Jesus LOVES YOU!

Ever felt alone? Like no one cared about you? Like no one was going to be there for you? Like your living you life, fighting battles...all alone? Walking through life with no one by your side? Like no one got what you were going through? And if you tried to explain, they would just think it was dumb?

I bet if we were all honest, we would answer at least once, yes to one of those questions, and maybe even yes to all of them. I know for a fact that I would answer yes to at least one of those, and the thing is, is that we all feel alone at one time or another. Alone in our struggles, alone in our lives. You know how many times that I have felt alone? Way more times then I could ever count. No one is this world seems to go through what I go through everyday... key word though... SEEMS.

Think about yourself for a second... think about the things you go through everyday, and the hard times you have had in your life... now think of one person that has the same problem... when you think about it, can you find someone? Maybe some of you say yes, maybe some of you say no. But someone out of the millions of people in this world is going through, just about the same thing you are, that might even be the person who sits next to you in school, or at work, or at Church, or a person that passes you in the store...or it could even be your best friend. We are all pretty good at hiding everything, and keeping it all to ourselves, and that is why our world looks so perfect, but really our world is pretty messed up. Everyone struggles with something, maybe not as Major as someone Else's, but it is still just as important.

God created us all different... and he created us all perfect just the way we are. With a plan and a purpose... everyone! The includes the person who just bugs you to death, and the one person in school who always picks on you.... which means, you still have to love them, just as God loves you.

But, anyway... back to the point...alone... bored.... alone with nothing to do, no one to talk to... all alone, living your hard life... all alone...do you ever feel like there is a constant battle going on over your head? As sad as it may be... it's true. Between God and the evil one, who wants to control your life, but you have to chose who you really want to take control. Are you going to let God take control and never be alone, on your own?

I like the song Me and Jesus by Steller Kart, and this is the chorus...
Someone loves you even when you don't think so, don't you know you've got me and Jesus, by your side, through the fight you will never be alone on your own, cause you've got me and Jesus.

I love that song, cause it just talks about, how we will always have God on our side, and that you will always have someone by your side. Someone named God. He will always love and, and will always be there. He will always listen to you talk, and listen to you cry, and to you laugh. He will be glad when you are happy, and sad when you are down. He will always be on your side... all you have to do is let him. All you have to do is accept that gift that is being held out to you...

Who is always on your side? Me and Jesus! Don't forget that song, and you are never alone. Someone else has the same struggle as you, you just have to find them. And let people trust you with their problems in life, cause for some people it takes a lot of courage to tell someone what you are going through. For other people it is easy, but no matter what, just listen, they same way they will listen to you when you talk. And remember...
Someone loves you even when you don't think so... ME AND JESUS!! Jesus loves you so much he died on the cross for you, and I would take a bullet for you, and I mean it when I say that. Someone loves you...Jesus does, and I do too!

Will you give someone else the love that God gave you? Or will you just hold it all in?

How AWESOME is OUR GOD?

Last night I hung out with a few friends at a friends house, and we hung out and did what girls do at sleepovers, but something was different about this one.... something amazing happened.

We had just watched a movie and everyone but me and 3 other people had fallen asleep, so the 4 of us just stayed up and talked till like 4:00 in the morning. We were all about to go to sleep and we had just said goodnight and someone got up and went to the bathroom. I didn't think much of it, cause you know... were humans and yeah... but when they came back they were crying, and trying to get the attention of the host of the party. She was asleep and she is a really deep sleeper. She was totally out. But one of my friends knew who it was and asked if she was okay, she said no. So the girl (Sue) asked Bob (the girl who was crying) if she wanted her to wake up the host and she said... yes please! So... she woke her up, but she was a really deep sleeper and she didn't get up. By this time, the other 3 of us were talking to Bob and making sure that she was okay. She said that her stomach really hurt, she was dizzy, she could barely and she was shaking. The pain got like 10 times worse and she started to cry harder, so we tried to settle her down and worked really hard to wake up Josie (the host) and get Josie to go and wake up her mom. Finally we got her up but she didn't get up right away. Bob was still in a ton of pain! So.. finally after explaining the story to Josie like 3 or 4 times she actually got up, and went to get her mom from upstairs, since her mom was a nurse and she would know what to do better then what we would know, since we were only teen girls. Josie and Sue went upstairs to get Josie's mom, and me, and 2 other girls we still down stairs with Bob. Then Sam (one of the girls downstairs) came up with a really good idea, she was like.... hey Bob, do you want me to pray for you? And Bob was like YES! So, then Sam prayed for Bob, and right after Sam said amen... Bob said, it's gone! And we were like seriously? And she was like yes! It is totally gone! And then it was just like this moment of like wow! 2 of the girls started to cry and oh it was awesome! We were all so close to crying! (and for me... crying doesnt happen that offten... but I was pretty close... it was just plain awesome) It was just awesome! She said she felt like there was a knife being stabbed into her stomach and then when Sam said amen... it was just taken out and gone. God sent like a miracle, the power of prayer. We all just sat there in silence and just thought about how awesome that was, and we knew it had to come from God. It was just gone and she was fine. Later it came back and we just prayed for her again, and we just asked God to take the pain from her and we could tell even though it wasn't totally better, it was so much better then it was the first time.

Later that night, or this morning... I guess you could call it. I was just thinking about how cool that was, and it just shows how powerful God really is. Cause like he takes care of us, his children and he watches over us all the time. And like when we pray, he answers. For me, it just showed me how powerful God is, and that he does everything for a reason. Like he had the four of us stay up that late, cause if we weren't up, she would have been having a really hard time, and she would have been all alone. And I just connected it to my life... how God has a plan for my life, just like he had a plan for us staying up and talking that late, and praying for Bob and all that. Even the small things God has a plan for, and even the littlest things in our lives God cares about and takes care of. And just the power of prayer, and how God really does listen to it, and he takes care of it, all we have to do is ask, and God will chose how he wants to answer.

So, whatever is going on in your life that is hard, go ahead and talk to God about it, and he will do what he wants to do in the situation, and you may say... well doesn't he know everything? So, why do I have to tell him? But like, God likes to hear it from us, his children, just like your parents like to hear about your day at school, so does your father in Heaven.

So, I challenge you... do the next for minuets... just talk to God and let him know what is going on in your life, and he will just sit and listen, like a good friend would. Or find a quiet spot where you can just sit and talk to God. But make sure not to just talk to him like Santa Clause, but make sure that you give God some time to talk too! Once you have talked to God and told him everything that you wanted to tell him, just give God 5 mins to talk back to you, for all the time he let you talk. That's my challenge for you today. And maybe you will get something amazing like what God did for us!

When Did I Become A Christian? How Much Have I Grown Since Then?

Let's start at the beginning... where it all started. I was 3 or 4 and I asked God into my heart, as a little girl. I have always grown up in a Christian home. My Dad has always been a Christian influence on my life, and well I would love to say that my mom was too... but as most of you know... my mom died when I was little. 1 and 1/2... and that has really affected me, no matter if people see it or not, it has affected me in ways that a lot of you will never get. Because you have a mom... and trust me, you don't know what it is like without one till you don't have one.

I would say I have grown some here and there.... little by little I am learning new lessons everyday about God and about my life. There is a verse that has helped me a lot and brought me a lot closer to God and that verse is Jeremiah 29:11... and yes I have said this verse a ton of times but it has helped me in so many ways that some of you have no idea what it would be like. But that verse just spoke to me a lot during a really hard time in my life. Just to know that God had a plan for my life was awesome, and that he was planning things for my life, even when the times we hard. I didn't really understand that verse for a long time, but one day when I was having a really hard day... it did. That God had a plan for me, and that it was better then anything I could ever imagine. Better then my own plans...

I have grown a lot over the last year. I also a strayed from God a lot and questioned Him a lot about a lot of stuff, but I guess you could say through it all God has shown himself to me, through the awesome blessings in my life... (that would includes you... knight, lingho, benny from persia), because you have always been there for me, and helped me during the hard times in my life. And they have kept me accountable and kept me strong.

But, back to my little years... my nanny accepted Christ with me, when I was a little girl, about the age of 4. I have gone to church my whole life, on both Sundays and Wednesdays... my dad always made me go, I didn't understand, cause I always learned the same things... so I kinda just went to church, didn't really care much about it, and of course I went to a private school, and always learned about God there too, but it was always the same Bible stories, and it never really changed. So... eventually I a strayed from God...

This summer I moved up to JH at my church, and that just made things a lot better. I know LOVE going to church, because my youth pastor is awesome, and she always has awesome points about everything. She has helped me grow in my faith so much, and I am so thankful for that. One night at church, we had an awesome speaker... and he talked about some things that I will never forget, somethings that really shocked me... but the most imported one was that he talked about if God came back today... or if you died today.... where would you be headed? After listening to him talk about his testimony, I ended up rededicating my life to Christ last October. And ever since then... it has just been a journey for me.

Another person in my life who has helped me a lot is my Bible teacher... he is awesome! He puts everything in views that I understand and get, and that are easy for my little brain to understand. He put Bible stories into contact of our world today, and he has helped me grow so much in my faith and love for God.

Another person is a really awesome friend of mine... well two of them... you two know who you are... I have friends that keep me accountable and help me stay strong as the world falls apart around me. I look forward to seeing them everyday at school, and talking to them. They are awesome and trustworthy. If I tell them not to repeat what I say, I know they won't, and it will stay with them. I can tell them my prayer requests and they pray for me, and keep me strong for God. They are both women of God, and I can see him working in them everyday by the way they act toward me, and toward other people. They show me what I should be like, and set an example on my life. So... you know who you are.... thanks for that!

I have lost a lot....God may have taken a friend out of my life, but I know he had a reason in doing that, cause he has given me awesome friends that I love so much, that influence me and help me, pick me up when I fall... and just make me laugh, and make my life a lot easier. And I never said not having a mom was easy, now did I? Cause, if I said that... that's a total lie, I may be good at making it look easy, but just think about it for a minuet.... I live with 2 guys... no girls... how often do you talk to your mom? Some more then others... but how often do you do something with your mom? A LOT I bet... but you see, I don't have that... I don't have a mom, and yes, I will be completely honest, it's pretty hard on me, but again that verse just comes back to me. God has a plan for me, and I am just so thankful that he does. And that it is better then my own. He has already shown me some of that plan... just by telling me what I am supposed to do in my life. Helping me understand the purpose for me in my life. And I know that is only a small part. I am just thankful for everything that God has done for me over the past few years.

Although I may not understand everything God does for me, I am just thankful he does everything that he does in my life, cause I know it is all for a plan and a purpose.

So... here are the short answers to you questions...

When did I become a Christian? For the first time at 4 and then again at 13
How much have I grown since then? I don't know... I guess you could say a lot

So... if you are having a hard time in your life... don't you ever forget that God has a plan for your life, and that he loves you, and will take care of you!

What Is The Meaning of Life?

I don't really know the meaning of life, but this is my point of view. God made this world for us to enjoy... he gave us nature to look nice so we have pretty things all around us to make us think of how awesome God is. And really the meaning of life is up to you.

What do you want to live your life for?
Who do you want to live your life for?

I would say the meaning of life for me, is to become closer to God and let him do what he wants in my life. No matter if that is someone thing hard or easy, because of God wants me to do it, I know that anything is possible if God wants it to happen, he will be there right at your side helping you along the way.

Your meaning of life is up to you... but if you want to dedicate your life to Christ, then all you have to do is ask him. You have to let him have full and complete control of your life, and you have to make that choice for yourself. No one can make that choice for you; you have to make it for yourself. But as soon as you give God your life, he will use it in amazing ways. He will use your talents in the way he wants to use them, and he will do what he wants to do in your life.

So... what is your meaning in life? What do you want to make of you life? What are some accomplishments that you want to carry through with? But don't forget that as soon as you give your life to Christ, he will use it the way he wants to. And even if you don’t understand why God wants to do this or that with your life... all you have to do is trust that his plan is better then your own. So the meaning of life... to praise God and bring other to him, and to do what you can to work for the best master that anyone could serve, Jesus Christ!

Hey You All! I was just wondering if anyone had any questions for me. It could be about my spirtual journey, my life at home whatever you want to ask, but if you have a question for me don't be too scared to ask! I am open to answering anything! So ask away!!!!!!

~Jesusfreak

Who Am I? ~Casting Crowns

I was thinking about what to write about on my blog, and I was just sitting here and thinking about what I should write, and so I thought for a while about what I should write, a friend gave me an idea, but I didn't really know how to describe it. So I thought about what I should talk about and a few ideas came into my head, but I didn't know what to say about them. I had music playing in the background and this song really just popped out to me.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?

That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.

Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

I like the verses a lot, cause they really stand out to me. Read the verses one more time and just think about it. I am going to pick two verses that to me have an awesome meaning and maybe they will stand out to you.

Who am I? That the Lord of ALL the earth would care to know my name?
When I was singing along with the song and it came to that verse... okay well maybe it came to me a few minuets but whatever. And like when I was thinking about it and thinking about the chorus. And like when you really think of it.... God is the LORD OF ALL THE EARTH, and he created everything in it, and compared to the huge world we are just about as big as a speck of dust, but the Lord still knows us and cares about us and has a plan for our lives. We are so so small but God still cares about us. And like we are just as small as a little ant crawling around on the ground and you see so many of those and you are like there is enough of them around the world it won't hurt to kill one, but then when you think of yourself, you are just as small as an ant to God, probably even smaller, but he still cares about you, and wants to be your friend. And he knows you name! He cared to know your name, even though you were so small.
The other verse that I really like is...

Who am I? That the eyes that see my sin would look on me with love and watch me rise again.

And there isn't much to say about that verse, but I thought it was really cool. Because just for a few minuets, think with me for a second. Think about all the millions of things that you have done wrong. All the times you have sworn, been a jerk to a friend, punched or yelled at your brother or sister, said something mean to anyone... all those things and way more, how many times have you done that? Like a million! If you are human that is. If you told a friend everything you have ever done wrong do you think they would still love you the same? And think of you the same way? Well, God does. He has seen all your faults and mistakes and he still loves you just the same. He loves you just the same no matter how many things you do wrong. Someone one said to me "NOTHING you could ever do would make God love you less!" Nothing! You hear that nothing?! Nothing that you could ever do could make God love you less! He will always love you the same, no matter how much you do wrong.

And then the chorus... read it again...

It just talks about how small we are, and compares us to a flower that comes and goes, a wave in the ocean.... just think about that, how many waves are in the ocean? WAY MORE then you could ever count, a vapor in the wind.... wow see how small now? We are that small but God still loves us! He cares about each little person on this earth, and he cares about everyone of you so much! And God has a plan for everyone of you! He knows what he is doing in your life and he is excited to show you the awesome things he is doing in your life. But we just have to be patient and wait for the time when God will show us everything he wants to show us, but on his own time.

We are all so small, but God loves us all and he cares about everyone of you just the same. No one is better then someone else, maybe just cause your friend read the Bible everyday or goes to Church every week doesn't make God love them more and you less! He loves everyone and he has a plan for everyone... no matter how hard to believe it's one thing I know is true! And God is just a plain awesome person... he loves us even after he sees all our sin... wow that's amazing!

God loves and cares for YOU don't you EVER forget that!

An Awesome Reminder

Someone once said this: "Everyone needs one person in their lives that can keep them accountable and someone that they can take their mask off and show who they really are to."

Have you ever saw someone and you were just like they have a perfect life? I have seen people like that all the time. They get perfect grades, they have perfect parents, and they have everything that anyone could ever want. When I see someone with a prefect life, sometimes I am just like, God, why can't I be like them? Why did you make me with such a horrible life, and why does everyone else have such a perfect one? Because to me it sure seems like some people have no problems in life, but little by little I have seen that that isn't true.

No one has a perfect life, no matter how perfect it seems. We have have struggles, but some of us are just pretty good at covering them up, with our favorite toys... our masks. For some of us we use them a lot and for some of you, maybe you have never really experienced a mask. But, make sure if you start that mask that you don't get too used to yourself with that mask, or a little too used to it. Cause I know what that is like.

I was me, but really I wasn't. I was being someone else, someone that I thought I had to be, and that only got harder and harder. I would change who I was depending on who I was with. I would be one person with one person and someone else with someone else, cause I didn't want that person to look down on me. I did that for a long time. Probably for about like 2 years, I was that multi-faced person. And I lost who I really was. For some time, the person I had made myself to be started taking over the person who I really was, cause I couldn't stand being taken down by someone if I showed them who I really was, and once you lose who you are... good luck finding it. I totally lost who I really was, and I was soon someone, and I had no idea who I really was, and it took a lot of time and effort to find out again who I really was, but little by little, I am learning who I really am, it isn't easy, but slowly, I am learning that there is no reason to try and be someone else, cause God made me who I am and I just have to accept that God made me the way I am for a plan a purpose, and that He has an awesome plan for me, even when I don't see it. And who I really am, is a better person then the person that I want to be, cause God created me for who I was supposed to be, and he is planning a journey for me and just wants to know if I want to come.

So, I encourage you to find a friend that you trust, and then actually show them the real you. I have a friend who has helped me to be who God created me to be, and it just helps to know that I have a trustworthy friend that I can always count on to come to, and who will always make sure I don't do anything dumb. Little by little I have been able to show more of who I really am, and I know that isn't easy to take off the mask you have worn all your life, I know what that's like, but when it comes down to it... look around.... everyone has a struggle of some sort, maybe they are really good at hiding it, but we all have had something go wrong in our lives, no matter how big or small it was/is, we all have. We are all the same when it comes down to it, we are all weak sinners, who need a Savior.

So, if you don't already have that person, I encourage you to find someone you trust and who you are willing to show the real you, and if you don't even know who you are, I know where your at, and just take some time to reflect on who you are when no one else is looking... cause that is probably the real you. And once you find that person, be open with them, and make sure that you can really be yourself, the real you that God created you to be. He created you perfect in his eyes, no matter what anyone else says.

You know who you are: Thanks for showing me who I really was, and coming into my life, and showing me the person that I really should be, and that maybe no one else's oppion really matters, cause God loves me just the way I am. Thanks for everything you do! And for being such an inspiration in my life. You are really a women of God, and I see him working in you everyday. Thanks for teaching me awesome new lessons this past year. Thanks a million, I don't know how I could ever repay you. Love you lots and lots!! ~Jesusfreak

Thanks a million!

Hey Friends! I just wanted to say thanks! Thanks for making my 2006 an okay year. You are all such a blessing in my life, and I am so blessed to have you as friends. You make me smile, you make me cry, you make me laugh so hard and you make me feel at home, and of course you make me happy! I want to thank some people...

Hot Pink: Wow! What to say? Thank you so much for an awesome year! You helped me so much! You showed me that God has a plan for my life, even when I can't see it. Thanks for always being there for me, and listening to my hours and hours of talking and complaining. You are an awesome friend to me, and I am so blessed that God put you in my life. You make me laugh and you make me cry tears of joy! You are an awesome influence on my life, and you help me along my path of life. My path isn't always hard, but you have always picked me up for the many times I fell down. You taught me so much this year, and you are a major influence on my life. To be honest, I didn't really know who I was before this year, because I had made myself someone that I wasn't, and I was so used to that person, but little by little I have learned who I really am, and who God made me to be. Thanks for always being there for me for everything! You are very loyal, and you are always open to listening to me talk for hours on end about nothing, as I talk about my life, that is pretty boring and you just listen and you give me advice. You encourage me in so many ways, and that helps me so much! Just to know that someone really does care about me, and you are just a very caring and compassionate person. You always make sure that my day is going okay, and you always build me back up when the day is going horrible. You can always make me laugh even when I am having the worst day ever! Thanks for everything that you do for me! You make me my hard hard world easier. You smile at me and give me notes and you do millions for me! So, thanks for everything! I love you so much! You are such a blessing and I don't know what I would do without you. I don't know how I could ever thank you enough for everything that you have done for me. There is no way that I could repay you, thanks for just being an awesome friend! And always remember, God has a plan for your life, even when it doesn't seem that way!

Graprgirl: I don't know where to start with you... Lets start with a thanks! Thanks a million! Every morning, as I walk in that history door you are always sitting in your desk and all I have to do is smile. You are always sitting in your desk smiling or talking to a friend, and you always look so happy! You always write me notes, and you always listen to me as I talk. I talk and talk about pointless things and you just sit there and listen. So, thanks for doing that. You are an awesome friend to me, and I am so blessed to have you in my life. You are always there for me, and when I look down, you always make sure that I am okay. You always make me laugh, just cause its fun, and laughing makes the day better. And we are very violent... :) So, Grape, you are awesome! You are loyal and you always make sure I am okay, and you always ask for my prayer requests and you pray for them. We have fun times when we hang out, so thanks... "you make me happy!" Thanks for everything! I am so blessed to have you in my life! To have an awesome friend like you is amazing! I don't understand why you like to hang out with me, a weird, jerk, and boring person like me, but you always do. You are always so forgiving! Every time I mess up, which I know I do a lot, you always are just like its totally fine, and I am just like... thank you! You always forgive me every time I mess up. Thanks for everything! You are such a blessing! And remember the same as I told Hot Pink, God has a plan for your life, even when it doesn't seem that way.

Thank you all my friends for everything! You make my world so much better! You make me smile and you make me cry. You are always there for me, and since I don't have a mom, it is awesome to have friends that are always there for me, and talk to me when I want to talk, and have fun with me, and just give me some time to spend with girls. Thank you all so much for teaching me everything that you have taught me, which is a lot. I have grown closer to God, thanks to both of you! Thanks a million for everything! Love you all lots! I don't know why you all want to be friends with me, but I am just glad that you gave me a chance. I am sorry for all the times that I mess up, and that I will mess up, and for the times that my mess ups hurt you, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean too! I am so blessed to have friends like you in my life. God is amazing for putting you in my life! I hope you all have an awesome 2007, and that God will open your eyes to new things everyday. Love you all lots, and thanks a million for everything!!


~Slick/Ling Ho 2/Jesusfreak

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.