"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us?He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
'For your sake we face death all day longwe are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.'
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:31-39
Listen to the words of this song. Let the words of truth penetrate your heart. I know this is something I need to continue to learn again and again. There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less. His love just is. And you can either accept the free gift of his love, or you can chose something else. I will always chose His love for me, cuz I cannot live without it.
1: to put or change into an improved form or condition b: to amend or improve by change of form or removal of faults or abuses
2: to put an end to (an evil) by enforcing or introducing a better method or course of action
3: to induce or cause to abandon evil ways <reform a drunkard>
This video represents so much of who I feel I am and who God is making me to be. I have never felt like I fit in. I have always felt different than other people. I do not like to be comfortable and I strive to follow God no matter the cost. I have always sought to change things, to make big impacts.
And I know I will. Because I am a child of God, the Lord of Lords. He makes changes in people. And He has changed me. The hardships I have faced will not go unused by my Father.
On Saturday, I returned from a long trip to Salt Lake City, Utah with my college group from church. It was unlike any other missions trip I've ever been on before, but I really enjoyed every minute of it. I learned so much and hopefully will be able to take what I learned and apply it whereveer I go.
Saturday, March 24th: leaving day. We got into cars at 9am and departed around 10am. We drove north to Portland and then crossed over to Boise, Idaho. We stayed overnight at a church right next to Boise State University.
Sunday, March 25th: We woke up bright and early, and got on the road. We may or may not have stopped at Starbucks. No showers for us on this day, so that explains why we look decredpid in the pictures. We stopped in Twin Falls and saw a stunningly beautiful waterfall and were greeted by a rainbow. I saw it as hope being brought with us. :)
When we finally arrived in Utah, we went on a hike at Ensign Peak and prayed over the city of Salt Lake. We learned more of the history of the city and the LDS Church.
Here's the whole group at the falls, right before the rainbow came out
View from Ensign Peak-I am so in love with these Mountains
The group with beautiful Salt Lake City behind us
me and Caeli
Monday, March 26th: In the morning, we went to a local tv station, where myself and Austin were selected to be interviewed on live televison (I tried to upload a video, but it failed. Boo Blogger). We spoke about what we were doing in Utah and who we believe the true Jesus is. The program was called Walking in the Word.
Me and Austin while we're on tv
Then we went to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and had dialogue with Mormon students. We spent a lot of time dialoging with professors and leaders, and when we got into groups, there were about 2 Mormon students (Will and Christitan) and 6 Evangelical students (including myself). We were able to discuss our own faiths, the trinity, and many other complex doctrines from each religion. I really enjoyed being able to talk to Mormons themselves. I found overall my opinions about them were often wrong and I misjudged them.
After we left University of Utah, we got to eat at a great college hang out called The Pie. It had a great underground grafitti brick feel to it. I enjoyed the pizza I split with 8 other people. It had pepperoni, 2 kinds of sassage, ground beef, bacon, salami, and I'm sure more meat that I can't remember. HELLO heart attack. So good. I wrote "OSU was here" on one of the brick walls to make our mark.
After dinner, we headed to Temple Square. We all set off individually and did prayer walks around the square. I really enjoyed this time. I enjoyed the artictecture and beauty of the square, but I was so saddened by the need to appear perfect that I saw consitently throughout this trip. Temple Square is somewhat of a Mecca for LDS people, and it is clear why. I was definately impacted by the 30-40 minutes of prayer time around Temple Square.
Fear happens when we believe a lie. Satan is the Father of lies.
I do not want to beleive the lies Satan has put into my head anymore. I am done. God is God of light and truth, and I will go to Him when I feel the pressure of this world and the lies it feeds.
"You are not good enough, pretty enough. You don't work hard enough. You're not skinny enough. You don't make enough money. You don't dress the RIGHT way."
I don't know what lie you're believing, but I do know that God is greater. His promises are bigger. He is stronger than the lies of Satan. I hope this video encourages you as much as it did me.
I stumbled upon this video because a few of my friends have been posting it on facebook. Please watch it with an open mind. My heart really goes out to this kid.
This kid is only in 8th grade. He says he started cutting himself in 2nd grade. 2nd?! That breaks my heart. It makes me wonder how many of the kids I counseled at camp in 2010 were really really hurting and I didn't know. I tend to think kids are kids and that they are happy. But this video shows how wrong I was. Now, I'm not saying every kid is like this guy. But this is devastating to watch.
I was born in State College, PA. Home of Pennsylvania State Univeristy. This place is my home. I cannot even describe the influence this place has had on me and my family. It has been and always will be a very special place for us. Until recently, this place had a clean name, a spotless reputation, and a loving community.
My Family: Dan, me, my Mom, Dad, and Stasia in front At Penn State in 2007 for homecoming
I want to say, first of all, I do not support the actions of Sandusky, or those who knew of the abuse and the way actions were taken by those involved. I believe abuse is wrong and I do not support the way this situation was handled. My prayers and thoughts go out to those who were affect by this abuse. However, I cannot deny my love, support, and appreciation for Penn State, Joe Paterno, and everything this school stands for and is.
I do not feel Joe Paterno should end his legacy at Penn State in this way. I believe it is dishonoring and tarnishes his great name and all the accplishments he has done for Penn State and the community. I understand that precauctions need to be taken, but this happend 15 years ago. Punishing someone for something that happened so long ago that was mostly out of their control seems unfair to me.
This story hits very close to home and is very upsetting to me. I have difficulty even finding the right words to express how I feel. When I heard about this scandal, I was embarassed. I was sad that something so awful could come out of such an amazing place. It shows me once again the world is just the world, and it is not my home. When I heard Joe Paterno was being pulled into this, I was mad. I didn't feel like his name should be dragged through the mud. Then when I heard that Joe Paterno had put in his resignation, I cried. Literally, burst into tears. I called my mom. There was no explination, except I was mourning one of the greatest men ever to coach football. I felt like my world has been shattered and someone had died. Of course, no one has died, but it was still a painful experience for me. I cannot imagine Penn State without JoPa. This morning, I found out Joe was fired. He will not be finishing the season. I looked up what news I could find before going to class, and I found out there are all sorts of protests going on around State College. This situation is turning into chaos.
"Out of Chaos, life is being found in you"-Beautiful Things by Gungor
I am praying for every single person involved in this situation. I can only imagine if this is affecting me this way, how it must be affecting others. Here is what I ask: think before you speak about what is going on at Penn State. This place means the world to many many people.
Penn State Fight Song: Fight on State
Fight on State (GO!)
Fight on State (GO!)
Strike your gait and win, (LET’S GO STATE!)
Victory we predict for thee
We’re ever true to you, dear old White and Blue.
Onward State, (GO!)
Onward State, (GO!)
Roar, Lions, roar: (LET’S GO STATE!)
We’ll hit that line, roll up the score,
Fight on to victory ever more,
Fight on, on, on, on, on, Fight on, on, Penn State! (S-T-A-T-E GO! STATE!)
Despite this situation, Penn State will fight on.
I don't want to be a majority. I want to be used by God and step out in faith for the life He has for me. I refuse to live safely.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
I want to stand before the Lord at the end of my life and be rewarded for the steps I took in faith, the risks I took, the safety I ignored because I trusted in my Father.
Yesterday, the OSU Beavers played UCLA Bruins and we lost. We're not doing well this season. But I still go to every home game to cheer for my team. Win or lose, I'm a beaver believer. They blast this song before kick-off when the team comes running out.
And here is my weekend in pictures:
Staci, Me, Janae and Nakalen
Me, Anna, Emily, and Janae
Staci, me, and Janae
Me, Janae, Anna, and Emily
Lindsey, Janae, me, and Staci
Janae, me, and Staci-cheering on the Beavs!
School starts Monday and I started work last Monday. My life is about to get pretty crazy. But I'm excited to be really busy for the first time in a year or so. We kinda lived-it-up this weekend due to it being the end of summer. Bring it on, fall! :)
Every woman longs for a man like Noah. A man who is honest, faithful, and sincere. A man who puts her happiness above his own. Women get together, watch the Notebook and gawk at the love he has for Ally.
He is so sacrificial and giving. He is a hard worker. He doesn't have a lot of money, but he gives and gives for Ally. He redoes a house that him and Ally visited one night and does it all because of his love for her.
"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever."
Every woman deserves to feel the way Ally feels around Noah. Every woman is a treasure, and should be treated as such by their man. The men of this world (especially Christian men) need to step up and fill the roles that are God-given for them to fill.
From Loveology(give it a listen, you won't be disappointed):
Godly men are called to be-
1. A leader (spiritually, physically, emotionally)
2. A lover (patience, love, encouragement, gentleness) Women are like wine glasses, they are valuable.
3. Provider
4. Protector (watch over, take care of and guard the woman) She needs to feel safe and comfortable.
I pray daily for these men. They are called to high standards. As women, we are just waiting to be led, to be a support, and to love and encourage our brothers. We WANT to. We aren't looking for perfection or Prince Charming. We're just looking for you.
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