Lovesick

Just Some Pics

2012-01-14T13:23:00.000-05:00

Andrew Belle....

2012-01-08T06:37:00.001-05:00

He's definitely my favorite musical artist right now!

A Lover's Concerto

2012-01-08T03:37:00.000-05:00

Read this just now and it made me smile : )

"180"

2011-09-30T17:33:00.001-04:00

I've seen this short film floating around on facebook and twitter for about the last week and finally had a chance to sit down and watch it today. Most of it wasn't news to me, but it did provide a different way of thinking for me that I don't usually have access to.

This is a 33 minute documentary that discusses just how abortion is related to the Holocust, and by the end quite a few of those interviewed change their stances and you can just see how their hearts were changed!

I just want to recommend that you all watch it! I don't want to ruin it. I want you to go into it with an open heart and mind; hopefully you'll watch this with the objective to share it and to show just how serious life is, and how serious the Pro-Life movement is!

I just want to put a warning on here... I'd give this a pg-13 rating just because of some of the pictures and obviously the content. This is important for us as Christians to know and be able to spread awareness, and even the youth need to know. But I'd definitely recommend watching it first and deciding the appropriateness for your children (that is if you have any).

I definitely was challenged, and almost from the beginning cried, but they were tears of change and a compassion for those being interviewed as well as for the past sins of The Holocust and the current rise of Abortion.

Even if you are Pro-Life, this will change your heart and mind!

And hopefully will cause you to pray ; )

Banana Bread!

2011-09-15T21:03:00.000-04:00

I've been wanting to make and eat something sweet lately... cookies, brownies or cake... I've looked at recipes and thought about making a cobbler... Then today, I saw 2 bananas getting brown, and said to the owner of those said bananas and said "you know these are getting brown, you need to eat them. Or I could look up a recipe and make banana bread." Then he said "Let's do it!" So...

I made Banana nut bread today for the first time! I've seen my grandparents and mom make it before; and I've eaten it even more than I've seen it made, but this was the first time I've ever made it by myself. My brother supplied the bananas, and looked up the recipe. He also helped in the mixing process, so technically I didn't do it all by myself, but I feel like I accomplished something... And it's delicious.

From mixing, to baking, to eating... It hit the spot!!!

My First DIY "Project"

2011-09-15T15:02:00.000-04:00

The last week or so, I've been all into DIY stuff; Looking at blogs, finding things I want to make, crocheting slippers, hemming clothes, etc... I really want to make a maxi skirt, and a winter shirt dress that I found on this blog here.

So, I decided to take a really cute green top, and charcoal skirt that I bought at Goodwill and make a dress... AND I want to share how I did it with the few of you that actually do read my blog...

Here are the pieces as I bought them from Goodwill:

The skirt was pinned up for this picture because I was originally just going to hem the skirt, then from all the DIY blogs, I got the idea to piece the skirt and top together because I couldn't decide how to wear the shirt with anything BUT this skirt. So, I wanted to wait until I made the dress to decide on the length.

1st: I unpinned the skirt, and had to measure where i wanted it to attach to the top. When I pulled it up above my waiste, it was too large just to attach to the top and be done. So, I added elastic to the back of the skirt on the inside to tighten it.

2nd: I figured out where I wanted the top and skirt to fit together and put a couple of pins on the shirt at that line. Then I cut the shirt leaving some extra fabric to work with later.

3rd: I turned both pieces inside out and put the skirt up into the the shirt about 5 inches to where the pins in the top were. (Figuring out which way to turn the material so I could pin and sew on the correct side with the fronts and backs together took some time discussing with my mother) Then I used a large piece of cardboard that my mom has and pinned the right side of the skirt and top to it, so that I could stretch it and pin the top to the skirt. This took a little work, but seemed to be better than just trying to stretch the skirt and pin the top... I would have needed a 3rd arm for that.

When I was finished this is what the two pieces looked like pinned together from the sewing side (inside):

At this point, I tried on the dress to make sure it was fitting correctly (inside out and right side out)

Next, it was time to sew!

The skirt has a zipper on it, and I didn't want to take the time to remove it, so when I sewed the pieces together, I sewed from one side of the zipper to the other. This left a small section of the top unsewn to the skirt (which I will have to find a way to fix) but doesn't ruin the wearing of the dress.

After sewing these garments together, I put the dress on, measured the length and hemmed the skirt 2''

There's only one thing left to do, and that is to put a hem on the inside portion of the top below the place where it is sewn to the skirt....

And here is my very first DIY project, an awesome dress made from a skirt and top that I paid all of $6 for!

These aren't the best pictures because they came from my phone, but also I have yet to get a picture of myself in it! I'm excited to wear it, and now I am also excited to start a new project: making a skirt from scratch!

Crocheted Slippers

2011-09-12T18:08:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I went camping with my parents and my mom asked beforehand if I wanted to crochet some slippers. I didn't think I'd end up doing it, but said yes anyway.

I picked out some yarn that I thought would be cute, and my mom gave me the pattern...

Here's how to make your own! (Sorry I don't have any pictures from during the process, I wasn't planning to write a turtorial.)

1: Measure a piece of yarn starting from the inside of your ankle going underneath the heel of your foot to the outside of your ankle. If you want the slippers to go further up the leg measure longer

2: Begin crocheting with a chain link the length of the measured yarn.

3: After you create your chain stitch, crochet whatever stitch pattern you like (Mine was double, single) and crochet the yarn as long as your foot.
    When you're finished with this step you should have a rectangle.

4: Add 1-2 lines of stitching so you have room to gather the toe.
     I ended up adding way too many extra lines and had to do all sorts of cutting, so if your last stitch is going to be a single stitch you will probably need two extra (single) rows and then your decrease row. If your last stitch will be a double then you'd only need one extra (double) row and then the decrease row. (Since my pattern was a double, single, I ended on a single row and should have only added one double row plus my decrease row.)

5: Now for the decrease row. If you know how to crochet, you may or may not know how to make a decrease row. (I'm a beginner, so this was my first time doing this.)
    Using a single stitch, put the needle through the hole your attaching to and pull the yarn through as you would to continue, then do the same thing with the next hole. At this point you should have the yarn wrapped twice around the needle. Wrap the yarn around the needle (without putting through any holes) and pull through all three to create the stitch... Continue this down the line and there is your decrease row.

6: a. Put down the crochet needle and switch to a large eyed sewing needle.
    b. Measure the yarn the width of the rectangle x's about 3 and cut it from the yarn skein
    c. Thread the sewing needle with the yarn.

7: From here you want to weave the thread back-and-forth through the holes of the row you just made and pull it gently so that it gathers and makes a toe that you can put your toes into!

This is what the toe should look like!

8: Then fold the slipper over your foot and sew it closed up to the top of your foot.

This will be the inside of your slipper, and all you have to do now is sew up the back using the same yarn!

9: If you have a string of yarn left over and its too long, cut it some and weave the rest through the slipper so that you have a knot to keep it from falling out.

10: a. Cut another piece of yarn about 3 times the height of the slipper (the width in half, on the flat side where the back of the slipper will be)

b. Thread the sewing needle and sew up the back of the foot.

Make sure you try the slipper on during this process, otherwise you will not be able to put your foot into the hole and get the slipper onto your foot. When your finished sewing the back, weave the rest of the yarn into the slipper to create another knot so this stitching doesn't fall out.

And there you have it, an easily crocheted pair of slippers!

God Is GOOD!

2011-08-30T01:14:00.001-04:00

I hate it when I am me; when I do the thing that I hate to do the most and turn away from God... when I walk away from His sustaining presence. I hate it when I say "I love you, Jesus" before bed and then the next day wake up and go on without saying a word. I hate it when I wait for days or weeks to open the Word or to even just sit with the Lord in praise, or wait on Him. I hate saying that I'm a Christian when, on a lot of days and occasions, I don't walk in righteousness, or even just obedience to Him. I hate it that I say I love him, when I follow by sowing to the flesh rather than to the Spirt.

But,

I LOVE Him. I LOVE how no matter how much I do this, or how often I forget Him; no matter what I do or don't do: THERE IS GRACE!!! I LOVE that when I turn to Him, even though it may be after making the biggest mistake, or giving myself to something that has no purpose or value that HE TAKES ME RIGHT BACK IN!

I LOVE that I am His child. I LOVE that I am his beloved. I LOVE that He is the singing and dancing God. In my weakness, I am still DAILY His delight. When I feel so far away, He comes so gently to me and restores my heart. He gives me a moment of strength, and joy. Though I am weak and small He is my Father, and there is nothing that I can ever do to change that.

Its times like these that I remember why I never could completely walk away from Him... Because HE IS GOOD!

Somehow, this always happens to me when I'm exhausted, about to go to bed and decide to turn on the The Prayer Room in the middle of the night.

I realize that its after midnight and think "I haven't prayed in a while. I need to meet God." So, I put it on (and mostly it happens to be Cory Asbury's team) and then God shows up. Sometimes its with a prophetic word, sometimes is the lyrics to a song that catch my attention, but EVERYTIME its Holy Spirit meeting me and my Father coming to me with love and pouring out His goodness on me!

He always reminds me: "Come to me, you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." And that's what he does... He comes in love and gives Himself to me and then I can't help but respond with love and joy!

He fills me with His love, overwhelms me with his love, takes me from the ashes and seats me with the princes! He'll never leave me dry... He's ALWAYS willing, and my cup He WILL be filling!

What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. {Psalm 116:12-13}

He Is GOOD!

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living {Psalm 27:13}

Psalm 16
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.

4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.

6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.

8 I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.

11You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Are We REALLY Pro-Life?

2011-08-15T21:27:00.000-04:00

I joined twitter just a month or two ago and when I first signed up was thinking "I want people to follow me. I hope that people care what I have to say. I hope that people will look at my pictures and my links." I was only thinking about myself. I didn't necessarily think those phrases, or say them out loud even (of course I'
d NEVER do that) but you know its true. In the back of our minds when we begin a social networking sight (especially twitter or facebook) We are doing it to connect, yes, but we also have in the back of our minds "What are people going to think about me?" Even when I signed up for my blog, I was hoping people would read it and see what I'm about. (Notice I didn't say who I am)

Somehow social networking is a way for you (and me) to put ourselves out there for the whole world to see. Many times, I think we hide behind our profiles. It has our likes, dislikes, pictures, and even our families (sometimes) on it. Everyone knows whether we are single, married, or in a complicated relationship, and what we had for lunch, where we're headed to next, or even a quote from someone who quoted someone else, who quoted someone else. We post links of music videos, funny videos of cats barking like dogs, and post statuses like "It's sister week, repost if you love your sister," and "Virus alert, please repost and tell your friends not to add ALLEN JENNINGS as a friend." Or (one of my favorites): "Anna Line poked you, poke her back!" Don't poke me because I can never get rid of that dumb thing!

Now I'm not saying that these sites, or things we post are bad... I'm just asking, "What are we really doing?" Do we care about people like we should? I know that these are great places to share an encouraging word, or to even share prayer requests and to chat with our friends. But how many times do you actually chat with your friends on facebook and have a meaningful conversation? When was the last time you asked your friend how she was doing and really meant, "How are you, I want to get to know you and I want to pray for you." How many times do we get asked how we are and reply "Good," when really we are dying on the inside and want someone to say "I love you, how can I help."

I've gotten off track a little bit here, but I feel like this is what social networking has become. It's all about me and not about how we can "stir up one another to love and good works," (Hebrews 10:24).

I've been on twitter now for a bit and figured out (sort of) how it works. You find people to follow, and tell people to follow you. You can post a hashtag (#) with any type of message on it and see what other people are posting about that topic (and using that same hashtag) such as #thatwasembarassing. You can post pictures and videos, youtube links and articles, but you have to post in 140 characters or less. If you like what someone posted you can favorite it and can ever retweet it (share it) with your followers. Then you can also reply to what people have said. Basically, its everything you do on facebook but with a one stop does all. You tweet it. There's no elaborate profile, or place for pictures upon pictures of yourself, and there's no games or annoying applications. And now that you know how to use it, get one and follow me! (BTW, not why I'm blogging here)

Anyway, since being on twitter, I follow accounts that post some interesting and even amazing things. You know how on facebook you can LIKE a page, and basically its a way to keep up with what they're doing, but its for musicians and organizations rather than just a plain ol' "person from high school that hated me and wants to be my friend." Well, on twitter you just follow people or musicians or organizations. There's no "Like my page, or be my friend... or do both."

I don't have many friends on twitter that I follow, its mostly people or organizations that I've never met and want to know what really matters to them. Some are pastors and teachers, some are musicians (such as Andrew Belle, who is amazing and you should check him out) who tweet about thought provoking things or Bible verses. Some are organizations that post articles about the negative effects of porn, and others are prayer rooms that post about whats going on in their area of the country.

And I am now coming to the point of my whole post here! (Take that Freshmen year English class... I like books!)

Today while on twitter, I was looking through tweets, and one in particular caught my eye, an article posted by a group called Live Action, taken from lifenews.com ... and tomorrow I will finish this post!

A survey was taken from a group called Gallup. They surveyed Pro-Life, and Pro-Choice Americans and found that both groups "agree about nine major areas of abortion policy, while disagreeing on eight others" (Plenty of Common Ground)

Here are 2 charts showing the policies agreed on and disagreed on:

The thing that gets me here is not that Pro-Choice and Pro-Life people can agree on policies that should be put in place... The thing that gets me is the percentage of PRO-LIFEers who SUPPORT abortion in the case of the mother's life, or physical health being endangered, or in the case of rape or incest!!!

Really? It's not just 10%... No.

OVER 50% OF PEOPLE THAT CLAIM TO BE PRO-LIFE THINK ABORTION IS OK IN THE CASES OF RAPE, INCEST, OR THE MOTHER'S LIFE OR PHYSICAL HEALTH BEING ENDANGERED!

This sickens me. It breaks my heart. It causes me to get angry and to want throw things! Really!?

So, are we really pro-life? According to these charts: apparently not.

Pro-What

2011-08-08T13:43:00.001-04:00

I read this article today, and found myself amazed at findings.... The opposite of Life is Death, not choice. So my question is if you are not Pro-Life than what are you?

You can read the full article here: Poll- Majority of Americans/Young Adults Say Abortion Is Wrong

Majority of Americans Opposed to Abortion
A third poll in the last three weeks has results showing a majority of Americans are opposed to abortion and say that it is morally wrong. That’s what a new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute finds.

Two other recent polls also show pro-life majorities on the question of the morality or legality of abortion.

A late May Gallup poll found Americans want all or most abortions made illegal and saying they believe abortion to be morally wrong.

By a 24 percent margin, 61-37 percent, Americans take the pro-life view that abortions should either be legal under no circumstances or legal only under a few circumstances.

By age, Americans also oppose abortions — with 59 percent of people aged 18-34, 58 percent of those 35-54 and 64 percent of those over the age of 55 saying all or almost all abortions should become illegal. Younger Americans are most supportive of making all abortions illegal, with 24 percent of 18-34 year-olds saying so and 35 percent saying they want abortions legal only in a few circumstances.

Meanwhile, a new poll conducted by Thomson Reuters for NPR shows asked “do you personally believe having an abortion is wrong” and 59.3 percent of Americans polled said yes compared with just 40.7 percent who said no. The youngest age category of those polled, under 35, gave the most pro-life responses with 65.5 percent saying that having an abortion is wrong.

Avocado Nutrition Facts

2011-08-07T19:53:00.000-04:00

I guess since I haven't posted in a while, this is perfect!
Avocados contain just 5 grams of fat per serving.

Avocados contain NO cholesterol and NO sodium.

Avocados contain 60% more potassium per ounce than bananas!

Avocados are high in fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium and folate.

Nothing.... This Is So Me Right Now!

2011-06-19T23:50:00.000-04:00

I read this blog weekly through my email... It's my friend Dan from Hillsong church in Australia. I don't really know him personally, but I am friends with him on a Children's Ministry Forum where pastors, leaders, teachers, parents and people like me talk about Kids Ministry. I was connected to Dan through running the Hillsong Kids BIG curriculum at a church I previously attended and then found out about this website from their website. So basically the 3 degrees of separation thing... Anway I was going to post something new about half an hour ago but didn't know what to write about. I have about 6 youtube videos that I'd like to post, but not all at one time. And I have some new favorite music I wanted to reference, but didn't quite no how. Then I read this.

Thanks Dan!!!

What in the world do I blog about????

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 04:48 AM PDT

Ok, here is the problem. I have a blog called “The Thursday Blog”, which many have hailed as a pure genius idea. It means I only blog once a week, every week and it gives the reader a nice sense of familiarity. Also it protects the blogger from what happens to all bloggers from time to time…….. they forget to blog. Then you get the wonderful posts like:

“Haven’t blogged in a while…

Sorry.

Ahhh, so life is good.

Yeah.

Oh, here is a video I found on Youtube where a guy sees a double rainbow.

(insert youtube link)

Life should be exciting”.

Some people try to avoid long gaps without blogging, by automatically posting what they have said on Twitter for that week:

“I had pizza for lunch”

@samluce how about those redsocks!!! #genericsportshashtag

So pumped to see @jimwideman at #orange #kidmin #ican’tbelieveigot2meetJimWideman #ishouldofaskedforhisautograph

I just read @davewakerley ‘s blog. Man that video about the double rainbow is awesome.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WITH THAT????? Seriously I read it on twitter during the week why do I need to read it again on your blog. It is like we are celebrating the achievement of placing something on the internet by having it do a victory lap on multiple platforms.

This final blog type is the worst. It is the blog where we take 2 minutes to ask a question and hope that people comment and start a discussion. This is basically outsourcing the blog to those who are willing to comment because their input will make the blog great. In the meantime the blogger is laughing like a fat cat whilst other people make them look interesting.

So now I found myself in the situation where I don’t know what to blog about. I can’t do the first one as all the good Youtube clips have already appeared on Samluce.com. I can’t do the second one as I haven’t really twittered anything of notable variety lately since I tweeted about that weirdo who predicted the end of the world getting it mixed up with the end of Oprah’s show. It was such a great tweet but that was the 21st May, much too late for a weekly update. I could do the last one but I am averaging 1 to 2 comments a week so it would be a very small debate.

So what am I going to talk about when I have nothing to talk about? The answer is ………… nothing. Instead I am simply going to leave it there and go and ……

Have Fun.

Dan

So there you have it, what to write when you have nothing to write!
~A

Hmmm.....

2011-05-16T01:05:00.000-04:00

This came in my spam just minutes ago....

Dear Beloved in Christ,

I am Mrs. Oliva Baker an aging widow suffering from long time illness. I have
some funds I inherited from my late husband, the sum of US$8,400,000.00 and I
needed a very honest and God fearing Christian that will use the fund for
God's work, I found your email address from the internet and decided to
contact you. Please if you would be able to use the funds for the Lord's work,
kindly reply for further details.

Yours in the Lord,
Mrs. Oliva Baker

Never seen that one before!

Free music from Mocha Club!

2011-04-30T00:37:00.001-04:00

"I tell you the truth. Whatever you do for the least of these, you have also done for me!"

I'm so excited to be partnering with the Lord through an organization called Mocha Club. The idea is that you give up $7 a month--the cost of 2 mochas--and you choose a project to support where men, women and children in Africa receive clean water, life skills and job training, education, medication and much much more to live a free and abundant life! You get to be part of something that serves others and fulfills the great commission by giving to the poor and needy. And in the process you get some free jams for you ipod-- or zune, whatever you have. You can then invite your friends to join your team and see the impact as you give together!

I support child mothers + women at risk, and I'm helping women to get out of a life of prostitution and learn the skills they need to make a living, and to live free from sin, shame, guilt and in the hope and healing of Jesus Christ!

If you have any doubt how far $7 can go in Africa, check this out…

$7 in Africa can…
Feed 1 person for a month.
Educate 2 children for 1 school term.
Save 1 person’s life from Malaria
Provide clean water for 7 Africans for 1 year.

Join Mocha Club to be Jesus to Africa in a tangible way;

Blessed to be a Blessing!

Free Music from Mocha Club!

Makes Me Sick

2011-04-26T23:51:00.000-04:00

Planned Parenthood partners with those who sexually abuse and exploit women and girls.

Substantial evidence suggests that Planned Parenthood — far from being a defender of women and girls — defends and abets those who sexually abuse and exploit them. Planned Parenthood has shown itself to be a perfect partner to the pimp, sex trafficker, or child abuser. It hides his crimes through its willful failure to report suspected sexual abuse of children to authorities and its refusal to comply with parental-involvement laws. For example, Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona was found negligent and civilly liable for failing to report the sexual abuse of a young girl who was being raped by her foster brother, and Planned Parenthood Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota was fined $50,000 for ignoring Minnesota’s parental-notice law. Planned Parenthood’s failure to intervene in cases of abuse reflects a lack of concern for the women and girls who go to Planned Parenthood seeking trustworthy care and counsel.

One of Ms. Coleman’s five “myths” is the assertion that “People do not really need Planned Parenthood.” The truth is this: People do not need Planned Parenthood to stay in the abortion business (nor to annually increase its stake in it). People do not need Planned Parenthood to protect adult men who prey on and abuse young girls. People do not need Planned Parenthood’s anti-woman, bottom-line-oriented view that pushes abortion at the expense of women’s health and safety. Above all, people do not need Planned Parenthood’s scandal-ridden and abortion-heavy business practices to be subsidized by taxpayer dollars.

I Wrote A Four Word Letter

2011-04-23T14:22:00.000-04:00

I wrote a four word letter, with post script, in crooked lines,
"Tho I'd lived I'd never been alive."
You know who I am
You held my hem as I traveled
Blind listening to a whispering in my ear,
Soft, but getting stronger,
Telling me the only purpose of my being here is to stay a
Bit longer.
So I stole a bicycle chain,
The handlebars crashed to the ground,
The back wheel detached from the frame,
It kept rolling, but aimlessly drifting around

Oh, doubters, let's go down
Won't you come on down to the river to pray?
"But I'm so small i can barely be seen.
How can this great love be inside of me?"
Look at your eyes,
They're small in size, but they see enormous things.

Wearing black canvas slippers in that frog-on-a-lily-pad
Pose.
We sewed buttons and zippers to pink chinese silk
And olive night clothes.
If you can omeday stop by somehow we'll show you
The pictures & fix you some tea.

(See, my dad's getting a bit older now, and just
Unimaginable lonely)

Oh, pretenders, let's go down.
Won't you come on down to the river and pray?
"But I'm so afraid," or "I'm set in my ways"
But he'll make the rabbits and rocks sing his praise
"But I'm so tired, I won't last long."
No, he uses weak things to overcome the strong!
Oh Amanda, let's go down

Mama, nana, won't you come on down to the river and
Pray?
A wick to fit the wax,
Wood to fit the wire
You strike the match

Why not be utterly changed to fire?
To sacrifice the shadow and the mist of a brief life you
Never mich liked
If you'd care to come along we're gonna curb all our never
Ending,
Clever complaining (as who's ever heard of a singer
Criticized by his song?)
We hunger, but through all that we eat brings us a little
Relief
We don't know quite what else to do,
We have all our beliefs,
But we don't want our beliefs,
God of peace,
We want you.

Not Today

2011-04-22T16:01:00.001-04:00

I can't live today like its just another day. I have to praise my savior for all that He is and does. It wasn't just a thought or a maybe in question. He gave up his life. We say it so often and remember it every day, but I think we sometimes forget what it really means. Imagine yourself in a situation where you have done nothing wrong and you have to die because someone has wronged you! He did nothing wrong--ever. He was perfectly God and came to be a man because of His love for us. There was no one capable or worthy of paying our debt to Him. In His great love He came and did what no man could do. He willingly died to satisfy the wrath of His Father against sin and death. Today is the day we remember the greatest sacrifice for all mankind. We can't live like its just another day. Not now, not ever. Not Today!

IT IS FINISHED! His blood covered me, once and for all!

Just The Way You Are acoustic Bruno Mars cover - Anthem Lights

2011-04-11T01:37:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh, I love this band! They're a new Christian band and they have AMAZING voices! Love this song too, but especially their cover!

Sisters

2011-04-09T10:40:00.003-04:00

I stole these quotes from a friend... Love it!

"There's a special kind of freedom sisters enjoy. Freedom to share innermost thoughts, to ask a favor, to show their true feelings. The freedom to simply be themselves."

"Sisters are probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship."

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

"There is no time like the old time, when you and I were young!"

"If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child."

Unto the Hills

2011-04-09T01:24:00.000-04:00

I recently began reading this daily devotional by Billy Graham. At first I was really excited, but it didn't turn out to be exactly what I expected. For the purpose of this review I read about 20 of the devotions throughout the book. I was not as impressed as I thought I might be. Obviously, this is a daily devotional, so I understand the intent in keeping each one short. However, I was looking for something that might hit me harder in my spirit. I did enjoy the articles that I read, and I like the format of each. For every day the passage begins with a scripture, usually 1-3 verses; Then following is a short devotion and after that a prayer. The messages range from prayer, to marriage and family, to the fruit of the spirit and even to the second coming of Christ. Each message is pretty straightforward and to the point, but for myself I was looking for something more. Overall I would say I do like this book, but it isn't quite my style of devotional. In my opinion, this book is good for the type of person who would like to catch a glimpse of insight from someone well-liked and knowledgeable, but it just didn't have that umph I was looking for. I would probably recommend this daily devotional to a newer Christian looking for a short daily encouragement or easy get-to-the-point read. I wouldn't recommend it to someone looking for deep spiritual insight, but rather describe it as food for thought.

I received this book for free by joining booksneeze.com and agreeing to review it here. I am not obligated to give it a positive rating. The opinions I've expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Andrew Belle - I Will Follow You Into the Dark (Death Cab for Cutie cover

2011-02-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

I just LOVE Andrew Belle -- his music and his voice!

Death In His Grave

2010-12-20T16:10:00.001-05:00

I heard this song for the very first time yesterday, and from the first line to the very end I was amazed. Not only does it have an awesome truth and rhym, but also so much depth. When I read these lyrics and think about how they sound and what they mean, I can't ever remember such a strong and overwhelming feeling.

How great my sin; my disobedience; dirtiness; ugliness; the evil in me - I owed a HUGE debt. A debt that I could not pay. The earth crying out for the blood and souls of men because of the stain that we left and the arrogance and selfishness that causes deep darkness, hate and wickedness....

YET ONE who was God, gave up his glory, came, became a man and gave up his blood and body of which would satisfy my debt. But being God fulfilled the way of sinlessness that neither I nor any other could ever accomplish. Within 3 days, my bill was paid, and Hell was conquered being stripped of its power, and its ownership of men.

Once and for all, the deep darkness that is in man was forever forgiven and made right by grace alone for all who will say yes to the one who gave.

Death In His Grave - John Mark McMillan

Though the earth cried out for blood
Satisfied her hunger was
Her billows calmed on raging seas
For the souls of men she craved
Sun and moon from balcony
Turned their head in disbelief
Their precious love would taste the sting
Disfigured and Disdained

On Friday a Thief, on Sunday a King
Laid down in grief, but awoke with the keys
Of hell on that day, the firstborn of the slain
This man Jesus Christ laid death in his grave

So three days in darkness slept
The morning Son of righteousness
But rose to shame the throws of death
And overturn his rule
Now daughters and the sons of man
Would not pay their dues again
The debt of blood they owed was rent
When the day rolled anew.

He has cheated death
And seated us above the fall
In desperate places
He paid our wages
One time
Once and for all

Trusting God

2010-12-07T16:27:00.000-05:00

I was posed a question today about trust... What does trusting God mean to you.... Here is what I came up with!

Just because you trust someone doesn't mean you won't have doubts.

According to dictionary.com

1. Trust is reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence; hope

2. Doubt means a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.

3. To worry is to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; (That doesn't sound like trust at all.)

I think the line needs to be drawn between doubt and worry. I think that doubt is sometimes included in trust. Take for example my grandpas life. He is sick. I am trusting that He is going to be alive the rest of this week, but I am still uncertain of the outcome. I am not however tormenting myself with thoughts that he might not make it out of the hospital this week. I am trusting that God is taking care of Him, even though I do not know for sure that He will live past this week, or even past today.

For me, trust is knowing that God is going to come through, even when the circumstance says otherwise, and even when I am afraid that He won't. Its more a knowing because of my faith. Expecting the unseeable.

Example: my financial situation

I am putting my hope in God and relying on his ability, but that doesn't mean I won't have fears that He won't come through. I'm human. I know that He will, but there are still days when I wake up thinking how am I going to pay my bills for this month and next on half of the salary I had 2 months ago.

God brought me to this place. I know it. It was because I wasn't trusting him, but I was putting my trust and security and reliance on the money I was making every week. I was paying my bills, but I wasn't paying my tithe. I was giving God part of my heart but not all of it, and now I am working less, and making less money, and it is a consequence of putting my trust in my job/money.

For this situation, I am at the point where I know that it's going to work out, but there are still days that I am discouraged because I don't see it TODAY. At the same though I see how God is trying to get me to trust Him.

One day about 2 weeks ago, I woke up and all I could think about was "How am I going to pay my bills" I cried for about 3 hours and just listened to music about God being faithful. It was a rough day, but after that day, I had to make a choice. I could either trust Him and just take it a step at a time (even though I had my doubts, not dwell on them daily) or I could sit every day and cry because I didn't have the money.

Trust is a choice of faith--believing the unseen, but it is also believing based on past experience. Its having faith that the outcome is going to be good, even though you do not know for sure what the outcome will be.

Post-Hardcore vs. Screamo vs. Metalcore.... Oh the things I learn from Wikipedia

2010-12-01T04:59:00.000-05:00

One being the different types of hardcore music. I used to consider 3 of my favorite bands -- Attack Attack, Bless the Fall, and Emery -- as screamo. However through research (of Austin Carlile who used to be part of Attack Attack, but then joined Of Mice and Men, and now is with a new band that is looking for a name), I found that Screamo and Post-hardcore music are considered 2 different genres of music. And speaking of, Attack Attack is neither of these genres, but belongs to the genre of metalcore.
According to Wikipedia, metalcore, post-hardcore, and scream all emerged from hardcore punk music, but mixed with other styles, they became their own genres....

Metalcore is a fusion genre combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, and is distinguished from other punk metal fusions by its emphasis on breakdowns.

The vocalizing technique in metalcore is generally screamed vocals, particularly common among many 1990s metalcore groups. Today many metalcore bands combine screaming vocals with the usage of clean vocals usually during the bridge or chorus of a song. Also, several members of contemporary metalcore bands are practicing Christians.

Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups who emerged from the hardcore punk scene, or took inspiration from hardcore, while concerning themselves with a wider degree of expression.

Post-hardcore is typically characterized by its precise rhythms and loud guitar-based instrumentation accompanied by a combination of clean vocals and screams. Allmusic states, "These newer bands, termed post-hardcore, often found complex and dynamic ways of blowing off steam that generally went outside the strict hardcore realm of 'loud fast rules'. Additionally, many of these bands' vocalists were just as likely to deliver their lyrics with a whispered croon as they were a maniacal yelp.

Screamo is a genre of music which predominantly evolved from hardcore punk, among other genres, in the early 1990s. The term "screamo" was initially applied to a more aggressive offshoot of emo that developed in San Diego in 1991, which used short songs that grafted "spastic intensity to willfully experimental dissonance and dynamics

Characteristics of the genre are "loud-to-soft" (sometimes chaotic) dynamics, harmonized guitars with fast-paced riffs and twinkly melodic breaks, frantic/abrasive shouting or screaming, angry/poetic/abstract/introspective lyrics, low-end production, and exceptionally energetic live shows. Screamo bands also tend to bury the vocals in with the other instruments and use more arpeggiated progressions, dynamic and time changes. Breakdowns in screamo songs are often slower and quieter than in other genres, though there is a tendency of still screaming during the soft parts.

In the early 2000s media, magazines and numerous websites picked up the genre name and started labeling any band that uses screamed vocals as a screamo band. This common misconception leads people to falsely believe that many post-hardcore and alternative rock influenced pop rock bands are screamo bands when in reality those bands have nothing in any way to do with the music genre. So now in pop culture the genre name is described as a completely different style of music by people who don't know what screamo actually is.

Whenever people ask me what type of music I like, I of course say anything Christian. Then following, I usually say that I like screamo. Well, I have been mis-informed! After studying this hardcore punk thing, and based on Wikipedia's band lists under these genres of music, I have found that I don't even know a single screamo band! I have been lying this whole time about the type of music that I like and didn't even know it.

I am so excited about this new information that I have picked up! I have been one of those people who just lumped any band that had screaming in it, into the screamo category, not realizing that I was making a blind mistake. If I had looked this up in the first place, I would have been able to correct myself before needing to be corrected.

In conclusion, I would like to change my status of "I listen to a lot of screamo stuff," to "I listen to a lot of post-hardcore, and metalcore stuff."

Wikipedia has just become my new best friend!

Peanut Butter Popcorn!

2010-11-17T15:26:00.001-05:00

YUM, YUM, YUM!!!

About 4 years ago, during my time in Masters Commission, we traveled to Alabama to help with a Hell House and stayed with a group of young ladies who made peanut butter popcorn for us. It was one of the best trips I had ever had, and one of the best snacks I've ever ate! So, I'd like to share one of my favorite recipes with you. An anytime, anywhere, for anyone snack! (As long as you're not allergic to the ingredients)

For Dessert, Snack or whenever!
Peanut Butter Popcorn
Ingredients:
1/4 cup popcorn kernels
Vegetable oil
Fine salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter (should be free of added sugar. I use natural peanut buttter, and it turned out great!) Also, can add a little extra if wanted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Prepare popcorn- I have a popcorn maker, but this is another way it can be made:
Prepare a clean paper shopping bag or oversized mixing bowl. Heat a large heavy pan over medium heat and film the bottom with vegetable oil. Add the popcorn, shake to distribute, then put a lid on the pan. Leave a small crack for steam to escape. When the popcorn starts popping, shake vigorously to make sure the kernels pop evenly. When the popping slows, take the pan off the heat.

Pour the popcorn into the paper bag or bowl to cool, being careful to leave any unpopped kernels in the pan. Coated with peanut butter caramel, the unpopped kernels are a serious tooth hazard. Lightly salt the popcorn to taste.

Mix the honey and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for a couple minutes, then remove from the heat and add the peanut butter. Stir vigorously until all the peanut butter is melted, then mix in the vanilla.

Immediately pour the peanut butter caramel over the popcorn and stir with a long-handled wooden spoon until it's all coated. Once it's mixed you can put it in a serving bowl. Cover tightly after it's cooled.

*Notes:
1. The peanut butter/honey mixture will cool pretty quickly, so I suggest making the popcorn first.
2. Using microwave popcorn from a bag is fine, but make sure if you do use that kind not to get the buttered.

Every time you make a snicker, you make a Snickers!

2010-11-17T03:54:00.000-05:00

Sni-kkerz

Free refill with a magic mouth!

Winter Worship

2010-11-17T02:19:00.000-05:00

Winter: a period like winter, as the last or final period of life; a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness, or adversity.

I was working on a list of songs yesterday for my Winter Songs playlist, and when I woke up this morning I found that I was facing a so called winter, so I created a separat Winter Worship list to listen to and get motivated to praise even during this difficult time. So here's the list:

Yahweh

2010-11-14T04:28:00.000-05:00

Who is moving on the waters

Who is holding up the moon

Who is peeling back the darkness

With the burning light of noon

Who is standing on the mountains

Who is on the earth below

Who is bigger than the heavens and the lover of my soul (Chorus)

(Chorus) Creator God, He is Yahweh

The Great I am, He is Yahweh

The Lord of All, He is Yahweh

Rose of Sharon, He is Yahweh

The Righteous Son, He is Yahweh

The Three-in-one, He is Yahweh

Who is He that makes me happy

Who is He that gives me peace

Who is He that brings me comfort

And turns the bitter into sweet

Who is stirring up my passion

Who is rising up in me

Who is filling up my hunger, with everything I need. (Chorus)

You are holy and eternal

And forever You will reign

Every knee will bow before You

Every tongue will confess Your name

All the angels give You glory

As they stand before Your throne

And here on Earth we gather

To declare Your name alone. (Chorus)

I'm so Glad You're Here/The Same Power

2010-11-14T00:22:00.000-05:00

Jesus, I'll put you FIRST in my life NO ONE else will do.

I'll spend the rest of my life in Your house, giving all to you!

The same power that conquered the grave lives in me.

Your love that rescues the earth lives in me!

I LOVE THIS!

Psalm 25 : )

2010-11-13T09:20:00.000-05:00

O Lord, I come before you in prayer.

My God, I trust in you.
Please do not let me be humiliated;
do not let my enemies triumphantly rejoice over me!

Certainly none who rely on you will be humiliated.
Those who deal in treachery will be thwarted and humiliated.

Make me understand your ways, O Lord!
Teach me your paths!

Guide me into your truth and teach me.
For you are the God who delivers me;
on you I rely all day long.

Remember your compassionate and faithful deeds, O Lord,
for you have always acted in this manner.

Do not hold against me the sins of my youth or my rebellious acts!
Because you are faithful to me, extend to me your favor, O Lord!

The Lord is both kind and fair;
that is why he teaches sinners the right way to live.

May he show the humble what is right!
May he teach the humble his way!

The Lord always proves faithful and reliable
to those who follow the demands of his covenant.

For the sake of your reputation, O Lord,
forgive my sin, because it is great.

The Lord shows his faithful followers
the way they should live.

They experience his favor;
their descendants inherit the land.

The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance,
and he reveals his covenantal demands to them.

I continually look to the Lord for help,
for he will free my feet from the enemy’s net.

Turn toward me and have mercy on me,
for I am alone and oppressed!

Deliver me from my distress;
rescue me from my suffering!

See my pain and suffering!
Forgive all my sins!

Watch my enemies, for they outnumber me;
they hate me and want to harm me.

Protect me and deliver me!
Please do not let me be humiliated,
for I have taken shelter in you!

May integrity and godliness protect me,
for I rely on you!

O God, rescue Israel
from all their distress!

Good Mornting!!!!

2010-11-13T09:01:00.001-05:00

Yes I said good mornTing... Just like Medea!

It is 8:30 am, the sun is rising and it is Saturday! I am in a chipper mood. Surprisingly. I just spent the las 6ish hours on the computer, by myself. I was doing important things. My head probably needs a break, as well as my eyes and left shoulder... But, my spirit is lifted up!

I have been listening to the IHOP prayer room, the archives, but still AMAZING! Just soaking in the love and music of heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ! What a night. I am tired but at the same time I'm not. I wish I were up earlier in the morning, but I don't want to go to bed at 9 o' clock just so I can get up early to see the Sun rising.

I spent 2 hours talking to Jesus, and getting a little refresher on life. Then I spent an hour laying out my thoughts on Harry Potter. Apparantly, I hate things that start with the letter H because I hate Harry Potter and Halloween... Anyway. After that I posted a blog, shared some thoughts with some girl friends of mine, and then replied to some other posts about prayer, halloween, and kids being in worship services. Somehow I now find myself here at almost 9 in the morning.

How did this happen? How did the time fly so fast? It seems like Jen just went to bed, but here I am, 9 am and she went to bed before Jimmy Fallon was even over..... It just doesn't seem right. I am sleepy, and I feel like I need sleep, but I wish I didn't. I want to be awake for the sunshine! Not like it matters because I have no coffee and no money for coffee. I even thought about going to Denny's for breakfast, but nope... no money.

I'm rambling, but it feels so good to be sitting here as the sun is going up. I'm loving the beauty of the morning. I'm loving the mercy of it. It sweeps me away from the cares of yesterday. As I listen to worship being given in honor of the most amazing person ever, I am just stunned by the day, and even more by the one who brings it! He is the King of Glory. I am His beloved, and He is mine! A beautiful day given by a beautiful man!

The Lord owns the earth and all it contains,
the world and all who live in it.

For he set its foundation upon the seas,
and established it upon the ocean currents.

Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may go up to his holy dwelling place?

The one whose deeds are blameless
and whose motives are pure,
who does not lie,
or make promises with no intention of keeping them.

Such godly people are rewarded by the Lord,
and vindicated by the God who delivers them.

Such purity characterizes the people who seek his favor,
Jacob’s descendants, who pray to him. (Selah)

Look up, you gates!
Rise up, you eternal doors!
Then the majestic king will enter!

Who is this majestic king?
The Lord who is strong and mighty!
The Lord who is mighty in battle!

Look up, you gates!
Rise up, you eternal doors!
Then the majestic king will enter!

Who is this majestic king?
The Lord who commands armies!
He is the majestic king! (Selah)

New Website!!!

2010-11-13T03:36:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to have launched my website tonight!!!!

Please come check it out, and support me!

www.wix.com/amywright/support

Old Friends, New Hope

2010-11-12T04:47:00.000-05:00

Life has been pretty rough for me these last few weeks, especially in the area of money. I only worked 2 days in 2 weeks, which means I've only made less than $100. This is not good, seeing that I have rent to pay, along with food, gas, and other things to buy. Tonight just put me through. I was pulled over for a broken tail light/missing break light. Now, my windshield is busted as well. So the police officer takes my license, and comes back to me a few minutes later. He says to me "Well, I wrote you a ticket, but its for the lesser of the 3 evils." Apparantly my tags are expired because the car belonged to my brother and his birthday is in October. It is November and they haven't been renewed. On top of all of this, I'm supposed to drive places. I have a job to go to, and church. I need to get milk from the store!

So, this excursion happened as I was pulling into the parking lot at work. I go in the building, late, and when I'm in the middle of work, they call over the speaker "someones car lights are on." Whose lights are they? That's right! Mine! Thankfully my car was able to start and I did not get pulled over on the way home.

After work and all of this, I come into the house, get something to eat, watch a little tv and decide to get online before bed. I hop on facebook just to see whats up, and turn on the prayer room. As I'm looking around, checking out my friends lives for the evening, someone sends me a message. I look to see and its one of my greatest friends!

I haven't talked to this person in months. I'm pretty sure its been at least a year! We used to talk on the phone at least once a week, and we surely would text almost every day. I'm still not sure how we happened to be online at the same moment, and I'm actually quite surprised that he started talking to me. We had a few conversations, about drinks - specifically coffee vs. water, and dates - that we don't have them, but it was like no time had passed since we last spoke.

Now after a lame night of a getting ticket and not having milk, it was nice to catch up with an old friend, which brings me to my point here. This friend of mine, with whom I spent almost 2 hours instant messaging, gave me some hope. Just talking to someone else who is human and makes mistakes, and knowing mistakes they've made helps me to put my life into perspective. I don't always have things right, and can get bummed out pretty easily, but he doesn't care. My friends know that I make mistakes, but they love me anyway. i know that he's made mistakes, but I don't care. Just because we haven't talked in a while, or because I don't have money, that doesn't change our friendship. I still care about him, and he still cares about me.

I enjoy the friends that I can call or text or email after not talking for a year, and pick up conversation, whether serious or silly, and just talk. It gives me hope. When you're on a night schedule, and sleep until 2 or 3 in the afternoon because you went to bed at 5 am, there isn't much for people. But talking to an old friend gives hope that you're not alone.

Jesus is the same exact way. No matter what the circumstance of my life - whether I'm in a good mood or not, had a good day or not, got a ticket or not, bought milk or not, have money or not - He still gives hope. I can hop onto instant message (aka prayer) and share my life with Him. Lately I've been up and down in my relationship with Jesus and more distant than I should, but after talking with my friend tonight, I was given a glimmer of hope. In the same way that I can hope to share life with my friend again, I have hope to share life with Jesus again.

I am so thankful that Jesus never leaves me where I am, and always sends the right people just at the right time to lift me up, or to encourage me. He even leads me to messages without my knowing it, and every time it gives me hope. I am not lost. I am not alone. I have hope. His name is Jesus, and He gives new mercy every day.

I know that the money situation has gotten me down, but there is hope. I won't be broke forever. And even then, money is nothing to the Lord. He uses money, but he doesn't need it. Of course, as people who live in a world that operates on money, we do, but my hope is not in whether or not I have money. My hope is in Jesus Christ. My hope is in the future where I will be made complete in love. Even though I am extremely disappointed in my financial situation, I am not alone.

I love it when the Lord uses one little thing in my life to encourage me. An old friend of mine brought me new hope. What a simple way to speak to me. Thank you Jesus.

Heaven Is For Real

2010-11-06T11:51:00.001-04:00

I just finished reading this book called "Heaven is for Real" written by a man named Todd Burpo, with Lynn Vincent. What a Book!!!

Heaven is for Real, is a book written by a Father, telling the story of his four year old son's journey to heaven and back. During a major surgery, Colton Burpo went to heaven for "three minutes" where he sat on the Holy Spirit's lap, met his unborn sister, and was given revelation of the triune God, and His dwelling place. Over the seven years following, Colton revealed to his parents the things he had seen, and heard, including witness of what they were doing at the moment he was there.

This book was amazing. I was so encouraged by such a simple story of one child's eye into the heavenlies. I am a pretty quick reader, but even for me this was a fast and easy read. I enjoyed every moment of reading this book and didn't want to put it down. The stories especially about meeting Jesus melted my heart to the core. To hear a child describe heaven, the cross, the trinity, and the end times in simple terms with no Biblical "knowledge" blows my mind. I am going to recommend this book to everyone I know. If you are a person who wants to know God, this book is for you. It changed my perspective of relationship with Jesus. He really, really loves the children! And, he died so we could go see his Dad. This book is the best witness of childlike faith that I've ever heard!

I received this book for free by joining booksneeze.com and agreeing to review it here. I am not obligated to give it a positive rating. The opinions I've expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

No Wonder He's Called Holy

2010-11-04T02:55:00.002-04:00

Revelation

This book IS the proclamation of Jesus. It tells us who He is! Those who hear it, who understand it and keep it a central to their life will be blessed!

In Revelation chapter 1 alone Jesus is described as:

Firstborn of the dead (meaning more will be reborn).
King- ruler of all.
He's for real!! Not just an idea or made up figure. He is a person.
He's the faithful representation of God- He is true and does not lie, and He is the face of God.
He is Almighty- having unlimited power.
Feared- Revered- respected in worship.
He is and was and will be forever a man and God.
He is strong,
He's victorious- a conqueror
He is reigning- royal with authority and sovereignty- supremacy
He can buy us back to the Father, and has.
He has freed us from wickedness.- We can live right because of that freedom.
LOVE

Those who keep Jesus at the center of their being and affections will be blessed and will receive a limitless man who is more than words can express!

No wonder He's called Holy!

The Choice that Confronted Adam

2010-11-04T01:54:00.000-04:00

I just read this article and it was so eye opening. Adam had the ability to choose between full dependence on God (the tree of life) or dependence on Himself (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil)... What a choice!

The Choice that Confronted Adam

God planted a great number of trees in the garden of Eden, but “in the midst of the garden”—that is, in a place of special prominence—He planted two trees, the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam was created innocent; he had no knowledge of good and evil. Think of a grown man, say thirty years old, who has no sense of right or wrong, no power to differentiate between the two! Would you not say such a man was undeveloped? Well, that is exactly what Adam was. And God brings him into the garden and says to him, in effect, ‘Now the garden is full of trees, full of fruits, and of the fruit of every tree you may eat freely. But in the very midst of the garden is one tree called “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”; you must not eat of that, for in the day that you do so you will surely die. But remember, the name of the other tree close by is Life.’ What, then, is the meaning of these two trees? Adam was, so to speak, created morally neutral—neither sinful nor holy, but innocent—and God put those two trees there so that he might exercise free choice. He could choose the tree of life, or he could choose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Now the knowledge of good and evil, though forbidden to Adam, is not wrong in itself. Without it however Adam is in a sense limited in that he cannot decide for himself on moral issues. Judgment of right and wrong resides not in him but in God, and Adam’s only course when faced with any question is to refer it to Jehovah God. Thus you have a life in the garden which is totally dependent on God. These two trees, then, typify two deep principles; they represent two planes of life, the Divine and the human. The “tree of life” is God Himself, for God is life. He is the highest form of life, and He is also the source and goal of life. And the fruit: what is that? It is our Lord Jesus Christ. You cannot eat the tree but you can eat the fruit. No one is able to receive God as God, but we can receive the Lord Jesus. The fruit is the edible part, the receivable part of the tree. So—may I say it reverently?—the Lord Jesus is really God in a receivable form. God in Christ we can receive.

If Adam should take of the tree of life, he would partake of the life of God and thus become a ‘son’ of God, in the sense of having in him a life that derived from God. There you would have God’s life in union with man: a race of men having the life of God in them and living in constant dependence upon God for that life. If on the other hand Adam should turn the other way and take the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, then he would develop his own manhood along natural lines apart from God. Reaching a peak of attainment as a self-sufficient being, he would have the power in himself to form independent judgment, but he would have no life from God.

So this was the alternative that lay before him. Choosing the way of the Spirit, the way of obedience, he could become a ‘son’ of God, living in dependence upon God for his life; or, taking the natural course, he could put the finishing touch to himself, as it were, by becoming a self-dependent being, judging and acting apart from God. The history of humanity is the outcome of the choice he made.

Charles Finney

2010-10-31T14:53:00.002-04:00

The church must take right ground in regard to politics. Do not suppose, now, that I am going to preach a political sermon, or that I wish to have you join and get up a Christian party in politics. No, I do not believe in that. But the time has come that Christians must vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics, or the Lord will curse them. They must be honest men themselves, and instead of voting for a man because he belongs to their party, Bank or Anti-Bank, Jackson, or Anti-Jackson, they must find out whether he is honest and upright, and fit to be trusted. They must let the world see that the church will uphold no man in office, who is known to be a knave, or an adulterer, or a Sabbath-breaker, or a gambler, or a drunkard. Such is the spread of intelligence and the facility of communication in our country, that every man can know for whom he gives his vote. And if he will give his vote only for honest men, the country will be obliged to have upright rulers. All parties will be compelled to put up honest men as candidates. Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter. But the time has come when they must act differently, or God will curse the nation, and withdraw his spirit. As on the subject of slavery and temperance, so on this subject, the church must act right or the country will be ruined. God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the church will take right ground. Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God. It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation were becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you, he does see it, and he will bless or curse this nation, according to the course they take.

Bread of Life

2010-10-31T14:19:00.000-04:00

Bread of Life

Sent down from Glory

Many things you were on earth

A holy King, a carpenter

Cause you are the Living Word

Bread of Heaven

Sent down from Glory

Many things you were on earth

A holy King, a Comforter

Cause you are the Living Word

Awesome ruler

Gentle redeemer

God with us the Living Truth

And what a friend we have in You

Jesus, Jesus

That's what we call you

Manger born but on a tree

You died to save humanity

Kiss The Son

2010-10-18T16:37:00.003-04:00

When you've been broken, broken to pieces.
And Your heart begins to faint
'cause you don't understand.
And when there is nothing to rake from the ashes.
And you can't even walk
onto the fields of praise.

But I bow down and kiss the Son.
Oh, and I bow down and kiss the Son.

Let the praise of the Lord be in my mouth.
Let the praise of the Lord be in my mouth.

Well, though You slay me, I will trust You, Lord.
Well, though You slay me, I will trust You, Lord.
Though You slay me, I will trust You, Lord.
Though You slay me, I will trust You, Lord.

When the rock falls, falls upon you.
And you get ground to dust
no music for your pain.
You open the windows, the windows of heaven.
And then You opened me
and You crushed me like a rose.

ITS THE JOY OF BEING LOVESICK, THE PLEASURES OF LOVING YOU!

2010-10-15T10:55:00.000-04:00

So, I was totally awake at 4am and Jesus was pouring his love out on me SO richly, sweetly and beautifully. It was like NOTHING I have EVER experienced before!

Just want to share my journal entry.....

4AM

Listening to Cory Asbury's Worship with the Word set from September 21. I started to go to sleep.That is I laid down to sleep and was and was saying a quick bedtime prayer, but it turned into a revelation of eternity and a moment with Jesus. So now, here I am in the middle of the night having a heart to heart with the Lord, at 4 am when I should be sleeping. But OH MY, IS IT GOOD! Oh my, Is HE GOOD! My soul sings. My soul sings. My soul sings. How I love you!

I was praying for wisdom and revelation and got hit with joy and overwhelming gladness. All of a sudden I started thinking about heaven. Not what it looks like physically, but what it is like spiritually. I saw dancing and singing and singing. I saw the most joy that I've ever seen. heaven is full -- OVERFLOWING -- with pleasure, not in things, but in the Lord. The love is SO GOOD!

I've just been overwhelmed with the perfect love of Jesus. He is so beautiful! I've never felt the Lord like this before. So pure. So rich. I can't even explain how I feel its that good! The longing in my heart for more just got bigger. I want this for everyday of my life! My hunger just got bigger, and this is what we get for eternity. Jesus' love is better!

This is definitely a top moment with God. I just imagined Jesus coming to me at the second coming and saying "Remember that night when you turned on the web stream to go to sleep and I poured out my presence and my love on you? Remember how you felt, and cried, and worshiped me? Do you remember? I love you. oh Amy, I remember. I remember how you loved me and we just had an awesome time in love! I love you. I remember, and I love it! Oh Amy. How I love you!

Abide In My Love

2010-10-14T00:44:00.000-04:00

There's just something about God's timing that gets me. I've been struggling lately to keep up with Him, and realized that I've just not been taking time for Him. I haven't listened to a message by any House of Prayer personnel, or by anyone for that matter.

I just happened to pick up my IPOD yesterday and turn on a message by Billy Humphrey (who is one of my favorite speakers/teachers) and it just happens to be the message that I need to hear right at that time in my life, and moment in my day. I've been feeling so dry lately, and out of touch with God, and I've realized that its because I do not know Him!

What a statement. I do not know God. I know a lot about God, but He is not real to me. If He were real to me then wouldn't I be searching for Him? I'm not saying that I don't believe in Him, or that I'm not a Christian. I am saying that I really do not know God.

How many people know about Jesus? Now how many people really know Jesus? I am one who knows a lot about Him, but I really don't know Him.

One of the things that Billy said that really got me was this: Love is the reason for our being. Everything else is secondary.

Prayer is important. Bible reading is important. Going to church is important. Telling others about Jesus is important. Doing good works is important. BUT NOTHING COMPARES to the importance of LOVE with Jesus! If I don't know Him, how can I love him? I can love what He does, but I cannot love Him.

The only way to do life is to love. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength! Abide in His love.

Abiding in love, living a life in love with Him, sitting daily with Him and just being with Him is it. If this fails, then all else fails!

That is where I've failed. I have not recognized my failure and my death. Unless I recognize that I am dead without Him, then I'm totally lost. If cannot recognize that He loves me even when I am failing and while I was dead, then I am totally lost. I must understand that was born as an object of wrath...

BUT...Because of His love for me, and because of his grace and mercy, I have been made alive and seated with Him in heavenly places. This is a past tense thing. Because of this, I can stand and come boldly to Him. I and hunger for Him and I can know Him.

It's time consuming to spend time with Him. It takes time to know Him and to love Him. But that's the beauty of it. If I really want to know Him and to love Him, and to truly know His love for me, I will make time for Him. He isn't a distant God. He is near. If I abide in Him, everything else will find its time.

Now is the time to abide in love. Now is the time to know Him. Now is the time to come to Him and to make time for Him. Now is the time to draw near. Soon will come a time where everything is being shaken, and if I cannot abide in Him now, how will I trust Him then? Now is the time to know Him. Now is the time to love Him. Now is the time for Love!

I'm a little out of shape... I haven't walked in 2 months!

2010-10-12T13:38:00.000-04:00

Healing

2010-10-11T16:14:00.000-04:00

Last night was so amazing! Jen and I went to see a healing evangelist at her church and God used him to heal so so many people! The best part was that what he did last night isn't limited to a church service with a man who has the gift of healing! Anyone can heal, and God can touch anyone and heal them at any time! It was so encouraging to me and reminded me that we should all (as Christians) be walking in such a way that God can use us to perform miracles, and to lead people to Christ on a daily basis!

I am so excited about what God is doing in the earth, and especially in my life. I'm beginning to realize that I am not living my full potential. And I think that many Christians don't because we have so much fear of man. So, one of my goals for my new year is to talk to at least 3 people about Jesus every week. I am going to step out of my comfort zone and do some things I've never done. This is one of them. Its not that I've never talked to people about God, but I mostly talk to people I feel comfortable with, or wait until I'm doing some type ministry thing where its a focus.

God is bigger than any other god, and any man. So why do I live in fear of man? I should be fearing God, and bold in doing his work. Hiding under a rock is not going to make me a better person. The only thing that is going to make me a better person is by finding myself in HIS temple and then going out and sharing what I hear and see. He is the ultimate reward for this life, not just at the end of life but now. There are so many people who need to know him, and they can't know him unless they hear about him and cannot hear about him unless someone will tell them.What better way to tell them than to show them through healing and deliverance!

Testimony Bout Jesus

2010-10-11T01:19:00.000-04:00

I have a testimony bout Jesus. He carries me through my worst storms. I only call on Jesus. I'm leaning on his everlasting arms!

Birthdays

2010-10-10T16:20:00.000-04:00

My birthday is coming up, and every year I think about how this is the real new year! Yes, January 1st is the new year that we all celebrate, but really it's only a "new year" for those who change age. For the rest of us its just a new partial year... for me its just after my new year. So, technically, we all have our own new year. Some people share new years, (For instance, I share my birthday month day and year with the Family Video guy in Flint, how cool!) but many don't know who they share it with.

Anyway, I'm mentioning this to mention that I have a new year coming up. And to celebrate this new year, I am going to do some new things. First of all, I'm going to spend more time in the word and in prayer. One can never go wrong with that! I'm working on the details right now, but I also am going to find a way to make it to school. Whether that is Kansas City or Flint, I am going to make a way. I'm really excited about this new journey that I'm going on, and I'm looking for prayers and financial support, so I will be posting more details when they come about.

But for now I just want to say Happy New Year! To anyone who has a birthday on October 26th, Happy New Year. Make this a year of stretching and growing, and a year of blessing and fun!

You're So Beautiful

2010-08-19T14:20:00.000-04:00

I feel like Funny Man Dan. The title of this blog has absolutely nothing to do with what I'm about to write, and what you're about to read!

Life has been crazy lately. I finally have a day off, 2 actually, and during the week. I basically work every day all day. When I get a night off from Kohl's, I usually sit around all night watching Gilmore Girls or the news or whatever might be on and interesting. I haven't gtten a lot of sleep lately, so last night I went to bed at 3 (after working and watching sme tv) and didn't set my alarm. I woke up at 11:21, got up about 11:23 and then have been sitting at home doing nothing. What a day!

I'm kind of in an artsy mood right now, wanting to create something. Maybe. I also might finish painting the kitchen wall, or watch some Gilmore Girls, or go to B&N for coffee and a book.

I don't have a lot to say, just thinking about what life can be, and hoping that I'll be able to get to where I want to go in the next year. In just over a month, I'll be getting a car, a junky one, but a car nonetheless... Not sure how I'm going to pay for it. It will be a huge relief though. Hopefully, also, I will be finished paying my parents by November 1st. After that I will be free to save money and maybe next year move to Kansas City. OR whatever God has for me. Just to have more of him would be amazing, as it always is.

Well, I am off... Off to chill with my best friend while I finish painting the kitchen wall!

<3LOVE<3

Last Day : (

2010-05-09T21:26:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow we leave from Texas for home.... still will post more about the trip, but not right now. I'm about to go to Subway so that I will have food for tomorrow for cheap. Airport food is way too expensive. Just don't tell my boss that I ate there ; )

Tomorrow, Nate leaves for Tech school, but doesn't start until June 1st. After that (sometime August/September) he will get to come home for 2 weeks, I think, before he ships off for duty. Not sure yet where he'll be stationed, but he was thinking Japan. We'll see I guess.

When I get home, I'll post more, but we've been getting up early, so I'm usually tired now by about 8 or soon after. And we've been so busy that this definitely comes secondary to my vaca!

Goodnight everyone and God Bless!

Jesus

2010-05-08T01:19:00.000-04:00

I am in Texas, having a great time. Everyone else is sleeping right now, but since I took a 3 hour nap, I'll be the last to fall asleep.

I will post pictures and details of the trip later because right now I'm listening to one of my favorite singers from the House of Prayer, from about 3 days ago. And I just wanted a place holder for his song.

Come with the light of your countenance, come with the light of your grace and draw me in.

Wow, what a prayer for bedtime! Draw me into your presence Lord, by your grace and the light of your countenance. I love Jesus, and would have it no other way.

Let the light of your face shine down on my heart, and let me feel it! I love you Jesus!

TEXAS!

2010-05-01T00:30:00.000-04:00

4 MORE DAYS UNTIL I'M THERE, SON!

I am going to Texas to see my brother graduate from Air Force Basic Training. I miss him! My brother is going to be a real man with a real job.

I am SO proud of my little brother Airman Nathan Edward Wright!

(so is SWC, our adopted bro)

I'm Afraid Of...

2010-04-20T00:35:00.002-04:00

the bus!

I have to ride the bus downtown tomorrow, and I am a little nervous because it's my first time. Luckily, it will only take 20 minutes, so I should be O.K.

New Job: Here I Come!

In Love with Jesus

2010-04-05T00:47:00.000-04:00

I just have to say that I am so in love with Jesus. He is so amazing, and I can't express enough how full I feel with love right now! Ephesians 4:18 is my prayer for life.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide how long, how high, and how deep His love is!

I want the power to understand His love, not just what He did for me, but who He is, and 1 John 4:8 tells me

...God is love

I want to know this God. I want to know this love. And not to just know His name, but to be full of this God and this love! I know that love is not just a feeling, but the more you live in the act of love, the more the feelings follow! We may not always feel love, but can always experience love.

God is love and I want to experience Him and feel Him. Ephesians 4:19

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

I want to be filled up to all the fullness of God!

More Lord!!!

Because of Your Love

2010-04-04T23:50:00.003-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8d0Nh_CXKw

Jesus you endured my pain

Savior you bore all my shame

All because of your love

Maker of the universe,

Broken for the sins of earth

All because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of your blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life I freely give

Because of your love

Because of your love, I live!

Innocent and Holy King

Died to set the captives free

All because of your love

Lord you gave your life for me

So I will live my life for you

All because of your love

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of you blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life I freely give

Because of your love

Because of your love I live

You did it for me

You did it for love

It's your victory

Jesus you are enough

You did it for me

You did it for love

It's your victory

Jesus you are enough

You did it for me

You did it for love

It's your victory

Jesus you are enough

Because of your cross my debt is paid

Because of you blood my sins are washed away

Now all of my life I freely give

Because of your love

Because of your love I live

Phil Wickham

2010-04-04T01:22:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to say that I love Phil Wickham! His music is amazing, and his love for Jesus is what makes it so good!. I heard this song for the first time tonight, and I love it. Can't wait to buy more of his songs

YouTube - Always Forever-Phil Wickham

Why Celebrate Passover??? Because it is all about Jesus!!

2010-04-03T12:18:00.000-04:00

Here is a word from Chuck Pierce about passover, that tells how we came to celebrate Easter instead, and why we should not forget about passover.

The ElijahList - Prophetic Words and Prophecies

Am I Crazy?

2010-04-03T00:50:00.001-04:00

Do you want to know how to tell if someone is crazy or not? Crazy people don't go around wondering if they are crazy.

I know that isn't quoted exactly correct, but its close enough. I guess I'm not crazy, but it has been a crazy few days. My computer was down, so I was using my roommates for the last week. I finally was able to fix mine, but even though it was working, it wasn't working correctly. The last few days every time I tried to get on the internet, it worked but I wasn't able to use the search bar for anything. It always gave me some error, except for going to Google. So, I had to use Google to search for everything! Then, it wouldn't download anything either. I kept getting the same error message, so I Google'd it and someone said to try using a different computer to download a different version of Internet Explorer to a usb and then transfer it. I tried this, but then the internet wouldn't open at all. Finally, I decided to just get rid of IE7, and somehow that fixed v.6. So, now after 3 days of being frustrated, my computer is back up and running, so far smoothly, and I am running Google Chrome which seems to work better than IE.

Other than that, I worked at Quiznos and left early to go to my other job at Kohls and when I got there, after answering 2 phone calls and waiting for my supervisor to get back to me after paging him, I found out that there was no ad! I went into the office to talk to a manager because I had clocked in someone else, and she asked me to stay to fold clothes. Come to find out,the manager I talked to on the phone meant next Thursday. How did I miss that?

After all of this, I was able to sit down and watch a movie (that I will recommend to anyone and everyone) about a man who's wife disappears and then he finds out 10 years later that she lives 10 minutes away! It is an amazing story about redemption, and it definitely is going on my top list of movies! It is called "No Greater Love", and you should check it out.

Well, that is all for me. I need to get to sleep!

Goodnight everyone, and God Bless!

and p.s. - watch No Greater Love!!! <3

The Timing of the "Rapture"

2010-03-30T02:40:00.000-04:00

For my own reference...

Problems with the pre-tribulational view are highlighted by Baptist (and premillennial) theologian Dale Moody, who wrote:

"Belief in a pre-tribulational rapture . . . contradicts all three chapters in the New Testament that mention the tribulation and the rapture together (Mark 13:24–27; Matt. 24:26–31; 2 Thess. 2:1–12). . . . The theory is so biblically bankrupt that the usual defense is made using three passages that do not even mention a tribulation (John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 Cor. 15:52). These are important passages, but they have not had one word to say about a pre-tribulational rapture. The score is 3 to 0, three passages for a post-tribulational rapture and three that say nothing on the subject. . . . Pre-tribulationism is biblically bankrupt and does not know it" (The Word of Truth, 556–7).

Quote of the Day

2010-03-30T02:30:00.000-04:00

If this requirement for ALL people to buy insurance is held up in court, then the Government will be able to force people to take whatever they so impose. And you wondered how the coming system would require people to take a mark? Now you know - thru the law.

- Chris Gregory

It's a Love-Hate Relationship

2010-03-28T03:05:00.000-04:00

Life... yeah. i know what your thinking: "This is going to be just a boring ramble." Well, I will have you know.... it probably is. But it is my life so I can say whatever I want!

(just wanted to clarify that there)

Really though, isn't life a Love-Hate relationship?

Some days I am content with where I am at. I am free from sin and death, Jesus Christ lives inside of me, I have a great family, and wonderful (might I add extremely understanding) roommates. I'm single and I can do what I want!

Other days though, I am feeling so crazy like I just want to hide in a corner and be a party pooper at my own party!

I listen to so many teachings and lots of encouraging words from other people and feel like I am on top of the world. Then the very next day I am saying "Woe is me!" And crying on the couch in the fetal position. Why does life feel like a never ending rollercoaster? Today I'm up. Tomorrow I'm down.

If you have the answer to this question, please just tell me now so that I won't be wondering for the rest of my life.

My best guess, is that this is just how life is. Maybe its choices I've made, maybe its the devil, maybe it's just a result of being human. Whatever it is, I know that I can't change it. Yes, I can change how I will respond, but I cannot always change the circumstances I am faced with.

Yesterday I was fine most of the day, and then for some reason at night became very lonely. I am not sure where this came from, but I started to think about things I want to accomplish this year, and places that I want to be in the next couple of years and it just seemed all so overwhelming. Then, I opened my e-mail, just to read some things and get it cleared out, and what happened? I read like 5 e-mails that all gave me the Word of God! Just when I thought I was "down and out", God stepped in with a few e-mails from people that I don't even know personally. I think I wrote 4 pages in my journal, some of the things I read, and some my own thoughts and feelings. Then I realized? The feeling of lonliness had left!?!

My reason for explaining all of this is just to say, that I serve an amazing God! Just when I thought I was alone, and needed Him (at that time) the most, just a few words changed what I was thinking and feeling. Yes, I want to get married. Yes, I have dreams and goals that I want to accomplish, but for that moment in time, I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing. I was fellowshiping with my creator, my dad, my best friend, and my lover.

Life may seem like a Love-Hate relationship, but as long as I am with the one my soul loves, I will be right where I need to be. Life and time will forever be a passing and fleeting moment until He returns and takes me to really be with Him forever. And in that day I will only be at the height of my emotions of Love, Joy, Peace and Righteousness!

It's a Love-Hate relationship, but someday soon, there will be nothing to hate and only love to go around. : )

It's Time

2010-03-23T01:11:00.001-04:00

The church needs to repent. Not just of sin, but of living differently than what she says. We need to change our mindset and to speak the truth. The kingdom of heaven is not a wimpy heaven. It isn't a wimpy kingdom. It is forcefully advancing and the church needs to repent of being wimpy! It's time to turn off the tv and internet, and it's tie to start living violently for Jesus! We need to get on our knees and start having a relationship with Jesus,the man Christ Jesus who is the Messiah. He is not just a spirit, but he has a physical body and will return to the earth. Woe to the one who does not know Him because he will mourn at His coming. It's time to get before him and to know Him, not just to know about Him. It's time to start living in the fire and not just dancing around it. It's time for us to live lives that are real, that are full of truth. Not just speaking truth, but being true in every way. Its time to quit looking at things that don't satisfy, but only bring burdens. If we are really Christians, we are alive because He is alive! We are seated in heavenly realms and have authority and dominion. It's time we start living in the fullness of God, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, and speaking the truth of Jesus Christ. He is coming soon! You won't make it if you do not get yourself ready. You must fall on the rock, otherwise He will fall on you, and you will mourn. That is when you will say "Lord did I not do?" And he will say, "I never knew you." BUT, Come now to the water; drink and you will never thirst again! Come to the living water that never runs dry. Come now while you still have time. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand! The kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing and the violent will take it by force. It's time to sell everything to follow him; to be his disciple; to sit at His feet and to know Him so that when the day of trouble comes you will not mourn but will rejoice knowing that your reward is close by! Don't wait, or else it will be too late! "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Will you be ready for Jesus when He comes? Or will you fall away because of your offense at Him? Time is running out! It's time to get ready!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWZLT6Ybo1E

SHALL I ROUSE MYSELF UP TO THIS?

2010-03-18T01:07:00.000-04:00

Today's reading from My Utmost for His Highest- Is it a coincidence that that this goes right with the changes I'm trying to make? Thanks God! (Please Read my previous post first!)

“Perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1

"Having therefore these promises." I claim the fulfillment of God's promises, and rightly, but that is only the human side; the Divine side is that through the promises I recognize God's claim on me. For instance, am I realizing that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, or have I a habit of body that plainly will not bear the light of God on it? By sanctification the Son of God is formed in me, then I have to transform my natural life into a spiritual life by obedience to Him. God educates us down to the scruple. When He begins to check, do not confer with flesh and blood, cleanse yourself at once. Keep yourself cleansed in your daily walk.

I have to cleanse myself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit until both are in accord with the nature of God. Is the mind of my spirit in perfect agreement with the life of the Son of God in me, or am I insubordinate in intellect? Am I forming the mind of Christ, Who never spoke from His right to Himself, but maintained an inner watchfulness whereby He continually submitted His spirit to His Father? I have the responsibility of keeping my spirit in agreement with His Spirit, and by degrees Jesus lifts me up to where He lived - in perfect consecration to His Father's will, paying no attention to any other thing. Am I perfecting this type of holiness in the fear of God? Is God getting His way with me, and are other people beginning to see God in my life more and more?

Be serious with God and leave the rest gaily alone. Put God first literally.

I Declare A New Season

2010-03-18T00:43:00.000-04:00

I am so happy. Today has been an amazing day! I don't even know why I was in such a good mood. I was supposed to work out, but that didn't happen. I WILL go tomorrow. At least twice a week will be good, but 3 is what I'm aiming for. So, in lieu of "March Madness" I am going to go crazy, and make some major changes in my life.

I listened to a teaching last night about having faith in the end of the age, and Ryan Meegan said something really awesome about living a life of prayer, basically saying that if you want to live a life of prayer, you need to live a life of prayer. It isn't always bad things that distract us, but it can be good things.

I have decided to work out because I think that it would help me to feel better about life in general, and definitely would help me to get healthier. I also am planning to change some habits that I have. One being my sleeping habit. I sleep way too much, so with getting my job back at Kohl's I will be working different hours - day hours, which is going to force me to get back on a "normal" schedule. The other major change being my Christian life in general. I have had a lot of intentions lately that I haven't been giving any follow through. Since I heard the quote "Your direction, not your intentions, determines your destination," I have been trying to set up some direction for my life. I have a lot of intentions, but have not set myself in a direction. God convicted me of this last night. Through a message from 2007, (the one I spoke of before) God pretty much told me that I watch too much tv, with the example that Ryan used. I have been wanting to live a life of prayer (including fasting, Bible reading and study) and it has become an intention but no a direction. With a word from a trusted friend on Sunday as well as the youth pastor, God told me that I need to start taking responsibility for my own life, which includes all that I have listed above.

So, because of this change, I have decided to cut my hair to symbolize a fresh start. Or a 'resolution' if you'd like to call it that. I am going to be a different person. I know that it will take time, but it will happen.

This probably is starting to sound like jibberish, so I will stop writing, but I just wanted to share that I am declaring a new season for my life! I am excited and cannot wait to see where the Lord takes me.

So, goodnight all! (or good day, if you are reading this during the day) I'm off to do what I am focusing myself to do.

New Haircut!

2010-03-16T05:26:00.001-04:00

I am going to decide this week whether or not I will get my hair cut. If I do, it will look like this!

XPmedia.com - Word over the Pacific Rim Pt1

2010-03-16T01:56:00.001-04:00

XPmedia.com - Word over the Pacific Rim Pt1

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Regeneration

2010-03-15T18:47:00.000-04:00

Free-will is the ability to choose between right and wrong.
Free-Agency means that you will choose what your heart really wants.

If you are regenerated, then your heart wants too choose to be righetous and to do the right thing
If you have not been regenerated then your heart will want to choose wicked or evil things.

So, based on whether you have been regenerated or not, you will use your free will to choose what your heart really wants!

Its kind of a hard concept to grasp, but once you get it, it will change your outlook on salvation altogether!

Identity Theft?

2010-03-13T17:21:00.000-05:00

In the last couple of days I have decided, and begun, to delete my profile on myspace. I don't use it, except to check it like once a week, but never have anything there. So, what's the point? Apparantly, there isn't point in having one. It's funny because I used to only have a myspace, and then got facebook, but only because I had friends on facebook that did not have a myspace. Now? NO ONE uses myspace. Well, maybe they do, but they never contact me. And besides, I have a facebook and pretty much everyone has that. If they don't then I guess whatever. Basically in the last year (just about) I have kept myspace only because I have pictures and a blog there. So, I have been going through and saving my pictures, and copying and pasting my blog to my computer as well.

Anyway, the reason I am writing this blog today is because I realized that there about 30 places on the internet that have my information. Some of it is places like myspace and Xanga... Seriously. Who has Xanga anymore? And other places are just websites where I've entered my information to receive some sort of update, promotion, or free thing, and so on. How crazy is that?!? I didn't realize it until this week, but how many times have I entered my name, e-mail, and address or credit information over the internet? It is so ridiculous!!! I just don't understand what has gone through my mind. Who in their right mind would just hand over their personal information to just anyone? I hate to say it, but ME! *Raises Hand* Well, I guess maybe I wasn't in my right mind.

But just think about it. How many places really do have my information? Could any of them steal my identity? Sometime in February, as I was looking for a job, I signed up for this site to "verify myself." Looking from the inside out, it seems like a good idea to do. Verify that you are a person and that you have a good background and then if someone tries to hire you from a job website, send that info to them. Looking back... NOT a good idea! Why? Well, first of all, I didn't check to see if this site was legit anyway, so I entered my info -using my bank account- and what happened? I got $35 taken out by a pornographic website!!! Now that was just stupidity on my part, but how many people do this type of thing every day? I would probably guess 8 or 9 out of 10.

So, in view of all of this, I am just wondering: what kind of person do I want to be?

This question doesn't seem to quite fit the story here, but do I want to be someone who is naive and honestly just an idiot? Only an idiot would sign up for website after website and free promo after free promo. I have been that idiot. I will admit that in my idiocy (if that's a word) I have done many many many stupid and irresponsibile things, but I think from now on I will begin to make better choices.

I don't think the my identity will be stolen, but there are ways it could happen, and I don't want to be so naive that I convince myself it never will, but that isn't really the point here. The point is that I sometimes can just be plain dumb, and giving out my information to so many places like photobucket and other picture websites, or myspace type sites, or even just giving my e-mail to "see" if a free promo is really free- those are dumb ideas!

I am not saying that facebook is bad, or that photobucket is bad, but I am saying that I need to think and act responsibly when it comes to giving out my e-mail and other personal information.

So, in Lieu of all this... I am deleting anything and everything that has my information that I can get a hold of, except for the few sites I actually do use on a regular basis!

The best part of it is, that I will be reading through my life in the past 5 years. That should be interesting. I'm hoping it's not too boring. It should be really exciting though, and it will be nice to look back on where I've come from. Also, I am going to share it here! Well, some of it. So, every once in a while I'm going to post some old posts that were originally posted on myspace, here on this website. I can't wait to have it all in one place! Oh the joy of a personal computer!!!!

BTW: if you are wondering. I cancelled that porn thing and got my money back! Thank the Lord!!!

Prayer House

2010-02-23T03:56:00.003-05:00

In the last 6 months or so, I have thought of the idea to build a prayer house in my backyard. I thought, "if I'm going to be an intecessory missionary, I should have a place to do what I'm called to do." I thought I'd like to have a room in my house that could be devoted to the Lord, for family prayer time, Bible reading, communion, or just for personal "devotional use," which is also a great idea. However, I want a place that I can go to be really alone; A place where I can take one weekend a year (as well as any other time day or night) to go out and be away from everything and everyone to go before the throne and be with my amazing God! I am so excited about this.

Sometimes I wish that I had a prayer room that I could go to in my apartment now, or even just my own space, but with 2 bedrooms and 4 people it isn't completely possible. Putting on my headphones and watching the IHOP prayer room helps, and even listening to my IPOD, but it just isn't the same.

So, I finally did it! I have been thinking about this "prayer house" for quite some time, and tonight I finally designed it. I know that in the future I may change things a bit, and maybe I'll even completely revamp it, but for now, I have something to go on. Obiously it will be time before this 'dream' will come to pass, but it is in my heart for my house to be a house of prayer. I want my family to be saturated in communion with Jesus. I want to be a person who lives for Him completely, and one who is devoted to Him. When I have a family someday, I want my children to be the same. They don't have to be intercessory missionaries, or prophets, or evangelists. I only want them to be who God is calling them to be, and what better way than to be, myself, what He calls me to be. I want to raise my family in prayer and fasting, and the Word of the Lord. Not just knowing that, but knowing the Lord of the Word!

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

So, here it is, the blueprint for my prayer house!

First Floor:

The Loft:

Quote of the Day

2010-02-21T23:31:00.000-05:00

Until we come into agreement and unity with God, we cannot come into unity and agreement with each other in the earth.

~ David Sliker

One Life

2010-02-13T05:09:00.001-05:00

One song can tell a story
One act can wake a dream
One seed can start a forest
One bird can herald spring

One smile begins a friendship
One friend can soothe a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One ship can bring you home

One voice can speak with courage
One heart can know what's true
One life can make a difference
One life belongs to you!

One hand begins a chain of love

The chain of love can change one nation
One candle lights a room
The love from One can bring a spark of hope
One hope can conquer gloom

One step begins a journey
One word begins a prayer
One prayer can heal a spirit
One touch can show you care

One voice can speak with courage
One heart can know what's true
One life can make a difference
One life belongs to you!

—Author Unknown

I Am Falling, Psalm 27

2010-02-12T03:39:00.002-05:00

"Lord I wanna love you.
Would you teach me how to love you?
Lord I wanna know the things that move your heart.

I am falling more in love with you, Jesus...

Burn the bridges.
Turn the tables over.
There is no peace until you come!"

Psalm 27:
4 One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

7 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, Lord will I seek.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord;
lead me in a straight path

13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodnes of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Time is Running Out!

2010-02-12T01:29:00.000-05:00

I wanna be found watching and waiting, anticipating your return.
I wanna be found watching and waiting, anticipating your return.
Give us eyes to see and ears to hear.

Time is running out. Time is running out. Time is running out.
Time is running out, you need to know me now. You need to plant yourself in me now.
I will come like a thief in the night. I will come so fast.
I will come so fast, time is running out.
Time is running out.

He says I'm coming soon. He says I'm coming soon.
He says, I'm coming soon.
Will you hear my voice?
Will you hear this warning now?
I'm giving you time right now.
Do you wanna be one with me? Do you wanna be one with me?
Time is running out! Time is running out!
I'm coming soon. I'm coming soon for my bride.
I'm coming soon for you. I'm coming soon for you.
Open up your eyes. Open up your heart.
Time is running out!

He's coming soon! He is coming soon!
The day is at hand.
The day is at hand, when Jesus will set foot on the earth.
Jesus will come for us.

Do your roots go down deep? Do your roots go down deep?
Do your roots go down deep? Are you planted like a tree?

I am coming for a pure and spotless bride.
I am coming for a pure and spotless bride.
Don't wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow may never come.
It may never come.
There's a door open now, and it cost me my son.
There's a door open now, and it cost me my son.
But I've made a way for you, I've made a way for you. I've made a way for you!
So come to me, says the Lord. Come to me, says the Lord.
Come to me now.

I hold all your dreams in my hand.
I hold restoration for your family in my hand.
I hold healing in my hand.
All your dreams are here in my hand.
I have not forgotten you.
Come to me, come to me.
I have made a way: my son.

Time is running out. You need to feel this urgency.
You need to feel this urgency in your spirit.
I am coming soon. I am coming soon.
Time is running out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWZLT6Ybo1E

This video was recorded a year and a half ago, but it still remains true. Time is running out! He is coming for a pure and spotless bride. We need get planted deep in Him, and become one with Him. Tomorrow might never come. So, we need to get ready! Don't let this be discouraging, but let it be a warning and a call to go deeper into His presence, and further after Him!

Captivating

2010-02-11T05:59:00.043-05:00

As I said in my last post, I'm reading the book "Captivating." I go to a small group on Tuesday nights and we have been reading this book together; a chapter on our own, and then a chapter together when we meet, and discussing both. Last week we read Chapter 9, and this one definitely impacted me the most out of all! The title is kind of strange, but as we read, it really hit my heart - and very deeply.

I'd like to post a few of the more major quotes from the book, that were of special interest to me:

The search for validation is the driving force in our lives.

You cannot take your Question to Adam. You cannot look to him for the validation of your soul.

Only God can tell you who you are. Only God can speak the answer you need to hear. The Romance with HIM comes first. It must. Adam (the man or men in your life) is a far too unreliable source - Amen!

Our core validation, our primary validation has to come from God. And until it does, until we look to Him for the healing of our souls, our relationships are really hurt by this looking-to-each-other for something only God can give.

A woman wants to feel beautiful. The strength of a good man makes her feel so. A man wants to feel strong. The beauty of a good woman makes him feel so.

A woman is at her best when she is being a woman.

Softness is key to a woman. Not weakness- softness.

How generous and lavish God is with his beauty toward us. he sends the sun each day; he sends music and laughter and so many notes to our hearts. But he also says 'You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.' (Jeremiah 29:13) That is a good way for a woman to live as well. Not defiant, not hiding, but alluring and watching to see if he wants to come closer.... Don't offer everything, but don't offer nothing.

As a woman comes alive, the men in her world will experience and enjoy her beauty, the richness of her feminine presence.

As I read this Chapter, I realized that I have been, for so long, looking for my validation in ALL of the wrong places. I have been giving my love to other things - including people - and all along the One thing I needed was simple: Jesus.

As a woman of God, I am not validated by my home. I am not validated by the family that I have. I am not validated by my parents. I am not validated by the fancy clothes I have, or the way I do my hair. I am not validated by my outward beauty, and I'm not even validated by my inward beauty, or the man in my life. My validation comes from Jesus, and Jesus alone! When I realize HIS beauty, and when I realize that HE is the one I need, only then will I run to Him, and only then will I be a valid person.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image"

This means that as that as we gaze on the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into His image. We become what we behold.

As David says in Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

If we become what we behold, then we will only become beautiful as we gaze upon the beauty of Jesus.

As a woman, I want to be beautiful. I want to be captivating. But my beauty and the way that I will captivate others is through "becoming what I behold." I am most beautiful when I am being a woman. And The way to be a true woman is to be who Jesus has called me to be- A reflection of His Beauty! I must look to him for my validation, otherwise, I will never be beautiful. I am only fulfilled and at my best when I am gazing on Jesus, and becoming like Him in every way.

I may not feel beautiful, but as I gaze upon His beauty, I become beautiful. He sees that I am perfect, just as He is perfect.

But my dove, my perfect one, is unique, the only daughter of her mother, the favorite of the one who bore her. ~ Song of Solomon 6:9

If I keep my eyes in a steady gaze on Him, I will become like Him, and that is what brings me validation and beauty. That is what makes me Captivating!

Beauty

2010-01-30T18:59:00.000-05:00

I'm reading the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge and as I'm reading it, I keep hearing and seeing more and more about beauty. Lately, I have not been feeling very beautiful. Especially this past week since I got the flu and then broke out in hives from an allergic reaction to some medication. I have so many thoughts on this, that I don't even know where to start.

Last night I went to a conference with Cecelia (my roommate) called Pure, Fierce, Beautiful. This totally went along with the book, and the theme that I think God is trying to teach me. I don't have time to go into it right now, but since I haven't posted in a few days, I figure I should save my spot.

I want to be captivating. I want true beauty. I want to be who God has created me to be. I want to live a life that is Pure Fierce and Beautiful, and I want others to see not be but HIM through me. And I want to be seen by Him.

more to come....

Prophetic Word for 2010!

2010-01-19T03:36:00.000-05:00

This word was written by a man named David Herzog... It is a great word from God for us. Don't give up hope on God's promises for you life, but keep contending for them. Meet HIM in your quiet place and love him freely and fully! Be blessed as you read :o)

2010 is a year to totally consecrate your life to His purpose in your life. Don't allow apathy and loss of hope and vision, or you will start to retreat. The spirit of "faith" and "overcoming" will start to invade Believers, that if they will even use the little strength or faith they do have and release it, it will move mountains in this year! Don't allow secular media to dictate how this year will go for you, but let God's Word and the prophecies over your life, city, ministry, business and nation be your standard. War with the prophecies that have been given to you as you begin to walk into them this year.

• Be wise in the transition as not to stop certain things "cold turkey," but gradually shift according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Romans 12:1 says, "Lay aside every weight..." This refers to breaking off patterns of sin this year that would destroy you, but it also refers to breaking patterns of works that were once fresh and that are now just dead works lacking the joy and freshness of the Holy Spirit. This is the year to run the race, aiming for the high calling of God on your life. Aim for the number one thing that you know you were born to do for His Glory. Start to take the first baby steps toward that "High" call, and it will start to awaken the fullness of this calling, the excitement of it, and the fresh power and grace to do it.

For the rest of this word (if you want to read more) visit http://www.elijahlist.com/

God Bless,
Amy

Be Baptized in Jesus' Name!

2010-01-17T07:04:00.003-05:00

In August of 2008 I flew to Pensacola, Florida for a month. While I was there I spent a lot of time sleeping, but not much time in the Word. However, the day before I left to fly home I was able to have a Bible study where I was changed forever. I have not mentioned this to many people because it has taken me some time to really come to terms with it myself. Not that I didn't understand it, it was mostly because I didn't know how to explain it. Jesus opened my eyes to learn that He is not 3 people. The Lord our God is One and HIS name is Jesus. I can't explain to you why this is true (although I know someone who can), but I know it is true! There was one other thing I learned during this Bible study and that is the way of water baptism. I would like to officially say that I have been baptized in Jesus' name for the remission of my sins, and I stand free from death and the grave! Jesus Christ has saved me: by grace through my faith in HIM. Now to be HIS disciple I must follow HIS commands and one of HIS commands is to be baptized. The way of baptism is clear in scripture and I am pleased to share it with you. It is true that water itself does not contain any saving virtue, but God has chosen to include it in His plan of salvation. Repentance identifies us with the death of Christ, and baptism identifies us with His burial. Coming forth from the watery grave of baptism and receiving new life in the Holy Spirit (the gift of the Holy Spirit) identifies us with His resurrection. These words are not my own, but they are truth. I am overjoyed to know the truth that sets me free!

The Formula for Baptism
Jesus commanded His disciples to "teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). He did not command them to use these words as a formula, but He commanded them to baptize in "the name." The word name is used here in the singular, and it is the focal point of the baptismal command. The titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost describe God's relationships to humanity and are not the supreme, saving name described here, which is Jesus. "Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Jesus is the name in which the roles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are revealed. The angel of the Lord instructed Joseph, "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Jesus said, "I am come in my Father's name," and, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,...the Father will send in my name" (John 5:43; 14:26). Thus by baptizing in the name of Jesus, we honor the Godhead. "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9).

Luke 24:45-47 records that just before His ascension, Jesus opened the disciples' understanding. It was necessary that their understanding be opened, and many today need this same operation in order to understand the Scriptures. Then Jesus said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day." The disciples had their understanding opened so that they could grasp the vast importance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Verse 47 describes the commission that Jesus then gave: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations [Jews and Gentiles], beginning at Jerusalem."

Peter was one of that number to whom Jesus had spoken and whose understanding had been opened. After having listened to these instructions, a few days later he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to preach on the Day of Pentecost. The hearts of the hearers were pierced and, feeling condemned, they cried out to Peter and the other apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter did not hesitate but boldly answered, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38). "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized, and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

Some say that Peter told them to be baptized in Jesus' name because they were Jews and this baptism was to make them acknowledge Jesus Christ. But let us go with Peter to the house of Cornelius several years later. Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, yet there again Peter "commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). (Most translations actually say, "In the name of Jesus Christ.") If Peter was wrong on the Day of Pentecost, he surely had ample time to be corrected before he went to the house of Cornelius.

Was Peter wrong on the Day of Pentecost? When the hearers were prickled in their hearts, they spoke to Peter and to the rest of the apostles (Acts 2:37). This included Matthew, who wrote Matthew 28:19. Moreover, when Peter preached, he stood up with the eleven Acts 2:14). Matthew was there, yet we find no words of correction from him. He surely would have spoken up if Peter had disobeyed the Lord. But all the apostles understood and carried out the Lord's commission. As Jesus said in prayer, "I have manifested thy name unto the men [the apostles] which thou gavest me out of the world...and they have kept thy word" (John 17:6).

The Samaritans, who were not Jews, were also baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them...."But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.... They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:5, 12, 16).

Let us see how Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, baptized. He went to Ephesus many years after the Day of Pentecost and found some disciples of John the Baptist there. "He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:2-5). Although these disciples had already been baptized, the name of Jesus was so important as to cause them to be rebaptized in His name.

We do not believe that Paul changed the formula or mode of baptism when he baptized Lydia and her household (Acts 16:14-15) or the Philippian jailer. The latter came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas, saying, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night [shortly after midnight], and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway" (Acts 16:30-33). How can we doubt that Paul baptized these people using the same mode and formula that he used elsewhere, that is, immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Paul was not with the apostles when Jesus gave his finial instructions to them in Matthew 28:19 and Luke 24:47, yet Paul baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. How did he know what to do? He said that his gospel was not a tradition of men but a revelation from God. "I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12). Paul was chosen to bear Jesus' name to the Gentiles, and he wrote many divinely inspired epistles to the church. To this apostle, God revealed the mystery of the church, "which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 3:5). Paul claimed to have divine authority: "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord" (I Corinthians 14:37). And Paul wrote, Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17). Water baptism is done in both word and deed. We cannot afford to overlook this command to the church.The church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20). The apostles not only preached baptism in Jesus' name, but they practiced it. Nowhere can we find that they baptized using the words "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Instead, we find them baptizing in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In baptizing in Jesus' name, they fulfilled the command of the Lord in Matthew 28:19.

Paul said, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:8). Let this be a solemn warning to us.

Some say that they will accept the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 but not those of Peter in Acts 2:38. But Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost under the anointing of the Holy Ghost. Peter was one of the apostles, and to him had been given the keys of the kingdom, so we have no right to discredit his words.

In Mark 7:8 Jesus said, "Laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men." History tells us that it was not until many years after the apostles that the mode and formula of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ were changed. (See Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible, vol. 1, p.241.) Which means more to you, the command of the Lord or the tradition of men?

Prayer and Fasting

2010-01-16T01:51:00.000-05:00

It is that time again! Every year in January my church has a week or prayer and fasting. This year it will be this upcoming week. I knew about it, and signed up to have my specific prayer time from 3 to 4 every morning, since I will most likely be home anyway and have nothing else to do. Now I need to decide what I am going to fast for this week...

Back in June I decided to apply to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, and since then have been accepted. I was supposed to go to IHOP (prayer) January 6th, but ended up not having the money, and I had a great peace about not going. I still think that I am supposed to go, but I am wondering why not yet? I think that my relationship with Jesus has something to do with it. This week of prayer and fasting has got me thinking... I need to be doing this every week! Why do I not fast once a week? Why do I not pray more and read my Bible more?

I have been having a hard time doing anything remotely close to having a relationship with the Lord. Its almost like since I got accepted to IHOP, I just quit. I don't know what has happened, but I feel like I have fallen behind. I have been doing everything except for spending time with HIM. Isn't that what life is about? Wasn't I created to know HIM, and to walk with HIM, and to fellowship with HIM? If not, what was the point of Adam and Eve being able to stand in the glory of God and not know their nakedness? I don't think God was playing a trick on them. I honestly think that they were completely comfortable with themselves, with who they were in HIM. They didn't see their nakedness because they had not yet walked in sin, but their nakedness didn't matter because they were in the presence of almighty God with nothing to hide. And why is it when we get to a place where we've messed up we run and hide? I know that all I really need to do is to run to him and say "Abba, I need you." All I have to do is come before him naked because he's not going to turn me away. If I seek HIM with all of my heart I will find HIM. He loves me. Why do I not understand this and just open up to HIM. I can't hide from HIM. It just isn't possible.

So my choices? I can either continue to do whatever I want, and to wallow in self-pity about how I am feeling low, or feeling depressed, and I can complain about all that is going wrong, and how I'm not moving forward. OR I can run to HIM and I can rebuke the lie that HE's going to turn away from me. Who am I kidding anyway? Wallowing and complaining doesn't do a thing, except to make me feel worse and to move farther and farther away from God.

I don't mean for this to be so long, but that is what is in my heart. I feel so discouraged right now, and like my roommate has said "unworthy to be called a Christian," but aren't we all "unworthy?" Of course I'm not worthy. But being worthy has nothing to do with anything. God chose me. I am his daughter and his beloved. My name even means beloved! How awesome is that?!?! HE named me beloved because that is what I am. I am not worthy, I am not important, I am not special. I am only HIS. And this is by grace, through my faith in Christ Jesus.

I have one purpose for this week of prayer and fasting: to open up my heart to the Lord, and to come to HIM, naked and vulnerable! I am going to lay in front of HIM, on my face, and let HIM read me like an open book. I know that HE knows everything already, and I am an open book to HIM, but I want more. I want to see HIM, and to truly know HIM. I am going to come running back like the prodigal son, and I am going to leave nothing on the table when I return. I am going to go into the fire to come out as gold. I have been in a dry season, mostly being stagnant, but I am going to come into a wet season, where I will be filled with the Lord, and my cup shall be running over!

Do with me, Lord, what you want to do. Come fan the flame. Open my heart and make yourself known to me. Open my eyes. Give me the power to understand, how wide, how long, how high and how deep your love is. Bring me back to where I was, and then take me beyond the farthest sea with you. You're the open sky, I am the ocean. This is the horizon that makes the place where we will meet again. I am yours, do whatever it is you want to do with me. Break me and make me new again. I want to be with you where you are. So take me to our secret place and make me like you. I love you Jesus. Even though my love is broken and weak, I know you see it, and I know you'll restore me to joy!

Bible Reading and Memorization

2010-01-14T02:55:00.000-05:00

Today I was talking with a friend of mine about memorizing Scripture. We both were in a program called Masters Commission where we took classes to become pastors, and worked for the church every day. While in Masters (or MC as some call it) we were required to memorize scripture. Nicole and I went to different MC programs, so we were required a different amount of memorization each week, and today she reminded me of it. Fastforward to the present. We both work in Kids ministry, and we are using a curriculum called BIG. Each month there is a new verse to memorize, and sometimes they are quite long, but I was thinking: "If the 5-12 year olds can memorize 1 verse a month, shouldn't I be able to memorize more?" So I decided today that I am going to start memorizing the Bible. I also am going to find a way to listen to it, and therefore get more of the Word in me. I don't want to just go to church on Sundays and Wednesdays and any other day that there is a service, but I want to know Jesus. I mean really know HIM. I have 3 verses memorized just from the last few months, but my goal is to memorize one new each week. Now the lenght of the verse will depend on context. Example: Ephesians 3:18; And may you, have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. This is one verse, but I am going to take it further and memorize verses 14, 15, 16, 17 and 19 along with it. I know that I can't do this without help. Bible reading for me is the hardest! I could pray for hours, but when I need to sit and read the Bible? I have no idea where to start ever. And this is what I'm supposed to be learning forever? If I don't start now I never will. If you are still reading at this point, I hope that you will be encouraged to read the Bible. This is how we know God, but reading and hearing HIS word, and by talking to HIM daily!

Come and kiss me with the kisses of your word, for your love is better than wine! Song of Solomon 1:1

I <3 MUSIC! (and JESUS)

2010-01-12T05:38:00.001-05:00

I love to get new music... especially from Itunes. Tonight I was on Itunes listening to so music and thought about how sometimes they have good songs for free, so I went to see if there was anything good. I don't know how I got there, but I ended up searching for music. I found 6 songs that I have been wanting to have, and bought them, plus 1 that I love, and bought on the spot. So, my playlist for this day will consist of 7 great songs that describe my relationship with my best friend, Jesus Christ: who HE is and who I want to be.

I love music, and I love that I now have 7 wonderful songs from and for my wonderful savior that gave us such a great gift! MUSIC! And a great object of affection HIMSELF!

SirWilliam and Me

2010-01-12T01:31:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my good friend SirWilliam and me on Christmas Eve. <3

Waltz Songs

2010-01-08T03:11:00.002-05:00

I found some possible songs, but there are probably many more to come:

*Moon River
*He'll Have To Go- Nat King Cole
*Fascination - " "
*Illusion- " "
*Slow Waltz- Chi Mai
*Nocturne- From the Secret Garden
*Ta ME Mo Shui- Altan
*My Skin- Natalie Merchant
*Un Giorno Per Noi- Josh Groban
*Un Dia Llegra

The Waltz

2010-01-08T02:13:00.000-05:00

I learned how to waltz the other day with my dear friend Nicole... She learned the man"s part, and I learned the lady's part. So, I am now looking for a song for us to Waltz to. I am so excited. Of course, when I am about to get married, I'll have to teach my future husband to waltz so we can find a perfect song and waltz at our wedding!

BUT, that is all future. For now I am looking for a song for Nicole and I, so that we can show off our wonderful new dance. And then, maybe one day we'll waltz with men.

Nefarious- Merchant of Souls

2010-01-04T19:10:00.000-05:00

In December 2010 a new movie will be coming out. It is a documentary on Sex Slavery!

Watch this: http://vimeo.com/8277388

5 Quick Facts About Me

2009-12-27T00:32:00.000-05:00

1. I watch too much tv, and as of late I've been addicted to The Office.
2. I cannot get away from my specialty coffee's. I've wasted more money on those than any other product I've ever bought in my life.
3. I think too much about my future life, and worry too much about the past.
4 I think that there's no place like home- especially when you share a bed!
5. I should sleep more.

You Will Rejoice

2009-12-26T19:15:00.000-05:00

The day after Christmas is always the strangest... for me anyway. I'm always thinking about how Christmas came so fast, and then start to wonder how next year will be different than this. As I get older, I've noticed more and more of my family moves away, so waking up on Christmas day is completely different every single year. This year, however I am just thinking about how awesome God is, and I've realized taht gifts are not important to me. Yes I'd like gifts, but this year I got the best gift I've ever gotten. A new Bible! I think of all the people in the world that don't celebrate Christmas, or don't get gifts, and I am reminded how blessed I am. So blessed in fact, that my gift is one that is going to be more important to me than any. I didn't NEED a new Bible, but I wanted one. The reason why? I gave my last thinline Bible away. Back in August, I met with my brother and 2 friends to pray. That night changed my life forever. I had been friends with one of these girls for 4 years and all that time didn't know that she was needing a breakthrough. That night, God used me to help her breakthrough, and I gave her my Bible. So now, as I have this Bible, I will use it as much and often as possible, and then maybe in 4 years will give this one away.

I am blessed beyond measure. Even though it is not necessarliy materialy, I am blessed beyond words. My God and my Savior has given me the best gift ever. HIMSELF. This is my reason to rejoice. I may not have recieved many gifts, and I may not have had the most fancy Christmas, but it is the best Christmas because it is yet another year that I have Jesus!

And now, as I wait for the new year, and wonder what it will bring, I am reminded that I will rejoice. God knows my future, just as well as my past and present. HE has a plan for me, and I will rejoice.

Mistletoe, falling snow, and presents on the tree. But most of all and best of all, my Savior came for me!

You Will Rejoice
Matthew 2:10-11: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
I am announcing to you that God is working everything out for you. He has already released your provisions. Look for your prophetic moment in time when purpose converges with destiny. God is moving you into position, not only for you to receive your miracle provision, but also so that you, in turn, can bless others.
Your miracle is already in motion. Something good is about to happen to you. God has already prophesied your destiny and now there is a dynamic force that is pushing you and moving you into a specific prophetic grid: a spiritual zip code.
Acts 17:26: From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
According to Acts 17:26, the Bible states that God, before time, determined your zip code—that spiritual place and geographical location; when you get into that spot, everything around you will begin to come into alignment.
Do not be seduced by the enemy of your soul, who will attempt to discourage you and convince you to move out of that place. Your provisions will come if you stay hidden in God's perfect will. Do not reduce the ability of God to provide for you a job. God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Continue to trust Him.
God is up to something great and He has you in mind. Press into God, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Even as the star was a sign to the shepherds and magi, God will also show you a sign—He will provide proof that He is near. You shall rejoice again. Let the presence of your Savior Jesus Christ revive your worship. Do not allow circumstances to cause your spirit to close.
Open your heart as a gift to Him. Worship Him, as you once again present your body as a living sacrifice. He is the reason for the season, yes. But you are the reason He came. Indeed, you will rejoice with angelic exuberance, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!" (Luke 2:14)

2009-12-12T05:35:00.003-05:00

And I am officially a dork.

EMERY!!!! :0D

2009-12-12T00:26:00.000-05:00

I got to go to the best concert ever, my favorite band Emery. I saw them live, bought a t-shirt and met them at Denny's. And my friend Stephanie showed up, which made the night even better. Here is the best of Emery!

1. Me waiting for the show.

2. Me and Steph before meeting Emery.

3. Picture time!

Definitely had the best night ever rocking out to my favorite band, meeting them and having them sign my lovely green pea coat!

Psalm 1

2009-12-10T00:22:00.000-05:00

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

Blessed is the man who is grounded in the Word of God. Meditating on the Word of God is memorizing it and repeating it to oneself. The one who mutters the Word to Himself will be firmly planted and grounded in the Lord. He will be always prosperous; in love, knowledge, wisdom and true life. He will have plenty to give, and much with which to serve. He will never go without a good thing, and the Lord will be his reward. No matter what comes and goes, the Word of the Lord stands forever and will fill the hearts and soulds of men. BUT this is not so with the wickes. They will lack. They will be tossed around to every momentary pleasure and will not inherit eternal life of joy and blessing. They will fall 1000 times and never get back up. They will be evers sowing but never reaping; always under and never above. They will perish with their wicked ways.

2009-11-10T18:06:00.000-05:00

Does anyone else ever have times where you feel like you've let God down? Or just like you haven't been faithful to him?

Wow. Have I been feeling it.

Last night I decided before bed to spend some time with Jesus, and I was thinking about how lately I have been thinking only of myself. I have been thinking of all the things I want to do for HIM and how I want to be with HIM, but I haven't spent any time to actually do that. I have been so caught up in the future that I haven't been thinking about the present and how I have opportunity now to be with HIM.

So for a little encouragement, here is what HE spoke to me during our time together!

Your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak. You are not relying on ME but are trying to walk alone. You have to force yourself to read, and do right. Even when you're too tired or just don't feel like it. Open ME when you wake. Open ME before you go to sleep. Do it day and night. The more you come, the more you will want. Then as you want more, you will also come more. It's just like working out. When you quit you become weak, and when you get weak, you get comfortable. It doesn't matter where you start, just start! Having one drink doesn't make you an alcoholic. Overeating once doesn't make you fat. These things take time!

Cultivate faithfulness. It isn't a talent, spiritual gift or natural ability. It takes hours of sitting before me. Days of reading the word. Weeks of listening to me. Keep coming and don't wait a moment. Coming to me consistently- day by day, hour by hour- this will cause you to know ME. It takes practice. Start once a day then twice, for one hour then two. Work out! If you keep sitting on the couch eating with the tv on, you're never going to get skinny! Come to me you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. You are weary and burdened because you are not cultivating faithfulness. "Rest in the Lord. Wait patiently for HIM." It's called rest for a reason. Rest in me each day, and I will cause you to be righteous.

Twenty-Two (22)

2009-10-28T03:40:00.000-04:00

On the 26th, I turned 22..... I didn't get 22 spankings, or 22 gifts or $22 or anything of that sort. But I did get 22 wishes... actually over 30 wishes... I didn't get any presents (but a few cards and one check) and I didn't do anything majorly special. However, I was not upset or disappointed for any reason!

This birthday didn't seem much different than any other, but on the inside, I felt different. Today, I feel different. I can see where I have come from in this 22nd year of my life I have been alive for 22 years, and for the first 21 years, I never felt different. But in this 1 year, I have grown so much. Looking back I can see how much more I feel like an adult. I feel God's presence so much more. I see HIM at work so much more! I can see how I have grown in my knowledge and love for the Lord. I can see how important life has become to me, specifically my destiny. I can see where God is taking me to new heights and deeper depths in our relationship, and in life in general. I have come a long way from hurt and pain, and have been healed in many ways. Some physically, some spiritually, but mostly emotionally. As my Abba, the Lord has healed me from broken relationships, and taught me how to love the SON. As my Husband, HE has shown me that HE is not only a lover, but a warrior. As the Spirit, HE has taught me to flow with HIS wind and waters, and how to hear HIS voice. I can't explain what has happened to me, but one thing I know: I am HIS and HE is mine! I am growing and changing and watching and learning. I am becoming what HE has created me to be. Even if I never get any birthday or Christmas presents, if no one ever sends me a wish or a card, if I never get married or have children, if I die young or old, if I live in health, or sickness, or darkness, or pain, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING can separate me from the Love of my Savior, and the destiny HE has purposed and planned for me! One thing do I desire of the Lord, and that ONE thing I seek: to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and dwell in HIS temple, all the days of my life!

p.s. I am officially twenty-two!

I Love Your Presence

2009-10-07T16:31:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I will lay in my bed for like 2 hours and just listen to music. Every once in a while I'll go out to a cafe and sit and read by myself with a nice hot cup of coffee. Sometimes I'll even go out for a run, or a walk just to be alone. But, how many times to I go to lay in my bed just to listen to Jesus? How many times do I go to a cafe to sit and read the words of Jesus? How many times do I go out for a run or a walk just to be with Jesus? I honestly can say not very often!

Sadly, I think that life is too busy. We are too busy to read the Word, or too busy to pray. Too busy to listen and to busy just to be with Jesus. HE is not our all in all. We sing songs like I love you, and You're beautiful, but do we really know HIM? I know a lot about Jesus, but I've found that I do not know HIM. I can say that boldly, even though it hurts to think that it is true.

As a 22 year old, after growing up in the church, I have all kinds of knowledge about different people in the Bible. I know all about Daniel in the lions den. I know Jonah got swallowed by a whale. I know about David killing Goliath and running from Saul. I've heard the stories of Peter walking on water and Saul being blind for 3 days before becoming Paul. I even know all about Jesus being born, hiding from Harod, teaching and training His disciples, performing signs, wonders and miracles and being crucified and rising from the dead, but do I really know HIM?

I have a lot of talk about spending time with HIM and loving HIM, but is it real??? Yes!

Even though I do not know HIM, I still love HIM in a very small way. Even though it is a small love, it is love nonetheless. Everytime I say the name of Jesus, I know that HE is just waiting for me to come closer. Every glance, every word, every time I open up my heart, if only for 5 seconds, HE is pleased! Yes, I know that I have a lot of growing to do. I know that I am not perfect. I know that in all actuality I am as imperfect as imperfect could be. BUT I was made in HIS image. So when God sees me, HE sees HIMSELF! Being covered in Jesus blood makes me look to God as Jesus does! HIS blood fills in the cracks and the places where I've been broken off. HIS blood makes it look as if I were just the way HE made me! It makes things as if I am what God saw in HIS mind when He dreamed me!

I am the dream of HIS heart. You are the dream of HIS heart. When he sees you small and broken, weak and lonly, looking up saying "yes", HE is pleased that you are loving HIM. It may be small, and may not seem like much, but to the Lord, it is everything. You become all that HE has imagined. At that point, HE sees you as HIS son or daughter; bone of HIS bone and flesh of HIS flesh. Spirit of HIS spirit and HIS beloved one!

Even though I don't know HIM, HE knows me. And in those days when I say "I don't know you, show me more.", HE will hear my cry and answer me because HE sees what I really am- HIS child, and the one HE loves!

And that is worth every moment of HIS presence!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI82-Hi4stE

In the glory of your presence
I find rest for my soul
In the depths of your love
I find peace makes me whole

I love, I love, I love your presence
I love, I love, I love your presence
I love, I love, I love you Jesus
I love, I love, I love your presence

Quote of the Day

2009-10-07T12:10:00.000-04:00

Trust is the Fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that God loves you, you cannot trust HIM.

~William P. Young
The Shack

"Your Breakthrough is In Your Current Situation"

2009-10-05T12:29:00.000-04:00

By Doug Addison:

On 09/09/09 the presence of God came into my house and I was overwhelmed for over an hour with God's euphoric love and joy. During the experience I received revelation about ministry and financial breakthrough that God wants to do in peoples' lives right now. Many of us have prophetic promises from God about operating at a higher level of ministry but are currently in a job or situation that you have little passion for. There are also people who need a financial breakthrough that will allow you to freely do all the things that God is calling you to. God spoke to me that a key for this breakthrough may lie in your current situation.

My Breakthrough

In 1988 God began speaking to me about being in full-time ministry. A few years later I got serious about pursuing ministry training, but the problem was that I still needed to work my full-time job to make a living. So I started doing self-study courses and volunteered what little free time I had at ministries that were doing what I felt called to. It seemed that I would never have the opportunity to serve God with the freedom I wanted and have the money to get the training I needed. Then God showed me that I needed to stop living my life thinking about how it will be in the future, begin enjoying the present, and be grateful each day for the job I had at the time.

Colossians 3:23-24, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

In 1993 everything changed when I started working at my job as if I were working for God. I was working in San Francisco at the time, and my boss and most of my fellow employees were not Christians. In fact, most people were very hostile toward Christians in the workplace. In spite of that I decided to use my God-given spiritual gifts to help people at work instead of complaining to God for my feelings of being stuck. I started praying and interceding for the company I worked for, and we started seeing dramatic results. I would get words of knowledge and share them as "ideas I got while praying," and the owner began to attribute my prayers with the company's success.

As a result, I received bonuses, and a couple of years later, when I approached them about transitioning from my corporate job into ministry, they were helpful by keeping me on part-time. Eventually they hired me back as a contractor for five times the pay! This extraordinary favor allowed me to transition into full-time ministry and provided funding to plant our first church. God opened the doors, but it was a result of me changing my attitude toward my situation. God used my current job and a group of non-Christians to bless me. Years later God used the experiences I had at that job to help develop my message of Prophetic Evangelism that is now being taught all over the world.

Change Your Situation

This is a prophetic word to many people right now: "God wants to use your current situation to bless you and release finances and favor into your life." The key to it is learning to be content and work at whatever it is you are doing as if you are working for God Himself. This does not only pertain to jobs, but also to being in school, relationship or whatever situation you are in.

The Bible tells us that we can do incredible things through God's strength. Since God's love and power are limitless, what we can accomplish through His Holy Spirit has no limits as well. If we are unhappy and anxious about our situation, it can create limits to what we can do through God. Allowing God's love to flow through us, being content, and having gratitude can change the spiritual atmosphere around us and ultimately create an environment in which blessings are drawn to us.

Philippians 4:12-13, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

If you feel frustrated or stuck, begin to find good things in your life right now. Here are a few tips on how to change your current situation:

• Give thanks to God for all that He has done for you. Make a list of blessings and things you are grateful for.

• Think about the positive things you like about people in your life. If you are married, what are the things that originally drew you together? Learn to recognize and help draw attention to the good things in other people.

• Who can you encourage or help today? Who can you help practically?

Ephesians 3:20 THE MESSAGE, God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Quote of the Day~

2009-10-04T22:08:00.000-04:00

Choice is the greatest test of love, as well as the greatest gift God gives us to grow in love.

~David Sliker
End-Times Simplified

Spontaneous Road Trip!

2009-10-04T22:02:00.000-04:00

I am getting hungry, but have to go on a spontaneous road trip. traveling an hour there and an hour back. We shall see if food will be before we go, or before we come back. I LOVE spontaneous road trips. This one was actually planned, but I didn't know I was going until today. I have 2 days off and wish I could go somewhere. Meaning somewhere other than where I am going. But I don't have the money for 1, and for 2, if I did, I should save it. It also is a problem that I don't have a car of my own, but I would be using my parents vehicle, which most likely they'd not be happy with.

Flint here I come!!!!! yay. i love my hometown.

Burning Ones

2009-09-27T16:25:00.000-04:00

Here inside your presence
Taken by the wonder of You
Here inside your glory,
We give our lives fully to You

Holy, Holy are You

Your love it burns inside
Our hearts are satisified by you
Your love is our reward
It's why we ask for more of you

Holy, Holy are You

Our hearts are burning,
Burning for You

We are your burning ones
We are consumed by You
We set our lives apart
We are consumed by You

So let this life be like a fire
Let our life be like a flame
Fill our souls with your desire
Let our passion bring you fame
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj2T6_MU5oA

Jesus IS Coming. He IS Alive!

2009-09-20T00:08:00.000-04:00

We need to do a major reconstruction in our lives. The Lord is coming, and if we aren't built to HIS specifications, we will not stand! There is a shift coming in the atmosphere in these next 4 months like no one has ever seen before! The Lord is beginning to position us for battle, and at the same time will get us ready to stand firm! WE need to put on Christ. It is a moment by moment act of lifting up our spirits and souls to the King of the Universe. Putting on humility and gentleness, putting on meekness. WE need to get ready because Jesus is coming soon. No one knows the exact, but we know that it is soon. The word says that a day is like a thousand years to God and a thousand years a day. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of HIS coming. HE has come to bind the enemy if we will stand in HIS word. We MUST cling to HIS word! HE's coming. He IS COMING! Will you get yourself ready? Or will you be a house built on sand?

I put on Christ and make no provision for my flesh. Put on the whole armor of God, leave NO open doors to darkness. I take the scroll, eat the scroll, open up my mouth and speak forth Your word. And I take the sword of the Spirit! People Get Ready, Jesus is Coming HE'S ALIVE!

The Glory of the Lord (Intro)

2009-09-13T14:35:00.000-04:00

I am going to start a small series of devotions here on the glory of the Lord; more a study of what I have been learning and am learning. Stay tuned because each time I get something new, I'll be sharing it. And if it happens to be an ongoing series for more than just a few parts, so be it.

I'm very excited. The glory of the Lord is coming. He is going to come and make HIMSELF known through HIS glory, and we need to know who HE is and how HE is.... The glory is the being of God made manifest on the outside.

The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea!

We're All In This Together

2009-09-01T01:13:00.000-04:00

Wow. All I can say is wow. This humbled me in a way I've never known before.

Just before I watched this, I was laughing. I was thinking about all the things that I have to do tomorrow, and all of the things I want to do in the next few months. When I watched this, I became still. Everything else that was flooding my mind was gone and I was fixed on this. How many times do I look at the poor and needy, the homeless and prostitute, the slave and the sick, and then turn around five minutes later and talk about what is wrong in my life?

How many times do I look at ones who are less free than I am and turn away because "at least it's not my life"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4NlyZqJhwk

2009-08-29T20:16:00.000-04:00

A Few Verses to Read and Meditate On

2009-08-29T19:57:00.002-04:00

Meditate on Psalm 34:1, Psalm 103:1-3, Psalm 115:13, James 3:9, and Psalm 145:1-2. Read 1 Kings 17-19, and Matthew 14. Memorize Philippians 4:12-14. (Memorization is not simply recalling a Scripture word for word, but the ability to speak forth the concept of what you have processed in your mind.)

You're The Answer - Jesus!

2009-08-28T01:28:00.000-04:00

You're The Answer

Lovesick

Just Some Pics

Andrew Belle....

A Lover's Concerto

"180"

Banana Bread!

My First DIY "Project"

Crocheted Slippers

God Is GOOD!

Are We REALLY Pro-Life?

Pro-What

*Avocado Nutrition Facts*

Nothing.... This Is So Me Right Now!

Hmmm.....

Free music from Mocha Club!

Makes Me Sick

I Wrote A Four Word Letter

Not Today

Just The Way You Are acoustic Bruno Mars cover - Anthem Lights

Sisters

Unto the Hills

Andrew Belle - I Will Follow You Into the Dark (Death Cab for Cutie cover

Death In His Grave

Trusting God

Post-Hardcore vs. Screamo vs. Metalcore.... Oh the things I learn from Wikipedia

Peanut Butter Popcorn!

Every time you make a snicker, you make a Snickers!

Winter Worship

Yahweh

I'm so Glad You're Here/The Same Power

Psalm 25 : )

Good Mornting!!!!

New Website!!!

Old Friends, New Hope

Heaven Is For Real

No Wonder He's Called Holy

The Choice that Confronted Adam

Charles Finney

Bread of Life

Kiss The Son

ITS THE JOY OF BEING LOVESICK, THE PLEASURES OF LOVING YOU!

Abide In My Love

I'm a little out of shape... I haven't walked in 2 months!

Healing

Testimony Bout Jesus

Birthdays

You're So Beautiful

Last Day : (

Jesus

TEXAS!

I'm Afraid Of...

In Love with Jesus

Because of Your Love

Phil Wickham

Why Celebrate Passover??? Because it is all about Jesus!!

Am I Crazy?

The Timing of the "Rapture"

Quote of the Day

It's a Love-Hate Relationship

It's Time

SHALL I ROUSE MYSELF UP TO THIS?

I Declare A New Season

New Haircut!

XPmedia.com - Word over the Pacific Rim Pt1

Regeneration

Identity Theft?

Prayer House

Quote of the Day

One Life

I Am Falling, Psalm 27

Time is Running Out!

Captivating

Beauty

Prophetic Word for 2010!

Be Baptized in Jesus' Name!

Prayer and Fasting

Bible Reading and Memorization

I <3 MUSIC! (and JESUS)

SirWilliam and Me

Waltz Songs

Avocado Nutrition Facts