What thoughts are in my head...

I'm always here.
I'm always waiting.
I'm always wondering what you're doing.

I wonder what you look like.
I wonder where you are.
I wonder what we will do together.

I think about what I'd like to share with you.
I think about what you'll want to share with me.
I think about what God will plan for us.

I used to pine and long for what wasn't there.
I used to wish and dream, and miss what was in front of my face.
I used to walk by those that needed me most.

I now know my task at hand.
I now know what I must be doing.
I now know Who sent me here.

I can be patient.
I can wait on God.
I can learn, and study His Word.

He sees me when I cry.
He sees me when I'm alone.
He sees me and is with me always, so, I'm never really alone.

A New Dress

I am for bringing dresses back -- and I'm NOT talking about those mini dresses that don't even cover my chihuahua! Dresses are an element of femininity that seems to be slightly lost today. Come on girls, when you head out of the house, do you really grab that skirt? Or do head for your trusty pair of jeans? Please understand that I'm not bashing jeans -- I have a closet full of well worn, well loved jeans -- but when all we wear are split legs what happens to that special sense of femininity that belongs to us? And when we do wear dresses, is it really because the dress is more modest? I can't tell you how many times I've come across some girl who is actually wearing a dress, but the dress was anything BUT modest.

There is a dress for every body type, and ladies, they really are comfortable if you take the time to look. What's wrong with wanting to feel like the princesses we are? I personally favor floor length dresses, but if you prefer knee length that's fine too. I say getting you into a dress is the first step. I literally have 20 skirts and at least 10 dresses. Dresses are free moving, and add an element of mystery. Jazz it up with different scarves, cinch it with a belt, add flavor with crazy tights -- one dress can go a looooooooooong way!

I'm known for wearing skirts ALL THE TIME, and everywhere. One Wednesday I went to youth group and I actually decided to wear a pair of jeans. Nobody recognized me, and unfortunately I got more than a few "looks" from the guys. Again, I'm not saying that pants, jeans or even shorts are always immodest, but the simple fact that changing into skirts once in a while creates a whole new level of modesty.

I am a proponent of the dress because it shows the world that we're not afraid of being what we are -- women. We used to be call the "gentler sex" and that was a compliment! We were what brought mercy and compassion into our dealings with people. Now, I'm not saying ALL women are bathtubs overflowing with mercy and compassion (one of my less flattering nicknames at home is "Merciless") but we have lost this attribute so drastically that it's frightening.

BRING BACK THE DRESS!

Wake Up

"Lord let Your sleeping giant rise
Catch the demons by surprise
Holy nations sanctify
Let this be our battle cry

Ready yourself, Ready yourself
Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night
Ready yourself, Ready yourself
May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise"
-- Until the Whole World Hears -- Casting Crowns



This is my cry, O Church. You are a sleeping Giant! Wake-up! Arise! With our faith in God, none can stand against us! We only defeat ourselves when we bite our tongues and cease to speak out! Should death find us -- Halleluya -- Praise God that we'd be granted His highest glory, martyrdom! Stand-up! Be silent no longer. Be examples for this lost world.



"Who's gonna fight for what's right?
Who's gonna help us survive?
We're in the fight of our lives
And we're not ready to die

Who's gonna fight for the weak?
Who's gonna make 'em believe?
I've got a hero, I've got a hero
Living in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
I will be ready to die"
-- Hero -- Skillet


Be silent no longer, O sleeping Church. Stand up so that I may know who you are amongst the hiding shams and cons. Let me know what you stand for and why. Who are you? Are you willing to die for what you believe in?

Repercussions

"Come on! If anything, you're the only one it'll hurt."
This is a common lie that the world shoves down our throats. That what we do only affects ourselves. What we do, what we say affects everyone who hears us and everyone who sees us.

I'm sure you remember that kid in second grade that stole your animal crackers. What that person did affected you -- whether you knew it or not. Habbits, speach patterns make you who you are. So, as Christians, what kind of representative are you being?

Call me old fashioned, but I love watching old movies where the men opened doors, pulled out chairs, and stood up when a lady entered the room. That behavior had largely been lost today. Wouldn't it be a shock if a guy opened a car door for a girl? What about girls? We used to think keeping a home presentable was a joy! We used to back our men instead of tell them how we think things should be run...

Our behavior with the people who know us is just as important as our behavior with strangers. By no means can we pretend to be perfect, but under no circumstances is there EVER an excuse to not try our utmost to be representatives of Christ. I do not care if you are a quadriplegic or a 14 year-old that had a bad day at school; there is no excuse for not behaving in a Christ-like manner.

The question "What would Jesus do?" sounds juvenile doesn't it? We say, "That's just for kids," to justify our listening to music that has bad language or movies that have inappropriate scenes. We say, "It's not that bad," when we hear a bad word or see someone kiss for just a little too long. GOD HATES ALL SIN. If we could learn to hate sin as much as God does, could you imagine what we would be like?

Some would say that this is an impossible standard. I say, "Why?" We have to look at our lives and our world and examine our hearts to find our true love. Do we honor and respect and love God to the point that we do not listen to songs that have the "D-word" in them -- even if it's only once? Do we not watch TV shows that are good, but the commercials in between ought to be rated pg-13 at the least?

We must not only "keep out of the bad" but we must also go out of our way to do good! --
Matthew 5:46-48 "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing {than others?} Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."--
Do you know the lady down the street? Maybe she needs help with her lawn. Do you know that kid in Algebra class that needs a little help studying? The elder is an example to the younger, and, youth, be such amazing examples that the elder must see you and take note.

Where do your loyalties truly lie? And whom owns the whole of your heart?

Hold My Heart -- Tenth Avenue North

How long must I pray, must I pray to You?
How long must I wait, must I wait for You?
How long 'til I see Your face, see You shining through?
I'm on my knees, begging You to notice me.
I'm on my knees, Father will you turn to me?

*One tear in the dropping rain,
One voice in the sea of pain
Could the maker of the stars
Hear the sound of my breakin' heart?
One light, that's all I am
Right now I can barely stand
If You're everything You say You are
Won't You come close and hold my heart

I've been so afraid, afraid to close my eyes
So much can slip away before I say goodbye.
But if there's no other way, I'm done asking why.
Cuz I'm on my knees, begging You to turn to me
I'm on my knees, Father will you run to me?

*

So many questions without answers, Your promises remain
I can't sleep but I'll take my chances to hear You call my name
To hear You call my name

*

Hold my heart, could you hold my heart?
Hold my heart.

The Abraham and Isaac Pradox

As humans we like to think that everything that we come across is meant to be ours. When in reality it is God's to do with has He sees fit. What are we doing worrying about God's possessions? He has everything under his thumb. I understand that since -- unlike Him -- we cannot see the end from the beginning we become concerned about the well being of our things and, even more importantly, the people we come across. Let me try to adequately convey this idea: EVERYTHING IS GOD'S. He has merely allowed you to take care of everything as best as you can. Once you understand that God really is watching and making sure things go according to His Will, you will gain such a peace of mind...


Now, when I say everything is God's, I mean EVERYTHING!!!! Your house, your car, your kids, your spouse -- EVERYONE and EVERYTHING! Are you going to willingly allow God to have complete control over everything? The key is "willing." God is in control of everything on earth -- thank goodness -- whether you like it or not! Are you willing to allow God to take over and do whatever He has planned no matter how "unfair" "strange" or "wrong" it seems? Are you willing to be like the Abraham of Genesis 22 and travel the journey to sacrifice your own son because God asked it of you? Are you willing to allow your children to go to a dangerous country and be killed for Christ because it was the Lords will? Are you willing to allow God to have such control over your life, possessions and family so that no matter what happens, you know you will be blessed for obeying? Let go of the authority you think you have, and let the Lord of all take over.