Everyday Blessed

Wowza!! It's crazy how time flies! So, here I am back at school, getting ready for senior year! As the end of the summer flew by and I had to jump right into things here at school, I have finally had a couple of days this Labor Day weekend where I do not have a crazy lot to do, and I have been able to stop and think, as well as spend more time in the amazing Word that God has given us. I have told others before how important it is to cherish each moment, and I need to take my own advice! Each moment God put into our lives for a reason, and each person around us, God made special, so we must learn get to know them, respect them, and be kind towards them! We never know how a person, situation, or event might affect us. I love to keep busy and to do many different things, and spend time with many different people. But even when we cherish every moment, it is still easy for our lives to get hectic and for us to get stressed out. I know, as much as I like to think that I am an eas

Last night, I went to a bible study with some friends. We were all asked to arrive with no makeup on. There was a group of about nine of us girls. After we opened our night up in prayer, we were asked to look in the mirror and to share what we saw. As girls, we all have insecurities, which often stems from our society. We are constantly bombarded with images that we are told are beautiful. We see what guys think is beautiful and we are constantly struggling to be that kind of beautiful, to be skinner, to have bigger boobs, to be tanner, to have smooth skin, to wear tight revealing clothing etc.. This effort to become beautiful can actually become dangerous. It can be dangerous financially, and physically, but most seriously, it can be emotionally detrimental. We are constantly worn down by thinking that we are not good enough. We are not beautiful enough to be loved. We are not perfect enough for anyone. We are not perfect enough to go before God, the Almighty King.  Last night,

SMILE! :) Your smile's always shinning out And they know what it's all about It's not hard for them to figure out The way you show Jesus You know love is what they heard And you didn't even say a word Ain't it funny that's the way it works When you know Jesus Oh it's like flipping on a light switch when you're walking into this room It's so undeniable I gotta tell you that I like the way Any time anywhere any place It's written all over your face The way you love Jesus And it always speaks to me A little joy with a touch of peace It's so inspiring The way you show Jesus ~"Show Jesus" By Jamie Grace Last weekend, I had the privilege of seeing Jamie Grace in concert. We were front and center and it was an incredible concert. Josh Wilson also performed! At the concert, I got a t-shirt that is navy blue and says, "SHOW JESUS" in very large bright green letters. I wore my shirt today as I was out doing a few errands,

Yesterday morning, I got into a big argument with my dad. I really don't even remember what it started about, but he was not in a good mood, and I tend to push his buttons. I think a part of it is that I just want him to admit that he has anger issues and to deal with them, but these arguments have been going on forever, and while things have changed some in the last 21 years, there is still a problem. And I will admit that I am a part of that problem. I let my anger get the best of me too. I have a hard time controlling my tongue, keeping my voice calm, and thinking about what I say before I say it.  I think it is pretty safe to say that everyone has been angry at some point or another, but it is important to think about how we are are handling our anger. Last nights sermon was on anger, based on the passage in the Sermon on the Mount.  Matthew 5:21-26 21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will

So, I work at a daycare center and I absolutely love my job. I adore the kids that I work with and really appreciate my co-workers! I definitely consider having a job that I greatly enjoy a blessing. Work is often the highlight of my day! I feel loved and affirmed by the students that I am doing the right thing with my life (I am studying to be a teacher!).  But, these past few days, I have felt like I am not needed. Not because the kids have stopped loving me or because of anything that my co-workers or boss have done, it has just been a quiet week, with some kids out on vacation and some out sick etc. I have not been needed as much in the classroom because we have been over-staffed. Like I said, this is no one's fault, it is just reality. I was told to clean during the few hours that I was not needed in the classroom. I don't particularly have a problem with cleaning, but it is not where I wanted to  be either. While I was cleaning though, I realized that I needed a bit

When you look at yourself right now, who are your best friends? Whose company do you enjoy most? Who do you invest the most time in? Who do you see yourself hanging out with ten years down the road? I ask these questions because lately I've been hanging out with a friend from elementary/middle school who a I never would have imagined that I would still be friends with. And, I must say, it has been one of the greatest friendships. We have had such wonderful conversations and a lot of fun together. She has invited me to bible study, and we have had had a lot of time to chat outside as well. As we talk about our faith, I have grown a lot, and she has helped me to be a better daughter and friend. She has been a great listening ear as well, as I talk about my problems, concerns, joys etc.  We never know what God has planned for us. We can plan all we want, we can set goals, we can chart out our life, but no matter what we do, or how hard we try, our plans will never be as grand as G

Today's sermon at church was based on Matthew 5:13-15 Salt and Light Sermon- Watch Here Salt and Light 13  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14  “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.   16  In the same way, let your light shine before others,  that they may see your good deeds  and glorify  your Father in heaven. This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and it is one that I think is very important to live by. God has called us to be His light in the world. He has called us to live in the world, but not to be corrupted by the world. This can be a challenge, and it is amazing how God gives us the messages that we need, right when we need them.

One thing that I have been working on is how to be a good friend, how to love others as Christ has loved us. But, I am still struggling. I try to be kind to everyone, but I have a difficult time knowing how to be kind to guys without giving the wrong impression, or how to put my all into a relationship when I am receiving nothing in return? How do I discern which relationships to let go of, and which ones to hold on tightly to? How many times do I have to attempt to initiate a conversation before giving up? Some of these questions may sound dumb, but they have all gone through my mind at one point or another, and have I come to any good conclusions? Not really. Right now, I am just praying that God will guide me and give me the discernment that I need. I pray that God will put people into my path with whom I should build relationships with, and He will help me to know when to let go of certain relationships. He will give me the courage that I need to have difficult conversations, and w

Mark 10:13-16 13  People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.   14  When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them,  “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.   15  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”   16  And he took the children in his arms,  placed his hands on them and blessed them. Last night at bible study, we were talking about belief. Someone mentioned childlike faith, and how children believe, undoubtedly, what they are told, as far as what they can make sense of. As we were talking about this, it made me think about VBS that night. The theme at VBS this year is Athens. I am guiding the preschoolers around as we hear Paul's story, and then after we play some games, we go to shops in Athens, where the shopkeepers are not Christians. Some of the shopkee