Hello All!
I thought I would take a break from studying and finishing the 5 million things I need to do for school and write about my weekend. Friday I had school and then worked. I really did not want to go to work but really needed the money. I had to stay until like 12 (which is WAY past my bedtime) but God blessed me with being able to make some money- more than I expected. It alwasy amazes me how God provides for me. I don't know why I ever worry about my finances.. I tithe and pray for them all the time. I get worried at times but then here comes God and I 'll go into work and make really good money just when I need it. God always has the perfect timing. After work, even though it was late, I went to the mont to visit with Carmen and a friend from work that I don't get to see very often. IT was nice to spend some time with them and to vent about work stuff and school and what not.
Saturday was a jam packed day! OF course I didn't get home from the mont the night before until like 2 (got lost in conversation) and then Jack Jack (one of my dogs) woke me up at 7:15 when I had my alarm for 8... so I got up early. Aaron and I went to church that morning because this weekend was Big Event for OU so they sent some of their law students to help us around the church with all the trees blown every where and to help redo our gardens and just other yard stuff. Aaron and I have been going to Go Church for a while now and have been members for about a month now but yesterday, we officially met people from our church and got to know them better while making a difference around our church. I am not going to lie- I was exhausted from working (I had the special priviledge of working in the meditation garden- which is beautiful- but i didn't realize HOW MUCH work maintaining a garden was) but was so thankful for that time. That night was the monthly meeting for SEEDS our young adult group. We all met at Hey day to play some laser tag. We had so much fun. Laser tag was a blast and I was really surprised at how good some of the people were! I beat Aaron 3 out of the 4 times so I was pretty happy with that :). That was the first chance that we actually got to talk and get to know these people around our age from the church that just walk by at church every week. I loved talking with all of them and really look forward to getting to know them more.
Today at church was awesome. It was my second time to sing with the worship team and I had a blast- i really felt like God was moving in that room today and it's such a blessing to be apart of that because I know that I felt God in me. I was really happy to have Eden singing with me this week. I love singing and don't mind doing it without someone close to me but EDen is my best friend- I feel like she brings out the best in me so getting to sing with her and do harmonies was really great. The band was just awesome today. Today's message at church was really great. Some things I got from Chad today- 1) girls are crazy and boys are lazy, 2) don't start anything defeated, 3) Live a life oft possibilities, 4) don't get bitter, get better, 5) At your greatest breaking point, God will show up and give you the greatest break through, and 6) (my fav) If you want more of God, you must seek more of God because he will not force himself upon you.
It happens to us as christians- we go through stages where we are really high on God and thank him for all the blessings and then just get stuck in a rut- wondering what's next- is God still here?- what am I supposed to do? One thing we know for sure is that God is ALWAYS with us. I have grown more in my relationship with God since I have come to Go Church than I ever have before. The more I read my bible and start applying it to my life, the more I start to notice my life change. I am always in a better mood, i don't sweat the small stuff, I am just happier- and I know that when I am following God more closely, people start to notice me in a different light. We all go through times where we doubt and just wonder am I doing the right thing or think I have been faithful and praying for this one thing and I haven't gotten it- God is always there- the times you need God the most is when you first need to get on your knees and tell him. We all need to humble ourselves and just show love to each other. We serve a God who LIVES- who has never and will never be defeated. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine and I don't know about you but that's overwhelming to think about. We are so blessed beyond belief- we just need to give it back to him. TEll God how much you love him and how thankful you are. And then- start telling other people about God and the things that he has done for you. There are too many people in this world without Jesus and have never felt his love. It is our job to bring the good news. I have really enjoyed having guests come to our church but truth is- our church is pretty small and could use some growth. We have such a wonderful pastor whose vision changes lives. WE have a wonderful staff and such a great body to our church but we need to expand. I am ready for God to use me. I want to go out there and bring more people to church and not just that but to Jesus. I want everyone to feel the peace joy and love that he has to offer. I say the word Joy- if you don't have a relationship with Jesus- you haven't experienced pure Joy. This overwhelming feeling of happiness and Peace- like every thing just fits together perfectly.
I challenge everyone- stop being stagnant in your church, in your relationship with God, and get out there and tell people the good news. Satan is out there causing a mess- having people believe lies- that people have to live in a state of chaos when it's so simple. Let's all Go Grow and Give together. I encourage you that if you haven't been to church in a while - GO. Don't let that one time you went to church and this happened or not feeling connected or not knowing anyone stop you from experience everything that God has to offer you. I invite you to come to Go Church- we would be so HAPPY to have you.
I had a really great weekend and look forward to where the future takes me and Go Church. I will leave you with this...
"finally, my brethen, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand aganist the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle aganist flesh and blood, but aganist principalities, aganist powers aganist the rules of the darkness of this age, aganist spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod you feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" Ephesians 6:10-17
Trouble will come our way and Satan will test us but as long as we have the word of God in us and are faithful- we can conquer anything!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Thoughts for today.
Hola! Sorry it's been a while since I last posted. My schedule with school and work and trying to fit in some sleep and social time in is pretty crazy! So what's new... well today at church was really great. Today was my first day to join the worship team! I was super nervous. I mean i knew that everything would be fine and that i could do it but still, nerves take over! But it was really awesome getting to see things from a different perspective. I really enjoyed singing and look forward to singing again next week. I feel like i have a strong connection to Go Church and i don't really know why. We really don't have very many people, and we have guests every now and then. Some people could get discouraged by this but I feel like I am in the right place at the right time. Church is supposed to be a place that is spreading God's love- accepting everyone for who they are and loving them for that. I will continue to do my best at spreading God's love and mercy and inviting as many people as i can to church. But you know what, it is not always about church. There are so many things that you can do- help someone pick up knocked over trees out of their yard, give someone a ride somewhere, help someone with their homework, do the dishes for your significant other or your family, or just smile at someone and give them a kind word. You would be amazed at how much you can impact someone's day just by being nice. I work as a server in a restaurant and I tell you what, most times, i will take someone who is friendly over someone who tips well. A- because I know that God will take care of my finances as long as I am faithful and B- because my whole day can be turned around by someone being nice or giving me a simple compliment like- you do a great job, or thanks for getting that for me, or it's nice to see you. Because I enjoy hearing these things, I try to remember to say these things to other people. I am not perfect and there are times when I get angry, or upset and I probably get snappy. I am sorry If i ever get snippy with anyone, lol but i am human and i really try to keep a positive attitude about everything because when it comes down to it, you choose how you react to things and what you say to people. You can NEVER control other people (how they feel, what they say, what they do) but you CAN control yourself. When someone puts you down or doesnt tip you or never tells you the good things you do but are quick to tell you the bad- just turn around with positivity. I know that things can always be worse and that I am so blessed to have all the things in my life that I do. I do not thank God enough for all the blessings. So something else I try to go by- Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. :)
After church today, Aaron and I went and saw Titanic in 3D at the imax. I love that movie anyway and seeing it back in the theater was amazing. I realized something during the movie, the last time I saw that movie in the theater, was with my dad. It just shows you how long that movie has been around. It was kind of bitter sweet to see that movie- but it is a great movie and I went with Aaron so I wouldn't have had it any other way.
So those are my thoughts today- nothing crazy inspirational but to ask that you always try to keep a positive attitude and to show kindness and love. My first priority will always be to God but he says it himself to love one another...
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22: 37-39
After church today, Aaron and I went and saw Titanic in 3D at the imax. I love that movie anyway and seeing it back in the theater was amazing. I realized something during the movie, the last time I saw that movie in the theater, was with my dad. It just shows you how long that movie has been around. It was kind of bitter sweet to see that movie- but it is a great movie and I went with Aaron so I wouldn't have had it any other way.
So those are my thoughts today- nothing crazy inspirational but to ask that you always try to keep a positive attitude and to show kindness and love. My first priority will always be to God but he says it himself to love one another...
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22: 37-39
Saturday, March 24, 2012
the ultimate question
Probably the most important question someone ever asked me- "if you died tomorrow, do you know if you would go to heaven?" When I was asked this question, I did not know for sure. I mean i had always been a good person, volunteered in my community and at church, I got good grades, i was a friendly person but i did not know for sure. I guess I had always assumed I would because I was a good person. But the way this person asked me.... how did they know for certain that they were going to heaven? This is what initially sparked my interest. I had always believed in God but this was a whole new concept to me. My question to you is the same thing- the most important question there is- if you died tomorrow- would you go to heaven? If you are reading this and thinking- i don't know- how can you be sure? then I have news for you- you can be certain! The fact of the matter is that we are all sinners- we have sinned before and we will sin again. But it doesn't matter! Jesus was sent to this earth to die on the cross for our sins. So no matter what you do- no matter big or small it is covered! God washes away our sins! Probably one if not the most quoted verse "For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." In the beginning, we were all doomed to go to hell. Heaven is perfection and we were and are not perfect. But God sent Jesus to take that for us so that as long as we believe in him and accept him into our heart, we can be like Jesus and go to heaven and be with him for all eternity. One sure thing is that we will all die one day and no day is garuanteed. You will either go one place- heaven or hell and you have a choice. The great thing about God is that he gives you the choice. It says in Romans 6:23 "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". We will die but with Jesus we can have that wonderful eternal life. Everyone can be saved- "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the pname of the Lord shall be saved"- Joel 2:32. I want to be able to go to sleep at night knowing that my mom, my family, friends, and every one that i come into contact with is going to heaven with me! All we have to do is believe that in God and that he sent Jesus to die for us, accept that we are sinners, and confess that sin. God loves us more than we can possibly imagine and I cannot explain the peace that comes with being saved and knowing that you have an incredible God that will carry you through anything! There is NOTHING that God can't handle. He will never give you anything that you cannot handle you just have to trust in him."But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be
faint." - Isiah 40:31. I pray that if you are reading this and do not know for a fact that if you died tonight, that you would go to heaven please text me call me ask someone about if just if you want to know more! This thought just fell on my heart tonight. i am going to heaven and i want to take as many people with me as I can. I do not have all the answers, but Jesus does. If i do not know an answer to someone's question, I will find someone who does. God bless everyone and know that God loves you and if you ever need anything- you can call me! I promise, there is no feeling like being saved. People use the word Joy without i really think know the feeling but i tell you what, with God, I have felt true Joy. This life comes down to the most important question, and I pray that your answer to that question is yes.
Be thankful
I heard something once that really stuck with me- "what if you only had today what you thanked God for yesterday?" Isn't that crazy to think about? We take so many things for granted every day- our house, car, friends, family, jobs, finances, and so on and on. Life is so precious and also incredibly short. No one is guaranteed tomorrow so really every day is a gift. God blesses us with so many things and we don't take enough time to thank him for those things. I am guilty of this. We can not thank God enough for everything he has done for us and provided us with. The weather we have had and are going to have for the next couple days is and will be perfection. So next time you are relaxing in the sun or going to have a nice cool drink outside on the patio, take a second and thank God for such a beautiful day. I have everything to be thankful for so i have to remind myself to thank God for all the things he blesses me with and for his ultimate gift- Jesus. This is a short post today but I just thought I would share that with you. Try to remember to take some time out of your day just to say Thank you God. God is soooo good to us and i think he deserves some praise! Here is a verse for your day!
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever"-1 Chronicles 16:34
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever"-1 Chronicles 16:34
Friday, March 23, 2012
Keep on truckin'
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" -Jeremiah 29:11
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight"- Proverbs 3:5-6
Hello All! Sorry it's been a little while, my last couple weeks have been nuts with school and this week is spring break which i find hasn't been a break. But it's so nice to get a break from school. I posted those two verse because 1- I love them 2- they are true and 3- I feel like some people need to hear them or i guess read them. It is absolutely crazy to me to think that before i was even born, God had a plan for me. He says before you are even in the womb, he knew you! Nuts. Have you ever been in a situation and tried to think back to the beginning and put all the events together.. for example, you really don't want to go out one night but a friend really needs some encouragement or is begging you to go and so you go- and you have so much fun! Or as I have mentioned, one day i really did not want to go to work but had to go in and i ran into my old friend. If i had not gone into work, I would have not been able to talk with the friend going through a rough time and invite her to church. I probably would have never known her situation. BUT i believe that there are no such things as accidents or coincidences, I think it's all apart of God's plan. I look back at certain things and think if i had never done this or been there- that would have never happened! Like what if i had never moved across the street from eden's grandma. I would have never met eden, never would have started going to church with her, never would have gone to falls creek, never would be been saved! It's just crazy to think about it that way. Yes, some people could say, "well maybe you would have gone to a different church or things would have happened differently" - but it was in my plan to meet eden, to go to church, to go to three different colleges, and to stumble upon a little church i had never heard of before. If you really start to look at the things that have happened in your life, you can kind of start to connect some dots and think "this happened which led to this" and so on and so on. My whole point here is that God has a plan for you. He says it over and over in the bible and not just a plan to live a mediocre life. It says in John 10:10 that he came "so that you may have life, and have it abundandtly"- not poorly or tragically or anything else bad- ABDUNDANT. God has so many wonderful things in store for every single person- but you have to be faithful and have to listen. I have found that listening is a really hard thing to do. Sometimes I get these feelings that i am supposed to say hi to this person or that i should invite that person to church or even just smile at someone- and I truly believe that's God. Once you start listening, your life will change and will be so blessed. I have had so many wonderful things happen to me lately and I really feel like it's because i stopped thinking about myself and what i wanted and started listening to God and trusting what he had planned for my life. I never thought I would be writing in a blog but i have come to really enjoy it. so many awful things happen to us in our lives - many things that we will never understand. Like my dad dying when i was twelve- i don't know if I grew stronger from that or if it was a wake up call to someone else or who knows- All i know is that everyone has to leave this earth one day and it was his time. God knows everything that is going to happen to us. Jesus came and walked on this earth to experience all that we go through. I mean think about it, he was lied to, betrayed, shunned, and even beaten to death! They cruified him, not like "oh we don't like you and think you're crazy so let's just shoot him so he won't be around anymore"- they brutally murdered him. It seems kinda silly to think that he could go through all that and we get hung up on some relationship or break up or bad grade or whatever. It's like the second verse at the top- lean not on your understanding- we will never fully understand the things that God does and we aren't supposed to. Just have faith in the Lord. I have had some really hard times in my life that i thought well this is it- i am going to be miserable for the rest of my life and you know what- I made it through them. So if you are a person who is going through a bad break up with someone or thinks they will never get into a certain school or can't seem to get a job or anything- just know that God has a plan for you! He has an abundant life planned for you! I have a girl in my graduate program who applied to UCO with all her friends and did not get in. That year, she got pregnant and had a baby. She then turned around and applied the next year (with use) and got it! If she had of gotten in the year before, the stress of pregnancy and school might have been too much! When she told me her story, it was one of those times when i was like man God really does have perfect timing! For the longest time, i wanted Aaron to ask me to marry him. We had gotten the ring like two summers ago and he had mentioned one time that he was waiting for me to graduate.. but every special occasion or holiday i was hoping it was coming. Thanksgiving came, no ring, then christmas, then new years, then valentines day, then i graduated and still no ring! Then our anniversary, then the entire summer, then both our birthdays, halloween, thanksgiving and still nothing! Then December 16th, 2011, he proposed, and it was perfect. Now all the wedding planning just fits the right time. Everything is working out really well for only having 6 months to plan. I just know that it is the right time for this to happen. I don't know why i ever doubt in God's timing because it always works out!
My message to everyone today is do not give up! God has a tremendous plan for your life!! Every single person in this world is special. God calls us his "masterpiece"- he sent his only son to die on the cross when he was innocent because he loves us so much. So whenever you feel like you can't go on anymore no matter what the reason, just know that God loves you and he does have something great in mind for you. One of my favorite verses that i heard once and really stuck with me "cast all of your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7. No matter what you are struggling with, give that thing to God. There is nothing too big or too small for him to handle and he wants to take care of it for you. Be faithful and trust in God and he will never leave your side.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight"- Proverbs 3:5-6
Hello All! Sorry it's been a little while, my last couple weeks have been nuts with school and this week is spring break which i find hasn't been a break. But it's so nice to get a break from school. I posted those two verse because 1- I love them 2- they are true and 3- I feel like some people need to hear them or i guess read them. It is absolutely crazy to me to think that before i was even born, God had a plan for me. He says before you are even in the womb, he knew you! Nuts. Have you ever been in a situation and tried to think back to the beginning and put all the events together.. for example, you really don't want to go out one night but a friend really needs some encouragement or is begging you to go and so you go- and you have so much fun! Or as I have mentioned, one day i really did not want to go to work but had to go in and i ran into my old friend. If i had not gone into work, I would have not been able to talk with the friend going through a rough time and invite her to church. I probably would have never known her situation. BUT i believe that there are no such things as accidents or coincidences, I think it's all apart of God's plan. I look back at certain things and think if i had never done this or been there- that would have never happened! Like what if i had never moved across the street from eden's grandma. I would have never met eden, never would have started going to church with her, never would have gone to falls creek, never would be been saved! It's just crazy to think about it that way. Yes, some people could say, "well maybe you would have gone to a different church or things would have happened differently" - but it was in my plan to meet eden, to go to church, to go to three different colleges, and to stumble upon a little church i had never heard of before. If you really start to look at the things that have happened in your life, you can kind of start to connect some dots and think "this happened which led to this" and so on and so on. My whole point here is that God has a plan for you. He says it over and over in the bible and not just a plan to live a mediocre life. It says in John 10:10 that he came "so that you may have life, and have it abundandtly"- not poorly or tragically or anything else bad- ABDUNDANT. God has so many wonderful things in store for every single person- but you have to be faithful and have to listen. I have found that listening is a really hard thing to do. Sometimes I get these feelings that i am supposed to say hi to this person or that i should invite that person to church or even just smile at someone- and I truly believe that's God. Once you start listening, your life will change and will be so blessed. I have had so many wonderful things happen to me lately and I really feel like it's because i stopped thinking about myself and what i wanted and started listening to God and trusting what he had planned for my life. I never thought I would be writing in a blog but i have come to really enjoy it. so many awful things happen to us in our lives - many things that we will never understand. Like my dad dying when i was twelve- i don't know if I grew stronger from that or if it was a wake up call to someone else or who knows- All i know is that everyone has to leave this earth one day and it was his time. God knows everything that is going to happen to us. Jesus came and walked on this earth to experience all that we go through. I mean think about it, he was lied to, betrayed, shunned, and even beaten to death! They cruified him, not like "oh we don't like you and think you're crazy so let's just shoot him so he won't be around anymore"- they brutally murdered him. It seems kinda silly to think that he could go through all that and we get hung up on some relationship or break up or bad grade or whatever. It's like the second verse at the top- lean not on your understanding- we will never fully understand the things that God does and we aren't supposed to. Just have faith in the Lord. I have had some really hard times in my life that i thought well this is it- i am going to be miserable for the rest of my life and you know what- I made it through them. So if you are a person who is going through a bad break up with someone or thinks they will never get into a certain school or can't seem to get a job or anything- just know that God has a plan for you! He has an abundant life planned for you! I have a girl in my graduate program who applied to UCO with all her friends and did not get in. That year, she got pregnant and had a baby. She then turned around and applied the next year (with use) and got it! If she had of gotten in the year before, the stress of pregnancy and school might have been too much! When she told me her story, it was one of those times when i was like man God really does have perfect timing! For the longest time, i wanted Aaron to ask me to marry him. We had gotten the ring like two summers ago and he had mentioned one time that he was waiting for me to graduate.. but every special occasion or holiday i was hoping it was coming. Thanksgiving came, no ring, then christmas, then new years, then valentines day, then i graduated and still no ring! Then our anniversary, then the entire summer, then both our birthdays, halloween, thanksgiving and still nothing! Then December 16th, 2011, he proposed, and it was perfect. Now all the wedding planning just fits the right time. Everything is working out really well for only having 6 months to plan. I just know that it is the right time for this to happen. I don't know why i ever doubt in God's timing because it always works out!
My message to everyone today is do not give up! God has a tremendous plan for your life!! Every single person in this world is special. God calls us his "masterpiece"- he sent his only son to die on the cross when he was innocent because he loves us so much. So whenever you feel like you can't go on anymore no matter what the reason, just know that God loves you and he does have something great in mind for you. One of my favorite verses that i heard once and really stuck with me "cast all of your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you" 1 Peter 5:7. No matter what you are struggling with, give that thing to God. There is nothing too big or too small for him to handle and he wants to take care of it for you. Be faithful and trust in God and he will never leave your side.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Church or no church
I guess this blog thing is a hit because I've had two people tell me that they enjoy reading it and one person saying "hey, you didn't post anything yesterday." I didn't think that anyone would read this besides my close friends because they felt bad for me, lol. So the feedback for me is great. IF you read this and enjoy it, please let me know! Everyone loves getting positive remarks :)
So what do i feel like talking about today? I'm thinking church. I was just thinking of all the reasons why people do not go to church. I can tell you why I didn't go to church for a while and why i made several excuses each week. First of all, none of my family went to church so why would I? They slept in on sundays and it was a long relaxing day free from school. Next reason, I had to work sunday mornings. I had a ton of bills that wouldn't pay themselves so i needed to work. Another reason, I never really felt like I had a church. I absolutely loved going to Alameda Baptist Church, it's a very loving place with great people and going there got me saved- so i literally owe them my life! :) But, i went there because Eden went there. I never felt like it was my church- like i belonged there. As I got older, I didn't feel like i was growing as a christian. I went to church but just felt like I was going through the motions. I was at a stand still. So, I stopped going to any churches. Aaron's family always went to McFarlin (which is a ginormous church). So I went there with him a few times... mainly every year on Easter. Which is funny bc that is the one day of the year that people get up and go to church. It is a very important day and hallelujah that people go to church at all.. I just wish people would go consistently.
So, I went to aaron's church a few times and felt the same, like an outsider. They would have greeters at the door that would say hi and seemed friendly enough, but I just felt like i was just another face in the crowd. After a while, Aaron and I decided that we wanted to go out and find a church to call our own. We went out to First Baptist Church in moore one sunday for their service. To be honest, I can't even remember the service at all, or one person's face from that church. I don't remember anyone talking to us. Which I had been there previously for an assignment for my sign language class (had to go somewhere they only used sign) and that service was awesome and people were so friendly. Maybe we just got missed but I feel like that happens far too often. Yes, we weren't outgoing and attempting to meet people but we were nervous. No one likes being the new person. So then we started visiting go church and you should know by now how i feel about them. After Aaron and I did a class which basically just sumed up the churches beliefs and what not, we became members. We also filled out a volunteer form- where we think we could be an asset in the church. They said they were always short on greeters on sunday morning and that they could use help because they don't want anyone to feel like a stranger or get skipped over. I said I would love to do that! Not only do i love to meet new people, I know what it is like going to a new place and no one talking to you. Makes you feel like no one wants you. So hopefully I can help change that, at least at my church!
SO what are other reasons people don't go to church? I have heard that people don't go to church because everyone is a hypocrit. They are right, there are a lot of hypocrits in a lot of churches. But there are hypocrits everywhere! It is our job as christians not to be that picture that others see as "well they preach this and then go out and do the opposite." Let's face it, we are not perfect. NO ONE IS PERFECT. Everyone makes mistakes, lets you down, and hurt people... most times not intentionally. We do make mistakes and we sin. If you say that you never sin, well you are a liar. That is the reason Jesus went to the cross. Because no matter what you do lie, cheat, steal, murder, whatever! It doesn't matter- because Jesus died on the cross so all that could be wiped clean. ALL christians still sin. It is inevitable because like i said no one is perfect- the only perfect person who ever existed was Jesus. I feel like a lot of people have bad experiences with churches- whether they are catholic, lutheran, baptist, methodist... and then they never go back. Church is awful, hypocritical, only after money, want you to devote a certain amount of time every week to some kind of volunteer... what ever it is and then they never go back. I just pray that these people don't give up. I am friends with a very brave guy named Jason. He is a gay man and tried to go church. I have no idea where he went to church or what denomination it was but they kicked him out of the church.. yelled at him and were just awful just because he was gay. Now I know what the bible says about marriage being between a man and a woman and i have NO IDEA how the Lord handles homosexual people but what I do know is that 1) we are supposed to love Jesus with all that we have and 2) we are supposed to love all people the way that Jesus loves us. So just because someone is gay does not mean that i will love them any less. ANYWAY back to Jason. Last summer, I kept telling him about my church that I had been going to and that i felt like it was a judgment free zone. He was hesistant of course (who wouldn't be) but he came to church with me! And he loved it! Everyone was so nice to him and he raved about it to me. That was such a blessing for me. Now, if HE can go to church, I feel like people should have no excuse, lol.
Some people have said well i don't like going to church.. they try to tell you what to do, what to believe, and how to live. Well For me, church is not something that I feel like I have to do. I get excited to go church every sunday because I am around people who love God and love each other. We get to sing and praise our GOD! I learn more and more about him each week and i love that! I have heard that i don't have to go to church- i can pray and read the bible from home. Well that's great, but how many people actually do that? I think those people haven't found that church that they can call their home and my advice to them is don't give up! There is a church out there just for you. Yes, i LOVe when people come to my church and want everyone to come experience GO church but it may not be right for everyone. As long as you put your faith in the Lord everything will fall into place. If you aren't going to go to church, get into God's word. Because that is the TRUTH. If you want to know about God and how much he loves you or the answer to ANY problem you have, look in the bible. The answer is in there.
I guess i will leave with a quote I once saw-
"Christianity is not a religion.
Christianity is not a set of rules of do's and dont's.
Christianity is a lifestyle defined by our heart"
Until next time, God Bless :)
So what do i feel like talking about today? I'm thinking church. I was just thinking of all the reasons why people do not go to church. I can tell you why I didn't go to church for a while and why i made several excuses each week. First of all, none of my family went to church so why would I? They slept in on sundays and it was a long relaxing day free from school. Next reason, I had to work sunday mornings. I had a ton of bills that wouldn't pay themselves so i needed to work. Another reason, I never really felt like I had a church. I absolutely loved going to Alameda Baptist Church, it's a very loving place with great people and going there got me saved- so i literally owe them my life! :) But, i went there because Eden went there. I never felt like it was my church- like i belonged there. As I got older, I didn't feel like i was growing as a christian. I went to church but just felt like I was going through the motions. I was at a stand still. So, I stopped going to any churches. Aaron's family always went to McFarlin (which is a ginormous church). So I went there with him a few times... mainly every year on Easter. Which is funny bc that is the one day of the year that people get up and go to church. It is a very important day and hallelujah that people go to church at all.. I just wish people would go consistently.
So, I went to aaron's church a few times and felt the same, like an outsider. They would have greeters at the door that would say hi and seemed friendly enough, but I just felt like i was just another face in the crowd. After a while, Aaron and I decided that we wanted to go out and find a church to call our own. We went out to First Baptist Church in moore one sunday for their service. To be honest, I can't even remember the service at all, or one person's face from that church. I don't remember anyone talking to us. Which I had been there previously for an assignment for my sign language class (had to go somewhere they only used sign) and that service was awesome and people were so friendly. Maybe we just got missed but I feel like that happens far too often. Yes, we weren't outgoing and attempting to meet people but we were nervous. No one likes being the new person. So then we started visiting go church and you should know by now how i feel about them. After Aaron and I did a class which basically just sumed up the churches beliefs and what not, we became members. We also filled out a volunteer form- where we think we could be an asset in the church. They said they were always short on greeters on sunday morning and that they could use help because they don't want anyone to feel like a stranger or get skipped over. I said I would love to do that! Not only do i love to meet new people, I know what it is like going to a new place and no one talking to you. Makes you feel like no one wants you. So hopefully I can help change that, at least at my church!
SO what are other reasons people don't go to church? I have heard that people don't go to church because everyone is a hypocrit. They are right, there are a lot of hypocrits in a lot of churches. But there are hypocrits everywhere! It is our job as christians not to be that picture that others see as "well they preach this and then go out and do the opposite." Let's face it, we are not perfect. NO ONE IS PERFECT. Everyone makes mistakes, lets you down, and hurt people... most times not intentionally. We do make mistakes and we sin. If you say that you never sin, well you are a liar. That is the reason Jesus went to the cross. Because no matter what you do lie, cheat, steal, murder, whatever! It doesn't matter- because Jesus died on the cross so all that could be wiped clean. ALL christians still sin. It is inevitable because like i said no one is perfect- the only perfect person who ever existed was Jesus. I feel like a lot of people have bad experiences with churches- whether they are catholic, lutheran, baptist, methodist... and then they never go back. Church is awful, hypocritical, only after money, want you to devote a certain amount of time every week to some kind of volunteer... what ever it is and then they never go back. I just pray that these people don't give up. I am friends with a very brave guy named Jason. He is a gay man and tried to go church. I have no idea where he went to church or what denomination it was but they kicked him out of the church.. yelled at him and were just awful just because he was gay. Now I know what the bible says about marriage being between a man and a woman and i have NO IDEA how the Lord handles homosexual people but what I do know is that 1) we are supposed to love Jesus with all that we have and 2) we are supposed to love all people the way that Jesus loves us. So just because someone is gay does not mean that i will love them any less. ANYWAY back to Jason. Last summer, I kept telling him about my church that I had been going to and that i felt like it was a judgment free zone. He was hesistant of course (who wouldn't be) but he came to church with me! And he loved it! Everyone was so nice to him and he raved about it to me. That was such a blessing for me. Now, if HE can go to church, I feel like people should have no excuse, lol.
Some people have said well i don't like going to church.. they try to tell you what to do, what to believe, and how to live. Well For me, church is not something that I feel like I have to do. I get excited to go church every sunday because I am around people who love God and love each other. We get to sing and praise our GOD! I learn more and more about him each week and i love that! I have heard that i don't have to go to church- i can pray and read the bible from home. Well that's great, but how many people actually do that? I think those people haven't found that church that they can call their home and my advice to them is don't give up! There is a church out there just for you. Yes, i LOVe when people come to my church and want everyone to come experience GO church but it may not be right for everyone. As long as you put your faith in the Lord everything will fall into place. If you aren't going to go to church, get into God's word. Because that is the TRUTH. If you want to know about God and how much he loves you or the answer to ANY problem you have, look in the bible. The answer is in there.
I guess i will leave with a quote I once saw-
"Christianity is not a religion.
Christianity is not a set of rules of do's and dont's.
Christianity is a lifestyle defined by our heart"
Until next time, God Bless :)
Friday, March 9, 2012
Be careful what you wish for!
Hello all!
I am so amped right now. I feel like I have gone through so much in the past couple months. Like i mentioned earlier, I have just been set on fire for God. I just want to go out there and tell people about God and what he's done for me and invite people to church and lead people to the Lord. Well when I first had this epiphany, I really tried to invite everyone to church- starting with the people I care most about- my mom, aaron's brother and sister, and some friends. Well every sunday I would invite them and every sunday they wouldn't come. I had a rough week at school and yet again.. no one came to visit our church with us. So that sunday before church, i just broke down and cried. I felt like I was finally starting to do God's will and this is what i get for it?- nothing.. I felt like satan had seen an opportunity that i was nervous about and took advantage of it. I remember that sunday morning worshiping like normal being in a bad mood and one song came on that I loved. And our pastor slowed it down and in the middle started talking about if you feel defeated if you feel like you are not good enough or that what you are trying is not working... give that thing to God. I just started bawling... I couldn't sing the song anymore because it just made it worse. So i pulled myself together and had a good rest of the day. I texted Eden that day just telling her how i was feeling and everything that was going on. She said something that really stuck with me.. everything that happens, happens on God's time- not ours. You know i got set on fire for God and was amped and invited people and just expected everything to happen in a week and that's not always how it works. God has a plan and things happen according to that plan with what always turns out to be perfect timing. So i told her that I wanted to start doing a bible study with her because i need to get into the word more but just don't feel I know where to start. Another thing is when I start reading the bible, I don't always understand it. So that talk really helped me. I'm pretty sure I had coffee with Carmen at Gray owl that day and venting with her about things always helps put things in perspective. Side note here- friends are priceless.
So for the next couple weeks, I prayed over and over that God would use me- that i was finally listening and ready to do what he had planned for me. Well, i think it was two weeks ago, during church i prayed I can't tell you how many times the same prayer- use me God, open my eyes and ears and show me what to do- i want to show heart (our theme in church right is "show heart"). I went home to hang out a little bit before work. I tried to release my shift that night because i REALLY did not want to go. But i had to go in. I walk in the door and i see a friend who used to work at BJs but recently got a new job. I was happy to see her and asked the normal "how are ya" and turns out she was going through a really hard time, barely hanging on. I sat there and talked to her for 30 minutes just telling her about God's love and that i would do whatever she needed and that everything would work out. It was incredible- here I had been asking God to give me an opportunity and he gave me one- that day! Craziness. I loved that. Well since then i have started posting more and more stuff on facebook about my experiences and a lot of people have come up and talked to me about it. All these weeks I had been inviting people and felt so deafeated and I kid you not in the past two weeks, i have talked to atleast 8 people about my church and just different things about faith and what not. It is fantastic! I was really hesitant to start writing this blog bc i didn't feel like anyone would read it or get anything out of it. But i feel like I am supposed to do this. If nothing else- just for people to get to know me better and to hear some positive things about God and all the great things he does for me. I am supposed to have ATLEAST 2 guests at church this sunday and i really hope they come. AAAAA i'm so excited.
One other thing I have been thinking about is starting a bible study for young women like myself. I talk to so many girls my age at work and school that i just feel need some encouragement and to know that God loves them. What better way then to hang with your girlfriends and grow closer to God? It has been another thing that has been bouncing around my head.. not sure if it is from God or if it was a random idea. So if you read this and would be interested in doing something like that or participating, let me know. Well, i am going to go hang out with Carmen for a little bit but I just wanted to share my inspiration and Joy that i was feeling! Until next time, God bless you all and be careful what you wish for, cause you just might get it! :)
I am so amped right now. I feel like I have gone through so much in the past couple months. Like i mentioned earlier, I have just been set on fire for God. I just want to go out there and tell people about God and what he's done for me and invite people to church and lead people to the Lord. Well when I first had this epiphany, I really tried to invite everyone to church- starting with the people I care most about- my mom, aaron's brother and sister, and some friends. Well every sunday I would invite them and every sunday they wouldn't come. I had a rough week at school and yet again.. no one came to visit our church with us. So that sunday before church, i just broke down and cried. I felt like I was finally starting to do God's will and this is what i get for it?- nothing.. I felt like satan had seen an opportunity that i was nervous about and took advantage of it. I remember that sunday morning worshiping like normal being in a bad mood and one song came on that I loved. And our pastor slowed it down and in the middle started talking about if you feel defeated if you feel like you are not good enough or that what you are trying is not working... give that thing to God. I just started bawling... I couldn't sing the song anymore because it just made it worse. So i pulled myself together and had a good rest of the day. I texted Eden that day just telling her how i was feeling and everything that was going on. She said something that really stuck with me.. everything that happens, happens on God's time- not ours. You know i got set on fire for God and was amped and invited people and just expected everything to happen in a week and that's not always how it works. God has a plan and things happen according to that plan with what always turns out to be perfect timing. So i told her that I wanted to start doing a bible study with her because i need to get into the word more but just don't feel I know where to start. Another thing is when I start reading the bible, I don't always understand it. So that talk really helped me. I'm pretty sure I had coffee with Carmen at Gray owl that day and venting with her about things always helps put things in perspective. Side note here- friends are priceless.
So for the next couple weeks, I prayed over and over that God would use me- that i was finally listening and ready to do what he had planned for me. Well, i think it was two weeks ago, during church i prayed I can't tell you how many times the same prayer- use me God, open my eyes and ears and show me what to do- i want to show heart (our theme in church right is "show heart"). I went home to hang out a little bit before work. I tried to release my shift that night because i REALLY did not want to go. But i had to go in. I walk in the door and i see a friend who used to work at BJs but recently got a new job. I was happy to see her and asked the normal "how are ya" and turns out she was going through a really hard time, barely hanging on. I sat there and talked to her for 30 minutes just telling her about God's love and that i would do whatever she needed and that everything would work out. It was incredible- here I had been asking God to give me an opportunity and he gave me one- that day! Craziness. I loved that. Well since then i have started posting more and more stuff on facebook about my experiences and a lot of people have come up and talked to me about it. All these weeks I had been inviting people and felt so deafeated and I kid you not in the past two weeks, i have talked to atleast 8 people about my church and just different things about faith and what not. It is fantastic! I was really hesitant to start writing this blog bc i didn't feel like anyone would read it or get anything out of it. But i feel like I am supposed to do this. If nothing else- just for people to get to know me better and to hear some positive things about God and all the great things he does for me. I am supposed to have ATLEAST 2 guests at church this sunday and i really hope they come. AAAAA i'm so excited.
One other thing I have been thinking about is starting a bible study for young women like myself. I talk to so many girls my age at work and school that i just feel need some encouragement and to know that God loves them. What better way then to hang with your girlfriends and grow closer to God? It has been another thing that has been bouncing around my head.. not sure if it is from God or if it was a random idea. So if you read this and would be interested in doing something like that or participating, let me know. Well, i am going to go hang out with Carmen for a little bit but I just wanted to share my inspiration and Joy that i was feeling! Until next time, God bless you all and be careful what you wish for, cause you just might get it! :)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
First time for everything...
So here it goes! I have no idea how I got the idea to start blogging...and I really never thought that I would. Maybe it is because at times when I talk to people- I cannot think of what to say, and then I go back and think- "Man! I should have said that!" I know that everyone does that but it gets me when someone asks me a question about my faith or church or anything else close to me that kind of catches me off guard. I say what comes to me at the time and then I'll think later- i wish i would have said this or that. I am a very social person. I love meeting new people and visiting for hours. I talk to my close friends and my fiance Aaron about the "deep" issues but sometimes I just feel like I have all these bottled up feelings or opinions that I just need to get out! So i felt like this could be a good avenue for that. So Disclaimer- if you read this and I in some way offend you- I'm sorry, lol That is not my intention- just being real.
ANYWAY,
Where to start with me? Well I am 24 years old and am in graduate school studying to be a speech-language pathologist. I absolutely love it and feel like I was made to do it. Of course I never thought that's where my life would take me- I didn't even know what a Speech-language pathologist was but before that- I guess i'll try to give my life story as quickly as possible. I was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. I have two brothers, one older and one younger. I grew up in Norman (BOOMER SOONER). My parents got divorced when I was young and we moved a few times. My biological father died when I was 12 and that was pretty rough- but I feel like that's a whole other story- maybe another day. I graduated high school in 2006 and after that went to OCCC just to get my basics because it was a heck of a lot cheaper than anywhere else. I kind of farted around a long time not really knowing what I wanted to do. I tried business.... definitely not for me. I knew I always wanted to help people so I went with psychology. I took lots of classes in psych and always found it interesting. As I talked with a supervisor about continuing on with psych, I realized that i didn't want to do that. One thing about me is that I get really attached to people and animals. A friend of mine made fun of me one time because I got attached to a fish and was really sad when it died. I just love things okay! Anyway- I felt like if i was a therapist that I would take people's problems home with me. Now thinking about it, I feel like a lot of those problems can only be put in God's hands. So I started looking for new avenues. I prayed for months and months, asking God to lead me somewhere- to reveal to me what I should be doing and what i would be good at. That's when USAO came into my life. It all kind of happened so fast. I went out to meet with the director of the clinic and speech path program there and I enrolled the next week. I fell in love with the field, and graduated with a 4.0. I now attend UCO and have one more year.. which is absolutely nuts to me because i feel like I just started! If you would have told me a few years ago that i would have an associates, bachelor's, and going for a master's, i would have said you're crazy. I am the first person in my immediate family to go to college so I am pretty proud for all the things i have accomplished thus far.
My real inspiration to start this blog came from the Lord. I have always read other people's blogs and find it so interesting to see their point of view on things and to learn so much about them. I feel like blogs are so personal and you get the real view of a person. Well, I have thought to start blogging about my walk with God. I have always believed in God and have felt that I am a good person. . I started going to church with my best friend when I was really little because my family never went to church. I went to this same church over the years, went to church camp, and all other kinds of church functions. One summer, I went to church camp and almost died. It's kind of funny in retrospect the story but was pretty scary at the time. A girl from my church and I had decided to go swimming. My mom always called me a "water dog" because I loved it so of course i wanted to go swimming. This girl and I get to the pool and I said, "I'm going to go jump off the diving board" and she was kind of weird about it. She said okay i'll go too. I asked her if she could swim and she said "yeah, I can swim under water." So i get up, go and jump off the board and swim to the ladder to get out. She goes up there, jumps, and then starts to struggle. My plan was to hold on to the ladder, reach for her hand, and pull her to the side. Well, when i tried to do that, she pulled me out to her in the middle of the deep end of the pool and out of panic i guess tried to use me as a floaty! It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I remember it feeling like an eternity and wondering why no one was helping me. After what seemed like forever, I think I blacked out because when i opened my eyes I was outside of the pool. Then, I remember people being mad at me back at the cabin because I yelled at her... she almost killed me! All i said was that if you can't swim... why the heck did you jump into the deep end of the pool and then try to kill the person who tried to help you Anyway, i am obviously fine-lol but that night I realized how short life is. We had a great worship service that night and a great message. That night, I prayed and gave my life to God. I accepted Jesus into my heart and was saved. It was the best night of my life. I was then baptized April 27th, 2003.
Through out the years following that, I went to church camp and church events and prayed all the time. I think it was when i started college that i kind of fell off the bandwagon. I wanted to sleep in on sundays and each sunday that I didn't go, it got a little easier not to go and I didn't have to make up excuses why I couldn't go. I started telling myself that I didn't have to go to church to be a christian and have a relationship with God- which in all fairness is true I guess but Church is such a powerful place that gives you the push and motivation you need to do God's work and to be around people who believe the same things you do, who love God, and encourage you in all that you do. I have had my ups and downs. Eden ( my best friend) has always been there to help me get through anything and everything and has been there to get me back on track. Well last year, Eden started telling me about a new church (Go Church) that she had started going to because her sister had tried it. She said the pastor was hilarious and just such a great speaker. She invited me several times to go and I always found some reason not to go. Well Aaron and I went one time to sunday morning and I really liked it. The people there were so genuine- when they came up to ask you your name and how you were- they really wanted to know. And it was so nice to hear that they were happy I was there. We came a few more times, with weeks in between. During the summer, we would come on wednesdays to go to service and then play volleyball afterwards. It was always so much fun and I always felt like the message of the service was directed towards me. However, I still felt something wasn't quite there. I honestly do not know when it hit me... I think a couple months ago. Aaron and I had been going every sunday. Every week I listened to the message, and again, felt like It was directed towards me. A lot of people at the church during worship would raise their hands and I never really understood why people did that. I would feel God's presence in the room during worship but always was embarassed to draw any attention to myself so i wasn't going to raise my hands- i didn't want to look silly. One day.. I realized something... it's not about me. It's all about GOD. I realized what i had always known.. that God loved me.. no matter what i had ever done or would ever do- God loved me. He had always been there for me and had gotten me through so many things. I felt an overwhelming wave of emotions come over me. I belong to such an awesome God and why did I sit here and worry about if people think I'm silly if i raise my hands to worship. I remember the first time i did raise my hand-kind of creeping my hand in the air for a little bit.. and then putting it down. One week, I brought a friend of mine to church when aaron was out of town who is very outspoken and does not care what people think about her. A song came on that she knew and she jumped around and clapped her hands, put her arms in the air and praised God. She was excited about God. I think in that moment was when I just got set of fire for God. I jumped around and yelled and put my arms in the air and I have never felt so free and so close to God. I just wanted to be closer to him and feel his presence. Now every sunday, I throw my arm in the air to worship- sometimes both and i just feel like God is reaching out to me. It's in those times that I feel so peaceful. Ever since that sunday, my life has been completely flipped upside down. I started tithing, praying more, and started to change my attitude and how i carried myself. I have grown a lot in the past year and I think Go Church kick started it. Aaron and I became official members last week and I am so excited to be in such a great church family and to grow in my walk with God.
Goodness, I have written a novel! I guess I have a lot to say. I will save more for another post- but a least I got to give an overview of me. I am excited to see where this blog will take me. I am excited to have an avenue to express my feelings about my life and walk with God. Until next time... God bless you :)
ANYWAY,
Where to start with me? Well I am 24 years old and am in graduate school studying to be a speech-language pathologist. I absolutely love it and feel like I was made to do it. Of course I never thought that's where my life would take me- I didn't even know what a Speech-language pathologist was but before that- I guess i'll try to give my life story as quickly as possible. I was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. I have two brothers, one older and one younger. I grew up in Norman (BOOMER SOONER). My parents got divorced when I was young and we moved a few times. My biological father died when I was 12 and that was pretty rough- but I feel like that's a whole other story- maybe another day. I graduated high school in 2006 and after that went to OCCC just to get my basics because it was a heck of a lot cheaper than anywhere else. I kind of farted around a long time not really knowing what I wanted to do. I tried business.... definitely not for me. I knew I always wanted to help people so I went with psychology. I took lots of classes in psych and always found it interesting. As I talked with a supervisor about continuing on with psych, I realized that i didn't want to do that. One thing about me is that I get really attached to people and animals. A friend of mine made fun of me one time because I got attached to a fish and was really sad when it died. I just love things okay! Anyway- I felt like if i was a therapist that I would take people's problems home with me. Now thinking about it, I feel like a lot of those problems can only be put in God's hands. So I started looking for new avenues. I prayed for months and months, asking God to lead me somewhere- to reveal to me what I should be doing and what i would be good at. That's when USAO came into my life. It all kind of happened so fast. I went out to meet with the director of the clinic and speech path program there and I enrolled the next week. I fell in love with the field, and graduated with a 4.0. I now attend UCO and have one more year.. which is absolutely nuts to me because i feel like I just started! If you would have told me a few years ago that i would have an associates, bachelor's, and going for a master's, i would have said you're crazy. I am the first person in my immediate family to go to college so I am pretty proud for all the things i have accomplished thus far.
My real inspiration to start this blog came from the Lord. I have always read other people's blogs and find it so interesting to see their point of view on things and to learn so much about them. I feel like blogs are so personal and you get the real view of a person. Well, I have thought to start blogging about my walk with God. I have always believed in God and have felt that I am a good person. . I started going to church with my best friend when I was really little because my family never went to church. I went to this same church over the years, went to church camp, and all other kinds of church functions. One summer, I went to church camp and almost died. It's kind of funny in retrospect the story but was pretty scary at the time. A girl from my church and I had decided to go swimming. My mom always called me a "water dog" because I loved it so of course i wanted to go swimming. This girl and I get to the pool and I said, "I'm going to go jump off the diving board" and she was kind of weird about it. She said okay i'll go too. I asked her if she could swim and she said "yeah, I can swim under water." So i get up, go and jump off the board and swim to the ladder to get out. She goes up there, jumps, and then starts to struggle. My plan was to hold on to the ladder, reach for her hand, and pull her to the side. Well, when i tried to do that, she pulled me out to her in the middle of the deep end of the pool and out of panic i guess tried to use me as a floaty! It was one of the scariest moments of my life. I remember it feeling like an eternity and wondering why no one was helping me. After what seemed like forever, I think I blacked out because when i opened my eyes I was outside of the pool. Then, I remember people being mad at me back at the cabin because I yelled at her... she almost killed me! All i said was that if you can't swim... why the heck did you jump into the deep end of the pool and then try to kill the person who tried to help you Anyway, i am obviously fine-lol but that night I realized how short life is. We had a great worship service that night and a great message. That night, I prayed and gave my life to God. I accepted Jesus into my heart and was saved. It was the best night of my life. I was then baptized April 27th, 2003.
Through out the years following that, I went to church camp and church events and prayed all the time. I think it was when i started college that i kind of fell off the bandwagon. I wanted to sleep in on sundays and each sunday that I didn't go, it got a little easier not to go and I didn't have to make up excuses why I couldn't go. I started telling myself that I didn't have to go to church to be a christian and have a relationship with God- which in all fairness is true I guess but Church is such a powerful place that gives you the push and motivation you need to do God's work and to be around people who believe the same things you do, who love God, and encourage you in all that you do. I have had my ups and downs. Eden ( my best friend) has always been there to help me get through anything and everything and has been there to get me back on track. Well last year, Eden started telling me about a new church (Go Church) that she had started going to because her sister had tried it. She said the pastor was hilarious and just such a great speaker. She invited me several times to go and I always found some reason not to go. Well Aaron and I went one time to sunday morning and I really liked it. The people there were so genuine- when they came up to ask you your name and how you were- they really wanted to know. And it was so nice to hear that they were happy I was there. We came a few more times, with weeks in between. During the summer, we would come on wednesdays to go to service and then play volleyball afterwards. It was always so much fun and I always felt like the message of the service was directed towards me. However, I still felt something wasn't quite there. I honestly do not know when it hit me... I think a couple months ago. Aaron and I had been going every sunday. Every week I listened to the message, and again, felt like It was directed towards me. A lot of people at the church during worship would raise their hands and I never really understood why people did that. I would feel God's presence in the room during worship but always was embarassed to draw any attention to myself so i wasn't going to raise my hands- i didn't want to look silly. One day.. I realized something... it's not about me. It's all about GOD. I realized what i had always known.. that God loved me.. no matter what i had ever done or would ever do- God loved me. He had always been there for me and had gotten me through so many things. I felt an overwhelming wave of emotions come over me. I belong to such an awesome God and why did I sit here and worry about if people think I'm silly if i raise my hands to worship. I remember the first time i did raise my hand-kind of creeping my hand in the air for a little bit.. and then putting it down. One week, I brought a friend of mine to church when aaron was out of town who is very outspoken and does not care what people think about her. A song came on that she knew and she jumped around and clapped her hands, put her arms in the air and praised God. She was excited about God. I think in that moment was when I just got set of fire for God. I jumped around and yelled and put my arms in the air and I have never felt so free and so close to God. I just wanted to be closer to him and feel his presence. Now every sunday, I throw my arm in the air to worship- sometimes both and i just feel like God is reaching out to me. It's in those times that I feel so peaceful. Ever since that sunday, my life has been completely flipped upside down. I started tithing, praying more, and started to change my attitude and how i carried myself. I have grown a lot in the past year and I think Go Church kick started it. Aaron and I became official members last week and I am so excited to be in such a great church family and to grow in my walk with God.
Goodness, I have written a novel! I guess I have a lot to say. I will save more for another post- but a least I got to give an overview of me. I am excited to see where this blog will take me. I am excited to have an avenue to express my feelings about my life and walk with God. Until next time... God bless you :)
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