Friday, February 25, 2011
You're in a Battle
We're in a battle EVERY DAY! An invisible war... It's good to have a reminder every once in a while! These are great videos! Please watch!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Different Perspective
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55:8-9
Have you ever flown on an airplane and had a window seat? I always like sitting by the window because that way I can see everything! If you've ever watched out the window you've seen that everything gets SO SMALL, the further up you get. Your city, your town, your neighborhood, the people, the establishments all begin to shrink and eventually even disappear. God tells us in this scripture that His thoughts are so far above ours...just as the Heavens are so far from the earth... Just think of the expanse of that distance - its HUGE! And when you are up so high in the clouds, which aren't even reaching heaven, you see everything from a different perspective. And that's how God sees things in our lives. He see's the big picture. He see's the surroundings. He knows our past, present and future...what's been..what's to come. If only we will trust the One who see's all, knows all, and knows what's best for us. We are just tiny dots when He looks down on us! He see's the whole picture! Trust Him!
Have you ever flown on an airplane and had a window seat? I always like sitting by the window because that way I can see everything! If you've ever watched out the window you've seen that everything gets SO SMALL, the further up you get. Your city, your town, your neighborhood, the people, the establishments all begin to shrink and eventually even disappear. God tells us in this scripture that His thoughts are so far above ours...just as the Heavens are so far from the earth... Just think of the expanse of that distance - its HUGE! And when you are up so high in the clouds, which aren't even reaching heaven, you see everything from a different perspective. And that's how God sees things in our lives. He see's the big picture. He see's the surroundings. He knows our past, present and future...what's been..what's to come. If only we will trust the One who see's all, knows all, and knows what's best for us. We are just tiny dots when He looks down on us! He see's the whole picture! Trust Him!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Healing
It's amazing what a week of having no TV or cable will do to you... I've had a lot more time to think, read, reflect and pray! As some of you know, I moved this past weekend. It was a crazy situation that I was in, so for safety reasons I left my old apartment. I moved in one week! My heart can finally rest more peacefully at night at this new place.
But anyways, on to my topic...I've been reading a book on healing. So many of us need healing - True healing - God's healing. Not only for our bodies, but our hearts and souls. So many have deep, inner wounds in their hearts that are affecting the way they act today. These things that have cluttered up your heart and spirit affect the way you walk, talk and live...
God has been having me re-evaluate and take a closer look at my heart lately. Because you can be doing "good", going along thinking you are alright..but blind. Sometimes it's easy to see the sins in others, or their "issues"... but not so easy to take a closer look at ourselves. Silence has a way of doing that.
In America we are so desensitized...We have so many ways of escape, to numb ourselves and not face reality. We turn on the TV or radio, we're entertained by movies and comedy, we're kept busy with activities, we can numb ourselves with drugs and alcohol.. There are so many "temptations" at our fingertips, but all that glitters is not gold! Those things might sparkle and shine and make us feel comfortable, but when will we focus more on what's underneath the surface? I'm not saying anything is wrong with enjoying life and movies and having fun...but are we finding a balance between fun and our faith? When is the last time you turned all of the noise of life off...and spent quiet time with God and yourself?
How much time are we setting apart for God? We will make hair appointments and time for shopping trips and friends, but how much time are we spending with the GOD of the Universe!? It's so easy to get distracted, and I have been extremely distracted this past year. That's pure honesty. It's time to use my time more wisely, giving more of it to God again.
God is the Healer of our heart and soul. He is the one who restores us and loves us unlike any other. I pray you will find peace and encouragement in these verses:
"I am the LORD that healeth thee" Exodus 15:26
"By MY stripes you are healed" 1 Peter 2:24
By Jesus stripes...those he suffered from on the cross - we are healed, inside and out! We are whole! We are complete. That is so powerful! I hope that you all will speak these verses over your lives and live them out. This is my challenge..We are in a war - daily! Never forget it. Put on the whole armor of God daily and speak these verses of life into your atmosphere. God bless you all. Love you!
But anyways, on to my topic...I've been reading a book on healing. So many of us need healing - True healing - God's healing. Not only for our bodies, but our hearts and souls. So many have deep, inner wounds in their hearts that are affecting the way they act today. These things that have cluttered up your heart and spirit affect the way you walk, talk and live...
God has been having me re-evaluate and take a closer look at my heart lately. Because you can be doing "good", going along thinking you are alright..but blind. Sometimes it's easy to see the sins in others, or their "issues"... but not so easy to take a closer look at ourselves. Silence has a way of doing that.
In America we are so desensitized...We have so many ways of escape, to numb ourselves and not face reality. We turn on the TV or radio, we're entertained by movies and comedy, we're kept busy with activities, we can numb ourselves with drugs and alcohol.. There are so many "temptations" at our fingertips, but all that glitters is not gold! Those things might sparkle and shine and make us feel comfortable, but when will we focus more on what's underneath the surface? I'm not saying anything is wrong with enjoying life and movies and having fun...but are we finding a balance between fun and our faith? When is the last time you turned all of the noise of life off...and spent quiet time with God and yourself?
How much time are we setting apart for God? We will make hair appointments and time for shopping trips and friends, but how much time are we spending with the GOD of the Universe!? It's so easy to get distracted, and I have been extremely distracted this past year. That's pure honesty. It's time to use my time more wisely, giving more of it to God again.
God is the Healer of our heart and soul. He is the one who restores us and loves us unlike any other. I pray you will find peace and encouragement in these verses:
"I am the LORD that healeth thee" Exodus 15:26
"By MY stripes you are healed" 1 Peter 2:24
By Jesus stripes...those he suffered from on the cross - we are healed, inside and out! We are whole! We are complete. That is so powerful! I hope that you all will speak these verses over your lives and live them out. This is my challenge..We are in a war - daily! Never forget it. Put on the whole armor of God daily and speak these verses of life into your atmosphere. God bless you all. Love you!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Better Single...Than Sorry!
To all of the single ladies out there… don’t be sad if you don’t have a Valentine this year! It is better to have no one, than the wrong one. I’ve had Valentine’s twice in my life…and both were the worst Valentine’s Day’s I’ve ever had! Believe me…you would much rather be single, having fun going out to dinner and watching movies with friends, than being disappointed with a frog who doesn’t treat you well! Go treat yourself. Buy yourself a box of chocolates, some flowers to brighten up your bedroom, or a new dress. You don’t need a guy to enjoy those things!
Can we rewind to last year? Last year, on Valentine’s weekend, I met my long distance boyfriend of one month, for the second time. We both stayed at a hotel and I got a separate room. He didn’t seem to understand or respect the fact that I didn’t want to share a hotel room with him. Because of this, his mood changed and he became very rude. This should have been the first red flag, but I was blinded by his amazingly good looks and charming smile.
We went to a movie and he drove me back to the hotel so fast that I seriously thought he was going to crash his truck. He dropped me off at the hotel entrance… ‘Aww, how sweet’ I thought. I waited for him in the lobby… only to wait…and wait… and wait… I went back outside to see if he slipped and hit his head on the ice or something…cause I mean, where could he be?
No sign of him anywhere.
So I called his cell phone. He picks up. “Hey, where are you?” I ask….
Are you ready for this?
He was in his pajamas, watching TV in his room. Ok, after my long drive there I convinced myself somehow that I shouldn’t leave quite yet…plus I paid for the hotel room. I’d give him one more chance.
The next day…Valentine’s Day… he decided to take me to the mall. It was unlike any mall I had ever seen before, out in the middle of nowhere. I was homesick. He told me what stores to go into, while he went into “his” stores. At one point he said he would meet me somewhere, and lied. I had no clue where he was, he wasn’t answering his phone, and I was in the middle of nowhere.
At the end of this lovely day, he came out with his hands full of shopping bags and I went home empty handed (in every sense of the word). After this, we sat in his truck, and I was ready to go home and never come back. That’s when he asked me if I wanted to go to a furniture store. A furniture store? How romantic. He wanted a new couch.
Wow.
I ended up telling him I’d better go home, and I cried the entire way home. By far… the worst Valentine’s ever.
All of this to say…Ladies… it is so, so, so much better to be single, than sorry! I know it can be hard sometimes, when you feel all alone and that no one loves you because you don’t have someone special on this day - but it’s SO NOT TRUE! It’s more miserable and lonely to be with the wrong person.
Wait for the guy that will treat you right. If that means being alone for a while…you don’t have to be lonely! Alone doesn’t equal lonely… we only create that when we have a pity party for ourselves. You can live a fabulous, full, amazingly blessed life pursuing your God given dreams, goals and gifts while still trusting him for the “one”, even when your eyes don’t see a prince in sight.
Say goodbye to the frogs! Lets make a pact that we will stand up to the “bad boys”, the guys that use, misuse and abuse girls and say “No more”. Let’s not continue to let them get away with the behaviors they have been getting used to getting away with for so long… We teach people how to treat us.
Don’t settle for anyone who treats you less than God’s best.
God bless you today! I pray blessings come your way, new doors of opportunity open and that God will fill your heart so full of love that you won’t have to look to anyone else to fill the empty places. Girls, you deserve to be treated with love! Jesus didn’t give His life for you, for you to be mistreated or abused. He came so that you could have life more abundantly, overflowing, and live it to the fullest!
Can we rewind to last year? Last year, on Valentine’s weekend, I met my long distance boyfriend of one month, for the second time. We both stayed at a hotel and I got a separate room. He didn’t seem to understand or respect the fact that I didn’t want to share a hotel room with him. Because of this, his mood changed and he became very rude. This should have been the first red flag, but I was blinded by his amazingly good looks and charming smile.
We went to a movie and he drove me back to the hotel so fast that I seriously thought he was going to crash his truck. He dropped me off at the hotel entrance… ‘Aww, how sweet’ I thought. I waited for him in the lobby… only to wait…and wait… and wait… I went back outside to see if he slipped and hit his head on the ice or something…cause I mean, where could he be?
No sign of him anywhere.
So I called his cell phone. He picks up. “Hey, where are you?” I ask….
Are you ready for this?
He was in his pajamas, watching TV in his room. Ok, after my long drive there I convinced myself somehow that I shouldn’t leave quite yet…plus I paid for the hotel room. I’d give him one more chance.
The next day…Valentine’s Day… he decided to take me to the mall. It was unlike any mall I had ever seen before, out in the middle of nowhere. I was homesick. He told me what stores to go into, while he went into “his” stores. At one point he said he would meet me somewhere, and lied. I had no clue where he was, he wasn’t answering his phone, and I was in the middle of nowhere.
At the end of this lovely day, he came out with his hands full of shopping bags and I went home empty handed (in every sense of the word). After this, we sat in his truck, and I was ready to go home and never come back. That’s when he asked me if I wanted to go to a furniture store. A furniture store? How romantic. He wanted a new couch.
Wow.
I ended up telling him I’d better go home, and I cried the entire way home. By far… the worst Valentine’s ever.
All of this to say…Ladies… it is so, so, so much better to be single, than sorry! I know it can be hard sometimes, when you feel all alone and that no one loves you because you don’t have someone special on this day - but it’s SO NOT TRUE! It’s more miserable and lonely to be with the wrong person.
Wait for the guy that will treat you right. If that means being alone for a while…you don’t have to be lonely! Alone doesn’t equal lonely… we only create that when we have a pity party for ourselves. You can live a fabulous, full, amazingly blessed life pursuing your God given dreams, goals and gifts while still trusting him for the “one”, even when your eyes don’t see a prince in sight.
Say goodbye to the frogs! Lets make a pact that we will stand up to the “bad boys”, the guys that use, misuse and abuse girls and say “No more”. Let’s not continue to let them get away with the behaviors they have been getting used to getting away with for so long… We teach people how to treat us.
Don’t settle for anyone who treats you less than God’s best.
God bless you today! I pray blessings come your way, new doors of opportunity open and that God will fill your heart so full of love that you won’t have to look to anyone else to fill the empty places. Girls, you deserve to be treated with love! Jesus didn’t give His life for you, for you to be mistreated or abused. He came so that you could have life more abundantly, overflowing, and live it to the fullest!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Love, Love, Love...
Falling in love is easy. Falling out of love is not so easy. Actually, I have found it one of the top most difficult things to ever do. When the heart is involved, everything changes.
No time is the right time for a breakup...but especially not the month before Valentines Day when stores have flowers and chocolate and everything nice displayed on their shelves. You can't escape the commercials and decorations either. The worst part is for those who aren't in love or in a relationship...what about us?! Do we have a day? No... Should we? I don't know about all of that, but what I do know is that being single shouldn't be seen as such a bad thing.... It gives you time to discover yourself and who YOU are, apart from another person. You don't allow their views and perspectives shape you. There are ups and downs to singleness, but all I have to say to all of you singles out there is enjoy the time you have now! Soak it up because it won't be forever. Make the most of every minute of every day, and when you do have to pass the hearts and candy at the store, just think of the day when someone will be giving those things to you as gifts. Your day is coming!!!
As for right now, the best advice that I can give you is the cherish everything and everyone that is in your life NOW. Some of these things, and people, will not always be there. Everything changes with time. Visit a friend, spend time with your parents or younger siblings.. And find joy in simple, every day things that we so often take for granted.
Here's one of the newest additions to our family, and my Valentine this year!
No time is the right time for a breakup...but especially not the month before Valentines Day when stores have flowers and chocolate and everything nice displayed on their shelves. You can't escape the commercials and decorations either. The worst part is for those who aren't in love or in a relationship...what about us?! Do we have a day? No... Should we? I don't know about all of that, but what I do know is that being single shouldn't be seen as such a bad thing.... It gives you time to discover yourself and who YOU are, apart from another person. You don't allow their views and perspectives shape you. There are ups and downs to singleness, but all I have to say to all of you singles out there is enjoy the time you have now! Soak it up because it won't be forever. Make the most of every minute of every day, and when you do have to pass the hearts and candy at the store, just think of the day when someone will be giving those things to you as gifts. Your day is coming!!!
As for right now, the best advice that I can give you is the cherish everything and everyone that is in your life NOW. Some of these things, and people, will not always be there. Everything changes with time. Visit a friend, spend time with your parents or younger siblings.. And find joy in simple, every day things that we so often take for granted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
