New Snow

:)

I love the snow. 

There's something about fresh snow falling at night that makes me pay attention to the quietness around me.  When you come across a fresh patch, left untouched by human, dog, deer, or snow plow, it's wonderful to see how you can shape it into something else. 

It's a winter wonderland outside my front door right!

I'm glad that God took the time to create snow.  I'm doubly thankful for warmth.  Mittens, scarves, heaters, blankets, houses, and socks (just to name a few) keep us warm during our fun in the snow.  I personally have a vendetta against the cold.  Once I'm cold, it takes a very long time for me to get warm again.  For that reason, I especially value warmth and heat.  It makes playing in the snow worth the while. 

When it snows, its almost as if everything is perfect for a while.  While everything is covered in white, laughter reaches people's faces quicker and a twinkle seems to brighten everyone's eye.....that is until the sky has not ceased, and in the middle of the night dropped two more feet. 

In my hometown, school isn't canceled unless the buses can't get out, or there are power lines down....needless to say, I didn't see more than maybe a dozen school days in my elementary through my high school years; living in a town that sees snow generally in October through at least March.

But I won't complain. :)  I genuinely enjoy getting to take part in this wonderfully unique creation. 

Good night, and be safe if there's snow out there for you!

The Most Unlikely of Places

Lately, I've been watching a tv series on Netflix.  It's called McLeod's Daughters.  The show takes place in the Australian bush, and is all about a ranch that is ran by two sisters and an all female staff.  I've fallen in love.  It's funny, serious, and all about family wrapped into one.  It also highlights the many facets of running a property... and I think that's my favorite part.  Lots of horses, cows, sheep, and even alpacas.  You never know what's going to happen on Drover's Run, the name of the ranch. 

My sister and I have been staying up way too late since we've been home watching it.. we just finished the 3rd season.  In case anyone is interested in watching, I won't spoil anything. 
What I do want to talk about tonight is difficult to put into words.  One thing that the McLeod sisters deal with throughout the show is death.  The women are actually half-sisters, brought together after a long separation by the death of their father.  The show was a long series hit in Australia, and religion isn't ever really mentioned. 

I guess this ties in with what I'm thankful for tonight because I am thankful beyond words that I know for certain where I'm going when I die.  I have a one-way ticket to Heaven...the boarding time just hasn't been filled in yet.  I don't fear death, because I know that being absent in body is being present with the Lord. 

One thing that's always hard is seeing people you love die.  No words fill the holes that have been left over in your life.  The only consolation is found in knowing that if they believed, then Heaven isn't too far off in any of our futures..not to sound morbid or anything.  Losing a sibling, parents, friends, and children is extremely difficult.  Unfortunately it's a part of life, and everyone will have to deal with it at some time or later.  The silver lining in this dark cloud is that there is hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.  For that I am thankful.

Keep moving forward.

I'm thankful that there isn't someone standing above me with a 20 ton anvil waiting to drop it on my head every time I fail.  Because if there was, I would've been dead ages ago. 
I thank the Lord today that there is forgiveness, which is found in the blood of Jesus Christ.  I'm thankful every day is a new day, with no mistakes in it yet. :)

We're all going to mess up.  Royally mess up.  But it's the step in what direction that we take next that really matters.  Do we keep going the way we've been off to?  Or do we take time to contemplate, pray, and just talk with Jesus to determine where the next step of our adventure will take us? 

I've missed 2 days of my challenge, but I won't let it stop me.  We all make mistakes, and thankfully we're all forgiven.  The price for my mistakes was paid for in full on Calvary.  What better Christmas present could I ever receive than that?

Nothings ever slow around here...

Sorry I missed a day!  I've kinda been under the weather though, in fact I may come back and delete this post seeing as I've been taking pain medicine and such for over 24 hours.  The good news is I now have no wisdom teeth!  The procedure went well as far as I know, and although I'm in pain, I'll be right as rain in a few days.
Thank you for all of you who were praying for me.  I think the only complication was that it took them awhile to find a vein to insert the IV in.  After making me inhale this nitrogen-oxygen stuff (which definitely made me more loopy than the Vicodin is) they ended up giving me the IV in the top of my left hand.

Today I have two things to be thankful for, since I missed yesterday. :)

The first is my Momma!
I know I technically already said I was thankful for my family, butttttt I think this lady deserves her own category!  She truly is the ultimate mom.  She has the best bedside manner, and can always tell when I'm lying about needing more pain medicine... haha.  She's also the first person to recognize a migraine coming on.  She gives the best hugs, and knows when I just need someone to play with my hair and not talk.
My mother is an amazing woman of God, and understands the deepest struggles that I go through.  She's been my best friend for years, and she's always there to pick up the pieces when I fall apart.  I love her so so much, and realize that this is another person I need to remind every day of how much I do really love!

The second thing I am thankful for is a free will.
I've been thinking about this a lot over the past few years, and at different points have come to different conclusions.  Sometimes I wish that I didn't have a free will, and that God would just make all of the correct decisions for me.. But I realize how big of a coward that makes me, wishing that.  I'm truly thankful for having my own free will because it means that there is at least one thing that I have done in my life that was right.  And that was choosing Jesus.  If I hadn't of chosen Jesus in 1st grade, would I be the person I am today?  I don't know.  But I thank God every day for sending the hounds of Heaven after me, and for not giving up on me even once.

I think tomorrow my sister is going to force my brother and her boyfriend to help us put up Christmas decorations.  Hopefully I'll be aware enough to take some pictures and post them.  Thanks for reading and being an encouragement to me!

Merry Christmas!  Always remember that Jesus loves you. :)

Mis Abuelos

Finals are over and winter break has officially started!  Hallelujah! Currently I'm at my grandparent's home in central Oregon.  Tomorrow I go into surgery to get my top wisdom teeth out... The bottom two have already been removed, and hopefully this will be a quick recovery!
Being in the home that I've loved since childhood brings back so many memories.  :)
My grandparents are precious to me.  They've always been here for me.  Whenever I just wanted to call and talk.  They remembered every birthday, every special event.
Every since I was 6 or 7 I've spent a week at my grandparent's during the summer.  It's generally a week of scrumptious homemade meals, library trips, and wonderful conversation.  I love listening to the stories that they have to tell.  Summers spent at Gammy and Papa's were the best!
Through my high school music career, they attended almost every single one of my band and choir concerts.  (Seriously!  My friends were always disappointed when they didn't get to see my grandparents if they couldn't make it to a concert.)  They've put many miles on their Jeep Cherokee for me, and words will never express my thanks.  My Gammy has always reminded me of some sort of royalty.  She doesn't put on airs or anything, but there's just something about her that makes you want to be the best you can be.  She's a kindred spirit.  My Papa has always been good for a hug, and his jokes and laughter make every holiday special.  I don't tell them enough how much I love them and appreciate them.  When I grow up I hope to be half the grandmother to my grandchildren as my grandmother has been to me.
I'm blessed beyond measure to have them in my life. :)
Happy Holidays!

Home

I've always wanted to be a cowgirl.  I grew up in the country, but my dad's a cop and we never did the ranching thing.  Maybe it's better that way. 
I love small towns.
I love being able to walk for an hour and not see another human being. 
I love the way that you know every person at the grocery store (and that you know who's there by just scanning the parking lot).
I love the fact that the 300 kids in my high school my senior year was the same number in my best friend's graduating class.
I love the way the air feels in the country.  Fresh.
I'm thankful for growing up in a small community.  I cannot imagine growing up in a place with more than 3,000 people.  Traffic lights and fast food galore and just the busyness wears me out.  I know some people love it though, so I'll leave it to you. :)

Simple

Tonight was the last night of my college group for this term, and it was a night spent in worship and prayer.  I love how God knows exactly what it is that we all need.  I struggled to enter into true worship for the first 3 songs, and then all of the sudden it hit me.  There was one line of a song that was exactly what I needed to hear tonight.  I love how God uses the simple things to sometimes bring the most impact on our lives.  During the time for prayer, it was sweet to share with some of my best friends what we all needed prayer for.  Spending the evening worshiping was exactly what I needed. 
Tonight, I am thankful for my family.  We have our issues, our weird habits, and our differences.  But I love them, each and every one.  They have helped to shape me into who I am today.  :)

#6

I'm thankful for the lazy days in life that allow you to just relax with no interruptions.  :)

♫

Worship is one of the sweetest things on this earth in my opinion.  Music has always been highly personal to me, and so sharing it with my redeemer and savior is precious.  I'm grateful for the fact that there are so many ways in which we can praise God and just communicate with Him.  It can be through singing, dancing, writing, or serving just to name a few.  I'm most thankful for worship through music.  There's something about being lost in the music and in the words that stirs my soul.
At church this morning, we sang two songs I had never heard, and it was nice just to sit and listen to the words, and echo them in my heart towards God.
I'm thankful for how accessible music is in this day and age.  I can engage in worship with God in my car driving to school or while walking through the park.  Worship isn't something that needs to be nor should it be contained in a building where people meet every week.  It should be taken with us wherever we go.  Worship is a type of prayer.  In 1 Thessalonians 5 we are exhorted to pray without ceasing.  For those of you who haven't tried to pray without ceasing for a day, I'll tell you that it is extremely difficult.  I'm glad that singing and worshiping is one way that I can try and be in constant communication with the Father. 

The Light in the Dark

This girly needs to go to sleep.

Jesus, thank you for being the light that shines through the dark!!  Thank you for never leaving us alone, and for being the Ultimate Protector!

-Katie :)

Tres

Today is day 3 of my challenge!  I'm going to do something a little different and explain three things I'm thankful for.  The one thing they have in common is that they are all my best friends on this planet.  I'll start off with my high school kindred spirit, Kari

I have SO many reasons to be thankful for this amazing woman of God!!!  She knows me like no other human being does.  We don't need words to speak ofttimes, and it brings me joy that we just understand each other.  Kari has been there through the thick and the thin by my side.  She's listened to my crazy ideas and thoughts and plans, and she gently steers me back on course when I'm drifting from shore.  Thank you, Kari!  This Christmas I have no words to say how much I appreciate your presence in my life!!

Next is my roommate, Mar.
I have a million days worth of thank yous to spend on my knees to my heavenly father for this woman!  It still amazes me that the day after I prayed for a friend in college, God brought us together! :)  Mar is the girl that I can be absolutely silly with at any time!  She's also the one that isn't afraid to speak the truth to me, and I am thankful for being convicted!  She makes me a better person. 
It's amazing to me how alike we are while being different in so many ways.  Mar, today I praise the God that brought us together for our wonderful friendship!  Thank you for being the person that I can talk to whenever and wherever!

Last but certainly not least is Toothless
By now, you may have guessed that I'm using code names for my dearest friends.  If you haven't seen How to Train Your Dragon, then this name probably doesn't make sense to you.  T is the girl that I spent every single day with for a term and a half.  We never went through the stage of becoming friends.  We just were.  We met in marching band last September, but we didn't even talk until the first day of basketball band in January.  Our friend Ty might be regretting the fact that he told us to sit by each other that day.  :)  T and I have a bond that I have seldom found in people.  We are closer than sisters, and T is the one that I pick up the phone in the middle of the night to call.  Thank you, T for being there and reaching out when I'm in need the most!


There are SO MANY more things that I am thankful for in these amazing women, but I feel like words would never do them justice.  We all share one trait:  and that is our belief that Jesus Christ died to save our sins.   For that shared trait I am more thankful for than anything else.  :)
    

Slowing Down Life

I have a confession to make.  I'm addicted to facebook.  There, now I've said it, and now I can move on from it.  Last night I had my roommate change my facebook password.  (This is how serious I am)  I want to slow down the pace of my life.  We're all about time efficiency and getting the largest possible output out for the smallest input.  My question is, "Why?"  There isn't a boogie-man chasing us everywhere we go, and there isn't such thing as the efficiency police leaning over our shoulders watching everything we do.  Slowing down seems silly, but in the end, I think it's absolutely necessary.
It's been less than 24 hours since I've taken my leave from facebook, and already I feel like I've accomplished SO MUCH!  I feel unconnected, and that ladies and gentleman is wondrous!  Just sitting and listening is worth the initial pain.

A few weeks ago, my college pastor said something that really caught my attention.
"Don't ever step outside that climate of being desperate for God."

W.O.W.  How I've totally messed up just that.  How many days have I gone through with 'just the motions'?  Seeking God seems tame compared to being desperate for God.  I want to be desperate for God, and I want to be in that place where I know true humility. Every day I want to start on my knees knowing that I can't make it through the day on my own, and I want to end every day desperately thanking God for His grace and another day to live. 

Speaking of thanks, here's day 2 of my challenge:

I am thankful for a real home to live in (not a college dorm!).  I'm thankful for the peace and quiet that living in a house allows, and also the girls who live here with me!  Sharing a bathroom with one of your best friends is much easier than sharing with 20 other girls. :)  I think I take for granted things like endless hot water, a washer and dryer, and windows!  For these things I am thankful!  How about you?

Hello Again

It's been a long time since I posted anything.  Right now I'm in the middle of "Dead Week" as they call it in college.  This term is almost over, and Christmas break is almost here!  I can't believe that I've been back in Corvallis for almost 10 weeks!   It just seems crazy.  My time has been spent studying, reading, hanging out with friends, and of course: marching band.  :)  This term has been very different for me.  First of all I switched my major from music (with a vocal performance option) to general agriculture during week 3 or something like that.  Secondly I'm only taking something like 14 credits this term, which has been VERY nice.
I'm still at that point where I have no idea what God wants me to be doing.  Well, in reference to the future.  Right now, I'm just living and trying to work on my relationship with the Father.  This term has been full of exactly what I've needed.  The only thing that I'm truly working on is just getting to know God.  In the end, the rest of the world and what they think of us doesn't matter.  Don't worry, I'm staying mostly caught up in school. :)

On a whole different not, it's DECEMBER!! Which is my Favorite month of the year!  :) I love Christmas.  Hot cocoa by the fire and a good book with family in the next room is one of my favorite things.  Don't get me all confused and backwards.  I love the Christmas season, but not the lavish gifts and fake parties and everything that the media turns Christmas into.  I do love snow, mittens, hot cocoa, family, the country, and simply free time.  This Christmas I want to try something.  I am going to post 25 things that I'm thankful for.  One thing for every day until Christmas.  I'm also going to be taking a leave from facebook, and to make sure that it's official, only my roommate will have the password.  I want this Christmas to be different.   I want to spend time really seeking God's face and slowing down my world.  Today is December 1st, and so here is the first thing I'm thankful for. :)

Numero Uno
I am thankful that God loves me infinitely the same Every. Single. Day.  No matter what I do or what I don't do, He loves me!  His love can't be considered in any league like we think of on Earth.  He's the ultimate lover and that brings me comfort.

24 days until Christmas.  What are you thankful for?

Choices

Lord,
I choose to always fly to you. 
I choose to throw myself at your feet the moment I become overwhelmed.
I choose to want to know you more.
I choose to make You my everything.

When life is tough, and all I can do is just keep moving for fear of falling apart, I choose to call out Your name and find the safety in Your arms that has been there all along.  Tonight, I fly to You.  You know the depths of the troubles in my heart.  I pray that You give me the strength to face this battle, this life.  You've brought me here, and I have no doubt that You'll see me through this to the other side.  I might come out on the other side of this valley with some battle scars, but at least I'll always remember.  Jesus, I know that You live, and that You reign.  :)  Help me to see Your touch in everything around me. 

Yours Forever,
Katie

p.s. Tonight I remember that this 'valley that seems like the shadow of death' is simply a valley.  Tonight I remember that you cannot have a shadow without a source of light.  I know that You are the true source of light in this world, and only Your light can shine bright enough to defeat the devil and his evil ways.  :)

Fly

How do we live when no one is watching? 

                    Are we quick to admit that Jesus is Lord? 

                                     How do we act around our peers or coworkers?

                                                       Do we talk today's language? 

It's easy to just blend in with the crowd and to not do anything to stand up for what we believe in.  I've been convicted about how I act in my work place.  I know that I should keep my mouth closed, so why do I open it?

Easy: Because it's the easy way out. 

So... What do you do when you've messed up? 

You fly to the Father.

Admitting what you've done wrong is most often the hard part.  But know that if you're truly sorry, the Father will welcome you with open arms.  Asking for forgiveness is the first step to getting back on track.  Unfortunately, after becoming a christian, the question isn't, "What if I sin?" but "When will I sin?"  None of us are perfect.  Only one man holds that title, and he happens to be the creator of heaven and of earth.  The good news is that after we've asked forgiveness and truly repent in our hearts, the Lord will not bring it up again... until judgment day.  Don't fret.  The only thing we can do is live our life as best we can.  Every day is a choice.  As soon as you wake in the morning, the choice is presented in which you will choose to live the day for the Lord or for man.  It seems as though too often lately, I've chosen man. 

Every morning we have the choice of putting on the full armor of God. 

Ephensians 6:10-20

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

[13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  [14] Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  [15] and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

[18] praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for al the saints-- [19] and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

I don't want to be hokey or cheesy... but I have a feeling I'm going to be.

Taking a closer look at this passage, it's really like something out of a fairytale or a story.  When I read this passage I think of knights.. more specifically knights in shining armor.  smile... and not just any knights in shining armor.  The knights that I envision are everyday, poor men.  They work hard labor in the fields next to you, and yet they have something different about them.  They have a light that shines from within.  And their clothes, though made of the same material as yours, have a certain strength that cannot be reasonably explained.  You see, these men have put their faith in the Lord.  Every morning when they wake before dawn, they kneel to pray and they put on the full armor of God.  

The armor of God isn't chain mail, or metal plated.  It doesn't protect the flesh, but protects the soul which needs more protection than the flesh shall ever need.  The man that chooses every morning to pray and commit the day to the Lord is a righteous man.  

The book of Ephesians is actually a letter written to the saints in Ephesus by Paul the Apostle, whilst he was in jail. In verse 14 he talks about girding you waist with truth and putting on the breastplate of righteousness.  You see, when the enemy attacks, he aims for the soul, but must first penetrate the flesh.  An unprotected body would be relatively easy to demolish, but a body protected by the Armor of God would not.  The armor of God is a metaphor, but I think it's an almost tangible way for me to see where the cracks in my armor are.  

Questions to ask myself in the morning:

• Have I girded my waist with truth? (Am I ready to discern truth and lie? If so, am I ready to act on behalf of truth?)
• Have I put on the breastplate of righteousness? (Am I heavenly attuned?  Am I ready to stop and think about what my Lord would do in any given situation?  If so, am I ready to make a decision that would reflect God's wisdom?)
• Have I shod my feet with the preparation of the the gospel of peace? (Am I prepared to take with me wherever I go the peace and love of the Gospel?  Am I ready to put into practice all that I've read about and studied?  Am I ready to share my faith, and if not vocally, then through my actions?)
• Have I picked up the shield of faith? (This being the most important.  Faith is what will stop the attempts of the devil dead in it's tracks.  Do I believe in what I have learned?)
• Have I put on the helmet of salvation? (Salvation is the foundation of what we believe in.  If not for salvation, there would be no forgiveness, no redemption.  Do I acknowledge this choice that I have made?)
• Have I picked up the sword of the Spirit? (Being the Word of God, this too is of immense importance. Am I prepared to the best of my ability?  Have I committed the living word to memory?)

 Look at yourself in the terms of these bullets, these verses.  Have you been putting on the full armor of God?  Or do you find gaping holes in your armor?  I can see a few in mine.  A soldier would not step onto the battlefield without being prepared as best as he can.. with FULL armor.  So, why do we settle with less than acceptable?  Why do we step out in front of the lions without even so much as a stick to protect us? 

Every day is a battlefield, in either big or small ways.  Every day matters.  I know what I need to work on, so what say you?  What can you do differently?  What can you work on?  Where are the weak spots in your armor?  Remember that the bigger the deficiency, the easier it is for the devil to attack, and succeed at taking a bit of you with him.  It takes much more work to recover what has been lost than to protect the whole. 

God orchestrated the writing of the Bible to help us.  So now we have the choice.  He's telling us to fly.  Fly straight down the narrow path of righteousness.  We were given a free will so that the choice of choosing Jesus would be all the sweeter.  Yahweh has given us the permission  to fly.  He's waiting for you to return though after your day.  He wants you to come back home and talk to Him, to share with Him your sorrows, and your joys.  Start and end your day with the King of eternity, and see how much your life is altered. 

Jesus loves you, and so do I.
God bless, and until next time!

~Katie

Summertime

I've had a bit of a holiday from this blog, but not on purpose.  For me, Summertime is the ultimate test of putting into practice what you believe.  I work as a wildfire dispatcher in a town in the Pacific Northwest.  I love my job.  This year, my schedule doesn't allow me to go to church.  I work Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 0700-1800..(that doesn't include overtime).  Because I live in a small town, our Youth Group doesn't run during the summer, and there aren't any church groups that have mid-weekly services. 

It's a good thing that it's Someone up-above who's running the show.  :)  I think I've mentioned before that I have the best friends on the planet.  I have my childhood friends, and my college friends.  Both groups encourage me to follow the Lord, and to do my best in life.  My childhood friends always can bring a smile to my face, and they can make me laugh.  There are 5 of us.  3 girls, 2 boys.  God has truly blessed us all with summer jobs this year, and even more, he has given my best friend two of the same days off as I have every week!  It's kind of a big deal because she's living about an hour away during the week fighting fire.

Because Kari (code-name for my best friend) and I work on Sundays, we came up with a plan to do a Bible study while she's home on Tuesday nights!  So, the 5 of us have spent our Tuesday nights digging into God's Word this summer. And it's been such a blessing :)  Before all of our jobs started we would get together at the end of the night, and just pray.  That's probably the last thing you would expect a house full of college kids to do (well, it's the last thing that would normally happen in my town).  It's been so good. 

We have all been given a choice.  I will freely admit that this has been a little bit of a stumbling time this summer for me.  I've just felt a little lost, and living with my family again has taken some additional getting used to.  But those are not excuses.  A relationship requires both parties giving their all.  I'm sorry, Lord, for not trying very hard so far this summer.  I make a commitment to take you into my workplace with me, to continue to read your word, and to continue to fall in love with you. 

One really odd thing that has happened this summer is that I have lost my Bible.  I still haven't found it.  It's hard to walk in the dark without a flashlight, and that's how I've felt.  I have a new Bible now, but all my notes, all my underlines and bookmarks are gone.  I feel like I've lost an arm.  The Bible is one of a believer's only tools that will light the path of this life.  If you don't have one, I would encourage you to purchase one.  It doesn't matter what version it is, or what color the cover is.  Be prepared to take a pen or pencil to the pages though! :)  The words will come alive once you've accepted Jesus as you Lord and Savior. 

The summer of 2010 isn't over yet.  August is just beginning.  If you've had a rough start like me, don't hesitate to dig in.  Just like anything new, reading the Bible is something that takes practice.  The Bible is like a piece of God, and understanding God would take a million years.  Each verse that is underlined in my old Bible was like a facet of God's character that I especially wanted to make my own.  It's going to take perseverance and patience to read the Bible on a daily basis.  Being a Child of God isn't for the faint of heart.  I know that I am not capable of doing it on my own.  I am daily carried in the arms of Christ. 

I hope you are all having blessed summers, and I pray that you're having a great time recovering from a full school year!  Jesus loves you and so do I! :)




p.s.
I know some of my friends are almost ready to head off to college again (like on Friday!), and I pray that their Freshman year will be a fantastic one.  I pray that God would draw near to them, and that they would discover their faith like never before.  I pray that they would make friends, and that the temptations of a brand new world would not take root in their skin.  Protect my dear friends, my Lord.  Love them and cherish them.  Draw them closer to you and guide their paths. :)

Prayer

It's almost 3:00 am, and for some reason I can't sleep.  For some reason, I think God has kept me up to pray.  I want to encourage you that prayer truly does make a difference.  The power of prayer, and faith that God hears our prayers and answers our prayers (even if we don't like the answer), is tremendous.  I've seen it time and again.  The question is though, "Why don't we immediately go to God when things go wrong or we don't know what to do?" It's easy to fall out of the habit of praying, and even easier to just worry instead or continue to go about our day.  Prayer is simply communication with the Father.  There are no prerequisites for prayer.  You don't have to have a degree in Biblical Studies and you don't need to have read the Bible all the way through seven times. 
I keep a prayer journal.  For some reason, writing out my prayers seems to help keep me focused.  I'm guilty of a wandering mind when I'm praying.  Putting pen to paper helps, and I encourage you to do the same if you struggle with even knowing what to pray for!  I usually am lead more easily by the Holy Spirit when I'm writing, and sometimes I'll fill four pages in my journal in one sitting. 
No matter is too small if you bring it to the Lord.  Thank Him, praise Him, ask for wisdom, but most importantly just spend time with Him.

I hope you are all asleep!  Have a great week.  Jesus loves you! :)

Romans 8:35-37

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written.

"For your sake we are killed all day

long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, no any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praise the Lord.  To Him be the glory!

Grace is Enough

Wow, life has been moving at a fast clip the over the past week and a half.  I feel like this is the first time I've sat down just to sit down in a very long time.  My time away has been time well spent though ( I think) and time to continue to grow closer to God (I know). 

I'll start with my weekend at Shasta, which was last weekend the 6th - 9th.  One word couldn't summarize.  This whole blog probably couldn't even summarize it, but I'll try my best. :)

We were blessed so much by God-gifted speakers, cabin time, and of course playing in the sun.  God spoke to my heart, and blessed me beyond what I thought He would.  One thing that really sticks out in my mind was the true meaning of grace.  I've always knows what grace was... but I guess I never made it personal, I never claimed it as my own.  The moment that it all fell into place for me (concerning grace at least) was beautiful.  It wasn't fire works and dancing, but simply two cogs in the assembly line of my life falling into place.  I'm really not sure how else to describe it. 

God has really been showing me His grace since I got back from Shasta.  I've been released from my past, and I KNOW that Jesus loves me.  He chooses to love me, just as I am.  He sees me as innocent, because I am covered by His blood.  He died for me. 

Today is a new day.  No matter what happens, my Father will still love me.  I will try and honor Him and bring glory to Him in all I do.  Life is difficult.  Really difficult right now.  But, I know that God is good, and His grace is enough for me.  I hope you know that too.  Until you claim His grace, I think you'll always be searching, and always wanting to live up to a standard that we can't reach.  Grace provides the ladder.  Forgiveness opens the door.  We can't live mildly, we have to live on fire for God or not at all.  Why was I chosen to such a calling?  I know that I am uncapable of succeeding.  Thankfully, there's someone who's already paid the price for my lack of ability.  He has already taken the weight off of my shoulders concerning everything.  Sometimes I want to keep holding onto it because I think I can do things on my own.  Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  The antithesis of the verse would then be, "I can do nothing without Christ who strengthens me." 

I can't do school without Christ.  I can't be patient while waiting for my future husband without Christ.  I can't drive to the grocery store without Christ.  I can't pray without Christ.  I can do nothing without Christ.  He is my foundation.  If I take my foundation away, then what am I?  I'm a sad story to behold, that's what. 

I just really feel the need to reiterate again that God's grace covers all.  He loves us.  It makes me want to cry to think about how he chooses to love me.  He didn't have to, but He does anyway.  That's just really blowing my mind right now, I'm not gonna lie. 

Right now, I'm drawing near to God.  He promises to near to me, when I draw near to Him, and that's something that I need today. 
Jesus loves you. (Seriously) And so do I.

A Quick Note

I haven't been on in a while, and I just wanted to assure you all that, yes I am still alive. :)

God has been working mightily in my life the past few weeks, and I have lots to share.  I'm off to Hawaii for about five days, and I'll really update when I get back.

God bless, and Jesus loves you... don't forget that :)

A Dying Art

Chivalry.  What does it mean to you?
When I hear the word chivalry today, I don't envision knights in shinning armour or a kind gentleman who gives his seat to a lady in a crowded room.  Instead, I think of the ways that our society treats each other.  I'm not just talking about how men treat women, but also how men treat other men and how women treat other women.

Is it really worth it to walk through life alone?  That's how we're all going to end up if we can't take two seconds to say hi to someone or offer to help a stranger who's struggling to carry something.  Just smiling at someone walking down the street can brighten a person's day.  A kind word is all it takes.  You never know, you might just find a new best friend. :)

Two of my three BFFs have boyfriends, and their boyfriends are two of the nicest men I have ever met.  I am continually shocked by the things that they do for my girls.  They treat them like princesses.  Not in a spoiled brat kind of way, but in an old school, gentleman-like kind of way if that makes sense.  I don't even think I can explain the kinds of things these guys do, but it melts my heart every time I see it.  I am so glad that they are being taken care of exactly how they deserve.

My next question is why doesn't everyone treat each other with the same respect and care?  If we truly cared about people, I think a lot of the problems in our society would just disappear.  Isn't the Golden Rule "treat others how you want to be treated"?  I have received two acts of unnatural kindness in the last two weeks.  And they were simple things, that 40 years ago any guy would have done.  It made me really stop and think about how sad of an excuse we are some days.

I don't want to go through the rest of my life alone, and I think that there's probably a reason we are capable of talking and smiling, and can write sweet notes.  I heard a song on the radio today, and one of the lines was "There can never be a more beautiful you."  Take it to heart, and then share the joy of knowing that with others.  I hope everyone had a good weekend, and pray that this week you are blessed by those around you.  Jesus loves you and so do I! :)

~Katie

I Put My Trust in the Lord

How willing are you to let God have control of your life?
50%?

75%?

90%?

99.999999999995%

or

100%?

Giving God control over all of my life is a daily struggle.  I will push forward though, and run this race that God has made me for.  I have come to the conclusion (that I should have seen years ago) that the calling of my life may not be that of a traditional college student.  I find it hard to dedicate so much time to things that don't line up with my goals in life.  I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again.  I have no desire to enter the workforce.  I don't feel inferior though for feeling that way.  I know that the things of this world will pass away, and I also know that my trust is in the Lord.

Today I make a declaration of service to the Lord.  I want to know Him more.  I want to feel His heartbeat and seek His will for my life each and every day.  I'm not sure how this will change my life.  I know that God has me right here for a reason.  For that I praise His name.  Only the One, True, Living God could have orchestrated such an amazing thing as my friends.  I am truly blessed by all of you!  Your comments, words of encouragement, and overwhelming support drive me to continue on this path I have begun.

I am giving God my everything today.  I would appreciate your prayers as I seek His face and also His will for my life.  Two Psalms today, and then I'ma signing off. :)

Don't ever forget that Jesus loves you and so do I!  (:

Psalm 25:5

Lead me in Your truth and teach me,

For You are the God of my salvation,

On You I wait all the day.

Psalm 27:4

One thing I have desired of the Lord,

that will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the Lord,

and to inquire in His temple. 

God's Power: In Light of our Weaknesses

1 Corinthians 15:58

      Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Phillipians 3:12-14

       Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O Lord,

Give ear to my supplications!

In Your faithfulness answer me,

And in Your righteousness.

Do not enter into judgment with

     Your servant,

For in Your sight no one living is

      righteous.

For the enemy has persecuted my 

      soul;

He has crushed my life to the

      ground;

He has made me dwell in darkness,

Like those who have long been

     dead.

Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed

    within me;

My heart within me is distressed.

I remember the days of old;

I meditate on all Your works;

I muse on the work of Your

      hands.

I spread out my hands to You;

My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.

Answer me speedily, O Lord;

My spirit fails!

Do not hide Your face from me,

Lest I be like those who go down

        into the pit.

Cause me to know the way in which

        I should walk,

For I lift up my soul to You.

Deliver me, O Lord, from my

         enemies;

In You I take shelter.

Teach me to do Your will,

For You are my God;

Your Spirit is good.

Lead me in the land of uprightness.

Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's 

        sake!

For Your righteousness' sake bring

      my soul out of trouble.

In Your mercy cut off my

       enemies,

And destroy all those who afflict my 

       soul;

For I am Your servant.  

Hello everyone :)

My goal in this blog is to be a tool used by the Creator.  When I first started, I asked God to use me in whatever way He saw fit.  I knew that it didn't matter if I ever had any followers, or if anyone ever talked to me about it.  I just knew that this was what I am supposed to be doing.  I am sharing my story and praying that while I'm doing my part, God would be working miracles in the lives of my readers.  

Last night, and well a lot lately, I've been really questioning a lot of things about my life at present.  Mostly, "How do I know that I'm doing is what I am supposed to be doing? and "What if I fail?"  I even wrote a blog last night, but decided not to publish it for a few reasons.  I was upset because I didn't have immediate answers to my life.  But that's just selfishness on my part.  I also didn't publish it, because when I re-read it, I felt like I was complaining.

Asking questions and praying is a very big part of having a relationship with Jesus Christ, but I knew in my heart that my questioning was just my flesh enjoying running away from the truth found in Scripture.  The Bible is the one tangible thing we have on this earth that is absolute truth.  The Spirit is also truth, but it doesn't always work through us in a tangible way.

Through my weaknesses, God is able to work the most.  Today, I found out about a friend who is starting a blog similar to mine, after reading this blog! (And I don't mind at all, H!)  I usually want to be able to see the fruit of my labor.  But God doesn't work that way.  I have to put my trust in Him that it is His will I am in college.  I have to trust Him that even when things get tough, He'll never leave me.  If I don't trust Him 100% with all of my life, I will crumple to the ground, become dust, and blow away.  I'm absolutely sure.  And so, I will continue to chase after my God.  I will continue to dig into the Holy, God breathed, Word!  Today, I've been writing out verses onto notecards that have been waiting in a stack, and I am amazed at how God, again no surprise, knows exactly what I need when I am weak.  

I'd like to share a little more scripture with you, and then I'll sign-off for now.  Know that God cares about y-o-u deeply.  You are the world to Him.  He created this world, just for you.  

Jesus loves you and so do I.  If you don't mind a challenge, here's one for this week.  Commit to reading your Bible for 5 days in a row.  It doesn't matter what you read.  Just get into the Word of God.  Journal after you read, and be amazed by the things God will show you.  

Have a great week, and I'll talk to you soon!

1 Peter 2:21

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is in the Lord.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the

waters,

Which spreads it's roots out by the river, and will not fear when heat comes;

but it's leaf will be green,And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit.  

Romans 8:35-38

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written,

"For your sake we are killed all day

long;

We are accounted as sheep for the

slaughter."

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.  

How to Train Your Dragon... in 3-D

(:

aahhh....

I have a secret to share with you all... I am truly a child at heart.  My soul craves for the innocence of childhood. My best friends (even though we are almost 19, 20, and 21) and I surround ourselves with the simple things in life and use our imaginations so much, because that's what we wish the world still was.  (Well, I think that's why we do it... we could just be silly. smile.)  We count everything in 3s, color with crayons as often as we can, pretend to be dinosaurs on a regular occasion, and laugh at every opportunity.

I was in Los Angeles at the end of last term for the Men's and Women's basketball Pac-10 tournaments, playing with my band.  On the way to our hotel the first night I saw a very large billboard that said How to Train Your Dragon in 3-D.. coming soon.  The only other thing on the billboard was a picture of the main dragon in the movie sneaking over the sign.  As soon as I saw the sign, I sent a text message to my best friend and told her that we had to go.  She agreed.  Neither of us had any idea what it was about or anything.  The title said enough.

Tonight my two best friends, their boyfriends, and I went and saw How to Train Your Dragon (HTTYD).  I can honestly say that it is the best movie I have ever seen. Period.  Better than Harry Potter, better than every musical out there, better than Pride and Prejudice.  (My family's jaws should all be on the ground with this announcement. haha)

You see, HTTYD is genuinely good.  I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it.  There is nothing bad in it, no obscene jokes, no garbage at all.  Granted, its' rated PG.  I truly wish that all of life was rated PG.  I'm sure a bystander walking through the theater tonight would have laughed.  There were only about 15 people at the movie, and half of us were college students.  I have never before enjoyed a movie so much.  It made me laugh like a child, want to cry at the sad parts, and truly give me that warm/fuzzy feeling inside when you know that everything is alright and good.
I even hit my legs in excitement on more than one occasion.  When I was younger, I would rub my hands together really fast when I was nervous or really excited.  Tonight was the first time in years that I've done that.

I find it extremely disheartening that innocence is so hard a thing to find in our world today.  Childlike innocence is so sweet.  There is something truly exciting about pretending to be a dinosaur while walking up a large flight of stairs or eating sandwiches cut out with cool shapes.    What has this world come to that the only things we are fed are violence, sex, and money.  Even just thinking about it puts a damper on my amazing night.

Sin entered the world, and so we have to deal with it.  But that doesn't mean that we have to intentionally succumb to it.  Pretend to be a child for an hour or a day.  Experience with wonder the flowers, birds, and history around you.

Now that you've tried it, put it into practice.  Live your life without the darkness of society.  Don't deny what is happening in our world today, but do your best to change it.  Smile at that girl you pass on your way to class every day.  Tell someone to have a nice day when you're buying lunch.  Be the sunshine in the darkness of this world that God wants you to be.  I'd like to share out of Galatians 5 with you, and then I'm signing off for the night.  Go with God, and have a great rest of your week!!

Galatians 5:16-26

"I say then:  Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

[19] Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, [21] envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  [25]If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in  the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. " 

Who Am I?

Well, to start off I'm a young woman and a child of God.
I'm a sister.
I am a friend.
I'm a daughter.
I am a Christian.
I love to read.
I have the three best friends in the world.
Most importantly, I love Jesus.

Loving Jesus is my defining quality.  It is the core of who I am, and it is the person who I strive to be every day.  Nothing else about me truly matters.  I simply love Jesus.

 I'm continuing to share my story on this blog, and today may be a little awkward, but bear with me a little if you wouldn't mind.

Dating in our society is a social experience.  It's something that most people just do for fun or because that's what they've been told they should do.  People are often surprised to find out that I have never dated or had a boyfriend.  The reason why, you may be asking, is because I know that God has an amazing man out there for me.  Why would I waste my time in a relationship that I can tell won't work from the beginning?

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul writes to the Corinthians,

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?  And what accord has Christ with Belial?  Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For you are the temple of the living God.."

Paul was speaking to the Corinthians because they had begun to, "develop a dangerous affection for the false apostles" as my Bible's footnotes say.  He was warning them that keeping close association with unbelievers can be harmful to your own behavior and walk with Christ.

I strongly believe that believers of the Lord Jesus Christ are to be yoked equally.  That is to say that a believer should marry a believer.

(Don't get me wrong here.  Being friends with unbelievers and spending time with people who don't have Jesus in their heart is not a bad thing.  But be cautious in how they influence you.  Do they know that you're a Christian?  It should be your goal every day to share Jesus with all of those people around you.  Sharing is an extremely hard job.  In fact, it's probably the hardest thing you'll ever have to do.  But would you rather face rejection from one person today or from the Creator of the Universe tomorrow?  Sharing Jesus is something most people struggle with.  I do.  I have an extremely hard time of it.  All that is required of you is that you share your story.  Share how God has worked in your life to make you a better person... continuing on. smile.)

I have one condition that I am looking for in a future spouse.  That condition is that he loves God more than he loves me, and that he is truly seeking to live his life in accordance with God's will.  From where I come from, that is an extremely tall order.  But I truly believe that God has a plan for my life, and that if it's His will for me to marry,  that He will provide the right kind of husband for me.  Of course I'm also looking for the more obvious things in a husband.  Faithfulness, kindness, gentleness,  great father material, and so on.  But here's what I have to say about that.  If this man is truly seeking God's heart, nothing else should be an issue.  Obviously there is no such thing as a 'perfect' man, but I hope you get the picture.

I am absolutely content with being single until God throws my husband into the mix of things I call life.  I will wait upon the Lord for His perfect timing.  That doesn't mean that I'm not preparing myself.  My mother has been praying for my future husband since the day I was born, and I've been praying for him since middle school.  He could be halfway across the world, or he could be here, in this college town right now.  Wherever he is, I pray that God keeps him safe, and close to His own heart.  I pray that he keeps himself whole for our marriage and that he continues to seek the Lord in everything he does.

I am setting my standards high because I know that that's where God wants them to be.
So, who am I?
I am a child of God and I love Jesus.  I am a woman who is waiting on the Lord and who can't wait for the next chapter of her life to begin.  


Jesus loves you and so do I (:

The Journey

It's not about the destination.  It's about the journey.

For the last few months I have been considering transferring schools.  Currently I attend a large public university, and I was looking into a private college in the Portland, OR area.  I really felt God tugging at my heart to follow Him and watch Him work in my life.  God works in amazing and almost always mysterious ways.

Part of the reason I was looking to transfer was because I knew a private christian college would give me the opportunity of a lifetime to learn and deepen my faith in the Lord.  Secondly, as I said earlier, I'm at a large university right now, and I'm a small-town girl.  A smaller campus would be much easier for me to handle, and I felt like it would force me to become a more dedicated student.

One big plus to the move would be that I would also get to spend the next four years with my best friend from home.  When we went to visit earlier last term, we both seriously considered and thought about attending without the other.  We both desperately want God's will in our lives.

So, in preparation to potentially transferring, I filled out the paperwork, visited campus, talked to an advisor, and tried to prepare my family for a large change.  I knew that the only way this was going to work was from a miracle from God.  Private Christian Colleges in the Pacific Northwest aren't exactly cheap.  God did provide.  But He gave me a choice.

You see, after many tears and frustrating phone calls with my parents last term, I knew that I had to have their FULL support in this decision.  I don't believe that God would ask me to do something without my parent's blessing, and I want their blessing.  Desperately.  Not because I'm not capable of making decisions on my own or because I'm scared of living a life of my own.  I want to honor my parent's wishes because that is what I am commanded to do in the Old Testament.  (Exodus 20:12)

My sister often tells me that I can do whatever I want because I'm 18 and legally an adult in this country. I know that I have someone bigger to answer to when this life fades away, and I don't want to have to stand before Him and tell Him that I did something just because I could.  I make enough mistakes already, that I don't want to add any more to the pile.

Throughout this process I have struggled.  I've been giving everything to Him, but still trying to do everything myself.  As my pastor talked about on Easter Sunday, "Like a hamster on a wheel, just running and running and running."  Where will I get if I'm just running on a wheel?  No where.  During Spring Break I realized that unintentionally I had been holding a little bit back from God in this decision.  And when I really let it all go, I could truly see myself in any situation.  At that point I was truthfully able to say, "God, Your will, not mine!"  It's amazing to feel the weight totally lifted off of your shoulders.

As I said, God gave me a choice.  I would be able to transfer, but I would have to take out a small loan to do it, and living would be tight-reined.  I had an extensive talk with my father one night while on Spring Break, and he simply told me that he didn't want me start my life in debt to another man.  I don't have any loans taken out where I am, and even with tuition rising a little for next year, I'll still be okay.  My parents didn't say no.  They asked me to really think about it.  That right there was enough for me to say, "Thank you, Jesus for this opportunity.  Thank you for everything you've taught me and showed me  through this time.  And thank you for the wisdom of my parents."

I have decided to stay where I'm at, for a few reasons.

• I believe that God has me here for a very specific reason.  I'm not sure what it is or why, but I will continue to trust in Him and follow Him.  
• I have an AMAZING body of believers surrounding me.  Truly!  When I think about it, I am just speechless.  I have an amazing church, an amazing college group, opportunities for small groups, and an awesome early morning bible study.
• God has placed people in my life that push me to be a better person for Jesus.  Every. Single. Day.  I don't know what I would do without all my friends that I've met this year, but especially Mar and Jason :)
• It is a testament to the Lord that I have grown so much this past 20some weeks at school.  I thought I was living my life to the fullest for Jesus in September, and now I can't believe where my faith has taken me.  I can't wait to continue to grow closer to my Lord and Saviour.  
• Music.  All Fall term Mar and I really felt God urging us to be a shining light to the marching band.  It is so full of crude behavior, sick jokes, and darkness.  I feel like I can't just sit here and do nothing.  It'll be hard, but I'm not going to turn and run away when my Lord comes knocking.
• God has provided for me right here where I am at.  I won't throw that away.
• Lastly, I have peace about this decision.  I have a spectacular roommate for next year, a new major, and a heart yearning for God.  

Throughout this process, it looked as though transferring was the goal.  But I realize now, that it was the journey I was on that was the goal.  I've learned so much about myself, about God, and about what the purpose of my life is in the past few months.  I still don't know what I'm going to do when I grow up.  

I'm changing my major to elementary education!  And I couldn't be happier.  It's a new chapter in my life.  I will still struggle, and I will still fail.  But take heart, because I am.  It takes time to grow closer to God and to build a strong relationship with Him.  I'd say I'm almost out of the pre-teen stage in my walk with the Lord.  There's nothing wrong with that.  I'm walking, I'm moving, I'm thinking, I'm praying.  

I hope everyone has a great Spring term.  We actually have some sunshine today!  Enjoy it while it lasts, folks.  :)

Jesus loves you and so do I!

~your sister in Christ (:

True Love.

I'm doing it again......running.

This past week especially for some reason.  Sometimes I think I can make it on my own.  Meanwhile I'm sure God is getting a good laugh at my frantic running about from up above.  chuckle.  Man oh man.  The good news is, I've turned around and run straight back into His arms.  I know that to make it through this week, this term, and even this year God is going to have to carry me.. the whole way.  I don't have the strength, or the courage, or even the willpower on my own.  This weekend we are celebrating I believe the most important event in history.  As Phil Wickham puts it, "The day that true love died" in his song True Love from his album Cannons.  This song has had an immense impact on my life since last fall, and I'd like to share the rest of the lyrics with you:

Come close listen to the story

about a love more faithful than the morning

The Father gave His only Son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark

All creation felt the Father's broken heart

tears were filling Heaven's eyes

The day that true love died, the day that true love died

When blood and water hit the ground

Walls we couldn't move came crashing down

We were free and made alive

The day that true love died, The day that true love died

Search your heart you know you can't deny it

C'mon Lose your life just so you can find it

The Father gave his only Son just to save us

Now Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive, Oh He is Alive

Come close, listen to the story.

I love the part where it says, "When blood and water hit the ground, walls we couldn't move came crashing down."  That is such a powerful statement, and is absolutely true.  Without Jesus' innocent sacrifice at Golgotha, there would be no such thing as grace.  We would still need to live by the Old Law.  Rejoice that when God sent His only Son into the world, He knew what He was doing!  

Try to imagine living at that time, being there that day.  Feel the confusion and horror of those who had come to accept their Messiah, and the frustration and blood-thirst of those who wanted His death.  As an innocent bystander who would you have believed?  Jesus?  This man who would not speak for himself or defend himself, but who instead suffered torture?  Or would you believe the Pharisees and the Sadducees?  The leaders of the church and Jewish culture.  I hope that I would have believed Jesus.   I have a feeling that most would have.  

My Bible has a section on Crucifixion.  It talks about how crucifixion was the most degrading form of punishment in the Roman Empire, and that it was considered so horrible that is was only used by the Romans for their slaves, those from the provinces under their control, and the lowest types of criminals.  

Because sin entered the world, we needed a Saviour.  One who would be the blameless lamb in our place.  

In C.S. Lewis' book Perelandra, Ransom (the main character) makes an interesting observation, "He [Jesus] died not for men but for each man."  Jesus died on the cross for an extremely personal reason:  For you.  For me.  This 'rest of the story' you don't want to ignore.  He died, yes.  But then, he rose again.  He appeared to the 11 disciples and possibly more then five hundred more people as mentioned by Paul in 1 Cor. 15:6.    He was confirmed dead at the scene of His crucifixion and confirmed alive three days later by some of the very men who God chose to bring us the New Testament.  

(:  You have one choice.  Believe it or not.  Take it or leave it.  I find the evidence to be nearly overwhelming.  I have found a peace that goes down so deep inside of me, that I know it can only be the Holy Spirit.  I trust Christ.  I still mess up every day.  But that is why True Love (Phil Wickham reference again that I'll probably continue to use in the future.  I find it highly appropriate.)  died.  He died to save me every day.  I cannot and will not ever be perfect.  I have to give up the fight in trying to be.  I must give my weaknesses over to Jesus and let grace free me.  Every. Single. Day.   

Jesus says to Peter in John 14:6 - 

         " I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me."

I accept Jesus Christ as the Reigning Lord and Savior of my life.  For those of you who may be 'outside looking in', know that a personal relationship with Christ is not bondage.  It is absolute freedom.  If you see the need for Jesus in your life, all you have to do is run into His arms.  If you understand that you are a sinful being who needs to be forgiven, simply ask and it will be given to you.  

Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:3 - By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  

Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.   

I pray that you have a happy Easter and that you reflect on the amazing sacrifice made for you.  Is there anything that you could sacrifice for your Saviour today?  Just a thought.  Love you all, God bless, and goodnight!

~Your sister in Christ

HOME

Hello again! :)
It feels so good to be home!  Seeing old faces and getting back into the swing of things is so much fun.  Being with my family isn't always the easiest thing though.  I love them to death, but when only parts of a family are living their lives for Christ, even everyday life can become strained. 

My goal for this spring break is to continue to live intentionally, and to live in love.  No fighting with my siblings or parents, and no complaining.  It's encouraging to see how much I've grown since Christmas.  My family needs a Savior.  My siblings are running from God to what they think they're looking for, and it breaks my heart.  If you're a praying type of person, and wouldn't mind praying for my family this week, I would really appreciate it. :)  We have a lot to go through, especially the decision about what I'll be doing next year. 

I am reminded that even though this is a break from school, this isn't a break from God.  I'm excited to be digging into the Word this week, and hopefully will be able to share what I'm reading and finding out throughout the week!  Have a blessed spring break, and if there's anything you'd like prayer about, let me know!  Love you all!

God Works in Mysteriously Wonderful Ways :)

I love being surrounded in my life by other followers of Jesus Christ.  It is fellowship with those that love the Ultimate God of Love that makes my soul sing.  A friend reminded me today of a verse that sums up my goal of this blog.  :)  In addition to just the verse she mentioned I have added below the rest of the passage.  It gives me great strength and courage to know that there is a purpose for this and my life.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV)

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

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.     

I am a great believer in reading around passages that have been brought to me.  I think it's something that a youth group leader suggested to me once.  Knowing the background of a verse by reading the preceding paragraph or chapter can shine a lot of insight on the specific verse, and may even change the whole meaning.  I would encourage you to do this on your own.  Don't just take my word for what the Bible says!  (Not that the meaning is changed or anything in this passage, I am just happy to have discovered the rest of it. smile  Again, thank you, Christy!)

1 Timothy 4:12-16 NKJV

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  (13) Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.   (14)  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with he laying on of the hands of the eldership.  (15)  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  (16) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

1 Timothy 4:12-16 NIV

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (13) Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.  (14) Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

(15) Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see you progress.  (16) Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.  

I have been blessed today.  It's amazing how God can work in our lives if we are open to Him.  I'm not even sure if I can describe what has changed in me in the last 15 minutes, but I'll do my best.  

Even though I have no idea why it is God has called me to write this blog, I will do it in obedience to Him.  I may be young, but that's nothing to beat myself up about.  I may be uneducated in almost every sense of the word, but still I will press on.  I don't know that I'm setting any sort of example like verse 12 talks about, but I will continue to strive to live my life for Jesus.  I'm just a small town girl who doesn't know what she's supposed to do with her life.  Well, that's not the whole truth.  Right now, I am completely confident that my one job is to love Yahweh.  What else can I really do?  

I think verses 13-16 struck such a chord in me because I don't know what I should be doing with my life.  If I end up transferring schools next fall, I now know for sure that there is no shame in devoting my time there to studying scripture.  Although Paul was writing to Timothy here, verse 11 of chapter 4 specifically says, "Command and teach these things." (in the NIV) and "These things command and teach." (in the NKJV).  

The truth is that Jesus Christ is coming back someday soon.  When I stand before the Great White Throne to be judged like it talks about in Revelation chapter 20, I want to be ready to say that I did my best while living on this earth.  I believe that my name is already written in the Book of Life, and I believe that I will live in eternity with my Lord and Savior.  Do you have that assurance?  

It's Finals Week...

I only have three 'finals' this week.. Two juries and a 3 page paper, so I don't know if they'd exactly be considered finals.   I have a few verses to share with you that hopefully encourage you to keep moving forward.  We can get through this horrible mess of college finals week (or life, if you're not in college) with God by our sides.  Love you all, and be blessed!

Matthew 11:28-29

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Psalm 40:1-2

I waited patiently for the Lord;

And He inclined to me, 

And heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a 

horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

Deuteronomy 33: 26-28

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun*,

Who rides the heavens to help you,

And in His excellency on the clouds.

The eternal God is your refuge,

And underneath are the everlasting arms;

He will thrust out the enemy from before you,

And will say, 'Destroy!'"

*Jeshurun is another name for Israel. 

Good luck on finals!!  I've already spent plenty of time in Dutch Bros. this week, but I am eternally thankful for this wonderful liquid that God created! :)