God...

It's January 3, 2007... wow that's weird to think about.... but it is. Lucky me, I got to go back to school today, that was so much fun just to be there... not! But anyway... as I said in the last post, lessons, lessons, lessons... I learn new ones everyday... I even learned something new about a piano today, ask me if you really want to know...

But, this past 2006 year, for me was a major year of lessons, and here is just one more thing that God has taught me this past year. I learned something really cool just about last month, and it came from something that someone said. For those of you who actually watched the testimony that I put on here, this will make more sense for you, but for others I will try to make it so you can understand, but I don't know if it will have the same meaning... and I really encourage you to listen to that, and you can just listen you don't even have to watch it, but just listening to it means a million.

God is teaching me something that I never really had thought about before. Here are the words right from Mark's testimony... "Mark, I don't need you.... I want you! Do you think that all these fears and limitations and all these things that make you feel so small are worrying me? Do you think that all these little initials that you got from all these little tests when you are young are weighing me down? Mark, I am going to do something in the world and I just want to know if you want to come."

That really hit me really hard one night. I was talking to my friend on IM, just like I always do, and I was listening to the testimony as I was talking, and all of a sudden it hit me, and it hit me hard. I don't know if you have ever felt God hit you and tell you something, and wow, that has happened to me a lot, but if you have, you know what I am talking about. It hit me super hard that night, and as I thought about it, a lot was going through me head that night as I was talking to my friend on IM.

To think that God didn't need me, but he wanted me, was like what?! Why would God want me? I am a girl, I have nothing. I don't have any talent, I'm not special... why God would you want me? Some kid, I'm not smart, I don't have anything special about me, I am just me. Why do you want me? But what comes next in his testimony... the next line says..."I am going to do something in the world, and I just want to know if you want to come." That line was repeating it self over and over in my head that night... and it was like this... ____, I don't need you, I want you! Everything that Mark says after that was like... wow! I don't even know how to explain it, but it was just like I was like wow!
And just as it is for me, God wants you... fill in the blank with your name as you read this one more time...

"_____ I don't NEED YOU, I WANT YOU!"

God wants you, he made you just the way that he wanted to, and he doesn't need you, he wants you! That is one thing that he showed me this past year, and all you have to do is let him take control. God may have given you some difficulties or limitations or whatever, but God says, they don't worry me, I know I made you that way, and I made you perfect, with a plan and a purpose just the way I made you.

I know that probably at times, we have all said this, God, if I was only him or her or this or that then you could use me, but me? I'm ____ and _____ why do you want to use me? I'm nothing. Yeah, how many times have I thought that? A million... I am just like, God, if you just made me like him or her then I would do it, but me, I can't do it. But God doesn't need you, he wants you! He wants to show the world what he can do through someone that will let him work in them. God will show the world awesome stuff, but only if you let him.

______, I don't need you, I want you! ~God

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.

Quote

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening word, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all which have to potential to turn a life around." - Leo Buscaglia

There are allot of times when we don't really think about what we are saying or doing, and there are too many times when we don't think about how much something so simple can do. Have you ever gotten a smile, or a hug, or even a kind work right when you needed it?

We all have those days when everything isn't going very well, and all we need is for someone to once more tear us down, and the someone comes up to us, maybe a friend, maybe someone you though would never do something like that to you, comes up, and gives you a hug or a compliment, a kind word, or even just a smile. Doesn't it just make the day a tiny bit better?

Sometimes there are people out there, who are pretty good at wearing there masks, as I call them, they are pretty good at hiding everything inside themselves, they don't really say how things are going in their life, and they just keep it to themselves, and then there are the people, who speak their mind, and tell you how things are going in their life, but no matter which one they are, everyone needs some encouragement from time to time. We all needs people in our lives that pick us up when we fall, and that are able to make the day better, just by doing little things.

We often don't think about how much just a tiny little smile can do, or just a small touch or hug, anything like that small things in this world. But, we all have had the days when it seems the world is crashing down around us, and, you know, some days, a friend comes up to you, and says, hey, how's it going? Or smiles at you, or gives you a hug, or just what you needed, even though they don't know what is going on in your life, they still are a friend to you.

We often don't think about what the smallest things can do in the lives of other, they can do so much, and we don't even notice how much they impact someone else. So, when you get a chance, or you see a friend down, just give them a simple smile, cause it could turn their life around, or even just their day.

Here is the quote one more time...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

A Quote

All I have today is a quote for you...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening eat, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -leo buscaglia

Words

Words.... you use them all the time, you use them to do many thing, that is how I am typing right now, I am using words to tell you what I want to say. We use words so much sometimes we don't even think much about them. We just kinda say them.

Have you ever had someone come up to you and call you a dork, and has someone ever come up to you and said something that you will never forget what they said, cause it made you really mad, or it offend you in some way?

Sometimes we use words so much that we don't even think about what we are saying, and we just say things that we don't think will offend someone, but they do. Do you think about what you are going to say every time before you say it? Most people would say no, because we don't always think before we say something, and that is why we end up saying stuff that we shouldn't say to other people. Stuff that hurts them. Because, you don't know what is going on in their life, you don't know everything about their life, and their day or whatever. You don't know if something that you say will hurt them, but you think that is might, so, if that is the case, do you still say it?

We use words so much that sometimes we just say stuff because we want to, we don't think about the outcome of the words. Do you ever try and make someone laugh? Well, most people would say, yeah, I have made people laugh before, what is wrong with that? Nothing is wrong with making someone laugh, it is the way that you try and make them laugh. If you are trying to make someone else laugh by making fun of someone else, put yourself in their place, if you were the person you were making fun of, and then you heard what you said, how would you feel? Cause allot of times, we won't think about our jokes, and we will just say them, and then we will end up making someone else mad, or hurt them.

Words have a big part of our life, we use them allot, but we should use them to encourage people, not tear them down. We should say nice things about someone, like they look good, or qualities that you like about them. Because, that makes a person feel better, and it doesn't make them have a bad day or whatever. So, make sure to think before you talk, and don't say something that could offend someone, cause you never know, they might be standing right around you, you never know. And, if they are, you have hurt them, and you may say that it doesn't hurt that bad, but you don't know how their day is going, if they are having a bad day, that is one of the last things that they want to hear. It will only make it all worse. So, make sure that you aren't going to hurt someone by what you say. Make sure that your words are going to build someone up, and not tear them down. Just, before you say something, put yourself in their shoes for a little bit......

Proverbs 10:19

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Time with God

How much time do you spend with God? Most people would say, I spend a lot of time with him, "when I get the time to." You see, we all have busy lives, and we don't have enough time to spend with God, everyday, or so we say. But, one of the problems that we have, is that we have our priorities mixed up. We would say that God comes first, but when you but that into real words, that means that we actually have to spend time with God, like he is out first priority. We have to make time for Him, we can't expect that their will just be time for Him, but we have to make time.

And then once we make time, we have to keep it, and make it a normal thing that we do every day. We have to make sure that we keep up with it, and not just say we are going to do it, but don't. We actually have to do it.

Some kids, when we go to camp we get on what I like to call a "spiritual high" were we are all on for God, and we say that we are going to keep up with everything. We say that we are going to read our Bibles, and do whatever it takes to be all out for God, but then when we get home, and we get back into our normal things, we don't do it. We don't say with it, we just back out, and go back to our normal lives, and forget about it. But, we actually have to make the rule for ourselves, and actually do it.

So, right now, if you feel open to it, I want you to make a rule for yourself, on when and where you are going to spend time with God.....

Make a list...

1. When

2.Where

And then once you have done that, you have to stick to it. You have to actually do it, and stay with it. And do it, not because you have to, but because you want to. Because you want to learn more about God, and it is normally in those times that God will show you the most amazing things, because he is so amazing like that. We could never understand! So, tonight, or tomorrow morning, start it! It doesn't have to be for a long time, do it even for 5 minuets, and after a little while, the time will just build up, and you will be amazed at how God works in your life. But, you have to make the choice to do it, and to stick with it.

So, what are you going to do? When? Where? Are you going to take the challenge?

Prayer

When you talk to God, what do you talk to Him like? What are you talking to Him about? Are you just asking request after request, and expecting that He will answer you, and make everything okay?

That is what a lot of people think. They think that they can just ask God for requests after requests, like He is Santa Clause, and He will do everything that you want Him to do. He will make your life perfect, but that is not true. God does not make your life perfect, because if He did, He would never be able to teach you anything, because you would always live a perfect life, and you would not be able to live through the hard times. And God does not answer everything you ask for in a yes, sometimes the answer to your requests are no, and we have to deal with that. But, even if He does say no, He will still help us through them, and when He says no, it is for a good reason. He knows the outcome of everything, and for most people, you learn the most during hard times, and you spend more time with God when it is hard.

Here is a way that you can pray that would help you not to just ask God for everything, but if this, you will also be able to praise Him, and not just ask Him for everything.

P- Praise- Give God word that He is.... start out like.... God, you are... and then say a whole bunch a different things that God is to you, like wonderful, great, amazing...

A- Admit- Admit to God what you have done, and ask Him for forgiveness, and He will give it to you. And tell Him that you are sorry.

R- Request- Ask God for your requests, but don't be so sure that He will answer them in yes, and don't make this take forever, just do the ones you think are most important.

T- Thanks- Thank God for what He has done for you, and just thank Him, for whatever comes to mind.

S- Shut up! Be quiet, and let God do some talking! You have just talked to Him forever, now it is God's turn to do the talking, if you don't hear anything, just listen, and wait.

So, next time you want to pray, make sure that you don't just ask God for everything, but make sure that you wait, and let Him do some talking, and then you will be equal. Let Him and you do talking. Then, you both get some time to talk. And don't just expect that God will do everything for you, He will do everything on His own time, and remember that His answer will not always be yes, but sometimes will be no, but if it is no, He will help you through the rest.

Matthew 6:7-8

And when you pray, do not keep on blabbing like the pagans, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father already knows what you need before you ask Him.

Welcome Home

Welcome home, you
I know you by name
How do you do?
I shine because of you today
So come and sit down
Tell me how you are
I know, son, its good just to see your face

-Welcome Home You- Brian Littrell

This song is the story ofa lott of people's lives. At times, we all astray from God. We go out onto our own path. We get mad at God for whatever reason, and we don't think there is a point in staying on His side, and trying to go along with Him. So, we go onto our own paths. We try to do things on our own, and I can tell you, basically NO ONE can do it! We need help. You can't do something as hard as life, all alone. You need friends, and mostimportantlyy, you need GOD! He is the one you need, and he is the one who can help you with all of your problems.

Sometimes when we go astray from God, we think that there is no possible way that we can go back on His side again, and we think that he could never love us again. But, as the song says, God is standing there, and waiting for you. And when you come to him, he is just waiting for you to come back. He is standing at the door, waiting for you. He waits, and he wait for YOU! He waits for you, because you are his PRECIOUS child, and he waiting for you, because he loves you. No matter how much bad stuff you have done, he still loves you, and he still waits for you. And when you come, he gives you a HUGE HUG, and wants to talk to you. Just like a friend you have no seen for like ever, then when you see them again, then you want to talk to them and hug them, and all that. It is the same with God. He is waiting for you, and he wants you to come back. He created you, and he waits for His creation. He is always ready to be on your side, and help you,youu just have to ask Him.

Think of the song again, read the words one more time, but the words are coming to you, from God, they are a letter from God, and this is what He is saying to you. This is not to anyone, but you...Readd it as if I didn't write this, but God did. And He is speaking to you...

Welcome home, you
I know you by name
How do you do?
I shine because of you today
So come, sit down
Tell me how you are
You know, son, it's good just to see your face

God is waiting for you, and when you come, he knows your name, and he wants to know how you are doing now. He wants you to come, and sit and talk with Him. And He says, you know what? I don't care what you have just done, it is just good to see your face. And then, when you say... "God, forgive me for doing that," he says, I already did. And then when you ask Him years later if he remembers what you did, he will say no. He is not like an ordinary friend, he forgives you, and he doesn't even remember them, they just go into the trash, and they are gone. Never to be remembered again, they are gone, and will be. He doesn't remember them. They are gone. Read the words one more time, and put you name in the 1st blank, and then put your name.

Welcome home, ______.
I know you by name.
How do you do?
I shine because of you today
So, come, sit down
Tell me how you are
You know son, it's good just to see you face.

Who are you when no one is looking?

Who are you when no one else is around? Who are you when you are all alone, and no on is watching you? Are you the same person that you are when you are around people? Do you show your Christ like ablitites just around other Christians, and be like another person when you are around someone else? DO you just pretend that you live your life for Christ when you are around people who you think that you should? Do you just ask Christ-like, because you think you should, and because that is what other people think?

If you want to be a true follower, you have to be the same Godly person around non believers, and around strong believers. You have to be the same Godly person, even when no one is looking. Because, if you are not the same Christ-like person when you are around non believers, they will not see God in you. But, if you do act Christ-like around non believers, then they will see that something is different about you, and that maybe they should do what you do too. And, always be prepared for them to ask questions about your faith, and you have to answer honestly. One thing about Christianity, is that you have to be honest. If you are a strong believer, you don't need to act like you don't know God at all, but, if you barely know him at all, you don't need to pretend like you know a lot about Him. You need to be honest with you friends when you know you have messed up, and you need to be honest with God too.

But, what I was talking about is, that you can't just pretend that you know God really well, but you really don't. You can't say that you spend hours reading your Bible, but you really don't. No one knows what you do when you are alone, but if you want to be a true follower of God, you have to even be the same person, a strong believer in Him, even when no one sees you, because God always sees you, He knows everything about you, and you can't hide ANYTHING from God!

So...Who are YOU when no one else is looking?

Marvelous Light

Sin has lost it's power,
death has lost it's sting.
From the grave you've risen
VICTORIOUSLY!

Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross you are the truth,
You are the life, you are the way

Where are you running? What are you doing in life? What are some of your main goals in life?
Are you running from the bad things in your life? Trying to push them away?

I was talking to a friend today, and she brought up this song, and I was like.... I LOVE THAT SONG! Cause I do, but after she said that, it got me thinking... What is this song talking about? And, honestly, I didn't really know. So, I thought about the song, and I think that God revealed something to me from that song. As I was trying to find something to talk about on my blog, this is what I feel that the Lord wanted me to talk about, or else he wouldn't of let me type this.... But anyway. I got to thinking about this song.... And something popped out to me.

This question.... What are you living for? And, not to think much about it, I thought you Lord, of course, there is nothing else to live for. But, I got to thinking about that, and it is not easy to live for God, it just isn't! It is hard to be the one to stand out in the crowd, it is hard enough to fit it, and then right when you start to fit in, say you friend asked you to come to a movie with them, and you say.... Well, I don't know, but you are accaully thinking that you don't want to go see it, because it is a bad movie, and you don't approve. It is hard to say no, that you don't want to go, but that is what you need to do. Another example... Someone is making fun of you friend, or even your enemy. What do you do? Ignore it! That is the easy way out, but what you should do, is ask them to stop, or something like that, but it takes courage to do that, wouldn't you agree?

Another thing is, what are you living for? Is you main goal in life to impress others? Or to serve God, and lead others to Christ? A lot of people on this earth are very self centered, and that would make us want to live our lives for ourselves, and that is what most people do. But, if you take the time to spend time with God, you will end up wanted to live your life for Him and minister about Him whenever you get that chase. But, we don't think about what God did for us, we just think about what we did for ourselves, how we did this or that, but remember that whatever we do here won't come with us to Heaven, any of our popularity, or our friends, or anything, when you get to Heaven, nothing will matter but God, so why don't we live our lives for Him now?

What is your main goal? Who are you living for? If you are a Christian, what is your next step?

Are YOU Ready?

If you were to die today where would you go? If you were to get in a car accident, and die at this very moment, where would you go? Would you go up and see God, or will you go down into pits, with Satan forever?

At church on Wednesday, we had some people come, and talk to us about their 3 boys, and what happend to them. They did not know, that on their way home from Walmart that day, they would die. They did not know that some drunk driver, talking on his phone, and speeding would run into them. They did not have warning. Only, about 2 secondeds, and that is not enough to become a Christian, and ask Christ into your life, and let Him become the Lord of your life, and live in your heart forever. You just see the car, and they next thing you know, you are dead.

Sad though to think about, itsn't it? But, it is true. It could happen to anyone, at any time, right now, tomorrow, whenever! So... are you ready?

Yo may be thinking, well, I am not a Christian, but how can I become one, and this is ALL you have to do...
a) you have to admitt to God that you are a sinner
b) you need to ask God for firgiveness for your sins
c) you have to ASK Christ to come into your life
d) you need to ashk Him to be the Lord of your life

And then, once you have done that, you are apart of the family of God, so welcome! When you die, you are going to go to Heaven, and live with God, and all the other Christians. And once you have done that, LIVE you LIFE for God! Live every moment as if God was standing right next to you, because He is. He is standing next to you, and being a friend that will always be there for you. He is like a friend that will never leave you! He will always be there for you, and the friend that you can come to for everything, He will listen, because He loves you. So much that He took the punishment for all of your sins! He loves you so much that he took alot of pain for YOU! A sinner! He took it all so that you could come into Heaven when you died, and live with Him forever when you die. He took the pain of the cross, the pain of being whipped, and the pain of everything, just for you! He loves you! And it is AMAZING! GOD IS AMAZING!

So... if you were to die today, where would you be headed?

The WORST Days

Do you ever have those days where you feel like God is out to get you? And you are like, God, why are you doing this to me? Why are you making me go through this?

Sometimes, I do that, I think everyone does. Especially when you are having a bad day, and everything seems to be going down the drains. First, you get up, and your family gets mad at you for this or that, and then you get to school, hoping to forget about it all, and then your friends are mean to you, and don't listen, and yell at you, and it just seems like you life is in the dumps! Everyone is leaving you, except one person... So you go and you want to talk to them, and they turn you away, and say they have their own things to deal with. And push you away, or are TOO honest with you! Like they say stuff that you know is true, but you don't want to hear it at the time, and they don't even care, cause they don't understand! So, you walk away, and feel like you are all alone, and no one wants to talk to you, and your days seems like it will never end.

And you start to question God, and ask Him WHY this is happening to you. But, you know what an even better question to ask God would be? Is, to ask him, HOW will you work through me today? And to me, that is hard, cause it is like, why would God want to show me something from such a losey of a day, but you know what? He is planning to work through it, God opens doors for you, and he closes doors for you, and maybe by some stuff that he is letting happen is because he wants to tell you... you know what, that friend isn't right for you, or you should be able to speak to this person, and God will show you your real friend through that.

Some days, you are like, how do I know who my REAL friends are? And, this is all I have to say, the real friends are the one who are who they say they are, and listen when you want to talk, and the people who build you up, not put you down, but you have to understand, that everyone is not perfect, and there is times when you will mess up, and sometimes the HARDEST thing to do is forgive, but you have to realize that when you mess up, don't you want the person to forgive you? So, why not forgive them!

And, so when they days are rough GO TO GOD, and ask Him, how he wants to show you stuff through what is happening, and what he wants you to do, and how he wants you to Handle it all, and everything like that! Because, he will ALWAYS help you through it all! He loves you, and he made you with a plan, and a purpose! HE LOVES YOU MORE THEN ANYONE ON THIS EARTH COULD EVER LOVE YOU! And he know what will happen to you, no matter good, or bad, and he will work through it with you, because he loves you that much!

"Mirror" (BarlowGirl)

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
'Cause Mirror you've always told me who I am
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won't define me
Sorry you don't own me

Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don't need to listen To the list of things I should do
I won't try, I won't try

Mirror I am seeing a new reflection
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare
I know He defines me

You don't define me,
You don't define me

This song I think is cool, because it is talking about how the world sees you... Like a mirror, and you are supposed to be just like it on the wall. You are supposed to be perfect, and look just like everyone else.

And, looking into a mirror, is how the world sees you. They see the outside of you, but that is not what matters. So, in the seconded verse, they are talking about the way God looks... The inside, and that a person is now seeing how God is looking at them.

For, all he cares, you could be the biggest dork on the planet, and God wouldn't care. All God cares about is what is on the inside of you, he doesn't care what the world thinks of you, because no matter what, no matter what you look like on the outside, that won't matter to God. All he cares about is about your heart. Are you right with him? Have you accepted Him? Because, the one thing that God cares about the most, is knowing that you have the passage way to heaven. That you will not have to go down deep into the first pits of Hell, but you will be able to live with peace, and live in the wonderful place called Heaven, with him, forever and ever.

So, try to follow God's ways, and look at the inside of a person, the way they act, not the way they dress, and all the outside stuff, but look at what really goes on in their life, and everything like that. And other people will start to see a difference in you, and may want to follow you. You don't want to be looking in to the mirror of perfecting, but the ways of God.

Darts

This is one thing that I got from my friend, and I think it is so true. Read it, and then I will comment at the bottom.

"One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry , and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture. Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend . Another friend drew a picture of his little brother . Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart . Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith , because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus . A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words... " In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me ." Matthew 25:40. No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ."

Have you ever put someone down? Or torn someone up? Cause you didn't like them? Or cause you were mad at them? Have you ever hurt you bro or sis, cause you were mad at them? If you are a person, aka a human, you most likely have. But, do you know who you are really hurting when you hurt the person?

Yeah, you think, I do, who? Well, of course you hurt the person, but that is not the only person, you also hurt God. Why you may ask? Because, well lets make another senerio. Have you ever put somone down? Or said mean things to them, or about them? Do you know who created them? God did, and he created them in his own image, so if you make fun of them, you are also making fun of God, in a sense. Because God created them in his own image, and he made them the way he wanted them to be, so why make fun of someone? Would you want them to do the same to you?

And remeber next time you want to make fun of someone that you are accually makeing fun of their Creator too. He loves you, and he loves them too, and he make them with a perfect plan, and same with you. So, next time you want to hold a grudge against someone, think about what God would do, and who all you are hurting. And think twice.


Genisis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

"How Great Is Our God?"

The splendor of the King,
clothed in majesty
Let all the rejoice, all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice, and trembles at his voice

How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see How great,
how great Is our God

Age to age he stands
and time is in His hands Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End The Godhead,
Three in One Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
how great is our God

Have you ever thought about that song? HOW GREAT is our God? Have you ever thought about what you were really saying when you said those words? How great is our God? Really, how great is he to you?

Think about God for a sec........ How great really is he? What did he do for you, you may ask? Well, Christ died for YOU and he died for ME! He was perfect, and he died foe ME and YOU, because he wanted to save US! And for some people who have heard that so many times, it is kinda getting old, you know that Christ died for you, but you don't take the time to think about what accually happened to Him, cause you heard it when you were young, and they did not want to scare you by saying all the pain he went through, but he went through SO much!

He went to the cross, and even before that, he was whipped, mocked, and just take a seconded, and think about it, do you remember when you used to get spanked? (if you ever did) Didn't that hurt? Well, that was Jesus, except it was over and over again, and rocks were thrown at Him, and everything, then he went up to the cross, and carried the heavy cross up the hill, and then he was NAILED to the cross! With nails, through his hands and feet, and then he hung there, he did not take any of the pain reliever that the crowd offered Him, but he just left it out, and endured all the pain, and before all of this, they had also put a thorn crown on his head, and they put it deep down into his head about 2 inches, think about how painful that was, and he was perfect, yet he still did it. And then, he took every sin that you will ever do, and he took them all, and endured them! Even His own father forsaked him, because he had so much sin on Him! But, who did he do it for???? YOU!! He did it for you! And he forgave you for everything YOU did, and will ever do! Think about all the people in the world, and how many times they sin? SO many, and he took all of the sin of everyone with HIM, and died!

And even though you sin so much, he still wants you to be part of his family, so, if you have not come into God's family yet, you know what.... he is standing knocking at your door, and wants you to come in. All you have to do is ask, and admit that you are a sinner, and he will let you in to the family, because he LOVES YOU!!!!!! And he cares so much about you! Don't EVER forget HOW MUCH GOD LOVES YOU!!

Verse:

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have entrench life.

We truly have such an AMAZING GOD!! How GREAT is OUR GOD?

Continuation

Who is God to you? Who do you talk to him as? A friend? A God? Do you tell him what goes on in your life? But, you are thinking...why should I tell God what goes on in my life, he already knows! And yes, that is true, God does know what is going on in your life, but he wants to hear it from you. He knows how things are going to turn out, but he wants you to talk to Him, and let him know how things are going.

And, how can God know to help you if you do not ask Him to help you through it? And how does he know you want help? YOU HAVE TO ASK! God cannot read you mind, well he can but he wants you to ask! He wants to help you, and be your friend, but you need to talk to Him.

So, do you tell God what you would tell a friend? OR even more? You should be able to tell God anything, and call to Him whenever you need Him, and ask Him what you want to ask Him, and he will answer you. But, do remember that his answer will not always be yes, I will, or of course, I will do this or that, because that is SO NOT TRUE! God knows what is going to happen in your life, and he will not just tell you everything that will happen to you right away, you have to wait, and see God's great plan for you.

So, talk to God like you would talk to a friend, because he cares about you, and will listen to you for however long you need to talk.

Verse:
Sorry, I don't have time to get one, cause I have to go to bed, cause it is late, I will add one tomorrow!

Got some friends?

Take a moment, and think of you friends. Do you have alot? Do you have any? I think of mine, and I have alot, and then I look to my right, and I see people with no friends at all. And, guess who has turned them away, said mean things to them, looked down on them, made fun of them...? Me! And then I think.... Why am I doing this? How would I feel if no one wanted to be friends with me?

To me, friends are a big part in my life. Since I do not have a mom, it can be hard to talk to my Dad about stuff that goes on in my life, and when I am down, my friends are ALWAYS there to pick me up, and listen when I need to talk. I totally feel that God has blessed me with such great friends. But, have you ever seen someone who was walking alone? Or who was sitting at lunch by themselves? What do you do? Do you look at them and laugh? Or, do you go and sit there with them, and talk to them, like they are you friends?

But, do you have a friend that you can come to at 3:00 in the morning, and who will not be crabby, and will listen to you for as long as you want? Do you have someone that is with you, and that will never leave you, and that no matter how many times you mess up will still be you friend? And will forgive you? Do you have a friend that can do all that, and more? I do, and his name is JESUS! He is the one who will always be there for you, and will not leave you, and will listen when you need to talk, and the person, who has ALREADY forgieved you of everything that you will EVER do wrong! Isn't that AMAZING?

Have you ever thought of that Jesus is your friend before? I mean, I have, but I did not really think about it literally, till about a few days ago, when a friend was talking to me, and we were talking about friends, and they were like, I don't have any friends at school, and I was like, that's too bad! And they were like, accually I am not sad, it is totally fine with me, cause I have a friend that will always be with me no matter what, and his name is Jesus. And I was like, wow! I like your point there! And I though that was so cool, because you know what, we do have a friend that will never leave us, and always be our friend! And that is so cool! AND HIS NAME IS JESUS!


Proverbs 18:24

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Struggles?

Do you have struggles in your life? If you were honest with yourself, most likely, you answer would be yes. And if you are just lucky, maybe the answer is no, but then, you are blessed!!!!! But, anyway... Back to what I was saying...How do you respond to your stuggles? Do you get mad at God for them? Do you ask Him to help you throw them? Do you thank God for them?

You are thinking to yourself...Why in the world did she say, THANK GOD FOR THEM? I know, that can be so hard, but sometimes, God works through them, and you should NOT get mad at him for it, because you have no idea what the outcome will be. Maybe, you will be able to help others who stuggle in the same way you do, maybe it will bring you closer to God, who knows? But, God works for the GOOD of those who love Him.

So, next time you are struggeling with something in your life, come to God, and ask, What do you want me to do? And DON'T say, GOD, WHY ME?? Cause that would be some peoples normal response, but YOU don't know what GOD is planning to do through you and your struggles. You just have to trust that God will help you through them! Because, if you ask, he will!

Verse-
Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Is it hard to understand the Bible?

Have you ever been reading you Bible, and it seemed that it made NO sense at all! Well, I feel that way sometimes. But, I found it easier to read when I take the time to read it, and when I ask God to help me understand it, and teach me new things through it, and he normally does. But, I mean, it does not work if you only read your Bible, because you know you should, and you rush through it, but it normally will come to you when you spend your time on it, and wait to learn something that God wants to teach you.

I used to find everything in there made no sense, but I have been spending time reading the word, and accually thinking about what it say, and it all has come so much clearer to me. And I have learned that you have to take you time, and let God speak to you, and be patient. I mean, some days it may be hard, but God will help you! He loves you, you are his child, made with an awesome plan, and he loves you so much. And he will show you when it is his time.

So, that is all I have for this post. But, I am kinda running out of stuff to say, so if you have anything you want me to talk about, feel free, do not be shy! Just ask!

Jeremiah 33:3
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

*and yes, I know I have already put this verse, but it seemed to fit, so I put it again!

All I want, to be with you
More and more each day
I find that I turn away
But still youre calling my name

I dont talk to you Jesus
I dont sing to you Jesus
I dont call you Lord my God
I wont die for you Jesus
Not my life Jesus
This race Ill run my own

Do you ever feel this is what you are saying to God? You don't purposelyrpsoly, but you turn away from God, and tell him that you do not need his help. But, you want to be closer to him, but how can you become closer if you do not spend time with Him? To become closer to Him, you have to spend time with Him.

Just like, if you have a friend, and you want to become closer, what do you do? Do you talk to them? And spend time with them? Well, if you want to become closer to God, you need to pray to himspendd spen time in the Word, and maybe you are not an alone person, but you like to be with other people. So, maybe you want to start a Bible Study with you and some friends, and talk about God there.

So, try to makehabithabbit every day to spend time with God. Set aside a time each day when you can spend time with Him. And maybe start with only 10 mins, and let the time keep growing, and growing, and soon, you will feel close to God. And ask Him to help you too, and he will help you.

Jeremiah 33:3

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (NIV)

'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.' (The Message)

Life, we all have one. And some of those days are the worst days of your life, and some days are the best!! But you know those days when you are down, and you just want to talk to someone about it? Have you ever had one of those days?

I have, and sometimes people come up to you, and ask you how you are, but then they just talk about their day for the rest of the billion mins. And, to you, what does that mean to you? Do you kinda just feel objected??? Like, they do not care what is going on in your life, but theirs is what matters most? And then there are the people who are quiet, and you cannot talk to them, and you do not want to ask them to talk, and no one asks you if you want to talk. Sometimes it is hard to hold everything inside of you, and still try to "live".

But, to rap this all up, you know what?? There is some one who will talk to you whenever you want someone to talk to, and be your friend when you need one, and be by your side all the time? Do you know how that is?? GOD!! He loves you so much that he will be there whenever you need someone to talk to, and he will not push you away, or say can we talk later, like maybe your friends would do, but he will talk to you, and be your friend, and listen to you all the time, and be the friend that you can run to whenever you need to talk. And, all you have to do is pray to Him, and tell him you just need to let out your mind, and it will probaly make you feel better, and make your day better too!

Jeremiah 29:12
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you

"Amazing Love"

I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken
Im accepted you were condemned
And I'm alive and well your sprit is within me
Because you died and rose again

Amazing Love how can it be
That your my king who died for me
Amazing Love I know its trueIts my joy to honor
you (in all I do I honor you)

You are my king,
you are my king ,
Jesus you are my king
Jesus you are my king

-Amazing Love

Have you ever thought about what those words mean? I did not really think about it that much until this week. We were singing this song, and the words just hit me, they all of a sudden popped out to me, and I was like WOAH! Read the words again, the first verse...

I'm FORGIVEN, because you were FORSAKEN.

I mean, think about it... We are forgiven, and we do not have to live with sin, but there was this guy that came, and was perfect, but took all of our sins! He loved us so much that he would do that!

I'm EXCEPTED, you were CONDEMNED.

We get to be with other people, and other people love and care for us, but Jesus was hated by many, and most people did not like him. But, yet we are accepted by lost of people, and they love and care for us. And he still loves us so much, and care for us so so much!

And I am ALIVE and WELL, because YOU DIED and ROSE AGAIN!

Just think... He went through all that pain for YOU! He cared so much about you that he cared, and he died on the cross, like the most painful death ever! He did it all FOR YOU!! And then, he came back to life, and now lets us have eternal life. I mean, WOW!

Now... I hope that gives you something to think about! But, that is what was on my heart, so I shared! That song is now added to one of my favorites! I LOVE IT! And I hope you understand it know too! And still, if anyone has anything for me to talk about, I am still taking requests! So, let me know!

HELP ME!!!!!

Hey Guys!! How life going for you?? I tried to get SOMEONE to give me a topic, but I did not get anything to talk about, so I am still in the process of thinking of what to say. But, I want to know what you guys want to hear from me. SO, I am going to ask you a simple question, and I BEG for you to answer.

What are you some things that you struggle with? Do you have any questions that you want me to answer?

I beg of you to answer, but if you do not want other people to know who you are, just type it in on my blog as annoymous. Just, let me know what you want to hear, and what is going on in YOUR life. Cause I do not know what you want to hear, and I do not know what you want me to talk about, so give me somthing, PLEASE! I beg of you! :)

Thanks!

I am going to make this post a post for questions. If any of you have anything thing you want me to talk about on my blog, or have any questions about Christ, feel free to ask. And I will answer them, to the best of my ablities. If I do not answer you question, I am sorry, but maybe I can't! But, give me a topic or something to talk about, and I will try my best to answer, or talk about your question/topic. Sound good?

I've seen your face on stained glass, in colored lights
In pictures of you looking to the sky

You I've been portrayed a thousand different ways
But my heart can see you better than my eyes
'Cause it's love that points the portrait of your life

The face of love
The face of love
You look more like love everyday

I've read your words in the pages of your life
And I've imagined what you were like
I may not know the shape of your face
But I can feel your heart changing mine
And your love still proves that youÂ’re alive

The face of love
The face of love
You look more like love everyday

You are the face that changed the whole world
No one too lost for you love
No one too low for you to serve
So give us the grace to change the world
No one too lost for me to love
No one too low for me to serve

Let us see...
Let us be your face

-"The Face of Love" Sanctus Real

This song has a meaning behind it, but it is kinda hard to find, to some. But, if you look at thecarefullyarfully you see in the last section, no one to lost for me to love, and no one to low for me to serve, it is talkingjudgingudgeing. And when I heard this song, I thought about it, and noticed that there was a meaning that had to do with what I was talking about on my blog. So, I wanted to share this song with you.

But, when it no one to lost for me to love to me it means that, when you look at some one, and you see that they are SUPER lost in there faith, God still loves them, so we should love them too, and not look adifferentiallyentally! And when it says no one to low for me to serve, to me it is talking about, how you do not only have to be nice and helpful to those who you are friends with, but with everyone that there is. The poor, the rich, the unpopularpopular poular, everyone! God loves us, even tho we mess up all the time, so why don't we?

-John 7:24
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

Some people tell me that I look kind of funny
My nose is red and the braces didn't work at all
They say the clothes I wear are all out of fashion
I don't fit in and should be shopping at a different mall
I studied classical piano when I could've been playing guitar
I used to drive an El Camino and I'm not even sure it's a car

(chorus)I'm not cool but that's okay
My God loves me anyway
I'm not cool but that's alright
I'm still precious in His Site I'm not cool but I don't care
How I'm supposed to do my hair
I'm not cool but that's okay My God loves me anyway

It doesn't matter if I know all the lingo
He doesn't mind if I'm not hanging with a certain crowd
Some people still believe in building image
But I am fine and that's a worry I can do without
I used to wish I was athletic but football was never my game
I met some friends in mathematics but no one can spell my last name

chorus

He says that I am one of a kind
And I don't have to try to be somebody else
He believes in me and says I'm free to be myse
lfI can be myself

chorus

-"I'm Not Cool" lyrics. Song by:Scott Krippayne

This song has alot to do with some of the stuff I have talked about before. About judging. This osng talks about how God does not care how we look on the outside. So, even if you braces do not work, and you are not in the "cool" crowd, you can still be loved by God.

This world we live in worries too much about appereince, but maybe the person has the best personality, and they are supper nice but they do not have the best looking outfit. Would you be friends with them? I mean, you know you should, but you think.... what will other people think of me, and wonder if you should or not. But, would you like it if you did not have any friends? Just think about that. This is my challange for you, talk to the people who are not like you, be nice to those who hurt you. Invite everyone to join the club, not just two of you. Do not jusdge people by the outside, but the inside! That is my challange for you today! I know it is hard, but let me know if you are planning to do it, and I am willing to pray for you!

My verse for the day:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

You are the Lord
The famous one, famous one, Great is Your name in all the earth
The heavens declare You're glorious, glorious, Great is Your fame beyond the earth
And for all You've done and yet to do
With every breath I'm praising You
Desire of the nations and every heart
You alone are God
You alone are God
The morning star is shining through
And every eye is watching You
Revealed by nature and miracles
You are beautiful You are beautiful

-Famous One

Have you ever sang those words to that song? That is one of my favorite songs, but I know it too well, sometimes I do not even think about what the words axially mean, have you ever done that? But, like you just get to know the song to well, that you do not even think about what the words accually mean, and I thought about that, so my new goal for myself is to watch the words that I sing, and figure out a meaning, and truly sing those words out to God, and not just sing them because I do not want other people to notice me, but that I would sing them to really glorify God.

So, that is my challenge for you, think about the words on the song above, and let me know what you think of them. Are they just words, or do they have a meaning? Well, if you were honest, you would say that they have a meaning, but do you sing the words out that way, or do you just sing because you know you have to?

That is my challenge for you this week, sing to glorify God! And give him praise!

Sorry that I have not been putting a verse on here, I will try to remember every day, but today's is.....

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. -Psalm 7:17

Today is 9/11. And I want to ask you to do something for me. PRAY! And think about how much work a lot of the firefighters went through to try and save the many, many people who we in the tower when it got it. Think about what they were thinking when they heard the crash that went into the building. What did they do, but think, “I am going to die, there is no way out!” And even some jumped from windows hoping that some one would catch them as they fell, but knew if no one did, they would die. So, today just pray for the families that lost family member, and think how hard it must have been for them that day, as they heard that they had been hit, and not know if their family or friends had made it. It must have been really hard for them, so take the next min, and pray and remember what happened on that day.

Think about it, and spend the next minuet, thinking, and praying for God to give Bush wisdom, and for the families that have lost friends in this tradgic happening. That is my challenge for you today!!

I'm Not Alright

Weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
Then cruel is just how far we have to fall
I am not immune
I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the fire wall
Can I lose my need to impress
If You want the truth, I need to confess

I'm not alright
I'm broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through,
It leads me to You, it leads me to You
Burn away the pride, bring me to my weakness
'Till everything I hide behind is gone
When I'm open wide
With nothing left to cling to
Only You are there to lead me on

Cause honestly,
I'm not that strong
I'm not alright


Think about this song, and what does it mean? To me, this is what stand out in this song.

This is a normal conversations between two friends.
"Hey, Bob!"
"Hey! How are you?" Sally asks.
" I am good, thanks, you?"
" Good too!"

But, think about this, has your friend ever said, no, I am not ok, I am not alright, I am bad. Most people do not like to talk about stuff like that. But, I mean, why do people not really care when you are not doing good. Why is it so hard to go up to someone and say, no, I am not ok, can you pray for me?

Well, it is hard to do because well, it denpendes on the peron. But, some the reasons might be that you do not want your friends to feel bad for you, or you do not want to just say that. But, I know it can be hard, but by doing that you should be able to point out your real friend. The ones who care about you, and accually do pray for you, and give you a hug, or do whatever you need. And they do it out of the love for you, and becuase they care for you.

I know it is hard to do, but sometime if you tell them, it will make it better. And, sometimes if you don't, one of your friends could think you are mad at them, or something like that. But, if you tell them, they can help you, and try there best to make things better.

What Christians Should Do, but Don't!

What should Christians do that they don't?

Well, I am not like a genius or anything, but somethings that I know I need to work on are some of the things below!

1.) We need to spend more time with God. Because I speak for most people, but most people want to grow closer to God, and the only way to do that is to spend more time with Him. And you can do this by, reading your Bible, and making a time each day that you spend with God. Some things that would maybe make it better would be:

A.) Maybe what would make it better to spend time with Him is to be with friends. Because then when you do not understand what you are reading they can help you. And, they can also be there for you when you need prayer! And be your friend during tough times, and be there when you need to talk.

B.) You can also have a time set to do it the same time everyday, and then make sure you do it, before you can do anything else.

C.) Pray, and ask God for help. He will listen no matter what!

That is all I can think of for now! But, yeah! Let me know if you have anything you want me to talk about! I am open to anything!

Do you think life is fair? I DON'T! I mean, seriously!! Life is NOT fair! TOTALLY NOT! I mean for one, think about school, how many times have you like had homework, and like the other class hasn't! Many times I bet! And that is what it is like for me! Like, I am in one science class, and my friend is in another, and she has not had any homework yet, and I have, and it is SO not fair!

But, I mean, yeah, just life is not fair! LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Like, I have a friend who is so smart, I do not even know what to do with her! And like then there is me, the not so smart one, and only get good grade, (not even sometimes) when I like study my head off! And then she does not have to study at all! I mean, that is not fair either! But, I mean everyone is different, and I guess I should face that, but sometimes it is kinda hard! Life is hard, and I mean different people go through different things, but I would say that people stress over what does not really matter.

Like, people struggle about what they are going to look like, and how cool they are, and whether they have a boyfriend or not, and all that kind of stuff. But, why does that matter? God made us ALL different, and that is how he made us, he did not make me just like you, he made me, me! Because think about it, if everyone was the same as everyone else, how would you know how was who? I mean, we all have special things that God has given us! And that is how he made us to be. Every person is different in a different way. We all like different thing, and some of the same, but we are not EXACTALLY alike! And God made us that way! And that is what is so cool about him!

So, when you think, well it is not fair that we had to do this, and they didn't... Yeah, yeah, we all have unfair lives sometime, but that is just how it all works out! It may seem like everything is not good for you, but God had a plan, and he says that everything will be worked out in the end, that does not mean that everything will be like perfect, but it will al be fine! YOU WILL SURVIVE! I PROMISE! And if you need God's help, just ask, and he will listen to you! And help you!!

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

That is going to be my new thing, I am going to put a verse at the bottom everything!

This is kinda a continuation from yesterdays blog post. But, I am going to kinda talk about judging again.

Have you ever seen someone one is a wheel chair or with autism, or some one that has a disability? What do you do when you see them? Go you and hug them, like you would your best friend, or do you kinda just stare at them, and then walk away? Do you know how many people just walk away? Do you know how that makes the person with a disability feel? BAD! I am sure, I mean, how many times have you seen a person like that with a bunch of friends around them, just as many as you have? I bet almost NEVER! And do you know why that is? Because people judge them by what they look like on the outside, or how they talk, or act. But, why should that matter? They are like a totally different person on the inside! They are just like... YOU! They are the same as you! They may not look or act like you, but they are made by our great father just like you! They were created for His plan, and His way! They did not choose to be that way? God gave it to them, it is special, and it makes them special, so why treat them differently?

One of my BEST friends is in a wheelchair, and you know what, when I knew that I did not think she was like me, but I got to know her, and now she is the like the best lady I have ever met. She is so nice to me, and loves me so so much, and care for me! So, as you can see, you have to look at the inside of a person, because a person may not look the same as you, but really, they can turn out to be the best friend you could ever have. And I know some other people that I am friends with that may not be the best academically, but they are the best listeners, and are the best friends to talk to, and they listen, and they give you advice. So, LOOK AT THE INSIDE! That is what really matter! God made them the way they are with a plan and a purpose! And he did the same thing for YOU! He loves you no matter what you look like on the outside, so why should we care about the outside?

1 Samuel 16:7
...The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the HEART!!

How many times have you heard some one say, "Look at the inside of a person, not the outside"? I have heard it so many times, but I am never able to do it. Everyone looks out the outside of a person, and if they are a dork on the outside, they are bad on the inside, well that is what everyone would say, but that is SO not true. Because, so many people who are SO SO nice, are not the most best looking person in the world, and I will tell you too, some are, but you can not just go up to someone who has weird clothes on, and say that they are weird, and that you should not want to hang out with them.

And don't get me wrong, I am not perfect, I did that too. I judged the outside way too much, and I still do. But, I have a friend who has set a good example to me, and shown me that I should not look at the outside, but the inside. That is what really matters! That is what God cares about, and he does not care what you look like on the outside, but the inside, and that is what i want to challenge you to do too! I mean, I know it is hard, it is hard for me too! I sturggle with it all the time, and I think that is why God gave me the friends I have. They have helped me through it, and taught me lots.

My friends have helped me through my struggles of life, and taught me lots, and I hope that I can do the same to them. Because they have always been there for me to talk to, and cry on, and love. They have been a real blessing to me, I do not know what I could do with out them all!

THANKS SO MUCH ALL OF YOU!

I am going to take the opportunitie to ask if any anyone has any questions for me again! I am going to try to have a post like that every month, but feel free to ask me questions at any time whenever you want, in any comment, cause I am always looking for something to talk about. But, yeah... If you have any questions, let me know!

hey guys! Sorry it took me so long to update, but I am getting ready for SCHOOL! :(
I mean, I guess school is okay, but I do not like it all that much. I guess once I get into the retuin, but I HATE it till then! I do not like getting up so early, it is not my thing! I like to sleep in, and go to bed late!

And I have some odd teacher this year. Exspecially one! He is so weird, and he is kinda gross too! ......... nm, I am not going to go into detial about that, but I just do not like him all that much! But, like last year I had him, and he was like all weird, and his class did not entertain me that much! I got mostly bored! But, I have him, for a not so good subject, so that will be weird! But, I like most of my other teachers! So, I will keep u posted on how the days go!