My life over the past week!

I have had quite an eventful Christmas break so far! The Wednesday after I was done with my finals (the semester is OVER, Praise the Lord... it was atough one), my family and I went to ICE at the Gaylord Texan! The theme this year was Charles Schulz's Peanuts! It was absolutely adorable, and it brought back lots of childhood memories as I grew up with these goofy cartoon characters.

On Thursday night, I went to the Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio Glory in the Highest Christmas Tour. This was at the Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. If you have not heard of either one of these men, I strongly advise you to youtube them!! They are both very strong followers of Jesus Christ, and strive to pick up their cross daily and follow Him. I had some family and friends come along to experience this incredible time of worship, and listen to Louie Giglio retell the Christmas story like I have never heard it read or explained before. My parents, my dear friend Shirley, and my sweet friends from school, Laura and Elise came with me.

On Saturday, my parents and I left for Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Our reason for venturing out to this town was to see my high school band director's daughter marry the love of her life. The wedding could not have fit the bride and groom more perfectly. It was small and simple, yet oh so elegant and beautiful!! We stayed in Arkadelphia for two nights at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast. While we were there we took lots of pictures... we went to the marina one night and took pictures of all the HUGE boats that were decked out with Christmas lights, we went around town and took pictures of all the restaurants we ate at, took a picture of the church we visited Sunday morning, and went to Speer Pavilion on OBU's campus and took lots of fun pictures. Overall, it was such a wonderful weekend filled with lots of memories! :)

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my eventful weekend! :)

My life right now, in a song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od9CHXnOTbo

Everything is Yours

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HO4ZuyALBQ&feature=related

423 Shoot

You are probably wondering what the title of my post means... if you keep reading, you will find out. :)

Yesterday afternoon, I was talking with a very good friend of mine, and we were just catching up on each other's lives. We got to talking about what each of us were struggling with right now, and for me it's learning how to be friends with people of the opposite without seeing them as a potential boyfriend. You see, my selfish desire is to be in a relationship... it's seems as if all around me people are getting into relationships, getting engaged, or even getting married. Although I secretly want to go full speed ahead and find a boyfriend, God is telling me "Be patient, and wait." So that is just what I am going to do. My head has known this for awhile, but my heart has finally received the message that Christ has a guy out there that He has molded just for me, he will be my better half, he will love me for who I am, and he will be better than any guy I could ever pick out for myself.

My friend suggested that I listen to a podcast of the pastor of her church. His sermon topic is can guys and girls be friends? His answer is YES! It is God-ordained. The next question is, how can guys and girls be friends? This question is answered in 1 Timothy 5:1-2:

"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if her were your father.

Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers,

and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."

Friendship should function like a healthy, loving family. Think about it... would you marry or even date a family member? Absolutely not, it's morally wrong!

Then we ask ourselves, is it okay to be attracted to someone? Again, the answer is yes. This is supported in Song of Songs 1:2-3:

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth-

for your love is more delightful than wine.

Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;

your name is like perfume poured out."

However, the key is to know what to do with your attraction. Here is where the "423 Shoot" comes in... 423 represents Proverbs 4:23:

"Above all else, guard your heart,

for it is the wellspring of life."

Do you hear what that verse is saying? GUARD your heart. Dwell on that. Why must we guard our hearts? Because Jeremiah 17:9 tells us:

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?"

So, in order to stay in this "423 Shoot" we must do two things... see others as our brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers AND understand when and how to pursue our attraction. But remember, "you don't become brothers and sisters without a Father" -Carl Gulley

Speechless

What do you say when you don't know how to say what you want to say?

Do I just keep telling myself that I'm okay when I'm really not?

Or am I really okay, but I think I'm not?

I have been asked "How's life?" in the past few days, and my answer to that question is this, "It has it's good days and it has it's bad days, but I try my hardest to praise God through them all." But am I really trying my hardest? Or do I let the smallest things get under my skin? Or do I let my worries about my future stop me from living out the present? Or do I let my emotions and feelings get the best of me? Or do I put my personal wants and desires before God's will?

Why do I let the little things get the best of me, when there are so many people in the world hurting from extreme poverty and hunger? Why do I worry about my future, when there are people in the world who aren't even sure if they will see tomorrow? Why do I let my emotions and feelings control me, when there are people in the world who have never felt the true joy and peace of knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior? Why do I dwell on worldly desires, when there are people in the world who barely have enough food on the table?

Lord, captivate my heart, transform my mind, and renew my soul! Help me to stop living in my own little world, and humble myself to go out and serve Your people. Help me to daily live for You! For You and only You can complete me. I am Yours forever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvSwcMp9vU4

Love Is Not A Fight

My roommate posted this on her facebook, and I fell in love with the song.

Beautiful lyrics... Powerful message... Incredible movie...

I'm taking off my blinders. Are you?

There are so many things that each and every one of us desire or want in our lives. Whatever your desire or want may be, I encourage to daily seek God for guidance and clarity. Although I warn you, do NOT allow yourself to be blinded by your emotions. Satan is powerful and he knows our weaknesses, and he will place thoughts and justifications into our mind that make us believe that the desire or want is something we should go after. When in reality, God may have been giving us a big fat NO all along. It is such a beautiful thing when we finally take off our blinders, and let our Redeemer transform our hearts and minds.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

-Psalm 23