Pain.

I've heard people say before "Its okay to tell God how your feeling" As if you need permission, because not only is it "okay" its necessary. Because, God sent his own son, himself in the form of man, to die. The ultimate sacrifice, the greatest thing he could've done. And that's the center of our faith. So, if there was no other way for god, then how can there be any other way for us?

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. -Luke 9:23

Theres this part in the chronicles of Narnia, This boy has been turned into a dragon, and he goes to the lion and the lion said "if you want to go back to being a human, you have to let me tear your skin off" and so all this time the boy is screaming and hollering, because it hurts. And I think its the same way with us you know? Because if there is no pain, if there's no sacrifice, its not really love. So its OK, to hurt. And its OK to cry. Go ahead. Cry out to God and confess your hurt. Confess your pain. Because it starts there and that's where the healing takes place.

Self Confidence

Ive been having problems in this area of my life. Not going to lie.

I know I know, aren't I the same one that said we're all beautiful in the sight of the lord? Yes. Yes I am.
But even people who truly believe this with all there heart want to be loved by other human beings, am i wrong? Christians are not excluded while we are still human (hardly, id say)

So, how do we fill this hole? i'll give you an answer i'm sure you don't want. Only God can. Because anything else is not true. it won't be there long. Try putting gum over a leak see how long it stays.

Its very easy let someone else's actions determine your mood, but it takes alot more time and effort to go to God and seek him out.

Surrender

The word 'surrender' makes us feel like we're losing. 'Surrendering to god'......that sounds like were going to stop living. Rules. No fun. No laughing. Sounds like hell. But the true is, when you surrender is when you start to live. Its not when you lose your purpose, its finding your purpose. Gods purpose for you. By now you've probably heard:

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

But its true, and trust me, when you surrender, he wont leave you hanging. But you'll be hanging on to him. Its like he's holding you above a pool of hungry sharks, but don't worry! He wont let you go! Why would the God who created and desires you let you go?!

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.-Psalm 9:10

Is it even worth it to number the day?

Well I feel like I've totally failed. I haven't been blogging at all. I'm going to stop numbering the days and just keep moving forward.


I feel like I've grown up to fast in the past two weeks. Things I've learned:


-Its not easy to obey God, but its worth it.


-You can't trust humans, their deceitful. If you'll place your trust in them, you'll be disappointed.


-Its an honor to be tested for faith, he wont let you go when you suffer for Christ, why would he abandon you? (Philippians 1:29)


More on these things later.

Day 92 (9/2/10)

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9-10)

Day 91 (9/1/10)

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Day 90 (8/31/10)

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Day 89 (8/30/10)

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

Day 88 (8/29/10)

Hey guys :) I had a GREAT time at the party, and you'll see picture soon.
And I still cannot believe what God allowed me to do, I taught the sun. school class! IKR!well ill tell u guys about it l8r!

Day 87 (8/28/10)

So school started this week, I'm so happy! It seems as though finally everything is going right...despite all the bad things that are happening.

I basically really wanted to just be well liked this year...which has happened! Granted, I'm not 'popular' nor is that what i'm aiming for. Its just, nobody 'hates' me from what i'm aware of. Sure theres people that gossip about me, but its a small few. And I don't trust/care about them anyways.

Everythings just great. And tonight is fiona's party. Maybe pictures for you guys? :)

Day 77 (8/18/10)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "
1 John 4:18

Day 76 (8/17/10)

"And Jesus said unto them ... , "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to younder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you."
Romans 1:17

Day 75 (8/16/10)

 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart, by spreading the Good News about his Son.  -Romans 1:9


Don't you see?! God GAVE us eachother so we could lift eachother up daily, pray for those who surround you, with all your heart.

Day 74 (8/15/10)

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. -1 peter 4:8 

I know I say this alot, but love really is stronger than hate. Dont stop loving.

Day 73 (8/14/10)

Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the LORD God of Heaven's Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.- Amos 5:14


I know Ive been running toward evil, and others have to, its time we turn around and run into gods arms.

Day 72 (8/14/10)

So the other day I was feeling sort of worthless. Like there was no way I could share Jesus with people, every time I had witnessed to people they had always rejected. I got angry with God, questioning him "Well God, whats the use of me taking the 'narrow path' if clearly nobody is benefiting!?!" 

I had pulled out my laptop and listened to the song "Light up the sky" by the afters. (Listen to light up the sky here) I had heard this song on the radio and I really liked it, It had been camping out in my head for awhile. So I looked it up and paid attention to the lyrics. And realized "God, I need you to light up the sky to show me you are with me" just like the song says. The lead singer from "the afters" sat down and described the story behind this song: 

“Light Up the sky is a song about how God is with us when we need him most. Whether it was God leading the Israelites through the night guided by a pillar of fire, or times in my own life when I felt like I was alone and I wondered where God was. Every time God would send a sign to show me he was with me. No matter what we’re going through, no matter what we’re facing in our life. God has a path for us, and if we focus on his word and focus on him he will lead us to that path, and lead us along his way.”

“Another thing that I was thinking about just the other day is how every morning the sun rises, and that’s a tangible reminder that God is with us, and created us. So, every morning when you see the dark give way to the light of the sun- that’s a reminder.”

(Watch the video of "story behind the song" with josh) 

So anyways after I was done watching that, I put away my laptop, and headed upstairs to my room. It was about midnight so it was pitch black. I had my blinds on my window pulled up so I could see the meteors everyones talking about.

So I randomly got a text message from one of my best friends (since we were six. were literally sisters) saying she'd accepted Christ and wanted to know where to got from there. WOW!

And at that very moment I looked up from that text message and out the window, without any warning, (no thunder, no rain   or anything) these huge strikes of lightning lit up the sky and you could see everything for one second.

And just like the song said, God physically and spiritually lit up the sky to show me he was with me.

If you ask God to send you a sign, he will. You just have to watch for it and have enough wisdom to say "Thats god". I think alot of times God tries to tell us stuff we just don't listen.

Day 71 (8/13/10)

Hey all :) So today....I really have nothing to say. I feel like so much has happened I still need to let it sink in its ridiculous. Keep my medical issues in prayer, and yeah. I'm not sure you guys understand how good it is to have a good blog everyday.....

Day 70 (8/12/10)

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.    - Phillipians2:14-15 


This verse pretty uch speaks for itself, I find its so true though, if you don't complain, or argue, or question, things go so much easier! 

Day 69 (8/10/10)

So if you guys remember yesterdays blog when I mentioned:

Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” – Deuteronomy 1:29-31   


And I thought about when I was little, my dad would hold me by my hands and walk around with me like that, at first I'd squeal and shout with delight, but then, I'd think "oh no! what if I fall!" but my dad would say "Its ok, i gotcha!"


And I find that so true with us, and our life, why do we fear falling if we know our father is holding onto us? If even our earthly fathers don't let us fall, you can be darn sure our ultimate heavenly father wont. So why in the world are we so anxious and fearful?! Hold on and enjoy the ride, and don't waste time on things that don't matter.


~Stacy

Day 68 (8/10/10)

Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” – Deuteronomy 1:29-31                      

  it seems that life constantly gives us reason to be terrified. When we feel that we have mastered one season of life, the season changes! Yet when we realize that it is God who carries us we can go past the fear into faith toward God. He is a faithful father who will carry us all the way until we reach our final destination. This can give us the courage to face our internal and external adversaries and go forward.