My Place In This World

This is me. The honest, the hard, the authentic, the imperfect me. I am pretty great. Definitely a mess most days, and yet, I am loved. I am loved by a God who would weave this incredible story into my life. A God that took a chunk of coal and is making me a diamond. Something others only wish they had. It's only when it comes to reality that they will wish they had it all, but to go through what I've been through, yeah that is a different story. 

Beautiful, wonderful is what you see when you look at me. You are the only one that knows me from the listen and has been with me since the very beginning. Thank you. Thank you for this journey that you allowed me to be a part of. I am so grateful. The journey has been crazy. 

I will be the greatest version of myself this year. I will laugh more than I ever have, I will be confident in my own skin and I will work the hardest that I ever have. I just need the strength Lord to make it through this season. 

I am actually doing it. I am leaving the familiar to pursue my own life. I have given it my life. I have given it my heart. I know that this season is done and you are calling me out. I don't know where that new place is, but I am ready to seek it out. I am going to pursue a different path and I am going to pursue a different life. The diamond life that I have known all along is where I am going. 

I don't need to explain that, or justify it to anyone. I know it's where I am going. I am know it's what I am doing. Lord, you created something amazing with my past and you are going to carry it from now on. You are going to lead me in this great adventure. I am so thankful. I am not angry anymore, because everything I've been through has led me to this moment, to these moments that we live for. This moment of gratitude. 

This isn't the end for me though. Everyday I learn more about what I want, and what kind of life that I want to create. I need a second wind to discover what that is everyday. 

To spend my life getting to know Him and His Word. To be defined by Him in every way. 

Lord, I am giving this life to you. I know that the things I want wouldn't mean anything without you. They are the result of a life that I want live in glorifying you. They are the way that I want to glorify you. And I also know that they won't take away the struggle of normal life. That is never gonna happen but I also know that it's my greatest life. I don't even deserve these dreams. Thank you Lord. Thank you my King. I love you. I love you with all my heart and I can't believe that I have these opportunities in my life. I am so blessed, I can't even contain it. 

I don't need to find my place in this world, I need to TAKE my place in this world.  

Amen

Moldable

Should I make this an annual blog? I'm just kidding. But based off my track record, I'm not kidding. Oops!

I really do love looking back after a year and seeing how God used situations and experiences to mold me into the person I am today. The key, I think, to moving forward is being moldable (maybe that isn't a word but I am sure you are catching my drift). Being teachable, and allowing God to work out His plan through you and me. I am amazed at the weaving He does in the tapestry of my life. The bright colors, the different textures, the story He is creating honestly takes my breath away. Does it always make sense? No. Is is easy? Not always. Do I sometimes struggle with trusting it will all work out? Yeah, to be honest...I do. But one thing I never doubt is His love and goodness for me. His goodness for you.

As a new chapter opens up in our lives, we can choose to see how scary and unfamiliar it might feel. Which could paralyze us, or we can (with effort sometimes) choose to take the steps forward with faith. Life is supposed to a big adventure, a journey that isn't meant to get us to a destination but to bring us closer to being like Christ. Life is God. Period. Try it. Take a deep breath. Now let it out. That is proof that you were created by a God that loves you. He wants you. He wants all of you. He wants all of me.

I'm in a season of transition. Choosing to exit out of the dance company, cultivating relationships, working on a growing organization and also learning to love myself the way that God does; unconditionally.

I'm Not For Everyone

I really connected with this quote this morning. I think so many times we try to be "perfect" for everyone. We are bothered when people don't like us, treat us badly or abandon us for no real reason. We think that in order to be "successful" in life we have to have EVERYONE like us and want to be our friend but that isn't reality. There are gonna be people that aren't gonna be your friend, you are going to watch people leave your life without any explanation. You might even get an explanation and it's going to hurt you deeply. You are going to have to get good at letting go of what isn't yours.

For a people-pleaser like myself and someone who just wants genuine friendship without drama or judgement...I find it easy to want to please people to the point of actually changing who I am in order to get them to stay in my life.

I've noticed myself grasping at friendships and relationships like they are the thing that keeps me alive. Yes, it hurts when people leave you. It is extremely painful to accept the reality that they don't want to be in your life anymore. I know these feelings all too well. The thing is though, we have a choice to make. We can allow those things and feelings to bring us down and cause us to stop on this journey of life or we can see that this is part of God's plan and process He is walking us through and be excited for the next chapter He has written. I think when we can learn to realize that we aren't for everyone. We can give our best to the ones that we are for. Impressing is exhausting and I'm done with it.

All I really need, is my God, a good cup of coffee, a positive attitude, a go-getter spirit and a joy that stands all trials.

"You might be the sweetest and juiciest peach, but some people just don't like peaches."

A Broken Girl To A Mighty God

Have you ever felt so much that it made you crazy? Do you ever get so overwhelmed that you feel like crying but you can't? I don't know...maybe it's just me. 

This feeling wasn't going away. I tried to shake it off, dance, listen to music, take a drive, go get coffee. That feeling continued to loom. Praying even seemed like it wasn't working. 

You know, being set apart for Christ isn't easy. Actually it's really really hard. The decisions are easy. You know what you are supposed to do, and what you know you shouldn't. But your heart, which is deceitful, sinful, desiring the flesh and what it wants, says something different then your spirit, which is pure, surrendered to the will of the Father and is constantly open to whatever He wants and desires for you. Those two things are always at odds with each other. 

Wrestling with God isn't easy, it's not fun and you for sure are fighting a losing battle because we all know Who is going to win. Then why do we still do it? Why do I still do it? 

I haven't posted in this blog in over a year. I honestly forgot I had it. In spite of that, I always find a huge release when I can get what I'm feeling out. So here I am, pouring my heart out. 

I'm mad. I'm mad at God for taking my brother at the age of 27. I'm mad that he couldn't get his life together, that he couldn't find freedom in Christ from his addictions. I'm mad that he will never see me get married, watch my kids grow up. I'm mad that I couldn't tell him how much I loved him. 

I'm struggling. I'm struggling to find my way through the mucking waters of finding myself. I'm struggling to find contentment being single and waiting. I'm struggling with being confident in my ability to live out my purpose and calling that God has made me for.  

I'm incredibly sad. I'm sad that people hurt, are stuck in their sin, that the amount of death by suicide and the staggering number of people that are depressed weighs my heart down like a million pound weight. I feel the darkness as I write this new show of Hope. I feel small and insignificant to be the one that God said I want you to put this together. 

I feel this massive hurricane in myself that pulls me in every direction. Part of me feels like everything is falling apart but falling into place at the same time. How do you get past this? How do you find hope, joy, peace, fulfillment? I wanna trust that He knows what He is doing, but right now I'm falling apart. 

The only hope I've ever found, have ever known, and continue to seek with all my heart is Jesus Christ. Just that name takes my breath away. The pain doesn't go away, the struggle is still there, and the tears don't stop flowing but I know that there is still hope, that one day the sky will not look so black and scary. That my tears will all be wiped away. I'm covered the grace and love of God Almighty. No matter how many skies fall down, I'm covered under the peace I've found. He is my shelter when there is no where else to go. No matter how many times I break, He is there to put a light inside me that shines through the cracks. I'm not hopeless, I am not forsaken, I am not abandoned. 

He isn't who He says He is because I believe, I believe because He is who He says He is. 

Lord, my heart hurts...and I don't understand. Grant me a peace that I can't describe. Slow my mind down and help me open my hands to you. Though I hold so tight to this life, I pray that you'd forgive me. Remind me who I am, remind me Who You Are, and wrap Your hands around me. I just need a really big God hug. 

A broken girl to a mighty God. I trust You. I believe You are faithful. You are good, even when I don't understand. Not for a moment, have you ever left me. 

Strength..Lord I need it!

I always find it interesting when I have a thought or memory that I haven't had for a long time and almost in an instant am brought back to the feelings, the timeline of my life when that memory happened. Sometimes they are good memories and some aren't so good.

This is a good memory...
With all the chaos of my life, I felt it might be nice to share my thoughts, my prayers and my walk as a Set Apart Girl on the journey of a lifetime with the ultimate Lover of my soul. Living everyday for Him is not always easy but hardly boring. I continue to find joy in the little things that He shows me daily as I stand in awe of the life I get to live. So with that, I went back to my old blog that I started what seems like forever ago. I honestly don't care if no one reads this, or if tons of people do..this is me and if maybe it helps someone on this process of life; I will love that.

Today I was reminded of the beauty of the human spirit. Looking into the eyes of a person who has been through a lot, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually and still has a fighting spirit that can not be put down, is truly amazing. I desire so much to be the kind of woman that has the strength of God coursing through my veins. Sometimes I don't feel like that, it's more like a I'm borrowing the strength of God from someone else's time with Him. Though that too is powerful, it's not the same as getting it from Him myself.
Lord, I am weak. I am frail and my spirit has no strength in and of itself. Like a branch that sits by it's self, I can never truly become strong and grow without first connecting to the vine. You are the Vine that beckons me daily to cling to You. I'm sorry that I don't always listen and obey. Search my heart and know me as Your word says. I surrender my life and I am not my own..but to You I belong.

After a long day of dance classes, bible studies, costume orders, performance planning, and a stomach ache..I am ready to hit the hay..well actually I sleep on a bed! God has truly blessed me with a wonderful company of girls and families that continue to support the vision that He has placed in my heart and have allowed me access to their daughters to share my passions, what I'm learning and my desire to dance for Him! It's amazing to be a part of First Position!
The little girls have finally been able to do their dances by themselves and got their lift perfected in their ballet dance! These girls, only 2 months ago were saying there was no way they could lift a girl over their heads, but today they proved themselves wrong. It was pretty epic, you had to be there. ;)
The girls have been my troopers this year. With one student having a few injuries that have taken her out of dance for weeks..who is coming to class and dancing with a big boot on, to enemy attacks on girls in the area of their walk with God, and the struggle of surrendering junk that gets in the way of truly worshiping and serving Him. These girls have worked their butts off this year, and I'm not just talking physically but have developed and stretched their "reach muscle"..reaching for the things God has put in place for them and I couldn't be more proud.
We are now 4 weeks away from the show! Get ready, because it's gonna be epic!

Glory To Glory

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tonight while doing the dishes I got a chance to listen to one of my favorite motivational speaker. She named her talk, "Glory To Glory". She explained that life is not a pattern of success following by failure. It's not taking one step forward and two steps back. None of that is true.  It's about living every single day, in every situation with the mind set that everything is a glory. 

In 2012, I started First Position.... Glory. 

I started with 22 students, in my first season as a dance company....Glory.

Three months into starting, the place we were having practices had to do some remodeling and asked us to leave... Glory. 

One month after that, 4 students dropped out...Glory. 

September of 2013, we started a new season at First Position and we doubled in students...Glory! 

I've learned through this business that I can look at things as failure and successes or I can embrace God's glory in my life..and see that this too will make me who I am to be in the future. 

Ever had your heart broken by someone you loved? Glory. 

Have you ever gotten that promotion at work? Glory. 

That time you got a flat tire, or ran out of gas? Or your car wouldn't start? Glory. 

Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone, but knew they were going to a better place? Glory! 

Have you ever been rejected by someone? Glory. 

Glory to Glory to Glory to GLORY!  

In life, there are no mountain top and valley experiences. There are no tug of war between success and failure. Our life is a beautiful sequence of glory to glory. It takes time to see, all those things you look at as failures...they aren't you. You are not a failure, don't you see? It's just glory to glory. Success and failure are not an exclamation points. They are not who you are. It's about how you evaluate the things, when they go wrong. How am I going to evaluate this? Am I going to laugh at this? Am I going to be sad at this? Am I going to choose to have this glory mentality? 

Broken and Beautiful

It's an interesting feeling you get when you look back at your life and realize that it isn't they who have changed but you. Today marks the last year I will be a teen. Being 19 years old doesn't feel much different but when you look at the life I have lived, it all seems so bittersweet. If you told me a year ago, that I would go through the stuff I have, I would have sat and cried. I would have wished it away because there was so much that I and my family have had to go through in the last year. The song I keep listening to is “Broken (Beautiful) by Chris Sligh.

“Can we move on, can we move on..from the love we've left behind?
Can we move on , can we move on..from the love we will never find?
The world is broken, in so many pieces, but the brokenness is beautiful. It's beautiful. My heart is broken, by beauties mysteries but the brokenness is beautiful. It's beautiful.”

It makes me smile when I hear those words, because it is so true. It's in our brokenness that we are made beautiful because it isn't our own strength but God's that keeps us breathing. They always say that if you could do it over again, would you have gone through it all again. I can honestly say that I would. Not because it was all so pleasant but because of who I am today....

“We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured-out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot

What wonderful words. To suffer for the good of this world is a high privilege. To suffer with Christ. Being broken isn't a bad thing, because when we are broken, we can feed a multitude! Just like Jesus did.

I feel like spring right now. I want so badly to bloom flowers, and see myself grow from the rain, but the snow keeps coming. But just like the spring, we can bloom even in those snowy days.


So, today..I turn 19, and my life is gonna change just as it always does. “..Love mixed with pain, and hope raised again..” I look forward to what God is gonna do. Where He is gonna take me, and who He will bring into my life.
Goodbye 18, hello 19. 

Light & Life

What I love most about my morning quiet time, is the stillness I feel when I'm in the Lord's presence. Trust me, it doesn't happen as often as I wish. My thoughts sometimes drown out any words that the Holy Spirit is trying to speak. But there is a moment when I allow my spirit to quiet and there I can hear His still, small voice.

This mornings devotions were about Light and Life. It says in John 1:4 "Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men."
When we have Christ living in us, we become the light in a dark world. For most people, the light is so obvious. Yet for others, it dims more and more everyday. So what does it take to keep that light brighter, and stronger?

Sometimes when Christ shines through us, those that are walking in the darkness become uncomfortable when they are around us. We become that mirror that shows them how far off the path they have strayed. I've seen this time and time again. Don't be surprised if you are rejected and resisted on this earth. Christ was too when He was here on earth, and from His own people. We will be rejected and resisted. Never see that as a bad thing. It is a wonderful that God chooses you to express Himself through. Allow the Spirit to guide you and lead you through all life's twists and turns.

The exciting part of it all is that when people encounter you, they encounter Christ within you. Please take every opportunity to give what you have to the hurting. Don't waste a minute keeping Christ to yourself.

Make that your goal, to continue to be the Light in your home, your school, your work place, and wherever you go.

As long as the Lord is living within you, you will never lose your ground. Stay close to Him. Let Him be your Light, when all other lights go out.

When you don't feel like you deserve love..

I trust you all had a great week! Times are changing! Leaves are turning colors. Flips flops and swimsuits are being turned in for boots, and backpacks. It's a time for great harvest! The Lord seems to remind me of His sovereignty in times like theses. I am not one to like change. I don't even like it when the leaves change. It's a feeling of watching a part of my life be placed behind me, and a new season up ahead. It's a time to adjust and learn to adapt to different circumstances. Don't get me wrong, I love new beginnings. I do.

The Lord, in all His majesty drops little gifts in our laps everyday. Today, He did that for me. I learned that it doesn't matter what you've done or haven't...nothing can separate you from God's love. But also, His love is NOT conditional to our performance. Maybe you think that to have someones love you have to earn it, or have to do something to deserve it. I'm here to tell you that with ANY human being, you will find that sometimes love is conditional. But I'll tell ya, His love, oh man....there is nothing like it. And you don't have to earn it. You don't have to do the right thing, never screw up, or fail in order to be seen worthy in His eyes. His love is there. And not only is it there, but He beckons you to come to Him. He whispers sweetly in your ear. If anything, THAT is the love you don't deserve, and yet...He gives it freely. Amazing.

So next time, when someone doesn't show love to you, don't think it isn't because you don't deserve it. Remember, you are to die for.

And that is something to praise Him for!

Be Blessed my dear one.

As you watch, don't forget, He did that for YOU!

I Hope You Dance

Happy Wednesday! Let this bless your heart, as it did mine..

I'll Praise You in the Storm

As I thought about what it meant to praise Him in the storm...I thought about actual storms. I thought about natural disasters. Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods. Natural disasters. No one causes those horrible storms. No one wished these monstrosities to happen. They just do.

Even more that I got from praising Him in the storm...is what we do in the middle of the storm. I have the choice to complain that there is too much rain, that the lightening scares me, that there is a hole in my umbrella, or that rain gets in my boots. I can choose to find no hope the middle of a disaster. But then, I am reminded of the old quote from my all time favorite movie, Lord of the Rings. Frodo, having been entrusted with this ring, the ring that all of evil is searching for, and at any point Frodo could lose his life. His fate, laid in the hands of the Ring. He is sitting in the Mines of Moria, and he confides in Gandalf. "I wish the Ring had never come to me, I wish none of this had happened.". Gandalf, in his calm demeanor, looked at Frodo and said, "So do those who live to see such times, but it is not for them to decide. All we can decide is what to do with the time that is given to us."

We all have a choice. God sometimes takes away the sins but never heals the sickness. I think about the man that was nailed to the cross next to the Savior of the World. Did Christ raise that man from the dead? Did He get him down from that cross? No, because sometimes we have to go through death to find life. It is always a painful process, but in the end..we are rewarded.

So in the storms of this life. Praise HIM.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass..it's learning to dance in the rain." <3

I love you.
Your sister in Christ,
T

The butterfly and the buffalo

I was given a great illustration on the difference between men and women. I want to share this with you.

Coming from Gary Smalley's book, For Better or for Best.

"The best example I can think of to illustrate these differences is to compare the butterfly to the buffalo. The butterfly has a keen sensitivity. It is sensitive even to the slightest breeze. It flutters above the ground where it can get a panoramic awareness of its surroundings. It notices the beauty of even the tiniest flowers. Because of its sensitivity, it is constantly aware of all the changes going on around it and is able to react to the slightest variation in its environment. Thus, the butterfly reacts with swiftness toward anything that might hurt it. If a tiny pebble were taped to its wing, the butterfly would be severely injured and eventually die.

The buffalo is another story. It is rough and calloused. It doesn't react to a breeze. It's not even affected by a thirty-mile-an-hour wind. It just goes right on doing whatever it was doing. It's not aware of the smallest of flowers, nor does it appear to be sensitive to slight changes in its environment. Tape a pebble to the buffalo's back and he probably won't even feel it.

The buffalo isn't "rotten to the core" just because he goes around stepping on pretty flowers. In fact, the buffalo's toughness is a tremendous asset. His strength, when harnessed, can pull a plow that four grown men can't pull."

What a great picture of men and women. Men may tend to "plow" through circumstances, while women "feel" life and their surroundings with much more sensitivity. That pebble on the butterfly's wing can be a sarcastic comment, a sharp criticism, or even an indifferent attitude. Whatever it may be, it can hurt her deeply or even crush her. While for him, he doesn't even notice what he has done.

I'm not implying that men are just cruel, and hurtful. And woe is women. What I am saying is that we need to understand our differences. That men are strong, and a woman needs that. She can't always come to a situation with logic. And men need the sensitivity of a woman, because without it, they will always "plow" through life.

Ladies, see men for who they are in Christ. They are born to be leaders, warriors, and kings. Learn to strengthen and encourage that part of who God has created them to be. They so desperately need respect from us.

Men, (if you are reading this) don't see the sensitivity of women as a weakness. Because it is not. Learn to open your heart more. Be gentle, and loving toward us women. Be patient and kind. We were created to be a husband's help-meet. To support and to respect. But we also have a longing for love.

Let me close with one final word. Ladies, don't EVER change. You were created to be a butterfly. Don't harden your hearts to the cruelness of this world. You are meant to be sensitive, caring, and loving. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And men, please stay strong. You keep us safe, you protect us. Being a buffalo isn't a bad thing. God created us different, but He loves us all the same.

Do you trust me?

"Do you trust me?"

That 5 letter word hits me every time. Do you sometimes feel like all you can see is only a few miles in front of you? Do you ever feel like you are blind in the desert? When we tell someone that we trust them, I don't think we really understand what we are saying.

The definition of trust is: "Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something."

"Do you trust me?"

I have come across this phrase for many many years. From friends, parents, significant others, and more. But I'm not talking about that. I have come across that 4 word phrase by God more than any other person or thing. It means SO much more when He asks me, "Do you trust me?"

Do I truly trust the Lord? Do I trust that He will never leave me? That He will lead my by still waters? I don't know what the future holds, or why lies ahead. And it is easy to say that we do, but when our actions don't line up, it shows what is in our hearts.

Watch this video, and then ask yourself, "Do I really trust God?"

I'll tell you, I do.

He wants to take you by the hand, He wants you to hold on so tightly. He will never let you go.

A Lily Among the Thorns..

"Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens" Song of Solomon 2:2

As I sit and think of how to start this post, I am bombarded by thoughts of a friend I know who is going through a pretty rough time right now. She isn't the first girl that has questioned why she ever gave her heart away to someone she thought truly would cherish it. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have.

The world has taught us, that in this culture, to find true love, its through the giving of ones heart. To settle for less than God's best and pursue many relationships to find, "The One". We live in a world that has and continues to destroy everything that is princesslike and feminine within our being. Girls are bombarded by movies, music, and magazines that tear our dreams of someone to cherish, love, and admire the princess that we see in ourselves. Girls are realizing that the ones that are easy, laid back, and don't care much about their purity, the ones that put themselves out there for any guy to grab, get the attention that we all long for. So we begin to compromise. And before we know it, we get exactly what those girls get, a hollow, one dimensional life. But is it really worth it?

I have felt that way. I've come to that cross road so many times in my life. Feeling pulled into the direction that the girls in my youth group were going. I saw the results that the girls got. I wanted that. Praise the Lord, I had a discerning spirit, and choose the higher road. It was never, ever an easy thing to do. To choose to be a lily white princess for my King, and my future husband, than to follow the crowd around me.

Where are you at in life? Have you felt as if you have compromised who you are for the shallow, and hollow life of the girls in your life. Throwing your heart to guys who will never appreciate it to begin with? If so, you aren't alone.

Leslie Ludy puts it so well in her book, Authentic Beauty:

"My childhood longing to be loved and cherished by a tender knight that I could follow to the ends of the earth was placed in my heart by Him. Jesus Christ alone can fulfill that desperate longing."

So many of us think we know Christ. I mean, really know Him. We mention Him in conversation, we visit Him in church, we read the bible every once in a while to get to know Him better, and maybe even declare that He is number 1 in our life. But there is a huge difference between saying you know Jesus Christ and actually experiencing Him as YOUR true Prince.

I challenge you to stop looking at the world's version of love, and acceptance. And tune your ears to the sound of your Prince, beckoning you near to Him. Listen to His sweet whisper. Feel His heart beat. And there you will find love, acceptance and everything more and beautiful.

We are all on this set-apart road, running to our Prince. Never give up, and never look back at the past mistakes you have made. Allow the Spirit of the Lord to heal you of past hurt, and disappointment. Look into His loving eyes and let Him be your Prince, your Knight in shining armor. You will NEVER regret it.

I'm praying for you, my friend, my sister.

A Social Network Christmas

The Strong-Willed Woman

The strong-willed woman is a term that has been used for generations to describe a woman who is, in essence, an arrogant, stubborn woman who can't submit to her husband or even to God. If this has been your picture of a strong-willed woman I am going to challenge your thinking a bit as you read further.

I am a strong-willed woman. I have a strong will and firm convictions. I'm not afraid to speak my mind, and when I am committed to accomplishing a goal, I'll move heaven and earth to get the job done. I've gotten in trouble, more then once, for being too bossy and pushy, and I've unintentionally offended others with my actions. I believe that God has given me a strong-will. Although I didn't before. I really saw it as a weakness, something that God couldn't use, but I realized over time that there is a difference between a strong woman and a woman of strength. We can choose to use our God given personalities for His glory or ours. Strong will itself is not a negative trait; it only becomes negative when you use it in ways that do not honor God. God does require that we surrender our strong wills to Him. But what we get back is an amazing spirit of God that actually makes our strengths stronger. And it is only through God's grace can any strong-willed woman avoid the negative aspects of even our best traits.

So what is a Strong-Willed Woman? Lets take a look at a few excerpts from Cynthia Ulrich Tobias's book Redefining the Strong Willed Woman.

I have a deep desire to make a difference
I am not content to coast (I don't like to wait)
I am fiercely loyal
I need to be involved
I will not be ignored
I have no reverse gear
I tend to succeed (I never do something that doesn't promise success)
I am wholehearted in action (whatever I choose to do, I do with my whole heart)
I have diverse intrests
I have a strong desire to do right
I am willing to do what needs to be done

So what do you think? Do you possesses the qualities of a strong-willed woman? I know I have quite of few of these traits myself. It's amazing what God can do with a woman who has a strong will. A will to, get the job done, who wants to do what is right, is loyal, and wants to make a difference. The only thing we need to make sure we are so very careful about is when our strong wills are out of God's submission. This is something that we must die to each and everyday. Sometimes more then once a day.

Let's make a promise to one another right now. I am going to pray this prayer for you, will you pray this prayer for me?

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our strong wills. Thank you for the beautiful strong-willed women that are all around the world, and the ones that read this blog. I pray that you strengthen them with compassion and love, to serve others and bring glory to Your name. I pray that everyday they will die to their plans and agenda's. That you will use them in many ways.
In your precious name, Amen.

What Legacy will I leave behind?

"David's fame spread through all lands, and the Lord made all the nations fear him."

1 Chronicles 14:17

What legacy will you leave behind for your family?

The Bible paints us a beautiful picture of the legacy that was left for us, through people like, David, Esther, Jesus and many more. We look at these people and the differences that they made to not only their families but ultimately the whole world. We get to see where they have been, follow in their examples and then and only then, we know where we are going.

Having the mindset that we can't do much to form the legacy that we leave behind, that we aren't that powerful to influence the people around us is a lie from the enemy. It is a lie that gets us nowhere but down. What an exciting thing to know that WE as christians, and women can help shape our futures to bring on abundance to those after us. Even at a young age we can begin to allow the work of the Lord to shape us, mold us, and form us into His likeness so we can be a light to the world. And it all starts at home.

Just recently I had the opportunity to see the newest movie in theaters: Courageous. All I could come away with was, "Wow" If you have not gotten a chance to see the movie, I highly encourage you to! The men in this movie realized the need to leave a God-breathed legacy for their wives, their children and ultimately the world around them. They took the ownership that the Lord had placed on them, in the family that He gave them, and the resources that He left for them to build up a strong legacy, one that will be passed down from generation to generation.

This message isn't just for the father in the home. It's for anyone who sees the need. It's for mothers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives..etc. As a young woman, you can give your family what they need most, to be a shining light through the darkness, a girl of peace and of hope.

"Change today and everyday to move in the direction of faith. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Learn to live up to the the name, "Follower of Christ", and the world won't soon forget you."

Revenge...is it really sweet?

It's interesting that this would be my devotion today. Not that I am looking for, or struggling with revenge but I think this is a topic that hits home for some girls, and guys. It can be hard to not take revenge when others treat you, well, not so nice. God's word says in Romans 12:17, "Don't repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." and also verse 19, "Don't take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay." says the Lord. I don't know about you but I am sure, God's wrath is far more effective then mine.

As a christian, I think we sometimes get into the mind set that now that I am a follower of Him, nothing bad will ever happen to me. On the contrary, we face many trails as a believer. The Lord even said that we would, but when we did He also told us how to deal with them.

He says in His word about trails and struggles and how they should be dealt with:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer... Romans 12:12

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produces endurance... Roman 5:3

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything be prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made know to God. Philippians 4:6

When trials come, don't take revenge...let go, and let God.

Courageous

From the makers of "Fireproof", "Facing the Giants", and "Flywheel" comes this new, fresh, and exciting movie entertainment about 4 loving fathers who decide its time to be more then just, "good dad's". They take it to the next level, and they have what it takes to be Courageous. This movie will have you on the edge of your seat, with a box of tissue and a new appreciation for those around you. Don't miss your chance to see this inspiring movie. Being Courageous starts here. It's worth watching....its worth living.

"Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Protecting the streets is second nature. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous."

Church with a lower case "c"

Church.....I cringe when I hear this 6 letter word. I'm not talking about the body of Christ here, but the building. The man-made things of church. church with a lower case "c". Hundreds, if not thousands of books have been written about the very subject. Books like, "They like Jesus but not the church", "So you don't wanna go to church anymore". We can try to pretend that we haven't been hurt by those in the church...but we would be lying to ourselves. We can pretend that people aren't hurting but what good can that do? It breaks my heart to see Christians putting fellow Christians down. I am sometimes scared to tell people to go to church because I don't want them to have to deal with the hurt, sometimes the rejection, and even the disownment that people in the church seem to spread. In my own walk with God, I have been hurt by the church, and I have to wonder...how does this make God feel? It says in John 15:5:

"I am the Vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

So, if we are all branches that are connected to the Vine, wouldn't it seem odd when we attack each other? It's like we're hurting ourselves. That was never God's intention for the church. We are to be a body that uplifts one another, encourages, supports, prays for, and loves each other. Maybe we have forgot what it means to be "the church". Just maybe, we forgot what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.