Heartbreak. Prison. Job interview. Travel. Safety. Future. Homework. Stress. Health. Forgiveness. Salvation. Healing. Comfort. Peace. All of these things have been in my prayers lately. I feel like my prayer list has been full to the brim recently. Do you ever feel like that? I've been praying for friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers. I keep a prayer request list in my head. Sometimes, when it gets extra full I journal my prayers. Sometimes I pray with my husband. Sometimes I pray alone. I pray in the shower, in the car, while I work out, before bed, or in the Continue Reading
God’s Calling For Us
When I was 15, I went on a mission trip to New Orleans (pre-hurricane) to minister to the people of Louisiana. I had felt God calling me to do something, to go to a mission field and serve Him. I remember telling a boy I had a crush on that I was going on this mission trip. He told me it wasn't a real mission trip unless I was going someplace out of the country. At the time, and even now, I remember thinking how ridiculous that belief was. As I was talking to a friend today, I realized how much it bothers me when people think a mission trip has to be overseas or when they think being a Continue Reading
For when you’re feeling insecure
"Tell me why you love me," I said to my husband. He proceeded to spout off countless reasons he loves me. But his answers didn't comfort me. I was looking for one particular answer that he just happened not to mention this time. And the tears came. It actually had nothing to do with my husband. Nothing to do with his answers or his love for me. I was crying because I was feeling insecure. I was feeling not good enough. I was feeling inadequate. I have no doubts about my husband's love for me. I wasn't feeling insecure because of him. Instead, I was (for whatever reason) beginning to Continue Reading
Prove It: Is Your Faith Real?
What are you doing to prove your faith? It's not a question we often hear, because we believe we do not need to prove our faith. God knows our hearts, and our actions aren't what get us to Heaven. We are not saved by our deeds. We are saved by accepting the gift of salvation that God offers us. We are saved by believing in God and Jesus, believing Jesus died to save us. And because He suffered, died and visited Hell for us, we do not have to earn our place in Heaven. We do not have to do anything to be saved. Because I believe all of that, I haven't been asking myself the question, Continue Reading
The Best Part of My Wedding
There was one main part of my wedding that made it so special and so beautiful -- and no, I'm not talking about the white dress. My Wedding: How We Included Prayer One of the things I loved most about my wedding was how it was wrapped in prayer. Including God in our wedding planning, wedding day, and marriage was so important to me. I loved how so many people helped me include Him. Before we began decorating the day before the wedding, everyone came together to pray in a circle. We prayed for the day to go smoothly, the next day to go smoothly, and for our marriage to be blessed. Continue Reading
A Blessing
Remember when I wrote that post about my friend Ricci? How she is going on a journey around the world to spread the love of God? And remember how I asked you if you would consider financially supporting her? Well, Ricci had a total of $15,500 she needed to raise for this trip to 11 countries in 11 months. She had raised a total of $3,500 in order to meet her first deadline. Ricci was planning different fundraisers such as selling T-shirts or having a dinner with a raffle. She also wanted to speak at my mom's church, where I grew up going. This past weekend, she came and spent the weekend Continue Reading
Ways to Choose Joy
Lately, I feel like I have been Miss Crabbypants. I don’t know if it’s the weather or work or missing Travis or what but I have been in a bad mood a lot. I’ve been complaining and whining and just being negative like it’s my job. Basically, I’ve been focusing on the clouds instead of the sunshine. I could make lists of reasons why I deserve to be in a bad mood. When instead I should have been making lists of why I need to be grateful, why I should be happy, and how blessed I am. How about you? Do you get in those ruts? The ones where all you can see is the bad stuff? Do you make lists in Continue Reading
Winter Encouragement
Winter can be rough. Cold. Wind. Snow. Ice. Dreary days. Cloudy days. Days without any sunshine. The weather alone can be discouraging. It's much easier to become negative during the winter months. Any of you feeling that way? I know I get down sometimes during these bitterly cold months. To offset that :( feeling, I've created this post with several uplifting photos to remind you that winter ends. Sunshine is on its way! I hope you are uplifted and encouraged through these photos. Scroll away my friends. Winter Encouragement Through Photos I will be Continue Reading
Steal My Show: Giving God the Spotlight
The other night, I was really feeling the need for some TobyMac music. I found his latest CD in my car and started to jam. Then the song "Steal My Show" came on. I had heard the song tons of times when I first bought the CD and listened to it over and over to learn every lyric. As I listened this time, I felt the need to share it. In "Steal My Show," TobyMac talks about how he's about to perform at a concert. He says what the concert really needs is God — more than himself, lights, smoke, or even rocking music. In the song, he asks God to steal his show. He says to God, "If you have Continue Reading
Intermission: Wondering Where God Is
In high school, I was in three different plays. It was so much fun! I've also attended quite a few plays in my life. I really enjoy a funny play or a musical with lots of dancing. Have you ever been to a play? Or maybe you've been part of the cast of a play like I was? Almost all plays have Act I, Act II, Act III, and so on depending on how long the play is. And with more than one act, every play has an intermission. Intermission: (n) A recess between parts of a performance or production, such as for a theatrical play, opera, concert or film screening. For those attending a Continue Reading
Word of the Year: 2013
For the past couple years, I have been choosing a word to represent my new year rather than making resolutions. Last year, I chose the word "purpose" for 2012. I wanted to put purpose into everything I did. Now looking back on 2012, I believe my word was actually "healing." I spent most of that year being healed by God, having my heart mended. And once I was healed, I received great restoration and joy. For 2013, I've pondered over several words such as change, adventure, joy and journey. All of which seem to describe what 2013 will probably be filled with. But I decided not to go with any Continue Reading
Big: Taking God Out of His Box
Who used to watch Veggie Tales? Does anyone remember this song: "God is bigger than the boogie man. He's bigger than Godzilla or the monsters on TV. Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man, and He's watching out for you and me." I sure remember that song. It immediately came to mind when I sat down to write this post. And it is completely true. God is BIG. I think we — pretty much all the time — underestimate God. We have no idea how big He is. We don't comprehend His love, forgiveness, power, mercy, jealousy, knowledge, compassion, ... the list can go on and on to include every one Continue Reading
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