06.30.08
I just want to say—Thank You!!!
I just want to say thank you
to the God
who always knows what I need
at just the right time
He refreshes my spirit
and renews my hope
He gives me the strength
to live out each day
explicitly as He had planned
before my life began
He knows all my thoughts
He knows all my dreams
He holds them in His hands
He molds me and shapes me
to who He wants me to be
He is not finished yet
and with Him things will never go unmet
I just want to say thank you
to my God
who never ceases to bless me
as my all in all!!!
Crash and Burn—You’re Not Alone….
It happens to all of us….
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned it’s back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild, wild heart
I know you feel like the walls are closing in on you
It’s hard to find relief and people can be so cold
When darkness is upon your door and you feel like you can’t
Take anymore
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I’ll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You’re not alone
When you feel all alone
And a loyal friend is hard to find
You’re caught in a one-way street
With the monsters in your head
When hopes and dreams are far away and
You feel like you can’t face the day
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I’ll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You’re not alone
Because there has always been heartache and pain
And when it’s over you’ll breathe again
You’ll breathe again
When you feel all alone
And the world has turned it’s back on you
Give me a moment please
To tame your wild, wild heart
Let me be the one you call
If you jump I’ll break your fall
Lift you up and fly away with you into the night
If you need to fall apart
I can mend a broken heart
If you need to crash then crash and burn
You’re not alone
(Lyrics by Savage Garden)
This is what true friendship is all about: we all need people that we can be honest with; people who will love us no matter what we are going through; those who will really listen. It is these things that characterize a relationship worth keeping forever no matter what type. We all need these people to open up our hearts, hear us, feel our pain, and cry our tears. In life we all crash and burn at times, we are not alone. It is these friendships that help us see things for what they really are—that give us a fresh perspective so we can go on with life—and not just go on, but thrive!!! These too are a gift from God, and every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights who does not change like shifting shadows. So, if you need to crash, then, crash and burn, you’re not alone—it happens to all of us!!!
06.28.08
Surrender is…
accepting His answer for today and being content and satisfied in it,
waiting for His answer with faith, patience, and peace no matter how long it may seem,
trusting His timing that is always perfect,
believing by Faith even though you may not see the answers or the end result,
trusting an all knowing God who is always up to our good,
leaving everything in His hands for safe keeping,
not closing our hands around the matter and refusing to let go, and
in humility releasing and yielding to Him who is faithful to all of His promises and loving toward all He has made.
Furthermore, surrender is trusting in the LORD with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding in this way He will become greater and I will become less; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6; John 3:30)!!!
“He has brought me to the banquet hall, His banner over me is love (Song of Solomon 2:4). Therefore, I am going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her (Hosea 2:4).”
Surrender
“Therefore, I am now going to allure her, I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her (Hosea 2:14).”
Surrender beckons me
it calls forth my name
it speaks tenderly to me
wooing me
drawing me closer
closer to the heart of God
willing me to trust
willing me to yield
to Him
to His goodness
to His grace
that have never left me
Surrender has beckoned
it has called me by name
pleading that I come
imploring me to faithfully abide
in the one
who has known me
from the beginning
who allures me
who leads me into the desert
and speaks tenderly to me
to prepare me
to draw me to His side
to help me to trust
to let go
and simply
Surrender
my will
to His
placing my desires
into His hands
and believing
in HIS grace
trusting in HIS
unfailing love!!!
06.27.08
If I marry…
…and I hope someday I do, to the man I am truly, madly, deeply in love with. I could marry no other. Since this is such a big decision, that must be entered into with care because so much of life’s happiness depends on the rightness of a match, I could not settle for less, so I will wait for God’s best in this area. I choose to wait for His man, His plan, and His timing and be content and satisfied with His answer for today as I love and serve the people He has placed in my life as a single person should.
“If I marry: He must be so tall when he is on his knees, he reaches all the way to heaven (that, my friend, is a man of prayer). His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burden of a family (he will lead me and my future family in everything). His lips strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss. He must be big enough to be gentle and great enough to be thoughtful. His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child (Ruth Bell Graham accompanied by some of my own thoughts).”
Yes, if I marry, and I hope someday I do, this will characterize my man, my prince charming, the man of my dreams who I will live with and love dearly for the rest of our lives.
Grace and Surrender!!!
‘Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness. Touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace (Fredrich Bucchner).”
Because of His grace, I can surrender, not necessarily abandoning my desires, but yielding my all to Him. He has graciously given me all things, why do I find it so hard to simply surrender? He is always good, always faithful. Why do I find surrender such a struggle?
Surrender, my friend, cannot be done in one prayer, one thought, one day, one minute. It must be done daily, sometimes by the hour, the minute, and even by the second. I am surrendering, listening to my life, seeing my life the way that He sees it, and accepting it with grace. I am letting Him take control of my desires as I release them to His tender loving care. But, there is a part of me that likes to hold back. Why? Why, when He is so gracious, so loving, so faithful?
Surrender must be sought after, must be chosen. What do I have to lose?
LORD Jesus, I repent of that part of me that likes to hold back, that part that refuses to surrender and tries to make things happen on my own accord. I transfer my trust from my ability to your love and goodness. I admit I struggle with surrendering control. Help me to by faith accept your answer for today and be satisfied in the matters of the heart that I struggle to give over to you. You know all and my heart belongs to you first and foremost. I choose to love and serve you with my life this day forward. I am excited for what you will do in and through me in this next chapter of my life. Continue to prepare me in all ways. I love you. Amen.
06.26.08
Fun Facts—Do this yourself—and post it for all the world to see!!!
First thing you did today?
Read my Bible and prayed—gotta start the day off right.
What’s the last thing you put in your mouth?
Food and iced tea
Have you ever kissed a guy named Matthew?
Does my teddy bear count???
Where was your default picture taken?
Don’t have one for this site…
Last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20?
James—my adorable baby brother, who is 18!!!
Can you play guitar hero?
Not really, I put in a good effort though 
~
Last time you walked further than a block?
Today at the beach—and actually I ran 13-14 miles!!!
Name someone that made you laugh today?
my dad—he always does!!!
When was the last time you saw number 3 on your top friends?
I don’t rank my friends!!!
How late did you stay up last night and why?
Midnight—making cookies!!!
If you could move somewhere else, where would it be?
Anywhere I can teach!!!
Ever been kissed under fireworks?
No, never been kissed!!!
Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Deanne!!!
Do you believe ex’s can be friends?
It would be weird, but it is possible, I guess??? I hope I do not have to experience it—I really do not want to be someone’s ex.
Do you prefer to call or text?
Seeing that I don’t have text capability on my phone, I prefer to call.
How do you feel about Diet Dr Pepper?
ew!!! Why not just drink the real thing???
When was the last time you cried really hard?
A couple of days ago, but I will spare you the details ~
Where is your biological father right now?
working downstairs
What are you doing right now?
answering these questions for the heck of it
What bed did you sleep in last night?
my own, duh!!! I do not know what kind of question this is!!!
What was the last thing someone bought for you?
One of my friends from Liberty Intermediate (Anjanette) bought me beautiful flowers and a teacher therapy book.
Who was the last person you took a picture of?
JoAnna and I had a photo shoot at the beach before she left for New York.
Was yesterday better than today?
Every day is a good day!!!
Can you live a day without TV?
yes—like it’s hard???
What are you listening to?
the noise the fan makes
Are you mad about anything?
NO
Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Yes, when you marry the right one who is totally worth waiting for no matter how long.
Last time you spent the night at someone’s house?
The last weekend I was in the central valley I stayed with Anjanette in Madera.
When was the last time you were extremely disappointed?
Tuesday, but then I realized I was making major assumptions that were not getting me anywhere. Fortunately, a good friend (Deanne) helped me to make sense of the situation. What are friends for???
Where do you wish you were right now?
at the beach, duh!!!
What should you be doing right now?
Not sure, I really don’t have a schedule right now, thanks to summer break!!!!
Is anything bothering you right now?
Not any more.
Are you a bad influence?
I hope not.
Night out or night in? I like both.
Are you more of an individual or an outgoing person?
Interesting question
What items could you not go without during the day?
God!!!! (also water)
Would you share a drink with a stranger?
NO!!!
Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
My friend Marcus who was sick with Pneumonia.
Last hug?
Tuesday night from Deanne
Are you more of a coffee or alcohol drinker?
What would ever possess me to drink alcohol??? I do not even drink that much coffee. I prefer tea.
Have you ever thrown shoes on a telephone wire?
No
How do you feel about your life right now?
Life is good. I love going to the beach everyday. Summer break is awesome. I just got a new teaching job in Kindergarten. I am excited for everything that is to come. I know there is so much more ~
Explain why you last threw up?
I cannot remember.
How many times have you been pulled over by the police?
If I told you, then I’d have to kill you ~ then I’d really be in the doghouse.
Do you hate anyone?
NO.
Do you like anyone right now?
I like a lot of people—however that is obviously not what this question is asking—I think it is asking if there is anyone I am interested in…and the answer is….I will never type that information on anything online for the world to see.
Will you have a valentine this year?
My valentine every year is my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the best valentine ever. On top of Him, I don’t know!!!
Anyone upset you lately?
Yes, but then I saw the situation more clearly.
Last person you talked to on the phone?
my dad
How’s your heart?
couldn’t be better
Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
I assume this is talking about illegal drugs….uh, yeah, duh, of course…drugs are bad for you…what kind of teacher would I be if I thought otherwise.
06.24.08
What Life is about…
It is more
so much more
than we make it at times
It is about JOY
His joy that comes from within
and is evident to all
It is about LOVE
His love that penetrates our soul
and is then given
to tear down our walls
It is about PEACE
His peace when we go through the storms
because
the rain brings the growth
which is one of life’s norms
It is about WORSHIP
worshipping the one who is Holy
and who makes us
to be more of the same
It is about GOD
who gave us life and breath
who created us for Himself
Life is about resting in Him
and letting Him lead us
in all of our ways,
these, my dear friend,
are what life consists, and are
mainly about!!!
Answer for Everything
Jesus, you are
my answer
for everything
I look to you
I look at your creation
I look at your nail pierced hands
I think of the life you led
and that which you gave me to tread
When my life is in shambles
as things fall apart
I look to your bloodied cross
I look to your empty tomb
I look to your Holy word
and I find
my answer
my strength
my peace
my everything
Jesus, you are
because
you did
so I look to you!!!
06.23.08
Remaining in Him…
This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us; and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we ask for (I John 5:14-15). Let us therefore, approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may obtain mercy and grace to help us in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). If you remain in me and I in you, you will ask whatever you wish and it shall be given to you (John 15:7). In response, offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God which is your spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1). Moreover, remain in Him and He will remain in you (John 15:4). It is not about what we can do, it is about what God can do through us if we remain in Him. For to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 2:21). You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light (I Peter 2:9). Furthermore, it is better by far to live wholeheartedly for Christ even though the road may appear hard and the journey longer than you expected it to be; remember, He is always with you (Joshua 1:9)!!!
