UNTIL ALL KNOW

ALL HER LOVE IS FOR YOU!

LORD show yourself to her in a new way, something that she can't brush off, LORD show her that you are the song of her heart.

YOU are the only thing that has ever truly made her happy!

GOD has already filled every pain and ever broken part of her, this is a season to rejoice in what YOU have done. 

LORD show her that her past is REDEEMED. Her present MAKES SENSE. And that her future is SECURE!

She is ready for you to use her in every relationship that you put in her life! She is singing to the masses! Her heart will cry YOUR NAME! 

NOTHING ELSE LORD!!!!!!

She will not stop. LORD give her strength to carry on! Renew her, and show her this MIGHTY love! 

Show her that there is NOTHING on this earth that can replace you! She loves you so much.

Because your love is so much sweeter than ANYTHING she has tasted! She wants to know your heart LORD!

UNTIL ALL KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




AMAZED and OVERCOME
1. My sweet, sweet mother
2. Praying for all my friends as this "college" thing becomes real
3. Almonds and Craisins
4. Conversation ar the lunch table
5. Mom dropping my food
6. Laughter with my dear friends
7. The fact that God provides, and he provides for me
8. Kyle's sweet spirit
9. Jesus and this juicy peach candle
10. United Pursuit

Peace

Satan tells me that I am not qualified when Jesus tells me that HE is qualified and he works through me! I have been hearing that I should sit back and let someone else lead for a change, when I know Christ is calling me to lead. I have been slacking in so many aspects of my life, when Christ tells me to do the best I can, in his name. 

What is so amazing to me is that even when I have these difficult times in life, Christ literally opens up and tells me that I'm still his, he has been with me! He is taking care of me! I feel so safe, and secure, Satan tells me that it is "too late", but God is telling me that I am on his time. 

God has been showing me that it is soooooo okay for me to simply ask for help! Seems simple? Seems easy, right? For some, oh goodness yes! But for others pride (an issue that I was sure I didn't battle, ironic right?) steps in and says that "I'm too good to ask for help, or I'm beyond that. Don't worry Margaret, give it some time, you can fix this on your own!" When all I have to do is ask God to help me. Ask him to give me peace!

I am experiencing Gods peace in such beautiful ways, whether it be a song at 2 in the morning, an encouragement from a friend, a friendship being rebuilt, or people's hearts being opened. God is showing me his power and his presence in everything I do. I want more, I really mean that! I want more of you God. I want to live this lifestyle of love! I want to walk in Gods love, and I want him to show me what that looks like. 

I know God is calling me to be more bold in every situation he has placed me! And I know he will equip me. 

Nothing can separate me from my God, nothing can separate me from his love.  (Romans 8:39) How refreshing is that? I just want to rest in that!

I find myself complaining about being tired ALL. THE. TIME. And I hate it. It's like I say it, and then I realize how much I hate saying those words! I feel like it is a filler to me, if I don't have anything to say, I say "wow I'm tired."

       - but what if I am really tired? And I just need to rest in Gods love, and be renewed? I think that is totally okay! You can be tired, because when you go back for more and more of God he will continue to give you strength!

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves, no thing can compare. You're our living hope.

Your presence God. 

I want to be more aware of God presence! I want to feel him all around me and working through me at all times. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pcmUYDU-2DY

It's all about consciously saying Lord this is all for you! Everyday! I want to become more and more aware of your presence. Lord make me aware. I might of already shared this song with you guys, but I love it so much and it have been very important to me over the past few weeks!

Joy

"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field when a man found it he hit it again and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field"

Matthew 13:44

I love this verse, I love that the man in his JOY went and sold ALL that he had and bought the field. Ultimately, this man found Jesus, and found this love and grace, and said "Wow! I'm getting rid of everything else in my life, literally everything and buying into this, because this is absolutely amazing!" Nothing else matters when we find the best thing, we find that everything else that we were chasing after becomes meaningless, literally chasing after the wind! Imagine someone actually chasing after wind! How silly right? That's what I look like when I chase after prosperity, position, promotions, or popularity! All these things we chase after become so meaningless when you find the real thing! We want the real thing God, and we will fight for it!

When am I going to completely turn away, and sell everything else in my life that is hoarding my time and lying to me saying that it is more important than my time with God and tell these things they can't have that time anymore? When are we going to sell everything? 

In his joy he went and sold everything he had, Jesus was the new source of his joy! I just think that is the coolest thing ever. 

And the cool thing is that God can turn all of the things that we had before into tools for him, it's all about having God as The Lord of your life and then everything else will fall into place, you won't even have to worry about it. Because you know so well that God is going to take care of you and your situation!

I know God is going to take care of me, I know he is with me, God is moving in my life. Right here. On my porch. God is working. 

Thank you God for putting the people in my life that you have. I'm ready to put everything I have into buying this field because I know your Holy Spirit power is doing absolutely amazing things in my life, and preparing me for interactions I will have years from now. Thank you God for equipping me, for making me stronger, and for giving me a heart for the broken. 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VDiETOLBvxA

Joy

We're choosing celebration

Breaking into freedom

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

We cast aside our shadows

Trust You with our sorrows

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

We're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart

We're rising from the ashes to the stars

You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul

The joy joy joy making me whole

Though I'm broken, I am running

Into Your arms of love

The pain will not define us

Joy will reignite us

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

The dark is just a canvas

For Your grace and brightness

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

We're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart

We're rising from the ashes to the stars

You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul

The joy joy joy making me whole

Though I'm broken, I am running

Into Your arms of love

You're the joy

The song in my heart

The hope of my soul

In the shadows

In the sorrows

In the desert

When the pain hits

You are constant

Ever-present

You're the song of my heart

You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul

The joy joy joy making me whole

Though I'm broken, I am running

Into Your arms of love

Provider

-god of materialism-

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:21

Where is your treasure?

Try to answer that question for yourself before you read this.

We will come back to that subject, we are about to talk about a god of materialism, a god of the American dream. Money. Money seems to be the star of the American dream, am I right? of the 38 parables Jesus tells, 16 of them deal with this god of materialism. I mean, that is a lot of focus, that tells me that often Gods main competition for my heart could be materialism.

Materialism- a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.

That is the definition, considering material possessions and physical comfort as MORE important than spiritual values. Wow, that hits hard. It is so easy to get caught up in all the "things" of this world. We have talked before about how enticing the world is, people are attracted to the newest thing, even if what they have is perfectly functional. People want the best that there is, the newest thing out there. We want to possess all that we can, all of those voices, telling you, "you need more, more, more. She has more than you, the new iPhone is out, buy it, what you have is not good enough." That is a god of materialism, and I ask you this as well as ask myself this, how often do we worship the god of materialism rather than the Lord God?

"The key to keeping materialism in its right place is to remember that everything belongs to God."

Twice in the past week has this been brought up without me even starting the conversation, and don't you love when God starts repeating himself to get your attention? I LOVE when this happens, I don't think it is just coincidence, purely God. Can't you just imagine God saying "Oh, she did not pick that up the first time..... lets try that again Marge." Now that he has showed me this twice, I think it is pretty important to share with all of you!

We worship God as the Provider. And when we start to see every possession as Gods, it helps us develop an attitude of gratitude that leads to a heart of worship, directed at him. It may sound silly, but if you imagine putting on Gods clothes in the morning rather than yours, I guarantee you will care a whole lot less about what everyone will think about them, and how expensive they are. You will just want to wear them, and represent Christ! Because he has provided for you, all you will want to do is worship him.

Gratitude leads to a heart of worship, and the interesting part is that when your heart is focused on worship, there is no room for the god of materialism. When we worship the god of materialism, a person's worth is determined not by the symbol of the cross but by the symbol of a dollar sign, and that is the opposite of what Christ teaches us about worth, and finding worth in Him!

So here is the question I have been asking myself. Can I give thanks and be content with what I have? 

...but when you think about it, what do I actually have?

It's all about finding your treasure in him, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Photo of the Day!!!

I am combining my photo and my thankful thought into one today, because I have such awesome, supportive parents who look after me so well. I mean seriously, these two people are awesome. My dad is the funniest man I have ever met, and my mother is the most caring, passionate person I have ever met, the amount of things God has shown me through these two are immeasurable. It makes me so sad that sometimes I do not honor them like I should because they truly do deserve so much from me. I am proud to be their daughter, and I mean can we just look at how adorable they are?!?! The showed up to my show choir concert matching tonight! By the way the concert was amazing! I love show choir, but I was more excited to take a cute picture of my parents than with my friends at the end, haha. Anyway I love my parents!




Song of the Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8p3n5wzFpM


"Simplicity"
I come in simplicity
Longing for purity
To worship You
In spirit and truth
Only You
Lord strip it all away
'Til only You remain
I'm coming back
To my first love
Only You
You're the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I'll sing
Forever I'll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
I come with my broken song
To You the Perfect One
To worship You
In spirit and truth
Only You
Only You
Give me a childlike heart
Lead me to where You are
Cause I'm coming back
To my first love
Only You
You're the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I'll sing
Forever I'll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
How I love You
How I love You
How I love You
My first love
You're the reason I sing
The reason I sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You
And forever I'll sing
Forever I'll sing
Yes my heart will sing
How I love You




power in simplicity...

The Sound of Heaven Touching Earth

Spirit Break Out (link)


God, I am giving everything over to you, I am putting my life IN your hands, the same hands that hold this universe. I refuse to search for worth in the gutters of this world when you are EVERYTHING. My life will be dedicated to you. I refuse to allow the devil to whisper in my ear, I refuse to believe the dreams that he puts in my head at night. God walk with me, come dwell with me, lead me, give me joy. I will find strength in you, and you alone. Father I know I cannot do this on my own. I am nothing without You. Lord give me compassion, give me your patience. Let your Holy Spirit dwell in me. If I fill up my life with anything but you I know that I will just be chasing the wind. You are substance. God help me become more like you everyday. Give me the fire Lord, build me up through devotion and discipline. Teach me to be effective with my prayers. Father I know you have a purpose for my life, and there is power in purpose. You have placed power in me. Help me to grow stronger in you everyday. Plant me in your word God, allow my roots to run deep, and to always desire more and more of you. God I am giving you my burdens, and I know that you will remove my anxiety. Replace my fear with confidence Lord, help me to obey what you want me to do, and teach me to depend on YOU in everything I do. All things big and small. You are good, you are good, you are good. Help me walk in love Lord.

There is room for your soul, it expands, you can breathe again. You can rest. It is good. All is well.

MVP

God is The real MVP

"For YOU have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I SING for joy."

Psalm 63:7

Often times we tend to focus on ourselves, you find yourself in a mindset where you are the hero or heroine, and something tells you that asking for help would be admitting weakness, which would perhaps cause someone to think that you are not qualified...which sometimes to me, sounds like the worst thing possible... So instead, I hide my lack of knowledge, put on my mask of strength, and forge ahead. Listening to that voice of a hero or heroine feels right at first. She sounds so noble! So strong! She can handle this right? Sometimes she can, and that gives me confidence to trust her again. But her ultimate goal is to mask the weakness, to hide what she cannot control, to appear stronger than she really is. This hero or heroine tells us we have to know everything, and when we don't, we have to hide. Heroines do not want to be high maintenance, they do not want to be seen as needy or weak or unable to handle things.

The Hero carries everything. It is like getting on a subway, where you will need to stand until you get to your destination, and you have a backpack FULL of heavy school books, but you keep that backpack on your back, ultimately making your back sore when you could of set it at your feet for the ride, and take off a load. It just sounds like common sense, but when we apply that same situation to our burdens in life, suddenly that becomes complicated.

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Jesus said that guys...

God is already carrying my load, why do I insist on carrying it too? Hahahaha that is just so unnecessary!! I can just hand all of it over! That is just so cool to me. The voice of the hero tries to convince us to hold onto control in every situation, to manage every event and person around us. God is not welcome to interrupt the life of the hero. And yeah, that sound like tough crackers, but think about it...the hero has his schedule planned out, he does not like disruptions. God does not ask us to carry burdens. He does not ask us to come up with a plan. He simply asks us to come. Sometimes admitting that weakness is the doorway that the Lord will use to work in your life.

Jesus is calling you to a deeper, truer, freer identity. ALL he wants is simply you- minus your good works, minus your perfect attendance, minus your politeness, minus your right answers, minus your strength, minus your good looks. He wants you!

When you really believe that, you may discover that ALL you want is Jesus, simply Jesus. Not just to get into heaven or to help you be a good person, or to do the right thing, but simply...love, and be loved by Him.

If we put our faith in our intellect, we will never be fully satisfied. When we put our faith in God, we will overflow.

And when it is hard to have faith, remember that just because it does not make sense to you does not mean it does not make sense at all. Sometimes the most intellectual thing we can do is to be at peace with the questions, to say fully and confidently, "I don't know, but I trust God anyway." It is about telling yourself... " I don't know how this story will end, but I know enough about the storyteller to TRUST."

Photo of The Day




Song Of The Day

This IS my favorite song of the moment, and has been for a few months, granted I have a lot of favorite songs...this song, oh my goodness. Please listen to it, it is just so good. You know when you really like the beat of a song, or the chorus, or the first verse? I love EVERY part of this song, everything about it! Goodness it is so good. Anyway give it a listen and I will give you a hug! I mean I really don't have words, it's totes my fave...

PILGRIM DAYS (link)

Brother sisters join this song
As we journey home
Brother sisters join this song
As we journey home

Hold my hand and walk with me
Till my pilgrim days are done
And there I’ll find this jubilee
Until my chains you’ll see undone

I walk towards eternity
With hands held high
Unashamed I will enter in
With love on my side

Hold my hand and walk with me
Till my pilgrim days are done
And there I’ll find this jubilee
Until my chains You’ll see undone

I walk this path you lead
and You keep moving me on
I know You’re with me
Lord in Zion

To Him who sits on the thrown
To Him who reigns forever
To Him who sits on the thrown
To Him who reigns forever

Blessing and honor and glory and power

Thankfulness

I am thankful for my amazing friends and family, who support me all the time. I am thankful for encouragement and laughter! 

Dying to Self

Letting It Go

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realties of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who IS your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (NLT)

Since, then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things of above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ an God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, the you also will appear with him in glory. (NIV)

Colossians 3:1-4 I really liked both of these translations, and even though they are very similar I wanted to include both.

Things of heaven, things of heaven, things of heaven, set my thoughts on things of heaven. Set my heart on things of heaven. Earthly things tend to cloud up my mind, confuse me, and leave me so worried. Worried about how everything will work out, and scared. The world is so sad, but Christ gives us little pieces of heaven to ponder on daily until heaven is fully revealed when Christ comes.

You guys, I absolutely love music, it is truly one of my favorite things. Playing an instrument, listening to other people play music, listening to Pandora, singing in show choir, singing in church choir, all of it! To me music is a little piece of heaven, it is something that will always connect me to God, it is very special to me. People can worship God in anything they do, and when you ask most people what worship is, they will probably say something about music or singing. Which is a totally valid answer, because music and singing, are ways to worship Christ. To me, worship is really and attitude of your heart, a reflection of your heart. Worship can take place in everyday conversations, playing music, playing your favorite sport... and the list goes on and on. Music means a lot to me, and most of the time when I am singing a song, or playing music, I can close my eyes, and see a little piece of heaven. I love music, when I use music to glorify God, He shows me a piece of heaven. I imagine that if you dedicate something that you truly love to God, he will show you heaven through that thing.

Eternal things. Most days I find myself drifting into the ways of the world. Things of this world seem so enticing, but what is cool, is that when you set your mind on things of above, you will want more and more. Once you see that little piece of heaven, you will want more.

My human nature tells me to follow along with the ways of the world, Colossians tells us that when you have been raised with Christ, you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When you accept Christ, and decide to live for him, and I mean really live for him, your life becomes hidden in him, you die to yourself, you die to this world, and you become a part of Christ.

My mom recited this poem the other day, and now I am learning it, I love poetry, it is something that I have always enjoyed, but I love to memorize things. I love memorizing scripture, and quotes and prayers, and poetry. Lately I have really been enjoying poetry, but this is the Prayer of Saint Francis.

LORD, make me an instrument of your  peace
Where there is hatred, let me show love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
In pardoning we are pardoned
In dying to self we are born into eternal life.

I absolutely love this prayer, but the part that I think applies to this blog post the most would be, for God to grant not that I be understood, but for me to understand, not for me to seek love from others, but to love others! When we die to ourselves, we are born to eternal life. It does not matter if the world understands me, it does not matter if the world loves me, God understands me and God loves me!!

When we die to ourselves we are born into eternal life.

Photo of The Day






Song of The Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbMvFdRDvg

Thank You for the cross that You have carried
Thank You for Your blood that was shed
You took the weight of sin upon Your shoulders
And Sacrificed Your life so I could live

Now nothing is holding me back from You
Redeemer of my soul
Now nothing can hold me back from You
Your Love will never let me go

Thank You for Your death and resurrection
Thank You for the power of Your blood
I am overwhelmed by Your affection
The Kindness and the Greatness of Your Love
The Kindness and the Greatness of Your Love

Thank You that we’re living in Your Kingdom
Jesus You’re the King upon the throne
Thank You for the way You always love me
Now I get to love You in return
Now I get to love You in return

Jesus, You make all things new

-Jesus makes all things new, you, me, everything. He is everything! I am so thankful for living in his kingdom! There is nothing holding me back from Christ and I am running towards him.



Thankfulness

I am thankful for my youth group, and how excited they are. Even when you are sick and do not feel great, they will make you feel loved, and special. Seriously some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I really want to learn with them this year, and invest in all of their lives.

REACH

When the Pain Seems to be Too Much

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

James 1:17

I understand that pain comes, hurt comes, it is a part of this life, hard times will come. When something devastates your world, our human nature tends to tell us to stay sad for awhile. There is a small voice in your head that is telling you it is okay to live in pain for awhile, because "boy, after what you just went through, you deserve to be sad for a few days, months...". Suddenly you look back over the past year, and say, "Wow, all I was doing was feeling sorry for myself." I refuse to let myself think that anymore. Man, God has just been really putting on my heart that, WE DO NOT HAVE TO HURT!!!! He gives us so much, EVERY good thing bestowed and EVERY perfect gift is from Christ, it all comes from him! God offers healing, healing through Christ, and that is more than we could ever imagine. This world offers us the shifting sands of happy years, and crisis. When you live by this world, one day you may find yourself in the gutters of it, whereas the next you might find yourself on a mountain having the time of your life. That is just how unreliable this world is. God offers us the pure joy of knowing him, and here is the thing with God, He will never turn on you. He is perfect, He is consistent, and He is consistently pursuing you!

WHY would you remain in a spiritual pit when God offers you perfect gifts? When we truly put our faith in Christ, such amazing things happen. Let me tell you a story, do not skip over it because you have heard it a hundred times, really read it, read it out loud, let the Spirit work.

A woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crown and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"... Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

By the way this woman traveled 25 to 30 miles to even get to Jesus. Think about a terrible pain, something that has hurt you, imagine that happening to you for twelve years... imagine going to doctor after doctor, giving them all your money, and you just cannot get better. Imagine what a hopeless situation. This woman did not give up, she did not say "Oh well, I guess I will just die this way." She put everything she had left, every ounce of faith that remained in her being, into believing that Jesus would heal her.When will we put everything we have left into Christ? When will we give him everything we have, all the hurt and all the pain? When will I reach out and touch his cloak? Don't you want to hear Jesus turn to you and say Margaret, daughter, your faith has healed you! Go in peace and be freed from your sin. FREEDOM, everyone wants it, few realize it is sitting right in front of you. I encourage you to think about that, that is the offer that Christ has thrown on the table. If you can bring anything from this world that can beat that, let me know, but I am just going to tell you, He beats it all. We do not have to hurt, he has so much more for us. When you reach out in faith and touch the edge of his cloak, when you search for Christ wholeheartedly, not only will you find him, he will free you.

Photo of The Day

Song of The Day

I feel like this song is perfect for this post, one of my favorites, and totes worth a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QDnVD7gu5Y

By grace alone somehow I stand

Where even angels fear to tread

Invited by redeeming love

Before the throne of God above

He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands

Into His everlasting arms

When condemnation grips my heart

And Satan tempts me to despair

I hear the voice that scatters fear

The Great I Am the Lord is here

Oh praise the One who fights for me

And shields my soul eternally

Boldly I approach Your throne

Blameless now I'm running home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your own

Into the arms of majesty

Behold the bright and risen Son

More beauty than this world has known

I'm face to face with Love Himself

His perfect spotless righteousness

A thousand years, a thousand tongues

Are not enough to sing His praise

Boldly I approach Your throne

Blameless now I'm running home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your own

Into the arms of majesty

This is the art of celebration

Knowing we're free from condemnation

Oh praise the One, praise the One

Who made an end to all my sin

Boldly I approach Your throne

Blameless now I'm running home

By Your blood I come

Welcomed as Your own

Into the arms of majesty

  

Thankfullness

I am thankful for this blog, and what an awesome tool it is to share what God has been telling me!

You are always LOVED, always TREASURED, always BLESSED

Seriously Blessed

"Honor your father and mother..."

Ephesians 6:2

Today was an amazing day, but tonight, tonight was an AMAZING night, I sat at my desk for hours, reading, reading, reading, singing, playing guitar, and a lot of writing. 

As I was looking through some of my journals I found one of my favorites, it is black on the outside, and extremely stretched out from all the little things I have put in there over the last few years, I normally have about three journals going at a time. My ongoing black journal I have just mentioned, which is all about people in my life, things they have given me and moments we have shared. A blue journal, which I write my day to day life in, so I can look back and see what I did at this time last year, and how I have grown. And then my spiritual journal, which has an apple and a pear on the front to represent the fruit of the spirit, and contains many of my thoughts durning my quiet times, and notes, from sermons, lessons, and just my general thoughts. 

But tonight I decided to share what I had written about my parents in my black journal with them, so I went in their room and sat on their bed, and just started talking.  It started out pretty funny. I told them some different a things, showed them pictures I had drawn, things that I had written and they both laughed, but then while I was reading, epically about my father, I started to cry, because in that moment, I realized how extremely blessed I am with the parents I have. 

I continued to read, cry, and laugh for awhile until my dad sent me to go get him some tea. Haha. But I just had to share this moment with you. Also I wanted to document it.

I am preparing for M25, a mission trip that my youth group goes on every year to Atlanta to minister to the homeless, a trip that I look forward to every year. But I have been preparing for it this year more than ever, God has really been showing me that M25 is EVERYWHERE, not just 4 days in the summer in Atlanta, but rather 365 days a year, everywhere I go. Those who lead, constantly serve. I have really been praying for a servants heart lately. I want to be a servant to anyone and everyone. The Lord is equipping me to be a better servant in my own backyard, and he is teaching me to do it with an open heart. 

What a beautiful story. What a beautiful night. I am so thankful. 

Photo of The Day

Something I have been thinking about a lot lately, no matter what you do, people will be watching, people will be talking. When does that become a problem? When you let what others say define you. You cannot let that defeat you. YOUR identity lies in CHRIST! You and God. You know your heart, not the people around you, YOU! You and God, you and God, you and God. That is all that matters. 

Song of The Day

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Du7XFPXWsW0

Pressing On

Bread of life
I’m so tired of false comfort
Bread of life
I’m so tired of second best
Bread of life
I want to feed on your body
And find the only true life that exists

Everything I’ve ever known
I lay it down before you lord
This world has nothing I desire
I believe there’s more then this
I’m trusting in every word you say
It’s the hope that keeps us moving
I want to choose you in the morning
I want to choose you in the day
I want to choose you when I lay my head down

Bread of life come and capture me again
Bread of life come and capture me again

I’m pressing on, I’m moving on
I’ve made up my mind your what I want

We’re holding nothing back
We’re Letting go our rights
Stepping out of fear
Out into the light

Sometimes we got to let go, let go
To hold on

Make up your mind. I've made up mine. He is what I want, because he is it!!

CREATIVITY

Mind Blown

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. 

Psalm 139:13&14

It is so extremely hard for me to even imagine being shy, I wonder if a shy person would be nervous to do half the things that I do, and consider normal? I think, literally all the time, about just different personalities. What I have gathered from all this thinking is that I am very different, it makes me laugh, I don't think twice about talking to someone, speaking my mind (which is not always good haha) , being loud, having a good time, meeting new people, or talking to strangers. I am super "outgoing". I could literally talk to a wall for hours, most people probably start talking to me, and then after 10 or 15 minutes of me going on and on about something they probably wish they never would of said hello. I absolutely love when people really invest in my life, and genuinely care. I enjoy that feeling of someone caring for me, maybe that is why I enjoy caring for others. 

Talk about people investing in my life. God is literally pursuing me right now, crossing the oceans, crossing the universe! That is an investment. 

I have really come to realize that nobody is truly "just like me"! Which sounds dumb, like "duh Margaret, we are all different", but we are like DIFFERENT! A friend at work told me how he thought it was interesting that all five of my siblings and I turned out so different, and I never really thought about it, but we are all so different!! Yet we all came from the same parents, lived in the same house and so on. 

Maybe you have thought about this more, but it has been consuming my mind lately! I really can't put it into words how I feel, God made ME. 

God. Made. Me. 

Oh my goodness, we call some people on this earth "creative", but look at what God has done, created each and everyone of us. And we are all SO DIFFERENT! He created, creativity!!!So creative!!!!! He molded us into what we are! 

 

God knit me together, this may sound strange, but girl, I knit a lot.  My Mema taught me how to knit when I was pretty young and ever since then, I have done a lot of knitting. One thing that I love about knitting, is that while I am doing it, I hold the needles in my hand, and I feel the yarn, and I know I have control over whatever I am making, I know I can make it into anything I want, after I am done, I hold up that scarf  or hat, whatever it might be, and say wow, I made this. I have touched every little fiber of  yarn.

I AM THE SCARF!

God held me up and said, look at this beautiful scarf that I have created!! I have created everything about her, and I think she is beautiful. 

If that isn't investment, I don't know what is. 

 

People talk about being "mind blown", where they don't comprehend something very well so they just say "mind blown", and that gets the point across that they can't describe it, because they can't put it into words. Well I am totally mind blown. I hope some of this makes sense, because I have been thinking about all of this a lot lately, but if not, hey! We can be mind blown together!

Photo of The Day

This is my sweet, sweet Mema. I take her supper a few nights a week, and lately I have just really enjoyed going over to her house, probably because she likes to talk just as much as I do and we get along very well. She makes me laugh a lot. I don't know, I thought I should share this beautiful woman with you!

Song of The Day

I love this song, it holds a special place in my heart, there are not a ton of words, but there is power in this simplicity, for sure. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCiOL7PIi0o

I lean not on my own understanding
My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven

I give it all to You God
trusting that you'll make something beautiful out of me

There's nothing I hold on to
There's nothing I hold on to
There's nothing I hold on to
There's nothing I hold on to

I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open

I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open 

MY LIFE is in the hands of the maker of heaven. My life is in the hands of the maker of you. My life is in the hands of the maker of me. 

Think about it. 

What I'm Thankful For

Christlike people, who do nice things, and encourage me. 

Also laughter, I was thinking today how much I LOVE laughter. 

We Have a Comforter

Oppression 

"Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors- and they have no comforter."

 Ecclesiastes 4:1

Ecclesiastes 4, verses 1 through 12, hit me so hard. The first time I read this verse, I thought about the word oppression. Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment. Oppression causes mental pressure, and distress. 

I think about the people around me who do not know Christ, they wake up everyday and face oppression, and I wake up everyday and see their tears, I see them hurting, but what am I doing about it? I WANT them to know Christ, but somehow, I let myself think, "Oh it might be awkward, I don't know what they might think, if I bring up Christ."

Sometimes in our human minds we somehow try to define God, but what we don't understand is that HE defines us! He created this world and everything in it! And yet, I try to put him into my little "God box". 

How can I not share this amazing God with everyone I know!? These people have no comforter! They literally need Jeaus, more than anything else! 

This may sound silly, but if you literally had the cure for cancer. I don't know you are storing it in your refrigerator or something, but if you had it, you would not just let it sit there on the shelf!!! You would share it with everyone who had cancer!!!

If you know Christ, if you have tasted this amazing God, how can you not share? 

We are made to tell others about Christ, we need this community of believers around us, commit to him! 

If you are not chasing God, you are just chasing the wind. 

Photo of The Day

This was the group that we took to centrifuge, I love each and everyone of them, I am so blessed to be a part of this family. I am so very excited to learn more with them and grow in Christ together. 

Song of The Day

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d5bu2CEMvpw

Safe from all the raging storms
Find me in Your loving arms
Free from all my doubt and fears
I have found a haven here

Hallelujah
He is with me
I am not alone

Your Love is sweeter than honey
Your Love is stronger than death
Your Love lifts me of my burdens
Teaches me To dance


Lockstep with my God and King
Move in perfect harmony
Feel the rhythms of His Heart
Know the Joy that He Imparts

Hallelujah
He is with me
I am not alone

Your Love is sweeter than honey
Your Love is stronger than death
Your Love lifts me of my burdens
Teaches me To dance

Your Love is sweeter than honey
Your Love is stronger than death
Your Love lifts me of my burdens
Teaches me To dance
To Dance

I absolutely love this song, his love is sweeter than honey, and it is stronger than death, he teaches me to dance through everything. This song, calms me down, and reminds me how blessed I am. I love it, love it, love it!

Thankful Thought of The Day

Kyle will be coming home from Wyoming this week, I am so thankful for the time that he has spent there, I know God is working in his life, and I am excited to hear all about it! I do miss him though, and I am ready to see him!

Work Hard!

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

I am leaving in the morning for Centrifuge camp. I'm pretty excited to go! It is such a wonderful opportunity for me to grow closer to my youth group and grow in my personal relationship with God. 

This verse has been on my heart lately, and I have camp in mind so this is what I am taking from it (this verse is also an awesome example of a verse that you can read 1000 times and take something different from it every time, it has encouraged me manyyyyyy times.)

Many kids go to a camp like this for the first time, and trust me, they will feel something. There is just something about "camp". You know you are surrounded by people who basically share the same beliefs as you, and so that is why I have been thinking lately, "camp" is the easy part. 

"Camp" is one week in the summer where you go off, away from your family for a week and have some fun,and learn a lot about God.

But if that is where it stops...

If the highlight of your year as a Christian is "camp", man, you have missed some awesome opportunities...

Kids go off to camp and have this amazing experience, and then somehow, a year has passed and it is time to go again, and you find yourself in the camp-cycle, BUT! Keep asking and you will recieve! Keep knocking! Wake up EVERYDAY, and say, "this one is for you God! I'm taking camp with me everywhere!"

We have to BRING IT BACK!

Bring "camp" back to your town, and your family and your church!! Share what you learn! Build relationships! And exemplify Christ!

Photo of the Day

Today durning my Chick-Fil-A break God was really showing me some things that he has ready for me to do.

"Work hard and become a leader."

Proverbs 12:14

I was planing on reading more than a few verses during break, but as soon as I hit this one... It all made sense, God has placed me where he has for a reason, and right now, I know he wants me to start working hard! Work hard at Chick-Fil-A, to build relationships in my workplace and make an impact. And also, (and my main focus for this week...) The younger people in my youth group, I know God wants me to be a leader, and I want to build relationships with them! They are all such awesome girls and guys! I'm so excited for this week! Keep my youth group and myself in your prayers. Love you guys!!

Song of the Day

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1b2M93tjzF0&feature=kp

Holy Design
This place in time
That I might seek and find
My God, my God

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord, I want to yearn

Your joy is mine
Yet why am I fine?
With all my singing and bringing grain
In lights of Him

I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You

Oh, You give life and breath
And in You we live and move
That's why I sing

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord, I want to yearn

I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord, I want to yearn

Thankful thought of the Day

I am so thankful for the opportunity to go to camp and to build these relationships!

Inner

Crimson stain

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and morrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires"

Hebrews 4:12

The Bible is the most personal book you will ever read. I can read the same passage and take a different message from it every time I read it. Because the word of God is alive and powerful. It will apply to every situation in your life, whatever difficulty you're going through you will find comfort in reading the Bible. When I am most stressed out, the most comforting thing is going and taking a moment to myself and reading. 

I'm pretty much a night owl, the last few nights I stayed up way past 12 o'clock. When I can't sleep I'm almost always reading, normally I sit at my desk, light my candle, read, and pray. 

It is so quiet. 

When you read the Bible it's going to make you think, it will expose your innermost thoughts and desires. When I think of the word "expose", normally I think "to make known", but the beautiful thing about a relationship with the Lord is, it is you and him. It is personal. It is the most peaceful, comforting, and beautiful thing you will ever be able to embrace. 

Reading your Bible is a beautiful way of getting to know your Lord more. When you learn more about him you will fall more and more in love with him. 

Photo of The Day

Pure. 

The picture goes along with the song today, when you listen to the song, which I'm sure most of you have heard before, (Although this is one of my favorite versions of the song- Kings Kaleidoscope ) really listen to the words, really concentrate, and imagine a field covered in snow. Think about how pure untouched snow looks. 

Song of The Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM6ZtLnRBTk

 

I hear the Savior say, 
“Thy strength indeed is small; 
Child of weakness, 
watch and pray, 
Find in Me thine all in all”. 

Lord, now indeed I find, 
Thy power and Thine alone, 
Jesus died my soul to save, 
And melt my heart of stone. 

Jesus paid it all, 
All to Him I owe. 
Sin had left a crimson stain, 
He washed it white as snow. 
And when before the throne, 
I stand in Him complete, 
Jesus died my soul to save, 

my lips shall still repeat: 
Oh praise the One, 
who paid my debt, 
And raised this life up from the dead.

Today I am thankful for my Chick-Fil-A family, I am so excited to grow even more with my fellow team members, I am so thankful for our leadership and the foundation of the corporation. It is more of a ministry than a business to me. I am very happy that God has placed me where he has.