Be Brave, Even Still

    Day 23 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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        At the beginning of this month I wrote a post called Be Brave. The verse I talked about was Haggai 2:3-5 : 

"'Do any of you remember how great the Temple was before it was destroyed? What does it look like now? Doesn't it seem like nothing to you?' But the Lord says, 'Zerubbable, be brave. Also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, be brave. And all you people who live in the land, be brave,' says the Lord All-Powerful. 'I made a promise to you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit is still with you. So don't be afraid.'"

        I wrote about how the Lord was speaking through Haggai and telling Zerubbable, Joshua, and the people who lived in the land, to be brave. I related this situation to us and how God tells us to be brave. When we lose our passion and fire for Him inside and we just get lazy or to afraid to do what He wasn't us to do. He's telling us to be brave. He's cheering us on, telling us to keep moving, and sticking with us as we move through what we are doing. 

        It's been a few weeks since I wrote that post. During my quiet times in the mornings or when I open up the Word to get encouragement, God still shows me that verse. I have now underlined it and in tiny letters wrote next to it "Be brave, God is with you." Through out this month I've really need that verse. Things have come up and road blocks have been put in front of me and I've almost felt like giving up. But then God shows me that verse and whispers in my ear again "be brave. I am with you and for you.". It has helped me get through a lot even in these past few weeks. 

        God is with us, no matter what. Even though we have setbacks and road blocks we face, He is still there and He helps us through them. Making us stronger in faith. It builds character and helps us be who He wants us to be. 

        Whatever you're going through right now and whatever you are facing, I'm encouraging you to be brave. Even still. Keep being brave. This life will never be easy, but we hope and faith in the Living God who saves us and helps us though. Be brave for He is with you.

If you are interested in reading my first blog post called Be Brave, click here. 

Oh Monday Oh Monday…

 Day 20 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Hello Lovelies! 

I've been so busy today it's crazy. I guess it's kinda normal though because Mondays are always crazy. I'm sure you understand. Anyway… where I am it is now very late at night and I still haven't written a blog post yet. So! Today, I'm just posting a video. It is about spontaneous vs. Prophetic worship by Brain Johnson. I find this video very inspiring and it gets me thinking. I love some of the things he says. It is sort of long but its worth the watch. I hope and pray you enjoy it and it helps in some way. :) 

(And now I can't get the video to post here on my blog. x) I'm so so sorry. You can go here (this takes you to YouTube) or here (this takes you to the site where I found the video) to watch it though!)

Thank you so much for being patience with me today. I'll be back tomorrow with a better post! 

Scripture Sunday

  Day 19 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Yesterday I posted a topic of just scripts that were dear to my heart. Ones that I love and I have been holding on to recently. After I posted the topic yesterday I thought it would be cool if I did that same thing every Sunday, To kind of start the week out with some good scripture, you know? So here I am writing my first Scripture Sunday. :) I hope you all enjoy and are inspired by Gods word. 

"So I tell you, ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who ask will receive. The one who searches ail find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened."

Luke 11:9-10 (NCV)

"While Jesus and his followers were traveling, Jesus went into a town. A woman named Martha let Jesus stay at her house. Martha had a sister named Mary, who was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to Him teach. But Martha was busy with all the word to be done. She went in and said. 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me.' But the Lord answered, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is impotent. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her.'"

Luke 10:38-42 (NCV)

"You are blessed because you believe that what the Lord said to you would really happen."

Luke 1:45 (NCV)

"God can do anything!"

Luke 1:37 (NCV)

" We believe that Jesus died and that He rose again. So, because of Him God will raise with Jesus those who have died."

1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NCV)

I hope and pray these verses encourage and inspires you all to open up your own Bible today and read it for your own! 

Just Scripture

  Day 18 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Gods Word is the most powerful book in the world. His words cut into our soul and change us. Today, I'm just going to just quote some scripture. It's is more powerful and alive than what I could ever write. I hope and pray these few verse really encourage, inspire, and help you. 

"Sing to the Lord a new song, because He has done miracles." 

Psalm 98:1(NCV)

"Let the sea and everything in it shout; let the world and everyone in it sing. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains sing together for joy."

Psalm 98:7-8 (NCV)

"Shout to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with joy; come before Him with singing. Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, the sheep He tends. Come into His city with songs of thanksgiving, and into His courtyard with songs of praise. Thank Him and prize His name. The Lord is good. His love is forever, and His loyalty goes on and on."

Psalm 100 (NCV)

"God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts."

Hebrews 4:12 (NCV)

"Open my eyes to see the miracles in your teachings." 

Psalm 119:18 (NCV)

Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Colossians 3:17 (NCV)

"So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age."

Matthew 28:19-20 (NCV)

"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare you way."

Mark 1:2 (NCV)

These are only a few verse. I encourage you to open up your own right now and read it for your own. God can show up so much. Let Him teach you. 

God Is Our True Safety In The Mountains

  Day 17 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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"When I felt safe, I said, 'I will never fear.' Lord, in your kindness you made my mountain safe. But when You turned away, I was frightened."

~ Psalm 30: 6-7 (NCV) 

Mountains. They are huge and ginormous mounts of rocks on this earth. Created by the One and Only God who is so much bigger than them all. 

In the verse above. David is talking about how God protects his mountain and makes it safe. He said that when he felt safe by God, He will never fear. Never fear. But when David didn't have God He was frightened. Even though He had these mountains surrounding him. These huge mountains that were rock. He was still frightened when God wasn't by his side. It was because even though He was guarded by these huge mountains. He still wasn't safe. He was only safe when he had God. 

Sometimes I think we have our own mountains. Things that we can feel safe hiding behind or having. Things that we think will protect us. Maybe it's your security system in your home, all the money in your bank account, or possessions. Whatever it is. I'm sure its coming to your mind right now. Did you know that even though you have these things that make you secure, you're not really secure. God is the only thing that makes us truly secure. 

David figured this out. Even though He had this mountain around him, He still knew he wasn't safe. It was only when he had God he was safe. 

Our possession, money, savings, or anything else on this earth won't make us safe. No matter how safe we feel. God is the only true safety we have. And He is the only one we need. Remember that, as you go about your day or you go to bed. That nothing we have in this world will keep us safe. Even our big mountains that we have. Only God will be our true security. And He is fully reliable. 

Bible Journaling

  Day 16 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Taken by Shanna Noel

        Prayer and reading the Word are very important to me. My Bible has become to have its own smell and it's getting to be worn in all the right places. My journal is the same way. The leather cover, which was once smooth and perfect, is now starting to look like its been well loved. Perfect. 

        I will be honest, there have been times in my life where praying and reading the Word have been stale to me. Not being able to feel God or what He's saying to me. Not knowing where to start in reading or where to start praying. Feeling like God is far away and He doesn't care about me. I've been there. Over the years, though, I've realized that it's not so hard as it seems. I've learned that God is alway right here beside me, closer than I can even think, and He wants to know my thoughts and what I've going through. He wants to hear my voice and her me sing. He loves me. 

        In the few months I have learned a new way to concept with God and His word. I was reading the blog of Shanna Noel (her blog is lovely. Especially if you like scrapbooking). In one post she was talking about her journey with Christ and how she has a Bible journal. A Bible journal is a normal Bible but there is extra room on the sides to write. You can write about prayers, thoughts, refections. Anything really. What Shanna did with her Bible journal was she used it kind of like an art Bible. She used her scrapbooking materials and made beautiful things in her Bible. To help her remember certain things she learned and what the Lord was saying to her. 

        After I saw her Bible Journal I was so inspired to start my own. I ordered the ESV Signal Column Journaling Bible  and started on it. My first few attempts weren't perfect and I was nervous. I've never written in my Bible really before that. I was scared about messing up and making a mistake. I've now had my Bible journal for a few months now and I love it. Sure, I've  made a few mistakes here and there but God works through those mistakes. And through Bible journaling I've gotten even closer with Jesus. 

        Today Shanna posted a new blog post about Prayer Journaling. She's doing the same that she's done with her Bible journal, only now she's doing it with her prayer journal! I absolutely adore this idea and I'm going to be trying it her soon. I can't wait.

        Journaling and creating with the Lord's Word has brought my so much closer with Him. I've been able to be myself and create. Expressing what He's teaching my through making the Bible pretty. I love it. 

If you're interested in reading Shanna Noel's blog click here. 

Here is also her first post on Bible journaling and here is her prayer journal post. 

If you are interested in buying a Bible journal I suggest these. 

Also this pen set is great to have to.  

I hope and pray this encourages you to take a step closer to the Lord. Maybe even start Bible journaling! God will certainly come closer to you. 

Kari Jobe Videos

  Day 14 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Kari Jobe is my favorite worships ever. She is such and inspiration to me. These three video are of Kari Jobe speaking at a conference (I think back in 2012). God really spoke me through these videos were Kari is talk. They're in three parts and its kind long, but there worth the watch. I hope you enjoy them and they inspire you. :) 

(part 1)

(part 2)

(part 3)

Imperfect, Messy, and Free

        Day 13 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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       I'm a perfectionist at heart. I always try my hardest to get everything right. No matter what is it. And when its not right or perfect I'm frustrated and sometimes I just quit… thinking I'm not good enough. I'm sure a lot of you reading this are the same way.  
        I've been really struggling lately. There are so many things that I want to do. I want them to be all perfect, but no matter how hard I try, they always seem to be messed up in no matter what I do. 
        I think why I'm so consumed with the idea that all I do has to be perfect is because if it's not, I'll fail and fall on my face. I won't be good enough. I've been consumed with this feeling for years if feels like. 
        Yesterday, God told me something though. I heard Him whisper into my ear and say, "It doesn't have to be perfect. I work through your imperfectness." When I heard that I stop in the middle of what I was doing. It was a real wake up call to what I've been thinking, that all things I did have to be perfect or I'm just no good. Just those few words He whispered is really changing the way I think and feel.
        I am human, I'm not perfect and I'll never be perfect. Since I'm human, the things I do won't always be perfect. But guess what… God is perfect and if we let Him, He can work through us and make the things we do, perfect or not, for His glory. 
        So this is my excuses to be imperfect. To be messy, free, and not always right the first time. Because Jesus works through my imperfections and weaknesses and He makes them for His glory. Its all Him, none of me. And I'm so happy because this makes me free from my weaknesses and imperfections. I don't have to worry about it any more. I don't have to live in the weight and pressure of perfection, because the grace of God will cover me, no matter what. 
        Today, I was reading the blog of one of my internet friend, Patience Pennington. A few days ago she wrote a post about breaking through her insecurities and being brave, even though she's not perfect. To end this blog post, I would like to quote her: 

"Maybe this whole creativity thing is less about being perfect and more about just being brave, you know? Just being willing to step out and do what you think is right- even if you’re not one hundred percent sure how it will turn out. Just singing your best, and being willing to fail and face the consequences. And then getting back up and trying again."

~Patience Pennington

"But he said to me, 'My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.' So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ's power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinda of trouble for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong." 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NCV, italics mine) 

P.s. If you would like to read Patience's blog post in full, you can click here. 

The Art of Celebration | Rend Collective

Day 12 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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This won't be a long post, but I just wanted to share this video from Rend Collective. I found if very inspiring and uplifting. I hope it is the same for you. :) 

Living A Life of Worship

Day 11 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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"I was thinking about this thing called worship and sometimes we think worship is about the song, its about the great sound, its about the worship set. Really what is boils down to its like, its about being a good dad, being a good husband, its about being a good friend, it about cleaning up your messes when you make them. Its about closing the doors that need to be closed, opening the doors that need to be opened, its about the daily life your walking with the Lord. Its about faith, its about believing God for who He says He is. Its all of those things and thats what worship is…. Don't forget for a second what God is looking at." ~ Brian Johnson 

        I was watching this video where Brian Johnson (a worship leader at Bethel church in Redding, California) was talking about having a heart of worship and living a life of worship. The quote above is one of the biggest things I took away. Worship isn't only about the music on Sunday morning (or anytime really), It isn't only about the craft that you do, or the thing your most passionate about. Why yes, that has a lot to do with it… but theres more behind it. 

        Kari Jobe says "Worship isn't just music. But it's what we do with our hearts. It's giving God everything we are." God whats all of us. Not part of us or half for us or only the part that sings on Sunday mornings. He wants the way we live and the way we think. He wants our everything. He wants us to be a light for all the people around us. He wants us to be open before Him so He can shine through us. And when we give God everything we are, we do just that, we are a light for Christ to shine through. 

        I've been learning this a lot recently. God has been showing me that He wants me to worship with my whole heart at every part of the day, not just during my quiet time of when I'm singing or journaling or dancing. He wants me to worship Him through everything, even in the things I don't like to do. When I teach, when I clean my home, when I do my work, when I'm loving someone. It all has to go to the glory of God. 

       Sometimes, I feel like we get so caught up in trying to be a better worship or leader that we really forget what it really is about. It's about the small things and the everyday life.  Today, let turn back to Jesus and give Him our all and our worship. Lets worship Him with our lives and be a light for others. 

So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will

know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

Romans 12:1-2 (NCV)

"Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the master Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Colossians 3:17 (NCV)

If you interested in watching the video that the quote came from. It is right here below. Brian's words are very inspiring. I hope you enjoy. :) 

I Spoke Up

Day 10 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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"Everyone knows that I was the good girl

I did my best to make everyone happy with me

But then I found out that it was impossible to please the whole crowd

So I spoke up

And I spoke out

I learned that love don't hold its tongue

And passion doesn't bow to what they think

It's You and me

Sometimes it's painful to be brave

To look fear in the face and know your name

To find your strength"

        These are the lyrics of Steffany Gretzingers song I Spoke Up. The first time I hear these lyric, I cried. I honestly did because they touched my heart so much. 

        If you don't know me, I've always be the "good girl". I've always tried to please everybody. My family, my friends, and even the people I didn't know. And to this day I still try to please everyone around me and get there approval. I want to make everyone happy and I want them to like me. But like Steffany said in her song; "its impossible to please the whole crowd". In this past year especially, I'm becoming coming to learn that. There are times that I've been in tears because there are things I'm truly passionate about that I want to pursue but other people want me to pursue something different. Or there are two people I love so much but they both want something different, and I can't decided who to please. How can you choose one other the other?

        This doesn't have to be this way though. What I've learned, and I'm still learning, is that you only have to please God. No one else. Not even your family or closest loved one. Passion doesn't bow to what they all think. Its just you and God. 

        Sometimes, God matches up what He wants and what your family or loved one wants so you all can agree. But not always… and when that happens… always follow God. His will for you will appear for you the more and more you pray and read His Word. All you have to do is earnestly ask with all your heart. Sometimes is can be as simple as, "Jesus, please help me. What do you want me to do, what way should I follow. Whats Your plan and will for me?".  

        I know sometimes it's "painful to be brave" and "to look fear in the face" but God will always be there for you and always have your hand on you. Even when it doesn't feel like it. You have just to have faith.

Unfathomable

Day 8 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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"Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we can not exaggerate?"

~ Francis Chan 

Scrolling through my Pinterest feed the other day, I found this quote. Francis Chan has always been an inspiring author to me. I love his book Crazy Love. When I saw this quote from him I stopped and thought about it. "Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we can not exaggerate." What does this exactly mean? 

God is unfathomable. He knows everything, He is everywhere, He created you and this earth, He breathed the breath of life into you. His thoughts are higher than our thought, His ways are higher than our ways. He created not only this world, but also galaxies that we didn't even know existed until a century ago. He saved you from death and evil so you could live in eternity with Him. He is so so so much more than what I'm even describing! I can't even put into words all He is. I can not exaggerate Him because theres nothing to exaggerate on. He already is everything. Isn't that amazing? It blows my mind every time I think about it. And guess what? We get to worship Him!!  This is our God who we can not exaggerate because He is already everything unfathomable.  And we are the ones He chose to give Him honor and praise. He is so merciful and loving.

After I read this quote and thought about what it truly meant. I just had to praise. I had to give Him the praise and glory that He really does deserve! 
This changes how I want to worship. It changes me to want to give my all to Him. It makes me want to throw my hands up in the air and jump and sing and dance because our God who loves us, our God who saves us, our God who created us, is so huge and so mighty that I can not exaggerate on Him!! Do you understand!? Do you see!? God is so amazing! 

Sometimes I feel like we don't give God enough of us. We try fit Him into this mold, into this box. And we think of Him like we want to think of Him. But God can't fit into a mold or a box, He is so big. If we saw Him face to face, we would be blinded. If we truly learn who He is, and not just assume and fit Him into this mold, He will show us His glory like never before. 

So right now, lets change the way we worship and the way we think about God. Lets give Him the praise and adoration He deserves because He created us, saved us, and made all things, and has done even more!! Lets worship Him, together. And see His glory become like fire. 

This video below is by Francis Chan. I watched this video when I read the book Crazy Love, and remembered it when I was typing this post out. I want you to watch it, and just see how unfathomable our God is and what He has created.  

Passion And Heart

       

Day 7 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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        Sometimes I worry what people think to much. For some reason, its like whenever I do something that I pour out my passion and heart into, I hear these voices in my head saying negative things. Or I "think" i know what other people are thinking around me. Or when those people do speak out and say something, it hurts me to my inner core. All these things just make me slink back into my little hole and not do the things I feel passionate about and not take risks. I'm afraid of what people might say or think of me. I don't want them to think I'm awful or crazy. I don't want to displease them. So I just hide. Staying in my normal realm of things and not stepping out. 

         I think I've become to comfortable in my little hole. Not stepping out into the light, following my passions, or pouring out my heart into whatever I'm doing at the time. I think my insecurities, fears, and people-pleasing feeling have gotten the best of me. You see, I absolutely love to sing. When I'm alone and when no one can hear me, I sing out loud. As loud as my tiny voice can go (if you know me, I have a very soft voice from the start), but when I'm around people, I freeze up, and when I try to sing I can hardly make any noise. Let alone stay in the right key. I'm afraid I'll mess up or not be good enough for someone. I'm being right up front and honest here with you. I have this problem of hiding in a hole and not coming out. 

         I'm determined to change this though. I've been in my hole way to long. Jesus says that we don't have to worry about what other people think of us. We only have to live to please Him and Him only. When I remember this, it gives me so much freedom because I remember that I don't have to be afraid or worried. I don't have to please people any more. Whatever people's comments are I can just shake it of (Taylor Swift reference intended there ;)) and look to Jesus to get approval. Because He is the only one worth getting approval from. It is still going to be hard though. I've been in this hole for years now. It has become the norm for me. It is going to take some time to get out and stay out of it. But with Jesus, I can do anything. I can become free. I can pour out my passion with out the feeling of judgment. 

        Have you ever dug a hole for you self because your afraid what people might think or say when you pour your heart out? If you have, I'm encouraging you to come out into the light with me. Lets be Christ followers who are not afraid of what people might say or think. Lets not be afraid of failure or let downs. Lets be people who are free in Christ. Together. 

"But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tested our hearts."

1 Thessalonians 2:4

"I can do all things through Christ, because He gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

Comfort and Peace In Christ

     

Day 6 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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      Today have been a challenge for me today. Things have been fighting for my attention and wanting to get in the way of me and God. When I tried to quiet myself before the Lord this morning, my long lists of to do's and have-to-get-done-today kept coming to my mind and I couldn't concentrate. Not even when I tried my hardest. So I just dropped it, I dropped it all and confessed to Jesus that I couldn't take it any longer. My lists and stresses are getting to me to much and I just need you. I need you to fill me with peace and comfort. I asked Him to help me throughout this day. And as I sat there, praying and spilling my heart out, He did. He lifted me up out of my worries and stresses and brought me to Him. I didn't come to Him, He came to me.
        Today, He helped me get the things done that He wanted me to get done. Even though I didn't get everything completed, He knows my future and when I'm going to get it all done so its ok. I'm just going to have peace about it and surrender it all to Him. Because He deserves it all. 
        Whatever you may be going through right now, or however long your to do list is. God has got you in the palm of His hand. He know your future and when you'll be able to get it all done. So just surrender it to Him, and let Him flood you with peace past you understanding. Let Him comfort you in His arms. He will come to you. 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when other have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ." 

~2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 (NCV)

How do you Worship?

Day 3 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Worship, its what we do with our souls to give praise God deserves. It's something that you put your whole being into.  It's filling and amazing.

When people think of worship, they mostly think of worshiping with music. That is because we've made the word "worship" a synonem for "music". And even though that is truly one way to worship (and its one way I personally can really get into worship), there are so many other ways you can praise God.  I personally think some people are afraid to worship because they think it only involves music. When really, our God is a God of creativity. Not just a God of music. If your an artist, you can worship Him with the art you make. If your a photographer, you can worship Him with the photos you take. If your a mathematician, you can worship Him with the numbers you calculate. If you love people, and love serving them. Serve your heart out and worship that way! Whatever your passionate about, whatever has God put in your heart. Just pore it out to Him. Give Him your all while you do your passion. He loves it when you do.

So stop a moment and think, how do you worship? What are your passions? What makes your heart race whenever you do it? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments on how you worship and what you think of worshiping.

"Worship isn't just music. But its what we do with our heart; it's giving God everything we are."
~Kari Jobe 

Let The Heavens Open | Worship Songs

Day 2 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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Above is one of my favorite worship songs to listen to. It's called Let The Heavens Open by Kari Jobe. I absolutely love it. Even the video is marvelous to watch. When I listen to it with my heart open and ready, I really can feel the Heavens open. I hope you all enjoy.

Be Brave

Day 1 in the Write 31 Days challenge. Click here to learn more and to see other 31 Day posts.

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"'Do any of you remember how great the Temple was before it was destroyed? What does it look like now? Doesn't it seem like nothing to you?' But the Lord says, 'Zerubbable, be brave. Also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, be brave. And all you people who live in the land, be brave,' says the Lord All-Powerful. 'I made a promise to you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit is still with you. So don't be afraid.'"

 ~Haggai 2:3-5 (NCV) 

     

    When I'm worn out and tired, and the passion God has put inside of me isn't as bright as it once was, I try to open the Word and regain truth or I worship. The other day, I randomly opened my Bible to refuel my soul. It opened to Haggai. A small book of the Bible not normally discussed or talked about. I started to read, trying to grasp what was happening.       

The temple was in ruins, but the people of Jerusalem were just going on with there lives. Not really thinking about the Temple. So the Lord sent the prophet Haggai to speak the Zerubbabel and Joshua about rebuilding the Temple instead of tending to their own lives. After Haggai spoke to them, the Lord stirred up their passion and they starting to rebuild the Temple. In chapter 2, they lost there fire about rebuilding the temple again, so the Lord sent Haggai to go talk to them. Verses 3-5 are the ones that really get me. Speaking through Haggai, the Lord said to Zerubbable, Joshua, and the people who lived in the land, "Be Brave". He also said "Work because I am with you.", and "... My Spirit is still with you. So don't be afraid".                             

    Right then, those words spoke to me. I feel like we, as Christens, can be in the same place the people of Jerusalem were in. We can lose our passion, our fire, for what God wants us to do so easily. And here, in these two verse, God is cheering us on. Telling us to be brave and keep moving. He is with us, so don't be afraid.                            

    Whatever season of life you are in right now, or whatever you are going through. God is encouraging you to keep going. Live for Him. Love passionately. He is with you and He'll protect you. He whispering in your ear "Be Brave". Can you hear Him?

We Are Israel, He Is A Loving God | #shereadstruth: Hosea

I resently just finished the Hosea devotional from She Reads Truth (it ended yesterday but I kind of got behind and finished it today). It was very convicting and compelling for me. Through the 14 chapters of Israelites betrayal of God, I found myself amongst them. Finding my own sin and idols. Hearing about Gods wrath made me cringe a few times. It made me wonder "Is this the way He feels about me? When I take those few steps into sin… is this was He feels?". It made me take a step back and really wonder. It showed me how big and bad my sins really are, because I don't know about you, but sometimes I just push the thought of how bad my sins are to the side. I think "it won't hurt me", "its not so bad", or "this doesn't really count as sin". But oh no, I am so wrong.  God /hates/ sin. He despises it. It leads to wrath and punishment. It makes me cringe to think about. I don't like punishment no matter how severer. But I deserve it… The study of Hosea was hard for me to read some days because It showed me how much I deserved punishment for my sins. It was hard for me to hear what I deserved.

There is a bright side to all of this though…

I can seek the forgiveness of our God… and He wipes my slate clean. I can find His compassion and love. Even if I've been beaten up by the storm. By His help, I can return into His loving arms.
When I read about this for the first time, I started to smell the fresh air of freedom and peace. I was overcome by my God who /still/ loved me even though I made sooo many dreadful mistakes.  So I rejoiced and praised Him for His love. For forgiving me of the horrible things I do. And guess what?
He does the same for you too. No matter what you've done. No matter how bad you feel. He forgives, and wipes you clean.

When we are Israel
Our God is still our loving God.
He loves us no matter what
even when we hurt Him.

How great of a love is that? More than I can ever comprehend.

"So you, by the help of your God, return..." 

~ Hosea 12:6a

*If you would like to read the She Reads Truth study on Hosea, head on over to there website, here.

The Ocean Waves

       Today, as I was watching the waves, a thought came to me.  On the third day of creation, God separated the land from the ocean. He pinned the sea into it's place and the ground arose out from underneath (Genesis 1: 9-10). To this day, the seas are still pinned, God's creation is still kept. The tide rises up on the sand and then sinks back into the deep. It's like God's invisible barrier, keeping the ocean in its place. Sometimes, when the waves are rough and the tide is high, it's like the waves are trying to break the barrier God laid … but they can't. No matter how hard they try.  God is amazing like that. Don't you think? He is so big and vast, so creative. You can see it in His creation.        Have you ever watched the waves before? The way they wash in and out. Sometimes they can get really big, crashing up on the shore, and rolling all the way up to touch my sandy feet. But other times, they are as calm as can be. So calm you can see straight down to the bottom of the ocean. It's beautiful.
     These are just my random thoughts. I'd love to hear your thoughts on God's creation. :)

Letters & Love

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Do you wanna know a secret?… I love letters. Especially the handwritten ones. Where you can tell by the handwriting who wrote it. You know… one of my favorite things about letters is that when someone you know really well sends one to you they always leave little secrets in them. You know the ones… where if someone else read the letter they wouldn't recognize anything but when when you read the letter… its like full of little jokes and secrets the two people share.
As one of my good friends and I were talking today… we recognized this same thing between us and God. The Bible is like God's letter to us. There are so many secrets and things to find when reading the Bible… is wondrous.
One of the secrets we found today was one of God's ways of showing us how much He loves us.  Have you ever heard the quote "Love is Blind"? I think it is completely true. Especially in the way God loves us. God loved us so much that he sent His one and only son Jesus to die for us, so He could except us, just the way we are. Were not perfect. No one is or can be. God is perfect, though.
This is where one of the secrets of the Bible come in. You see, when you read the Bible, it talks about how, when Jesus was on the earth telling people the good news, He went around healing people of there sicknesses, including healing the blind. When He healed the blind it is almost like, as He was healing them of their blindness, He was becoming blind Himself. So He could love us despite our imperfections. Because love is blind.  You see? As Jesus was down here, on earth, He was becoming blind of our imperfections, sins, and failures. He was becoming blind and forgiving us of everything so He could except us.
Isn't this the most wonderful thing? When we came to this concussion, I just had to sit and think for a minute about how magnificent this is.

What are your thoughts? Have you never recovered little secrets in the Bible? :)