ONE STEP AT A TIME

For the first minute of opening this blog post, I could only keep hitting the space bar. I didn't know what to write about, or what was on my mind.. In a way, this reflects my life. I always procrastinate important changes, and keep hitting the space bar. Time keeps moving, but I'm not making any changes to the blank page. 

It's easy to say, "God has a plan for you," but how are we going to hear His plan unless we listen? How are we going to listen to Him, unless we make time for Him? 

I've decided to stop wishing I was somewhere else, and I'm going to start listening to God. 

I may believe that I'd be better at home, but for some reason, God has me somewhere else. 

His plan is greater than mine, and He knows what's best for me. 

During my time of confusion, I need to grow closer to God. He will direct my path, and there's no greater plan than one made by the Creator. 

Perhaps I need to view my current situation as a fresh start. From this day forward, I'm starting from scratch. I'm going to tell myself that God has placed me where I am, therefore, I will appreciate it. 

In order to make a change, you must start making marks on the paper. 

PS: I wrote this at midnight at the end of a hectic week...ignore all grammatical errors. I am exhausted. I just had to get these thoughts out. GOODNIGHT!! Hello bed:) 

Be Beautiful

For some odd reason, girls have a problem with seeing the fact that they are beautiful. 

Of course there are mean souls in the world, but some girls don't give themselves enough credit. 

Just because Hollywood has set the standard for being "beautiful," does not mean they're right. 

Instead of comparing yourself to the temporary standard of Hollywood, compare yourself to the type of woman God wants you to be. Throw out the world's opinion, and replace it with Proverbs 31: 10-31. 

It may be a lot to read, but each word gives great advice for girls to follow. 

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I hope this encourages girls out there to be reliant on God. There's is nothing more beautiful than a Proverbs 31 girl. 

In order to stay alive, we have to breathe.

Have you remember God today? If not, take a moment. Breathe. For just a moment, put all of your responsibilities on hold.
Close your textbook, put down your phone, and log off of Facebook. Close your eyes and have peace with the fact that God loves you. He loves you more than you can imagine!
The Creator of LIFE loves you, and wants your attention. How can we let petty responsibilities take over?
John 15:914 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

I love the lyrics of this song by Jaimie Grace, "You Lead"

Maybe you're concentrating on the negative in your life right now. If so, take note of the good. If you don't notice any good, then you're not realizing that your have an endless love from the Creator of Life. Grow to understand it- grasp it. He's waiting.

Romans 5: 1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith in to this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. No only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

It's time to get serious.

Have you ever felt empty?
Have you ever felt apathetic towards your relationship with God and people?
Have you ever wanted to fall so completely in love with God, but couldn't catch the "feeling?"
Have you ever had everything you could ever ask for in life, but still felt empty, you're not alone.

First, it is important to know that our relationship with God should not be based off of a physical feeling, but through faith. It is also important to realize what the term "relationship with God" means.
God is real.  He desires a real relationship. Not a structured relationship, when people forget to talk to him, go to church because they "have" to,  follow the laws because they "have" to,  or tell people about Him because they "have" to. What person wants a relationship when they feel like they feel obligated to do something.
People want to have a relationship where others want to be with them.  God wants the same.
We must carry our crosses, and do God's will.
Sure, our lives can seem great without God, but a life without God leads to an empty end.
Society has changed the way Christ wanted Christians to be.
We are meant to be a group of loving Christ followers.
People who are serious about their faith.
If Christians showed confidence, and loved God more than anything, the world would desire that love.

Are you willing to leave everything behind. Just as Christ commanded us to do.

When we run to Him, everything else will fall into place.
Rejoice! For He is good. & His love endures forever