Blessing of Life

Each day I'm very happy, I'm very fhankful & I'm very blessed. 

Each day I look around me amazed by Gods glory, and the true blessings I have.

God has such a handle on my life, even when I think he doesn't. He knows my heart, has a plan, and is never out of reach. 

As a child we are born into the world- unknowing, un knowledgable, and brand new. God has a plan for each day of your life, each moment of your existance & knows your next word. We are of God born into the world, in his heart and in his image. Be Thankful. 

Psalm 127:3 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

God knows your heart, has your plan, and loves your existance. 

Be thankful for each year that goes by. I know I am.

I look back & realize what God has given me, taught me, and taken away from my life. All for a great reason. ❤️

May Your Voice Be Heard

We scream, we yell, we fight to be heard- but who's listening? 

Often times we feel alone, we pray & speak and speak to God & He's an amazing listener, but what does he have to say, how do I know what his thoughts are? 

That's when I go to my Bible & realize situations others were in & what God did for them & what his opinion was. 

It gives me strength, perseverance & strictly Gods thoughts. It makes me feel like even before I was born, millions of years prior, he knew I'd need him in a certain situation (every situation) and he wrote it in his word to show me the light, to show me His thoughts & sometimes that's what you need. 

So if you don't feel heard, like God hasn't said anything - maybe you're not listening. 

Proverbs 2:1-5 says 

"My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight & raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of The Lord and find the knowledge of God." 

Also, 

John 8:47

" whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

I find myself yelling to God at times I feel like He isn't listening, but really it's me who doesn't have open ears of wisdom to hear Him. 

So give your all to God & He will answer you, He will provide & He will ALWAYS love you. 

  And may your voice be heard. 

First Step:

There so many times in life, when we let things slip- we say it isn't worth fighting for and that we're done. 

It's so beyond easy to do that to your faith, and I'm not just speaking words, I'm speaking from experience. 

I miss the days where I would open up my bible and know that God was speaking straight to me, but I also realize that it was me who opened the book, you're the human in this equation and it's your job to take the first step. Who says that step will be 100% right, or that it'll be what will turn your life around? No one, it's just THE FIRST STEP. 

The first step to your forever is what you make of it, and no matter if it's opening up your bible and giving it a 5 minute read, or saying your first prayer in 6 months; God has an ultimate plan for your life, and wants you to be in eternity with Him. 

Letting things slip is so easy, and so is settling for second best.

Although what you have may seem worth it, is it going to give you everlasting life?

Some things in life, as the famous quote goes; are lessons & the others are meant to be there forever. 

Whether that be a person, or an experience or a loss, or what ever it may be in your life that is teaching you something & won't be there forever, or is a lesson you're going to be learning forever (if that makes sense) than take it with maturity and understanding. Because as I said something's are meant to be there & others are lessons learned along the way.

Because it isn't worth fighting for if you can't put God above it. 

Some of the amazing verses from this link are:

2 Corinthians 5:7 

1 Peter 1:21 

Matthew 17:20

Hebrews 11:1

http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/faith-bible-verses/

Lets Talk: Boys

Ladies, and young women of Jesus,

We all knew this topic would come at some point, and lets face it: I've been urged to speak on it for a while now.

The topic of boys, is something everyone has a love-hate relationship with, but is very easy to talk about- especially when you're happy in the department. 

In the book I'm working on with my mom, I talk briefly on Adam & Eve and how from the beginning God has a man and a women placed on this earth for each other. Which I love the thought of, he made two very different people, but designed for each other & placed them in the world- either close or far apart from one another. He chose the two of you to be leaders in Christ together, to follow together, to be happy & support one another, but most of all be the prime example of love to each other as Jesus loved us. 

As a teenager it's easy to settle for who wants us, who makes us "feel the best" and who's easiest to get your hands on. But as I've come to realize, and yes I'm only 16- that God has someone perfectly made for you, and he won't come when you want him to or in the time "you need him", he'll come when God knows you're ready & he'll be the perfect one for You & treat you as you truly deserve. 

There are no perfect relationships, and there is no one who will always say the right thing & make no mistakes- but when the right one comes along, those mistakes will turn into lessons learned. Because in order to love, you need to first learn to forgive. 

Colossians 3:12-16 speaks straight the point on what God expects of us. 

Verse 13 says: 

"Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another,forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

The Lord has forgiven us, so we must forgive and love because it brings us closer together. 

Boys are sometimes not easy to understand, they are addicted to their Xbox, glued to there TV's and hang with their buddies. It's not always easy to find "Mr. Perfect", and let me tell you- you wont!
But find a guy who seeks to learn about you, invest in you, and truly show you Gods love- even if he doesn't realize he is. 

As God brings you the perfect man, he may not be suited in armor right from the start; but he'll love your flaws, make you feel beautiful and in time learn that living for The Lord is just as important as you are. 

Don't expect perfection, because you will never receive it- just know what you deserve, and accept it when it comes along. God has your Prince Charming, or "knight in shining armor" coming when you're truly ready. For now, be thankful you have one-on-one time with God and pray for The Lord to bring your perfect match- He will provide. 

Scrapes & Bruises

We all know how easy it is to get bruises and scrapes, to have scars and stitch marks- everyone has their stories & everyone has their hurt. 

What about our insides scrapes and bruises, what about what people aren't telling us, or what about the things that really haven't healed? 

They can be so much worse, when you can't actually see it. No, not every bruise stays, and scars remind us of our incident. But everyone has that time in their life that was negative that they just can't forget. 

In the last 3 days I have had more physical pain than anyone should. I burned my hand badly at work, got blisters on my feet from walking too long in flip flops, and fell on my rollerblades; giving me 2 great big knee bruises. 

But non of that has phased me, non of that has "made me". They'll all go away eventually, but will the bigger hurts in my life ever vanish like a bruise, or a burn mark? 

I know we like to think people can't see our hurt, that they're just like a bruise and they'll go away... but will they? 

Once we're hurt, it takes a while for a bruise to heal; it's the same with your heart- it takes a while before it's back to normal again. 

Gods healing words, and promises in scripture remind us that we are healed already before we are even hurt. Our insides have been set free & our hearts are clear and whole again. When God has a handle on your situation, nothing is more healing than his name. 

Romans 8:18 says:

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the
glory that is to be revealed to us." 

It says right there, nothing here on earth that pains us is worth it because the riches and love the Jesus' eternal life bring, are so much more worth it. 

So let the world hurt you, but don't let it phase you. God has a wonderful plan for your hurts- inside and out & will heal you before the situation even arises. 

You were made to be courageous, be the generation that breaks all the chains.

http://youtu.be/pkM-gDcmJeM

This is Your Life, Are You Who You Want To Be?

Life... it's a crazy misinterpreted word. What does "life" to you, really mean? 

Does living to you consist of sitting on your couch day to day? Does watching Ellen & re-runs of Oprah get you by? Does opening a bag of chips and eating them all get you places? 

Does staying in one spot for months get you farther? 

God wants us to pursue life, love it and work hard to praise him through it. 

It can be so easy to just put God aside for those around us, objects, habits and addictions. 

But when we pursue life, work hard and love The Lord; life can be very fulfilling & it allows us to show others Gods deliverance. 

If we sit at home bored for hours, why not spend that time changing the world? Use what you do for fun be a way of praising God, allow what is a habit be done for good & let the people you spend hours with see a change in you, let them see Christ in you, no matter if they know it's him, or they just see your smile and positivity through hard situations. 

This is your life, are you who you want to be? Is this what you dreamed your life to be? Are you doing what you love, living for Jesus and changing those around you, or are you letting life pass you by? 

I really don't like thinking Christians sit at home just simply loving Jesus, instead of being out and making a difference. You know the joy God brings, you see what he has done for you; do you not want others to experience the same & have Him for eternal life too!? 

Romans 12:12 says: 

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,

 be constant in prayer" 

Times in our life when we feel like it's a dry season, like we're sitting at home with our bag of chips in your hand & you're letting life pass you by; be constant in prayer, rejoice in his hope, and patient in hard times. God will come, you also have to take the steps to move forward though. 

what do you think it would be like? Looking at your life from the eyes of another? Would you know you did a good job & be proud or do you think you'd wish you'd done better? It's easier to change the way you look at it now, than regret not making a difference later.

So pursue life, work hard & be the example of Jesus & what He did for us. 

This is your life, be who you want to be.  

Challenge: Apathy

One question I'm aching to ask is: what makes our generation so apathetic? 

For those of you who don't know the word, it is defined by Wikipedia as: the absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical and/or physical life. 

People are often apathetic about their eternity and are only focused on fulfilling their present happiness. "Because that's all that matters"

Being apathetic about the things that matter most in life is directly detrimental to you, your future, and your eternity.

God wants our focus to be on our eternity, not on temporary pleasures.

 When we set our hearts on the present, in the right way, we realize Jesus is enough, God is enough for us, and having an active relationship with Him is all we truly need in this life.

Apathy is hard to control, and someone once asked me if it is controllable--or "can we control how much we care?"
So my question to you, is can we?

God is not a God of apathy, rather He is a God of action, and He's actively pursuing us.

Hebrews 11:6

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

you want to take the focus off of yourself, and whatever reasons you have for being apathetic, whether they're conscious or not

and put that focus on God

because He is a God that demands action from you

to have a growing relationship with himself. 

If you believe in Him and take the action to accept Him into your life in order to  have a living, breathing relationship with Him, not only will you no longer be apathetic, but you will also experience His blessings.

I  really want to thank my best friend Megan Huppe for helping me with this weeks, it was a lot to work on together. Through it we managed, and came up with what we thought was best for you all to read. My dad gave me a good challenge this week, I really hope my work payed off. Thanks again Megan, and to all who read- it really does mean the world to me. :)
God Bless,
    - Victoria!

Sharing My Heart:

God uses the best of us to go through tough situations where we can speak out our testimony, whether it be addiction, a life or death situation or a story that changes us all. 
Our faith can be shaken more than the thunder shakes our skies. 
When we decide to let God be our leader and not ourselves our story will be much more of a happy ending. 
With me, the hardest part in my life right now is knowing that physical aspects are much less important than emotional and mental connections. 
But the hardest thing in trusting in God, is firstly knowing hes there. 
He has a plan for your life, whether slipping up and realizing whats more important in life is the lesson, or just letting experiences teach you whats right- He knows your heart. 
In my favourite book of the Bible, Psalms 17:5 says "My steps have held fast to your paths, my feet have not slipped" 
Gods plan for you never goes astray, in bad situations  he is there- through terrible days- he is there. 
There are days I doubt he even knows I exist, especially when I mess up and feel like he won't forgive me. Like I've done something so bad that God has had enough of forgiving me, so he stops. Thing is, he's forgiven you already; he's cast our sins into the depths of the sea. It is God saying: "I have sunk your sins to the bottom of the ocean and there is no way you're getting there." Just picture how far down the Titanic is, God has pushed our sins below that ship and set us free. Our love for him and our hearts desire is so much more than holding onto what God has already cast away!
So quit saying you're not worthy, that you aren't forgiven. Because there is no sin in this world that God cannot forgive, there is no man that has gone too far to be saved. 
As far the East is from the West, you are forgiven. AMEN! 

Luke 7:36-49 is an amazing story, and I recommended you read it. 

Video that inspired today's entry: http://youtu.be/IT8uhx-A5ag 

Frustration in yourself, & what to do.

Recently I have noticed a vibe in myself that isn't exactly positive. I've stooped to a lower level of attention for God & i haven't been giving him fully what he deserves of me. Which is everything, he deserves me every moment and needs my love to be shown to others.

Weakening in your Christian walk is easy, but what's hard is stepping back up and knowing what's best for you. Which all along this ride I have tried to hard to push back into Gods loving and open arms, but have noticed I prefer the worldly aspect of things, which tears me apart. 

Needing Gods strength is like asking for the impossible to happen, at least it feels that way. You pray for strength, you pray for the pain and heartache to go away & yet you still find yourself in sin! 

You want Gods love to shine through you, and to just be happy~with him in the picture, but it's so hard when you have people around you who are so easily happy and they don't have Jesus to thank. 

I mean they do, they just don't realize it. 

I hate feeling so caught and so trapped like this, and not knowing which direction to face and stick on is nauseating, and exhausting. My heart is in two different spots and all I want is the best for me. 

So I pray and ask all of you for God to do a work in me, that helps me see there is so much more in this life than letting the world over take you; I need stability and I need Gods reassurance that everything will work out, and his plan is better than mine- because IT IS. 

Trying to control your own fate is so not worth it in the end & I know I'll quickly learn that. I just pray for help in my life, for me to see and live out what I need to for God to be strongest in my life. Because the last thing I want to be doing, is trying to teach all of you what's best when I'm not living it out myself.

it pains me to admit these things, but what Christian doesn't have a dry season? 

#pleasepray

Sincerely, 

      Victoria. 

We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight

        What is the definition of FAITH?

Wikipedia states that it is: A belief, trust or devotion in something/somebody- especially without logical proof. It also says it is: trust in God, belief and devotion to God.

Having faith is probably one of the most difficult things to have 100% of. But God knows that, He says that with little faith; we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)
One of my favourite verses in scripture is 2 Corinthians 5:7 "We walk by faith, not by sight."
We walk in  life not by what we see, but what we put our trust into. People can be blind, have faith & walk perfectly clear through life. Being blind doesn't mean you can't see. But you cannot walk in life without a version of faith, no matter if its in yourself, an idol, or the supreme father; God.

Hebrews 11:1 

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." 

Being sure of something and believing in it is having faith, how many of us do that daily- how many of us really have faith in ourselves and other people, or in Christ? 

I've come to realize that the world comes with satisfactory, not satisfaction. 

It seems to think it will satisfy you, only to let you down. 

So I stopped relying on the world to hold my every need & relied on God to be my anchor & my life has been much more of walk than a run. 

When your faith is shaken, when you're at a point in your life when you're so ready to give up; the littlest of your faith that comes out will change your life- the littlest of faith can move a mountain. If that's possible with God, what isn't?  

• Titus 1:2

  "a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time," 
  Hope is not wishful thinking, it's confidence that the things God has promised will happen. God never lies. it's against His nature, therefore it's impossible for Him to lie! (Hebrew 6:18) 
  
  
  Your faith in God, devotion to his love and hope in your life will bring you more satisfaction than the sweetest taste of honey this world could ever give you. 
  If you give your faith to God today, it could be the littlest spring of it... if you give him the chance, he will always find ways to please you like no one else can. 
  
  
  Cause when the world says you can't, it'll tell you that you can. 
  
  
  Kutless | What Faith Can Do: http://youtu.be/u1JBSQMkQEo

Understanding Parents

In the Bible it talks plenty on parents, honoring them, obeying them, listening to them, loving them, the list goes on- but does it really get into specifics of how on earth to deal with them!?
Their rules, commandments, expectations, the endless chores and crap we have to do!?

If you Google right now "Bible verses on being a parent" you'd get Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
And "Bible verses on how to be a child to our parents" it gives us verses like Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."
Pretty simple stuff right? "honor and listen to each other cause it's right".. where's the good stuff? the "How do I deal with it when my mom makes me do the dishes & I don't want to, but I have to because she asked?"
yeah I wish there was a logical answer to that, or even a scriptural one but fact is God wants us to honor our father and mother because it is good to do so. It doesn't mean you're un-holy and degrading when you don't do the dishes one night, it just means you need to find other ways to honor them.

In dealing with their "endless, endless lists" we have to give them honor and we have to give them grace because they were put in the position to be our parents, to raise us to be who we're becoming. But when do we stop "becoming"? I like to think of it as they never really stop raising us, we just stop letting them.  Our parents will always be who we are, and will always be the ones who loved us more than anyone ever could.

I know with my family, dishes are a large war a lot of the time. Because it's an obvious thing everyone sees, we use it against each other a lot & it can cause a lot of tension. It's easier to say "just do it" than it is to actually do, but when you realize you're doing one thing in your day to help the ones who do everything for you, it makes more of a difference and it feels a lot better to do.

The way I was raised, the limitations I have now, the access to things I had when I had them are actually insane to realize a first time parent did & came up with.
I mean when you think about it, your parents have never been parents to you before, and look where you're at.
Success is in your heart and a heart is in a home, my home is my family and my family is who has made me who I am. Being a parent is probably a hard task, but when it's stops being a task and becomes your life & teaching them life it stops being a job, it's just who you are.

As for being a someone's child, we need to honor and respect them, because they have been through this stuff and it is important to know that you can learn from their mistakes and you're aloud to make your own; but they just want the best for you. 
My parents taught me to really go after what I want, love others as God loves me and live the right life for The Lord.
I have expectations to follow, but they don't expect me to be perfect and they love me even when I'm not.

As for if you're a parent (you broke the "no parents" rule, by the way)
Let your kids always be themselves, make mistakes because they can't learn from being perfect- they learn from being taught, not forced and they love by example not always by experience. 
When I become a mom, in many many years from now; I want to know by the time their 18 that I did the absolute best that I could and I'm proud of them, but I'm also proud of myself as a parent, as well as my husband.

Families have their issues, trials and experiences. I hate the quote "at the end of the day" but I have to use it, at the end of the day they're my family and they have been the ones to be my example and best friends my whole life. I'll never take them for granted. 

I want to thank my parents for inspiring this weeks entry/ rant, and putting up with me all my life and understanding me more than ever. Love you guys! 

Pain & Trust

   Through the last 2 days I have been threw some pretty immense pain throughout my whole body. My neck, back, hips, and now even my legs are in pain and it's almost impossible to be in any position comfortably. 

I have been praying the past 2 days for God to deliver me from my pain & distress. it's hard not to expect it right away, especially when you're going through the type of pain that I am.

Psalm 111:7-8 says:

"The works of his hands are faithful and just; his precepts (commandments) are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness." 

Just goes to show, when I think God isn't there, when I feel like he doesn't care he's the one who ultimately does. His faithfulness is always with me. 

My body is in immense pain, I can fully trust The Lord but he isn't a musician for our pain; physical or not. 

trusting in him is knowing that no matter what in the end he will always provide for you, love you and bring you out of your weary time. 

Honestly I'm scared sometimes that my body is too messed up to fix, that I'm too broken to handle. But then God brings me Psalm reminders (56:3) "When I am afraid I put my trust in you" 

that's all it takes for me to know that God loves me, and I will soon be out of my pain. 

But it's not just because I'm waiting on his works, I have to take humanly steps to get out of my pain. Such as my chiropractor appt. - that's today.

 I pray that in your hard times, when you feel so weak and brittle & your trust in The Lord is severed that you find the strength to know he's the one who has never left and never will. We serve a God who loves unexpected endings... just wait for yours. 

God bless you! 

Friendships

God designed man to not be alone, it all starts in Genesis- Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 2:18)
It's a fact, not a thought. In friendships God wants us to know it is good to have friends, and keep good company. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
"Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good character." Bad friendships, bad examples- really can ruin your good character and it is important to know The Lord wants you to have amazing friendships. Because our earthly friendships should be an example of our Heavenly one. We need to show others through friendship that God loves us and wants us to treat each other as Jesus treated us. 
Having good judgement (wisdom) in picking and choosing good friends is something we all desperately need. Without it, where are our good friends? 
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says 
" Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; If either one of them falls down, one can help the others up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." 

In the beginning it's good to have amazing friends and in the end it is too. God never ever intended us to be alone in any sense, that's why we're blessed with family, support systems of any type and friends. Choose friends wisely, seek Gods wisdom in your friendships and don't let people hurt you or make you feel less than what you know you deserve. 

side note- check this blog out, Alyssa is amazing with her words. I have lots to learn! http://blog.alyssajoy.me/?p=1191

Religion & Praise

 I was reading my bible tonight, trying to figure out what to write about.. do I write about love, do I write about friend fights, what does God want me to speak on? 

2 things came to mind. well one, and other God had me flip to in my bible.

1st one, 'religion'. people always ask me, "Victoria, why are you so religious?" and I honestly get mad. cause I'm polar opposite of religious. religion to me is like a book of scary rules that is set out to make you seem like you're perfect, but you're not. religion to me is slavery and acting fake. that's not what my relationship with God is like. 

religion is like, "if you do this, then I'll love you." 

God says, "no I love you right now, and you don't have to be perfect". We may do things for him, but they're in honor and in praise, not in pain or disgrace.

2nd thing, God took me to the book of Psalms, (my favourite book, as we all know) Psalm 96:3-5 

"declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people's! for great is The Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.." & it goes on declaring his awesomeness. 

to me that's just saying, why hide the fact that he's awesome & loves you and forgives you no matter what you've done to him or to anyone!?

we're forgiven, and loved and we need to shout his praise (psalm 100:1) and be glad he's who he is. God deserves to be praised and Jesus is his son.. he deserves all of the acclaim. 

when it says "marvelous works" I just think of everything- galaxies, the earth and just existence. We may get pretty annoyed of every day things, but this is crazy and One made it all. 

(God, AMEN! ;)) 

It's like dissing someone's painting, they worked hard on it to make millions of people happy & all of them hate it & don't want it. 

think about it in Gods perspective. He made this beautiful earth and the galaxies and stars & for some- his beautiful art isn't enough. "He is worthy to be praised"(psalm 96:4) This isn't enough? 

We need to give credit where credit is due, if we give artists credit- God deserves it too.

that includes your beauty, because God made you too. 

since Genesis 1:27 God has said we were made in his image. we were made from his beauty, he lives in us & for us. 

Which brings me back to the religion topic. 

Christianity is about God searching for man, not man searching for God.

which brings me to a quote from one of my favourite poems- Jeff Bethke of course. and that's 

"religion says do, Jesus says done. religion says slave, Jesus says son. religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free- religion makes you blind, but Jesus makes you see" 

Religion isn't what I am, Jesus is who I have & God is my father. There is no rules, there's love, there is no outfit we're supposed to wear, there's love. God loves us for who we are, right now. 

Religion is full of rules and things that make the world think your holy, and of God- while I'm over here knowing Gods real love, your following your list on how to make yourself look better. 

I don't need to impress anyone. 

there's no religion that could win me over what God has for me, religion made me blind- but Jesus helps me see. 

Using Your Abilities To Honor God

In life we're all blessed with abilities, skills and interests- but are we really using them to Gods advantage, are we using them to honor Him? 

You may say, well I have nothing I'm good at- so I can't honor Him like this.

Everyone has things they're good at.

For me, it's writing. An interest and skill I enjoy immensely. I not only write poems, and fun stories- I use my abilities to honor and talk about God~like in this blog! 

Others have abilities (like you) such as playing hockey, dance, musically talented, they can draw.. etc, the just goes on and on and on! 

But for you... what is that one thing you go, "yeah I can honor God with that everyday of my life!" 

Romans 12:6-8 

Talks about using your abilities to honor God, and knowing that you can do things through and for him in a fun way. Not just on Sundays and at Youth Group. As Christians we're called to do the "impossible", with God- there's no such thing! AMEN. 
^"6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

He uses us in crazy ways, from an insane testimony- to using your insane piano techniques to bring a girl to Christ- you never know how He'll use you. Just be ready and willing to set your feet where he wants you to walk, and when you're scared- He'll carry you. (

There's a great movie called Facing The Giants, it's about a football team that is so focused on only winning football teams they forget they're even a team! 

When there coach (leader) starts to guide them down the right path. They realize that the main idea is to honor God with their ability & love him through their wins and through their losses. 

Loving Jesus isn't hard, but living a life He did-is. If we try our best every day and use the little things to help our Christian walk- we will see a change in not only ourselves, but the world around us. Life has never been lived before, you're not always supposed to know what to do. - using your skills is one way you can make a change- & it starts with ONE. 

So question, what are you doing to honor God today? 

Gods Design For Marriage

      Genesis 2:18
    "It is not good man be alone; i will create a helper fit for him"   

  Right from the beginning God created man to have a partner, to have someone to share everything in life with, first it was with Adam and Eve.
Then we zoom to Romeo and Juliet, and then The Notebook. But if anyone knew real love, they'd know the greatest love story of all time is your relationship with Jesus above all else. Your love. Your life. We always like to think in life that the best love stories are in movies, and books we read. They can only be made up, and no one will ever love us like that.
Fact is, you have a God that loves you more than anyone on this planet ever will, more than any script writer can handle, His love for you is in no comparison to this world.
There are countless verses on Gods design for marriage, but lets start with 1 Peter 3
(3:3-5) "Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of your hair and the putting of your gold jewelry, or the clothing your wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious"... Your beauty is within, and i know we've all been told that a million times, but its only because its absolutely true!
The right guy God places in your life will come along who was fit for you, and not only rock your world, but show you Gods love. 
People always say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes a community to make a marriage. God said I chose marriage to reflect who I am in the trinity, serving and loving one another. 
When you're married its a covenant, not a contract- its not "do this, and I'll give you this". It's i love you right now, i want you right now, i pursue you right now, i give you grace right now. and when you understand that, you'll be able to give it back to the other person in your marriage. 

God wanted to show us through marriage; His love. It's the closest thing we can get to Gods love, and in this life- people need love. always. 
In my life, I know obviously that I've never been married. I pray that one day when I am it is a covenant  not a contract- that we love not envy, that we show grace and love each other as Christ loves us. I know that I've experienced love, felt it and know what it is. 
It can be hard, but at the end of the day it needs to be in Christs design- if its not, it's not love. 
As Jeff Bethke says "You need to search her heart, and her mind first before you ever touch her booty. Maybe invest the same amount of time in her, as you do in Call of Duty." 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4OK9DmLpCY&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1 

Girl Talk

Being Under Pressure

Writing a heart felt and true blog is hard work, knowing just what to say when you feel people will need to hear it, knowing the right verses to pop in for certain situations and living your life realizing every moment can be a lesson. I'm no one to talk (at least not at the moment) and say that my life is hard, and i'm going through some terrible life changing things, and turning it into a beautiful testimony. I know that I'm living the testimony I will one day speak about and hopefully change lives. 
Because I know as for right now, life is going pretty great. I mean everyone has there daily challenges, and constant self battles- but there's always good in the bad days. 
I try so hard every week to come up with some amazing words for you all to hear, and like anyone I get writers block and end up disliking what I've posted. Not every week is going to be perfect, but if its in Gods plan- the right words will come. 

Now, onto the better part of my crazy writing! 

This week I've really comes to the realization that I'm pretty insecure about myself. I mean what teenage girl isn't?
We have to fight for guys attention, feel pretty, slap on makeup everyday, deal with school.. all that fun stuff, plus handling our daily walk with God.
It's hard work being you, I know and trust me I understand that.
But is every day worth fighting for the worlds attention, while you already have someone who wants you more than anyone ever will? is life really worth worrying about when we have someone mightier in control? 
When we give our lives to the world always craving and expecting their acceptance, it will never happen, never win and no one will ever love you more than Jesus does. I've realized through my insecurities that they don't matter, because i am loved. YOU are loved. 
The book of Psalms is my favourite book in the Bible, and its because most times things in that book are pretty straight forward and clear, and a day where I'm upset I can just go to that book and know I'll find some encouraging words that are easier to understand. 
Psalm 59 "Deliver Me From My Enemies"

"Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
    protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil,    and save me from bloodthirsty men."
In that verse i feel like it talks in fear of the world, and being hurt. Then this verse comes along: 

"But you, O LORD, laugh at them;

you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
 My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies."

And then verse 8, 9 and 10 come and we're sure God is more mighty. Realizing Our God is more mighty than any insecurity, any person letting us down, any plan gone astray, etc. 
OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL. And He loves you just as you are, and someone someday on this earth will show you Gods love by loving you just as you are, as well. 
Insecurities don't match Gods endless love, no person fighting against us will ever win. God is mighty, is holding your life, and has a plan for it- in fact, it's already planned out. (600 million years ago, believe it or not) 
Never let the thought patterns of the world bring you down, or your personal insecurities or battles weigh the good in life- then there's nothing to smile about and God is then out of control. If you ever need someone to grab your anchor and pull you back into reality, let it be God.
There could never be a more beautiful you, be happy with Gods perfect design, embrace it and share what God blessed you with, with the world!
You are one of a kind. All in Gods image. Love it. :) There is no better captain than Him. 

For the entire Psalm:
http://esv.scripturetext.com/psalms/59.htm