I believe...

i believe in God.


i believe He loves me.


i believe Jesus, God's son, is the only way.


i believe He sent Jesus to die for me because He loved me that much.


i believe Jesus rose again.


i believe He's in heaven right now.


i believe Jesus is coming back.


i believe that the Holy Spirit lives in you if you're saved.


i believe that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you're saved.


i believe that i have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.


i believe that i am complete in Christ.


I believe that because if Christ, i am free from condemnation.


I believe that i cannot be separated from Gods love.


i believe that i have a citizenship in heaven.


i believe that i am Gods workmanship.


i believe that i may approach God with freedom and confidence.


i believe in demons.


i believe that i have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.


i believe that because i am born of God, the evil one cannot touch me.


i believe that the bible is the written word of God.


i believe the baby in the womb is an innocent, living creature of God.


i believe abortion is murder.


i believe marriage is for one man and one woman.


i believe homosexuality is wrong.


i believe that a lack of boundaries brings a lack of respect.


i believe God has a guy picked out for me already.


i believe in smiling. smiling a lot.


i believe that idea's have consequences.


i believe friends will hurt you, but Jesus never will.


i believe in forgiveness.


i believe in counting my blessings


i believe in practicing kindness. (ALL THE TIME)


i believe loving on people is the best thing since microwaves(just kidding)


i believe love lasts forever.


i believe that being "right" rarely matters(except when it comes to eternity, than being right matters)


i believe in doing hard things.


i believe that i am a flawed human being, but that God can still use me.


i believe in hugs:)


i believe in prayer


what do YOU believe?


Blessings <3

"The Beginning. The Separation." Levi the Poet

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"In the beginning, God spoke, and God I hope his voice sounded like thunder (like that's where it got it's name from), like it reverberated inside of the son's eardrums. I wonder: did the father turn to the preincarnate word to ask him about the sound he'd heard? And did he smile and contemplate the earth while the spirit confirmed their plans?


And God said, "let there be…" and God, did that unparalleled melody sustain into all eternity while the blessed trinity joined in harmony to key in a void and formless land? Is the expanse between earth and sky as deep and wide as the difference between dark and light and did you stare at the stars like I stare at your night, and how bright do they shine from outside of time, and if there is no need for the suns in your kingdom, well did you need them?
See, I cannot fathom the winds and the waves, let alone the waves the winds made on the day that you say, "it is good," and no depraved gaze preys on your spirit's conversation with the creation you made. I can hardly see it! Even my imagination wanes beneath the death that deteriorates at my faith! But before a fog dimly, behind Eden's gates, man - man - walked hand in hand with his God, face to face.

Imago Dei.

"Let us make man in our image." Dust into clay, bestowing dignity to humanity the potter crafted and shaped… and when you breathed life into him, was it a whirlwind?

"In the beginning, God spoke, and the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth." and the details are speculation, but I picture your creation of man as glory that that heavenly host sung about. His chest rises and falls beneath this cosmic anticipation waitin' to see him open his eyes for the first time… his eyes open and close and if there was an expectation, it was exceeded in pupils finally dilated to find: GOD. Holding out his hand in a posture that hasn't changed just like his plan hasn't changed since day one. And I like to think that they danced to the glory of his name, three in one as the breath in man's lungs. Perfect.

And God put him to work and, work (ha! and if only work were the work of the fall)... A cultivator in the vein of his creator, tended to the garden, invited to enjoy it all, save. one. thing. [and that is freedom: unparalleled pleasure sustained within boundaries] Just do not go near that tree. Its fruit is divisive, its knowledge unseen, but not something that you need. What you need? What you need is a helper, and here a twist of irony: that man is no good without his eve. Sleep deeply; deep sleeping, he fashioned what adam never found among the beasts, and, awoke from his peace: an apologetic for poetry: the first words spoken were spoken words: "At last, bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh." One woman, one man, naked and unashamed to consummate the one plan that god had for his people, we call that "equal."

In the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word watched Satan fall from heaven like lightening, and I'll bet that it was beautiful, that angel of light-ening up the sky like he could shine as bright as the son. "Did God really say?" and he still begins everything that he does by questioning the authority of the word of the one who did not succumb to his schemes… but the same cannot be said for Eve (the mother of the living, and of the dead offspring who labor beneath the curse that drips from good and evil's leaves…) "You will not die, and God knows that it's true, but god doesn't want truth to be made known to you." And as it delighted her eyes, she took of the fruit and her husband stood by almost as if to assume that the fault wouldn't fall to the man in the room if he used his bride to hide his cowardice before he took a bite, too. Evening, come king's wind, calling, "where are you?"

And I wonder what their friend felt like? Like his heart had been broken in two? Like from the overflow of his soul he crafted these people that were known, but sought to dethrone their lover's rule. "Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat of that forbidden fruit?" And the enemy still distorts "obedience" for "constriction", as oppose to opportunity to worship you. Well I guess he lives up to his name: serpent, constricting, fame-thief slithering fangs sucking blood from my veins, while life and death hang in the balance, and we suffer beneath the weight of satan, sin, death, flesh and it's effects as justly sentenced to us on that day.

What of man? And God said, "let there be enmity..." and God, did that devastating melody leave any hope for me while the brokenhearted trinity joined in harmony to agree to go forth with your plans? Is the expanse between earth and sky as deep and wide as the separation between you and I? And do you long for my heart like I long for your eyes to shine bright and fill the universal void that's in mine and if you do still long to call sons to your kingdom, well will you free them?

See, I can cannot fathom the hight nor the depth, let alone the scope or breadth of your love on the day that you wept and sent humanity from your presence, watching as they went, and continue to walk away as though we owe no debt. I can see it.

Look, in the beginning God spoke, so is there no hope left? Do we all lay down and die the way we made our beds? In the beginning, God spoke, and is there no hope left?
Devil, you will bruise his heal, but he will crush your head."

                                 - Levi The Poet 


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Blessings <3

Love Restores

Here is a new song that I heard on the Radio, its called 'Love Restores' by Shine Bright Baby. I really like this song :):) 

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Are you desperate, for someone to hear your voice
You've been reaching, but you can't get through the noise
Don't give up now, there is hope for you

Are you searching, for a Savior for a friend
You've been hurting, you're about to reach your end
Don't give up now, there is hope for you

His love restores, His words are true
What this world breaks, His hands make new
So do not fear, not anymore,
He can heal what's broken and torn
His love restores, His love restores

Are you praying, for an answer for a cure
You've been waiting, for a miracle thats yours
God is with you, wherever you are
He is holding, onto your heart

His love restores, His words are true
What this world breaks, His hands make new
So do not fear, not anymore,
He can heal what's broken and torn
His love restores

Nothing, nothing, nothing is impossible
No one, no one, no one is unreachable
Nothing is impossible

His love restores, His words are true
What this world breaks, His hands make new
So do not fear, not anymore,
He can heal what's broken and torn

His love restores, His words are true
What this world breaks, His hands make new
So do not fear, not anymore,
He can heal what's broken and torn
He can heal what's broken and torn
His love restores, His love restores

--

Love and Blessings <3

Change Me...

And I don't know how, or when, or why....but somehow, sometimes I feel as though I'm just falling apart. There's no reason why. I cant find my way. And its strange, cause its only some days I feel this way....its uncontrollable. Tomorrow I'll be just fine...


     One tear in the dropping rain,
     One voice in the sea of pain.
     Could the maker of the stars, 
     hear the sound of my breaking hear.

   

Hope sleeps without me. Her sweet dreams surround me, But I'm left out

I'll need a fix now, To believe, to feel

     One light is all I am, 
     Right now I can barely stand.
     If your everything you say you are 
     would you come close 
     and hold my heart.


I find myself in this place...and I think how ridiculous it is that me, one who has been saved by grace and been abundantly blessed, could loose sight so quickly and crumble under the slightest pains in life. Where is my joyful heart? What does this attitude portray about my heart? Should I not be rejoicing every day, not because life is so good and perfect. but solely because I know that Christ died for me....and He loves me. Therefor I should have no reason to be sad, or upset, or emotional.  My thoughts are dwelling in the wrong place. Where is my grateful heart? 


     One tear in the dropping rain,
     One voice in the sea of pain.
     Could the maker of the stars, 
     hear the sound of my breaking hear.

These rooms are dark now. These halls are hollow, and so am I

She is hard to find now. To believe. To see

I'm broken. And I cant fix me.....so I'm throwing down this masquerade and I'm asking, God will you please change me from who I've been. Would You take me and break me. I'm totally and completely helpless and hopeless without God. My life without Him is just a vapor in the wind. 


      I'm on my knees..
      begging you to turn to me
      I'm on my knees.. 
      Father would you run to me?
      And hold my heart.. 
      could you hold my heart?

     

Hope is what we crave, and that will never change, So I stand and wait

I need a drop of grace to carry me today, A simple song to say

It's written on my soul: Hope's what we crave

     One light is all I am, 
     Right now I can barely stand.
     If your everything you say you are 
     would you come close 
     and hold my heart. <3

He Has Got You..

"May God give you a sense of what he has put into your life.

May you see glimpses of the breakthrough that is just up ahead. 

May you with all your heart - believe that trusting him

over what your eyes see, is totally and completely worth it.

May you shift your weight off of your logical reasoning 

and into his weightiness of his powerful promises to you.

You have got help and resources that go far beyond anything you could ever need. 

Smile with joy and walk by faith today. 

He has got you."

Better Than 100 Fires - Tyler Cienfuegos

I would like ya'll to meet my brother in Christ, Tyler Cienfuegos

He is the Author of a blog Titled "Better Than 100 Fires"  And He is also one of my very good friends! :) I decided to feature Tyler on my blog because His post's are always a huge blessed to me, and I want others to be blessed by them as well!
Here is a little more about him, along with a post written by him.....

--

"I love Jesus with all my heart and fight the battle each day against sin attempting to walk with him with the help of the Holy Spirit. My blog covers areas where I see my Father in my life, and thoughts I have in regards to Him. My last name is "Cienfuegos" which means "100 fires" in Spanish. Since I know our God is far greater than I (and 100 fires) I thought the name of my blog was quite appropriate."

  --

"Quicksand

I turned my back, I plugged my ears. Everything that had gotten me to this point, everything that was cheering me on, was right there beside me. I turned my head away. I took the care and love, I took the thoughts and prayers, I threw them out. I threw caution to the wind and stepped out of bounds. With that step a still small voice makes its way through my plugged ears with ease. The warmth of the familiar voice so comforting... still, I head backwards.

"Come back to me," He says "come back." Though I can't see it, I can feel his hand reaching out to me, his presence all the more evident.

In my pride I pretend I heard nothing. In my pride I continued as my foot stepped off the path. Continuing off the side, the woods get thicker and harder to traverse. Nevertheless, I press on. Right, left, right- I struggle to maintain balance as my foot sinks into the quicksand. I struggle to lift it out but it only makes me sink faster. My legs are too far spread to keep one foot on solid ground... my second foot lands in the sand. What should I do? How can I escape?? I search my surroundings. A vine is hanging from a tree above me, and I grab on but I don't have the strength to pull myself out. The sand is to my waist. I hold myself there, trying to think of another possibility... something I could do to save myself. At least for now I'm not sinking more.

Almost just as the thought crossed my mind the vine snapped, fell to the sand and was swallowed up. My only sense of security lost! I'm hopeless!

"HELP! IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE!? HELP!"

No answer.

The panic and helplessness has me overwhelmed, I can hardly think. All thoughts are jumbled and indecipherable. I cry at the inevitable end I have brought upon myself. Why did I leave them? Everybody I loved and cared about, they all told me not to do this... why did I have to be the rebel? Why did I have to indulge my carelessness? Now none of them are here at the end, nobody is here.

"I'M SORRY!" I scream as tears run down my cheeks. The following silence is almost as bad as death itself. "I'm sorry..."

Only my arms and head remain above the sand. I remember my leader, the one who showed me the path, the one who lead me... the one who called me back as I stepped away. Had he left me too? I looked up at the canopy of the forest. 

"Forgive me... Lord, please forgive me!"

Suddenly the warm voice came again, followed by the unforgettable rush of restored hope.

"You have already been forgiven, my child."

I looked up to see his shining face in all its glory. For a split second I saw him smiling while holding out his hand... and I knew in that second that he was always there, he had never withdrawn his hand, I just wasn't reaching for it. When the sight of him was gone I found myself left standing on solid ground, facing the path I had so strongly longed to see again. I ran to that path as if my life depended on it; because in a way, I knew it really did. Over the crest I see the ones I love so dearly and tears begin to run down my face. I embrace them one after another, sobbing in joyous excitement. 

I catch a glimpse of the path ahead, and it is narrow. The trek looks tough, yet I feel able to conquer it. My leader, though I cannot see him is with me, leading me back to this path time and time again. With him by my side I will prevail; with him walking each step with me, not one thing can stop me should it cross me on this path. My leader has the power to protect me from the greatest evil, and I know he will do so. He leads me and shows me the way, he teaches me and disciplines me. He is the greatest of all leaders, but not just because of his awesome power and leadership, no. He is the greatest of all leaders because even though I fail to follow, even though I'm not the perfect soldier, and even though I go as far as to betray him he never gives up on me. He is the greatest of all leaders because he loves me.

Right, left, right...left."

--


This guys blog is worth checking out! :) Tyler is a very gifted writer! Very encouraging, and convicting, and also just a great read! I highly encourage you to check out his blog Better Than 100 Fires! 


Blessings always <3

Blessed beyond belief..

Last week I had the incredible opportunity to visit some friends in Bellingham Washington. 

And let me to you, they blessed my socks off! I can say without a doubt, that it was one of the best weeks that I have ever had! I am so profoundly thankful for these friends that God has brought into my life! I cant express how much each and every one of them mean to me. I have only known them for a short while, but already I consider them my closest friends. 

(From left to right; Adam, Brenna, Micah, Cassidy, Tyler, Me)

There was a time, when several of the friendships that I had thought would last a lifetime had come to an abrupt stop, and there were other friendship that were slowly fading away......I was crushed to be loosing the people I had cared so much about. I struggles for a long time to understand why I hadn't yet, after 17 years of my life, found any true friends (outside of my family) 

I decided after a while that maybe my "need" for friendship was far to strong. And that I was idolizing the relationships in my life. So I started to pray for God to take the discontent I felt, and to do whatever He wanted with the relationships in my life. 

At first I continued to feel distant from many of the people I knew and cared about.

 And I cried a lot! 

But then, one day....God brought these awesome people into my life! 

I really like these quotes by C.S Lewis - 

“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?” 

and 

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”

I pray that God will continue to grow my friendships with these amazing people, and that they will be life long friendships, glorifying and uplifting to Him in every way! 

Thank you Brenna, Micah, Tyler, Cassidy, and Adam for a great week! And thank you also for your encouragement and friendship! I miss you guys already! And I love ya'll! :)

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P.s. this is something a friend said to me today....I think he says it perfectly;  "True relationships that encourage you, strengthen you, challenge you and inspire you to greater things, especially in your walk with the Lord are a real treasure. It can be easy to become distracted by many casual relationships (especially for a relational person) so sometimes it really does turn out best when you can focus on just a few that the Lord has placed in your path for a time and a purpose."