A Good Challenge...

Get ready to be free!


This is a good challenge. Hard for some, easy for others, just all around good. Here we go...


Oh yeah, before I start, I cannot take credit for this. My friend Rachel had me do this on the way home from camp last weekend. (more on camp later!)


1. In 15 seconds, come up with, and write down 5 things, preferably not physical, that you like about yourself, or things you are good at. Right now, while reading, DO IT!!


Okay, did you do it yet? All written down. Alrighty, moving right along.


2. Go thru each one and decide why that quality is a blessing, and how God will use that quality to make you excellent at what you will do in the future. Look at all of them and thank God for giving these qualities to you. While some may not seem helpful, I guarentee, that they are indeed blessings and very important!!!


Now, this is when it is going to start to get tough...


3. Make a list of anything that you wish you had. Qualities that you dream of possessing, or any standards that you think you need to measure up to. Examples being lighter, smarter etc.


4. Go thru each one and think about reasons why these standards, "don't count" or bogos. (does anyone really know how to spell that?!?) Understand that God made you you, and those qualities that you think you need, or wish you had, won't really be necessary, or needed for your special job.


5. Cross out those things and rip up the paper!!! Was that not liberating?! AMAZING!! After hard thinking, encouragement from Rach and many tears, I finished that challenge. It was hard. I didn't want to have to face that or declare, that my standards didn't matter. I only need to be who God made me to be. I felt so free after that little heart to heart. Don't you?


I know this was hard to follow, but, please, give it a try!!! Love you all tons! BE FREE!!!

A few blessings (cont'd)

Okay, next. You know the hymn, Blessed Assurance. Well, I was listening to that (new Avalon Hymns CD...STELLAR!) and, I decided that I am IN LOVE with the chorus, well, really the whole song, but, the chorus especially. Here it is:


This is my story, this is my song
praising my Savior all the day long
this is my story, this is my song
praising my Savior all the day long.


Friends, this is our story. We are here to praise our awesome GOD!!! What a cool story. A "God that has all things and still you want me" (BarlowGirl) I love the story I am privilaged to be a part of. Be blessed by him. And, I also love the last verse. So, you guessed it, i am gonna share it with you!


Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest
watching and waiting, looking above
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.


Too often, I get caught up in this world. Not cool. I know I talk about this a lot. The little things, finding time to spend with Jesus. He is so good. I just can't stop saying that!! HE IS MY LIFE AN MY STORY AND MY SONG!! I am happy and BLEST! He blesses me and blesses me and blesses me and I don't even deserve it. I wish I could just be lost in his love. Sometimes, that is hard. But, you know, we sure can get wrapped up in the world. And this world is not even our story or our purpose. Praising Jesus and being with him is our story and song. So, lets be lost in him and his love. That is my challenge this week. don't be lost in the world. Be lost in his amazing love. Mmmmmm...so good!! Blessings (another good word!)

A Few Blessings...

Hello to all 3 of my readers...


I don't have much to say ( i realize, now finishing writing, that is a HUGE lie!). Just a few things that have totally been blessing me lately. Actually, to be honest, the following writings were done in study hall today. But, I just wanted to share them with you all...so, to be super personal, here was my latest journal entry...ooo, a peek into my world!


11/6/06
So, how hard is it to be still? Yeah, super hard. This verse has really been blessing me. I think I already journaled it, but, why not do it again?

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still"

Exodus 14:14

Now, the red words are the true blessings:

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still!!!"
Exodus 14:14

I like to add the exclamation because how cool! All I need to do is be still and give all things to God and let him fight for me. Easy? One would think so, but, guess again. It is SOOOO hard. But, God is SOOOOOOO faithful and keeeps fighting and strengthening. Because here is another blessing:

"My power is made perfect in your weakness"

And before that verse is yet another blessing...golly, the bible sure is FULL of blessings!!! :)

"My grace is sufficient for you"

Is God not just the absolute best? HOLY COW! He has really been proving himself faithful to me lately. He is just SO good! well, the bell will ring soon. I think this is going to be a blog...who wouldn't be blessed by these verses??

God, thanks for always being faithful and for fighting for me. I love you...Amen

So, those were my thoughts on those blessings. What a god. All we need to do is give up whatever we are holding on to. AMAZING!!!

Just HAD to write!

Hello Hello!


I have no purpose in writing tonite, except that I just feel like it. No real thoughts, no nothing. I just want to write.


It is finally Friday, and after a LOOOOOONG week, I couldn't be happier! I had a million and one tests this week, lots of work and little sleep. Yeah, not cool...at all. Well, tonite was fun. I went to dinner with some super sweet friends, and then to the Army-Navy Soccer Game. We left before the end, so, I don't know the outcome. But, I did conclude that #15, Pierre, is my favorite player, because he has the coolest name. GO PIERRE!!!


So, in the midst of my stressful week, God has given me a real friend to talk to. She gives A+ pep talks and so, despite some stress this week, she has just encouraged me. Gotta love my friends!


Let's see...I don't really know what else has gone on. Just a crazy but good week. Yeah, well, not much to report, just needed something to do for a few minutes!!! Plus, I just love bloggin! Super fun times!!! I know that only like 1 maybe 2 people read this, but, hey, in my mind, it is like wonderful writing!! HA! Blessings...

Faithfulness...

Hello my dear friends...


I have been pretty stressed lately. Between papers to write, tests to study for, Bible Study, relax time, sleep time, and friend time. I try to make time for everything, and it just doesn't work! And on top of all that, I have had lots going on in my head and heart. I have been on minor overload...maybe even major overload lately. But, God is faithful.


Well, with all this stuff to get done, usually the first thing that comes off the to-do list is quiet time. I hate to say it, but, I like to be honest here. And, so, the most interaction I have with Jesus in my day is prayer. Which, is good, but, when that is all there is, things can get rough, life gets confusing. But, God is faithful.


Do you ever feel weak? Not physically, but, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? I do. I feel like sometimes I am given more than I want or can handle. Like, just when I think things can't get worse, they do. Those times when you just want to quit life. Or, give up fighting for something I know is right. Weak or strong, God is faithful.


Do you notice a common theme here?


No matter what I do or feel, GOD IS FAITHFUL!!


Many days I feel defeated, don't you? Many days I feel, just not good enough. I feel like, if only I was like her. If only I was smart like him...but, just at the right time, God sends me some form of encouragement. Whether in song, or a person, or a book, or verse...HE is SO stinkin faithful! Even through all my ups and downs. My highs and lows, the good and the bad...he has NEVER and will NEVER leave me. He has promised that in his word:


John 1:5-
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.


What a promise. You know, many people in my life have come and gone. Sometimes I feel like, I just wasn't good enough. If I had been a better person, they would've kept in touch. Or, whatever...you know what? I don't ever have to worry about that with God tho. He won't ever leave. He will remain FAITHFUL until the very end!!


"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20


So, I am learning right now to really embrace that promise. Trust that He is faithful...embrace it! It is true and an AWESOME promise!!!