Its been a while....

I have really been slaking in my writing....partly just because of all the craziness that has been going on, and partly because I have been lacking inspiration. So, I do apologize. More posts will be coming soon!

In the meantime here is some of my latest photography........

And just for your entertainment.......
Yours truly + cousin (: 

Love and blessings <3 

Everything....

This is a powerful and spiritually moving drama that depicts Satan's hold........ and Christ's all-encompassing grace.

I cry every time I witness this drama. It displays the truth about the struggle everyday people go through and how straying away from god leads to trial and tribulation! BUT, even through those trials, tribulations, and temptations, GOD IS THERE!!

~~


Find me here, and speak to me
I want to feel you, I need to hear you
You are the light that's leading me to the place
Where I find peace again
You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms and you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You steal my heart and you take my breath away
Would you take me in, take me deeper now
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

Cause you're all I want, you're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything, everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
Everything, everything

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better-any better than this
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

Confused? or not confused.....?

So, I have been reading a book called Instruments in the Redeemers hands, and the chapter that I read this morning was called "Building Relationships by Identifying with Suffering." Some of the strongest points in the chapter explained how we (Christians) are sufferers who have been called to minister to others in pain. Suffering is a very common ground in relationships, but it is also one of Gods greatest tools!
We are with Christ in the family of those who suffer.
That means that we should be compassionate and understanding, just at Jesus is compassionate and understanding. He can help us because he has been through what we have been through(and more). He is our suffering savior!

So, how do we show sensitivity and compassion to those who are suffering?
A lot of the times, I try to share in suffering with people, by telling them stories of hard times that I have been though.....In my mind I am trying to be helpful, and come a long side them as an equal. I wanted to break down any misconception that I am different from the person I was trying to help....BUT, I have found that this attempt at "identifying with suffering" only reflects a self -centered attitude, and often leaves the other person in an irritable mood. (Not to mention that I AM different) Most people who are going through tough times don't appreciate story telling, especially if your story is not exactly the same as what they are going through. 
  

And I just want to take a moment to apologize to anyone whom I have done this too. It really wasn't an act of carelessness or selfishness, but rather I just wanted to be seen as an equal. Which i am now finding is NOT what my goal should be. Because God created me different, so there is no need to try to "match" other people in struggles and trials. 

Isn't it annoying when someone says "I know exactly how you feel!" and then continues to share about something that is completely irrelevant, or doesn't match the high of your struggle at all? This is what I find myself doing to other people all the time. I have been given a wonderful life, with very few struggles...so, as much as I want to, I just can NOT say that I understand. However, in these times when God opens up a door for me to minister to someone who is hurting.....one of the BEST and most helpful things that I could ever do is just listen.....and possibly offer to pray with them, if that is what God lays on my heart to do. 

Now, I'm not saying that sharing stories is bad.....quite the opposite actually! (And this is where I get confused) but, I think we just have to be careful as to when we share our testimony, and how we share our testimony. Our testimony should not be a long detailed list of ALL the horrible bad things we have done and gone through, with a little ending of "Then my life was turned around because I "asked Jesus into my heart." In sharing our stories of struggle God wants us to give full evidence of what He can do. My story should be much more about him than about me! And that is something that I got wrong when I posted my testimony a couple of weeks ago. I'm still learning. I'm still growing. And I still have not given TRUE testimony as that what GOD has done in my life. Hopefully that will change soon! 
So, this next section I want to share with you something right out of the book pertaining to our testimony's; 

        "Always tell a completed story. Your story needs to include (1) a difficult situation (2) your struggle in the midst of it, and (3) how God helped you. This is not a "misery loves company" brand of story-telling. This is not a disaster one-upmanship. Tell a story that you can reflect on how the Lord brought comfort in the middle of it, and how He used people to do it.
As you tell your story, be honest in describing your struggle and failures. Your story must highlight God's grace in your weakness, not your heroic faith. Be willing to expose your sin so that the redemptive glory of the Lord would live in the ears of the listener. Be discerning and purposeful as you tell your story. Limit the amount of "gory" detail. Your focus is not the situation, but the God who met you in the middle of it. Always tell your story in a way that makes God the key actor in the drama. Too often our stories of Christian suffering are incredibly man-centered. Our stories are merely part of the Greater Story of redemption. Our stories belong to Him and Point to Him." 

Timeout for just one minute; We tend to treat suffering as something that belongs to us, (don't we?) something we can respond to as we please. We tend to turn suffering in on ourselves. Our world shrinks to the size of our pain. We want little more than release, and we tend to be irritable and demanding. But listen; Your struggle is NOT your identity! SO don't let it become who you are!

Okay; continue....

      "Tell your story with humility, admitting your continuing need for grace. We must tell our stories out of fresh recognition of our helplessness apart from the resources we find only in Christ. The goal of your story should always be worship. ALL true hope and comfort are rooted in thankfulness for God, His character, and His help. Giving hope is about helping a person see the Lord . Suffering commands our attention and clouds our vision, making it easy to forget what anchors our faith. We all need someone to remind us that life is not defined by our pain but by our union with Christ."

SO let your testimony be a light to those who are cast in darkness!
A few last points that I want to share with you from this book. (1) Goad makes it clear that He exstends grace to me because I'm everything but okay. A common theologies in our world today is that we have to do everything write and "fix ourselves" before we are accepted, or forgiven. God excepts you the way that you are...but that doesn't mean you can sit back a relax now! God's acceptance is a call to work! Gods grace is always grace leading to change. And change leads to testimony. 

(So, there is a difference between sharing your stories, and sharing your *story. I just have to make sure I know the difference between the two)
This chapter in this book has been such in inspiration to me....and now I want to go re-write my testimony! haha But even as it is inspiring, it also stirs up a lot of questions, thoughts, and idea's.....leaving me fairly confused on many different levels. 
There is still lots to mull over.....
And I'm sure, more posts yet to come on this topic...(maybe)

I'm not sure if all of the thoughts here linked, but I pray that this post may be an encouragement to at least a few, if not many. And I HIGHLY encourage you to GO READ THIS BOOK! I just gave you a little, itty, bitty taste of how awesome it is :) So go, find it, and read it!


Prayers, Love, and Blessings to ya'll! <3

Who we are in Christ.....

We are Accepted

   We are Gods child. John 1:12

   We are Christ’s friend. John 15:15

   We are united with the Lord, and am one spirit with Him

         1 Corinthians 1:17

  We have been bought with a price. I belong to God.

         1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 We are members of Christ’s body. 1 Corinthians 12:27

  We are saints. Ephesians 1:1

 We have been adopted as Gods child. Ephesians 1:5

 We have directed access to God through the Holy Spirit.

         Ephesians :18

 We have been redeemed and forgiven of all our sins.

         Colossians 1:14

  We are complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10

We are Secure

   We are free forever from condemnation. Romans 8:1-2

   We are assured that all things work together for good.

         Romans 8:28

  We are free from any condemning charges against us.

         Romans 8:31-34

  We cannot be separated from the love of God.

         Romans 8:35-39

  We have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.

         2 Corinthians 1:21-22

 We are hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

We are confident that the good work God has done begun in us will be perfected. Philippians 1:6

  We are citizens of heaven. Philippians 3:20

  We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

 We can find grace and mercy in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

   We are born of God; the evil one cannot touch us.

         1 John 5:18

We are Significant 

 We are the salt and light of the earth. Matthew 5:13-14

  We are branches of the true vine, a channel of His life.

         John 15:1,5

  We are been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. John 15:16

  We are personal witness's of Christ. Acts 1:8

   We are Gods temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16

  We are ministers of reconciliation for God.

         2 Corinthians 5:17-21

  We are God’s co-workers. 2 Corinthians 6:1

  We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

         Ephesians 2:6

 We are God’s workmanship. Ephesians 2:10

 We may approach God with freedom and confidence.

         Ephesians 3:12

 We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

         Philippians 4:13

--

Now go back through this list in insert "I, I am, I can, and I have" 

A Love letter.....

When I was thirteen, I received a sealed and stamped enveloper with MY name on it! I was so excited to have a piece of mail, and I could hardly wait to open it. I raced up to my room and sat down on my bed to read the content inside. These are the words that floated off the page in elegant handwriting........

~

I bless you, My beautiful daughter. 

I want you to know you are beautiful; 

I made you. 

I mentioned your name at your birth. 

You were in My thoughts before the beginning of time. 

I formed you in  your mother’s womb. 

I chose the color of  your hair, 
your eyes, 
your smile,
 your voice, 
your body shape, 
the way you think, 
the way walk. 

I gave you personality, 
your skills, 
your gifts, 
your passions, 
your ability to love and be loved. 

     I am your Father. 

I love you with an everlasting love.

 I love you --you are mine! 

I am jealous for you and your heart. 

Guard your heart! 

My  eyes never leave you. 

I carry you in My heart. 

I cover you under the shadow of My wing, so you can be covered, feel safe and secure. 

I am your tower of strength; run to Me; Let Me be your refuge. 

I am your comforter. 

Run to My heart. 

I  am the lover of your soul. 

Rest in my love. 

Let Me love you. 

I smile when I watch you laugh. 

I know every tear you've ever cried. 

I've engraved you in the palm of my hand. 

I adore you, My daughter.

       I send angels to watch over you and minister to you. 

You are My princess. 

I crown you with loving kindness and life. 

I always have time for you. 

I will never, ever, no never leave you or let you  down ---NEVER!

        When you feel alone, 
sad, 
angry, 
depressed, 

or empty inside... 

I’m right beside you, loving you and gently holding you. 
You are My beloved treasure, 

My creation, 
Me delight, 
and the fragrance of My heart. 
Come to Me. 
Let Me love you. 

I love you My beautiful child.

    Your Heavenly Father

    God

~

I knew that my parents had sent this letter to me....but still, for a young girl--who was fighting against what the world was telling me about myself, who I am, how I looked--this was a perfect reminder of who I am in Christ, and how much He loves me.....He loves me just the way that I am! It was perfect timing. And I still have the letter.....it is pinned up on my wall where I can see it, so that I can be reminded on a daily basis that God created me beautiful!

Blessings <3