letting others shine

 

I love our girl’s bible study. granted, there are times when we just get completely off topic, for longer periods of time than maybe should happen at times. but what i love, is listening to the girl’s converse with each other about the bible, and about life and applying the bible to life. this ladies and gentlemen, is what it’s about! to see them encourage and challenge each other.
   and knowing that I am not needed, but I just get to be there to help and to witness!

Thank you God!

 

VERSE of the day:
”Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:12-13

sovereign God

 

sometimes just hanging out and talking with your mother, and being ‘parented’ (if thats a word) is a great thing. even when your out of the home.

:)p.s. i love music.

 

“knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
1 Peter 1:18-19
    stop looking at all of the perishable things in our lives…

“and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'”
Deuteronomy 20:3-4
   remember that God goes with you, and encourage others in this as well.

Sunrise

 

I wish i had a picture of the sunrise this morning. I actually gasped once or twice it was that incredible. Creation is singing His praise! You can always find God in creation and nature. always.
 

and I am just encouraged by the blessings of God and how He works things out and gives you time with people.

 

VERSE of the day:
”You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
James 5:8

Oh, sorry…wait…NO!

 

I think, sometimes, we are afraid of offending people. we wanna make sure we say the right thing, or say it in a manner that may not be offensive. 

but if u think about it…the bible is offensive to people.

it’s offensive, because it convicts.

I love that Jesus was straight forward. I love that God’s word is meant to convict, and to be offensive to this world. I love that God does not care about offending people, but cares more about getting His truth across.
  Do we care about His truth like that?

 

VERSE of the day:
”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. “
James 1:22-25

a night out

 

you know when you just feel like you have been cooped up for a while in the same place for a long period of time…well i’ve felt like that recently with my house. so tonight, us girl’s went out! and it was FUN! and full of laughs and adventure.

Thank you God for night’s out. and for friends to laugh with and enjoy! :)
  The company of good friends is a beautiful thing.

 

VERSE of the day:
”You adulterous people, Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?….Submit yourself to therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:4.7

lost art

 

oh the bliss of sitting for a couple hours and reading a good christian fiction book. :)

 

 

VERSE of the day:
”And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,”
Deuteronomy 17:19

Muscles

 

I absolutely love massages. And today, i was blessed to be able to receive a professional massage for an hour! Twas bliss. and came at a great time, where my lower back has been hurting and ive had minor migraines the past 2 days. So the wonderful lady worked on my back on up. and we talked a little bit, and I’m just completely amazed at how some muscles are just so big…and affect many different parts of your bodies. like a muscle in your back, can show signs of bad eyesight or eye strain. and i noticed when she was working on certain muscles in my back or neck, all of a sudden my legs were tense and i didnt even realize it and i just think that our muscles affect other parts of our bodies…(im no science person this is for sure). but i was just really blown away today by the human body…and how massaging a muscle a certain way can help as well. it’s just all crazy to me!

So today, I fell in love with Jesus through thinking how intricate the human body and muscles are. Tis amazing! Make’s me wish I would have paid more attention in bio class. oops!

 

VERSE of the day:
”but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be  so.”
James 3:8-10

RAIN

 

this morning, i half woke up, and i heard thunder and the rain on the house and our skylight in the bathroom, and my heart was rejoicing!

I absolutely love rain, especially for some reason, in the morning, although it makes it really hard to get up, it just made my heart glad. so Thank You Jesus!

:) I love You God!

 

VERSE of the day:
”Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

laughter

 

it said that laughter is good for the soul. and sometimes i think laughter can be quite the work out!

Praise the LORD for laughter. no matter what mood you are in, when someone can make you laugh, or you can just laugh with a friend or friends, is something beautiful to me. so today, i fell in love through laughter with a friend.
     tis a beautiful thing.

 

VERSE of the day:
”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…”
James 1:22

slacker

 

no matter what I do, good or bad, God loves me no matter what. so the days when I fail miserably, He still loves me.

Thank you SO much LORD, for your mercy and grace and unending love.

 

VERSE of the day:
”Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …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.”
Romans 8:35, 38-39

rainbows

 

i love Jesus for many reasons…right now I am highlighting the promise that one day, He will return and take us home.

and i had tears tonight because i got so excited!

 

VERSE of the day:
”This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

perfect example

 

when we look at the cross, and realize all that God did by becoming God in human flesh, Jesus and the example He is to us and all He accomplished…our lives seem little.

We do not know what it is to actually committ to something, to do something until it is totally finished. We, esp americans, leave things unfinished all to often. Jesus I am sure wanted to give up at times in life, but He knew His purpose and reason, and did not give up until the very end…death on a cross. He endured, He persevered, He did not make it about Him at all. He looked at the Father’s agenda, and not His own, not His own emotions, not His own tiredness, not His own desires, but the desires of His Father and the purpose of His Father. Obedient, unto death. Comitted to the end. He finished.

Are we actually committed to what we have committed to? I think we need to re-look at what that really means for us, especially at follower’s of Jesus Christ.\

So today, I love you Jesus because You  did not give up. You finished to the end, and you endured, and You have shown me and others how to endure and how to not give up, and how to finish well. May we follow Your example, and stop living for ourselves, but for the Father! Thank You

 

VERSE of the day:
”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2-3

People dear to the heart

 

Today, I fell in love with Christ by the encouragement and prayers of those who are dear to me. It is a privelage to have friends, friends who know you inside and out, friends who you can not speak to for months, then pick up right where you belong. Friends who are family to you. Friends who encourage you when you need it most, and who pray for you.

I am thankful for these specific friends of mine. They brighten the shade of my heart. Thank You Jesus.

Also, Jesus makes a way. We just need to stop looking so much into the future, and stop focusing on yourself and realize that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of you, therefore, you can do all things through Christ, and you can endure and persevere through anything, through Christ Jesus our LORD.

No greater love. than the love of God.

 

VERSE of the day:
”And he who searches hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:27-28

long walks….in town.

 

It has been a few days my friends…and those days have been good. realized that i am getting older in the midst of hanging out with young people. but i enjoy it actually. I feel like I am finally starting to grow up. still have a ways to go though.

but to be honest…i have been struggling. being worn out messes with your mind, emotions and heart. but the last 2 days i have spent numerous hours at the piano playing, writing, and worshipping. which have been my favorite parts of my days so far this week. and numerous means at least 2 hours a day. which im rather excited about. and those are the times when I am happiest. so there is part of how I have been falling in love with Jesus the past 2 days.

As well, today I was getting in a mode of slothfulness, and so I just decided to nip that in the bud and went on what felt like quite the long walk. probably about 5 miles would be my guess. but I was feeling pretty down, mainly because I was focusing on myself which is never a happy thing, but all of a sudden on this one stretch there were like 4 people in a row…that just smiled at me. and they were legit smiles. and one was a little kid on a bike, which kids are becoming super special to my heart, so it just did something for me.

God works in mysterious ways, and will even go out of the way to let us know that He is with us, and that He cares, and is watching over us and has everything under control. We just need to abide in Him. and trust Him.

 

VERSE of the day:
”For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.”
Colossians 1:29

multiple

 

So i missed yesterday. the evening was a bit hectic and bed time did not occur until 2am so i was not going to stay awake to blog, so my apologies. haha.

so i will just share a a few things on how i fell in love with Christ! ;
       yesterday morning, i just realized that my prayer life is not real strong in the slightest. so I was really challenged to start praying more, and our youth were given the challenge to pray for the youth group each day this week which us leaders usually do the challenge as well, so i have been trying…but failing epicly it seems. but yesterday i spent time in prayer, and had a few things and few people on my heart. so i just prayed, and it was great! :)
        i also really enjoy tedious work..so when im able to really help people with that sort of thing, i enjoy that a lot! :)
       today we had our raining golf balls fundraiser, and there was this girl there alone and i kept feeling a nudge to talk to her, to sit with her so she is not alone. which if u know me, this is usually something i would never do. but God’s really grown me in this area of just going up to strangers and getting to know them. and i rather enjoy it. so i finally went over and sat by her and started talking and here she has been coming to our church and went to our girl’s bible study one time when tina and i weren’t there. crazy! so she hung out with us for the evening. and it was splendid. she just came on her own, which i find quite brave of her! and i liked!
    and now there is a big storm. the lightning is like nothing i’ve seen all summer. the big bolts, one time 3 at a time in a line. non stop lightning. and everytime, a “wow” comes out of my mouth. God is mighty! and for some reason, im not exactly sure why, the bolts of lightning just make me think of the fear of God.

:) I love my God!

 

VERSE of the day:
”But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved…”
Ephesians 2:4-5

 

P.S.

  I will be camping with our youth group until tuesday. so i shall be away from blogging for a couple days!

P.S.

P.S.

   Today ashley and I watched the movie Precious…and oh my. sad sad depressing movie with a ton of language. but it makes it more real.
And watching movies like that, and knowing that there are actually people out there who’s lives are just like that…probably way to many..just breaks my heart. and it almost made me sick seeing some of the things went on in that movie. the abuse and all…and it just made me so grateful for the life God has given me. The family of love He has given me. The safe area He has given me to grow up and live in.
and God Bless the social workers, they are special, special people who need our prayers.

Home sweet Home

 

I love being home. Tonight us girls went to the good ol Holmes County Fair. Gave Rachel and Beki some culture of Holmes County, and Motocross. :)
  But it was a blast. Watching motocross, getting into it and getting sprayed with dirt, and ooooh’ing when someone would fall off their bike or quad and wreck. it was a blast.

So today, I fell in love through just being at home, and hanging out and enjoying a fun evening. Not worrying about anything, but just enjoying the company of friends.

I also had great conversations today with a couple close people to my heart, and it just lifted my soul! so Thank You Father!

 

VERSE of the day:
”"You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”
Deuteronomy 11:18

Bible Study

 

I love our Bible study we do with the youth girls. I am always amazed at some of the wisdom that comes from a few of them. and this makes me love Jesus so much more. Seeing how He works in these girl’s lives, and their hearts and seeing their heart for him and seeing them grow. I love it. and Jesus is allllll over that! :)

 

Verse of the day:
”Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”
Deuteronomy 10:16-17

Check your heart.

Clouds

 

Today, the weather was up and down…until this afternoon. it got really nice out, and I looked at the sky and it was so blue and there were so many clouds all in a row. It was so beautiful. :)

I also realized how much I enjoy ‘teaching’ if you want to call it that. Reading the bible and explaining it (when i know what I’m talking about) to people who want help understanding.

Also just worshipping on my own in the church…is a beautiful thing. My two favorite songs at the current moment are “Your beautiful” by phil wickham and “you won’t relent” by misty edwards (jesus culture sings it as well).

So today there are mutliple. which is how it should be everyday.

 

Verse of the day:
”For they are your people and your heritage, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.”
Deuteronomy 9:29

Community

 

Tonight some of the ministry and family got together for birthday celebrations. I was really blessed. I fell in love with Jesus through the heart of a leader.

When you can just sit and listen to a leader’s heart, and even just to watch how a leader leads. and when i speak of a leader, i speak of an experienced leader…one who had led for many years. It is an awesome thing to see God in them and even to be able to see them grow and to be apart of it.

 

VERSE of the day:
”For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as LORD, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
2 Corinthians 4:5

Abide in Him.

Jesus Cares

 

So i am realizing how un-mindful I am….of all things basically….but especially Jesus in my life, and even His word, and His work in and through me…..it’s rather frustrating…super frustrating actually.

BUT, and this is one thing I am kind of wrestling through, but I feel like it’s something i shouldn’t be wrestling through, I know I can ask God for help, and He will answer. God loves to bless His people. You see that all throughout scripture, and in John He tells us to ask whatever in the Father’s name and we will receive (this does not mean…a brand new car…but rather things in line with His will and His word…). and you see jacob wrestling with God until He receives a blessing. and he receives it.

So, today I love Jesus not just because He first loved me, but because he cares about me. and even though I don’t quite fully understand the whole idea of ‘blessings’…He blesses me when I ask….and I am grateful.

 

VERSE of the day:
”So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
2 Corinthians 4:16

p.s.
i love church.

God cares about our joy. about our sorrow. about our hurt. about our tears.

Clouded Vision

 

This past week we have been in PA working with a church that we are building relationships with and helped them with their VBS this year. we were there untilt his morning. we left early, around 7. and as we are on our drive home…within the first like 2 hours, we had gotten partially lost due to a detour and just went with it and with a map (which is the best way anyway…), it started pouring rain where you could barely see in front of you, and tina’s car started acting up……and tina was a bit stressed at this time.

and i was just praying. and all of a sudden as I was praying, I was just reminded that God prepares a way. He has a path for us. No matter what is thrown our way, whether it’s car problems, or heavy rain, no matter what it is….whenever our vision may be cloudy, God is still right there, showing us the way, protecting us, leading us.
So I fell in love with Christ today by remembering that He has a way for us, His children, and me specifically as well. and I never have to worry or fear direction. no matter what part of my life. cuz God has it worked out! and is with me!

 

VERSE of the day:
”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13

Community

 

Summer time for Off The Wall is different than the fall. A lot more trips, missions trips, rather than the normal everyday routine of biblical training and always sitting and talking and consistent teaching.

Summer time we still get teaching and sitting and talking, but it’s just not the same as it is during the fall, winter and spring. I’m realizing how much I’ve really missed being taught often. So tonight while at UPCC in PA,  Don and Travis last night and tonight spoke on modern day idols and it is just really challenging. and i love listening and being encouraged and challenged from the word and other authors and speakers as well.

So I love Jesus through His word and through His giftings in people to speak and teach His word and challenge you.
Thank you Father!

 

VERSE of the day:
”Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.”
Psalm 91:9-10

Family

 

I love spending time with different families. And I am fortunate enough to be able to spend time with different families with all the traveling that we get to do in the ministry. we meet many different people, and build relationships with these people. and I love it.

I also love to laugh. Laughter is a way into my heart. if you can make me laugh (which usually doesn’t take much), i naturally feel so much more comfortable and at ease with you. so when you put, families and laughter in one. :) My heart is happy and rejoices in the Lord.

And I love Jesus because He blesses us with family, and with laughter. and my heart goes out to people who don’t like family because of bad experiences and bad home lives, and part of my heart is to find these people and introduce them to how I know family and how I have fallen in love with family, and with God through my own family, and through spending time with other people’s families! because there is just something special about family.

So love Jesus through your family, no matter how bad or good your family is. There should always be something to love.

VERSE of the day:
”You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.”
Psalm 118:28

Roadtrippin

 

I love mountains. They are just beautiful and I never get tired of seeing them. I wish I lived closer, or even in the midst of them.

So today, tina and i drove 7.5 hrs to pa. took a longer way, but made great time. and was just great to listen to old music from high school, talk, see the mountains, read the word, and sing worship songs.  Was refreshing, entertaining (because there was lots of laughter).
    God is good. Creation sings His praise. times with friends who get you, are a blessing. and knowing that Jesus gets you even more is just comforting! :)

 

VERSE of the day:
”The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.”
Psalm 19:1-2

Dessert for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

today, my mom brought oreo pudding (my favorite dessert) to my house and put it in our fridge. This may seem odd, but just that random act made me remember that my mommy loves me. and that by her loving me, and just doing something simple for me, made me think of God. and How He makes everything okay, and looks out for us. and restores. :)

 

VERSE of the day:

“… do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10