How Dare You

How dare you?

How dare I what, God?  Have I done something wrong?  I've been trying so hard to be perfect.

That's it, Daughter.  Stop.  Stop trying so hard.

What do You mean?  All my hard work, all the things I've done for You, everything... that's not enough?  What more could You want?

You.  I don't need your acheivements, your striving, your perfection. I just want you.

But, God... Are You sure?

Have I ever been wrong?

Well, no, not that I know of.  But what happens if I give that up?  I'll have nothing left.  I'll be nothing.

You will be you.  And you will have Me.  You are nothing on your own anyway.  What I did on the cross was enough.  How dare you think you could do more?

You're right, God.  As usual. But it's just so hard!  I feel like I'm falling apart.

You are falling apart, Beloved.  But I am putting you back together.

 

Watch this video.

"So you thought you had to keep this up

All the work that you do so we think that you're good

And you can't believe it's not enough..."

Hope

   Hope.  We search for it, we crave it, we need it.  Without hope, we never change, we never grow, we never live.  We never smile.  Hope is what keeps us going.  Hope gives us strength.  Hope is our sustenance.

   We must hope for more.  If we hope for what we are already sure of we truly have no hope.  We must hope for above and beyond.  We must hope for more than anyone else will dare to hope for.  We must hope for so much that we surprise even ourselves, but we must hope anyway.

   When we feel everyone is against us, we will hope.  When we have nothing else left, we will hope.  When it seems impossible, we will hope.  Against all odds, we will cling to hope, and we will be victorious.

 



Hope is what we crave, and that will never change.
It's written on my soul:
Hope's what we crave.

~For King and Country

 

 In this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

~Romans 8:24-25

 

You Still Hear

It fills the atmosphere whether or not you listen you still hear...

Music by Beckah Shae

   Music.  It makes more of an impact than you think.  What you listen to infiltrates your thoughts, attitudes, and even actions.  Don't believe me?

   I have seen this in my own life.  I mostly listen to Christian music, but I like a little bit of everything.  When I listen to secular artists I find myself focusing more on what they sing about - which tends to be boys and relationships.  You all know that I -and you- have much better things to think about.  For some reason, these songs also seem to get stuck in my head much easier, solidifying their messages in brain.  In the same way, though, when I listen to music with a Christian message that is what I tend to think about.  Songs about God's grace, power, and love keep me focused on that.  When challenging and inspiring songs get stuck in my head, I am convicted all day.

   Still don't believe me when I say music makes a big difference?  Test it for yourself, then.  I hereby issue a challenge to all of you, no matter what kind of music you currently listen to.  For the month of April, 30 days, listen to only Christian music.  Only music focused on God.  Do it, and see what kind of impact it makes on your life.

   Don't think there is any Christian music you'll like?  I think you are sadly mistaken.  Try listening to K-LOVE radio, and look up bands like tobyMac, Beckah Shae, Skillet, and Francesca Battastelli on YouTube.  There are soooo many Christian artists out there that I know you will find someone you love.

   So, are you willing to jump out of your comfort zone and take a chance?  Only Christian music, starting April 1st, for 30 days.  Are you in?  Let me know in the comments!

Disclaimer: I am not  saying that all secular music is awful, bad, sinful, or whatever.  I still listen to it, and there are songs that I love that are not Christian.  I am not saying "never listen to secular music again"(just for the month of April).  Maybe God is telling you that, but I am not.  Just so ya know....

Here and Now

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”  

~Esther 4:14

   I doubt, I struggle.  After every move, every school switch , every friend made or lost, I wonder.  What is His plan?  Where is God taking me?  What will I do for Him?

   But I'm here.  He has something for me now.  I don't have to wait, I don't have to wonder.  Only He knows where I'll be next, but He put me here.  He wants me to make an impact now.

   So I'll trust Him.  I'll hold nothing back - "and if I perish, I perish!"  I will follow Him.  I'll use this place, this moment, to make a difference.  I will show the world Him.  I'll do whatever He asks, whatever it takes.  And, through Him, I will be victorious.

   Right here.  Right now.

"I'm gonna take a stand, gonna make an echo

I'm gonna make some history with His story, writing the pages of today

Cuz I know I was made for such a time as this." 

~Beckah Shae

Merry CHRISTmas!

   Merry (day after) Christmas, everyone! 

   I have had a wonderful holiday - and it's really not over yet!  My aunt, uncle and their two kids, and Grandma Ginny came to spend Christmas with us.  We have played fun games, eaten yummy food, and just hung out.

   Our Christmas Eve is to have a telent-show-ish thing.  Everyone has to present something to the rest of the family.

Elaina played and sang "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

This is me showing my power point about the meaning behind "The Twelve Days Christmas."

Grandma played "O Come All Ye Faithful," and Morgan sang super quietly all by himself!

Dad read "The Legend of the Candy Cane."

We all listened very attentively.

At least most of us did....

Most of the time.

And Bekah just played on the slide.

Bethany sang a song for us about how she loves Christmas, God, and all of us.

Time for presents from Grandma!

Jonathon got Tim Tebow's book, "Through My Eyes." (I get it next!)

...And then he realized we were taking pictures.

Titus loves to play with the bike.

It makes everyone laugh so much!

Here's my sister and I with our gorgeous necklaces from Grandma.

   Mom and Dad hide all of our gifts on Christmas morning, and we have to find them all before we can open them.  The older you get, the harder Dad hides them, and I have to admit I had some trouble this year.  We were too busy to take pictures (sorry!) but it was great.  I got a beautiful scarf, a book, stationary for my letter-writing ministry-ish (it's waaayy prettier than notebook paper), and a new subscription to Susie magazine.  All the present were amazing, but really I just love spending time (not in school) with my family - not to mention the fudge. ;)

   So how was your Christmas?  I hope it was just as wonderful as mine - and I still have more!  Did you get any especially special gifts?  Do you have a unique family tradition?  Did you have a performance?  Tell me about it!

~~~~~~~~
P.S Thanks to Aunt Chelle for the camera and most of the pictures!!

P.P.S.  The pantomime team at our church did two songs yesterday, and they did a phenomenal job!  They did "This is Christmas," and got a standing ovation. (We held service at our usual time, and the church was packed!)  Then they did "Christmas With a Capital C," and was hilarious, but also thought provoking.  Before you go, watch this video.  Enjoy!

Are We Sleeping?

Yes, you have to watch the video before you read the post. Listen to the words!!

   Are we sleeping here in America?  We're supposed to be advanced, privileged, smart, and progressive, but what are we really missing out on?  Have we deceived ourselves?

   Bethlehem slept while God's Son became human.  They dozed on the night off Christ's birth.  What should've been the greatest of celebrations was just another silent night.

   Where was Jerusalem when their Messiah was crucified?  They shunned and ignored Jesus during His ministry.  They were silent while He bled and died for their sins.

    What about us?  United States of America, will it be another silent night?  We call ourselves "Christian," but we are far from Godly.  We've been duped into doing, saying, and believing whatever sounds and feels good at the moment.  What lies and tricks are really behind it?  We accept whatever new philosophy is out there.  "Save the trees," but kill the children?  We pay God no attention, but He is coming - soon.  Will we be sleeping?

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night 

-Casting Crowns

Have You Noticed?

"Have you ever noticed that everyone who's for abortion has already been born?"

-Ronald Reagan