Find Your Voice.

Find your voice. 

Today God keeps pressing on me to find your voice. As someone did worship painting today at church, I kept wondering what is she painting? 

Near the end I see a lion. A beautiful, majestic, colorful lion. The more worship went on the more God kept pressing to find your voice. Then the worship team starts singing a song, louder and louder:

“It is finished, it is done 

The blood of the lion has overcome”

I’m like yesssss! Go Jesus! Let that roar out!

Then the pastor starts preaching. First scripture he goes to is 1 Peter 5:8. 

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Devil prowls around like a roaring lion. 

Hold up. 

Jesus just told me I’m roaring like a lion. Like His blood has overcome. 

But the enemy is a lion too?

Now I’m confused. 

And God says again “find your voice”. 

So I’m sitting in service praying on it and God finally reveals it. 

Find your voice. 

Sometimes you think you’ve found it. Sometimes you think you’re doing right. But maybe it’s the enemy in disguise. So while you’re going around roaring what you think is good, you’re really the enemy on his prowl. 

So today I encourage you to stop. Think on what you’re about to say. What advice are you about to give? 

Sometimes the loudest roar is a whispering prayer. 

Find your voice. 

Prayer changes everything.  Start roaring. The good way. Start speaking GOOD over people. Start speaking positive over people. Start proclaiming God’s name in the grocery store! 

Burst into worship on a subway. 

Read your Bible in the park. 

Take your friends to church. 

Find your voice. 

Now let me add this disclaimer. I’m not saying you’re intentionally trying to hurt someone. Sometimes you might think you’re helping or it’s your place. But God is telling you to find your voice and choose your roar.

The Bible says you must die to yourself. It also talks about picking up your cross daily. So each day you have to make the choice. That’s the thing about God. It’s not forced. It’s not half-toos. It’s a choice. A choice you make of how each day will go. Of what roar you’ll have. 

Walking in the gas station and letting the door slam behind you on someone is a loud roar. 

A lady in the grocery store drops something carrying her baby and you pick it up is a loud roar. 

Find your voice. 

Is Daddy Coming to Get Me?

Last week I went to pick up the little girl I watch and just like every week she asked me the same question: 

Is mommy coming to get me? 

Now this question usually aggravates me because she feels the need to ask it every single day multiple times a day. And I always respond with the same thing: 

Where is mommy and daddy? At work. 
OK! Does mommy and daddy come and get you every day? Yes. 
Have they ever forgotten you? No. 
Ok. Then they’ll be here soon. 

And then she gets this big grin on her face. 

Same. Routine. Daily. Lol. 

But last week was different. As I went through the same responses I almost heard audibly God laughing in my ear. Laughing AT me!

He said “Dear child, but how different are you?”

And just like anybody getting called out, I got embarrassed and defensive. 

How many times do I feel distant from God. 

I ask where are you? 

Why don’t you love me? 

Why don’t you answer my prayers anymore? 

And again and again he says “I have never left you. I never have forgotten you. I am coming for you”. 

Talk about a tear jerker. 

God loves me. He’s never left nor forgotten me. Me! He loves ME! How can I not get this huge grin on my face? How Can I not get excited. My daddy is coming to get me. 

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

GET EXCITED!!! Come on. Quit sitting there. Quit asking where He is. Open your eyes!!! HE IS HERE!!!! God is here!! Hallelujah!! 

Joy vs Depression

Today as I drove home, I found myself smiling with the radio all the way up. I was smiling. For no reason. I just had joy in my heart. And I have missed that joy for awhile now.

Let's back up here for a minute. What is JOY to me?

Joy is looking at all my clothes washed and put away
Joy is sending home the last kid of the day (haha)
Joy is watching my husband sleep
Joy is spending time with all of my sisters
Joy is waking up early to join together to worship at church
Joy is sitting down and just talking with friends
Joy is resting
Joy is peace
Joy is love
Joy is feeling happy
Joy is positive
Joy is found in Jesus


And I had lost this thing Joy. It became a thing of the past, I thing I longed to have again. I talked about it. I wished for it. I pretended to have it.

The void was still there.
You see, our world is good at trying to fill a void. Such as:

A daughter that has an absentee father and tries to find her worth in other men

A man that feels lonely and tries to fill a void with multiple women

A child that feels alone at school who tries to fill a void by bullying others

Lace to face interaction and more electronically speaking

A family begins to break apart so the child acts out for attention

People have extra time so their lives are consumed with TVs

A boy feels empty inside so he eats himself away

A girl feels ugly so she tries to fill a void with make up

While we try to fill this void, it never actually works. We are usually left feeling more alone and broken then we were before.

I want you to know I use 'we' very seriously. I struggle with always trying to fill voids in my life.

Just recently when I lost my Joy, I went down a very dark path. I've mentioned it a few times before, but basically it wasn't pretty. I became a selfish, broken, hatred filled person. And I became depressed, as many witnessed. Depression is a funny thing. Growing up I felt like every other girl "Suffered" from depression. I saw it as a crutch. The more I got older and the more I witnessed depression first hand, I realized just how serious it is. 

Depression can drag a person down real fast. It has a way of taking you from a high point to your lowest in a matter of minutes. All it takes is one person to say the wrong thing, a memory from your past, a song on the radio. Depression is usually hard to pinpoint a trigger. So I became a victim of it. It consumed me. My life. My marriage. My job. My church. My self worth. Everything. 

It got to a point where I dreaded the nights I knew Mac had to leave for work. I knew it was 24 hours I was going to have to spend alone. I knew those nights would be long. And depression would welcome me like an old friend. I became scared inside to stay alone. I would begin inviting someone to stay with me every third night. I didn't plan on ever being alone again. 

And that quickly bit me in the butt. I needed a break from people. I backed off and invited people over less and less. I wanted to have peace. And just like that I was gone. I really can't tell you how depression grabbed a hold of me, but it had found a way. 

A few weeks ago I was alone for nearly 3 days (besides the children I watched during the day). I completely lost it. And I had no intent to. I got one of those very random itches to just clean everything late one night. It was probably midnight or so and out of no where I found myself weeping on the floor. I couldn't stop, I tried. I hurt. I was angry. I didn't understand why I went through what I was going through. I didn't know why it was so darn hard to just fall asleep in my bed alone. I've done it for nearly 20 years (granted I always had family in other rooms).

I can picture it now. I was on my knees grabbing at the floor angry. I was asking why over and over. I looked up and kept asking why. And then it hit me. I was talking to God. It had been so long since I had done that. So I kept going. I prayed and I prayed. For what felt like ages. It was like running into an old high school friend in Walmart. You try to catch up and realize you've been there for 2 hours. I caught up with God. I knew He knew all, but it felt good getting it off my chest. 

This is the big part, I confronted the depression. I asked God to remove this darkness from me. That I now can see that depression isn't some powerful, almighty monster that can steal me away at any moment. It was just another chopping tool satan was trying to use. I WAS FED UP. The darkness fled and I was filled with God's Spirit. I didn't need any worldly thing to fill me, I knew what I needed. 

And just like that, I found my Joy.

So as today makes almost 3 days without seeing my husband, yet I have Joy. I am not alone. I have friends and family that love me. But most of all-I have an Almighty Savior who has got my back. He comforts me in the light and leads me through the dark. I am not alone. 

It really hit me this afternoon just how blessed I am. I am telling you guys, I couldn't take the smile off my face! People near me probably thought I was crazy smiling one minute and bursting into song the next. I was truly happy.

It all began that one night. After being filled with God, I began praying. Randomly in the shower, when I was pulling my hair out with kids, fighting with Mac, stressing out-I just completely surrounded myself in prayer. And it feels good!!! God began to talk to me. Show me His plans. Guide me. I was whole again.

So to sum up this random, out of the blue, extremely long post:

Depression is just a tool Satan uses to steal, kill, and destroy. You choose whether it consumes you.

Joy only can be brought to you by God. It is a blessing you choose to accept.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

He's Human-say what?

https://youtu.be/C-SkrDf55fM {----- Clayton's Newest Video I refer to in post below

"Don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." ~James 4:4-10



I see articles claiming the “Almighty Clayton Jennings” has lost his license to preach. And inside I felt it to be true. To be good. So I investigate into this more. Only to discover this video he himself has released. So I decided to watch it. To see what hogwash he was going to spew now.
The mood was set with Tony Nolan’s opening. The music, the soft light. All the right settings to make you feel less anger. Yeah, I judged. I WAY judged.
But I kept listening.
Kept watching.
And then tears began falling.
 B U T     G O D
This man, once full of himself, his image, what these “fans” thought of him—was standing before MILLIONS of people confessing his sins. Admitting he was wrong. Admitting that some of what was rumored was true. Do you understand that?
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
I still struggle to share with my husband my daily struggles, much less millions of people. I don’t like to admit when I am wrong, much less when I am sinning. Even now I can’t begin to type out my sins. My daily struggles. But he did. He laid them all out for you. Even after recently getting married to a Godly woman, his past haunts him. But the best part of it all, God IS the best of them all. When he said sin washed white as snow—he meant it. He didn’t meant white like I wash clothes (a little spotty, probably ruined with a red sock) no He meant WHITE. Clear. Fresh. Done. It Is Finished. That’s what Jesus did. For you. For me. And even for Clayton.

And all God kept showing me during the video is Paul. Oh, sweet Paul. If you don’t know the story, read the full story in Acts 1. A short summary is that Saul was a king who killed anyone that believed in Jesus. He literally killed christians. And guess what? God still loved him. Still used him. He became Paul, a mighty man of God. Used for His Glory. His sins were forgiven. Literally killing people who worshipped God almighty and God still chose to see worth in him.
Just like he looks at Clayton and says “My beloved”. He sees the worth of this man. He sees his boldness. His determination. His love for the Lord. And chooses to love him even more.


So do I think Clayton was full of himself? Yeah I do.
Do I think he’s forgiven? Absolutely.

I challenge you reading this, to stop and pray. Because isn’t that what I should have been doing when I judged him so harshly? I’ve personally met him a few times and simply wasn’t a fan. His spoken words were epic, but his personality I wasn’t a “fan” of. But does that give me any right to judge—to sin? Nah. But I still did. And even through my judgement God saw His son. He saw Hope. He saw a Light.
So pray. Pray for this extremely hard journey Clayton is on. Pray for me, Lord knows I need it. But also pray for you. Don’t always feed into what the media gives ya. Take the time to step back and see it for what it is. Try and see what God is doing.

So before you cast that stone, take a minute and see him for who he is-man, flesh, and just like us—just with a whole lot more eyes judging his every move.



"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9



So in the words of God through Clayton:

JESUS IS:

He’s more than you could ever need
He’s more than the eye could see
I don’t deserve His love, but He’s always been there for me
You see, Jesus met me when I was at my lowest
And if you don’t know Jesus, know this:
He’s the greatest example of generosity this world of greed has ever seen
And when Jesus hit the scene, He changed the scenery
And met diversity with serenity
If you’re looking for peace, He offers plenty
Jesus was, and Jesus will forever be King
And when the Angels sing, they sing of the grace that was displayed for sinners like me
I can’t explain Him, and I can’t describe Him
Because if I could He wouldn’t be Jesus
Because you can’t explain eternity and you can’t comprehend the galaxies
But it was the loving hands of Jesus, who spun them into existence
And created man, knowing He would go to the cross to pay our sentence
There was a certificate of judgement with a period after the sentence
And we were sentenced to death long before He said, “It is finished”
He’s a father to the orphan, a shelter for the homeless
A hiding place for the abused and an anchor for our storms
He stormed the gates of hell and came out on top
And the power of His gospel cannot be stopped
Even when the world tries…and they try a lot
He trade places with Barabbas and became a catalyst
Of missions across the world covering every portion of the atlas
If you’re in need of rest, I know of a mattress
If you don’t know Jesus, your future is tragic
But He’d gladly embrace tragedy so we could live in His presence of majesty
His presence is presents
And it’s His presence that presents preciousness to a world of peasants
He’s far from pretentious, but still loves those who are
He’s a light of the world that hung on the stars
He brings the dead to life, but delivers life to the dead
He took a crown of thorns on His head
So we can put crowns at His feet
And I can’t wait until the day I get to kiss His feet that were nailed to the cross for me, and for you, and for every other person around the world
He loves the world and I love His word
Because His word became flesh
And in His flesh, He demonstrated the word to the world
He’s an example to every boy and every girl
He’s a lover of black people; He’s a lover of white people
He’s a lover of the un-churched and the assembly under the steeple
He doesn’t see the believer’s failures; but still takes time to celebrate their faithfulness
It’s His spirit that enables us
And gives us boldness, even when the world labels us
And if you wanna label me
Please call me a “Jesus Freak”
If that freaks you out, good
Because it’s better to be good with God
Than to fight being misunderstood
By a world that could never understand
So let it be understood that I don’t worship man
I worship Jesus
And although He doesn’t need us
He still sees us, and pleads with us
To run to the cross where He bled for us
His heart bleeds for us; His heart grieves for us
But still graciously grants us a pardon for our treason in a season where the world tries to explain away the work of the spirit with human reasoning
And here’s the reason why they can’t:
Because His spirit is like the wind, and the wind cannot be seen
But loved is he who believes without seeing the unseen
I’m telling you, Jesus is something
He’s something more; He’s something great
And if you wanna know Him, you don’t have to wait
He stands at the narrow path with a key to the gate
And all you have to do is reach out and embrace His grace
I don’t care who is president, I have a King who is always present
I don’t care who hosts musicals, celebrities; the voice of the Lord will always be the sweetest melody
I don’t care who owns the riches of the globe; my Jesus has more wealth with more ruby on His robe
I don’t care who’s the strongest or the fastest; nothing matches the creator of the universe and His immortal, infinite status
I don’t care about religious leaders who died and stay dead
I worship the One who conquered death, and wears a crown on His head
His name is Jesus, and I’m telling you He’s something
He was faithful yesterday, He’s faithful today
I can feel His presence whenever I pray
And when the time comes for me to fade away
I would remember the day I heard Him say,
“My name is Jesus.”

Confidence

Confidence
A funny thing. Can be brought on or tore down in the blink of an eye.
I always felt confidence came easy for me. I wasn't a shy person. I was okay with my body and who I was.
But then I became an adult. I gained weight. I became self conscious. I quit taking full body pics. I used filters. I hid who I was becoming behind baggy shirts and leggings.
My appearance wasn't the only thing to change. My confidence did. My attitude did. My thoughts did. My feelings did. Who I was began to change. I was sad. I was hurt. I was fat. And I was drowning in life overall.
All because of confidence that I lacked.
People began to comment on my weight. The way I wore my clothes. How I acted and so much more. And it began to break me. Every comment that was made would stick with me. Stick on me. I started to wear their words and carry the burden those words held. I became depressed. Upset. I began to distance myself from friends and activities I attended. I became angry. I started fights.
All because my confidence dropped.
I lost who I was.
But despite the dark clouds
Somehow
God still saw me
He saw my worth
He saw my pain
And He still reached out for me
He b egan to open my eyes. These people weren't the evil ones. I know who my Enemy is. And he has no place in my life. I am a child of God!
So I began to pray for the people that said stuff. I wanted to push through. But somehow every step forward I was shoved back on my butt many steps behind. I wanted to give up. Give it all up. I wanted to quit. Never go back to church. Quit my job. Not talk to people. I wanted to be alone. Even when it came to Mac. I began to distance myself from him. The one who lifted me up and made me smile. The one who told me I was beautiful and that he loved me. Even the positive I began to distance myself. And our wedding was quickly approaching and I just wasn't feeling it. How can I feel happy on our wedding day if I didn't feel beautiful?
Then this past Sunday someone was telling a story and the words "give her to her father" came out. And tears flooded my eyes. Give her to her Father.
And then I knew. I knew.
Confidence.
It's a funny thing. But it's not complicated. Confidence comes from us knowing who we are. Whose we are.

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)


I am the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)


I am commissioned to make disciples. (Matthew 28:19,20)


I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life. (John 15:1,5)
I am clean. (John 15:3)
I am Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit. (John 15:16)

I am a slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
I am free from sin and enslaved to God. (Romans 6:22)
I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father. (Romans 8:14, 15 Galatians 3:26; 4:6)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ, who loves me. (Romans 8:37)
I am a temple...a dwelling place...of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
 I am bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 7:23)
I am called. (1 Corinthians 7:17)
I am a member of Christ’s Body. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:30)
I am victorious through Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
I am led by God in triumphal procession. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
I am to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15)
I am being changed into the likeness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18 
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18,19)
I am given strength in exchange for weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
I am a son of God and one in Christ. (Galatians 3:26, 28)
I am Abraham’s seed...an heir of the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
I am an heir of God since I am a son of God. (Galatians 4:6,7)
I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1; ! Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2)
I am without blame before Him. (Ephesians 1:4)
I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God’s family. (Ephesians 2:19)
I am righteous and holy. (Ephesians 2:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. (Philippians 3:20 Ephesians 2:6)
I am capable. (Philippians 4:13)
I have been rescued from the domain of Satan’s rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ. (Colossians 1:13)
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. The debt against me has been cancelled. (Colossians 1:14)


These are all statements of who I am. Not the words spoken of Satan. 

Verses:

Hebrews 10:35-36
"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 27:3
Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident

Mommy Always Answers...

And He said "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:3

We’ve all seen the scripture.

We’ve all heard the examples.

-But-

When YOU hear the phrase “Childlike Faith”, what comes to mind?

Automatically a little baby angel pops into my mind. 

Kind of like this….Comical right?

I am just not sure that’s what Jesus meant when He told us to come to him with that sort of faith.

You know I love story telling, so here’s a snippet from last weekend.

My aunt had to leave church to run down the street real quick. I called her phone with a question and we discovered she had left it at church as she ran out the door.

Her three year old walks up to me asking to play on mommy’s phone. I handed it to her not thinking. A couple minutes later she comes up to me smiling. I said what are you up to? She was facetiming her mother.

From her mother’s phone…

Facetiming her mother…..

From her mother’s phone…..

Are you following this? 

I started cracking up. 

YOU try explaining to a 3 year old that her mother couldn’t answer because she had her mother’s phone!

Every time I explained it, her response was “But Mommy always answers”

Now to me, this was just a funny scenario, but to her-she was dead serious.

Mommy always answers.

Always answers.

ALWAYS.

That’s when God showed me the beauty behind it.

“Daddy always answers.” 

That’s childlike faith.

The expectation that Daddy will always be there.

So childlike faith isn’t just the idea of being a child entering Heaven on some fluffy cloud.

It’s the fearless, unwavering faith and trust that Daddy always answers…

Accidents DON'T Happen

About a month ago my 9 year old sister exclaims "when I have a baby with my husband or boyfriend..." I quickly stop her. "No boyfriend. You only have babies with Husbands". Her response? My NINE year old sisters response? "Accidents happen".

She doesn't even know the process to get pregnant!!! 

But this corrupted world has taught her "accidents happen".  

Now, I'm not old fashioned or anything, but there's still values I hold in this world. And that's one of them. 

I begin to question where did we go wrong? Was it the tv shows she watched? Songs she listened to? Or could it possibly be the role models and people she looks up to surrounding her? Regardless where this jaded idea of who having a child with came from, we can all admit it's wrong. 

The Bible says "Train up a child in the way [s]he should go; even when [s]he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

It starts when they're young. Little kids watch and hear everything you say. You must walk in a way that Jesus just radiates off of you. 

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps." 1 Peter 2:21

If each of us are walking in His steps, than the little kids who watch us should have a great example of how to live. This includes your children, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, church members, or even strangers in the grocery store. A child is always watching you. Listening to your conversations. Watching your reactions to situations. 

This relates to many things. The words that come out of your mouth (cursing, etc). Your reaction to rude people in public. Your physical actions in public. Kids repeat it all. 

So I challenge you today-start being aware. Start walking in the light of Jesus so that all of the kids around us are "trained up in the way [s]he should go". 

Let's admit it, kids are the next generation. The IT generation. If we don't teach them the right way, our future can only get worse. 

Choose Happiness!

I was at a church one time and I had the most clear example presented to me about Satan. 

The pastor called up 2 men and had them stand in a straight line in front of him. With all three men facing forward, the pastor reached around the middle man and smacked the mess out of the man in front. The first man quickly turned around glaring in shock. All he could see was the middle man who looked just as shocked. The first man turned straight again and the pastor once again smacked him. The first man turns around angrily this time. And once again all he sees is the middle man who has his hands up innocently. The pastor than comes out from behind and explains what he was doing. He was being Satan. Whenever a man offends you all you can see is the man. But in reality it's Satan using him. Satan is "reaching around" and smacking you-not the man. Granted the man lets Satan use them but it's ultimately Satan behind it all. 

He's the puppet master. 

Just like this passage in the Bible:

"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:21-23 NIV)

In this passage you see Peter and Jesus talking. When Peter spoke, Jesus knew exactly who it was and addressed Satan. He had no hard feelings towards Peter because He knew Peter was being used by Satan. 

Keeping all this in mind, learn to forgive and love. Let no man steal your joy. 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy..." (John 10:10 NIV)

Don't let that happen. Recognize the root of the evil and choose to love. 

I saw this picture today and it brought me happiness. 

"I'll create". You get that? You! You create your happiness. You control your happiness. No one else can ruin your day, if you don't allow it. It's a choice you must make daily. 

So the next time someone hurts your feelings. Or yells at you. Or frustrates you to no end. 

Choose happiness. 

Even in the midst of chaos and anger. 

Choose happiness. 

That's all I've got for you. 

Choose happiness. 

Why don't we fix the one we have?

Last weekend I was hit with a realization. I'm just like the world. Ouch, right?

Let me back up. When I was swimming last weekend on the 4th of July, I watched someone try and repair a float. After thinking he conquered it, he realized the hole was still there. So he thought about the next thing to try to make sure that float was like new. In my head I couldn't understand why not just buy another. I'm sure it's cheaper than the material needed to repair it. Then I was hit in the face and instantly thought of this quote:

Wow. Right to the heart. At what point had I became of the world? Had worldly thoughts? 

My life verse has always been Romans 12:2. In summary it basically says don't be of the world. Have a different way of thinking that pleases God. So what went wrong?

This is a message to the "young generation". 

You can't just throw it all away. 

As I thought more and more on this topic a passage in the Bible came to mind. Noah and the flood. Remember that story? Mankind turned their back on God and He got angry. We were broken and useless. God sent a flood and wiped the Earth clean. 

After the flood had dried, God made a promise to Noah. “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:21-22 NIV) 

Even though God wiped the evil away, He saw fault. He promised to never wipe away humankind again. 

In Genesis 9 God is very clear. 

"I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:11-16 NIV)

You see God made us a promise. Just because we are broken people doesn't mean he'll just "throw us away". He gave us the rainbow to represent and remind us of that. God also gave us Jesus to wipe away our sins and to, in a sense, "fix us". God saw worth in us. Just as that man saw worth in the float last weekend. 

Open your eyes young people. Start taking time to work on things instead of just trashing it. 

My Near Death Experience...

My near death experience still haunts me everyday. Imagine having to live your worst experience over and over.

I know you're dying to know what it is, aren't you?

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I almost got burned. And not the 3rd degree kind either. Worse. The Eternal kind. The burn in Hell kind.

You see-I had just turned 14 and my family started attending a new church. I had my whole life figured out. I lived inside my own head. I had described my head as having this big wall surrounding it. I knew it all, so I wasn't ready for anything to change that. Then I saw the Light. I had spent 14 years of my life standing in flames waiting to be engulfed. I accepted Jesus into my heart and was forever saved. 

Yet this experience still haunts me everyday.

Imagine your near death experience included a gun being held to your head. Then everyday you had to see that same thing being done to other people. It just never went away. 

It's the same with my experience. Everyday I witness unbelievers walking around more and more singed. Time is running out.

So here's my lending hand. Let me tell you a story to help you out of that fire....

God created Earth and He created YOU! (How? I am not exactly sure, but I can't wait to ask!) After us humans ruined ourselves (go figure), God realized we needed more. We needed Grace. So He gave us a gift. A beautiful, little tan gift. A baby. His own Son. God gave us Jesus. Jesus grew up just as you and I. An average man exposed to all the corrupt and sin. When Jesus became an adult, He began ministering. He showed love, grace, and forgiveness. He called people out on their sins and loved them through it. Jesus never accepted the sin, but He loved the the sinner. Jesus knew His fate before He came to Earth. He knew he must pay for our actions one day.

Imagine this:

You and your best friend go out to eat. You both order getting everything your heart desires and don't look at a price.  Now it's time to pay. Your friend looks at their ticket and quickly panics. They didn't bring enough. Now they must face the consequences of their actions. Legally restaurants can call the cops for not being able to pay. So of course to avoid all that nonsense you take out extra money and say "I got this". You didn't want to see your friend punished because you care for them too much. 

-So back to Jesus because I mean come on, He is my favorite-

Jesus knew we must pay for our actions. But like you and your friend-He cared and loved us too much to watch us get punished. So he said "I got this". Jesus was beaten and nailed to a piece of wood just for you. He died along with all your sins past, present, and future. Does that mean you will never sin again? No, but it means you're forgiven. It means you are loved enough that Jesus took all that garbage with Him, when He was crucified. After buried, Jesus rose again 3 days later. Like from the DEAD! (Yeah, that really happened!) Jesus came back with one message. Go and make disciples. Then later He ascended back into Heaven. You see-Jesus, who is completely flawless, took all of your sins, so that you wouldn't be burned. And He's coming back again for me and I pray for you too. You see, Jesus died for me and for you. The nonbelievers and the believers. But to be saved from that fire you must do one thing. Reach Out. You have to accept Jesus Christ into your life. You have to recognize the fact that He took all you blemishes and made you flawless! (A teenager's dream!!)

This has been one of my favorite songs lately.
Really take this in:

"No matter the bumps

No matter the bruises

No matter the scars

Still the truth is

The cross has made 

The cross has made you

~Flawless~"

Flawless by MercyMe.

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Jesus Loves You.
Jesus Died for You.
Now Live for Him.

Overcome this Death Experience. Let it become a Near Death Experience. 

Your story doesn't stop here!!

When God Throws You a Curveball...

If you know me, you know I have to always have things figured out. I don't like the unknown. Never have. When I was little, I always needed to know where we were going, what our weekend would look like...by like Tuesday lol, and just needed everything planned. I hated the unsure. I couldn't stand impulsive and rash decisions. If it wasn't premeditated, I wanted no part in it. Yes, I was that kid.


Now here I am, 18 years of age, and graduating this Friday. As of last Friday, I had it all figured out. My plan was to go to Clayton State University (I was even accepted!) for around a year to major in Film. Then after a year, I wanted to transfer to The Art Institute of Atlanta to one day become a Film Editor. I even spent my last year of high school doing dual enrolled college classes. I had it planned. I had the ends and out all worked out. I had no stone unturned.

I did it all.

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But God had a different plan.

Doesn't He always? It's like this: Picture a toddler just learning to walk. The child sees their favorite toy and takes off after it. The parents sees all the dangerous objects in between the child and the toy. The parent then takes the child by the hand and redirects them. The child is torn and upset. All they wanted was their toy. That's all they could see from their angle. The parent wanted what was best for their child and could see the dangers.
God is the same way. He sees all the dangerous things that we just can't see. A lot of times He has to take our hand and redirect us. Most times we don't like it. It makes us uncomfortable. It's not planned or organized. A lot of times we don't understand God's way of thinking. All the same thoughts the child has. But we can look at it and see it was for the better. God is thinking the same thing.
"Child,  I got you. You are mine."

---

God has been tugging my heart in a different direction the last few weeks. He showed me that what others think don't matter. That's hard for me. I have always had all these expectations put on me from different family members causing me to always put others opinions before my own. God was trying to show me it was okay. I was okay.
But of course I went along my own way and ignored Him. I kept my well planned out future and went about my life. And again God came to me. He said there's something you're trying to do that you shouldn't be. At that point I was confused but also a tad guilty. I knew what God was getting at. But I didn't want to let that go. I needed my plans. I need my calendar. I needed something in my life that is stable.
You see not only am I quickly graduating, but there are sooo many more changes in my life from the last year. I started college and finished my last year of high school. I have started and led a missions team to Nicaragua. We leave in 2 weeks. I started dating an amazing man. I became an active member of the church my dad helped open. I led clubs at my school. I was always going and doing. Knowing my next step helped me stay grounded. I had a stable plan. I didn't have to look far into my future because it was already all worked out for me.
Everything God has been nudging did not line up with my plans. It's not what I wanted. I LOVE film editing. I love creating movies. I love the editing, the filming, that joy it comes with creating something completely of my own. I love it. But God says "Child,  I got you. You are mine." 

So I am not going to college. Yep, you read that right. Me. The one who always has it all figured out. I am not going to college. I don't know if I ever will. I hope too, but not this season in my life.

God has a way that completely baffles me but I completely trust Him. Completely. So although He hasn't shown me my next step, I know where my trust lies. As shown in Romans..."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." I know that God has what's best for me in mind. 

How can I worry?


So here I am, 4 days before I graduate and I have no earthly idea what my plan is. I know I am trusting in Him. It would be easy to continue in my thought-thru plans but it's not what He has for me. I am asking that all of you that read this take a minute to pray for me. Pray that I continue to listen to His voice. It's not the easiest, but it's where I want to be. 


I am relieved. I am happy. I am home. 

---

"Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone."

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Look for my next post, "Earthly vs. Spiritual....is there a difference?", to see where my heart lies. It has to do with this post and you know, my heart and passions.

Thanks for reading,
Savannah

Know Your Worth...

Have you ever just sat back and wondered what Jesus was thinking, when He walked around our sin filled world? How disappointed He was with our actions?

I think about it a lot...today more than others...

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I feel outraged!! I get on social media and I see the new trend to change ourselves. Yes, I am talking about this crap- "Kylie Jenner Challenge".

REALLY?! 

It angers me that all these young people don't know their worth. They feel like they aren't enough and that they need to change.

I get outraged.

I get angry. 

I get disappointed.

...Who's to blame?

I know I am. I have lacked in telling someone their worth. 

Many days I am upset, sad, angry, and more. I deal with this by shutting down and keeping it to myself. People notice. What light am I shining on those days?

None. (Simple. No glory is brought to God, when we walk around sulking.)

I know plenty of times I have missed opportunities to tell someone their worth.

I missed out on telling them:

You're Beautiful...
You Matter...
You're Loved...
You Are Worth So Much More...

I missed these opportunities. So as I sit here seeing all these young people desperately trying the next thing to "fit in", I realize I am to blame. 

You are to blame.

Us as Christians are to blame.



It's time we take every chance we can to lift someone up. Even on your worst day, lifting up someone else can lift you up.

Take a minute and read over what God thinks about you...

• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17
• “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14
• “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
• “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
• “Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share with His glory.” Romans 8:17
• "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15
• "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16
• "She is worth far more than rubies." Proverbs 31:10

God tells us over and over again what we mean to Him. But sometimes we forget and we need that little reminder.

Here's your reminder!!! lol.


I challenge you right now to go and tell someone of their worth. Tell them what they mean to God and what they mean to you. 

Plant that seed and let's see this world start to change.....one thin lip at a time.

Just Keep Swimming...

Imagine you're drowning...What do you do?

Panic

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You scream.

You fling your arms out.

You kick your legs around.

You choke on water.

You lose it.

You give up.

You can't go on.

---

And what does every single person tell you to do when drowning?
1. DON'T PANIC
2. Stop flailing around
3. Slowly swim or float around and wait for instructions.

You see, in times we don't feel in control we begin to panic. We don't see any future and we know it's over from there.


It's the same way with God. A lot of times we feel at our end.

---

We scream in frustration.

We fling ourselves out.

We kick our legs out.

We choke.

We lose it.

We give up.

We just can't go on.

---

We simply cannot go one more day, so we panic. We try to take control and run things our way. We begin to drown. We are choking and being sucked into the depths of everyday life. Did you know the whole time God is saying:

1. Don't Panic
2. Stop flailing around
3. Wait for instruction

God's got you. God's got you. God's got you.
You get that? HE. HAS. YOU. He won't let you drown.
It's time you quit taking things into your own hands. God already has a plan for you and you're just making it worse.


The problem with our generation is we want things our way and we want them now! We try to go ahead and take care of things even though we know God has perfect timing.

This post is just a reminder today.
Quit choking.
Quit screaming.
Quit moving.
And just keep swimming.


So, in the wise words of Nemo's Dory

| Jesus' Miracles |

I went searching to learn more of His miracles and I came across the book of Mark chapter 1. Wow. Back to back to back Jesus performed miracle after miracle.

He demanded a demon to release himself from a man, He healed Simon Peter's mother from an illness, He stood at the door of Peter's house and healed many people as the village caught word of Jesus. He healed a man from leprosy because "[He] was willing".

After reading of many, many more miracles performed I remembered this scripture:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12)

Do you understand this?! ALL these miracles being performed by Jesus Himself WE HAVE THE POWER TO DO ALSO!!! Whoa. That's mind blowing. I believe in Jesus, therefore I have the power IN HIM to heal you. I have the power IN HIM to release the demon holding you back. I have the power and so do you, Child of Christ. Why don't you start acting like it?


I pray for each of you today to accept what you have the power to do IN HIM and begin performing miracles to HIS GLORY!!

AMEN!

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God has been saying the same word over and over my entire life. 

| W . A . I . T |

Seriously. My entire life. No joke.

Wait to go on a mission trip...

Wait to date...

Wait to get money...

Wait to get answered prayers...
Wait...
Wait...
Wait...

 

I waited. A lot. And if you know me, you know that  I am not a patient person. 

But I have learned a lot in the time I have waited. 

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Missions

I was called to missions when I was entering freshmen year. I was scared and didn't know what to do. There wasn't an opportunity yet, but I knew what God wanted. After I waited two years, I went on a trip that changed my life. Now two years later I am heading up a team to go to Nicaragua. I know it's my calling. God made me wait but during that time He was preparing me. I spent that time getting closer to God. I prayed. I went on local missions. God was building me up. Reminds me of David who was a shepherd. His job was to spend days with the sheep fighting off wolves and other animals wanting to attack them. All he had was a staff. Do you not think God was preparing him? Who but God knew that he would have to one day stand against Goliath? No one. God knew and He knew what was needed. I am pretty sure David sat around asking God why. Asking God to give him something better. Just imagine all the physical labor David endured just to one day stand before the biggest guy around and take him out with a single stone! God prepares us even when we don't know it. Even when He tells us to wait.

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Dating

I waited to date. 18 years, people. If I can wait, trust me- you can too.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (-Proverbs 4:23) 

He calls us to protect ourselves. God called me to stand out. My life verse, Romans 12:2, is a constant reminder to not be of the world. Waiting to date was something that God laid on my heart. I knew I didn't want to mess up any future relationship by dating around while I was young. It is hard. I know. I am not perfect nor am I emotionless. I feel things but I had God in mind. Strict parents were a bonus too. Haha. I knew that if I obeyed God, He would prepare someone for me. Someone that He handpicked and knew would be perfect. Now am I saying I am ready to be married and settle down? No, not necessarily. I am saying that waiting isn't as bad as you think. After all that waiting, what you get is so much better. You don't get heartbreaks and tears. You get joy and happiness. God prepares us during our time of wait. Imagine your future spouse right now. What if they are dating person after person? Doesn't settle well with you does it? Don't do that to them either. God wants you to wait. He wants you to find love in Him before you try to find love in some man or woman. Waiting isn't as bad as you think. ;)

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Money

God likes to play with me in a sense. He knows that I am impatient so He tests me. You can read in my last post how I was doubting getting money for my trip and He came through just when it was needed. It's all in His timing. I've learned that with money, if you do what He demands of us, than He will bless us. God asks that we give back a tithe. A tithe is 10%. That's barely anything. God blesses you and then asks for a little back. As I learned more and more about tithing I started tithing. The blessings that poured from it was overwhelming. It's not like money is going to fall out of the sky. But my relationship with Christ became more personal. My needs were met. It's amazing what obeying God can do! haha. While I'm waiting, I have learned to put my trust 100% in God.

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Prayers

God knows all. Can we agree on that? Because He knows all, we can surrender our trust and belief over to Him. We are an asking generation. We have grown accustomed to "What's it hurt to ask?" Now while this can apply to a lot of things, God isn't one of them. How many times do you find your self begging and negotiating with God? You know what I am talking about. "God let me pass this test and I promise I will study an hour every night for the rest of my life!" or "God, please let this be a warning. You know I don't have the extra cash this week for a ticket. I promise I will put an extra $5 in the basket on Sunday!" Sound familiar? We have grown used to just asking asking asking and then being let down when we feel God isn't listening. Have you ever thought of this? God knows all. Therefore, He knows what is best for us. He knows what we need and when we need it. What if that cop pulling you over actually preventing you from a head on collision 5 minutes down the road? God has YOU in mind when it comes to deciding things for you. God's timing is a complicated thing most of us don't get. We want our prayers answered and we want them now! That's not how we are meant to live our lives. We are meant to trust God. Pray to Him. About everything. But we also need to be willing to sit back and say "God, you got this."

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Now while waiting is a scary word these days, sometimes you can find the most peace in a time of waiting. Next time you find your self waiting for something, stop and pray! God is already working on something beautiful for you!