eVeRlAsTiNgLoVe

Old Posts From The Others (Davin's Story)

2011-01-16T15:46:00.000-06:00

Sunday, June 6, 2010

God you are more powerful than I could ever imagine

Ever been in the moment when you feel like something must just be done? A moment when God leads you to do something a little bit unusual and out of routine is what I'm speaking of. Have you ever acted upon this call? I have. My name is Kelly Ashlyn, and I am sixteen years old. I was driving down the road one night, and I felt as if God put a need in my heart and wanted me to pray about it, believing that he could go above and beyond what I was asking for. I started praying for my peers and for God to open up the heavens that night. I asked that he would "move powerfully throughout his house" and just do something amazing--so amazing that no one could deny that it was anybody or anything but God. I got to church. I went in and began just helping out, like I always do until service starts. Then I take a seat and wait for the band to start off our worship service. So, anyways, I was worshiping and we were about on the second song when our youth pastor comes up and says that he feels led to make the altar open for those who want to get closer to God. He begins explaining what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and have the evidence of speaking in tongues. Usually, Everyone steppes back to clear the altar, but this time, only about three or four moved that had already received this gift. I, being one of them, begin praying with my friends for they to receive it as well. It was a powerful moment. There was a point where I had just stepped back and looked around. My mouth flung wide open because I could not believe my own eyes. I told the Lord, "God you are more powerful than I could ever imagine." When it comes to prayer and faith now, I believe that we can only do the possible, but we have a heavenly father that can do the impossible if we just ask. I also believe that we are never too young to be used by God. My name is Kelly Ashlyn, and this is how God used me to minister to my peers.

Posted by Kelly Ashlyn. at 4:53 AM 0 comments Friday, September 11, 2009

Serving=Leading. Too good to be true? nah.

I would have never seen myself as a leader until recently. When I think of leaders, I think about the popular, the outgoing, the political canidates, the student council, the honor clubs, competition, drive, determination....I see firefighters, doctors, pastors, teachers. What I don't see is the young, the average, the volunteer, the servant. I always have heard that serving is leading, but I never took into account how much the resembnlence and connection between the two. This is because I was looking at the world's leaders. We all know the world's view is messed up anyways. So to see what a leader looks like, look at the example in Matthew 20:

25But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus obviously sees a leader as a servant. Serving is part of leading-think about it for a moment...God in the flesh, a servant? Oh yeah! Serving being part of leading can be confusing, I know, but the more you think about it the more it makes since. When you're at an event, and you see someone wiping down the tables, it makes you want to grab a rag and help out. Before you know it, you have a team washing dishes and moping floors. It is contagious, and I love it! I started reading serveal weeks ago Help! I'm a student leader. by Doug fields. I realized the same thing as Alyissa did as I read the first chapter over and over again.

Posted by Kelly Ashlyn. at 9:16 AM 0 comments Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Davin's Great Faith

Davin is now seventeen. He has been really blessed with the life that he has. He's done a lot for this world of his since we heard about him from the year before. Now he is considering going to a third world country with his youth group and his dad. He wants to do this so bad, that he never really thought seriously about his safety. All that he knew was that God loved him , and he wanted to show other people how much he loved them. His mother was very hesitant about it, but she let him put in an application and eventually gave him her yes in time to meet the deadline for the deposit. One night, he had just finished eating dinner. His mother was on the couch, looking over some bills. She said, "Come here and sit down. Tell me what you think." Davin moved from his bar stool at the island, and went and sat on the autumun. He said, "Think about what?" His mother looked at him and said, "What do you think about his trip?" He thought about it for a minute and told her how he thought it would be great and any other ideas that came to his mind. She continued, " You know Davin, that it is going to be hard on us right now. Money's tight. Not only do you have to pay for the trip, but also will be a lot of vaccinations, which you never liked shots. On top of all that, people are getting laid off their jobs...this is not the greatest time for a trip like this. Will you be disappointed if you, for some reason, did not get to go?" Davin really never considered any of this, and was just about to say no, but instead he said this. "I will not be disappointed! If this is what God wants, for me to go to this place, then nothing can stop it. No money, no illness, not anything can keep me from going. He will provide mother. Just like he has done for us always. If I don't go, that's not my choice or your choice to make." He got up and went on his way as usual. He started to study some Spanish, then switched to playing the computer until bedtime. At night, he prayed before he slept as he always did. This night, it was a little longer than normal. He said, "God, I don't know how I am going to do this, but I'm trusting you." Davin trusted God, and a few months later it came time for the support letters. He sent them out, continuing his prayer and trusting in God. The next week, checks poured in. There was not a single day that someone didn't send their financial support. Upon hearing this, Davin was shocked. He realized that his small act of faith made the results happen even better than his own timing. God wants to hear from you. He wants you to trust him, for he is the light in our chaos and confusion. What else could be more reliable than him? 'Cause I sure cannot think of anything myself....

Posted by Kelly Ashlyn. at 5:21 PM 0 comments Home Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Where do you belong?

2010-07-22T12:08:00.001-05:00

Love works in subtle ways, and never goes completely unnoticed. Love is usually taken lightly. Love is amazingly unchanging. It is powerful beyond measure. It is the one thing that's worth both living and dying for. Everyone wants to be loved, but no one wants to humble themselves and give love. If no one gives love, no one recieves love. If no one recieves love, then they forget who love is. When no one remembers who love is, then they are lost. For the many no ones out there, love gives hope. Love gave everything up for you. You may not know love but, love knows you. Love sees you right where you are at. You may not see love, but it doesn't mean love doesn't exist. Love has faith. Love has a timing and purpose for everything. Love is not evil. Love is compassionate. No ones are selfish, but love is not proud; it does not boast. Everyone, including the no ones, claims they want to live like love, but only a handful of the everyones will change themselves to act like love. Where do you belong? Are you a no one or are you in the handful of everyones? Are you like love, or do you just claim your like love? Again, I ask you, where do you belong?

Looking Back on Summer 2009 and forward to Summer 2011

2009-12-03T11:11:00.000-06:00

Now that the adults are starting up the Honduras trip again, I can't help but to think back to my own experience. I could never really sum it up in a nutshell until now. Lots of things happened while we were gone, but I found this poster in my spanish class, and it just sums it all up.

Some prayed, but it wasn't my religion.

They spoke, but it wasn't my language.

They ate, but it wasn't what I ate.

They dressed, but it wasn't always what I wore.

They shook my hand, but it wasn't the color of mine.

But when they laughed, it was the way I laughed,

And when they smiled, It was the same way I smiled.

And when they cried, it was the way we cried.

When they played, it was they way we played.

This is because no matter how we look, inside we're all the same.

And I just have to sit back and agree. Could anything sum it up any better? We all have things in common, no matter where you go. So this thought gets me all excited about 2011 when I get to go back, and for next summer, when my mom may be going with them. In the meantime, I studing all the spanish I can to break the "Language Barrier" that really aggravates you the whole time. Those who go will get a good understanding of this. The thing I just wish I could have done was spoke and been well understood. Telling people the real reasons why we were there and how much God loves them--that he's not hateful and slow to anger, quick to forgive, and has love that is unfailing. Yeah, that's just about it.

2009-11-12T10:37:00.000-06:00

Today is a glorious day that he has made. I look around to see what majesty surronds me. The oceans declare greatness, the rocks praise, the grass sways with worship...the sun shines the brightest that it can, the birds sing songs of joy, and my soul rejoices at the sight. To think that my daddy loved me so much that he made this so I could adore it in these few moments as I rode to school. Is that amazing or what!??? I wish I could have stayed outside most of the day. In this he reminded me of how great he is and that I am his child, that there is nothing worth worring over. Today's challenge: slow down...take a moment to seek his face and see everything he has made.

A Vision Defined

2009-11-10T10:24:00.001-06:00

I had a dream one night, one that got me thinking. There was a girl stumbling along a dark road. She was tired and couldn't walk much further. Falling to her knees, she cries out, "God, help me." She was so lost in the choas that she didn't notice the man who appeared behind her. He wore a white robe, and the rain didn't touch him as he walked over to the child. As she continued sobbing, he picked her up off the ground and says, "My child, let's get you inside and dried off." I started thinking about this as I listened to the song He Carried Me. I couldn't help but to see myself in the girl. I mess up, I stumble, and I eventually fall knowing I can't make it on my own. I remembered at the moment how God is always there waiting on me to ask for his help. When I call on him, he picks me up and he carries me through it all. He's always there to brush me (in this case, dry me) off. And I can feel his fatherly love as he takes care of me just like he did the little girl. It just really got me thinking that maybe I need to let him carry me when life gets tough and I can't walk that extra step, so I fall into the mud. And then when its over, I'll say He carrried me throught it all.

No reason why

2009-10-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night, a friend of mine came up behind me and said, "I love you girl." I turned toward her and said, "Why do you love me?" I was thinking at the time, "What did I do to have you say that?". She said, " I dunno, I just do." Then in service I started thinking about it. God's saying the same thing to me. He tells me often I love you, and as humans we ask the question "Why?". And God's reponse is nothing more than because I just love you. How great is that? To think that Almighty God, loves you, and you did nothing to deserve it. If that isn't the best reason I ever heard, "because I love you", I don't know what could be much greater. I say that I know that he loves me, but how often do I really think about it? Not that much honestly. And yet, he never forgets to remind me of it. It's like telling your loved one how much you love them--the more you say it, the more it sticks. You can't take credit for something you didn't deserve so I find that it is absoultely amazing that he loves me because he just loves me. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Night 3- Junquillo

2009-09-11T10:55:00.001-05:00

I have experienced something tonight that is more powerful than myself. It is something beyond what I can explain. It causes my body to tremble, my heart to pound. It is something more than human understanding. It is what we call the mercy of God. it is truly overwhelming. It knocks my breath away as the love consumes me. It overflows its container and everyone can see that something's different about me. It completely redefines my purpose in life. It makes me want to do just one thing for the rest of life into eternity-- praise the God who created the love by the ultimate sacrifice, himself.

God's love

2009-06-09T10:09:00.004-05:00

Life's situations are hard, unfair. They keep us from sleeping well at night, and maybe worried all day about what is going to happen next. They can get you into a bad mood, and they can also destroy your little world. This happens especially when we try to do things on our own. We get to a point where we think we can do it all, without God's help. We get so full of ourselves that we forget what matters most. Our pride becomes stronger, and our humbleness weaker. We walk into a church and listen to a sermon. Somehow, that message never gets through that night. We leave concerned about preparing for what the next day holds. And in the midst of it all, we forget that he loves us. It is such a simple fact that matters so much. He loves me. He loves you. Nothing can take that away from us...Nothing. And we start realizing he loves us, it turns your world upside down. Then nothing seems to matter. You realize that even though you are stressed out and in the dumps, it's OK. He loves you, and he's going to take care of you. After that, you begin to lay your problems at his feet and your burden seems to be lifted as if it had been carried far away. His precious blood has washed away the stain. And to think, this is all because he loves you. Many of us, including myself, need to wake up and realize how he loves us. His love will change everything...it will erase every fear, every worry, and every doubt you have. It is truly amazing. So take time out and say to yourself, "He loves me." Get it. Hold on to it. Share it. Pass it on. God's love-- the most popular scapeboat for all our troubles.

Sacrifice.

2009-05-27T19:55:00.001-05:00

Many of us here are counting down the days until we go on a mission trip to El Junquillo. With it being just two weeks away, we had a meeting not too long ago. There we had questions about luggage and what to carry and what not to carry. Over the past couple of days, people have been naming the things we are giving up e.g. hair dryers, flat irons, hot showers, bathrooms, TV, computers, cell phones, etc. I was thinking about all of this and realized about 50-75% of that we give up when the power goes out or the plumbing is having work done on it. On top of that, I do realize you are leaving behind common conviences, but you've probably lived without them some point in your life before. You are not giving up anything really great. I mean, computers crash, cellphones die. No one really is going to care what you look like... so my point? See, we aren't the only ones sacrificing. The people there are allowing us to come. We are total strangers to them. They are welcoming us with the best that they can do. How would you feel if strange people from another country came to your community? They were planning to do activities with your kids and are supposed to help you guys out. I don't know about you, but when you start putting yourself in their shoes and comparing it to what your giving up, it gives you a whole new perspective. So think about it. I can live without my appliances and electronics for a week if they can allow me, an outsider, to come into their community for a week. Can you?

If God could send a letter from heaven to his children....

2009-04-23T18:06:00.003-05:00

My Child,

You may not know me,but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with your ways. Even the vary hairs on your head are numbered. For you were made in my image. In me, you live and move and and have your being, for you are my offspring. I knew you before you were ever concieved. I chose you when I planned creation. You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. I determined your exact moment of birth and where you should live. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. I knit you together in you mother's womb and brought you forth on the day you were born. I have been misrepresented my those who don't know me. I am not distant and angry,but I am the complete expression of love, and It is my desire to lavish my love on you.Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. For I am the perfect father. Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Because I love you with an everlasting love. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. And I rejoice over you with singing. I will never stop doing good to you. For you are my treasured possession. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. And I want to show you great and marvelous things. If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart . For it is I who gave you those desires. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. For I am your greatest encourager. I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles . When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes . And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth . I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. He is the exact representation of my being. He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you . I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever . I have always been Father, and will always be Father. My question is, will you be my child? I am waiting for you.

Love,
Your Dad. Almighty God

I found this on a friend's myspace blog. This isn't a what if thing. God actually wrote this....it is his words rearanged so that they form a letter. He writes this to us all. The original content with the verse locations can be found at http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=176517796&blogId=460139615

Blood was shed, Pain was brought,A life was taken as he hung on a cross.But there is hope for every man because not only did he die,but he rose again.

2009-04-12T08:19:00.005-05:00

A whip to the back,

blood spilled.

A gash to the side,

blood poured.

A blow to the face,

bones broken.

A crown of thorns carven into the head,

a shout of pain, and again,

blood spilled.

A little spit in a wound,

stinging pain.

A little sour wine to help with the dehydration,

torment.

A nail into the hand,

a scar of pain.

A hanging on a cross,

humilation.

And forgiveness for all those there,

love shown.

A life taken,

A third day later,

the life was restored.

My song.

2009-04-09T21:02:00.004-05:00

What can I do to repay you?

What could I say that would bring you praise?

And what could I do but say thank you

When Thank you seems so small.

And I don't think thanks is enough

To repay you for what you did on a cross.

And I don't find living a life for you

Is enough to deserve such an Everlasting Love and Mercy.

And I don't, I don't know if I could ever, ever,

Grasp your love for me.

Cause what your son did on that tree,

what is now known as Calvary

is the Everlasting Love

that is a sacrifice

in place of me.

And I don't think Thanks is enough

To repay you for what you did on a Cross.

And I don't find living a life for you

Is enough to deserve your Everlasting Love

Because thanks is so small

compared to being nailed to a tree

So that I wouldn't have to endure

Such a large suffering

Like Christ did when He died for me.

Rain.

2009-04-02T14:42:00.001-05:00

For many of us here in Tennessee, it is pouring rain outside on this Thursday afternoon. The thought of being stuck in the icky weather gives most of us chills. I don't really care for the rain much, it makes a bad hair day and soaks your clothes. There is things I do enjoy about the rain though especially when thunder and lightning accompanies it. They remind me of when I was younger how much I was afraid of the storm going around me. My mom would tell me that "It is just the angels playing their drums for Jesus". I listen now and hear the tapping of the drops upon the window pane, a drumroll to the king. The thunder is a big cymbol crash on count one. As a accompiment part, your heart beats louder and louder as young children jump and run underneath their blankets.....and in all the stillness he is here. He is beside you as you are reading this, as heaven rejoices with their noisemakers. The rain is the blessing in the midst of our storms- it is soothing as it hits the rooftops and gently rolls into the gutter. I may be descriptive with the rain, but my point is in the midst of the rain, there is peace. There is hope. There are notorious blessings around you. One of them is love. Make that eVeRlAsTiNgLoVe.

2009-03-26T19:54:00.001-05:00

My last post has started a blog in itself. I will be posting a new one that is in my draft file soon. Keep checking for more updates about Davin's Story (http://www.davinstory.blogspot.com).

When things go bad, stand up!

2009-03-17T16:44:00.000-05:00

When the world seemed to be filled with nothing but evil (bad words, feelings hurt, violence,lives taken) there was one who stood out. He was known by everyone as "that christain kid". He would stand in front of crowds that spat and swore in his face while he spoke. He was light. He knew something that could change a life forever. He had courage. He had faith and was well known for sticking out. Not only was he in front of crowds gathering attention, he was also behind the scenes, working hard to change the world he lived in. He would do simple things- give money to this and that, show compassion to that kid who got bullied everyday, even gave up a potrtion of his house to a family who had no place to stay. He never complained, not even once. In fact, he praised the Lord every morning that he had show much to give. His love was a real love that could not be found by anyone in his world. He had the love of Christ within and flowing out of him. And in all this greatness, he still fell short. He struggled. He wanted to give up at times. It was hard at times. He cried in the night saying, "Where are your people? Why aren't they following? Why can't they comprehend their real purpose? Why isn't this so simple, God...tell me, Why?" He stumbled and fell like the everyday man, not knowing if his wonderful supply of possessions would run out. Then, he'd have nothing to give, or at least, he thought that.

Things were hard for the young man, but he did it anyways. He poured out love, gave everything he could offer, and it never impacted a single person. One day, a young lady heard about "The Christian kid" and came to question if he could help her. She decided that she must meet the young fellow, no matter what it took.

The young man was going to get a coffee when he bumped into a young woman whose papers were knocked from her hands at the instant the collision occured. He immediatly bent over and began picking them up. She immediately knew that this had to be him. She said," Hey! Are you the one everybody calls 'The Chistain Kid'?" A grin spread across his face as he gave a light nod. "Name's Davin." She looked at him and asked if he could help her. He told her that he'd try. She said, "Answer some Questions for me. How can you still praise the Lord in the midst of everything that goes wrong in life, and give your everything to what you believe in?" His answer was simple. "He's God. He loves us no matter what, and he deserves everything I have to offer."

"Do you ever doubt?" "Doubt what?" "His existance?" "I have in my past. I don't now." She thought carefully before she spoke. "Why do you even think it matters to other people to know about this God of yours?" "He gave it all." "Whaddya mean, He gave it all?" "He gave his son so that we may spend eternity with him someday." "Wow. Who'd he give his son to?" The young boy replied, "Us; He gave up his son's life for you and me." The young lady couldn't believe what she just heard and asked more questions about it. She finally came to the concusion that he may just be right. She prayed for the first time in her life, "God, I had never heard of you until that young boy spoke of you. I still have my doubts here and there, but if you'll help me, I'll,I'll-I'll give you my life."

Her life changed because of a young man. He had no clue it even happened until months later she wrote telling him how grateful she was. He realized that God was using him even when he didn't notice, and that even when he did, there was always someone listening. After awhile passed, he gradually had more and more people listen. He never used excuses. He never refused to tell a soul about the love of Christ. For that, he stood out in a crowd. He also worked giving his all to everyone else and him, which God greatly blessed him for. God hears your prayers. He's there in the good times and the bad. He'll bring you through your mess and make you stronger in the end. He asks so little, but we unlike this man, find it to be so much. If we could all be like this man, this world would be so much of a greater place. We wouldn't have to lock our doors at night, and we wouldn't need the police. We wouldn't have to have trials. We wouldn't never go hungry, even during a drought. There wouldn't be no where near as much violence if we could all be him. Maybe you know how hard it is to do all of that like he did. But what if you just did some of that? This world would be an inrecognizable place if we all did just as much of that as we could.

I wonder...

2009-03-15T22:29:00.001-05:00

If this will be said of me one day.

Don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest

You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery

Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best

At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights

We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides

The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love?

Did I point to You enough To make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile

To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred

Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

~ Legacy by Nichole Nordeman

I want this to be me. I flash-foward to the not so far distant future and I wonder how my classmates will remember me. Will I be the one who stood up when everyone was watching? Would I be the one behind the scenes making it all happen? Would I be the one who everyone will remember by my actions? I wonder.....

Life is not Burger King (My little remix of Steven's sermon " The Crossroad ")

2009-03-15T22:28:00.002-05:00

There is so much to be done, so little time to do it in. So many mountains in the way, so many obstacles to overcome. How much time we have here is not our choice. Life is not Burger King, you can't always "Have it Your Way." But life is a Journey, a path with many twists and turns and some Detours, where no matter which road you take the right one, or the wrong one, you still will end up at a destination. In the middle is the crossroad. Turn right or left, you choose. The decision may be easy because your path is lighted by God so you know which course to take, or your decision may be hard; your path is dark and you cannot see what lies ahead at the end of the road. You may see your path, but you might want to take a different path. Or maybe your like me, the crossroads are ahead you know that, but your trying to make the right decisions now so that it will be easy later. If you are like me, you want to make other peoples choices easier because you've encounterd some Detours that you weren't sure if you made the right decision. And if you know your path, that's great! Share when you get through it how you got there so others can get the right roads too. If you don't know where your going and how to get there, you may have left your map at home. Don't be afraid to ask for directions. Be willing to admit you don't have a clue where your going because these are the first steps in making the turn of a crossroad. Lay down your pride, selfish people, and pray that God will help you make the path he wants, for this is not Burger King, you can't always "Have it Your Way".

BIG DEAL, or NO BIG DEAL?

2009-03-15T22:27:00.000-05:00

There are things in life that are so little but mean so much. That smile you pass in the hallway before lunch, picking up that paper for someone who just dropped their books, making coffee for your parents so that it is there when they get home- simple things that you shrug off everyday that somthimes goes unnoticed. But they are not always unnoticed. Someone is always watching your every move, and you have the decision to make a good choice or bad choice. Yeah, it may not matter to you that you loaned that pencil or sent that get well card, so what, NO BIG DEAL, RIGHT? I am expected to do those things. I like making people know that I care, it is up to me to do that. And if you arent doing these things, you may say something and never realize the fact that you are represnting the way you will make your choices in more seroius situations and that YOU ARE impacting someone's life and you do not know it. So YEAH, BIG DEAL. You can make the day for someone by the little things you do, because when the big things come up in their lives they now you are there for them. Love works in subtle ways, and never goes completely unnoticed. Love is usually taken lightly. When you show true love, it the the greatest thing you could ever do for this world. So what is love? Lets take a look in 1 Corinthians:Chapter 13

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

So that is what love is, and why I should give it. If nothing else guys, give it to receive it. You may have heard that the small thins are what make a difference, but have you really thought about it? I have. I wrote a letter one day that repaired my friendship. It also broke my friend's heart. I don't know if she'll ever forgive me for what I said. I told her the truth...all the things I hid from her, the way I felt here and there- a need to ask for forgiveness, to tell her the wonderful things I think she will accomplish, the fact I pray for her every night, both good and bad- it all came out at once. It was way above her head and too much for her to handle. If I had told her in the first place, I'd never had to write that letter. I would've never been in that situation. I could've told her a long time ago that I liked the new sweater or that she was a wonderful the way she is, but i chose to keep it inside and for that, I let it all out. She realized that I did care all along was the best thing that I did in the letter. But What if I said that two years ago? She'd know that I was there and that I did care, and that is just as priceless as a lot of things I can think of.

Without You

2009-03-15T22:26:00.000-05:00

In life, there's a lot we go through,
But what would we do without you?
To pick me up,
set me on a rock....
Oh, tell me what I'd do without you?
I know I'll make mistakes.
Even have a little rain in this life of mine,
but that won't affect my strive
To be like you.
Oh tell me what I'd do without you?
Your love is the truth.
The light....
You are My life.
So tell me what I'd do without you?
Could I make this day through...
Without you?

7 quotes

2009-03-15T22:23:00.002-05:00

1. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whoever shall believe in him, will have everlasting life."

John 3:16

2. "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hand on."

~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

3. "Only the one who can see the invisible can do the impossible."

~ Frank L. Gaines

4. "When you cease to dream, you cease to live."

~ Malcom Forbes

5. "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

~ William James

6.. "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never had tried to succeed."

~ Theodore Roosevelt

7.. "Life is a Great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it that you can."
~ Danny Kyae

Why didn't anyone stand up?

2009-03-15T22:23:00.001-05:00

One day, a guy was speaking at a local church. He was giving his testimony to the congregation. There were approximately 300-500 present, about 100 of them teenagers. As he was telling his story, he said, "If you believe in this song that's about to be played, then stand up and praise the Lord. Don't worry about what the people around you are doing because one day, you'll stand before God, and you will be alone. No one will be by your side as you stand before him on judgement day." The song was played. It spoke of wanting his love and compassion to flow out of his people, touching and changing lives forever. One person stood. Then came two, and after that, five. Two teenagers stood up, followed with about six adults. The rest remained seated. What happened to those people seated? Why didn't they stand up? Don't they want people to see the great love that God offers? You might say, "They just didn't feel like getting up." Well then, let's change the setting. Now we are at a high school, with a little over 1,000 students attending. There is a Christian club that meets every Tuesday afternoon after school for 15 minutes. Only thirty attend this meeting on average. Where were the 970 students? Sure, sometimes we have things that have to be done, but this is an average of all year long. Maybe they were ashamed of what they believed in. But what good is it if you don't live and demonstrate it out? Maybe some didn't really know the love of God. That means we are failing our jobs as Christians."But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way There is a way"
~ Casting Crowns If we are the body
So I ask why? You tell me. Tell yourself. Be the person who stands up unashamed before the crowd, before your friends, before your enemies, before your coworkers, and before your peers, living what you preach.

Scientists Claim they no longer need God

2009-03-15T22:21:00.000-05:00

debating who was going to tell him. Scientist number one said, " I'm not telling him, you tell him." Scientist number two replied, " No way I'm telling him that he's no longer needed! You tell him." Scientist number three said, "Are you sure you guys wanna do this?" Scientists one and two replied, " Ummmm, yeah. Pretty sure." He said, "Ok then." and then he looks up toward the heavens and says, " God we no longer need you. See, we've come to an age where we can do our own miracles. We can clone animals, make our own antidotes, and know what's going on 3,00 miles away within seconds. So, you can just go and bugger off somewhere, ok?" God said, "Ok. If you are that good, then let's have a man-making contest. Just like back in the good 'ole days like I did with Adam. If you win, you don't really need me like you suppose." The Scientists agreed. Scientist number one said, "This will be easy." He reached down and grabbed a handful of dirt. God interrupted their attempt to make a man. He said, " Now wait a minute. You get your own dirt!" The scientists became worried, and they admitted their defeat ashamadly.
" And God saw that it was good ."
No matter how much technology we get, and no matter what we do, we will always need God. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him. I always wondered how people make it through life without him....this cute story based on the video God and the Scientists [http://www.godlimations.com/webfolder/godscientists.html] reminds me that it they really don't. They may not know he even exists, but he is still there- waiting for them to jump into his arms. Then he will take their burdens and carry them because he loves them, no matter where they've been or what they've done. Now, that's an AWESOME God.

Is it really enough?

2009-03-15T22:20:00.000-05:00

How many times have we told God that he is all that we need? To think about it, we say it quite often. And to be honest, our actions and words don't back up this statement. We say your grace is enough, but we also say that we can't live a week without our ipods, mp3s, cable, and internet services. If he is all we really need, why isn't he number one in our priorities? I remember when we were little that TV didn't matter, and there wasn't a CD player in our house. Internet services were only Dial-up, no bluetooth to be found. We survived without all the technology, and made it just fine. I'm not saying that technology is a bad thing, nor am I saying that it is the only thing that gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Other things we can't seem to live without is Drama, Sports, Friends, etc. These things get into our way and we love them so much, we make them our top priorities.
School work is what gets in my way sometimes, It makes it to my number two sometimes, and it is always in my top ten. I stay up till ten o'clock doing homework, but I don't think you'll ever see me stay up that latae talking to God. Now what's up with that?
And it's not just me. I'm sure you do to, and if you think you don't, you're probably not being that honest with yourself. What if our situations is worse than jsut being bored? Say that your food is limited to one or two meals a week, and when you do have food, it tastes like garbabge. Also, your water comes from a well that you don't know if it tainted or not, and your bed is made of lice infested hay. Would you still thank God for the many blessings you have, or would you hold self-pity against yourself? Could you say that his grace is enough for you then? Oh, it is so easy to do it now, you hypocrite. You claim that you still would and then go against what you say when life hits a dry spell.
Has the Lord your God, who led the Isrealites out of the desert safety, not been good to you? Has he not blessed you beyond what any man could ever ask for? And why do you bring forth a wounded unworthy sacrifice before the Lord, when you have a strong acceptable male in your flock? Now you tell me, is his love not enough for you? Is it really enough....

This should keep us all thinking

2009-03-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnlvdXR1YmUuY29tL3dhdGNoP3Y9cGl1b0diLU5oZnc=

Introduction to Me

2009-03-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

If you told me to describe myself in one word, I'd tell you it
is impossible. I've tried time and time again, there just seems to never bfe
enough adjectives. To know me takes beyond a life time, for I live myself
discovering who I am and God's purpose in my life. To describe me takes more
than a page or two. I am different, unique, and special, for I was created by a
wonderful God. He created the sun, moon, and the Earth with the sound of his
voice. He placed the stars in the sky one by one, with his fingertips. The waves
bow down before him; the mountains, they cry out. He is amazing beyond

words, totally indescribable. To be created by someone so powerful, so loving,
is to be unique. It makes you special. It makesyou different. It makes you feel
honored.