What is Love????

Sometimes, I really don't think the world knows what love is. Actually, as a whole, it doesn't. Think about it. There is so many different types of people; broken people, suicidal teenagers, devastated friendships...

What do they all have in common?

 Pain. Pain. Pain is not caused by love. Love heals. And I know you can argue that love has broken up relationships, marriages, etc. But I firmly don't believe this. Don't you think if it was true love, that wouldn't happen? I mean, no, this world is not perfect, so perfect love doesn't exist, but a love that goes beyond what you ordinarily see, does. And why? Because it's from God. Because God is love. Those who believe in God believe in love. Because they've experienced it first hand. You can never argue this point unless you've experienced it. And even then, you wouldn't argue this point. Again, why? Well...

It bears all things,

believes all things,

endures all things.

Love never fails. 

 Love is sustainable. Beautiful. Gracious. Overwhelming. Love, in itself, when alone, as just a word, is perfect. Because God is perfect. But what we do, the circumstances that arise in this world, that try seeking, trying, utilizing love, are what cause them to fumble. To give up. Maybe even try again, but when they do, it never seems to get easier. And that's because, one of the biggest secrets Satan hates to let be known, is that people ultimately, are trying to have love. The bigger picture? God. They're seeking God. Their life just becomes a web or maze of confusion. They know they've been down this road before, or tried similar routes, but that's the thing. They are always looking in the wrong places. Always going the wrong directions. Looking the wrong way. Getting the wrong idea. The truth is, they are looking to the world for answers. For some, that's all they've known. God has never existed, or he's just a figment of imagination that has no solid foundation. 

The world is a lost place. People have always tried taking control, taking things into their own hands, and they've lost focus over the generations. It's never worked. You can try to tell me that there are normal happy families who aren't Christian or know God, but I bet that is based off of observation. And what about those who tell me you are those people that are live happy lives? Truly, deep down, somewhere, if you searched yourselves, you would find you're not truly satisfied.And what if you're positive that you are right? I would say you either haven't looked close enough because you don't want to, which would only imply you are afraid to find out, or that you fool yourself. And it is very rare for people to be happy all the time. Nearly impossible. But there is a huge difference between soulfully satisfied and an emotional happy. Soulfully satisfied is when, despite everything, you have something to rejoice about, to be thankful for, to be content despite your circumstance.  

And this is where I lead in to tell you that Love never fails.  Love doesn't fail people. People fail love. People fail God. But God, won't fail you. He loves you. He loves you with Agape love. (Self-sacrificing love)  I say love never fails because love is exactly what always picks people back up again. That healing. That couple that fought last night, they made up because of their love for each other. Love brings people together. It's a connection. Love is so powerful that it overcomes evil. That teenager who's been an orphan since 3 that the mother just found? Love restores what is broken. That teenager all her life probably told herself her mother didn't love her. Hated her. Then what changed in the mother? Love. She finally knows what it is. Has experienced God's grace. His love. Has experienced Him. (Why else would love be so powerful?) What's going to bring that teenager around? Love. 

Love is able to bear all things,

                                          believe all things, 

                                                                  endure all things, .....

                                                                                                     because it's healing. 

Love restores what once was, what was broken, un-whole, shattered.  Love is able to occur because once, along time ago, Jesus broke through death with it. Because it's perfect. He's perfect.  Not even death can kill  or conquer love. It's already been defeated. 

Love has no bounds. No maze or journey to get to it. It's alive and around, but you need to call out to it. To God. That's all. That simple. Only then will you know what love is. Love is...unfathomable. That's why it's powerful. We don't understand either. But we experience it. And because of that experience, we know it's real, true, genuine, and perfect. Prefect because it will never disappoint us. But most importantly, love is sacrificial, never thinking about yourself.

Love doesn't have to be a mystery.

Call for it. 

<3

Thankfulness is a Constant Verb

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

 For the longest time now, I've been trying to figure out what I am most thankful for for this Thanksgiving season. And it has come to this: I am most thankful for who God IS. I know this is late, but that's because until now I haven't been able to figure it out. I wanted something specific, with depth, something not ordinary or lamely original that everyone posts on Facebook, such as, "I am thankful for all my family and friends and those that love me." This really gets old when you've seen it for the hundredth time all worded almost exactly the same as any other. I realize a lot of people are thankful for the same thing and it's just personal for each person, and to not be too harsh and critical, but there is a different point that unnerves me that is the true reason. 

• When was the last time you saw someone post about why they're thankful or because of whom they are thankful? People end their thankfulness with it flying in the wind, letting the world know what they are thankful for, but never consider the reason behind what they have and who they have. 

        It's frustrating to see the world so absorbed with themselves resulting in a shallow life. They are missing out on the many blessings that would show them what they are truly missing rather than being deceived by a lifeless life that is missing God. 

• The second thing is if people live every day as thankful as they are on one day of the year. I realize this is a really hard thing to do as we are so caught up in life. Even I have trouble with this. But may I offer this as a daily challenge? And not a struggle? 

        We tend to reflect about all we're thankful for on one day as well, and some more so than others if you take it more seriously. For some, it's enough to just bring to the forefront what we know to be thankful for like robots when really never truly contemplating anything. So my question is, are we truly appreciative of all we mention? Of all we live with and what we own? 

I strongly believe that true thankfulness is:

 Living a Godly life...

 in which we serve Him (not ourselves) in anything and everything...

Giving all the glory and Honor to Him...

Praising Him even throughout the storms...

Thanking Him in prayer for our life daily...

 To put it simply, if you are truly thankful,...

You will live a life that is for God in response to Him being the reason that you live. 

"I'm a Christian" Catch: Fan or Follower?

It's so easy to call yourself a Christian. So easy in fact, that you fool yourself. You do all the right motions as one. And besides, you're nice to everyone. You go to church, either every Sunday, or most of the time, or you go on Holidays, and most importantly, whats societies' most twisted lie: you believe in God. That's hardly enough for God. That's like telling your AP English teacher you can say the Alphabet backwards. Let me share some hard core truth with you. Believing in God, doesn't make you a Christian. Period.

There's a difference between saying you are Christian, and living like one. And there is also a difference between being a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus. Being a follower and a Christian need to go hand in hand. All this time, you've probably thought yourself a follower. And maybe you are. But my goal here is to convict you farther.

Fandom:

The definition of fan in the dictionary is this, "An enthusiastic admirer."  

It's just that. It's the crowd in the stadium of the football game. The girls who never miss their favorite TV shows ever and have them recorded. The people that are up to date on the most famous celebrities, and perhaps know ALL about them. From their birthdays to favorite clothing accessories. 

           In Jesus' day, there were thousands upon thousands of fans that followed Jesus around when He preached. They would camp out, listen to his truth, and all the good things they wanted to hear. Many people were inspired by his teachings. Jesus even did a miracle of using some pieces of bread to feed thousands at one point. Talk about yummy benefits! Jesus wouldn't be the only thing I'd start admiring.But at one point, in Luke chapter 14, Jesus decided to draw the heady line. Ultimately, it wasn't the size of the crowd that knew and listened to him, it was their level of commitment. 

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ' if anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.' "

That's some serious stuff. At this, I'm sure a good amount of people started getting up and walking away. That's not what they wanted to hear. Everything was going great. Why did he have to say that? Because it's never been about what we want, or about us in general, but all about Him. The second thing, is the confusion of why he said "...does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters..." This obviously goes against what the bible says to love everyone. Even your enemies. But that's not what he was getting at. His point was that even though it was culturally disgraceful to leave your family without their blessing, following Jesus meant sacrifice. It would be different if the family supported your decision to follow him. 

Other translations state, " 'You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than...' " Here the point is that he is talking about comparison. In comparison to everything/everyone that He's given you, you must love Him beyond all other measures. With your whole heart. God doesn't do second best in our lives. It's all or nothing. 

Follower:

The definition of Follower in the dictionary is this, 

"A person who follows  another in regard to his or her ideas or belief; disciple or adherent." 

or 

"A person who imitates, copies, or takes as a model or ideal"

Most people have John 3:16  memorized. But what they don't have memorized is Luke 9:23.

"If anyone would come after me, 
he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." 

Everyone knows you are suppose to believe in God, which John 3:16 emphasizes.But to most fans, Luke 9:23 hasn't sounded appealing to what they want to give, or maybe they just haven't heard of it. Either way,  it emphasizes following. 

A lot of people think their followers because they know about God. But they don't actually know God. They confuse their knowledge of Him for Intimacy. Intimacy is a whole different level. People believe they know God by all the facts, sermons and lectures they've heard and studied over the years. But that's just like saying you know all about a celebrity but you're not close to them. For those of us who have grown up in a Christian family, hearing the words, "Jesus died on the cross because He loves us so much" has lost it's luster, if you will. We've grown up hearing about it and it being said so much that it never truly took root. The seed was planted, but not nurtured enough to make it our own. It never became intimate. And now, that's one of the biggest reasons why we have a hard time understanding why God wants to be known by us.

"O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. 

You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. 

You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD."

Honestly, sometimes I still have trouble with this verse. I have trouble letting it sink my heart in awe or wooed by love...His love is so profound I just can not grasp it! However, it does put me into awe that He would want to lavish us with love, His creation, because we'er so...well, you can't even compare yourself. But to the point. Being a follower requires a full pledged commitment to being aware of Him in everything you think or do. Once you can grasp that, it's easier to keep Him at the front of your life like this. This allows for growing intimacy. It allows for a deep relationship with Him. And it makes it hundred times easier to live and be a devoted follower, and not just call yourself a Christian because you feel, not know, that there is a God.

This is all just part of what defines a fan from a follower, but you"ll have to read, Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman to discover the rest. So my question is...

What are you? Just kidding. 

What do you want?

Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman

http://www.christianbook.com/not-fan-teen-edition/kyleidleman/9780310734000/pd/734001/1304450032?event=HPF2

When it Comes Down to It, Matter Doesn't Matter

 You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of dust...this is what I sing as I sit here, ring-less. Discouraged. Guilty. A burden of a tear heavy in my right eye.  I rub my left hand ring finger. It's so barren. It's gone. My ring is actually gone. I couldn't believe my eyes. The ring I had only been wearing for a matter of weeks, that meant the world to me, something I would consider a prized possession, was lost.

 Since my one post entitled, Not Just Any Perfect Love Story, I've been working on creating my own love story. I've been trying to develop a love for my future husband now. I want a love story that's beautiful in which I can save myself a ton of heartache later. But that part, was exactly what I kept forgetting to say over and over to myself.  I wasn't memorizing it, so when the devil would try something new, more sneaky, and I didn't immediately back myself up with anything, because I had nothing solid to grasp. There was so much I had written in that post, I couldn't pinpoint anything. In that small amount of time, he was slowly capturing me. It's so easy to get off track, to forget everything important such as already being taken.

The world tells you you're single. God tells you He's already matched you up with some amazing prince charming, and him with you.  You're so valuable, that you've already been given the best. Your other half is exactly what you need to make you one. You were made to be compatible. You're a couple, already connected. And God will see that you find each other, in what we translate as a beginning of a beautiful love story. Don't fear prince charming not being what you wanted, what you expected. Truth is, no one knows you like God knows you. He made you to be and act who you are. Therefore, he knows what you need. And trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Now the question is, how could I forget all this??? Well, I return to the moment before Satan started tempting me to lose my focus. I couldn't think of anything fast enough. My guard was down and I didn't know it. It was like he unhitched my alarm system. Looking back now, I guess it was a slow process he used.  Lazily, I slid aside what was really important; retaining and memorizing the most important phrase: Develop a love for your future husband now. In the way way back of my mind, I thought, I already know this, I already know it all. I'm fine.  I felt like it was already inside my heart. Nothing to worry about. I realize now that if I did bring that, oh-so-important phrase to heart, my "alarm" would of gone off.

This leaves me with the rest of the story.
 I have two cousins that mean the world to me, and one gave me a very, precious, meaningful ring. It was plain, silver, and in Hebrew said, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved mine." It was beautiful. It held an incredible amount of symbolism, and with the ring, felt like I now could never go wrong. It melted my heart every time I looked at it. I wanted that ring to do so much for me. To keep me reliable. To be my 24/7 accountability partner. I counted on that ring to keep me straight. After all, it melted my heart easily. After awhile I naturally out of habit rubbed it with my other fingers, letting it's truth reverberate through me. It's value in my eyes was priceless. And still is.
So recently at a resort in Disney World, I was swimming in a long, river shaped pool. At one point, it almost fell off, probably due to me being cold and veins shrinking. So barely noticing, I just slid it farther on. In the shower later, I realized it was missing. And suddenly my heart fell to the floor. This can't be happening. I thought. It has to be right here somewhere. It has to be. Please be right here... But it wasn't. Deep down, I knew that. Right away I started questioning God for what I was starting to figure out. I felt so...terrible. Unworthy of that ring, unworthy of Him. He took the ring away from me. I felt incredibly punished. I cried out to him silently, under my breath. Why God? Why? I'm so sorry! Please have mercy! Please give it back! I've learned my lesson! I assure you! How couldn't I? Oh Please! Why God? Please! 

The truth is, in the end, matter doesn't matter.

I learned that the very, sacrificing, painful way. That ring could do no more for me than it already it. It encircled my finger. It's like building hope on something that can't stand.  Except I didn't want something I just couldn't see. I wanted something with mass. And the thing is,  that ring was no more alive and real than what was in my heart, honestly. And I find shame in that. Frankly, I was shocked when I realized where my heart really was. I guess God's tests, ( that aren't even punishments, actually) really always do work out for good. And that's the perspective I need to set now.

That ring will never be able to hold my life together for me. I was desperate, and acknowledging that now, I realize why. All these truths were on my heart, but not in my heart. When I normally think of it being on my heart, its something I think about. But it being in my heart, means its actually sunk in. That I actually engage it and live it out.

I am a beautiful thing made out of dust. So are you. And were made to be healed and forgiven. If I'm so desperately sorry, I will pursue these truths more passionately. Be like a ruby. Rubies have their value in rarity. And just like for them, in the end, matter doesn't matter.

Beautiful Things is by Gungor

The Wife of Noble Character

A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

 Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.

 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.


 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land

                                                                                                                                            

   She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

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.

 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”

 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
  but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

 Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

-Proverbs 31

Is it worth the beauty to you, 

to achieve it? 

Terminating Your Life, to Find the Terms of a Real One

"The Christian life can be explained 

only in terms of Jesus,

and if your life as a Christian 

can still be explained in terms of you -

your personality,

your willpower, 

your gift,

your talent,

your money,

your courage,

 your scholarship,

your dedication,

your sacrifice,

or your anything - 

then although you may have the Christian life,

you are not yet living it!

True Godliness leaves the world convinced

beyond a shadow of a doubt

 that the only explanation for you,

is Jesus Christ."

-Ian Thomas 

That Sticky Mask

Until this Summer, I've been fooling myself. I've thought myself a follower of Jesus, when I actually was just a fan. I've done the obvious things that one does, like going to church, (every Sunday - that should give me bonus points right?) I do my devotions (pretty much every day...but the fact is I DO do them!) I don't swear,  or get into drama. I have that I'm Christian on facebook. I put bible verses on facebook...people publicly know - people I don't even talk to - know that I'm a Christian. So why wouldn't I be a follower?

Well, now I can finally answer that for myself. I'm simply not a follower because that's all where my fandom ends. I'm not willing to sacrifice more. More as in...all of me. Everything. I've been happy to live and say to an extension, but that's all. Anything more, that could cause tension, or awkwardness, or sadness with the people around me, hasn't been worth losing in my mind. Those things like everlasting best friends and family aren't worth the pain I would have to endure.

In the last year, I've been getting some serious desires in my heart to live for God. And they were like small flickers burning low on a candle, slowly growing bigger and bigger. The flame was alive in my heart. But i couldn't seem to make it reality in my actions. I could never seem to satisfy the desires. They were unquenchable. Unrelenting. And it was undeniably frustrating. I couldn't figure it all out. It didn't matter how much I cried out to God about them. I knew God had put them there. So why wasn't anything happening?! I found myself praying the same prayer everyday. I wanted to live for God. He was surely pleased with that. But in the end, I realized I never actually gave Him my heart. Okay so all of me.  I just told Him over and over the same things he already knew. But then I got it. I was asking the wrong question. The question wasn't, "why haven't you been doing anything?" It was, "Why wasn't I giving God everything?" Friends, if you don't give God your all, he can't use you. He doesn't want an ecstatic fan that wants to live for Him. He wants a revelation. He wants a full blooded follower.

It wasn't till after I got reading, Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman that this big mystery of the year in which I suffered was solved. The chapters were about diagnosing fandom and which one you might be. One of the last ones was, "Are you more focused on the Outside Than the Inside?" 

When I read the title, I was positive that wasn't me. Yet I left a little open room open to just in case, and if I could learn anything from it. But as I got into it, I didn't get very far before I stopped, eyes starring, frozen. Oh my goodness, that's me! Suddenly, truth reverberated in my heart and head. Everything was connected. I could piece things together and the truth came ridiculously easy. I couldn't believe it. It was like God waited for this moment, counting down the days, hours, minutes. For the fun of it, I imagined him jumping up and down clapping His hands. And smiling. But that's not the end. I felt like a heavy fog was lifted from me. And with it,  I felt an enviable freedom.

That sticky mask. 
I didn't realize I had been living with a mask on. People didn't know me at school as that Christian girl who is really religious as they might say. But the thing is, Christianity isn't a religion, it's a choice and how we live for God. But anyway, my best friends didn't know I didn't go to dances anymore because it was wrong, and wholly ungodly. They just figured because they weren't always fun. Didn't know I didn't listen to any music that wasn't Christian. Or that I did devotions. And they most certainly didn't know about my desire to talk to the popular girl who I knew needed God. Or the people that everyone talked about behind their back. The desire was there every time. But you can't be a follower behind a facade. Ultimately, they really, really didn't know me. I was such a fake. I was behind a mask, afraid to be seen and judged for who I really was, and hurt them with the sacrifices I was openly ready to make to make a statement about my faith. About God.
It's incredibly hard, and hurting, to take that mask off. To reveal yourself. Everything that I had been hiding was all the good things best friends should know about me. I knew after they knew the truth, they would wonder who I really was. I asking for them to accept the polar difference. I was asking for them to accept ...the real me.The one they thought they knew.

Friends, wearing a mask that long blurs your vision. It gets too heavy to wear, and ruins you. Don't make the mistake of wearing one, only to realize it when it's too late and still have the stickiness, the after burn, to deal with. You may have true freedom. But there still is a price to pay. It's impossible to have desires that involve living for God and try doing that behind a facade.  You can't be who you really are behind something your not. You have to choose.

So, where's your heart? 

Not Just Any Perfect Love Story

Every girl wishes for that perfect love story. Where the guy is the most handsomest specimen you've ever seen, and it just seems like you both will overcome the world and anything it will send your way. Okay, so that could be a little exaggerated if you are thinking more rational. Other girls don't see any hope on the other hand. You might just look at me and say, "Um, have you been to my school? Because I can't even get a guy to hold a door open for me." And I totally agree with you. What is this? Do we need to go back to the 14th century where knights have the most unthinkable chivalry moves? Because I'm all in. Just kidding, I'm not. Because I've made a discovery, girlfriends. One that I want to change your perspective with.

First of all, I want to start with a quote that validates everything.

"Ladies, a real man opens more than a door. He opens his bible."

You want the perfect prince charming? Then number 1) He better be a Christian  and number 2) He better be the guy God has made just for you.
When we surrender everything to God, always seeking His will for our lives, God blesses us with the only the best. That's what we deserve. Because we are His children. That he loves with an everlasting love. Satan may do a lot of damage and havoc down here, but he's not in control. And that doesn't mean God doesn't want us to have a joy  filled life. On the contrary, He wants us to live to fullest, to be joyful, thankful, and prayer filled.

“A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.” ~ Maya Angelou

Entirely true. A guy shouldn't just see you when he glances or even stares at you. One of the first things that should go off in his head besides "Wow, she's beautiful"  is that you are a beautifully strong woman of God. And what should grow on him, is his admiration to how faithful and pure you are. Those are some key things that will be part of his growing love for you.
When God is your all, and you live with your identity in Christ, then it will be the most gorgeous thing that he just can't seem to get his mind off of. Because that's you. That's who you are. And it's breathtaking. Believe me when I tell you that he will admire it for the rest of his life. Every day it's something he's just gonna love; it will never get old!

Something else pretty attractive...the proverbs 31 women.

"A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies."

What girl doesn't want to feel and be worth more than rubies?! To a girl, that is like, one of the best things ever that could happen. And the good news? You can be! God is constantly working through us, is he not? And with habitual prayer, and the desire that he places in your heart, you will be one. God never gives up on us. But we tend to give up on him. And is this not admirable? You may have already re-read that, at least a couple times already. Like me. Like every time I ever come across it. Just imagine how much more your future husband will value it.

"Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value."

I love this. I desperately want to be that woman and wife who walks with confidence in herself because of her intimate relationship with God. Girlfriend, I want you to walk virtuously, purely, more than gold, as a  princess of the most High King. It's what God expects of you, because girl, we see ourselves too lowly. This is how God sees you, ultimately. And we need to see it ourselves. Because only then, will we live and walk like it. And feel a more stupendous sense of freedom and joy. These are key to how your future husband will have "full confidence" in you. He will marvel it. Relish it. Boast about it! And it will make your marriage a step easier. One step closer to the perfect love story.

Friends, a perfect love story begins where serving ourselves ends. You have to be a Christian that really serves God as you surrender everything to Him. You need to have an intimate relationship with God, as should your spouse, because a relationship with God is the foundation on which your marriage will stand. Loving God above all else, will make life more efficient as your purpose is to please God. When your focus is on God, everything else falls into place. Perfectly.

And one more thing...

“Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."

    

You want to surpass them all? All those other beautiful women in the world? You want to stand out to your husband? Including the first moment he lays eyes on you? Then be a woman of integrity. Besides all that has already been mentioned above, you should stay true to your future husband at a young age. God has already matched you with your match; you are a future couple. So live like your already taken.
What you do now will effect your future. Your oh-so-wanting happy future. If you want it badly enough, you'll stay true, genuine, and pure at a young age. I know, this is hard. But I also have found a way to make it a ton easier.

Start developing a love for your future husband now.

It's like beginning your love story now. Every girl can't wait for it to happen. Well friend, you can start early. Like all things, these things take time. And the more you practice it, the easier, better, closer to perfection it comes. Even when you're married, you're still going to feel like you are perfecting it. But that's also part of the journey. The catch is, you will be saving yourself a lot of heartache and hurt emotions by starting now. And it should be fun. Your love story can be a blessing from God if you let Him lead you.

Here's a little analogy to help it feel all the more possible:

You know how we love God with all our hearts and yet we don't see Him?

 The same could be applied to our future husband.

Does that change your perspective? It surely changed mine! This is as much a promise to your future husband as it is to God. To help me in any sort of temptation Satan may fling my way, I bought a promise/purity ring. Because I always see it, see it glimmer in the sunlight, or how beautiful it looks on my finger, it never fails in reminding me that's how gorgeous and beautiful I want to look in my husband's eyes. And not only that, but that I have made a promise. A promise of commitment. A promise to make a perfect love story for myself!

Think like this...

I am the only one my future husband deserves...anyone else wouldn't be God's best for him!

And I don't deserve anyone short of him that's not God's best.

Girlfriend, don't sell yourself short of God's plans for you. Let God's dream for you be the dream for yourself. When you let the unthinkable happen with God in the drivers seat, you start to believe there is more to life than just any other marriage. You will realize you don't have to read romance books, watch romance movies, or travel in a time machine to the 14th century of chivalrous Knights to swoon over an amazing love story. You can have your own.

So let me ask....

Is your Prince Charming worth it all?

When the Rock in the Hard Place... Is All You Got

Check out those hills...they do NOT look fun to climb. At all. They look like they could be rugged, sharp, jagged; just over all unpleasant.

We would not like to climb these annoying rocks any more than we want to climb the rocks of life. We hate when our life goes down hill, goes "rocky," slanted, because we seem to have a hard time of controlling our life. But whoa, there's the first problem. It's not our life. It's ultimately Gods. There's a verse in the bible where it says that when we give our life to God we die to ourselves and he lives in us.

The next thing we know life, like rocks on a cliff, seems to be tumbling downward, and gravity has full reign.

Then what? The next problem: we blame God. We blame God for doing ___ to us. Why would he allow bad things like this to happen? Doesn't he love you? We like to play the blame game--where its never our fault. The funny thing is, you know you're not perfect. And yet, you never can convince yourself that maybe just once an action of yours caused it.

It's on auto for our brains to automatically blame God. But you know what? God doesn't do any of it to you. Satan does. Then you ask why does he allow it then? Because, in this world, just like the bible says, God uses everything to bring out the good in the bad. He uses it to make u stronger, so that there is only room for victory. But first, you have to allow him to. With God, God always wins, the problem is with us. We lose faith that he'll pull through, because it seems that he's failed you, every other time. Well, did you notice a pattern? Every time it seemed that He failed you, you quite, left him hanging, in the middle of it all. God doesn't finish something alone that he wanted to use you in, because you were his perfect choice. He wants you part of it because he wants to show you the good thing coming out, so when its all said and done, you can step back in awe, instead of disappointment.

God doesn't disappoint us. We just aren't patient enough to see it. Why? Because in your weakness, you let Satan control you. So, in all, it was never you who had control, it was Satan, and he leads you on to believe it, giving you this sort of "freedom" until everything comes crashing, and you realize you just sold yourself short of what you deserve. That's the thing, we don't deserve to be saved by God, we don't deserve, to call him Father or Lord, yet it's because we are His. We are the Almighty's. The Almighty loves us.

So as you fight that rock in the hard place, when you hit bottom, maybe in your hole of misery, where your trapped, you should just stop and be quiet for a moment, and analyze everything from the first spot Satan took the lead on you. I almost wrote, you taking the lead, but I caught myself. It's not technically us, its Satan, and even I'm learning to get out of that human way of thinking, and into God's.

Anyway, once you stop and take a real good look at that rock, you'll learn that it's God. You'll learn to stop fighting your loving creator that you failed. If anything, your the one who deserves to be left, yet he doesn't want to leave you. Why? Because he knows you too well. He knows that your born sinful, you didn't choose it, and there is still much hope!

God waits for us to choose him, to run back to him, to let Him be your solid rock on which you stand. Your faithful foundation in which you need to build your life. Over time, once you give it a chance to prove it's loyalty to you, even in the storm, you will start to see a new pattern. One where God is always there for you, and that you don't want to leave because you know the genuinity of it. Why does he allow you to freely choose him? Well, wouldn't you not like him even more if he didn't? Exactly. He loves you so much he gives you the choice, and because He knows you better than yourself, or had a plan for you before you existed, ...I think that pretty says it all itself of how much he wants you to grow in a relationship with him. He's willing to something like that, just to capture your heart. Will you let him?

When the rock in the hard place is all you got...take a real good look at it...hidden, you'll see your name...and next to it..his words of wisdom, such as hope and love. Knowing this should make you feel more special, and if anything, really glad that you don't need to fight the rock. Who wants to fight? So turn around, embrace this solid truth, and hang on tight. Don't let this be what hurts you, when he is always there for you no matter what.

Genuine Friendships: A Bond that Lasts

It's funny. Before this year, I was unsure if lasting, forever friendships truly lasted. Call it ironic, but I have two best friends since kindergarten and 1st grade from public school...a best friend from church...and one from SusieMag, a Christian girl magazine.
I wondered as I got older, and grew out of movie fairy tales, what it would take to keep them secure. As I matured, it grew from, do we have attend the same college so we're always with each other? to are drama and impulsive, unreasoning feelings going to destroy it? These seem obvious answers, but they aren't to the person worrying. Their perspective is held by Mr. Frightening. Know him?

It hasn't been until this year, that my eyes have really opened; to something big. A genuine friendship you don't work for. Just like you don't work for salvation. A genuine, lasting friendship, you earn, deserve, with grace. Ultimately? A genuine friendship comes when you're both followers of God. God is all about truth. About being genuine. Genuine Truth. There's no compromises...no lies whatsoever.

A genuine friend doesn't steal your boyfriend...doesn't divulge your secrets...or spread rumors. Nope. Their way more than that. They are the people that you say are too good to be to true. That your not worth having. That may seem better than you...too good for you. Wait, stop. What are those sentences...hm, yes, compromises. That my friend, is the kind of friend we all need. We need that kind of person who will help us become genuine. How do you think people become genuine? All on their own? Certainty not! Those kinds of people have a powerful secret that allows them to be genuine. Before, they were just like you any one else in the crowd. Genuineness stands out. Does it not? Do you want to? Again, is that too good to be true?

Before you answer heavily yes, know this: their secret is God.

I can't tell you how awesome of a thing that truly is. I know you may want to roll your eyes or regret reading this after I say it's God...but it doesn't have to be a bad thing, at all. I wouldn't be wasting my time writing all this if I didn't discover the secret myself. Because, honestly, not that long ago, the same thoughts of yours were running through in my brain. But seriously, hear me out.

Do you know someone who all they do is encourages you? Who can feel your pain, who will give up going to a party, even a date with her boyfriend to comfort you...To me, that sounds like a person who cares so much about you and loves you that they willingly put you before them. They aren't selfish. And their life isn't all about them. They are the type of girlfriends where when its midnight, and their exhausted, they ask if you want to talk about it, and sacrifice their essay that's due the next day...just to be there for you. And they don't have to. You know that. They could have many options. They can just text ya tomorrow...email you in the next day or two, call you sometime...when they can find time. In other words, they just shrug you off, like their socks at night that they throw on the ground telling themselves they'll put them in the hamper in the morning. Well, aren't you special. Guess what...

You're better than that.

Your better than what they don't want to give up. You think that's obvious? Then why don't you feel that? Feel that way all of the time....

Some of the most genuine people, like Amy on here, I've gotten to know really well. And I can promise you something. God is so concerned for you that he'll give you friends like these. Pray about it, I'm sure he's actually eager to answer! Besides, your also his daughter. And he even knows the genuine you...and can't wait till you discover that phenomena. Amy, just one person, has changed me. I can tell that I've gotten more genuine. I praise and thank God every day for her! She always felt my pain...always knew how to make my days, knew how to make me laugh at loud, knew how to make me smile so wide in global class at school...and this list just goes on and on.

Friends, happy moments are like fairy-tales. Hard to keep lasting and come by. Genuine friendships, the kind that lasts and bonds you in Christ is a reality. But it won't be a reality to you until you make it one. Christ is the one where we get our sympathetic hearts, our caring and loving spirit because he IS love. If you don't have a relationship with God...then you won't have a genuine relationship with another person. The world isn't a cruel place...it's the people you choose around that make it one to you. You have a choice. I encourage you to live one of the many happy Christian lives that so many at this minute live. Find those genuine friendships. They are out there. I promise. You have the power to reach out, step out. God is with you.

Something else...Stop dreaming. We tend to wish for things more than act on them. Genuine friendships are waiting for you...don't let your hurt or worry scare you. Scare Mr. Frightening away yourself.

Determination is the key.

Resisting the Devil

After I had been battling what seemed mind boggling things for the past week, I read my friend's email, hesitated noting the time, but figured I would respond. And wow, I am glad I did. The holy Spirit had something in mind for me; something to learn and to teach.

How many times as a Christian do you struggle in walking with Christ? Growing in him? Perhaps trusting? Well, I can guarantee you that we have all have been there. Everyday. We fight the devil everyday trying to stay true to God. If your honest, you'll say (reluctantly) many times you let Satan win. Well, I got some news; you don't have to accept that.

Satan does not control you. He can not control you unless you let him. Wow,..feel that small spark of hope? It's real. It's real because it's possible. Because it's true. And you want to believe it. Before that sounds too weird for you, consider why.

It is a weakness, is it not, to give in to Satan's whispering in your ears, being your conscious. You may ask yourself why it has to be so hard and why you are always fighting a never ending battle. Guess what? If your on God's side, you don't need a battle, you have already won. I tend to ask myself how that is possible. But the truth his, you are never alone in your battles, God is beside you, and the sad part is this: You were on God's side but switched to your own devices and lost.And now your stuck in a raging battle that always seems to leave you forfeiting. And yet, God is merciful, and is with you all the way. He may feel distant from you at those times, but that's because you left him. You wanted to be in the drivers seat, with all the control. And how did that work out? Not too good. You are in deeper than how you impulsively pictured it beforehand. And you wonder why it doesn't feel right...

Before you way all the guilt down on your own shoulders know this: Satan is the reason. He is very persistent on not letting you get over this having control weakness and making you think you are to blame. He certainly lives up to his name, the devil. The bible says he prowls around like a hungry devouring his prey. 

A vivid picture:

Think of yourself standing against the pole, on God's side, in bright light, and look down to see a bright red line on the ground making a boundary of safe zone that encompasses. On the other side there is complete and utter blackness representing Satan's side. The red line symbolizes the blood of Jesus as he became the ultimate sacrifice when dying on the cross for our sins. That line holds many things, two being mercy forgiveness. Because your not perfect, God knows you will cross that line many times giving in to temptations and sinning against God, which means separation from him. And if your a Christian, you know that is why he died for you, so we wouldn't have that separation, and we could have a personal relationship with God, who loves us. Now, sighing blissfully against that post, as free as ever, to the point your soaring, you see something moving in that darkness, and your muscles stay firm. You feel but can't see Satan pulling you away from that post so now your stature is determined. You firmly say, "Your crazy, Satan. It's impossible for you to win. " He tries with all his might and breathe, to the point his face is red with temper to push you away from the post, but you lean against it with your eyes fixed upon God. He's failing, and for once your laughing in his face.

Some more hope:

Because Satan is persistent on not letting you win, and ultimately God, he seems to refuse to not let you win. And more than determination, I prefer to see him worrying. That's right Satan, worrying, that he won't have control over you much longer. In factual truth, he knows that his chances for winning are very slim. He's worrying as to what I type out in the open right now will strengthen your resolve, and the little power he has over you will clatter- clash - to the bright red line. And then it'll all be over, on more battle in this world he has lost. A world that he struggles to control. He knows for a fact the he's losing. Why not? He once knew God. He was a favorite, and has been around him! That something even us, his precious children, haven't gotten to do yet. Therefore, he knows full well God's Almighty-ness.

So, Is it really too good to be true?

Or is it so good that you can't but say it's true?