I Will Not Grow Weary

I finally feel like someone understands how much I manage to fit in my schedule!
  "Its not how much you do for God, it's about how much you don't do" {Christine Caine}

I watched this video and had to laugh! If you know me well, you'll know that my schedule is packed full with all sorts of things. Places to go and people to see! I usually have something planned every single day. I've gotten several different responds about everything I take on in life. Everything from, "I think you do to much," or, "I don't understand how to you do everything that you do," and even, "Maybe you shouldn't do so much." It is awesome to know that I have people in my life that are willing to look out for me and my health! I'm blessed to have friends to keep me in check!

It wasn't until I heard Christine Caine's short message that made me realize, it's not necessarily what I do, but rather, how much time I am spending time with God, making sure I'm getting, "filled back up!" The verse in Isaiah that Christine quotes is a perfect example of how I want to live.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:30-31  

"Whatever I do, whether in word or deed, I will do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

 

So, instead of lightening my load or altogether illuminating being busy, I am going to make sure I am working on focusing on Jesus, so that He will sustain me through life. I will do everything for the glory of God and not grow wearing because I will hope in Him.

I give everything over to You Lord

Trials Produce Steadfastness

I have noticed some people become shocked when they realize that being in a relationship with God doesn't mean life all of a sudden becomes effortless. I was reading this verse when I got to work and it really reminded me of the power in trials. There is ACTUALLY a purpose for trials?! Crazy, I know!

James 1:2-4 
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." 

God is asking us to count it all as joy when we face various trials! I can only speak for myself, but that totally goes against the grain and natural reaction I have when a trail comes up in my life. It usually doesn't feel comfortable. It feels like a stretching of my faith, trust and reliance on God. I looked up the definition of steadfastness so that I could understand the verse more and found that steadfastness is: Loyalty in the face of trouble and difficulty. I truly believe that God wants my loyalty in the face of adversity. That way He knows and I know that no matter what comes up in my life, or how hard things get, my loyalty is to Him and I will forever put Him first and serve Him. 

I find that trials are a good way of refining my character and perfecting my faith. You know how people say, "This will show their true colors!" That is how I feel about trials. It is a good meter to gauge where your attitude is at, and if your reliance isn't on God it will most likely come to the surface. I notice that God really grabs a hold of my attention when I am facing something difficult or feeling like I am getting tossed around by the things of the world.

Although it doesn't make trials any easier, there is some comfort knowing that God wants my faith to be perfected so that I am lacking nothing in my life. The goal isn't to avoid trials, it's to stay faithful to God throughout trials!

 
If you feel like you are just going through it - rest assured, you are fighting a worthy fight, you are running the race marked out for you and you are called an overcomer and a conqueror. So live like it! Hold your head up! You are doing a great job!

I give everything over to You Lord

 

TESTIMONY - Sheena Starks

The video below was filmed at an open mic night and it was the first time I had ever performed my spoken word entitled, "Testimony". I have been really humbled by the feedback and comments I have received from several different people. My desire has always been to give God glory and honor for being my daily hero and saving me from everything I found myself in and a part of. I am thankful beyond words can express, that God would use my mouth to speak His words. I am so passionate about other people finding freedom in their life and I am passionate about other people knowing and understand that they are loved just the way they are. They do not have to change or rearrange or work for the love of Jesus, He meets us right where we are. Now coming out of a lot of the stuff I struggled with {which you will hear in the spoken word} I have had so much more peace in my life. & THAT is a beautiful feeling. After you watch this video, please do not get the impression that I have arrived and have conquer all the areas that I touch on. But understand that I have to consistently turn to Jesus for strength to continue to be an over-comer. You are not alone if you feel like you just keep falling short and messing up - God is not surprised with where you are at and He loves you for who you are, regardless of your mistakes. Like I said previously - HUMBLING.

   

 I give everything to You Lord

Finding Rest in Business

I have been going through a lot. Usually people take that as a downer phrase, but let me clarify that phrase so that you can really understand where I am at and what God is teaching me. Things have been crazy! The best way to explain it is... Change & growth! I have been learning several new things about myself, as well as revising some past thoughts or struggles. Throughout my life and especially more recently, I have noticed a common theme. The fight to find rest. Sound funny? Well, I have been struggling with trying to balance my, seemingly, always busy schedule and also finding time to get with God and to reconnect with Him daily.

I have figured this out: I am going into a new season which means I need to know God in a whole new way. Deeper and more personal. My relationship with God is now at a place where I find it URGENT to be in relationship with Him. Desperate to be fed by His Word. Greatly desiring to serve others and to be passionate about the work that God is calling me to.

There is a fire lit within me that is so sold out to my Fathers business, no one can shake that from me.

So as I have been wrestling with this idea of business. I have been keeping my heart open to what God is wanting to teach me. Finally, I was listening to a message by Mark Driscoll and I felt like I heard a little bit of my life in his message.


Here is what I took from it: 
The enemy might not try to get you to deliberately sin, instead, his goal might be to keep you busy enough so that you don't have time to put the first things first. The things that I know I need to put first consist of making a daily goal of getting into the Word a main priority in my life. It is also spending quality time in intentional prayer and then praying without doubt but with full belief in God's capabilities. I also need to work on how to be able to slow down and to stop long enough to hear God speak to me. Finding a church family to do life with and to have encouragement and accountability has also been a huge factor in me being fed as well as me pouring into other people.

I have heard messages in the past about having distractions and even about how the enemy can keep us busy to avoid spending time with God. I understood the concepts of those messages and they were really impactful, but it hasn't been until more recently where I have been trying to apply what I have learned. If no one has even told you, those two totally look and feel different. Hearing and doing!

I wish I could end this blog post with some great revelation and life changing encounter, but I am still in the works of all my thoughts and prayers. I will tell you that I am slowly getting great insight into what I feel God tugging on my heart about. Although, I suppose IT IS a great revelation that I have been hearing God so much lately. We are in constant communication with each other, and for me, I am very pleased with that!

The goal is to be fruitful not just busy. Do not exchange business for fruitfulness. 
Instead of doing 10 things poorly, how about trying to do 2 things really well. 

I'd like to dedicate this blog post to a continual learning process through my life. That I may have the desire to always learn and to always seek God first.

I give everything over to You Lord

Dollar Signs

God has been teaching me {alot} about finances lately. Largely because I have been trying to seek understanding from Him so He has been making Himself known in the area of money. Let me first give you some background information of how this all came about! I was offered by my sister and brother-in-law to take over their lease sometime around October. After discussing it with a few people I trust, I felt at peace with moving forward and making the commitment to take on the lease when they are ready to move out. Although, I know I only make enough to live pay check to pay check. Which I concluded was fine, and it is a season I really want to walk out and an experience I feel like God is going to teach me a lot through.

Knowing full well that finances will be a key component of me moving out and how I will be living, I know that God MUST be intertwined in my decisions or else there really doesn't leave room to have faith. There are three main points that God has brought to my attention. These three point have literally impacted my whole perception of money and my thought processes. I pray that these points can add to your existing thoughts of money and how you handle your decisions about the topic.  

{Have Faith} 
{Put Forth Effort}
{Be a Steward}

I'm so excited to talk to you about what God has shown me about these three life changers!

HAVE FAITH

{ Luke 16:10 }

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much"

Faith is a really important component - With faith you can do above and beyond what you think. If you have faith when you have only a little or the bare minimum, you will most likely be able to build lasting faith when God blesses you. Faith allows God to intervene while on the other hand faithless living only positions yourself to get in the way of what God could be doing in your life. While faith is a huge factor in how I will be handling my finances for me it is partnered with effort.  Which leads me to the second aspect that God has been teaching me. 

PUT FORTH EFFORT

Put Forth Effort! I have found that it is crucial to have faith that God WILL show up but to also partner with Him and work for the financial aspirations you have. I know that I have a big part in making my finances run smoothly. If I am being lazy, not being diligent at my job or just expecting money with no effort, that logic has flaws in it. So while I am believing & having faith that God will provide an adequate amount of money I have recently asked my boss for a few more hours at work as a sign that I am putting forth effort that will tag team my faith goals & how I know God WILL be showing up in my life.

BE A STEWARD

Lastly, and the concept of being a steward! This point is really what initiated this blog post. While listening to Dave Ramsey and trying to see if God would speak to me about anything, Dave brought up the topic of being a steward. A concept I am familiar with simply from reading scripture and listening to offering transitions in church. Have you ever experienced hearing something over and over but never really {hearing} it? Until there is a point in life were it is applicable to you and the season you are in. The impact it has and how it resonates is way more personal when you are experiencing and walking through a particular season. The part that really struck me was when I looked up the definition of {steward} and it stated:

Stew·ard

A  person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others

The instant I read that definition I was impacted. I am only stewarding Gods money that He has so GRACIOUSLY allowed me to manage for Him. If everything is His in the first place than money is not exempt from that. I will conduct my life in a way that demonstrates first hand that God is the overseer of my finances. I am only being an agent of what He's given me, blessed me with and asked me to take care of.

The combination of faith, effort & stewardship that God has been teaching me, has allowed me to comprehend and understand my place in handling the way I see money and what I do with my money. I want God involved in every area of my life - money is a big area and I'm desperate for Him to be in the fabric and make up of how I conduct myself. Finances included!    

I give EVERYTHING over to You Lord

Confront Healing

"You Can't Heal What You Refuse To Confront"

When you are walking through different life situations, such as, relationally, spiritually or personally, you are going to face "something," right? Whatever the "something" may be will depend on the situation faced and the person handling it. The "something" may be hurt, confusion, disappointment, neglect, anger or sadness. Whatever it ends up being, at one point in life you will face a memorable hardship that will take time and energy to shake it from your heart and mind with the goal of eventually finding complete healing from it. Although, confrontation with the goal of healing will allow you to withstand hardships and the pain you may go through in order to be restored.

"Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."

I have found that trying to run from the pain and hard issues in life never produce as much learning and growth as facing the problems and conflicts that arise. Ignoring the pain or living out of fear of being hurt will hinder your full potential of living. The same goes for bitterness and resentment, holding all of that inside will only hurt you, not the other person. I am really believing for this generation and generations to come to have the ability to stand up and face the issues in their life. To avoid the ease of being a society that try's to patch up and mask what's really going on in life and to simply deal with it. 
 

Forgiveness doesn't change the past, although it give a hope for the future.

I read a quote that said, "If you're lucky enough to get a second change, don't waste it." Although I understand what this quote is implying, I find that it takes away the true magnitude of Grace that God extends to us. If I could reword the quote, I'd say, "Every day you wake up is already a second chance, if you are living to God it will never be a waist."

"Do not let projections of the past or future affect the present." But, be willing to let go of the life you have planned for yourself and surrender it completely to the life that is awaiting you, according to Gods plan.
You have permission to feel angry, hurt, confused, upset, delighted, joyful or all of the above or none of the above. You have permission to feel however you feel. Your feelings are valid, understandable and they are important enough to process through them. So take the time to confront what you are experiencing so you can move on with a healed and whole perspective about life and about people. Often times people feel like that have to just hurry up and get over issues. I have found that to be a really damaging position to place yourself in. Because if you don't get down to the heart of what has happened to you or the situations your facing it is bound to surface again your life. "Confront the situations in your life, don't ignore them, so that you can remember what it has taught you and leave behind the hurt that it has caused you."


"It is better to be hurt by the truth than to be comforted by a lie." Because, while numbing the pain might feel good for awhile, it will only make it worse when you finally feel everything you have been avoiding. Remember that it is okay to change your mind about things you once thought you never would. Because if you are truly following God's plan for your life, He may have you go a different direction than you once thought you were headed.

If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough! So dream. Dream passionate, daring, outrageous, huge, inspiring, world changing dreams. If you believe in the dream you will actually be able to accomplish it.

I give everything over to You Lord

A Crucifixion Type Of Love

My hearts desire...

A beautiful way of demonstrating the relationship between God and the Church & man and wife.

God I surrender my desires to you. My everything to you God.
Your love is emasculate. 

I give everything to You Lord

You're Not Comparable

Your words entangle my body.
It's more comforting than any touch.
Your smile is better than the softest kiss.
Your love is the difference of satisfying my flesh and satisfying my soul.
Your strength keeps me fighting even in my weakness.

I've never been so close to someone and have no physical representation of what we have.
Except everything that only you & I have experienced together.
The air has been the witness of our every conversations.

I thank you.
Because.
When I walk next to you...
I stand a little bit taller.
Feel a little more confident.
Smile a little brighter.

I never knew the sound of your laugh could invade my whole being.
I laugh along side of you because I haven't found anything sweeter.
& I never will.

I put on a dress for you..
Knowing full well that I wouldn't even see you.
It's because in the morning I think of you.
& If there is a chance I'll run into you I want to be ready to hold your hand and slow dance.
Even if the whole world is watching.
I will always be ready to take your hand.

I love this process of learning every detail about you.
Every time you let me in I'm reminded how comfortable it feels to know you.
I've never met anyone that my words mingle better with.
Than yours. 

I can't even call you my favorite because that would mean your comparable.
& you're not.


I give everything over to You Lord

Don't Fear Darkness

I had a revelation! Although it has been several gradual realizations that have culminated into this one “Awe” moment for me. I am so excited to share this with you.

While at work I decided to put on a Youtube video of Christine Caine while I was finishing up a few projects. I clicked on a message that was 26 minutes long, and began to work. Everything Christine was saying was absolutely beneficial to me and was getting me amped while I sat at my desk. {I was attempting to focus more on my work then on her message but she’s good!}Out of the 26 minutes it wasn’t until the last one minute that God used something she was saying to completely confirm, affirm, encourage, challenge and excite my spirit. My God is so faithful to graciously be answering my prayers. I have been praying for vision and direction and guidance for where and what I am going to be doing in this next season of my life. But listen, I haven’t just been shooting prayers to the sky and hoping that God hears me. I’ve been praying with diligence and a desperation and fervency. Not just prayers that imply that I want to hear from God, rather, I need to hear from Him. I am desperate to do what He has called me to do and my passion is overflowing. I just want it to be able to leak into the areas that God has planned for my present and my future. So here is what reached my heart from what Christine Caine was speaking on. 

Christine Caine told a story of her little girl and how she bought her daughter a flashlight. While in Walmart, Christine put batteries into the flashlight and as they were getting ready to pay, her little girl turned the flashlight on. Since there was so many florescent lights in the store here daughter couldn’t see the flashlights light in contrast to the other lights in the store. Christine’s little girl looked up at her and yelled, “MOM, my light doesn’t work in the light, we need to find a dark place.” It was then that Christine turned to look at her daughter and completely paused. She stated, "My daughter couldn’t see the light because of all the other light in the store, which meant her light was ineffective in the midst of all of the other light that there already was." Christine then challenged the audience {myself, via the Internet}on how we should not be a people who are scared of the DARK since we are called to be the LIGHT. We can only truly be seen or useful if we venture into the dark places of our generation where our light {By God’s Grace} can be distinguished from our surroundings.

I have been told from my Pastors Erica & Jason Parrish that they really believe that I am called to the dark places of the world. Since Erica, Jason and myself have a pretty extensive track record and have been in relationship and ministry together for 7 years, I trust their words and I know they saw and still do see a vision for me. I have heard their words when they have told me this over the years, but it hasn’t been until recently that I have actually experienced what they really believed I am called to. It has turned from “Pastor Erica & Jason believe this,” into, I believe that this is truly my calling - To go into the darkest places of God’s world, where not everyone is privileged to go into and to bring God’s light. A light that is so piercing and bright that not even the people who are bound tightly to their sin can deny it. A light that demands freedom, restoration, physical healing, spiritual wholeness and the acceptance and acknowledgment of Jesus Christ.

I don’t know where my platform will be. Who God will have me build relationships with  or how I will connect with, or the encounters I will find myself in. I can’t even imagine what I will face and the fight that will rise up in me. But I have caught the vision God has been slowly laying out in front of me, and I am running with His truth and promises over my life. I am thrilled to be living this life. Through all the hardships and trials I still understand the worth fighting to make God’s name famous! I love my God!

My goal is to dispel the darkness with my little bit of light.

Matthew 5:13-16

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.

I give everything over to You Lord

Project List

In the process of incorporating everything that I am passionate about into a piece of art work/film. It may take a few months, but I want to create my testimony through a visual presentation. I'm so excited and thankful that my girl Meagan wants to help me with this project! I'm so stoked right now. No amount of exclamation marks would serve it justice!!!!

I give everything over to You Lord

Keep Pushing On

If the weight of this world is a constant reminder that you are in desperate need for God to show up daily in your life, don't worry, you are on the right path. If you feel like you are always praying for strength and endurance to go through situations in life, don't worry, your praying, so you are on the right path. Although all of us can and do have bullets shot at us from time to time, it is comforting to know that God is our bullet proof vest, extending grace to the least of us. In your pursuit and journey with God, building a person and meaningful relationship, no matter how difficult it becomes, no matter the distance or space you may feel wedged between you and God, keep running the race. Keep pushing on. You are fighting a worthy fight! If you realized and really understood how much is being thrown at us each day, you might be able to appreciate the small victories with God. We are constantly being told how to live our lives from television, music and even sermons. There is so much information, ideas, suggestions and input being shoveled into our brains and hearts that it can be overwhelming and daunting if we allow it. Yes, ALLOW it. Our goal should be to keep God's word in its purest form and to not cloud His promises and truths. Instead, cling to Scripture, prayer and a healthy body of Christ to be a constant reminder of who we are called to be and the worth our Father has installed in us. Keep pushing on, you are on the right path. While it may be easier to explain to someone else how much they need God, even though they really might be desperate for Him, try your best to look into the mirror and work on letting God renew your mind and spirit first. "You can have pleasure in life but you can't live on pleasure alone, without ever partaking in discipline in order to be a balanced person" {Joyce Meyer's} Personally become a balanced person so that you can assist in changing the world around you, when God makes a time available for you to do so. If you are serving the One True God, you are on the right path!

Keep pushing on.

I give everything over to You Lord

What's Up With Love?

Do you ever question the hype about LOVE? Why does everyone make this "love thing" such an important part of life? Where does the whole love topic come from and why has it swept over everyone of us? People will often times spend their whole life trying to find someone to love and just as much trying spent trying to be loved. It's like the song, "Whats Love Got To Do With It?" Why do we all crave to be loved? Why has it been installed in us to want to feel the excitement, embrace, passion, care, hopefulness and sincerity that love has to offer? 

There are plenty of accrunams you can create for the word love: 

L - Learning
O - Observing
V - Validating
E - Experiencing

L - Listening
O - Openness
V - Vision
E - Empathy 

Although we can create catchy phrases for the meaning of love and what it was designed for, nothing says it better then the Bible. Cheesy? Hardly! The Bible gives such an amazing understand of why we all long for love! There are several verses that describe how God loves as well as people demonstrating love in the many different stories you read in Scripture. I thought that 1 John 4:7-21 helps explain who installed the desire in us to love and what authentic love looks like.

God’s Love and Ours

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.


¹³ This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
  
¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 

Reading these scriptures is such an amazing reminded of how powerful and loving our God is. I need to remember to thank Him daily for His sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. I'm blessed and overwhelmed with how Great and Passion my God loves me. & YOU!

I give everything to You Lord

Urban Lovin'

Let me give you a little background to this blog post. I work in downtown Phoenix and every afternoon at 12:00 I go on a walk! I started to see all the cool artwork and buildings that surrounded my office. So I made a point to take my phone with me to take a picture each day of something that inspires me or catches my eye. Then I decided I could dedicate a whole blog post to my journey around downtown. 30 minutes of time away from a computer screen can really do wonders for someone who operates creatively. I love the different textures, colors, mediums and works of art. Nothing better than soaking up some street work. I hope you can find some inspiration in the pieces I have taken pictures of.

Bring Life.
Bring Hope.
Bring Passion.

I give everything to you Lord

& this is just fact:

I give everything to You Lord 

Background

In the past several months I have been changing the way I few things and few my position in life in comparison to God. It was only till I heard this song entitled "Background," by Lecrae, that I really felt like I knew exactly where I should be living my life. In the background of who God is. I've been challenged recently to rethink certain areas of my life and truly consider where God can utilize me best. The changes are not an easy "Yes" or "No" answer. They require sacrifice on my part, and potentially giving up something I have worked so hard for. I know God is worth me sacrificing everything that I am, so I find comfort in that. I posted the Lecrae video & I am so glad this song exists because it has really helped me in my thought process.

I am ready to play the background to His good work, and merely step in His footsteps. I follow and serve a perfect leader, a helpful and considerate Father & the only Savior.

I give everything over to You Lord

Right Brain

Looking at this brings so much clarity to why I have struggled so much with school but excelled in my art classes and dancing. I am a right brained girl and I'm proud of it! Really interesting to see how God designed our brain with separate sections and capabilities. Awesome work by an awesome God!

God Is...

God is the back to my bone.

His Word is the blood to my vessels.
His Vision is the beat to my heart.
His Grace is the movement to my motion.
His Church is the House to my home.
His Name is the perfect in my imperfection.
His SON is the free to my freedom.

His existence IS, WAS & forever will BE

I give everything over to You Lord

"Gone Going"

I was listening to my Ipod while at work this morning, and the song "Gone Going" by the Black Eyed Peas came on. As I was listening to the lyrics I noticed how interesting it was to hear famous artists sing about something that's real talk. Even The Blacked Eyed Peas my not know exactly what they are saying or the truth that's within their words, but here is the part that caught my attention:

"All that money that you got gonna be gone
That gear that you rock gonna be gone
The house up on the hill gonna be gone
That gold fronts on your grill gonna be gone
The ice on your wrist gonna be gone
That nice little Miss gonna be gone
That whip that you roll gonna be gone
And what's worst is your soul already gone"

These lyrics remind me of John 2:17 "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." Everything we have in this world is so temporary and if it isn't about our Fathers business it's going to be gone one day. Doing the will of God will never fail you, through the thick and the thin God should be the backbone to your life.

I also thought of the letters Paul wrote to the Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:19-24

"Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

I am believing for this generation to take off their old selves and put on their new life in Christ. You may be alive with breathe in your lungs, but until you have given your life to the God who saves you will never truly be living.

So how do we prevent the last line of the lyrics from happening?
{ "And what's wrong is your soul already gone" }

Matthew 10:28 say,

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Setting your life on the Word of God and putting all your eggs in His basket will in turn remind the enemy that he has been defeated by a great and powerful God. The One True & Only! God has amazing plans for your life if you are diligent about seeking out His will. I am so blessed that I've been protected and given Grace for the areas in my life that I need it. Thank you Lord!

I give everything over to You Lord

Quotes & Small Notes

I give everything to You Lord

Site To The Seeing & Blind

This is part of a spoken word I have been working on:

The difference between seeing and having vision.

It’s not the actual act of seeing

That gives a blind man vision

May I purpose to you that it’s really based more on wisdom

Insight that gives site to see

Knowing Gods principles and learning how to bow our knees

If its vision that your wanting
An ophthalmic test wont cut it

Scripture offers you a vision
Clarity for your paths misdirection

I give everything over to You Lord

Talk About It

Depending on how your friends and romantic relationships have gone throughout your life will typically influence how you believe your future relationships will go. If you have had a lot of positive relationships in your life you may be more pron to think of words such as: Trust, Love, Faithfulness, Care, Honesty and vulnerability. Although, if you've been wounded badly you may lean more towards words such as: Hurt, brokenhearted, pain, mistrust, guarded and lies. Let's face it - We've all been hurt & we'll all get hurt again. So where is the happy middle ground of trusting someone and opening yourself up to them, and not being so trusting that you get hurt unnecessarily in the end. God talks about this issue, which means it is important to Him. Enough to give us Godly advice and council on how to conduct ourselves. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Isn't that so good?! God cautions us to protect our hearts because they are a valuable entity. Your heart is valuable! I believe that if you are being aware to the condition of your heart, you'll be able to tell if you are guarding your heart out of obedience to God or to simply stonewall anyone from being let into your world. There is a difference, one is beneficial and produces a healthy life, while the other option is a destructive way of protecting yourself and in other words it really say's, "I'm scared to get hurt again."

I have to catch myself, still to this day, to not shut down or close off when I get hurt or I'm feeling like someone is being insensitive. If you are struggling with this balance of trust and letting someone in, especially romantically, it will most likely be a forever battle. Non of us want to get hurt so we all have to fight the urge to be defensive, push those who are close to us away or "give up" on people. I do know one thing for sure though. Spending more time with God allows you to trust someone fully, with no body guards necessary to protect you and your heart. You can be fully safe in Gods hands, fully trusting in His care, fully vulnerable and open with no reservations.

Psalms 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."


I give everything over to You Lord

Upside to Downtown

I give everything to You Lord

Virtuous

Virtuous: {Having or showing high moral standards.}

I've been thinking about how God uses tangible experiences to teach us Spiritual lessons. Some days I feel like life can weigh me down, drowning me in "stuff". But it's those days that remind me how important God finds our attitudes and our responds to life. {Our responses to the good & the bad} If we are ambassadors of Christ, and the ones pointing people back to the One and Only God, shouldn't we be more careful with our responses? I have needed this reminder. The reminder to respond out of God's love for me, and His faithfulness in protecting me. Some people think it's the big things that matter when you are a Christian. Such as, showing up to church EVERY Sunday morning, participating in all church functions, passing out Bibles or feeding the homeless. While those all may be beneficial qualities and events to participate in, I have found that our true character comes out when we least expect it. When we don't prepare for it. When the day is busy and your stressed out about who knows what! It's the attitudes you give the grocery cashiers or bank tellers. Taking time out of your day to give someone a complement, even if your day isn't going exactly how you planned it. I believe the best way to go where God has you, on any given day, is to be led by the Spirit. If you really look for the gold in situations, you will more than likely be able to see how great our God is. You will be able to better relate to God and understand who He is. He is FANTASTIC! These are {some} of my latest thoughts that I've been processing and wanted to get them out. I challenge you, as I am challenging myself, to respond out of Gods goodness not out of your weakness.

I give everything over to You Lord

Being Cautious

Season 1 Episode 3 "Cautious"

{And this part of my life I call Workin' It Out}

Recently I have been feeling drawn to seek wise council about unanswered questions in order to be cautious about the direction I am heading. I have been talking to those who know me best and really trying to hear God's voice through their advice and guidance. I don't want to get to a state where I am so cautious that I can't enjoy the blessings God has placed in front of me. Instead finding a balance of Godly council and actually living out my walk with God, trusting that He will guide my path as I follow after Him. My desire is to please God and bring honor to Him through my life.

I want to do things right. Relationally, friendships, education, ministry and family. I have noticed myself being more guarded lately, in order to avoid any hurt. Although, mentally I know that is a destructive way of living and thinking, I have been fighting against the trap of shutting people out. I want to be vulnerable because I know how much benefit it is to have honest people living life. Even if it is a little messy at times, honesty is appreciated by God which means I am learning daily how to appreciate it in the same way as He does.

I have been feeling this desire to break through the dark cloud that has been following me for quite some time. I don't want any fear based relationships or hidden secrets. I want an honest jab at a healthy, flourishing, productive and stable relationship. Something that has always been a desire of mine. So as I work through my journey of asking questions and seeking out answers, as well as forming God honoring relationships with people, I will do the things that can not fail me. I will still keep falling madly in love with my God. I will still live each day with a passion to pursue God. I will still bow my knees in prayer. I will read the Bible with an open heart. I will lead by example and walk by faith. I will keep pouring into the lives that God has allowed me to, while still staying humble enough to be poured into and molded as well. I love my God, I am thankful for my life. I worship a Mighty King!

I give everything over to You Lord

I'm Blessed

You know the questions that flood your mind when trying to decide if you are heading in the right direction? Making the right decisions? Following God's will for your life? I am at a place where questions seem to be a common thing throughout my day. I have such a strong desire to walk out God's plan for my life, I want to serve and love God to the best of my ability. Although, I feel like when you learn things about life or walk through trials, you tip-toe into the next situations of your life because of what you have learned. Wanting to be more cautious but still have fun has been a hard middle ground for me to find. This weird phase has been taking place only recently, within the past week.

If I am completely transparent I am really scared. Scared of getting hurt again, scared of opening up and being rejected and scared of being vulnerable and God changing the course of my life. I have never been 100% certain of where God wants me to be in the future. Not even directionally where He wants me to somewhat be doing. I have no clue, and this is the first time that not knowing what God has in store for me isn't scary. All I know is that I am willing to leave and willing to do what it takes to serve God unconditionally and without barriers. I am more scared relationally. Afraid to put myself out on a limb to not be accepted or appreciated in return. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect things out of my friendships, I don't go into relationships trying to figure out what's in it for me.

I want to be honest about this situation I am walking out right now because I want the things that God is willing to teach me, to help others. I know that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." According to 1 John 4:18. I know that you are always going to be hurt, no matter what kind of relationship you enter into. & even though I know these things mentally, my Spirit has wounds that are still healing. Come to find out! So I am taking this process slow, trying to understand everything God is wanting me to learn and praying! Lot's of PRAYER!

I am anxious in a lot of area's of my life. Wanting to move on to the new stage God has for me. I am slowly finishing up with school and it is becoming more real to me that I have literally almost finished my college education. It is an exhilarating feeling. I want to be patient while God is preparing the man I will marry, but it is hard sometimes to have a desire for something great, but never see any signs that says I will have it one day. Maybe I am not ready? Maybe I think I can handle more, but God knows better? Maybe I need to stop asking questions and trust that God does know better and has never failed me. These questions got my head spinning.

Through all the stuff I am learning and trying to understand, I know that reading my Bible, praying without hinderances and talking to wise Godly people will help everything to work out for the good. God will honor obedience, faith, trust and a heart that is following after Him. I know He will work things out, even if I still have 100 questions! He is just that faithful and He is really that amazing.

I give everything over to You Lord

Around the World

I'd like to give a big thanks to those in Russia who are following along with my blog! I appreciate your support and your visits. I hope you have been able to laugh and learn along side me.

I give everything over to You Lord

Butterflies

Season 1 Episode 2 "Butterflies"

{And this part of my life I call Friendship}

Have you ever felt like you knew someone for years after meeting them for the first time? Well, how about knowing someone for years except feeling like you don't know them at all? In your lifetime you will probably never have two friends who are exactly the same. Some you may be able to build a deep and personal relationship with, while others may be fleeting friends who never get to know the real you. Either way we will all at some point experience friendship, bad or good, meaningless or quality.

Often times I feel like it is easier to either be friends that don't really know much about each other or be in a relationship and skip the whole friendship part. Although, it is only within the past few weeks that I have grown a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of friend. And even though I still feel like I am working on what it means to be a friend at all times, I am learning to love the in between stage. Where it isn't quite acquaintances and still to far from relationship, but smack dab in the middle of em' both! The process of what it really means to learn about someone and understand how they operate is often times overlooked and seldom a priority.

I have been able to see friendship as a very powerful force in this world. I have seen friendships save lives. I have seen friendships encourage. I have seen friendships turn into prayer worriers, and an unstoppable forces of God. Friendships can be taken advantage. They can be ruined and destroyed. They have the ability to build up a generation that is made to be an agent of change. Friendships are important.

So as I embark on my "Episode 2" of seeking to understand friendships in a different light, I give Glory to God that He has been my sole reasoning in trying to learn when He has planned in the stage of Friendship!

I give every to You Lord

"The BIGGEST Loser"

If you have struggled with weight loss or trying to get fit, watch this and take it as an encouragement. Your body is a temple. Treat it like it's worth something.

I give everything over to You Lord

adVENTURE

Season 1 Episode 1 "Venture"
And this part of my life I call Adventure....

I have, throughout life, been able to see the journeys and stages of life that God has brought me to and through. I have been able to feel when a season is coming to an end and when a new season is beginning. It was about 7 months ago when a season of my life ended simply because God asked me to be obedient. So I listened. This was the first time I didn't have any "If" "&'s" or "But's". I have, ever since, been on a emotional and Spiritual detox. It has been a renewal phase in my life, that has allowed me to center my everything on the Creator of life. God has been so faithful with getting to know me, all the good and all the bad. I could never thank Him enough. I have been feeling like God has placed a destination in front of me and I am slowly catching glimpses of what it is looking like. But it's BIG and it's Beautiful. It's been quite the adVENTURE. I am very expectant, hopeful, excited, nervous and ready. God has held my hand thus far in my life, He has never let go, so I am going to dive in head first into His plans that are ahead.

When you think about your life what do you envision? What gets you excited to wake up in the morning, to keep on living? What ignites a burning passion under your feet, causing you to be so excited you can barely even speak? Let God be your morning, afternoon and evening, setting you apart by the air that you are breathing. Give it to God. Your life and all your thoughts.

I give everything over to You Lord

Mat Kearney

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I give everything over to You Lord

Filling Up

Lately, I have been so passionate about living. Literally, passionate about being alive, breathing, walking, talking. I feel so comfortable yet not complacent with where God has me. I am at a place of complete submission to His will. I have "thrown in the towel", so to speak. And no, I'm not implying that I have given up on life, just given up on my ways being more important then Gods will. I have been trying my best to drain my inhibitions and let Gods vision for my life fill me up. It's exciting. More exciting than I thought it would be, honestly! I am a "go with the flow" kind of person, and I have left all my joys, pains, and trails in Gods hands to smooth them out and mark the map of my life.

I am willing and ready to leave, to stay, to travel, to encourage, to conquer, to build new relationships or mend old ones. You know that antsy feeling you get when you know something big is coming up? That is the feeling that rages wild within the Spirit and body. I am just excited! I have spent a lot of years trying to "figure" things out, while, in a way, turning my back to seeking God. So if you feel like you are at a place where you just want to "be there", where ever you feel like "there" is, be patient. God really is concerned about your character, your journey, your growth, your battles fought and won! Also, if you are at a place where you actually don't have excitement for living or to face another day, I have been there too. You are not alone. There is HOPE! If you are willing to drowned yourself in prayer, the Bible, and strong people, you will be able to find the spark for life! Do what it takes to get to where God needs you, trust me, it's worth it!

I give everything over to You Lord

Hate it or Love it

VALENTINES DAYS! For some those are cuss words, others it's another excuse to remember and express their feelings to their boyfriend/girlfriend, fiancé or husband/wife! Through all the years of despising this "holiday" I have finally come to enjoy February 14th. Not because its a day of roses, chocolates and soppy romances, but because it reminds me to always love, and unconditionally. Before you start thinking - "Oh here she goes, it's about to get all girly and emotional," let me stop you in your tracks!

Personally, I love loving people! I am passionate about the people I know, and the people I have yet to call friends. I have been reflecting on this upcoming valentines day because it is hard for a lot of girls and guys that I know. Dictionary.com defines love as:

love   Spelled [luhv]
1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.

Can I say, coming from a very single girl, singleness is awesome, if you learn how to work it! I look at it like this - More time for God and more time for whatever else I like! How is that not awesome?! So if you are single this year on February 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and yes the 14th, just take a second to stop and know that singleness can be a blessing if you stop looking at it as a curse. So my challenge to you this lovely holiday is to find joy in a new day to live and love. If you see a happy couple, don't make gag reflex gestures and roll your eyes, instead appreciate every happy couple. It's okay to be thankful for what someone else has, it is okay to let your walls down and feel the longing and the desire to have a healthy and happy relationship one day! You are NOT crazy for feeling lonely at times and maybe feeling desperate for a romantic relationship. But let me just remind you, God has written the most romantic story of His love for us, His desire to know everything about us. Our secrets, favorite coffee shop, wildest dreams and biggest fears. God died on a cross for me, just to save me from eternal suffering. I now have hope and freedom because of my God! So until you find someone who is literally willing to lay their life down for you, stick with the One who has already provided you with the reassurance that He loves you.

Flowers will never define your worth or even come close to your beauty, no matter how many dozens of roses you get

Chocolates will not ever be as sweet as the love you are deserving of - even if they are the finest truffles, you will still be finer!
A card can not be written with enough classy words to even come close to your note-worthy life, Hallmark's got nothin of you!
A 5 star dinner is nothing compared to the God who put the stars in the sky for you

Lastly, why do people insist on calling Valentines day being the, "National Single Awareness Day"? I agree that it should be a day to be aware, but not just about your singleness. Although Christmas is the one day that has the most suicides of all holidays, Valentines day is right up there. & people are killing themselves, FOR WHAT?! The "great" marketing techniques of business men and women, and the fabulous job their doing by telling the world that singleness is bad. It is nothing to beat yourself up about.
Be single and appreciate it!

XOXO

I give everything over to You Lord