My sweet friend, Ana, tagged me. :)


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper is the best!

2. Real or fake tree? Fake

3. When do you put up a tree? I don't know, whenever we feel like it...lol

4. When do you take it down? When I get around to taking it down. :P

5. Do you like eggnog? Eww...no.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I have no idea

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? My younger siblings

9. Do you have a nativity scene? mmm...a miniature one :D

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? We don't do cards anymore.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hmm...not sure

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Probably after Thanksgiving

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope

15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Chocolate :D

16. Lights on the tree? YES! Christmas isn't Christmas without them! ;)

17. Favorite Christmas song? How can I possibly answer such a thing?? I have soo many...umm I'll just write the one that's stuck in my head: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Um...no? Rudolf is all I know.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star. :)

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Morning of course! Isn't that what Christmas day is for? :P ;)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Too much hustle and bustle.

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Silver, white, and navy blue

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate! One can never get enough of it! ;)

25. Favorite Decorations? The stockings.

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? Well, since I'm doing this late and Christmas is already over, I'll just say that I got what I wanted :D

And I have to ask why this thing has 26 questions instead of 25? :P ;) Thanks for the tag, Ana!

Alone and standing on a tall, solid rock surrounded on all sides by a raging sea.

The waves of worldly desires, the flesh, and temptations crash and roar with their cold, foamy fingers trying to get further up the rock. Clouds, dark and brooding, cackle with hailing laughter. Lightening flashes and thunder rumbles, daring me to give in. The wind pulls and tugs at me with her taunting whispers: “Come, come. I offer you riches, fame, prestige. Come, come. I will give you everything your flesh desires.”

My knees grow weak. Doubt creeps into my heart. I feel myself starting to stumble and fall. One foot starts to slip of the edge, then the other. I grab the edge of the precipice. I'm giving in!

The Elements cheer me on as I continue to fail. Knowing I don’t want to do this, but unable to stop myself, I let one hand go. On the brink of letting go with the other, I remember...He is here.

I cannot feel His nearness, but I know He is here.

The Elements start screaming louder and louder, trying to pull me completely off. But they cannot stop me now-I will not be moved.

I muster every ounce of my remaining strength, and give a loud, piercing cry through the thick, heavy air. “God of Jacob! Hear my cry, and deliver me from this torment!”

At first it seems as though nothing has happened.

The wind keeps chanting, the waves continue to roar, and the thunder still rumbles. But I smirk at them and say, “You can do nothing now! My God has heard my cries, and He will rescue me!” In an instant everything calms. A brilliant light flashes across the sky. He slashes and stabs.
The Elements are bruised and crushed by the fury of the Lord. They scream and curse, fleeing to their lairs.
Then the Lord looks at me still hanging there with my one feeble hand. He comes over and lifts me back up. He renews my strength and fills me with His peace. The bright, blue water below glistens and sparkles from His radiant glory. The sky is alive with hues of the most luminous colors, and the soft wind whispers His comforting promises.

For the time being, I no longer try to stand on my own. I rest in His arms, and let Him fight for me.

There it shows its ugly face again. Self. Ugg. Will it never leave me alone?

You know, God is very particular and loving towards His children. He doesn't just say, "Here's my plan for you, do it." No, He says, "Here's my plan for and this is exactly how I want you to fulfill that plan." Of course, it's never that easy, because it isn't like God just goes along with the flow of today's day and age and tells you 'here's your hamburger, drink and fries.' No sirree, love is much more work than that. God give us that homemade bread, and homegrown vegetables, and the purified water, and that, my friends, is no easy path. There is a price to pay for loving, but just like the homemade bread and purified water, it is so much more worth loving than never to love at all. Christ loved us - He gave us His life. I love Him back, and I give Him mine. But you see, what mySelf doesn't understand, is that I have to make a sacrifice too, and that means that Self has to die. I am crucified with Christ that I might live. Still, that dern Self is so stubborn, so the battle rages on. And sometimes, it seems as though Self is making a headway on the battleground; but Christ's love swells within me and squishes puny Self until it runs and hides its face in cowardice-waiting until it can find its courage again.

But the longer it waits, the stronger I grow in Christ. Making it that much easier to defeat Self when it starts peeking its head around the corner once more. Eventually, bit by bit, battle after battle, it starts to realize that it's not really my will, and never was, even in the simple and miniscule things in life (for that's truly where Self gets the most bold). Self starts to see how it always has been, is, and always will be, God's will every single step of the way.

Truly God does love us with the greatest love that has ever been known.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16

I stumbled upon these beautiful prayers while looking for some good quotes, and wanted to share them with you. One is written by Ruth Bell Graham, and the other written by Robert J. Morgan, and they really just make you want to do nothing but strive after the Lord, and let Him touch and be a part of every area of our lives- including marriage. ;) :)

To all of my precious friends! :) I'm very blessed to have such wonderful, fun, and godly friends! You'll never know how much each of you bless me!

This time by another good and dear friend, Alyssa! :)


Ok, umm six random things about myself...oh goodness, this is going to be a hard thing. :P

1. I'm irked by half-open doors. I'm really bad about it...whenever one of my siblings comes into my room when I'm studying or something, and they don't shut the door all the way when leaving (and I mean ALL the way), they know exactly what I want them to do when they get called back. Hehe...

2. I've never been a patient in a hospital before.

3. My favorite colors are light-yellow, sage, lime, purple, and blue.

4. I will eat plain ketchup on a piece of bread.

5. I'm afraid of moths.

6. I've almost been stung by a jellyfish.


There you have it! Six completely random things about myself, and I tag...

Anika

Camille

Lisa

Kirsten

and

Katherine

Jesus said in Matthew 17:20

. . .For verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

How many of us take this for what it really means? Do you know how small a grain of mustard seed is? Take a look at this picture. . .






I am guilty of not having even this much faith. All that He asks is that we simply believe. That's it. No more, no less. This is what it means to be like a little child. I remember when I was a small girl and my parents told me something, I believed them without question. Their word was what was. Of course, I eventually learned that they weren't infallible, but the point is, all I did was believed or trusted what they said. Why? Because my parents were a source of comfort, shelter and love; and they still are, but as I've grown more mature, Christ has become my ultimate source of comfort, shelter and love. It boggles my mind that as a child I was able to trust my parents, fallen human beings, completely. Yet I fail to put even the smallest amount of trust in the Creator of the universe! The one and only true God-the great I AM.

Lord, have mercy upon me! When God says He takes care of the sparrows and He loves me so much more than them, He's gonna take care of me. Period. There are such things as miracles. Period. When I pray, God's going to answer. Period. When God says He's going to do something, it's gonna happen. Period.

After all that, we cannot forget what verse 21 says:

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Faith comes by spending time with the Lord. My friends, when you say you have faith, do you really mean it or are you saying it because you know that should have it, but don't. If you don't, get on your knees and pray and pray, and if you feel led to, yes, fast too.

Let us strive to live what we believe, to take God at His word, and to put Him above ALL else.

In honor of our one year anniversary, the Sisters of the Armor group decided to make a quiz for y'all to enjoy! So please be my guest, and let me know which SOA girl you are! 'Tis quite fun! ;) :)

The Quiz

(or maybe I should say winter. . . *blah*) Anyways, my dear, sweet friend Ana tagged me! It's a list of some of the favorite things I like about fall. So here goes. . .


1. Favorite smell? Pumpkin spice.

2. Favorite food? Turkey? :P

3. Favorite color? Burnt orange

4. Favorite drink? Apple cider

5. Favorite treat? Caramel-covered apples

6. Favorite place to go? The pumpkin patch. :D

7. Favorite candy? Hershey's chocolate bar w/ almonds. (this will always be my favorite candy, and, yes it is a candy ;), no matter what the season)

8. Favorite movie to watch? Is there such a thing as a Fall movie? Umm...seasons don't affect my choices of movies. . .

9. Favorite clothing to wear? Well, I like to stay warm, so light long-sleeves with comfortable jeans.

10. Favorite outdoor activity? Playing in the leaves.

11. Favorite football team? Ana, I cannot believe that you said that!!! Such treachery!! You are banned from Alabama! :P ;) My favorite football team is of course the beloved Broncos (even if they do give football a bad name. . .)

12. Favorite fall holiday? Thanksgiving

13. Favorite Haunted place, as in “frequently visited?” I have absolutely no idea . . . lol

14. Favorite Food at Thanksgiving Dinner? Dressing

15. Favorite Pie? Pumpkin

16. Favorite Fall Hobby? I don't categorize my hobbies by seasons either. . .unless you consider drinking hot-chocolate a hobby.

17. Favorite Fall Memory? My uncle used to farm a lot of cotton and peanuts, and one fall, we went to visit at harvest time. I loved playing in the cotton bins and making tunnels in the woolly, scratchy cotton. And there was also a peanut bin filled with -guess what?- thousands of peanuts. . .oh, those peanuts were the best-tasting peanuts ever!! We'd take a paper bag of 'em to my great-grandmother and she'd boil them for us. . .*delicious*

18. Favorite Fall Sight? The brightly colored trees.

19. Overall Favorite thing about Fall? How God just takes His multi-colored paintbrush and splotches the land with beautiful colors.

20. Overall Favorite Season? Mmm, I think either spring or fall or winter or summer. . .I just can't decide. :P

Words cannot describe how I feel, yet I cannot keep it contained inside a heart that will burst if something is not said . . .

I crush the nails into His hands, and with every piercing blow He whispers,

"I love you."

Crush

"I love you."

Crush

"I love you."

Crush

"I love you."

But my ears are deafened with the resounding crack of nail against hammer. I finish and arrogantly stand up taking pride in my work. The cross on which He is lain is stood up and He limply hangs there. I then smile and mock this 'King of the Jews'. "Ha! Pretender, are you so weak that you cannot save your own life? Who are you when you do all these miracles yet. . ."

Those eyes. Those penetrating eyes. They weren't full of anger, or fear, or confusion. No, they were filled with love and pity.

Pity? Love? I looked down at my hands covered with blood. I looked back up at Him.

Pity? Love??? No, no!! He cannot possibly love me! After all I have done?! I fall to my knees and cry uncontrollably. What have I done??

It has been years since that day, but I still stumble and fall.

I fall.

"I love you."

I fail.

"I love you."

I stumble.

"I love you."

This time, there is no nail pounding to drown out His whispers. Tears flow from my eyes as He picks me back up.

This is my God.

Why am I doing this?

For God's glory.

Then what is there to stress about?

Nothing. Yet I still have stress.

What is there to be afraid of?

Nothing! Yet I'm still afraid.

I'm doing this for God's glory. Doesn't that mean everything is going to work out?

Yes, but not the way I expect or want it to.

I'm doing this for God's glory. Doesn't that mean there won't be any trials?

No. Trails purify me and make me strong-glorifying Him all the more.

What matters above all else?

God and serving Him.

Stress
Fear
God

Why does God love me?

I don't know.

Choices
Attitudes
How I live

But I do know that He loves me, and that's all I need to know. He loves me enough to take away my stress and fear. And I have the choice to give them to Him - humbly bowing before Him and letting Him live through me.

After making sure you all had enough time to wonder about what happened, here's part 2. ;)


My friend had called saying she had been in an accident. She was doing fine, but the car was totaled. Though I was glad she wasn't hurt, my selfish, little self was angry, grumpy, and getting a bad attitude that was turning into a whirlwind. I decided I had to get away from everything and go spend some time with the Lord. I went to a nearby park and sat down on a bench that was surrounded by fresh-smelling evergreen pines, and woodsy shrubs. With tears streaming down my face, I cried out to God... "Lord, I know that you knew all of this was going to happen, and I know that you have a purpose and reason for this. So please change my heart and my attitude." And I sat there in the silence...listening to the nature around me and God working on my heart. When I got up from that bench, peace was abounding in my soul, and dare I say, even splashes of joy. With the understanding that knowing Christ doesn't magically change your situations, but it sure does make them a whole lot easier to endure.

The second thing I "learned" (it was more of a realization than a lesson) was the obsession of worldly things and loves by the teens that I was around. It wasn't that it was surprising, but rather realizing how saddening the reality of such obsessions are. And seeing professing Christians do it, is that much more saddening. I had only one cousin who was on fire for the Lord and was really seeking to do His will. I cannot tell you how blessedly wonderful it was to be able to talk with him about the Lord, and just having that common bond of being in a relationship with Christ. You might think me naive in such a realization. I mean -duh- of course people, especially non-Christians, are going to have those kind of obsessions! But being at home most of the time, and being sheltered from that kind of company, my knowledge of being obsessed with the world seemed more like ideas and thoughts rather than fact. Sort of like head knowledge rather than heart knowledge, ya know? So I came to see the reality of what I believed to be true, and unfortunately, it was very saddening.

Our second week in Mississippi, we went to go visit Mom's side of the family (the first week was Dad's). We went bowling and got to experience a behind-the-scenes-look at the bowling ally. It was neat seeing where your ball disappears to and what happens to the bowling pins when they get knocked down. I also got to feed and pet a semi-tame squirrel-it's pretty awesome seeing God's nature up close! Dad and Mom also took us to the places where they went to college, got married, and went on their honeymoon. It was so cool to see it all and listen to them rehash old, fun-loving memories. They told their recollections so well, that it felt like their memories had become a part of your own. Can there be such a thing as hand-me-down memories? ;)

I had a very incredible encounter with the Lord that second week. I had been reading some books that my Meemaw kept about the rapture, and it made me aware of how short our time is and how precious souls are. It started to get me into a depressing mood, and entry from my journal will tell you why: (Note: You have to understand that I had a bunch of different emotions and feelings welling up inside of me, so some things might not make complete sense.)

I so don't deserve God's love for me! I feel so utterly helpless and useless. The Bible says to let your light shine, but how do I know it's shining??? Am I being transparent in Christ? When people look at me do the see someone who's different of just another person in this deary world? Does not telling every single person I meet about His love mean that I'm not passionate about Christ? How can God use someone like me for the ministry? I'm 18-years old and I have yet to lead one person to Christ! Why does God want to use me?? Isn't there somebody else? I don't know what to do, but to put my trust in Him! I found this verse the other day while reading the Word, and it makes me wonder why I even bother asking such questions. The verse is found in Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord they God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

God was talking to Joshua before he went to conquer the promise land, but those same words spoken so long ago, still hold true for us today. God is still with me, and He will NEVER leave or forsake me. How can I ever doubt Him? So unworthy yet being made qualified for the calling.

I love you Lord,

Tiffany

I was alone in our trailer, and after writing that, I just started praising God, and one of the most beautiful things happened. I could actually feel the Lord's presence. He was right there in front of me enveloping me in His spirit. Oh, I could've stayed there forever. I don't understand how people can deny His existence...

So after the second week, we headed back home and, on the way, stopped in Oklahoma to a visit a friend of Mom's. The only glitch when traveling home was that we didn't have any A/C in the bus, so we basically melted for two days. But we survived and arrived safely at home sweet home. Such bliss to be back in familiar surroundings again...ahhh...if that's how it feels to be home here on earth, what will arriving in heaven be like? :)

And there you have it folks! Summer vacation. Wow. I can't believe how quickly it flew by.

Oh, and a note of warning (in case you haven't already noticed). I'll be very sporadic in my posting for awhile. I did start college this year so it's keepin' me on my toes. But I am enjoying my classes nonetheless (most of them anyways ;)). Your prayers would be appreciated since I tend to let little things get in my way instead of looking at God's big picture. How quickly I forget I'm His. Anywho, thank you all so much my dear and faithful readers! One of these days (I hope) I'll get back to blogging more regularly! :)

Keep strong in the faith!

Pressing On,
Tiffany

Ok, so I finally get around to telling y'all about our trip to Mississippi! (Haha...how soon is soon?) Anywho, where to start. . .how about sharing with you some entries from my journal and filling in the rest as much as I can. :)

After leaving the house and stopping in Salina, Kansas to spend the night, we headed back on the road for the last 12 hours of our journey. We had driven for a few hours when Dad took the wrong exit nearly crashing in the process! It's scary waking up to an 18-wheeler blowin' its horn at ya! Dad was pretty mad at himself for taking a "detour," but we found out, thankfully, that we weren't too far off the beaten path. We stopped for a break at a *rural* gas station (I mean, it looks like it's been handmade or somethin'!). So we're waiting on Dad to finish filling the tank, he gets back in the bus, and guess what? The bus is stuck right in front of the pumps. Yep. We're stuck in hot, sticky Oklahoma, and we're not being able to find a single place open for someone to fix the bus. We kids are outside waiting on Mom and Dad (who are inside the gas station trying to get some help), and I look at the saying we have on the front of the bus: "With God and puppies, we can lick anything!" Ha, living what you believe sure is hard. It certainly didn't feel like we were "likin'" anything...but God gave me the strength to praise Him and have a good attitude about things. Sining Lincoln Brewster's song "Today Is The Day" helped some. :) Well, we finally did find a guy who was on call 24/7 and wasn't too far from the gas station-praise God! Otherwise, we would've had to spend the night there, which we didn't want to do! It took about five hours, but we survived what with the car part place having an AC building with a little entertainment area for the kids. The Lord is just plain amazing! If we hadn't taken that detour, we would've been stuck on the highway with no means of being able to contact anyone or getting anywhere. God is good all the time; all the time God is good!

Signing Out-
Tiff

We went on to arrive at my grandmother's house at 3am. By the way, scaring people at three in the morning is totally fun! *wink* So after a day at her house, we take our trailer to a lake that's about 30 minutes from where Grandmother lives. It was fun going tubing, water skiing, swimming, cooking s'mores, playing volleyball, getting sunburnt...ok, so maybe the sunburnt part wasn't too fun, but we had a good time. Oh, and we also played a game that was new to me called disk golf. (Google it; it was pretty fun-competitive too ;))

There were two things I learned here. I have a very special friend of mine who lives in Tennessee, and her and I had decided that we would meet-up since I was finally on the "other side of the Mississippi" as she put it. We were both very much looking forward to it! She was going to drive down on the 4th of July, and I was just counting down the days until she could come. So the day for her to arrive finally comes and I am so excited!! And then, I get this call. . .

And that's where I leave you for now, folks! Thanks for being so patient with me! Part 2 is next! :)

I wish I was more of a man.
Have you ever felt that way?
And if I had to tell you the truth,
I'm afraid I'd have to say
That after all I've done and failed to do
I feel like less than I was meant to be.

And what if I could fix myself?
Maybe then I could get free.
I could try to be somebody else
Who's much better off than me.
But I need to remember this
That its when I'm at my weakest I can clearly see

(CHORUS)
He made the lame walk, and the dumb talk
And He opened blinded eyes to see
That the sun rises on His time,
yet He know our deepest desperate need.
And the world waits, while His heart aches,
To realize the dream.
I wonder what life would be like if we let Jesus live through you and me....Yeah.

What if you could see yourself
through another pair of eyes?
And what if you could hear the truth,
instead of old familiar lies?
And what if you could feel inside
The power of the Hand that made the universe
You'd realize.....

CHORUS

All our hearts they burn within us.
All our lives we've longed for more.
So let us lay our lives before
The One who gave His life for us.

CHORUS

ending:
Let Him live through you and me...yeah.

Dear Camille,

You are:

Caring

Amazing

Merciful

Inkler (meaning you're a writer...hehe you know how you love those made-up words! ;))

Loving

Loyal

Endearing


Wow, seventeen - I can't believe it! I hope your 17th year will be filled with precious moments and exciting adventures! May God continually bless you for your faithfulness to Him! I love you, girl!

I feel like my life is going crazy and being turned upside-down...

• I can't believe I'm filling out an application for my first job



• I'm driving into town tomorrow by myself to meet some Rebelutionary gals while trying to figure out the perplexities of knitting... *sighs*
  



• I'm trying to find out whether or not I'll be going to Africa in November for a month


• I'm also trying to find out if I'll be going to the local community college
  



• Getting ready to go to the Philippines next year (one of my books that I'm supposed to read before going came in from the library today-yay!!)
  



• Trying to figure out what to write for the answers on the application for the school

• And trying to trust God in the middle of it all!

Lord, help me to slow down and realize that Your love is the important.
Give me such a relentless passion for You that nothing gets in the way of doing Your will...

Not my selfishness.

Not my bad attitudes.

Not my fears.

Not my doubts.

Not my pride.

Nothing, Lord. Empty my life of me until You are all that's left. 'Till my life is no longer mine, but Yours. My transparency is Your window... Amen

Encouragement anyone??


P.S. I'm sorry I haven't posted about the trip yet. I will soon!

After starting to read the Bible daily, guess what happened? Yep, that's right, I actually missed a few days! Grr...what does that mean? Does it mean I've failed the Christian life? Does it mean I've done something wrong? Does it mean I'm not putting Christ before all else and not loving Him the way I should? These questions swirled in my head, as I realized that by the end of the day, I hadn't read my Bible. Oh, I felt so guilty! The reason for missing my reading wasn't because of a I-just-didn't-feel-like-reading-the-Word-today kind of attitude, but just life itself. As the days wore on, I continued to be bothered by all the questions and guilt until, one day, I read an entry on Preston's blog where he usually posts entire chapters of Scripture. The one he just "happened" to post that particular day was Galatians 5, which talks of no longer being under the law because of the freedom we have in Christ. Verse 14 is what really stood out to me:

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

That's when it struck me. Was reading my Bible every single day a requirement? Was I making it a "law" that shouldn't be there? That verse was telling me that all that was required of me was to love my neighbor as I would love myself. I was starting to realize that there was no need for me to feel guilty! I had started to look at reading the Bible daily as something I had to do if I was going to live the Christian life the right way, when all that was (and is) required of me was a selfless love.

Does this new realization now give me an excuse not read the Bible everyday? No! For that is one of the ways we walk and grow spiritually in the Lord. I will continue to strive to read the Word daily, but I will not let it become a legalistic burden.

Talk about fears becoming a reality, eh? :) It's amazing how wonderful God is...hmm, sounds like some good material for another post. ;)

I had an interesting trip! Learned lessons and had fun. I'll post more on that later, but for right now, a dear friend of mine, Anika Q, tagged me on her blog while I was gone. So in honor of her tag, here goes...

Two names I go by

Well, ahem...is it that obvious?

Tiffany & Tiff (My friends are very creative, are they not? :D)


Two things I am wearing right now

What kind of question is this?? Umm, a red shirt and jeans. (hehe...you can tell I like my blog theme.)


Two of my favorite things to do

Mud-sliding and reading.

Two things you want very badly at the moment

I want to talk with someone...and...to finish Systematic Theology ( I need help, girls! Would any of you be available to help me catch up?)

Two pets you had/have

Princess (had) and other than that, I've never really had or have any others. Not much of a pet person.

Two things you did yesterday

Rode in a hot, sticky bus for 5 hours, and gave the younger ones a bath after getting home.

Two things you ate yesterday

Uhh...you don't want to know what I ate yesterday! Oh, you do? Really, truly do? Nah...I just can't bring myself to say it... *whispers* PB&J sandwich and potato chips!

Two people you last talked to

Erica and Sadie. :D (If you consider typing talking :P)

Two things you're doing tomorrow

Finishing up the unpacking and looking into what I'm going to do for school this year...

Two longest car rides

Hehe, from Colorado to Mississippi. ;) (and yes, I've done it twice!)

Two favorite holidays

Christmas and Thanksgiving

Two favorite beverages

Hmm...I'm stuck between water, sweet tea, and Sonic's strawberry drink! Yum, yum!


I tag:

Erica

Lydia

Sadie

Emily

I'm leaving the blogging world forever...it's just too much for me, and I can't keep up with it. It's also bogging me down from doing more important things. I really have enjoyed doing it for the short time I've been here, though, and you all have been an encouragement to me. Hope y'all have been blessed! Have fun without me! Bye!

Hehe...did I scare ya? :P I am leaving for a three week vacation on the 28th, so in case you think I've fallen off the face of the earth, don't worry - I'll be back! :) I do have a couple of prayer requests for when I'm gone, though:

1. Pray that we'll have a safe trip- on the way there and back.
2. Pray that we can be a witness and blessing to those around us.
3. Please pray that I will continue to read the Word and pray - it's going to be 10 times harder! Just because I'm on vacation physically, doesn't mean I take "vacations" spiritually!
   
4. That we have a fun time and don't get too stressed out about things.
   

Thanks so much!



P.S. In case you're wondering, we'll be in Mississippi. The good 'ole South! :)

Well, yes and no. I wasn't afraid of the Bible itself or even just reading it. But what I was afraid of was reading it over and over and over again. After having finished reading it through once, it scared me to start reading it multiple times. Wouldn't it become dry and boring? How could I possibly learn something new every single time I read it? I couldn't even imagine reading my most favorite book like that! Yes, I might could do it for awhile, but how droll it would eventually get! But then I realized-I'm talking about the Word of God here! The living, life-changing, inspired words of the living God! What was I thinking?! This was no ordinary book! Whew, some major battles there! But that wasn't the only reason why I was afraid of reading the Bible on a daily basis. Fear of legalism was in my heart as well. I was afraid of getting so caught up in just making sure that I read the Bible, that I wouldn't be growing or learning from the Word like I should be.

For a long while I would read it here and there, but never regularly. Well, if you know anything about God, it's that He doesn't leave us drowning in our fears. He started working in my heart and convicting me that I should start a daily Bible reading. And so I have. He has used some very dear friends to keep me accountable, and He's given me the strength to keep pressing on. I've been finding that instead of the Word becoming dry, it has come more alive. (Not that I don't think that there are still parts of the Bible that seem boring...*wink*...but I'm learning new things that I hadn't recognized from the first time around. And I figure I'll still be learning new things when I get to the 100th time around. ;)) And the legalism? I don't worry about it a bit anymore. There hasn't a day yet gone by where God hasn't shown me a little bit more of Him. So I challenge you. Go out and start those bold readings!

The more you read the Bible, the more you love it; the more you love it, the more you read it. Read the Bible as if God were speaking to you. He is!

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. ~2 Timothy 3:16

A friend of mine wrote this beautiful poem, and I thought it was just too
wonderful to keep to myself! :) I hope you're blessed by it as much as I was!


"My Thoughts Travel a Jeweled Path"
by Allison Kirschbaum

In every mind there runs a road
New-laid when we were born
And through our lives
Each step is paved
With hoarded paving-stones

The fine silt of the roadbed
Is an impressionable mind
And every stone that's laid in it
Is one of just two kinds

There's plain, smooth stones of common make
Of the dullest grays and browns
The thoughts of mediocrity
That chain us to the ground

"Bubble, Bubble, Toil, and Trouble"
Or so the saying goes
And that's all the good you'll ever get
With cheap, plain paving-stones

But the second kind, now that's the stuff
Great men's thoughts walk upon
On the road to Eden's sunset glory,
And the shining-white Zion

They're bright, and crisp, and clear, and pure,
Not common stones, but gems
And it is my hope for every youth
They would pave their minds with them!

The blue sapphires are deep and pure,
Heavy and clear as dew,
They represent the noble thoughts,
The strongest ones, and Truth

And the padparadsha orange ones,
They reflect your fire inside,
Your will, your guts, your confidence,
Your passion, courage, drive!

The crisp, sharp green of Hessonite
Reminds you you're a flower
Planted deep inside God's grace,
And nourished by His power

Good grace and judgment are the lot
Of stolid smoky quartz
Though plain, it tempers other stones
With calmness by the quart!

Ruby Zoisite's creativity,
Those divine sparks inside!
It's zany, bubbling over, vivid!
A thing not meant to hide!

With Direction in its right hand,
And Purpose in its left,
Pietersite is a stone of Choice,
Of Foresight it's not bereft!

Though dull to some, to others plain,
Bloodstone is the rash mind's bane,
A stone of caution, but courage too,
Its subtlety means a safe way through

Amber is the softest stone,
It calls only a tender heart "home",
With time to grow and time to spare,
It frees minds from the world's harsh cares

These are the stones that pave the way
Of those who wish for a glory day
But if you're for God, there's one gem more
Crystal, to open your heart's thick door
It needs to be cared for,
Given time and love,
But it's your only link to your Father above

Though there's not many stones in your road yet, my dear,
I hope there's inspiration for the rest of them here
How I enjoy watching your road's joyful progress,
But when all clothed in stones, how will it be dressed?
In the commonest garb of the slaves and the serfs,
Or jewels, like the paths of God's people on Earth?

Thanks to a certain friend, I now have a new theme!! Don't worry, it's the same blog just a different layout! ;) How do y'all like it?

Anyways, to the topic at hand. The Denver Rebelution conference was really incredible, of course! :) I was very much encouraged and uplifted! One of the things I have been learning and which was confirmed at the conference, was how we should be consumed with God. It is the basis of all hard things, and if you're not giving Christ your all and letting Him lead you, then doing hard things can be pretty useless. So just how hard is letting God take control be? I'm a Christian! Can't be that hard- easy as 1, 2, 3, right? Isn't believing that Christ died for my sins, rose from the grave in three days, and is coming back again enough? Sorry to break the news to you, but that's only the half of it! Believing is the first step, living it, is the next. Ok, no problem, I can do that. I'm not going to get a grumpy attitude when things aren't going my way. Next thing you know, that grumpy attitude is looming over my head, and I just can't seem to get it to go away! I'm going to read my Bible every single day. I find that the precious time I do take to read it is about as good as wasted, since I read one or two quick verses (occasionally!) and then convince myself that that was good enough! What's going on here? I thought I was a new creature in Christ. I think many times we will forget that even when living the Christian life, we need His help! I have to remind myself, "Stop trying to do it on your own, and start asking the Lord to help you!" And, wow, have I been amazed at what God can do, if we only let Him! Of course, I will never be perfect, and it will continually be a constant, hard battle, because my nature wants to rebel against all that is righteous. I think that's one of the reasons why the motto "Do Hard Things" has such an appeal to me- because it helps give me the incentive to rebel against my rebellious, sinful nature.

If you're having a problem, get on your knees and pray. Right now. If you want advice or answers to problems with life, get yourself into the Word of God. Start letting Him take the wheel! Nothing is more hard, glorious, or rewarding! Doing hard things starts with growing in your relationship with Christ, and stretching your boundaries to grow your character. The rest really is easy as 1, 2, 3. :)

...I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:9

by Tiffany B.

The air was crisp, and the sun had started setting. The rolling hills were soaking in as much sun as they possibly could before the last rays melted into the sky. Trees swayed lazily in the light wind, and flowers got ready for their midnight endeavors. But deep in the ground- unseen and unheard- lay three silver nuggets. Friends these nuggets were. They talked, and joked, had fun, and dreamed. One of their favorite subjects was talking of what they would someday become once they got out of this miserable, dark, and dirty place. The first nugget said, “I will be the sword of a mighty warrior! I will fight great battles and be famous for my many victories.” The second one said, “And I will be a beautiful chalice, and serve many kings and nobles.” The third one moped a bit. He didn’t exactly know what he was going to be. All he said was, “I don’t know what I want.” Secretly, He did know that he wanted it to be something great and daring like the first one, but at the same time, serving a sort of king like the second. But he was always too shy or embarrassed to voice his thoughts.

One day, the nuggets were chatting away, when some miners came along... The first nugget was found. He was carried away and made into a sword for a brave warrior. They fought hard and long together and won many battles. Soon, the warrior became one of the mightiest and bravest in the land, and all with the help of his faithful sword. The second silver nugget was discovered. He was taken and crafted into a sturdy and beautifully engraved chalice. He made his way to the king’s courts and became the king’s most favorite cup from which to drink; saved for the most pompous occasions. But the third silver nugget got left. He had heard about the others’ successes, and he began to wish that he could just disappear and somehow fade away into the darkness. But this little nugget’s life wasn’t over yet. He finally was found, and taken away to a little smith shop where he was divided into nails. It only made him more miserable. To be treated in this way? Where is my fame? Who am I serving? He wished the miners would have just left him in the ground.


As the years went on, the sword got bent and battered, and the chalice got tarnished and worn. They eventually moved on to lesser jobs. The sword was given to a soldier who had no respect for the blade and treated it like rabble. It had grown bitter and angry at life. He had loved and reveled in what he had been. To be treated in this way was a curse! The soldier that carried him was called on duty one night with a few others. Their mission was to arrest a certain man for some sort of treason. If there was anything the sword had learned in his lifetime, it was the knack for paying close attention to his master’s words. He had heard that someone had betrayed the accused, and was now leading the soldiers to the place for the arresting. The sign that would indicate which one was guilty? A kiss. The sword watched as the betrayer walked up and kissed the guilty one. There were others surrounding him, and one of the men tried brandishing a sword. In anger the soldier’s sword struck back and cut off the offender’s ear. That’s when the sword saw something that he had never before seen in his life. The guilty one healed the wounded man and said, “Put your swords away. For those who draw their swords die by the sword.” The sword was stunned and ashamed at the same time. He was beginning to wish he wasn’t a sword.

The chalice was sold at a market and taken to a merchants home. His life was quiet and peaceful now. In fact, he almost enjoyed being away from all the parties and glamor. He had learned a few things in life, and one of them was trying to be content. One day, he woke up in the cupboard with the house in a flurry. The mistress and her daughters were scampering and rushing about to do this and that. What is all this racket?, thought the chalice. When evening came, he was taken out of the cupboard and placed on a table covered with a white tablecloth that filled the entire room. After a few minutes, thirteen men came in and sat down at the table. One of the men took a piece of bread and said, “This is my body, broken for you.” Then when they were through eating, he took the chalice and said, “This is my blood, poured out for you” The chalice didn’t understand what was happening, but he knew enough that whatever this man was doing, it was something special. So the chalice decided to just enjoy the most he could of it.


And the nails? Well, they sat there in the shop. Doing nothing all those years. Other nails were used to make great ships, useful household items, and beautiful furniture. If only the third nugget’s nails could be used for something- anything! He sighed and trembled. Life was one big failure to him. Then there came a day when the streets were filled with shouting, screaming people. Someone came into the shop and grabbed the box of nails the third nugget was in! He held his breath. Was this the day he would be used? What for? Why were all these people shouting? When he was taken outside, he heard what they were saying more clearly, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The nails started to tremble. Was that what his life was lived for? To kill someone? Why did it have to end like this?! The nails were brought to a cross where a battered and torn man lay. One by one the hammer pushed the nails into the skin tearing the flesh and bones. With every agonizing cry, the nails winced. The cross was put up, and the crowds started mocking the man that the nails held. “If you are King of the Jews, why don’t you save yourself?”, they taunted. At last, the man said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” At that moment, the nails finally realized that their job was not in vain. This man that they held was the Savior of the world. No greater King could be served, and nothing could be more honorable than doing the Father’s will.

*Dedicated to Rebelutionaries around the world who are faithful in the little things*

One little Rebleutionary, in a corner of earth,
Worked and toiled with “Do Hard Things” as her girth.

Doing things she didn’t necessarily like.
She watched her friends as they went on their hikes.

Using their gifts as they worked for the Lord.
Seeing the fruits of the works they labored for.

But this one little Rebelutionary, got easily discouraged.
Because the fruit of her works were not so visibly discovered.

She would whine and complain.
Not realizing the value of the work mundane.

She sat in her room praying a pleading prayer.
When she suddenly realized that Someone did care.

The work that she did was not in vain.
For she was beginning to understand, that the Lamb that was slain,
Did not see her work somewhat less than the others.

The comfort she gave;
The prayers that she prayed.

The little things that didn’t seem much to her,
All were a great deal to the Lord that she served.

When the one little Rebelutionary had realized all this,
She stopped her complaining, and found her work bliss.

It has a certain ring to it, that word. Filled with hope, excitement, and maybe a bit of apprehension. It's almost, dare I say, an enchanted word.

Sometimes I'll get discouraged about the future. Yes, the Lord has given me my dreams (or should I say His dreams ;)), but sometimes I feel like they'll never happen. It feels like other things keep getting in the way and keep messing everything up. That's when I think, Why do You give me these dreams, God? It seems that they will never come true!

What's amazing is that even in my lack of faith, God will comfort and encourage me from His Word. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - He is so awesome!

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. ~Psalm 24:14, NLT

You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. ~Psalm 73:24, NLT

My Dad listens to a local radio station called KOA 850 when going to and from work. He listens to it mainly because of the frequent traffic reports, but there's a show on there called "The Ride Home" that he listens to now and then.

Dad had to go on a business trip to California last week, and Mom decided to come along and make it a 20th anniversary trip. They weren't quite alone since they had to take Gideon with them. ;) Anyways, on the flight back, they sat next to a lady, Louis, who was also from Colorado and had spent the week in California. She was telling them how she had lived in California all her life, and had only been living in CO for about 6 years. She got to talkin' about how people recognized and knew her when she moved out here, and Mom was like, "How did people know you??" She said that she was a radio broadcaster. And then Dad's like, "Which radio station do you broadcast?" And guess what? She broadcasts on KOA!! My dad like totally freaked out; he couldn't believe it! So the next day, Dad gets this call from one of his co-workers, and the guy's like, "Who did you sit next to on the plane?" He said that Louis was talking about a couple with 10 kids, and goats, and all that. As soon as he heard that, he knew it was Dad. :)

So...I thought it was pretty neat that we were mentioned on the radio! But I won't leave you without a link to the broadcast!!! Here it is! Just listen to the first 10 minutes or so. :) Enjoy!

God is so incredibly awesome! He isn't like the Greek god Poseidon or the Roman god Jupiter. Nor is He like like a more modern-day god such as Buddha or the prophet Muhammad. No, the one true God is nothing like them! He is personal. And what does that mean? It means that I can actually have a relationship with Him! Can you believe it?!? The only God in the world that you can have that with! Wow. Such a relationship is almost impossible to describe! Think of your BEST friend...one who knows almost everything about you and with whom you share your innermost thoughts and feelings...now think of that relationship being 10 times greater! That's what is like to be friends with God! I tell Him my doubts, fears, joys, sorrows, strengths, and weaknesses - everything. And He never let's me down. He's never too busy to give a "listening ear" or a "helping hand." It's true that I can't see Him, and you may wonder how I could have such relationship with Someone who is invisible. I admit, I don't fully understand it myself. But, somehow, He makes His presence known in a way that is too inexplicable to describe. He says to be still and know that He is God.(Psalm 46:10) When you're looking for Him, you will find Him.

But lest you think that this is a one-sided relationship, let me tell you a bit about what God does. When I'm done talking to Him, and I actually listen for a change, He will start speaking to me in different forms and ways. Maybe it's a Bible verse, something a friend says, an answer to a specific prayer, or just something altogether out-of-the-blue type of thing. He will test and push me to the limits. There is never a dull moment with God! He takes you on the most adventurous roller coaster ride of your life! (with a few stops here and there ;)) He will chastise me when I need it, and yet loves me like nobody else in the world. He is so great and mighty. He can make something happen with a whisper, and it’s done. Yet, He knows every inch of my heart and soul and understands my feelings. He tells me to come boldly unto His throne, that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16) How can any other god compare?

But I also don't want you to think that I have a picture perfect life, and things always go my way. Haha...that would be the overstatement of the year! There are so many times I get mad at God, so many times I ask Him, "Why are You dong this??" and "What do You think You're doing?!?" And, yes, there are even times when I feel that God is against me. But the funny thing is, God just picks me up, ignoring my kicking and screaming, and carries me in His arms along the beaten path until I finally realize that He's been by my side every step of the way. My despairing cries start to calm, and the Lord puts me down and holds His outstretched hands towards me. I look up, and I start to smile and accept what God has put in my path.

I’m sure most of you have seen babies. They’re cute, sweet, and cuddly, right? But have you ever held them and just gazed at them and really appreciated what precious gifts from the Lord they are? Well, in case you haven’t, let me see if I can paint a picture of my five-month-old baby brother, Gideon.

He has the cutest, little face with fat, round cheeks. Bright blue, curious eyes with beautiful (yes, I said beautiful) long lashes. A button, little nose, and a mouth that when it frowns you just want grab him up and comfort him in your arms; and when it smiles, with his cute stub of a tooth sticking up, you just want to gobble him up! He has light, soft, wispy hair that blows this-a-way and that-a-way when you blow on it. And his hands, oh, his hands can fit right in the palm of mine. He’ll usually bunch them up into a cute, little fist or sometimes, he’ll wrap a tiny finger around one of mine and hold on for dear life. He has the most infectious laugh and the most heart-breaking cry. And watching him fall asleep is like watching a little bit of heaven. He’ll start to slowly open and close his blue eyes until he gets into a deep enough sleep to keep ‘em closed.

What’s really neat to think about is that Christ was once a baby. When I’m holding Gideon in my arms and putting him to sleep, I think about the most precious gift of all born so long ago. And it makes me wonder what He looked like. I sure hope God keeps a scrapbook album!

Click here to watch the homeschooling video. :D

I was reading Erica's post, who lives in Nebraska, about the postcard she sent to Lisa, who lives in Australia. :)

Erica was talking about how God works in the small things. Little things that we don't think twice about being a blessing to someone; but God uses them in the most amazing ways. Just a little note or card, a smile, or a kind word. All of those things could bless someone's socks off!! And, who knows, maybe God will use those little things to give hope and new meaning to someone's life. I think when we get to heaven, we're going to be astonished by how many people were affected by the little things we did that we thought were nothing. Here's a story I've written called Little Things that I think goes well with this topic:


I knelt in my room praying out loud.

"Oh, God, why does it seem I do so little for you? I know some who are able to give so much and do so many things for others, and are respected by many. But I, Lord, am only able to help a few and give very little. How can I be as useful as them?"

Then I heard a voice call my name. My eyes searched the room, but I could see nothing.

The voice said, "Have you so little faith?"

I suddenly realized it was God.

"But Lord...."

"Let me show you one of the persons you have helped and of the little you gave him."

An image flashed before my eyes, and I saw a friend who had lost both his parents a few weeks ago; crying silently and holding a card I had sent him. It told how sorry I was for his loss and gave him some comforting words and Bible verses. He stood there reading it over and over again- like it was the only possession he had. He then got down on his knees and started thanking and praising God for a friend like me. Tears came to my eyes. "Lord, I had no idea that it would mean so much to him."

"Go and continue to help the few you know and give of what little you have. Because someday you will find that you have helped people you never even realized you helped, and what you gave was all that was needed."

Then the voice was gone.

It felt like a wonderful dream, but I knew it had happened. Peace and joy were overflowing in my soul. I decided to take a walk. I got up, put on a jacket, and started walking down the road. I soon saw an old woman who was having trouble crossing. I rushed to her side and as we walked, we chatted a little. After we had crossed the road, she looked at me and said, "I never knew someone could be so kind to take an interest in me and help me the way you did." I smiled and started walking home.

"Thank you Lord."

There are so many times we Christians forget what Christ had to go through for us on the cross. I know I have, and I’m ashamed that I could forget even once what He suffered. There are times when we need to be reminded of how much it took for us to have this amazing gift. Especially us “older” Christians. When we’re first saved by the precious blood of Christ, we realize how incredible it is that we have been forgiven and made perfect before God. The joy and peace we feel is like nothing we’ve ever experienced before. But somehow, and at some point, it’s almost like our spiritual senses get dulled as we grow “older.” We start to hear the message over and over and over, and we’re like, “Yeah, Christ died for me, it’s great.” But I don’t think it is. We thank Christ for what He’s done and then we get on with our lives. Like it didn’t really matter one way or the other. I think we need to go back and think about just how much Christ suffered for us. I’ve recently been reading a book called Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Grudem gives a very gruesome description of the physical aspects of what Christ went through when He was dying on the cross:

“Many readers of the Gospels in the ancient world would have witnessed crucifixions and thus would have a painfully vivid mental picture upon reading the simple words “And they crucified him” (Mark 15:24). A criminal who was crucified was essentially forced to inflict upon himself a very slow death by suffocation. When the criminal’s arms were outstretched and fastened by nails to the cross, he had to support most of the weight of his body with his arms. The chest cavity would be pulled upward and outward, making it difficult to exhale in order to be able to draw a fresh breath. But when the victim’s longing for oxygen became unbearable, he would have to push himself up with his feet, thus giving more natural support to the weight of his body, releasing some of the weight from his arms, and enabling his chest cavity to contract more normally. By pushing himself upward in this way the criminal could fend off suffocation, but it was extremely painful because it required putting the body’s weight on the nails holding the feet, and bending the elbows and pulling upward on the nails driven through the wrists. The criminal’s back, which had been torn open repeatedly by a previous flogging, would scrape against the wooden cross with each breath.....In some cases, crucified men would survive for several days, nearly suffocating but not quite dying. This was why the executioners would sometimes break the legs of a criminal, so that death would come quickly....” ( pp. 572-573)

Mmm....that just sends chills down my spine. It puts me in awe of my Savior. Jesus went through that for me?!? *bows her head in shame* I do not deserve such love! But you know what’s even more horrible than all that physical torture? Christ bore the wrath of God. He experienced God’s wrath to it’s fullest. To quote again from the same source,

“Jesus had become the object of the intense hatred of sin and vengeance against sin which God had patiently stored up since the beginning of the world.” (Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, p. 575)

It leaves me - speechless.

To think that Christ, who was and is perfect, would bear all that for me, a sinner. How can I not give Him my all? How can I not live every moment for Him? How can I not seek to worship, adore, and bring glory to Him every day? The problem is, I don’t. It’s a constant battle with my flesh, and so many times, I give in. But God is gracious and He helps me get out of the mire of sin. He gives me the strength to move another two steps forward- to keep pressing on.

So I’ve decided to start a blog...all my friends have said I needed to get one, but I was like, why? Who wants to read about my musings and thoughts? What kind of impact can it have? Well, I’ve decided that words are powerful. I mean, look at what God did- He gave us the entire Bible! Of course, my words and thoughts can be in no way compared to God’s. He is the God of the universe. I am just a poor, sinful servant. One of the things that I think is so incredible about God is that He can use a sinner like me to further His kingdom and glorify Him. Wow. That is incomprehensible! But there’s something more amazing than that...God not only uses me, but He loves me. I am a child of His, and He treats me as His daughter and friend. Even though I continually fail in so many ways and grieve Him, He still loves me! Oh, the ways of God cannot be understood! I will never grasp why He loves me so much! So if you, by Providence, get blessed or encouraged or even inspired by this blog, then I praise the Lord that He is able to use it in such a way! I hope you enjoy reading as much as I will enjoy sharing! :)

Many blessings to all who read this!