Thursday, December 30, 2010

2011

I don't think I have ever been so excited for a new year to begin. 2010 was so great even with all the trials and things that went on, it was still really good. But, I firmly believe that 2011 will be an even greater year. God has really been stirring some things inside my heart concerning some direction and some new territory that he is preparing not just myself but others for. It is something unexpected but so exciting. Something different. Not just a "New Season" that we have declared in the past, but different. One of the keys to us walking in this different phase of life is knowing the Word of God. Not just some memorized scriptures, but studying out some life applicable truths. The time has come for us to quit "quoting" the  Word of God and begin to "Live" the Word of God. We have to get it deep into our spirits, past our minds that act as a filter before it gets to our heart. If we allow God to, he will remove that filter that over analyzes the word, debates the word and changes the word to fit our situation, need, or desire for the moment. If the filter is gone, his word will go straight to our hearts and we can grab hold of the truth in the word at a more deeper level than before. In Psalms 119:111 it says "I have hidden  your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." It doesn't say to lock into your mind, or to argue and debate the word. It says to hide the word in our hearts. How do we do this? Read, read, read!!!!Ask God for revelation every time we read his word. He will give it to us because He is a faithful and loving Father. I believe another key this year is to get connected with people of your church. We go to church week after week, but do we know that person that sneaks in the back row 30 minutes after church begins? Make attempts to learn something new about someone every time we go to church or on an outing with them. Lastly, I believe that we should try to make a commitment to share the love of Christ with someone every day. Let's not live our lives without using our peripheral vision to look beyond us.Quit not making eye contact with people you are trying to avoid at work, school, church, etc. We have to get the basics of what Jesus did when he was walking the earth to truly make a difference in this world. We have to follow in His footsteps in order to be an impact on this world's lost. 2011 is that year to "Impact". So, let's grab onto the basics of the word of God, refocus our vision, and make an Impact in 2011! 

Friday, December 17, 2010

The End of the Year

I sit here at my computer really wanting to share my heart with anyone who is willing to read this blog about how great my Heavenly Father is. He, in this last year has carried me so many times through some really horrible circumstances. But, yet through every situation, even though it looked quite grim, God turned it around for Him to get the Glory. There has been sickness, financial struggles, horrible diagnoses from doctors, legal issues, mental breakdowns, emotional roller coasters and so many other things that happened all around me or to me. There were times I just wanted to quit. Quit school, church, work, God, and even my life. I am just being honest because you will see in the end what happens. Let's go on now....
The book of James from the message bible says it very bluntly. James 1 says "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and show its true colors.So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."  So, I guess this past year, 2010 was a gift from God. Although it was very, very hard, I choose to see it as a gift because I also saw my self go through a mindset change about my abilities, I saw loved ones get promotions in jobs, people healed from cancer, raises in income, legal issues wiped completely away and so many other things happened. I even became a great aunt this year to a little boy I love so much. I choose to give God praise for 2010. He has done awesome things in me and the people I know this past year. I am so very excited to see what 2011 will bring. Are you ready for your gift?

Stand of Faith


Everyday I am tempted and tried
I will not be broken, or give up and cry
I have come too far to give up and run
To forget what God and I have done
It is up to me to take a stand
Against the enemies devious plan
A stand of faith and trust in my King
He is my foundation, my everything
You are my strong tower, my rock my friend
I will serve you until the very end
-12/16/2010