Wonder...

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

Is God's creation AMAZING or what? Today, I had a little free time, and felt as if God wanted me to go outside and take pictures of nature. That act led me to writing this blog. The universe NEVER ceases to AMAZE me. I mean look around, gravity is holding you to the Earth, your body has MILES of blood vessels in it, DNA created you! Life is so awe-inspiring. This sense of wonder can often be stolen by the pain one may be experiencing. From personal experience I know that whenever I am down or depressed, just going outside and touching the flowers, grass, and trees and admiring them brings me peace and joy. Peace and joy in the sense that the world is so amazing, and my Heavenly Father created it. 

When I went on my walk, I took many pictures. I had a feeling to go up to my swing set, even though it was not photogenic at all, and my cat Angel came over to me, and I took pictures of her. And too think  of how amazing her body and beauty is,I am compelled to believe there is a Creator. I took Angel with me over to my hammock and laid down. Angel finally hoped off the hammock, and I sat up as well. 

When I stood up I noticed something moving in a hole below me, and at first thought it was a baby chipmunk. Then I realized it was a frog. I thought it was a baby at first, but the hole was hiding the rest of its body. I took several pictures as it came out of the hole and hopped around a tree.

I also took pictures of spider webs, the mountains, trees, shadows, and the flowers. I cannot help, but be filled with praise for God in my heart and soul. I love nature, and I hope in reading this you can reflect on the fact that you are a part of nature, and that there are so many surprises out their for you to discover. 

The Bible says that creation proclaims your glory, but some still do not believe. I just now personally that I am filled with wonder and the desire to believe in God, and not only believe, but follow Him when I enjoy nature.

 

Dancing In The Rain

This came to me after band practice today. It rained on & off during practice lol :)

You must learn to sing in the rain. It is the only way to deal with the pain.
You might slip & fall the first time, but keep on trying, even if you feel the need to continue crying.
 Dance, sing, and laugh in the rain!

Being Glad

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NLT

Easier said than done sometimes, eh?

I have to say that if we choose to rejoice because of what God has done for us on the cross, and the fact that He will always be with us especially when we need Him the most.

Christ died for ALL of us. 

We have plenty to rejoice for, even if we feel terrible. 

Just knowing we have God on our side should brighten our day.

I don;t know if you are happy or just hanging in there, but I know that God is the source of happiness. 

Even when I am down I look to God for help, and He is enough to make me glad.

:))

God wants us to be happy because he loves us & it makes Him happy to see us happy.

Just SMILE :)

Where are you Lord?

Today I was listening to K-Love Radio. It is a contemporary Christian music station & I love it.

I turned of my stereo's radio, to listen to it online on my computer. (klove.com) i prayed something would come on that I needed when I turned it on, and when I did turn it on a story about being "college bound" came on. I shed a few ears right then and there. Man is God amazing/faithful/indescribably loving/AWESOME.

This brings me to the topic of faith because the lady talking on the radio was saying how she couldn;t understand why she felt so bad going off to college. Sometimes in life we wonder why we have to feel the way we do. When pain and fear take over we lose sight of who God really is. Sometimes we are scared, sad, and confused. This story really touched me because I felt like God was speaking to me through this lady's story on the radio.

I have no idea where I am going, only that God will be with me. Sometimes I feel like I can't feel God and wonder where He is.

Sometimes we think God has left us, but truth be told He never has and NEVER will. :) WE are God's children and He wants us to be happy. We are never alone! He is with us constantly. He gave us His Holy Spirit to lead us and take care of us.

Life can be hard and hardships come. God doesn't test us, but life does. God will only allow us to go through something because He will be there every step of the way! For example, I will be going to college soon and it is both awesome and sad. I really have no idea where I am going, but I am trusting in the Lord, and will follow Him. Faith doesn't mean you know where you are going, it means you believe that everything the Lord brings you to will lead you to eventual & divine happiness.

John 14:15-19

If you love me you will do the things I command. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper. He will give you this Helper to be with you forever. The Helper is the Spirit of truth.

God can FEEL far away, and as if He has forgotten about us. But He hasn't & He never will. Life can make us feel bad, but we must have faith and keep on marching through the good and the bad.

 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path, -Psalm 119:105

College

You must spread your wings and fly.

At some point in your life you MUST spread your wings & fly...it is what you were meant to do, that doesn't make it easy. It is both happy and sad. Let the Lord be the wind underneath your wings to help you fly & stay in the air:)

This is what I have found myself thinking lately.

I just completed my last college tour yesterday, and I visited with my cousins afterward.

The first thing I saw when I walked in my cousin;s home was a desk with pictures from our "childhood". Granted I am only 17, but I saw pictures from when I was 8yrs. old. I was a chubby little kid, and boy have I changed since then. My eyes moved to notice a picture of my older cousin at his high school graduation party. I remember that day very well. It was cool, but so sad to see these pictures and think of how much I along with my brother and my cousins have grown and changed. Life goes by in the blink of an eye. I am seventeen and talking as if I were a grandmother telling her children stories, but in all honesty it is sad to leave your "young" years. Next year I will be a "legal adult" and on my way to college.

I want to go to college, and have since I was little. I cant wait, but then I can to go off to college. I want to go somewhere away from home, and experience a new atmosphere while achieving my dreams.

 

I know I am ready, but I am also sad to leave this chapter of my life. Growing up isn't easy.

I am going to miss my friends, but I will be glad to make new ones.

I am sure everyone gets to the point where the are sick of high school in some regards. I for one will miss it, but I will also be glad to leave it. 

Some may say that they cannot see me going off to college because I am "too sheltered". Newsflash people, I am not all that sheltered. My parents may have me call and check in when I arrive at my destination, but I appreciate it. If I am in a wreck or in trouble they will know sooner, and be able to help me. I am aware of what the world has to offer, but I simply know that nothing can compare to the joy given by Christ, and I don't NEED or WANT drugs, sex, or alcohol. I am going to live for Christ & follow His dreams for me. College is full of parties, but it is also part of people changing the world and discovering more about themselves, while preparing for a career. Just because college has parties does not mean I am not ready for college.

I have no idea where I am going, but trusting Jesus to guide me, comfort me, and love* me every step of the way. Carrying me when I need Him to the most.

 I presume the point of this blog post is to express my sadness in leaving a beautiful chapter of my life in order to reach a newer one.

Depression, Life, God, & Hope.

TWLOHA.COM Suicide Prevention Website

"Never, Never, Never Give up!" -Winston Churchill

Okay, yea, I'll just be honest with this blog...I have been depressed. It happens, Life Can Suck, but it also b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l ! The one that created you LOVES you more than you can FATHOM & created YOU with such care, it is unimaginable! =D 

My friends see me always wearing a smile, & for most of the time I am truly a happy human being! But I get down in the dumps & lose hope too. ALL I can say is that God is the only joy I have when I am in the dumps & the only thing that every brings me out of them either.

I am sure everyone has at some point. All I know is that when I have been so hopeless, God ALWAYS delivered, and He will CONTINUE to do so in my life. I have experienced miracles in my life of GOD just working EVERYTHING out. But some people become so hopeless that they end their lives. This is a tragedy that just should NOT be!

I read a friend's status that was telling someone not to give up or end their life because people do care about you & to put your life in God's hands. PEOPLE ARE HURTING! in this world! WE as Christians need to be a light of life & love to every single person we encounter in this world.

I really wish I could explain & give people a glimpse into the joy I feel ever single day, through the good & the bad from my Lord Jesus Christ. It is euphoric if that is a good word to use to explain the amazing LOVE GOD GIVES ALL THE TIME! Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross out of love to save us from sin;s rightful punishment. Is there any other God that suffered for His creations?

In my heart I know that if people would chose to NEVER EVER GIVE UP & FEEL & COME TO KNOW GOD'S LOVE, that they would realize LIFE IS WORTH LIVING! GOD LOVES YOU, and in the true meaning of the word love:) Anything good or lovely comes fro God the Father <3

It is my prayer tonight as I go to bed that those people hurting & depressed will find God's MEANING, HOPE, & above all LOVE.

God has a plan for every soul ever born, and to end your life before God allowed for you to come home, would be destroying the divine joy planned for every person to have for themselves & to offer to the world:)

Two song I would like to suggest & have helped me in my time of need:

Don't Give Up Because You Are Loved & You Raise Me Up both by Josh Groban =)

"Never, Never, Never Give up!" -Winston Churchill

Being Who You Were Created To Be

Wisdom is from God :)

First off I would like to give credit where credit is do. The inspiration for this blog came from Elaine Olsen. A friend of mine introduced me to her blog. I encourage you to visit www.peaceforthejourney.com . She has even wrote a book, Peace For The Journey.

  I read a blog post of hers that my friend had given me the link to once again the other day, and it made me think. The post was about dreaming. I for one am a dreamer.

Elaine's post was entitled "Chasing a Dream". She had a picture of her in front of Proverbs 31 Ministries backdrop and it made me curious as to why someone would name their ministry after Proverb 31. So I read Proverb 31, and a devotional about it in my devotional. The Proverb was about what makes a good wife. The verse that stood out the most to me was verse 30, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." My devotional spoke of how we must start right now with our training to be a good wife. To me this is not only to be a good wife, but a person in general; Personally, family is extremely important to me. I believe this means giving everything, and I do mean everything to God. Our dreams, hopes,opinions, desires, beliefs, relationships*, and faith to the King of Kings.

One might ask, "Why does it matter how I act now? I won't be a wife or a mother for many years!" My response would be, ''Rome wasn't built in a day." And I mean that in a kind way, not sarcastic. I was baptized in 2007, and let me tell you God has drastically changed me, but there is still a lot within me that needs changing. God changes us gradually with his Holy Spirit. One may think they just want to have fun in their youth, and not worry about anything. They don't want to worry about right or wrong, just fun. I for one am a worrier and God has truly helped me in changing this. But to get back to my point: God has a divine plan filled with unimaginable joy, but if we ignore it we will miss out on so many *extraordinary* gifts that God has in store for us. If we are to grow up as wonderful women & men of God, we must start now on our journey to righteousness. And that righteousness can come from only one source: Our Heavenly Father.

If you feel confused and have no idea where to start, just talk to God, be patient and ask because you will receive. :)  Luke 11: 9-10:

 ⁹ ”So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

 God will answer our prayers if the are a request that will guide us in His will, bring us to righteousness, and help us. If it will truly benefit us, he will give it to us.

If you desire wisdom, just ask. God wants to give to you abundantly! [ & He already has with Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross.]  I have knocked an innumerable amount of times, and the door has been opened. 

This year I experienced something where I worked my tush off (for lack of a better word) to accomplish a specific goal in a competition. I felt as if I rightfully deserved to win; however, I did not. I felt as if the competition had been unfair. I was angry. And I am not one that becomes angry easily. I don;t really get angry, but if I am you better know I am. (haha) I felt like something I had worked so hard for, and had earned all the years before was taken from me. After the competition I went out in the woods near my house to just be with my thoughts, and I prayed. I felt like God wouldn't let it happen unless He had something better in store, but at the same time I was mad that I had to feel how I felt. I listened to a song that day, "Have Your Way" by Britt Nicole. It explained how I wanted God's will, even though it was disappointing to lose.

"Feels like I've been here forever,

Why can't you just intervene,

Do you see the tears keep falling?
And I'm falling apart at the scenes,

But you never said the road would be easy,
But you said that you would never leave.
And you never promised that this life wasn't hard,
But you promised you'd take care of me.

So I'll stop searching for the answers,
I'll stop praying for an escape,
I'll trust you God with where I am,
And believe you will have your way,
Just have your way, Just have your way,

When my friends and my family have left me
I feel so ashamed and so cold,
Remind you take broken things and turn them into beautiful

So I'll stop searching for the answers,
I'll stop praying for an escape,
I'll trust you God with where I am,
And believe you will have your way,
Just have your way, Just have your way,

Even if my dreams have died,
Even if I don't survive,
I'll still worship you with all my life,
My life, yeah"

This experience brought me closer to God, taught me forgiveness, and lead me closer to God's will for my life.

losing this competition in essence hurt, but it made me get back into dance (one of my very first passions). I feel like God wanted me to get back into dance and become more involved in it. Losing that competition resulted in LESS STRESS for me, and more time to do fun things. It also gave me more time to focus on school, thus reducing my amount of worries. =) I even hace a youtube channel now with my dances on it.

The reason I told this story is because I feel like after it, I finally let go completely of my life and gave it ALL to God. Meaning my dreams and life..to do God's will, not my own. In the end all is vanity, and the only things that last are what are done for Christ! Free To Be Me & I'm Letting Go are two songs by Francessca Battistelli that explain this.

If we give all our talents to God and become submissive and obedient to His will, we will help others along with finding true happiness and fulfillment.

*In addition, I said how we need to give everything to God, including our relationships. We need God's grace to get along and serve our fellow man. We also should include God in our relationships with boyfriends. For us to become the best wife we can, we must not settle for less than God wills for us. What I mean is that we should not stay in relationships that harm us or keep us from God.

Girls today need to realize that GOD is writing their love story, and that if we save ourselves for the one we are meant to be with, that man will be the best husband we could hope for, and we will be the best wives that we can be if we strive to live for God. 

Yes we may fall down, but if we lean on Jesus, He will always pick us back up! =)

Peace In Christ

 Love, Elizabeth