Click Here

Haha, gotcha!

Unlike all of the "click here" advertisements all over the internet, this "click here" does not get you instantly scammed, a free cruise or a romantic match made in heaven.

When Christ calls us to follow Him, though, it is kind of like a "click here". You never know exactly what you are going to experience! 

Faith is centered around the idea that we do not know what Jesus is going to do in our life and we do not know all of the answers. All we know is that He cares for us and will not let us down.

I was reading Psalm 13 last night and the scripture really resonated with this idea that faith can be tested, but that God holds true to His promises. Check it out:

"'How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." 
-Psalm 13

Whew, I don't know about you, but I sure have felt that way sometimes! God does not always make His plans clear and sometimes we may feel distant. Following Christ is not promised to be easy, but no matter how distant or confused we feel at a moment in time, faith tells us to trust in His unfailing love. 

Trust in Christ's love for you and take the plunge; click into His path and follow His ways and He will care for you! Many times, His plans will surpass anything you could have even imagined for yourself!

Falcon Fabulous Friday! Five Songs to Get You PUMPED!

Thank goodness it's Friday! Here at my college, we take part in "Falcon Fridays" to show our school spirit. 

Here are my top five songs to get you pumped for this weekend and to show some Jesus spirit. Click the titles for links to youtube:






"Tonight"- TobyMac feat. John Cooper of Skillet












"To Love You Back"- Jamie Grace










"Background"- Lecrae feat. Andy Mineo










"Press On"- Mandisa









"Should've Been Me"- Citizen Way

Happy listening and have a great weekend!

Flawed System: The Sunday-Only Mentality

"I want it all!" 

Yeah, Sharpay from High School Musical sang those words back in the day. I said them, too. Not out loud, but mentally.

Every Sunday I went to church, I left disappointed. I wanted more, but I didn't want the commitment. That Sunday-only mentality was a hugely flawed system, as I have recently learned!

Last year, I found a Bible study women's group that was a great fit. I started to see glimpses of what it could be like to know people during and outside of church, but my mistake was going to a Bible study in one organization and church through a different group. They didn't match; although I received great information from both, the topics and people did not align.

That system did not work with my schedule this past fall, which put me into a weird category of kinda-churchgoer-kinda-not. It was hit or miss if I made it.

Well, that had to change when I realized I was in desperate need of someone to lean on this past February! (check out Spongebob Isn't the Only One Hitting Rock Bottom post). I was feeling lonely, rejected, and isolated at times and the best thing I could come up with to do in response was start looking for some new Christian friends. I had no idea what God would bless me with when I took the plunge and got re-connected at a church, so thank goodness He led me to make this decision!

Tonight, I was reaffirmed that my thoughts earlier this year of feeling disappointed at church were actually a sign I needed to get more involved. I wanted to know people and have people to talk with about the services, but I was only making room for church activities on Sunday. I was a hit-or-miss follower of Christ, only making it important when convenient.

Christ calls us to follow Him at all times and to have fellowship with other believers, not just on Sunday, but as much as possible:

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:24-25

I think my experience of now feeling incredibly welcomed, appreciated, and accepted is a great comparison for me. I now look forward to church and my Lifegroup. I've truly seen this as a learning experience for myself on the importance of getting plugged in completely. We can only fully experience the fellowship God desires for us to have if we make it a priority. I hope some of my readers can learn from my mistake. I pray that you all can experience the joy of being connected to a church and to other believers, much earlier on in your walk than I experienced!

The Big Fat Lie, aka "Forever Alone"

I used to think it. I have heard at least three different friends say it in the past year. I'm pretty sure advertisements for online dating sites and apps support the trend I've started to notice. There are an awful lot of people thinking they will be "forever alone" and that they need to do something to make their terrible fate change.

Just like how God knows how to push our buttons to move us to do and think positively, Satan knows how to poke and prod at our nerves to make us do and think negatively.

He makes us forget that God will make all of His promises and goodness clear within His own timing. He has a plan for our life, with meaningful and necessary timing worthy of our patience:

"He has made everything beautiful in its time..." -Ecclesiastes 3:11

Regardless of if it applies to being alone in a romantic sense or in a friendship sense, eternal loneliness is what I've deemed to be the "big fat lie" Satan places in our mindsets. God is always with us and is always leading us down a path He has created especially for us, yet Satan is really skilled at planting thoughts of inadequacy and isolation into our brains. Next time you sense Satan placing one of these feelings of loneliness into your life, take note:

Life with God = Life without Loneliness

Not going to lie to you all, though, that is a concept much easier said than done. Nights sitting alone, school dances without a date, exclusion from social invitations, and other experiences people might have in this category seem to only encourage the "big fat lie". The physical loneliness makes it easy to forget that we are never alone spiritually. Feeling the hurt of being excluded or uninvited can make us feel unworthy of love and can make it seem that God doesn't have a significant other or friendships in our plan.

There are a lot of smaller elements that lead to difficulty with accepting, believing, and trusting Christ's truth that He has plans for our futures in relationships. Here is just a short list of the mini-lies that play into Satan's "forever alone" trap, in no particular order, along with some of God's word to counter them:

Mini-lie 1:
I must have misunderstood God or He lied to me. He placed a desire for a significant other, a future family, or a friend in my heart with no intention to actually fulfill that promise.

Response:
"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." -Psalm 145:13

Mini-lie 2:
There is no chance for me to meet someone. My life has no opportunities for positive friendships and relationships to develop.

Response:
In Matthew 15:29-39, Jesus fed four thousand, while in a remote location with no access to additional food, from seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. "They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." 
From this story, we can clearly see that Christ can make anything possible!

Mini-lie 3:
I'm too old and missed the boat. Everyone has their friends and relationships developed so there is no hope for me.

Response:
In Genesis 21:1-7, the Lord blessed Sarah with pregnancy in her old age. Her husband Abraham was a hundred years old! "'Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." And she added, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borned him a son in his old age."
From this story, we can clearly see that Jesus doesn't place an age limit on finding love and having a family.

Mini-lie 4:
I am not strong enough in faith, not educated enough, not attractive enough, etc. for anyone to want to spend time with me. I'm essentially inadequate and undeserving of love.

Response:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalm 139:13-14
...and...
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." -1 Timothy 4:12
From these verses, we can clearly see that Christ has created all of us with beauty and care. He intends for us to be valued, no matter how young/old, skilled/unskilled, or weak/strong we might feel.

Mini-lie 5:
I am too shy to even talk to people. How am I going to fall in love, let alone form meaningful friendships, if I can't even hold a conversation?

Response:
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:13


That's just a short list of all of the related issues that can tie into the "big fat lie". If you cannot personally relate, I think it is fairly safe to say that you will meet someone with these thoughts or have already met someone with these feelings.

With that in mind, remember that God placed a desire for intimacy, acceptance, and companionship as a model for how He wants to relate to us. God will always be our companion, our life partner, and our supporter. His grace and love are endless. 

Seeking Him is the perfect way to learn how to love and how to see ourselves the way He sees us. Pursuing Christ not only gives us contentment in our present scenario, but also in the future to come:

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." -1 Timothy 4:8

Take a moment to realize your value and acceptance with Christ, as well as the importance of seeking a relationship with Him before pursuing relationships with others. You are never alone, as long as you accept Jesus into your life.

Let Jesus worry about your love story and friendships. Keep yourself open to hear His guidance and He will lead you down paths you never could have imagined on your own.

Between a Thought and a Hard Place

God sure knows how to push our buttons. He never said following Him would be comfortable, but good golly does it push me past my comfort zone at times!

I know God is my rock, which I guess puts me "between a rock and a hard place." The scenario I experienced last night, however, more accurately put me "between a thought and a hard place." 

I literally could not fall asleep. Although I had been through a long day of some difficult RA and friend scenarios, my body randomly decided midnight was the perfect time for an energy burst. Oh great...

Then it got better (or worse, depending which way you spin it). As I was laying in bed, I started getting all antsy inside for no good reason. A thought popped in my head to reach out to someone, regarding Jesus, with whom I really did not know all that well. 

I do not do well with random social interaction and middle-of-the-night calls to spread the word of Jesus. It is not comfortable for someone like me, who is slightly introverted and still not totally sure about how to have random conversations about Jesus with people besides close friends. 

My thoughts were going crazy with ideas like "this is just my mind wandering", "I really don't know what to say", "I'm going to seem like such a creep", and so on.

Then God, as He always does, answered my prayers for clarity. He sure is good at that! He made it almost mindless for me to know what to say, the hardest part was just having the courage to type it and send it. Literally every concern I had, He had an answer that pushed me closer and closer to sending the message. 

So I did. 

As soon as I hit the send button, it was like a wave of peace came over my previously anxious and on-edge body. Can't say I've had anything that drastic happen spiritually before, but it sure was amazing! 

God is truly remarkable with how He can guide us to follow His will. Thoughts can become actions and I've quickly learned from this unusual experience that when God places a thought in our head, it is a good idea to take action with it! Whether it helps someone, pushes you into deeper relationship with Him, or simply teaches how to listen to His guidance, it is totally worth the awkward, anxious feelings it might bring in the process. 

God is the best reason to break social norms, so the next time you are stuck "between a thought and a hard place", know that God is placing you in that situation for a reason. You might not know why; what matters is that you trust in His guidance.

And with that, goodnight blog world!

Join a Movement to Spread Some Love

I've been trying to think of good ways to get more reader interaction. A blog is great, but putting words to action is an entirely different step! 

So here's a challenge for my readers, Facebook friends, and acquaintances:

Join a movement to spread some love to those around you!

Small actions, big actions, safe actions, risky actions...the list goes on with what to expect from this challenge!

But regardless of how safe or risky you play it, know that sharing unconditional love and acceptance with those around you will bless you, them, and the world. 

Christ gave His life for you! Now it is time to glorify His name and share that love with others!

"I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave." -Psalm 86:12-13

Here is a link to the Facebook page. I hope and pray that even if you don't like the page, you take the time to share some of God's love with someone each and every day!

Click here for the link: Spread Some Love

Where is the beauty in this corrupted college world?

It's so difficult to sit and watch. People streaming down the hallways, headed out for a night on the town. If I knew for a fact they'd all come back uninfluenced and unharmed, it would be so much easier. Yet all there is to lean on is a prayer for their well-being. I can't make those people, friends, and acquaintances make the choices I would make. I have to respect their differences in values, morals, and standards. It's a personal belief, it's a job commitment as a resident advisor, and it's an act of understanding and grace. Everyone has freedom to do as they wish. 

Feeling comfortable with the potential outcomes those differences in decisions could bring is immensely difficult. Thank goodness that little prayer, specifically directed for the safety and well-being of those headed into the college night-life scene, holds immense value in God's eyes.

Where, in that corrupt college world of excessive drinking and compromised morals, is the beauty? Where is the goodness, where is the unconditional love and acceptance? 

I see and hear stories of the corruption of God's beautiful world. Spring break stories, outings of the people in my building, and observations of the people roaming drunkenly across campus on weekend nights are plenty of examples to make one believe their is little hope. Sometimes, those stories make it really difficult to see beyond Satan's grasp on the college age bracket. He is placing so many temptations and people fall for them as part of the social norms. Go out. Go party. Get drunk. Where does God fit into all of that? And what can I do from my non-partying, atypical room?

There is no easy answer. Mostly, I have learned that I have to find reassurance in scripture that even the negative situations will be worked for the better. Underneath the misguiding and tempting atmosphere of the college night-life scene, God is at work. We might not always see Him and it might not be obvious that He is at work. But that is where faith does its wonders. 

In the Bible, Christ spent time with the poorest of the poor and the most corrupt of the corrupt. He did not discriminate and offered His healing, gracious influence on everyone's life. Even the least likely people and places were led to Him and were provided signs of His goodness. 

In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus did not judge a sinful woman, as another had recommended for Him to do. He forgave instead and recognized her faith.

In Mark 7:24-30, Jesus went secretly to a home and drove a demon out of a child.

Faith means we have to trust that in the corrupt college world, Christ is still working to make His way known. He will give us the words to speak, the actions to take, and the courage to do. Jesus provides His followers with all they need to engage in the spiritual turmoil and warfare necessary to overcome Satan's attempts to steal beauty from God's creations, we just might not always clearly see it. 

Faith being tested amid the college chaos is actually a beautiful thing in and of itself:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
-James 1:2-3

Keeping faith and hope when surroundings say otherwise can be incredibly difficult, but that does not mean it is impossible. Seek the beauty where you least expect it and know that Christ is always working for goodness. 

Blog Feedback

I'd love to hear some feedback now that I've gotten my feet wet in the blogging world! Click the link below if you would like to provide constructive criticism for the blog.

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Craft Time: Bible Chapter Bookmarks

It's a great Saturday night for some relaxation and crafting!

I always feel scatterbrained when it comes time to quickly look up a Bible verse at church or Bible study, so I decided to make practical Bible Chapter Bookmarks.

Here's the process:

1) Type a list of the chapters of the Bible in any font/size desired. I chose to make separate bookmarks for the Old Testament and New Testament for easier reference. Include page numbers, if desired. (sidenote-the Old Testament bookmark is double-sided due to the length of the list)

2) Select two color-coordinated pieces of cardstock or scrapbook paper.

3) Cut the cardstock into strips as desired.

4) Cut the columns of text to fit the strips of paper.

5) Glue/tape and laminate the finished bookmarks together. Use a hole puncher and ribbon for some added flair!

Happy Crafting!

Picking Teams v.s. Picking Jesus

This title has been on my mind for a few weeks, but I haven't felt that my thoughts were developed enough to write until tonight. Disclaimer- The beginning of this post may seem dreadfully negative and disheartening. I promise there is a turnaround by the end!

Today, I experienced a few negative emotions that are what caused the idea of picking teams to pop into my head in the first place. I felt rejected. I felt offended. I felt backstabbed. 

Picking teams seems like it should be a thing of childhood, a part of the games of gym class. However, people never cease to amaze me nowadays and I can honestly say I've seen some social team-picking here on the college campus. It's not fun to start being the last person picked on the team, especially when you have respect and trust in the people picking teams. It took me quite a while to come to peace with the fact that I had been dropped from one group and new people wanted me on their team: new friends, a new Bible study, and a new sorority. It was uncomfortable, risky, and scary for a slightly introverted person like me to branch out and seek new relationships. I fought feelings of inadequacy, taking the sudden lack of friends personally and thinking of it as a reflection of myself. I think a lot of people experience times like this, whether it be with a break-up, a failing friendship, or a challenging co-worker.

Tonight there was a conference at which I witnessed and experienced additional social team-picking. Cliques of people sitting together during the snack break. People walking past acquaintances as if they don't exist, ignoring them and pushing forward to give a cheerful greeting to more popular friends. Groups chuckling together at extremist and religious speakers during the controversial documentary "Indoctrination". People, in my perspective, love to have other people on their team. They seek that feeling of acceptance, sometimes even if it excludes, disrespects, or offends another person in the process.

Seeing, hearing, and experiencing that exclusion breaks my heart, but glory to God, those emotions passed with a quick prayer and a moment of reflection. Unlike a few weeks ago, tonight I was able to let those feelings of hurt, anger, and frustration dissipate. Rolled eyes, disrespectful laughter, and ignored pass-by were not enough for me to lose my cool. 

So what was the difference? Why was seeing people pick teams, rather than acting respectfully and friendly, not enough to make me lose my temper?

I think the difference can only be answered with one word: Jesus.

The important thing to remember is that life isn't about picking our own teams. It isn't about me taking action by forming my own team against those people. It isn't about feeling hurt and isolated when no one wants someone on their team. 

It's all about Jesus. He wants us to pick Him and to help put everyone on His team. He will always accept us and we are never alone; Christ is with us always.

Christ clearly stated His greatest commandments:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." -Matthew 22:37-39

Loving Christ and loving our neighbor means giving them grace. Even when it seems contrary to our gut instincts to lash out in anger or frustration, we should be loving our neighbors with patience, the way Christ loves us. Life isn't about picking teams and making people feel excluded or judged. It's all about showing others the way to unconditional acceptance in Christ, the same acceptance we desire for ourselves.

Scripture Study: Romans 6:10-14

A few days ago, I was reading Romans 6 and verses 10-14 really stuck out to me. They are:

"The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." -Romans 6:10-14

That's a hefty set of scripture! I highly recommend reading the entire chapter for more insight, but these verses in particular are a good reference for today's scripture study and for throughout your day-to-day life. Here are the main points I pulled from the passage:

a) The big idea- Jesus died for us! We no longer have to live under the weight of our sins because Christ carries that burden for us. His grace is forgiving of all sin and He wants us to use our freedom from sin to be instruments of His goodness.

b) A thought to take with you- College can be an especially tempting time to use our bodies for wickedness. There are so many opportunities to fall into the trap of saying things, doing things, and thinking things that are sinful. We need to remember that Christ can free us from the guilt and pressure these sins can place upon us and that He gives us grace and power to use our lives for His purposes, starting from the moment we ask forgiveness. 

c) A question for you to consider- Have you accepted Christ's grace for freedom from your sins so that you can use your body as an instrument of righteousness? 

I pray that this scripture provides some food for thought. Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me in studying God's word!

Defining a "God Moment"

"God Moment"

It's a phrase that I have used and heard others use on countless occasions. I think it might mean God is really obviously acting in someone's life. I think it could mean that someone believes God is real because of it. I think it potentially means that God is blessing lives and working miracles. 

If I can only "think" the phrase means something, I am left with a dilemma...what does "God Moment" really mean? And why do we use such an ambiguous phrase to describe it?

Isn't every moment of our life a "God Moment"?

This question popped into my head a few weeks ago. Since then, I cannot confidently say I have reached many conclusions besides the thought that a "God Moment" is really our way of expressing God's presence in our lives when we are particularly amazed by His blessings, grace, and power.

God is always in our lives and from my experience, I'd say that is a pretty basic teaching in most churches. So in that case, I feel relatively comfortable with saying every moment of my life should be considered a "God Moment". He is always with me, always seeking a relationship with me, and always working situations for the good of His kingdom. 

Sometimes, particular moments in life stand out as being especially clear of God's presence and power. I think a nice edit, for the purposes of this post, would be to refer to these revelations as an "Only God Moment". These are the times in life when there is nearly no other explanation or way of understanding-- only God could have made that moment possible and it is clear that He exists and is paving the way. 

I had one such moment today. After a friend had put the idea into my head to get involved volunteering with the childcare at church, the thought wouldn't leave my brain no matter how much I tried to reason myself out of it. "I already have enough on my plate", "I'm not experienced enough", "I don't know most of the other volunteers"...those sorts of rationalizations (aka lies) were not enough to stop me from filling out a form to become a volunteer. After that step, I decided to just trust God and if He wanted me to follow my friend's suggestion, I would take the opportunity wholeheartedly. Sure enough, I got an e-mail the very next day to line up getting involved. No concerns about my level of experience, my lack of knowing the person in charge, or my challenges that could arise with scheduling.

I am tempted to call that a "God Moment", but I no longer think that using that phrase really gives my life in Christ the praise it deserves. This is what I'd like to call an "Only God Moment" because it is clear that only God could have made all of the thoughts, suggestions, and interactions occur in a way that made this opportunity so perfect for where I am in life. It emphasizes how much He is working for the good of His people and how He will always open the doors that align with His plans. 

The most conclusive thought I've had from this experience is that I need to start using my "Only God Moments" as a reminder that every moment of my life is part of His plan. Every piece of my day, breath that I take, and word that I speak is aligned with a greater purpose. Every aspect of my life is worthy of praising Him for grace, understanding, and support. Every little bit of what we experience is a "God Moment", if only we choose to recognize it.

Bold Writing in the Name of Christ

I went through a phase not too long ago where I got annoyed by people who seemed to constantly post something about Jesus on social media. I automatically would see it as being pushy and a turn-off, as a poor, inaccurate, and shallow representation of the religion I followed. 

While I do think there has to be a balance when it comes to expressing faith, I now realize I was far too quick to judge and become annoyed by those posts. Christ doesn't call us to fit into the social norms and to nonchalantly express our love for Him. He asks for action that is much bolder and more direct. 

In Acts 28:31, Paul "boldly and without hindrance preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ."

Although every word we speak and write may not always directly state Christ's name or include a Bible verse, those words should still be a reflection of His goodness, His grace, and His teachings. He asks us to follow His call and to forward the kingdom, so who am I to judge someone for posting spiritual/religious statements online? 

What truly matters, after all, is the intent behind what we say and do. If those people are posting to share the gospel and to follow Christ's lead, good for them and glory be to God! Maybe it is more often than I would prefer, but for all I know those posts could be exactly what another Facebook friend or Twitter follower needed to read. God has a plan beyond my understanding, which sometimes means I need to take a step down from my own judgement platform and see the beauty in the efforts others are making. 

So if I ever become that person annoying you for continuously speaking out online about Jesus, I get it. I completely understand your thought process and annoyance. But I will promise you, the intent behind these posts is completely to strengthen my relationship with God and to share stories of His grace in my life with others. 

I hope and pray that I can offer some bold writing in the name of Christ. It's what He calls us to do, after all!

Craft Time: Writing Tool Storage Redo

One of my latest favorite things to use while doing Bible studies and taking notes at church are felt tip pens. I have quite a collection built up and decided to do a quick and easy craft to conveniently display them on my desk. Check out the before and after!

To make your own, simply wrap an old plastic cup with Duck Brand Fabric Tape. Tie a ribbon around the top and secure it with double-sided clear tape so it does not slide down the cup. 

Happy Crafting!

Say "Hi" to Si!

Meet my new roomie, Simon! He goes by "Si" for short (yes, this is a Duck Dynasty reference because Si is old, wise, and funny). He is a beautiful little betta fish, but I'd like to share him with you all as being my fun new therapy fish! 

As you may have read in some of my earlier posts, I've had some outbursts of anger out of disappointment and frustration over the past few weeks. Before that "rock bottom" hit, I was also dealing with anxiety and worry overtaking my life-- probably a problem more people have than they'd like to admit! Worry, anger, and frustration are not fun and are not what God intended for us so it has been my goal to eliminate those feelings as much as possible.

Even though those were really negative parts of my year, have no fear, I'm doing a lot better now! Nevertheless, I know it is going to take a lot of effort to keep using my energy in positive ways and Simon the therapy fish is going to be my reminder to keep my cool. 

I'm not normally a fish person, as many of my family members and friends know. Germs = gross, cleaning fish tanks = nasty, and pet maintenance = no fun. Little Simon, however, could not be passed up when the idea to get a fish popped in my head. Not only is a pet the perfect listener of this world, but Simon the fish is a nice peaceful shade of blue and a betta is a strong, hardy fish that can withstand a lot of trial and tribulation! Those are some traits I want in my life and having him on my desk just might be the reminder I need sometimes!

So from here forward, if I'm in a cranky, unholy, and just plain bitter mood, you are perfectly welcome to send me to have a "sit down and stare at Simon" session.

I hope and pray that when I have my "sit down and stare at Simon" moments, those are times that I realize I truly need to "sit down and chat with God". Because while Simon is a nice little fish and a great listener, the most perfect listener is Jesus!

Stay tuned for more Simon appearances (maybe the sit down and stare sessions will lead me to some new insight!), but more importantly, stay tuned for God to show you some nontraditional ways to connect with Him in your life!

1000 and Counting

Wow. That is all I can say after seeing the number of pageviews for this blog! When I first started writing for it, my intent was to follow God's nudge to write in order to positively and constructively express myself. I had a lot of anger at the time and He kept giving me the thought to put that energy towards something else. 

I figured even if no one read it, at least I could grow deeper in my faith. If one person read it, maybe it would positively effect their walk with God. Little did I know God's HUGE plans for this hobby!

Today, the blog surpassed 1,000 pageviews and I am so thankful for that number. Not just because it makes me feel good, but because I realize I could not have gotten there without Jesus. He truly does things beyond our wildest dreams and I cannot even imagine where the blog will go from here! All glory to Him!

I hope and pray that all of those pageviews are a reflection of lives touched by Christ. Here's to many more surprises and more people deciding to deepen their faith, whether it is through reading my blog or following God's calling for their own life!

Blog Under Construction!

Please forgive any unusual sights on the blog for the next few days! I've decided to revamp the blog to have a sleeker look for easier reading!

I'm excited with how much brighter it looks. Hope you like it too! Who knew taking up writing as a hobby would teach me so much about web design and photo editing?

Feel free to comment if you have any further suggestions!

Accepting the Uncomfortable Truth

I'm not one to keep up with the news on a regular basis, but I came across a story about Kim Jong-un of North Korea and it breaks my heart. Check it out:

Kim Jong-un Calls for Execution of 33 Christians

The title says it all. Here I am, sitting in America with Bibles, devotionals, television programs, churches, handwritten journals, and more resources for practicing and deepening my faith, when across the world people are being killed for pursuing the same religious beliefs. Reading the story of how those involved in the underground churches are being put to death is a sober reminder of how fortunate and blessed I am to live in a place where my freedom to participate in Christianity is not only allowed, but encouraged. 

I walk across my college campus to see flyers and advertisements for Christian organizations. I have access to a Facebook page specifically for my small group. I can write and post this blog without any fears of being physically threatened. Those are all experiences I took for granted, until a story of a different situation was placed on my radar. Sure, every now and then I sit and think about how fortunate I am, but it basically takes something drastic, like this story about those in North Korea, to make me truly appreciate the freedom I have. 

A lot of times, I've been scared to take the minuscule risk of going to church by myself or attending a church event without a friend by my side. It doesn't make sense-- why am I worrying over mere introvert-related issues of feeling socially uncomfortable when there are people who literally die to have the experience in other parts of the world? Yet the more I think and read about this huge difference in freedom, the more I realize I'm never going to have all the answers. 

I'm not going to know why I was born here and why those people were born there. I'm probably going to keep having those occasional, uncalled-for feelings of anxiety, even though my situation gives me plenty of freedom to have comfort in practicing my religion. Those are concerns that do not sit well, but regardless, they exist. I just have to keep faith that God is going to use all of us, no matter where we live or what struggles we have, to help others and to forward His kingdom.

It's an uncomfortable truth, but is necessary for a Christian to accept in order to pursue a walk with God. Realizing not everyone is in the same situation, yet we are all a part of His plan to forward the kingdom, is a difficult pill to swallow. And as Mary Poppins said in her catchy song, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down; in this case, that spoonful of sugar is a full dose of scripture:

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1

I read an article a few days ago about the power of memorizing verses to refer to in times of need, doubt, and teaching. Hebrews 11:1 is going onto my list of verses to memorize because it is the perfect response to the big "Why...?" questions. "Why am I so fortunate when others are not?", "Why do my worries seem so big when they are really so small?", and "Why do people have to experience suffering?" can all be answered with the powerful words of God. Faith answers those questions because Christ cares and is making all work for good, even when we cannot see how everything fits together in life.

Accepting the uncomfortable truth of not having answers comes down to a basic answer-- faith. That answer is the core of Christianity and can provide so much comfort, strength, and assurance in a walk with God. We might not have all the answers, but God says we can have confidence in Him. I pray that all of you can take a piece of confidence with you, wherever in the world your walk with God may lead.

Story of Victory: 1D Lovin' Some Modesty

One Direction gets girls swooning over their song "What Makes You Beautiful." Today's story of victory relates to a group of young men who revamped the song, titling it "Virtue Makes You Beautiful".

Check it out:

Virtue Makes You Beautiful

I came across the video while browsing Facebook and was surprised by how entertaining it was! I'm not a huge fan of 1D, but this version of the song got stuck in my head. Maybe it will graciously get stuck in your head too, because those lyrics speak a lot of God's truth!

I always find it amazing when people can take to heart the idea of "living in the world, but not of it". This song truly took that phrase and applied it to a very popular song in order to share God's truth with people who may not be so inclined to listen to Christian genres of music. 

Most women in my age bracket could probably agree that the push to wear revealing, trendy clothes and to behave in provocative ways is huge. Television shows, music videos, and magazine advertisements all encourage this sort of dress and behavior. It's tempting too-- most of us like the idea of being seen as attractive and pleasing to the eyes!

This song was a story of victory because of its message about how women should value themselves for more than just their appearance. Modesty isn't meant to be an ugly, negative term. In God's eyes, modesty can actually be an act of obedience and can show respect for the bodies He gave us. We are expected to be clothed, more than just in a literal sense.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." -Proverbs 31:25-26

God wants ladies to be prepared to be more than just a trophy wife. He expects us to be clothed and to lead our lives in a way that glorifies Him and shows strength, dignity, intelligence, and respect for our bodies.

Additionally, modesty protects our brothers in Christ. Wearing clothes and behaving in flashy ways can lead our men into the temptation of adultery. 

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." -Matthew 5:28 

Modesty not only protects women from hurt and devaluation, but also keeps men in a mindset of healthy respect and admiration for ladies. Virtue really does make us beautiful and Christ is all we need to find that beauty!

Change, for Better or Worse!

As many experienced just yesterday, the time changed by an hour. Although that amount of time seems insignificant and the switch is expected to occur every year for daylight savings, I think most people would agree that it makes something seem "off" for the next few days. We can't always pinpoint why the change made such a difference in how we feel, but nonetheless the impact is felt.

Other changes in our lives, big or small, can lead to the same exact feeling. For instance, when I moved to a different residence hall, I quickly found that the place had a different atmosphere. I could not pinpoint what made it feel different, aside from physically being in a different location. Despite the welcoming atmosphere and my new and improved room, I still had to adjust to the different residence hall and make myself comfortable with the change.

On a more personal and life-changing level, a change that took some effort and adjustment was moving away to college for the first time. I was very close with my family and moving three hours from the place I grew up led to a process of finding balance between home and school. Instead of just being able to walk outside my bedroom and say good morning to my siblings, I had to now make a conscious effort to stay in touch. This wasn't always successful-- there were times my siblings and I would get into disagreements over whether or not we cared about each other. Sometimes one of us would drift and not make as much effort as the other, which became very frustrating at times. Change throws us into a readjustment period, in which areas of our life that were once consistent become unpredictable.

These periods of readjustment can lead us into better or worse situations; the direction we head is all a matter of what we choose to believe. Being thrown into unpredictable and uncomfortable circumstances can easily cause us to doubt God's goodness, which can send us down a negative path and falter our steps towards knowing Christ. On the contrary, remembering that the Lord is always watching over us and creating perfect plans for our future can reassure us during these times and send us down a positive path. 

As you adjust to the time change and reflect on more significant changes in your life, take note of these verses in Psalms 18:

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
-Psalm 18:2

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect."
-Psalm 18:30-32

God will remain constant, no matter how difficult a change in our life may be. Feeling uncomfortable can be a sign to lean on Jesus, rather than a path to doubt and negativity. I pray that we all remember to see the Lord as our shield, strength, and stronghold as we face changes in our lives. 

Story of Victory: Getting the Perfect Beach Body

This is the first "Story of Victory" post. These posts will highlight a person, song, video or news story that relates to victory living through Christ. Today's topic relates to beach bodies.

It's that time of year-- swimsuit season! Sure, there might still be snow on the ground, but plenty of people are headed to warmer climates for their spring breaks. While perusing Facebook today, I found a video that made me take a moment to consider self-image and what society portrays as being the "perfect" body. Check it out:

http://youtu.be/zRlpIkH3b5I

Crazy results, right? Photoshop did wonders and was a whole lot easier than dieting, exercise, and taking care of one's body. The disappointment, however, was that the women participating in the modeling shoot did not even feel like the finished product looked like themselves. There was nothing unique, special or noteworthy besides the fact that they looked like cover models. 

Yet those are the standards many work towards as they approach swimsuit season. 

In this video, I think the victorious moment was the women coming to accept their bodies as precious, just the way they are. Take that a step farther and apply this to your life-- are you content with who you are in Christ?

Instead of working towards an unrealistic beach body or model-like appearance, here is some scripture to guide you in setting some healthy, holy, and realistic goals:

"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." 

-1 Timothy 2:9-10

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 

-1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 

-2 Corinthians 7:1

According to these verses, rather than pursuing life in a body that is seen as "perfect" by society, we should be seeking to have bodies and minds that honor God. Setting goals focused on looking good, rather than on taking care of the body Christ has given us, is a trap to fall into the ways  of this world. I pray that this spring break, God pushes us to see our bodies the way He sees them-- as a precious gift, a temple of the Holy Spirit, for showing His goodness and for behaving in purity and holiness.

Scripture Study: Digging into Matthew 16:24-26

This is the first of many scripture study posts! Grab your Bible and get pumped! Scripture studies will be short blurbs focused around a snippet of the Bible. I'm a huge fan of devotionals, so I hope for these to turn out to be similar in the fact that they are short, digestible, and applicable pieces of scripture that can be referenced throughout your day-to-day life. I pray the verses selected encourage readers to take a deeper look at the Bible on their own time and to see what lessons they can learn through scripture study.

I was flipping through my Bible and found an old piece of paper wedged between some pages. When I checked out Matthew 16:24-26, I decided that scrap of paper was worthy of some discussion!

Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can man give in exchange for his soul?"
-Matthew 16:24-26

My interpretation of this piece of scripture comes down to a few main points:

a) The big idea- Following Jesus means giving up the ways of this world. Life isn't going to be the same, but that's okay because Christ will help us to find a new life in Him. 

b) A thought to take with you- Decisions we make on a day-to-day basis should be able to say "no" to the question, "Am I forfeiting my soul?" Our souls are incredibly valuable. The ways of this world are not worth the cost of exchanging the eternity Christ offers to us.

c) A question for you to consider- Are you willing to take up your cross by doing what Christ desires and asks you to do? 

I pray that this scripture provides some food for thought. Thanks for sharing a few minutes with me in studying God's word!

Creeped Out on a Holy Day

The freakiest thing just happened. I got an e-mail...from a dating website.

At first I thought it was a scam, then after doing some Google searches I found out "Date My School" is in fact a legit website. How my e-mail address made it onto their list, I have no clue. All I know is that today is the start of Lent and I literally just started what is essentially an anti-dating movement for the next forty days. Receiving an e-mail that has anything to do with dating is quite the turn off right now!

Flat out, I'm creeped out.

It might be a stretch, or it might not, but my suspicion is that this e-mail was just one of the many ways Satan will try to tempt me out of my "follow Jesus" mentality for the next few weeks. Sure, it seems harmless. People get scam or misdirected e-mails all the time. But what if that e-mail wasn't so harmless? The creepy, scary part is when I consider the reality of where even looking into that website could have taken me. I know it was an opportunity to be misdirected away from Christ's intentions for how I need to spend Lent. Thank the Lord I was able to calm my curiosity enough to quickly hit the "unsubscribe" button as soon as I looked into the website.

Coincidentally (or not), I found an anonymous sticky note on my door tonight with the following verses:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6

I pray that my readers and I will be able to submit to God's will in the next few weeks, even as Satan tries to throw roadblocks and plant temptations in our paths. We may be creeped out and confused at times, but this piece of scripture is a beautiful reminder of Christ's support in following his paths. 

Regardless of if you participate in Lent or not, I hope and pray you all can find ways to connect with Jesus in the coming days. 

Eyesores

Pure ugliness. That's what eyesores bring out in the believer. As soon as we lay our eyes on a trigger, negativity can fill our minds, bodies, and spirits. 

The eyesore might be seeing someone working a job you wanted and needed. 

It could be viewing a declining balance on an online bank account statement. 

Possibly, it could even be seeing a former friend spend time with someone besides yourself. 

Maybe the eyesore is an article in the newspaper about a controversial topic.

No matter what your eyesore may resemble, that visual cue to start worrying, feeling disappointment, and doubting God's goodness can become a very ugly and bad habit-- a negative addition to our lives that Christ does not intend for us to have!

I have recently taken note of some eyesores forming in my life. At first, I struggled to fight those negative feelings. I still do have difficulty stopping the thoughts at times. Nevertheless, the more I have practiced placing a "stop sign" in my mind and choosing to believe God's words as I push forward, the easier and more rewarding it has become. Fighting eyesores brings peace, contentment, and comfort, which are feelings I think all of us would like to have.

Christ offers His people the opportunity to place all of their worries, fears, resentments, and negativity in His hands. We can choose to believe the lies Satan tells us when we see those eyesores, but we can also make a conscious effort to replace those faulty thoughts with Christ's truth. Eyesores are an opportunity to lean on Jesus and to realize how comforting His words and His presence can be in our lives.

In 1 Peter 5:7, we are told: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 

The next time your eyesore triggers a worry, cast all of those fears on Him.

In John 10:10, we are told: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The next time Satan places an eyesore to be a thief of joy and contentment, take note that Christ wants us to have life to the full.

In Matthew 7:7-8, we are told: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

The next time an eyesore leads you to feel resentment or disappointment in someone, do not be afraid to ask Christ for strength to help you forgive and move forward. He is always there for you and provides everything you need to have a new door opened.

Christ provides us with a different lens for viewing eyesores. I challenge myself and my readers to keep an eye out for eyesores in our lives in order to develop a positive outlook through Christ. He will bring light and color to a dark and dull view on life, if we choose to accept His goodness!