Tuesday, November 1, 2011

What's In Store

I laugh inside. I laugh outside. I laugh because I am joyful in uncertainty. Funny right? Well I think it is. I have had a couple things on my mind recently and wasn't necessarily seeking answers for the questions that arose. Now that I have realized what those questions are its time to start seeking out some answers. I know these things for sure: I need to be praying, reading my bible, going to life-groups, and journaling. I need to be seeking God. I need to learn how to listen.

I'm excited for whatever it is that is coming.

John 12:26

English Standard Version (ESV)
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Taking new steps. Learning how to walk in new shoes. Day by Day.

3 things I pray:
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
(Godspell)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Learning Every Day

Although learning may be very hard at times I am thankful for learning. I have been learning so much recently and I have been presented with opportunities to use the things I have already learned. I have taken action! I'm happy for the progress I have made in guarding my heart as of recent, believe me it has been a struggle. My joy has been so overwhelming at times I just want to dance. Thank God for mistakes that make me realize that I can't do things on my own. Thank God for grace that allows me to be forgiven. Thank God for wisdom I am gaining through it all. Thank God for the discernment I have been able to share with other young girls recently. I was able to encourage a friend last night with the new excitement I have gained. :]


Psalm 49:3

New International Version (NIV)

3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
   the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.


These are just some happy photos from life as of recent:



Jamie is an inspiration.


Ashy is Wedded

hangin at keifs house

keifers and me and flamingo

My roommate is so sweet!

Shes possessed.

Ewica

Underage haha

I miss her a lot sometimes

Chuck Butt :)

Crazy and Fun and Funny. I love this girl!

This girl makes my heart smile!

Tivis is such a blessing in my life!

This is how we do.

Crazy!

New Friends are wonderful!

Weddings make me smile!

Jenny is so joyful!

My Father made this for his school as a flyer. I laughed.


Thursday, August 4, 2011

When You are the Leper: Part I


Lies. We all know them well. We have been told them. We have told them. We have been consumed by them. We have overcome them.

lie 2 |laɪ| |lʌɪ|
noun
an intentionally false statement 
• used with reference to a situation involving deception or founded on a mistaken impression 
tell a lie or lies :
• ( lie one's way into/out of) get oneself into or out of a situation by lying 
• (of a thing) present a false impressionbe deceptive 
From experience I have found that it is easier to believe a lie when a person is vulnerable. Many different things can make one vulnerable to falsehood. 
  • Naivety
  • Stress
  • Haste (ready to believe the first thing said)
  • Sickness
  • Depression
  • Foolishness
  • Self Pity
  • Weakness of heart
  • and many more...
If anything we are always vulnerable because of our own foolishness. Tough, but true.
So when vulnerability kicks you in the butt you can find yourself drowning in the lies. Small ones start and they feed at the core of your being and begin to slowly deteriorate the truths your mind knew before. One acceptance of a small lie is just a hop, skip and a jump from birthing a rumor weed.
Lies are the start till the rumor catches on and spreads devouring all in its path. No mercy. No grace. We see this outwardly among us all. Friends talking about friends. People talking about People. Family talking about Family. But, the lies that I address today are not the ones that others are speaking from their lips, but the ones that are fed to us by the enemy.
The enemy of any spiritual walk or journey. Our worst enemy. The enemy longs for us to accept him so that we ultimately become our own enemy. Let's hope that it hasn't got that far. & if it has, there is a way out, you can fight yourself with help from the Lord.

Ephesians 2

By Grace Through Faith
 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him
Click here to read all of Ephesians 2
Lies that I have been recently flooded with are so silly to even type here. There should be no doubts to any of these lingering questions. But, if you are honest with yourself, there has been a time in your life, if not right now, that you also have struggled with these. We are all in the same rocking boat.
The Lies:
  1. Will God answer my prayer?
  2. What if He doesn't?
  3. There's nothing that can really be done.
The Truth:
  1. He will always answer prayer. His listening never stops. He is always hearing our thoughts, our words, our spirits, our souls and our hearts. There isn't one second that He is too busy to pay attention. Believe and Receive. Have faith. Take heart. We often mishandle our faith which creates doubt. I am praying through my doubt currently. Doubts that I shouldn't have I am asking the Lord to help me to overcome. Who better to ask to gain faith from then the One who has always had faith in us and is eternally faithful to us. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
  2. You Have Not because You Ask Not::: We make the mistake of dwelling on the issue, we get lazy and we don't put our lips into action. We must find our humility. To bow before the throne knowing that God has all power to do anything. We must not limit the Lord. God has NO LIMITATIONS. How silly we are to think God can only do "so much." Still think God has limitations? Watch this and I guarantee you that you will change your mind: Crazy Love Universe

    James 4:2

    New International Version (NIV)
    You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

    2 Chronicles 7:14

    New International Version (NIV)

    if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

    Hebrews 10:22

    New International Version (NIV)

    let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
  3. Matthew 7:7-11
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
If we are not asking then how can we expect to receive. If we are not seeking how can we expect change. If we will not knock on the door it will never open.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Mountains can be moved by the power of prayer. The Lord rewards those who seek His face. He longs for us to come to Him in our weakness because He is stronger. FAITH. We can have faith that the Lord will become our warrior when we have lost the battle. He will raise us up and renew our strength so that He and we can fight the battle together.

People do not pray because they think that their prayers don't make a difference. This is something I have struggled with at times. So this is where I begin to make a change. I pray that the Lord would help to humble me. I cannot go through this life doing things all on my own. I need my knight in shining armor to suit up and put me back on my horse; to ride into battle with me against the enemy. I pray that the Lord would help me to uncover the lies and see them for what they are: worthless. I pray that the lies would be replaced with truths. I pray that this leper would grow in faith. I pray that this faith would bring favor in prayer. I am casting out all lies and deception. Sweet relief. It shall come. Lord teach me how to have more of your unfailing faith. I pray that I am freed from these bonds. Amen.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Major Flashback

Inexplainable

I don't know what it is. But it happens every time. An inexplainable warmness comes over myself when I see certain people. You would think... 'Oh. Friends right? People You know and care for?' People I know, yes. People I care about, yes. But not necessarily friends. Not people who I share deep life meanings with. Just people I see in passing. People I know. People I care for. People who need a little kindling to their dying fire. It's not like I make a point to show warmth towards these people every time I see them. It just happens. I can see now that it is not from me... it is through me... from the Father. I am seeing again what once was in this life. It's beautiful. I'm thankful.


(2 days in a row! WOAH! Yeah I know)

Thursday, July 28, 2011

It's Been A While

I haven't visited my blog other than to read up on other peoples lives. I haven't blogged since June 28th. Weird to think I logged on today July 28th to blog. Well. It has been almost a month since I came home to TX. Since then I have done many things. One of my goals was to abstain from surfing the internet so much. 

Things i have done this month:
  • Shut down my facebook
  • Spent some quality time in Denton, TX (where I grew up)
  • Went to My family reunion
  • Went to a Texas Rangers Game
  • Went to the Pony Races
  • Ate at a Tea Room with my mother
  • Shopped around a little town
  • Read a script (Doubt)
  • Picked out my Fall Audition Monologues and began to work on them
  • I also got invisilign... if you don't know, invisilign is a clear teeth braces system (9-13 mo.) Hopefully I will have completed all my trays by my 21st birthday :)
  • I have been working out a lot recently preparing myself for the wedding in Chicago

Ok... I hate fads and I don't usually follow them... but I love the feather in the hair look. I have a couple that I can put in and take out with a clip. 


So anyway... I have about a little less than 2 weeks and so much to do left!!! ahhh! :\ 

Then its on to Chicago :D