Resolutions for the New Year - 2017

Resolutions for the New Year - 2017

The new year is freshly upon us and I have five resolutions for the new year.

First up:
Learn Spanish!
When I went to Mexico this past July I was ill prepared to speak with the spanish speaking people there so I want to revisit Spanish. I took it in college, but I never practiced it so I forgot most of it but I want to learn spanish this year!

Abide in the Vine!

God's word says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." We cannot bear fruit without abiding in the word of God. From day to day I want to live in the truth of God's word. When you look around hopelessness, pain, defeat, lies may seem like reality, but they are not. God's word is the only reality no matter what life looks like at the moment. My desire is that God's word will be my ONLY reality. I want to apply the word of God to every situation in life. The bible tells us how to handle every situation and we must be open to applying it if we want to faithfully abide in the vine. We can read the bible everyday but if we get up and go about life the rest of the day living according to our own way then we are not abiding in the vine which is the word of God. Luke 11:28 says, "Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." The only way we can be blessed with the effects of God's word is if we obey it. So that is what I'm resolving to do this year by the grace of God.

Hide Myself in God
When I attended church as a young girl I struggled to understand what it meant when I heard the following verse flow from the songstress lips, "Let me hide myself in thee." But as I have become older, I have come to understand that you can hide yourself from the pain and stress of life if you hide yourself in God. Psalm 91:1 says, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." To dwell means to live. If we live in the secret place of the most high by having constant communication with Him and casting all of our cares onto Him, we will remain safe under His shadow. What a reassuring thought. I want to live in this reality and hide in Him constantly. I don't want to find refuge in television or food or friendships. I only want to find refuge in Him. There is no substitute. For 2 Peter 1:3 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue." The more we look for the knowledge of God for every area of our life and apply it and agree with God we will see that He has shown us how to live this life and how to become more like Christ. Therefore I want to apply the word of God to every area of my life and watch Him protect me from dangers as He molds me into the image of Christ.

Love...Love...Love!
I want to love, love, love others. Galatians 5:14 says, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." It' is simple and I want to continue to treat others the way that I want to be treated in the new year and beyond.  If you want others to forgive you quickly then resolve to forgive others immediately when you are offended. If you want others to encourage you then encourage others when you see that they need it. I want to be like my Father in heaven and love others unconditionally.

Be the Kind of Friend that I Want to Have
I want to be the kind of friend that I want to have. My sister gave me some great advice today. She told me to make a list of things/attributes that I want in a friend. Then she told me to look at the list and take inventory and be the kind of friend that I want to have. If you want a friend who gives you thoughtful gifts then give them gifts. If you want a friend who is willing to spend time with you when you need it then give of your time as well. So I made a list and prayed and resolved to be a better friend this year and beyond by God's grace.

Thanks for reading and God Bless you in 2017 tremendously! Happy New Year!

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You Are Loved

If you're looking for love look up it's where it's always been. One of my hobbies is short films.I made this last Valentine's Day and I thought I'd share it with you guys. Even though it's not Valentine's Day we all need to be reminded that we are loved.I want you to know wherever you are whoever you are. God Loves You! You are so precious and God's wants the best for you!

Directed by and Starring:

Why I Ditched The Prom

My Story

This is the moment where you anxiously wait for your prince charming to ask you to the prom. Meanwhile you go to the mall and pick out the perfect dress. You’re full of joy as you plan out all the fashionable details accessories nails, shoes, dress, hair and makeup! You feel like a pampered princess! Finally you step into a fancy limo or your prince charming station wagon. Hey at least you’re with your prince charming right? Then you proceed to experience one the most magical days of your life. Is this what you imagine or experienced during your high school prom? The truth is I never experienced any of this, but I’m all the happier for it. Yes, I'm happier with no prince charming, no dress,no shoes and the best of no bill! Now I’m not dashing anyone who decided or decides to go to the prom. However, I do think that there are a lot of unrealistic perceptions when it comes to this event.

The fact of the matter is at 16, I decided not to go to the prom.

 I grew up in a household where God was more important than anything. In my childhood household  wisdom was preferred over custom. I didn’t go to parties at school or outside of school. I was accustomed to living a life that was about being selfless, glorifying God and focused on things that would have a positive influence on my future. A least this is what my parents wanted for me and in the end what I wanted as well. The prom itself didn’t seem to have a lot of positives couples were renting hotel rooms to spend the night together; the guys seemed to have ulterior motives, (besides I was to young to care about love) the music was going to sensual and ungodly. Not to mention the people who were setting up everything for the prom didn’t share my values at all. 

 Basically the verse that says avoid all appearance of evil was our household motto. Let me clarify that my upbringing by far was not a bad thing, it was actually the best. I got to see a world that was Christ centered and not conformed by society’s customs and idea of what a teen should experience. It was like living in the old days with a good ole old fashioned upbringing. I had the freedom to experience the real me and anti-conformity. So much so that when the prom came around I had no interest in it at all.

My friends offered to let me ride in their limo, and to help me find the perfect dress even offered to help pay for it. However, in the end none of that convinced me to go, because I saw that it wasn’t as important as society makes it be. The fact is you’re a princess despite whether you go or not. I think you must ask yourself what I am really missing. Is there anything that would derive from this experience that I have to have? Will this experience glorify God, keep me spiritually strong or strengthen my self-esteem? In conclusion what is most important while being a teenager in school?

I believe it is serving God and pleasing him first. So maybe the prom is not something you have to attend. Pray about it. This might make you look strange that’s okay. As an adult now I see that strange or different is so awesome.The most important thing in high school is representing God in a positive way and sharing his love and salvation with others. Whatever you decide you don’t have go to prom to still be an awesome princess! I spent the night of the prom with popcorn,movies and bonding with my family, and I’ve never regretted it.

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Image: Courtesy Google Images

The Virgin Mind

3 Steps To A Pure Mind

There is a lot of rave about purity now with purity rings, books and songs on waiting for marriage and being a virgin or celibate. The fact is there should be, but more importantly from the whole complete perspective. How many virgins have pushed the boundaries with their boyfriend? How many virgins’ minds have been defiled through bad company, bad television, explicit music or literature? How many virgins have yielded themselves to lust? God not only desires us to withstand from pre-martial and immoral sex, but from all impurity. You may be a virgin medically or physically, but are you a virgin mentally? Are better yet you may be celibate which is equally as honoring to God, but is your mind celibate? It’s not about what you’ve done it’s about what you’re doing and what you’re going to do. God forgives your past and gives you a future, but you have to repent that means to turn away from sin.

 A pure mind is important and the earlier you determine to have one the better. If you can transform your mind now it will be much easier and smoother in the future.

The mind is just as important as the body. God desires that both are holy.(1 Peter 1:16) In fact oftentimes physical actions start in the mind.

One of the main causes of mind corruption is fantasy. Oftentimes fantasy starts as something innocent and childlike, but in many cases that’s not how it ends. A little girl dreams of a prince, when she becomes a teen with hormones, that prince is transforms inot a rebel boyfriend who wants to sexually experiment. Her dream of a prince has morphed into to a good looking, slicking talking, bad boy rebel, who is intent on stealing her purity. Her idea of love eventually is reduced to physical and sexual promiscuity. Her mind becomes a wealth of dirty images. Or let’s switch this around a little boy starts off dreaming of a princess. As a teen he thinks a girl is pretty and that morphs into seeing her as a sexual object. Furthermore, maybe the devil teases you with flashbacks of your past mistakes. Well I want you to know that there is victory and you can have a pure mind and body.

The three major keys to success avoid or recover a corrupt and defiled mind.
 

1.)    Fill your mind with good things! Your favorite book should be the word of God. Yes, the bible it’s not as popular among teens, but it should be. The bible has the power to end bullying, depression, suicide, pre-marital sex, and more, but only if you invest your time in reading it and believing it. Going to church or youth group is not enough you must take out time purposely to read and talk to God.

Philippians 4:8 says: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2.)    Avoid bad things. AVOID all bad media that’s movies, music, games, literature etc. that display or even hint at sexual impurity and wickedness. You might say that narrows my entertainment down quite a bit, well it might make you do a little more research, but a lot of good is out there you just have to look.  
Psalms 101:31  says: I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

3.)    Pray Be honest with God and pray from the depth of your heart. Confess to God your thoughts and sin and accept his forgiveness. Pray for a desire to be free. Get someone to agree in prayer with you to have a free, pure, mind. Matthew 21:22 says: And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

If this article struck a chord in you, what are you going to do about it? Remember God can and will forgive you accept his forgiveness and turn away from your past sin. It’s not about who we’ve been, but who we will become. You can take control over your mind today by submitting it to God and his righteousness.

 Please comment and share any thoughts, experiences or encouragement!

Image:Google reusable free images


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Will The Real _________ ___________ Stand Up?

Will The Real _________ ___________ Stand Up?

Do you ever feel like you wear a mask in church and in the workplace or at school? Do you take off your mask when you're at home? Are you afraid to get close to people because you feel like they might see the real you? This is something known in the bible as hypocrisy. Hypocrisy means "the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform." Many people probably wouldn't think of themselves as a hypocrite, but if we uphold biblical standards of how a christian should act in the workplace, etc, but we're a different person at home, then we're being a hypocrite. Are we supposed to feel justified in letting out all the stress from our day on our family or roommate? Certainly no. In 1 Peter 1:22 it reads, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently." Unfeigned means genuine and fervent means enthusiastically. Why do we withhold this from our family sometimes? Are they not worthy of our genuine love as well?

Now will the real ____________ ____________ stand up? This should be the one who has a genuine love for the brethren and someone who does not love in just word, but in action, as well in the workplace, at school, at home, yes, at home. May the real you be striving to love and actively searching for ways to meet the needs of others no matter where you're at.



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A Single's Place

Diaries of a Single Girl Entry 1

Are you single? Do you feel lost among your friends,family and peers?Being single can be an awkward place sometimes. When everyone else seems sure and settled you're still searching. Where can a single person be found? Let's look at two common options.

Career
Many single women think their place is at their job. They believe a job will substitute for the empty spot beside them. The empty chair at the table. The empty passenger's seat. The empty bench at a game.  In that place they shove  their career and say this will be my companion. But can a job really fulfill, does it do overtime when you're out to eat by yourself?When you're alone at the movies is your career beside you? Howbeit when a bad snow storm hits and you're trapped in doors,what good is your job then? (Aside from the fortunate woman who can work from home of course) A career will not make you found,because it's not 100% reliable. People lose their jobs everyday and with it their hope. A career is not the answer to a lost single,because career does not make a single a double.

Constant Dating
 Dating the fun,awesome popular trend among singles. Dating is often  like a game of hide and seek. Dating offers you a shoulder to cry on ,a person to think on,a partner to hang with,that is  for the moment. Dating like a career is not steady it can end and begin at anytime,anywhere and for any reason. If you put your stability into a relationship that is not committed you get nothing in return. Constant and mindless dating is often  used as a crutch for the lonely,lost single.Truly if you believe God has a soul mate for you, you'd believe that he will find you wherever you are. Dating has one purpose to me and that is to find someone you can marry. I don't believe you should date if that's not your purpose.Dating is not a substitute for the unmarried single gal.Neither  is it the answer to become whole or validated. We were made for one and that one will find us when the time is right.When you use dating as a substitute instead of a permanent, the void often gets deeper. With each breakup you're lost again searching with an even greater need. To heal the wounds made by your previous relationship and to be found. Dating will not make the lost single lady found.Instead it will drag her through the dirt and all around.


Today you can be found. You can be found in Jesus he said I came to seek and save that which is lost. Any single woman  must know her place in God,before she can know herself in a romantic relationship. Single ladies you're not alone, if you're saved you have God. If you're not saved you are alone and only one can truly complete you and that's God. You might say but I need a physical body here with me. Someone I can cling to and know. God is more than enough and he made us with a greater need for him than a physical or romantic  need for a male.Put things into perspective seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. As God found you and sought after you, your future spouse will seek you and find you in the perfect time.



Written & Photography by :Yours Truly!

5 Ways to Stay Full of the Spirit of God

         
                                                 5 Ways to Stay Full of the Spirit of God

 When you eat breakfast has the thought ever occurred to you that it will keep you full until the next day? Probably not. Personally, I’ve more often than not heard my stomach grumbling if I don’t feed it at least three times a day. Or if you’re like me, you snack in between breakfast, lunch and dinner. The same principle applies to being full of the Spirit of God. If we spend time with Him in the morning it is definitely a great start but if we want to remain full of the Spirit we can utilize 5 simple steps to stay in the Spirit all throughout the day.

1.       Sing to God

One way to stay full of the Spirit is to sing spiritual songs.  We can sing to God all throughout the day. Whether you’re taking a shower, driving to work, waiting at the bus stop, or preparing dinner. Instead of turning on the radio, you can take some time to tune into heaven and sing from your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19 reads, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

2.       Be Thankful

Another way to stay full of the Spirit of God is to give thanks to God. One thing that I find myself doing is praising God throughout the day. Not only can you thank God verbally but you can thank God inwardly by having a thankful heart. When you wake up in the morning, is your heart thankful or are you constantly thinking about what is not right in the world. Phillipians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” If this verse is put into practice then nothing but praiseworthy thoughts will take precedence in our minds. If we remain thankful, we can stay full of the Spirit of God. A negative spirit can suck the joy out of your day and leave you feeling empty inside. Romans 5:20 captures this thought very well which says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

3.       Serve One Another

Ephesians 5:21 reads, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” If we serve one another out of fear of God we will stay full of the Spirit. In the morning, we can ask God to show us ways in which to serve one another. It can be as simple as committing to pray for a fellow believer or running an errand to ease someone else’s burden.  1 John 3:16 reads, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Sometimes we have our own agenda for the day, but we must stay open to assist our brethren when and if the time arises.

4.       Walk in Love

1 Peter 4:8 commands us to love one another deeply. Walking in love is an all-day affair. From the time we get up until the time we go to bed at night, we are to walk in love. We are to forgive, we are to ignore a suffered wrong, and we are to avoid being easily angered. We are to love the unlovable. We are to love in word and deed. We are to speak well of one another no matter what. We are to love others even if they don’t return our sentiments. We are to strive to love one another in the home, and if we offend we are to be quick to ask our brother or sister to forgive us. For when we walk in love we dwell in God for 1 John 4:16 reads, “…and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

5.       Acknowledge God in All Your Ways

Acknowledge God throughout your day. Remain aware of his abounding presence in your life. Meditate on God’s word throughout the day. Remain close to Him in prayer and fastings. Love him wholeheartedly and ask for his guidance throughout the day. If you draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to you and you will stay full of his Spirit. (James 4:8)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit;” Romans 5:18

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