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! :)