I Can Do Anything!

My school semester is coming to an end so things are CRAZY! My motto for this past semester has been "I can do anything for 16 weeks" and so far I have.

Everybody goes through crazy times when you just think that you can't keep going.  You're out, down for the count, dead.  But there is hope and strength to be found in the Lord!

I have relied heavily on Christ these past fews months.  You can find such strength and courage in this verse.  It's so encouraging knowing that God has our backs.  Always. Through lots and lots of prayer we can get through anything!

Keep on praying! He really does hear you and care.  God bless.

Trusting God (Even when it seems like He's procrastinating)

This week has been incredibly stressful for me.  I have been trying for months to find a job so that I can move into this rent house and out of the dorms.  The dorms are fun and all but after three years I'm ready move!

I've been praying and hoping that I would find something.  I was really beginning to get discouraged about the situation after so many no's.  I was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to afford this rent house and would have to live in the dorms yet another year.  It just seemed like things were not going my way.

Yesterday was the final date to get in my security deposit for the room I wanted.  The deadline was 7 pm.  Talk about cutting it close.  I went in to talk to the manager of the millionth store I applied to at about 2 pm yesterday afternoon.

I walked out an hour later with a job.  Praise God!

My good friend had been trying to tell me that God would provide and things would be okay, but I was convinced that this was just going to be a disaster.

Now I'm convinced that God will provide but it will be on His time and not mine.  I clearly need to work on trusting Him and His will.  I believe this was definitely a test to show me that He's got a plan and He will take good care of me.  Even if it does seem like He's procrastinating.

Keep on praying! God WILL provide. God bless!

Real, Genuine Joy

Joy isn't an emotion that can be faked and it doesn't just come from anywhere.  The purest form a joy comes from our Lord and Savior Himself.

This joy can't be taken away by anyone and it isn't situational.  "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me;  at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me."  Psalm 27: 5-7.

Although we will endure harsh and trying times we can trust in the Lord and he will grant us an inner joy that cannot be stifled.

Find your joy today! Keep on praying. God bless!

Belated Easter Greetings

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter and you are in good health.  It is important to remember the point of this holiday as we celebrate!

God sent his one and only precious son to die a most painful death so that someday we will be reunited with Him in heaven.  It's amazing to think that someone loves us so much that He would sacrifice His beloved son.  Try to imagine that loss.  Would you have the strength to sacrifice your child? or sibling? or a parent?  I know I wouldn't be able to do it.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16.

Keep this crazy love in mind as you continue to eat those leftovers and keep on praying.  God bless and happy belated Easter!!

The Beginning of the End

People have been yelling "the sky is falling, the sky is falling" for years.  Many have believed that the world is truly ending.  Where's the proof? How do we know it's truly the apocalypse?

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains" Matthew 24: 7-8.

This seems pretty obvious to me.  In Oklahoma alone we have had an increase in earthquakes within the last few years and there has been a lot of war all around the world.  The beginning of the end is clearly here.

Now I'm not saying the rapture will happen tomorrow or anything like that (it totally could though).  I just think that it's important that we are all ready for the return of our Lord.  No one knows when it will happen but it WILL happen.  It may be soon or it may not even happen in our generation, but we really need to pay attention to the signs that the bible has given us as a warning.

It's always been important to be strong in your faith but the urgency is becoming more present.  I encourage you all to get right will God.  Don't let everything else get in the way.  He is the most important thing we could have in our lives.

Stay strong and keep on praying.  "The sky is falling!!" God bless.

Love your neighbor (no matter who they are)

I'm sure most of you have heard about the incident at OU this past week.  I am so frustrated by this show of ignorance.

"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)

Who is our neighbor? EVERYONE. No matter the color of their skin, their sexual preference, or anything else you could possibly think of to discriminate against.  Should we ostracize people for lying?  How about adultery? Oh or what about coveting others belongings?  I didn't think so.

I don't support gay marriage because of my beliefs but that is no reason to treat them any less than I would anyone else.  I also don't differentiate between black, white, red, yellow, or blue.  We're all people on this earth fighting the same struggles and daily battles as everyone else.  We should be helping each other not bringing them down.

We should love one another and treat each other with respect and kindness!  There is no excuse for what that fraternity did and I hope that others will see this and realize that discrimination is still a problem in our society. We are society.  It's time to fix this.

Love one another as the brothers and sisters that we are.  Keep on praying.  God bless!

Having courage in the face of fear

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9).

Do not be afraid? This is the hardest part of this verse. As humans we're afraid of a lot; the unknown, change, death, rejection, jellyfish. The list goes on. Fear is part of human nature. Well how can I be courageous if I'm afraid??

Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. There's your answer! By going on even though you are scared you are showing courage. I don't think you can have courage without fear. Without the fear it wouldn't be a true act of courage.

Finding the strength to step forward and be courageous can be challenging. This is where the last part of this verse comes in. "For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Draw your strength from the promise that God is always with you through all of life's struggles. Even the little things like taking a test or going to the dentist.

God has our backs! Keep praying and "be strong and courageous." God bless!