Happy 2007!

HAPPY 2007 EVERYONE!

For me, 2006 was a year of hardships and a year of lessons. This year I lost a lot, some of those close to me know that, most can't tell. But during all my hard times I learned some really awesome lessons. Here's one.

For the first time this year I understood the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11. The verse 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 a hope and a future.'"

This has played a big part in my life during 2006. I heard this verse from my dad when I was little, and it is posted on our fridge, but I never really did understand what it meant. It has come into play in my life for the last few months especially when it was hard. As some of you know, I don't have a mom... she died when I was a year and a half. It hasn't been that hard on me, well until this year. It isn't always easy to be the only girl in your family. Just ask me.... It has helped me in the past years, cause I have a good friend who was like a mom to me, who lived really close to me, but in October she moved, and that was really hard on me. In those hard times, that is when I realized something awesome. This past summer my dad told me that I was no longer going to go to the school that I had gone to since preschool, and he was going to put me in public school. I thought about that, and I didn't want it to happen. I didn't know how I could leave all my awesome friends and have to move schools. But during that hard time, again that verse came to me.

Jeremiah 29:11~ "'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 a HOPE and a FUTURE.'"

My hardships all happen for a reason, and I am learning to except that. I don't understand why they all happen, and sometimes I question God for why they do, but all I know is that God's plan is better then my own. Life is hard for me a lot of the time, even though a lot of people don't see it, I could say that I'm pretty good at that whole mask deal. I don't like talking to people about how I really feel, and I just kinda cover it up. I put on what you could call "tough me mask" the one that makes me look strong and tough, even though I know that I'm not. But, everyone has there hard times, and mine are probably different then yours, but no matter what they are, big or small, they are all under God's control. Nothing is TOO BIG for God to handle. He makes everything happen, and he make everything happen for a reason. Even when it seems like God messed up on you, or messed up on what happened, yeah right! God never messes up, and he does everything for a reason. EVERYTHING!

Those of you who have struggles in your life probably understand this better then the people who have pretty good lives. But, I know what it is like to feel like you have no one on your side, and like you are all alone. I know what pain feels like, trust me, I know that... really well. I know what it's like to feel like no one understands you, I know what struggles are like. I know how hard they are, and I know how some of you may feel. I've been there, I've felt it, I know what pain is like, and I know its not easy. And I know for sure that it isn't easy to trust what I said is true, and sometimes it takes a lot of faith, but once you let God take total control of your life, he will use you to do awesome things, things that you never understand why he has you do, but it will all work out well in the end.

Once you let God take full and complete control in your life, He will show you amazing reasons for everything that he has done, all you have to do is trust, and let God use you life in every way that He wants to. So... you will to give God a chance? Let him have full and complete control? Are you ready to go on a ride of your life with God in control? If so... do it, and let God have your life and use it in the way he wants to use it. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime, with God in control?

"American Dream" Casting Crowns

And he works and he builds with his own two hands
And he pours all he has in a castle made with sand
But the wind and the rain are comin' crashing in
Time will tell just how long his kingdom stands
His kingdom stands

Have you ever heard the story about the foolish and the wise builder? Here it is right from the Bible.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

When I was little I heard that story from the Bible all the time. I didn't really understand what it meant. I mean, I understood it but nothing really every stood out in it to me till this past year. We were talking about it in Bible this past year, and something really stood out to me. In Bible we have to give presentations and lots of people talked about this verse. And something stood out to me in it.
What is your foundation? If you live in a house, or really anywhere you have a foundation on your house to help it stand. It keeps your house from falling all over the place. If you were to build your house on sand with that as your foundation, you house would fall. When winds and rain would come your house would fall to the ground. The first storm that would come your house would be gone, down on the stand.

It is the same way with your foundation. Who is your foundation? Is your foundation strong, or when some storm comes you way will it fall? Just like the house on the sand. Is your foundation a person?

Let's just say that your foundation is money, it won't last, you will soon go broke. The money will soon go away. Or if you don't have a foundation... some time in your life some hard time will come your way. I have mine, and one day you will find yours. The storms of like will pass you, and if you don't have a firm foundation then you will completely fall apart. You will totally fall, just like the house on the sand. Sometime in your life, someone that you love will die, you will lose a best friend, you will feel alone, you will have this or that go wrong, and if you don't have anyone to run to, what are you going to do? Your world will fall apart and storm will come and knock you down if you don't have a strong foundation, and the one and only strong foundation that will always last is Jesus. He will always be there for you even when no one else is. He is a strong foundation that won't fail. He will help you through all the hard time, and He will do what he wants to do in your life. Sometimes you have to do a pretty hard thing... you have to trust that God has a plan for you life that is better then your own. If you don't have a foundation that will last, something strong to hold you up, you will fall down, and your life will only go down that drains from there, but if you have a strong foundation that will last, you will be able to stand. Because God will help you through it, and will always be there holding you hand, and walking you through each step.

What is your foundation? Will it last? When the storms come down in your life, will you still be standing or will you fall?

Merry CHRISTmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! When you think of Christmas, what do you think of? The presents? Being with family? Big meals? Santa? Fun times with people you love? That is what comes to mind allot of people think of Christmas, we allot of times for get what really happened and why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

The first Christmas along time ago... lets put ourselves into the eyes of a young girl about the age of 12-14. She liked to have fun with her friends and she did what she was supposed to. She came home one day from work and her dad showed her who she would marry and right then and there they were married. Then an angle appeared to her and told her that she was going to have a baby. She was only 12-14 just remember that and she was now going to have a baby and this baby was coming from the Lord. And her husband didn't know that the baby was from the Lord. But later, an angle came to Joseph in a dream and told him that this child was going to free our people and that they baby that Mary was going to have was from God. Then Ceasure sent out a degree that all the people of the land had to go to their home town, (Ceaser was the king) so they could register with their home town. So, since Joseph was from Bethlehem Mary and Joseph went on the long walk to Bethlehem, over 100 miles. Now that is a long way to go when you have to go on FOOT! No, they didn't have cars back then so if you wanted to go somewhere you either had to walk or ride on a donkey or camel or something like that. So, Joseph took the donkey and they started to walk. They walked and walked over 100 miles, and finally they came to Bethlehem.

When they got to Bethlehem Mary was due to have her baby. They tried to find an inn that they could stay in, but everything was full. They begged for a room, because of the baby that was coming, but everything was full, everything but a stable. A stable, a place for animals to live, all gross and full of animals, but that was all there was. So they took the stable, and in that stable that night, Mary had her baby. Mary put her baby, THE KING OF KINGS into a feeding trough for an animal, in other words what an animal ate out of. He was born in a small little stable, such a great man born in the lowest of places. The man who would later die on the cross for us, and save us from all our sin was born of a girl, a girl 12-14, a young girl. She wasn't rich, she was a poor girl working for the money that she needed. She was the one who would bring our king into the world. She was just a girl just like anyone else she wasn't a queen or someone rich like that, but she was just a girl just like anyone else. And Joseph was just a guy he wasn't rich either, they were both just normal people, but Mary brought our SAVIOUR into the world.

Jesus came down from Heaven, a nice place, and he came down to live on this earth. Jesus was just like everyone else too. He had to eat, he had to take baths, he slept, he got mad, just like everyone he was a normal person, but he was still out saviour. He was humble and he was kind, he was smart, and he was the person who took our pain. He took all out sin and brought it with to the cross. He took everything that we have ever done and he took it with him to the cross, and right then and there he showed us how much he cared. I like what someone once said to me... NOTHING that you could EVER do would make GOD love YOU less!

So this Christmas, I want to challenge you to think about the real meaning. And have fun with your family and friends, but give everyone the best gift at Christmas, nothing that costs allot but the gift of friendship and love. Merry Christmas everyone!!

"Stained Glass Masquerade" Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

This is a song that I really like, it has a cool meaning to me. Because I see it in our world today. Everyone around us looks strong, and like nothing is ever wrong with them. A lot of times we all look like we are living the good life, and that everything going on in out lives is perfect. And you may look around one day, and you may see how everyone is having a really good day, and it seems like they always have good days, and they are always perfect in their perfect lives. They get perfect this and perfect that and perfect everything. I know that my life isn't perfect, but I never expected it to be. But I bet that some people would say that I look like I have a pretty perfect life too. What it all comes down to is that we all have these masks that hide who we really are. We say that we are strong but really we are weak. We try and make people think that everything is okay when it really isn't. Or maybe we wear the mask to fit in, or for whatever the reason is, we all have them.

I like the end of the song how it goes...

But would it set me free if
I dare to let you see
The truth behind the person
You imagined me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus be
Enough to make you stay

Because sometimes we get so caught up in who we pretend to be, and that is who everyone thinks that we really are, but we never show them who we really are, and if we did... what would they think of us? Would they walk away, and be like.... you aren't really the person who I thought you were, and all this time... lets just say... I thought you were strong, but you are really that weak? Would they still want to be friends with you and hang out, or would they walk away?

Would YOU be ready if one of your friends showed you the real them without their mask and pretending like everything was perfect, would you listen as they told you the real story, or would you just walk away? Just something to think about...

Sharing the Gospel... and Your Testimony

Have you ever shared the gospel with a friend? Or brought a friend to salvation? How did you go about doing it? When I was younger I led my friend to Christ, and I did it the easy way. She was young, and so was I. I was about 7 and she was 6. So, I didn't really get the whole salvation thing either, but I led her to Christ, and I thought it was wonderful!

But, as you get older, and you try to share salvation with someone now days, that is in their teen age or older, isn't easy, like it was when you were just a kid. Sometimes it take the courage to share some more person things with the person like your testimony. As I said yesterday, I would be willing to share my testimony with people, and I love to hear other peoples testimonies, cause it is cool to see how God works in them, and sometimes you see that it is allot of the same way that God works in your life.

Yesterday I was asked by a friend who wanted to hear my testimony, and I said that I would love to, but really what was going on my head... was I thought you would never ask, what do I say? I ended up typing it all out, and sending it to them. And, I learned by experience that it isn't easy to tell someone else your story, at least for me, it wasn't. I have a testimony that isn't the way that allot of people would think it would go. And, as I sat there and I typed it, I didn't know what to say. And, I know now that it isn't easy to share it with other people. Some of you may have an easy testimony, that is easy to share with other people, but mine shows allot of my weaknesses, and how I really do feel allot of times, but I know that other people don't see it. It is a lot easier to hear other peoples then for me to share mine, but if you want to hear it, I am willing to share it with you too, all you have to do it ask.

So, I understand that what I am saying isn't easy... I have done both. I have shared salvation with someone, and it was easy, but that was to a little girl who was only 6. But, I also have another person that I am trying to bring salvation to, and he is 34, and it isn't as easy to tell him. So I know that it is hard. I also have given my testimony to someone, and I know that isn't always easy either, but it normally goes out for the benefit. I don't know if you have ever heard someones where something cool has popped out to you in it, but I know that I have. But our world right now is a world full of people who still need to hear the gospel, and we don't know how much time we have left. So I encourage you, if you feel God's nudge to do something, do it. God has plans better then out own.

If you were interested in the testimony that I talked about yesterday... if you want to I would really encourage you to. Here is the link to the video if you want to watch it. I encourage you to take a few minuets, and watch it. Here is the link...http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8411953161437288679&q=%22Voice+of+Truth%22+music+video&hl=en. I would encourage you to watch it, if you want to. So, enjoy!

Testimonies

Have you ever heard someones testimony that just really touched you in some way? I know that has happened to me allot, and tonight, I was just looking around on Google music videos, and I was looking at ones by Casting Crowns, and I saw one that was about the song..."Voice of Truth" and I decided that I wanted to click on it, and hear it. It was his testimony, and why he wanted to write the song that he wrote, and he said something that really hit me.

"God doesn't need you, he wants you!" The guy went to church, and he heard someone play that he thought was way better then him. And so after the service he sat there, and after everyone left, he went up to this piano that was at the front of the room. He sat down, and he started to play the only 4 cords that he knew, and he just sat there, and got mad at God. He asked God why he had done everything to him that he had done. And as he was mad at God... he questioned him... asking God why he sent him to the school that he was at, the school were he was going to learn to play music, but he couldn't read music. But then he felt God saying to him... "I don't NEED you, I WANT you!"

When I heard that... it went through my head over and over. I didn't get what he meant at first. But, it all came to me... after a little bit of thought. God doesn't have to make us who we are, he could make us all the same, or he could of not made anyone at all, but he chose to make us who we are. He wants us to be the person that we are. He made every fact about us, and he made us just the way he wanted us to be. We are perfect in God's eyes, no matter what we think. Everything in our lives that we may think is bad about us, isn't bad to God. God made us all with a plan and a purpose. And, I know that some of you, who know me have heard me say that allot. But, I think we all need that reminder allot. We don't always understand why God made us the way we are. I have a very different story from allot of people, and all of you who know me, may know that, and you may also not be able to tell how much different my life is. And... when I thought about what he said... that God wants me, and he wants me the way I am. He didn't have to make me that way I was, but he did. And I am glad that he did. Since my life it is not at all perfect... I am able to share that with others, and share some verses that have major meaning to me. And people who have a testimony that is like mine... don't think of it as a bad thing, think of it as... God made you the way that he made you for a reason. He has a plan for you life, even though to you it may not seem that way. He loves you, and he wants you to be his... but you have to let him. You have to let God have your life, and do what HE wants to do with it, not what we want to do with it.

He wanted us, he didn't need us! He wants you... so will you let him take your life, and do what he wants to do with it?

And also, if anyone wants to hear my testimony, if that interests you, let me know! I would love to share it with you!

Questions for Me!

Hey Guys!! I was just wondering if anyone had anything that you wanted me to talk about, or if you had a verse, a song, a question or anything that you wanted me to talk about? I am open to anything, so if you have something for me, just let me know!

Jesusfreak

Your TONGUE

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." -Ephesians 4:29

We all have a tongue, right? We use it to talk to our friends, and to everyone everyday. We say stuff all the time. How many words do you use a day? Way more then you could probably ever count! We talk to much that sometimes we don't think about what we are talking about. We say stuff to quickly to actually think about what we are saying.

Our tongue can be a huge weapon. When you think of a weapon what do you think of? And, when I say your tongue is a weapon, do you believe me? It is not a weapon like a gun, but it is something that can hurt someone. But, yo can choose for your tongue to be a weapon, or you can make it a good thing. You can say things to other people that will tear them down, or you can say things to people that will build them up. You can choose for your words to make someone feel good, or to tear someone day.

If you say something mean about someone, you are tearing them down. Has anyone ever said something mean about you either to your face, or behind your back? How does that make you feel? It hurts! So, why do you say something about someone else? Something to think about before you say something that could hurt... if it was me that we were talking about, how would I feel if I knew that we are talking about?

Christmas is in... 9 days.... so, for a gift this Christmas, be an encourager to others. To your friends, build them up by saying something nice about them. Like how much you appreciate them, or how awesome of a friend they are or whatever they are to you, or what you like about them. That is my challenge to you today! Merry Christmas, and don't forget the true meaning of Christmas!

Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner, only 14 more days till Christmas! I am so excited!

I was thinking about that earlier today, as I was saying that line to a friend, as I was talking about how excited I was for Christmas, cause I knew that it was soon, but I think that too often we get caught up too much in what we get at Christmas, and we forget what a big gift was given to us when God came down to earth, the very first Christmas.

Christmas has turned it to something that we should just do because we get presents, and some of us, we know what Christmas was all about, and the real reason and all that, but we don't really think about how much God really did for us. Too many people know think about Christmas as just a time that you get gifts, and you get to see family, and get new things, and money all that, but we so quickly forget what Jesus did for us.

Jesus was sitting in heaven, a nice place, just like our houses, but like a million times better, and He came down to our world. He was born just like we were born, but He wasn't born in a nice hospital, and he didn't get a nice crib right when he was born, but he was laid in the feeding box of the cows and pigs of the barn that he was born in. He had parents just like ours, and he grew up just like we do. He was a kid once, but he was a really good kid. He was a perfect man, and he was a person that everyone liked. But, the best part of all was that he was so humble, that he died for you and for me. He was a perfect person/man, but he came and took everything that you ever did wrong, so that we could meet him one day, and go and live in heaven with him one day.

Just think of all the pain he look for you that day on that cross. He came to this world for you, he came to do that wonderful thing for you. He was humble, and he was amazing. He was born in a stable, and he lived in a small house growing up. He wasn't rich, and he didn't have everything that we have today. We too often take for granted what we have, we don't think much about Christmas, but presents, and we don't see behind the gifts, to the best present anyone could ever give you, JESUS! Christmas is not about presents, but it is about the greatest gift that anyone could ever have... JESUS! The one who came, was born in a small stable, laid in a feeding box, and then he died, and took all the sins of us, he was an amazing person, the best gift that anyone could ever give!

Merry Christmas, but don't forget the true meaning of this all! JESUS!

Love Your Enemies

Matthew 5:44

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"

You have heard this verse before, right? You have heard someone say to you that you should loves those who hurt you, right? I think that we all have heard this verse before, but we never really put it into play, we just hear it, and don't do anything about it.

Do you have one of those people at school who you would call a bully? Have you ever thought about why they are that way? They are probably that way, because they are around people like that. Let's say, their parent. Maybe they are mean to them, and they are jerks to them, and they hurt them for whatever the reason may be. But, have you ever tried to become friends with one of them? Like, always being nice to them, and treating them in the way that you want to be treated too.

There is someone at my school that I see everyone picking on, and everyone is mean to Bob. (that it's name from now on) Everyone picks on Bob for no good reason, just cause they feel that they can. But, if you were just to give Bob a chance, do you know how that would feel to them? Think about yourself for a minuet, do you have a lot of friends that you hang out with everyday? And friends that are there for you when you need them?

Well, the people who are probably mean to you, are probably the people who don't have any friends, and who no ones gives them a chance to be friends. But, do you know how good it would feel if you were nice to them, and you hung out with them, and tried to be friends with them? And hey, you don't know if they will except it, but they might, and they might not, but at least you tried. And they will probably want to be friends with you, because they don't have any friends.

And, if they don't want to be friends with you, and they are still mean to you, you can pray for them. You have to pray for the people who hurt you, because who is more powerful then God? He can do anything that He wants to do, and he can change the hearts of the people that he wants to change them of, and He can do anything that he wants to do, so we just need to pray for them, and let God do the rest.

So, next time you see someone who looks alone, why not go and sit by them, even if they are the so called "bully", give them a shot, you never know what could happen.