Secret

Several weeks ago, maybe even a month or so ago, some of my schoolmates stood on stage in chapel in front of hundreds of students and told some of their biggest secrets. Ever since I've been feeling compelled to be as open, and share my secrets. I took some time to think about what might be my biggest, deepest secret; of course, that didn't take too long to sort out. My only problem is vocalizing it, and let me tell you it's a lot easier said than done (no pun intended).
You try it. Think: what is your biggest secret or something sinful that you struggle with. Now, think about trying to tell a friend about it. ...now, think about telling a group of friends about it. ...now, think about standing on a stage with a microphone and telling it to a couple thousand of classmates. I don't know about you but that is definitely, totally and completely intimidating to me. I find it difficult just trying to get the guts/courage to tell one person my secret, let alone a whole congregation.

One of my secrets:
Sometimes I would think when God made me, He made a mistake. I use to think my worth wasn't even that of a mustard seed. I would often think I couldn't do anything right, I was a screw-up, a failure and I royally sucked at life. Now, I understand that when God created me, He created a masterpiece. :) I know that my worth is so much that God gave his one and only son to die for me, and I see that it's in my weaknesses and my imperfections that Christ is perfect.
Can I get an Amen?....Amen! :))

I encourage you to take some time to reflect and think about what is your biggest secret, weakness, or struggle with sin. Would you be willing to tell one person? Several people? A couple hundred people?
What does your secret/weakness/sin mean to you?

My prayer for you this week is that you experience peace and forgiveness in Christ :)) xoxo

Persecution

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." -Matthew 5:10

In church service today, Pator Garth was preaching about persecution and it really got me thinking...
I hear the lies of Satan daily. I don't know if this makes much sense, but it is in those lies that I find myself being persecuted. When I am persecuted, I am often being persecuted by the people I love; people who say they love me.
...But because you love me, shouldn't you accept me for all that I am. You don't have to share my beliefs, but you should respect my beliefs...

My prayer for you is that you let go and in the midst of being persecuted have confidence in God who can do all He says He can do.

2 Timothy 3:12
John 15:18-20

Jeremiah 38
Daniel 3
Hebrews 11: 35

Faith

When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: there will be earth upon which to stand, or you will be given wings to fly.

I think that ^ is definitely one of my fave quotes.

A Day Without Shoes

One day without shoes! Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. It's hard without shoes... I, and many of my friends, went barefoot today to raise awareness of a simple way to help. Check out toms.com for more info or to join me!!!!


Wow, going barefoot for a whole day was much more difficult than I thought it would be. I woke up this morning (Thursday, April 8th) to see it was going to be a rainy day. I began re-thinking this whole idea of going barefoot, I thought maybe I'll try tomorrow when the weather is better. But then I realized that would defeat the whole purpose of not wearing shoes. The children we are doing this for are not able to decide not to be barefoot because the weather is bad or because the ground hurts their feet. So, after touching up my toes with some pretty in pink nail polish, I left for my walk to the bus stop to go to school. It was only five after ten in the morning, I wasn't even half way to the bus stop and my feet were already in pain. There were definitely some challenges the arose throughout the day due to not wearing shoes; However, I was so excited to have the awesome opportunity to spread the word in the community when people gave me weird looks and asked questions as to why I was not wearing shoes. All the pain I experienced this day was definitely totally and completely worth it.
I'm still in the process of reflecting on the day, trying to sort out my thoughts and listen to what God might be teaching me through this experience. I'll be sure to share all that this has taught me once I, myself, figure it out.

Have a great day in the Lord, I pray you be open to his love and new experiences.
Peace Love and SUNSHINE!

Dear...

Dear Procrastination,
Why must we keep meeting like this? Let's not beat around the bush, this relationship is just not working out for me. It's not me, it's you. The time has come when we need to go our separate ways. ...No, we cannot still be friends. In fact I would like a restraining order.
Signed, Yours Truly

Dear Motivation, Productivity, Determination, and the like,
Where ever have you gone? I miss you and desperately want you in my life. You and me go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly and Abbot and Costello. Without you I might just in fact not survive college, and I really feel it is imperative that I make it to graduation so I can move out of this city and on with my life. Please return to me as soon as possible and be part of my life once again.
Signed, Yours Truly

It's a Privilege to be a Women

My heart and soul have been broken and not in the good way. I feel God has laid it on my heart to share this with you.
So many times, especially this past week, being a women has made we want to cry. This troubles me because never should a women feel dejected, substandard, or regretful because she is a women.
Being a women is a privilege, and so it should be. Femininity does not equal weakness, as many women in today's society are convincing themselves. Men and women, although they are equal in ontological character, have been made different by God. Different yet complementary. Each sex has its strengths and weaknesses. Husbands and wives are to help each other overcome these weaknesses.

"Women [...] are the guardians of purity. This is already clearly indicated by the structure of their bodies, which chastely hides their intimate organs. Because their organs are "veiled," indicating their mystery and sacredness, women have the immense privilege of sharing the sex of the blessed one: Mary, the most holy of all creatures" [as believed in Catholicism]. A women "knows intuitively that to give, to nurture, to care for others, to suffer with and for them -- for maternity implies suffering -- is infinitely more valuable in God's sight than to conquer nations and fly to the moon," (Von Hildebrand).

What has happened to the generations of this world? What ever happened to chivalry and respect?
I am so sick and tired of the perverted, vulgar, disrespect towards women. I am so sick and tired of men constantly looking at me like I'm dessert. I'm appalled, sad, and sick of the molestation, rape, and domestic violence towards women.
Ladies and gentlemen, please have a voice take a stand. Show chivalry, give respect. Treat women like the ladies and princesses they are, for crying out loud!



References: http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=530&page=1

Where are you?

Ask yourself : Are you where God wants you to be? If not, then pray and sort out where the Lord wants you to be, do your best and get there. If you are where the Lord wants you to be, then ask yourself : Are you doing your best doing at where you are? If not, then evaluate what you are doing and what you must do to do you your best. If you are doing your best, then there is nothing more you can do but to continue what you are doing at where you are. Please, don't get lost in the ways of the world, but rather in Christ's Kingdom. You will always fail trying to meet the expectations of the others; however, you will always succeed trying to meet the expectations of the Lord.

Be content, be happy. Be beautiful, be you.
Most importantly...love.