words of Matt Papa-

"You are all I need
My portion forever
The strength of my heart and my life
My sufficiency
In You I take refuge
You're my all when all is gone".

Praise be to our never-failing, loving God! To God be the Glory Forever and Ever.
We need to become less, so HE can become more.
Amen.

Cherry on Top?

2010-11-18T00:44:00.007-05:00

That's right folks, an award.

The author of Life: Love & Livin' In it, gave me an award. I'd like to send a special thanks to her. :)

**Watch for a new post. I'm working on one, but I wanted to post this separate as a special type of thing. I would pass this on to other blogs, but I don't want people to get upset if I award one and don't another.

Beautiful

2010-10-09T02:39:00.006-04:00

So... Last night, a friend and I were hanging out. We were playing on my laptop, in my school's main parking lot. - [Just because. ] I get wi-fi all over campus.- So, during this time, after several sodas at Stake 'n' Shake, we had to pee. It was pretty late... maybe around 9 o' clock, and the campus was still open, due to night classes. We went inside, got to a bathroom... and after a moment of relief, we went to wash our hands, and found a post-it on the mirror. [See picture.] It read, as you can plainly see, "You are loved by many. www.operationbeautiful.com"

-- If you haven't heard of Operation Beautiful, it's a lovely thing where you post random sticky notes in public places, telling the people that they're beautiful and worth it, promoting higher self-esteem. As we all know, our society has a major problem with low self-esteem. Society tends to look down on those of us that are a bit heavier, or aren't perfect in their eyes. The media photoshops and alters things in magazines so much, and so many people seek out surgeries in order to look like 'America's next top model'. Some people say that doesn't have any affect on them, but usually it does effect everyone, in some way. Think about it - if you were told you're beautiful or handsome, wouldn't that boost your day a little? Instead of looking down on yourself?

In fact, the Bible says we're one of a kind. We are God's WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he prepared in advance for us to do. [Ephesians 2:10] So, like an artist, God created us. We're His masterpiece. He knit us together in our mothers womb. [Psalm 139:13] Just like an Artist, it is an insult to God when we hate how He made us. God doesn't want us to have low self-esteem. However, he doesn't want us to be prideful, either. There's a balance. We have to remember that God created us. We are created in HIS image. [Genesis 1:27] Sin distorted that image, but through Christ, we are restored to what God created us to be - because Jesus takes away the sin that distorts. God wants us to be what he created us to be. He created us to glorify him. We are to take care of His temple, which, is our physical bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

That means, no cutting, no low self-esteem, no eating disorders... none of that- nothing that destroys or harms the body. Don't even think about doing any of those things. We are to 'honor God with [our] body' - not destroy it.

Remember, you are beautiful. God made you that way.

Beautifully Broken

2010-07-26T23:55:00.010-04:00

So, not that long ago, the class of 2010 graduated high school... and I was in that class. That day was exciting, and I didn't think it would be so life changing. Now my former life, of taking care of Grandmur and going to high school, is over. Everything is changing. Reality is settling in, and it can be quite striking sometimes. Friends are moving away, and I'm staying here, to commit, and make a passion of mine come true- Learning Portuguese and preparing for the future that lies ahead of me in my personal ministry. I never really thought of the cost of being a disciple... I mean, it hit my mind a little bit when I was first called to be a missionary, but it hits harder as you slowly go though the process...

In Luke chapter 14, verses 25 through 35, it reads...

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

It took me a minute to realize what this was talking about. In Matthew 16:24 Jesus says...

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Multiple times in the Gospel Jesus says to Follow Him... but it following Him isn't simply going to church every Sunday... Following him means giving up everything. If Jesus asks you to leave behind your family and friends, your house, money, food, job... if He asked you to leave everything behind except the clothes you had on.. would you honestly do it?

Or would you claim that he's not really calling you to leave everything behind, and just go through the motions of being a Christian, and not really follow Him..

Christianity isn't about making yourself happy, or fulling your own desires. Your focus should be on GOD and Him alone. As Christian, you do not have any rights, you surrendered them, along with your heart, to God when you became a Christian. We, however, do have a new found freedom. Freedom from sin, but to get this, we must surrender totally and completely. Our motive should be to glorify the Father.

Being a Christian means letting Jesus be your Lord and Savior... meaning your His. What a relief this is, that we are not our own!!! What a joy that settles in our hearts.

I challenge you to get out of doing "business as usual" for God.

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

Jude 1:24-25

What Grandmur Taught Me

2010-07-08T00:43:00.006-04:00

Recently, as most of you know, one of my very close adopted family members passed on to be with our Lord. As I look back, We had a thing going. I'd go to school, get to her house, and spend the rest of the day with her...even if it meant sitting in the chair next to her doing my homework.. it was still time with her. I only really knew her for 2 1/2 years, but she taught me a lot during those years... and is still teaching me, in a way.

When I started coming over, it was right after a horrible battle with endometriosis and a touch of depression. I was enrolled in the alternative school... because I had been absent from regular high school for almost 3 months. I didn't think there was a way out of it. Then, My friend, her son, whom I am very close to - invited me over to spend time with her. So I came over.. I was torn, but that didn't matter to her. I knew she could tell... but she didn't care. She simply loved me anyway.

Time passed, and I'd come over every day... We'd watch westerns, and the Titanic [the 1953 version.. not the one with Leonardo DiCaprio in it, but we watched that one once together.] also, Raise of the Titanic... we'd sink it.. and raise it.. and sink it again.. and raise it again... and then we'd watch the whooooole saga of Lonesome dove.... mind you, it took 8 hours to get through the whole thing. She told me stories about pickin' cotton, the great depression, and snake bites... attempted to make me eat pork rinds and liver... which btw, I don't like.... and she truly cared for me... and I for her. It really didn't matter what we did... we just loved on each other.

Two weeks ago... I said my last "I love you" to her... she said her last "I love you too" and gave her last smile. The next time I saw her, she probably couldn't hear us... and she was breathing really hard. I told her, "I love you, and I know you love me. I'll see you later.".. and then I kissed her on forehead, for the last time.

The next day, I was told she had passed away. I never saw the corpse, but it probably would have been too shocking for me to see her body anyway. She was buried in Gadsden, Alabama.

The reality is.. I WILL see her later in our heavenly home. She taught me how to love in way I wouldn't even be able to comprehend with out her. She taught me that it's very extremely important to always trust in God and not lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5). She trusted God during her suffering... when she was going... and I could tell... we all could.

She's teaching me now, in the grieving process that God puts things in our path to grow us. The way of the Christian life is difficult, if done correctly... but as Oswald Chambers states....

Enter by the narrow gate . . . . Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life . . . —Matthew 7:13-14

If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in—it stirs us up to overcome. Do we appreciate the miraculous salvation of Jesus Christ enough to be our utmost for His highest—our best for His glory?

God saves people by His sovereign grace through the atonement of Jesus, and “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” ( Philippians 2:13 ). But we have to “work out” that salvation in our everyday, practical living (Philippians 2:12). If we will only start on the basis of His redemption to do what He commands, then we will find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not yet put into practice what God has placed within us. But a crisis will reveal whether or not we have been putting it into practice. If we will obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has placed within us by His Spirit, then when a crisis does come we will find that our own nature, as well as the grace of God, will stand by us.

Thank God that He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a joyous thing, but it is also something that requires bravery, courage, and holiness. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10) , and God will not shield us from the requirements of sonship. God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life. And it is always necessary for us to make an effort to live a life of worth and excellence.

Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest -- July 7th

Grandmur lived that life of excellence... and she set an example. What a glorious thing for Christ.

But now, it's our turn.... what will be our choice? How are we going to live our lives? What will people say about us after we've gone home? Will we get that, "Well done, good and faithful servant"?.... That all depends on the choices we make now. Choose carefully, ALWAYS take God into account, and let HIM guide you... and HE will make your paths straight. But remember, for Him to do that... you've got to let Him.

You need to always be... forever His.

Giving Our All in All

2010-06-11T01:39:00.009-04:00

About a year ago, I asked God to help me save up for a mission trip to Brazil. I was Jr. in high school.... and I was yearning to go back, for a second time. Since then, my dad promised to buy 1/2 of my way to Brazil. So I started saving up my hard earned $50 or so every other week. I graduated high school, and now here I am. A new high school graduate... with a little over half her money to go to Brazil in upcoming September. Now... let's stop and think before I go too much further. A trip to Brazil.. is quite a bit. An 18 yr old, with out a job.. having a little more than half? That's quite an ordeal already. Yesterday, I got to thinking that I have extra at the moment... so.. why not waver a little bit... and buy an ipod? I've wanted a nano for over 6 years... and I still want one.. with the video recorder, and all those other fancy gismos and gadgets. So.. why not right? I'll grab the money, buy the ipod, and the rest will go for Brazil. At this point, there was nooo problem.

Today, I started talking about getting my ipod. I think I even talked about it when I was cleaning my car today... actually, I'm pretty sure I did. I've really wanted this ipod for a loonnng time... and I'm finally going to get it.

But then the thought came to me... I told God that if he gave me the money, I'd put every penny of it towards Brazil, and tithe.... but this was some of the graduation money... does it count? I had no idea. After talking it over with a few close friends, I decided, as childish as it seemed, to ask God if I could get an ipod.

Before I could, when I was driving home from my friends house, I had a convo with my dad about the Brazil money... of course, like always, dad started waving in his promise... Will my dad really pay half? I don't know. Will he help me pay for college? I don't know. I hope.... So, hey dad, can I get an ipod. Sure, give me the money. [I knew this would be his answer, but what worried me was the college and the Brazil money part.]

So by the time I got home, I was extremely worried about all of this, and I still wanted my ipod. After 13 years of school, and working extremely hard to get this far... I deserve an ipod, right?

Now, think right now, what would you do in my situation? Buy the ipod?

Well... I got to thinking... what is more important... A mission trip, or an ipod?... Neither. The only thing that is important is seeking God. In all honesty, an ipod doesn't matter, to say the least. We, as Christians, need to be seeking God with all our hearts, not just part of them... and if that means giving up getting an ipod.. so what? I may get that ipod one day.. but it REALLY DOESN'T MATTER. It doesn't matter if I have this or that.... as long as I have God.. and I always will, because He said that He will never leave me or forsake me [Hebrews 13:5], I'm good.

We're supposed to give God our ALL in ALL... not just part of it. You don't hear people singing, "1/10 to Jesus I surrender"... they sing, "ALL to Jesus I surrender"... Do we really mean that? Will we really give all we have?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity." - Jeremiah 29:11-14

Note: I did wind up getting the ipod, however, I really do have half of my Brazil money. God is good.

What Will It Be?

2010-01-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

Your life can completely turn around within a few minutes. The way we live our lives is usually determined by our circumstances. Always remember our circumstances can change in a heartbeat. Never get too comfortable... but remember, God says, "Therefore I tell you, Do not worry about your life, what you eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" - Matthew 6:25. He says that he will take care care of us. In normal circumstances, children do not have to worry about if they will get food or clothes. They automatically assume their parents will provide for them. How much more will God provide for us, since we are God's children?!? God wants us to focus on him, no matter the circumstances. [See Matthew 14:22-36] Our circumstances and emotions should not determine who we are, or how we live our lives. Only God should determine this. God is our rock. He is unshakable. He will never change. [See Psalm 18:2]

-So why don't we just trust Him? He wants us to. He wants to have a relationship with us... and He wants that so badly that He sent HIS son to DIE for us, so that we might become righteous. [See Romans 3:21-26] If we accept Christ's sacrifice, if we believe that He is the Son of God then we ARE the Children of God. [See John 3:1-21] As Children of God, God wants us to have a relationship with us. He wants us to come to Him as children would come to Him.

-- Do we trust Him or do we live like children of the world, trusting only in ourselves?

Graduation, Future plans, and our hearts.

2009-11-07T22:45:00.002-05:00

Invitations. Senior Pictures. Invitations. Cap and Gown ordering. College applications. Future planning. Taking the SAT's. Where are you going to go to college, and what are you going to do to make a living? Who will you be? How on earth are you going to get this right, you don't want to make a mistake and then screw everything up... Will I pass Algebra? If you do, will you pass government.. Will you be walking across the stage in your cap and gown? How will you be remembered your Senior year? You only get one life.. how are you going to spend it?

These were the thoughts that have been passing though my mind the past few weeks. We've ordered gaps and gowns. Invites. Hoodies. Memory books. Things to "preserve high school in my memory and share my accomplishments with loved ones.".. or at least, that's what they told me. My mind is set.. I'm going to graduate.. I'm going to become someone.. I'm not going to be a nobody... or will I be? Will I be the girl who serves coffee to you every morning? How about the girl who checks you out at Walmart? Who knows. I want to say I have an idea what's going to happen in my future. Truth is, I know what I want to have happen... but what if that's not what happens? What if something totally different happens?

Then I realized, It doesn't matter. God knows what he's doing. He knows what he wants to do in our lives, and he will do it if we grant him access to grow and work in our hearts. It's just my job to seek Him. Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." Psalm 14:2 -3 says, "The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." -- Okay, so we're all evil, and yet, God has a plan for us -- a plan to prosper, not to harm, and to give us a future. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Okay -- so God loves us so much He sent His Son, whom is still GOD, and died for us, so that we might have eternal life. John 17:3 says, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." -- So, now we need to know God... learn from him, and grow. In Jeremiah 29, as previously stated, it says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." So, our job is to seek God. Seek first the kingdom.. [Matthew 6:33].

So instead of worrying [Matt. 6:25, do not worry..] about all of this.. future stuff, no matter what it is. Let us concern ourselves instead with spiritual things!

"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God." - 1st Chronicles 22:19

Hurting People

2009-08-21T22:38:00.004-04:00

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." Philippians 2:1-2

Look at the people around you.. Do you know every single aspect of their lives? Most likely, the answer is no. It's has been brought to my attention that you never know when someone is hurting.. You never know what some one is going through. Remember to encourage one another. Don't argue for the sake of arguing, and don't complain. Instead, love one another. Be kind to one another and encourage one another. Don't worry about what other people think about you. Be responsible for yourself, and care for other people. The person across from you, or in the other room, or the people you go to school with, or the people who teach you, in most cases are going though something. An English teacher just the other day told me that one of her reltives died.. I had no idea.. and then I started to look around.. there are people crying, people being hurt or hurting all around us. This world NEEDS Jesus Christ.. just think how miserable it would be without the One who saves us! Without the one is with us always, always helping us, and always loving us.. we would be nothing. Jesus loves everyone around us just as much as he loves us. He loves the person we brushed off this morning, and the math teacher we got upset at because he was late. God loves the person that gives us the most trouble, and He wants them to come to Him, so that he might help them, so that he might save them. Who are we to stand in the way of this? Be encouraging to everyone, and let Christ work though you. If you have learned anything from being a Christian, let it be this: Be, " like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Don't be negative. Be positive." Phil. 2:2

Suffering, Obedience, and Grace

2009-08-11T00:48:00.007-04:00

How many of us cringe when we hear the word "suffering".. how about "obedience"? If we don't cringe at the word, most of us will cringe when we think about someone getting on to us for doing something wrong, like our mothers, using our full names when we were little, right after we ruined our clothes, or smashed some family heirloom... But what if this "suffering" was for the glory of God? [See 1 Peter 4:19 and Romans 8:28] Have you ever wondered... why on earth did God put me in the situation I am today? -- He did it BECAUSE you can glorify Him most where you are right now. There is a story about a man...

One day God took one of His servants, named Servant, to a high mountain and said to Servant, “See this huge rock?”

Servant said, “Yes!”

God said, “I want you to push it until I return. Will you do that?”

“Yes, I will,” replied Servant. So he undertook the task.

Years and years went by and the servant did not see God. But, because he had promised, he continued to push the huge rock.

After many more years of pushing, Servant became discouraged. He began to think, “I don’t see any reason why I should push this huge rock. It makes no sense and I see no reason for doing it. This is worthless.”

Soon after that, God appeared before Him and said, “Are you faithfully pushing my rock?”

Servant said, “Yes! But this makes no sense to me. I’ve been pushing this huge rock for years and it hasn’t moved an inch. I just want to give up.”

Then God said, “I never told you to move the rock. I only wanted you to push it. Step back and look at yourself.”

Servant stepped back and looked at himself. What he found was not the small, weak skinny servant who began pushing the rock. He saw a big, strong muscular servant who was fit for any task God may have for him.

Servant, don’t stop pushing your rock. Life is full of them, and God often sends us to push them. Don’t pick your own. Let God show you your rock. Then faithfully push it, and wait in faithfulness. He will explain eventually. But the goal isn't simply obedience. It is oneness with the Lord that leads to complete obedience. Oneness with Him, without anything interfering, is the only good thing. Then He can say, "Come, follow me."

Sometimes the most important thing you can do, is to obey. Even when it doesn't make sense. [Proverbs 3:5-6] -- Remember when you were a small child, and adults would tell you not to do something.. like don't touch the stove? They told you not to touch the stove because it was hot.. if you touched it, you would get burnt. If you're like me at all, you may not have wanted to obey them, but it was the best thing... if you didn't, you would get punished.. if you're like me, it wouldn't be just sitting in the corner... sitting in the corner would have sounded good compared to what my parents would do... but God.. has grace, and patience. If we mess up, we try again. Isn't that amazing?

Have you ever thought how many times you and I have messed up??.. Do you know how many times God wants to forgive us? We just need to ask, and truly mean it.. There is no hiding anything from God. We need to learn to build our relationship with the father, to the point that we say, "I'll do anything for You, Lord, because you are my Father, and my God, and You are worthy.".. so much to the degree of being willing to sit on a shelf and not do anything, if God tells us too... or to hold a grocery bag.. or clean the litter box. It doesn't matter too much what you are doing for God.. it's what's in your heart that counts. God's calling you.. are you talking to Him? spending time with Him? If you have trouble.. ask for help... Our life's with God should be so dependent on Him, that we should be like two year old's.. looking up to their Father for all their needs, and confident that they will receive what they need

No matter what the circumstances, we should ALWAYS seek first the kingdom. [Matthew 6:33]

Isn't God amazing? He forgives us of everything, puts US in His glorious will [if we let Him], AND is patient with us, no matter what. The Bible says God is love [1 John 4:8] He loves us more than all the stars in the sky.. I encourage you to get in touch with Him today.. He's waiting and longing for our return. [Luke 15:11-32]

God Bless.

Obedience, Trust, and Faith

2009-08-04T00:07:00.000-04:00

In the past few weeks, I've been learning about obedience. Throughout the gospels, Jesus had one main goal - To obey the Father. Jesus was always seeking the will of the Father (John 5:30)-- Not what Jesus himself wanted to do, but what God the Father wanted Him to do.

As Christians, we constantly say we believe the Bible is the complete truth.. but how many of us have read the whole thing? If we have, how many of us study it every day without flaw? Even if we do that, how many of us put what we read into action? What if every one of us gave our life's completely over to Christ? How wonderful would that be? It would be better than we ever imagined.

As Christians, we're going to have troubles. -- But Jesus said, in John 16:33 - "For in this World you will have troubles, but take heart, for I have conquered the world." We say we're afraid, God says He didn't give us a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7) We say we're frustrated. God said cast your cares on ME. (1 Peter 5:7) We say we can't manage. God says He will supply all our needs. (Philippians 4:19)... I sometimes wonder how sad Jesus gets when we forget to talk to Him. We say we will.. and then we don't.. or we say we'll trust Him.. and then we don't. I wonder how that makes Him feel.. probably not too good. Praise be to God! For He has patience and understanding, and waits and loves us, even when we do not deserve it.

Remember: Keep your eyes on Jesus, and do not get discouraged when you see no hope, for we can not see what is right in front of us! Jesus is always with us (Hebrews 13:5) - but sometimes we can't see Him.. almost like the moon. We can see the moon very clearly sometimes.. but other times the moon is covered by clouds. Clouds - or our troubles, seem to block God.. seem to make Him seem unreal, but it is the CLOUDS that is "the Spirit of God teaching us how to walk by faith." [Chambers] Don't concern yourself with what is going to happen in the future. Instead, focus on Jesus, and Obeying the Father. Everything will fall in place. Trust Him...

[[Ideas credited first and foremost to God, and then to "My Utmost for His Highest" - Oswald Chambers]]

Bring the Rain

2009-07-28T01:37:00.008-04:00

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." ~ Romans 5:2b-4

How many of us have, at one point or another, struggled with something? Maybe you've had a rough family life, or maybe you've had a fight with a friend, or there's health issues going on, or someone is in jail, and you're parents aren't perfect, or maybe, you told a little fib, or you struggle in your faith.. or maybe, you're like me and you struggle with everything. Remember, everybody struggles. You're not the only one. Even Jesus struggled.. and He is the Son of God. He allowed Himself to suffer so that Glory would be given to God. He also did this out of obedience. Jesus said "If you love me, you will obey what I command" [John 14:15] Jesus obeyed the Father, by coming down to Earth, and giving His life for us. Imagine what it would be like, to know what it's like to be in Heaven, and then, come down to Earth, for 33 years, and then die on a tree. We focus so much on what Jesus did for us - He died on the cross. However, the 33 years he spent here, we're so precious. Satan tempted Him.. Jesus resisted, but he still struggled, however, unlike us, He obeyed the father at all times, even when it came to death. Jesus struggled a lot when it came time for Him to die. He asked the Father to take his cup away from him, if it was HIS will. We always tend to think that Jesus didn't suffer as much as we do.. He took on everything. Since, we as Christians do not belong to the World, and we are evil, in the flesh alone, We're going to struggle. Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Think of it this way: We are like purified gold. Beautiful, in the beholders eyes, but to make it without flaw, it must go through the flames. What if, our troubles, and hardships were put there to help you grow and glorify God? Jesus died on the cross, and took on our battles for us. Let Him guide you. Ask Him to help you. Compared to what Jesus, the SON OF GOD, did for you, what's a little rain?

Coffee

2009-07-26T00:17:00.005-04:00

"God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love... Know this: God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon." ~ Deuteronomy 7:7-10

The fact is: God loves you very much. He set each and every one of you apart, through sanctification. Don't say, oh, He doesn't love me, because he loves everyone. Yeah, yeah, I know if you're reading this page, you've probably heard that a zillion times, but it's true. If he didn't love you, why did He send His son? Why did He create such a beautiful Earth for us to dwell on? He created each and every blade of grass.. each dragonfly. Did you know that dragonflies can fly backwards? Did you know that God provides for them to keep living? He can do the same for us, helping us in every way, if only we let Him. We all struggle. Don't let that discourage you. Instead, be encouraged. All you have to do is give God permission. "Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him." [Oswald Chambers] Meaning, to give your all in all for Him.. Will you do that?