Romans 12:9-18 May 16, 2008

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Who is my Lord? April 14, 2008

…He is my strength when I am weak.

…He is my foundation.

…He is my Friend.

…He is my song.

…He is everything.

 

Please Pray for Me April 7, 2008

Last week, I had the honor of being asked to speak to the high school students at Orleans County Christian School in Medina, NY (Medina is about 15 minutes from where I live).  When I got the phone call I was completely shocked to be asked such an honor. I’m really excited! Yes, I do feel a little nervous, but I know the God is on my side and no fear will keep me from sharing about Him tomorrow. Yes! It’s tomorrow when I speak, and I would extremely covet your prayers. This will be one of the first times that I will have ever talked infront of a group of people.  So tomorrow at 9:45am please pray for me! I want so much to be an example of a godly young woman to these fellow young men & women.

Heal the wound, but leave the scar… March 25, 2008

The other day I popped in my Point of Grace cd and listened to a song called “Heal the Wound”. I had listened to it many times before but never really sat down and listened to the words. Well, I did the other day and I never realized how powerful the song really is. It’s beautiful. I wrote the lyrics below in hope of it possibly encouraging someone today.

~ Heal The Wound ~

Written by Clint Lagerberg, Nichole Nordeman

I used to wish that I could rewrite history

I used to dream that each mistake could be erased

Then I could just pretend I never knew me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away

Hide all the evidence of who I’ve been.

But it’s the memory of the place you brought me from

That keeps me on my knees

And even though I’m free…

Heal the wound, but leave the scar

A reminder of how merciful You are

I am broken, torn apart

Take the pieces of this heart

And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything

I don’t take pride in what I bring

But I’ll build an altar with the rubble that You’ve found me in

And every stone will sing of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar

A reminder of how merciful You are

I am broken, torn apart

Take the pieces of this heart and heal the wound but leave the scar

Don’t let me forget everything You’ve done for me

Don’t let me forget the beauty in the suffering

Heal the wound but leave the scar

A reminder of how merciful You are

 I am broken, torn apart

take the pieces of this heart

And heal the wound but leave the scar

1 Timothy 4:12 March 24, 2008

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.”

He is so awesome! March 21, 2008

Have you ever just stopped and thought about how great and awesome our Lord is? Sometimes, out of no where, I get hit with an overwhelming sense of awe when I look at my family, creation, and even my animals. MY GOD CREATED IT ALL!!! No one else on this earth can do what He did - make everything out of absolutely nothing.  When I stop and think that a human being is living and growing inside of my mother’s belly…it’s beyond me! 

Our God is truly … The Alpha & Omega, the Beginning and the End, King of Kings and Lord of lords, our Protector, Prince of Peace, Jehovah, the Great I AM, All Sufficient, The Most High, Redeemer, Friend, Our Rock and Fortress…

He is worthy of every breath that we take, every beat of our hearts, and every drop of our blood! Our lives are not our own!

Worthy of our Highest Praise March 13, 2008

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.  Do not trust in princes,in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets the prisoners free. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord loves the righteous; The Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!

Pictures of My Dream/Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch February 28, 2008

  If you’ve read the ‘About Me’section of my blog, then you already know that my dream is to someday have a ranch made available to children from troubled homes and also for children/adults with special needs(now you know, whether you read that section or not! ).  For encouragement and inspiration, I look many times over to Kim Meeder(I do not know her personally, I’ve only read her book) and the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. Kim and her husband Troy are making a similar dream come true on their ranch in Oregon. I highly encourage all children and horse lovers to go to their site and check it out.  Here are a few pictures of some of their horses and some of the children that have visited the ranch. There are many more pictures on their site, but these specific ones really speak  what is in my heart to see & experience someday too. Enjoy. 

         

           

Return of the Daughters…Great Video! February 28, 2008

  About a week and a half ago, I ordered ‘The Return of the Daughters’ from Vision Forum. The other day I received the video in the mail, and that evening my mom and I watched together. What an awesome, encouraging, and convicting documentary! I loved it! I highly recommend it to any daughter wishing to have more guidance on what to do during her “in-between years.”  My eyes were opened even more to what my role as a daughter and a sister is supposed to look like through a Biblical perspective.  A special thank you to the Botkin Sisters who, with their family, brought this wonderful documentary about.

For more information about “The Return of the Daughters,” Click on the link below.

http://www.visionforum.com/booksandmedia/productdetail.aspx?categoryid=1&browseby=product&producttype=3&productid=67850

Listen…It’s a sobering message February 25, 2008

He’s full of life, passion, joy, and he’s MY DAD. My father is a great preacher of the Gospel, he’s generous, he loves people, and most of all he loves Jesus and I want to be just like him when I grow up. I love you Dad!

 Click this link below and listen to the Normal Christian Life - An encouraging and convicting message that the Lord has given to my Dad.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9efb9c376c3163028354

The Lord can change your life through this message, if you let Him.

Psalm 130 February 20, 2008

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;  Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.

 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.  My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning - Yes, more than those who watch for the morning…For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemtion. And He shall redeem… - Psalm 130

I was reading my Bible last night and this chapter practicly jumped out at me. It was such a great reminder to me that the Lord is always by my side ready to help me when I am in need of strength to go through a tough experience, or when I feel bound by a sinful thought. He is there to redeem. When I gave my life over to Him, He said that He will never leave me nor forsake me. He’s there when I feel overloaded with life or when I find joy in playing with my little brother. I am so thankful that I can cry out to Him about my pain and also about my happiness. What a wonderful thing to remember!

 

Encouraging Quotes… February 9, 2008

 I read these quotes in a book called Jesus Freaks this week. They really spoke to my heart; I hope they speak to yours too.

 “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are.” - Peter the Apostle, Martyred in Rome, 65 AD (1 Peter 3:14,15)

“Some Christians haven’t even attempted to think about whether or not they would die for Jesus because they haven’t really been living for Him.” - dc Talk (music band)

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” - Jim Elliot (Speared by headhunters in Ecuador while serving there as a missionary in 1956.)

 “My dear Jesus, my Savior, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece.” - Ignatius, A student under John (Devoured by wild animals in Rome  111 AD)

 ” Jesus is everything.” - Mother Teresa (Gave her life to the poor of India, Died in 1997.)