"Making Time" for God

Here is a video, talking about how much time we spend with God. Seriously, do we "make time" for God, even though He is the Creator of time, and the Creator of us? This video will put a fun spin on how much time we actually spend with God.

Alive Alive Alive Forevermore

Here is an adorable video of a little girl singing 'Alive Alive Alive Forevermore'. This little girl is so cute and precious, that I had to share it with you on this Resurrection Sunday. I pray you had a blessed Easter!

God's Word Tour

Hi All! As many of you know this week I will be taking a week trip with my Bible Quizzing team to our Bible Quizzing Extravaganza. My quiz team mates and I will be driving all the way there (18 hours or longer). I thought it would be an encouragment for all of us if I posted a video of my teamates quoting a verse that we learned this year, and then talking about what that verse meant to us. If there are no technical difficulties, you should be receiving videos for each day I am gone. I hope that those of you here, will be able to watch the videos, and enjoy learning about God's Word with us!

Little Problems

Hunger Games. Need I say more? Practically every teen has read or at least heard of the Hunger Games books. As many of you know the movie came out yesterday, and God gave me the privilege of seeing it opening night. But that wasn't even the best part. Here's the cool part: I wanted to buy the People Magazine Hunger Games Special Edition after watching the movie, but I couldn't find it at any stores. It was sold out. I went to all kinds of stores, asking and searching for the magazine, but no one had it. I was so disappointed, because I wanted to read the magazine on my trip to Texas. As I was walking in the parking lot, I decided to chat with God.

"God, if it is at all possible could you please let me get People Magazine Hunger Games Special Edition. I promise I won't even open it until I get on the trip. But, God, just please let me be able to buy it and get it before our trip. Amen." So my mom and I went into a dollar store to pick up some grocery items. I quick looked around, and didn't even notice an aisle with magazines, my heart plummeted. But just as my mom was checking out, I decided to ask the manager anyway.

"Um, do you have the People Hunger Games Special Edition Magazine here?" I asked. He rolled his eyes.

"All of our magazines are in that rack over there," he droned. That's when I noticed, the small rack. I scanned over the magazines. Suddenly, it appeared! Tucked in the back were four copies of my magazine. I couldn't believe it!

"Thank you, thank you, Jesus!" I whispered. I still was shocked at this little old dollar store had one of the last copies of this magazine. But God had somehow, someway had put this magazine in my path, and even though all the other stores were sold out. He found a way for me to have one.

Sometimes we forget that God cares about our little problems too. I mean, do you think not having that magazine would change my life forever? Probably not. But God still answered my little prayer in the middle of a parking lot, because He loves us. So don't ever think that your small problems don't matter to God. He loves you so much, and won't ever brush you aside. Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the People Hunger Games Special Edition for my trip! So what little question haven't you bothered to ask God about?

My Smart Phone Made Me Stupid

A few days ago, I was talking one of my friends telling him a hilarious story. He was laughing, and we were just joking around, when suddenly I heard ding from the inside of his pocket. His hand flew to his pocket and snatched his phone. I thought he was simply going to check his phone and continue the conversation, but he stared intently at the screen. I proceeded to talk, and told him something funny that had happened the day before. He started laughing, and I was happy that I had caught his attention. I told him I thought it was funny too. Suddenly, he glanced up from his phone, "Oh, no, someone just texted me a joke. You can keep going though." Great. That made me feel real important. I guess, whoever texted him was way more important than I was. Was he too stupid to see how much this had hurt me?

The title of this video says it all. Has your smart phone made you stupid? I think it is absolutely crazy that teens treat their phone as if it contains their soul. I, at times, have unfortunately been sucked into that virtual world (don't think that my friend was the only one who had done this). I sometimes need to be reminded that the world around us is much more important than that buzzing, ringing, piece of metal in my purse. After you view this video I pray that it will remind you how important it is, that we enjoy the people around us and put our phones on silent (that means no vibrating either). Also if you have any friends that are addicted to their cell phones, show them this video. It may also help to open their eyes to the way they are treating others around them. Don't forget to enjoy your real family and friends right now. Don't let your smart phone make you stupid.

Beautiful

This song is 'Beautiful' by MercyMe. Now I normally don't ever listen to this song, because it is not my style of music, but I loved this slide show. It spoke volumes to me, saying that God loves me, and thinks I am beautiful no matter what. Sometimes, we feel lonely and forgotten inside, and think they we could never be loved again. But God loves you, and thinks your beautiful. If today is just one of those day when you feel ugly and alone, watch this video. I hope it will uplift your spirits and remind you how much you are loved.

The Blind Shrimp, the Goby, and the Flick

Above is a picture of the goby fish and the blind shrimp. These two creatures are really intriguing!  What's so amazing about the goby and the blind shrimp is that they are totally dependant upon each other for their lives, even though they are completely different spieces. The goby is a pretty much regular looking fish, and really has no real means of protection. The blind shrimp is literally blind and is in a totally different category as far as sea creatures go, but has a special talent for digging holes.  These two come together, and make an inseperable, and stunning team. It's the shrimp's job to make a hole under the water, in the sand for a home, and a place of protection. But while the shrimp is digging he can't see if there are predators nearby. That's where the goby comes in. He sits outside the hole that the shrimp is making and keeps an eye out for predators. If he sees anything that might be a threat to him or his companion, he flicks his fin to warn the shrimp. But the cool part about this is that the shrimp always has a tentacle wrapped around the goby's fin, so he can feel the flick as he is digging and removing sand. As soon as the shrimp feels the goby's sudden movement, the two of them dive deep down in the hole and away from danger. So the shrimp gets a protector, and the goby gets a home. Isn't that an amazing relationship!

Thinking about this relationship makes me wonder about my relationship with God. I mean, I'm as blind as the shrimp, but God is like the goby showing me the way to go. While I'm in this world, I need to hold onto God and feel for the flick, that it is time to move on. I have to remember that I am blind, and that I need to depend fully on God to tell me where to go. Imagine if that shrimp took one of his tentacles off of the goby, he would be wandering in the water blind, and not even knowing which way to go. What if the the blind shrimp ignored the flick, and just kept right on moving sand away from his precious hole. Snap! He would be some body's dinner in a matter of seconds.

But lets take a moment to think about God's relationship to us. I mean if you think about it, God really needs us. Angels can't do the work that we can on this earth. The scripture says that God was looking far and wide for a vessel that he could use. God is also in need of a home; in that he wants to dwell among us. On this earth he chooses us to be those vessels he will dwell in. So in a way we are totally dependent on each other.

Radical in our Worship

All of us worship God in different ways, and we each have our own way of giving God glory, but are we just using that excuse to not do anything in church? I mean, how often do we stand in church sing the songs by heart and clap our hands, with absolute no expression on our faces. I tend to do that alot, but I've been thinking that maybe I need to start changing that habit. Jesus died on a cross for me, gave up His life for my sins and I don't even send him a cute thank you card. Instead, I say some words that mean absolutely nothing to me and smack my palms together. Is that really the best I can do? I was thinking it's time to start getting radical for Jesus. That's why I posted this video below. He is a guy, who loves Jesus from the inside out and isn't ashamed to worship God with all that he has in him. His nickname is Spinney, and you'll see why. This guy really inspires me and I hope he inspires you too. I posted both parts of the song, but you should make sure to watch the first part. Now lets start being radical for Jesus.

Love Song

This beautiful song done by Jamie Grace and Mac Powell (Third Day), is called Love Song. It made me realize how much God loves us. The song is taken from Jesus' point of view, and almost brought me to tears. Sometimes I find myself feeling lonely without a boyfriend, but then I listen to this song and it reminds of God's love for me. I mean, He gave up His life for me, I don't know anyone who would do that. So listen to this song and let it remind you that He loves you and even died for you.

Hakuna Matata

Hakuna Matata, it means no worries for the rest of your days. Its a problem free philosophy! Hakuna Matata!! I absolutely love this song from Lion King. Whenever I listen to it or start thinking about what it means, the words relax me. Now this song is actually very true, but there was one major problem with it. You will never have Hakuna Matata without GOD. Think about it, how will you ever let go of your past, fears, or worries without having someone to dump them on.

Sometimes I hang on to my fears or worries because I don't know who to give them to. But often times I hang on to them, because I think my fears will protect me. They will help me not accidentally make a wrong choice or go too far into a situtation. But God is saying, "Let go of those worries and those fears give them to Me because I will carry them and I will protect you. Don't live a life guarding yourself and worrying. Enjoy those little moments, be carefree, and give your burdens to Me." So that's what I'm starting to do, I'm tired of caring around grudges and worries and I am giving them to God. You should try it too! So, Hakuna Matata or "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."- 1 Peter 5:7!!

Tarp Covered Memories

Memories. You remember them every day. Sometimes they haunt you, sometimes you push them into the corners of your brain to collect dust. Sometimes, you throw an old tarp on them to forget. Lately, I've been throwing a lot of tarps around.  It's starting to look like they're closing a museum around here with all of the tarps covering too many painful memories.

Today, I decided to take a new view on things.  I picked up our old family photo book and fliped through the pages. Remembering the days of when I was younger, and reliazing how much I have grown and changed.

God talks a lot in the Bible about remembering what he has brought us from. God loves when you reminisce and think back to all the things He has done in your life. Like it says in Isiah 46:9: "Remember the former things of old for I am God, and there is none else I am God, and there is none like me." When we think back and remember what the Lord has done in our life, our trust builds; and we realize how much he has done for us.

So take time today to look back on the miracles God worked in your life, and don't forgot to thank Him for all that He has done and all that He is going to do. Maybe I'll do a little cleaning around here and get rid of some of these old dusty tarps. I may find out that God has changed me so much that those memories don't need to be covered up any longer.

You are Beautiful

I was talking to God one evening and he revealed to me something really amazing. I have just finished writing my second book, and I was drawing my character for the illustrations. I loved all of my characters and the way they looked. Now my sketches of my characters are not perfect, on purpose. I did not sketch a bunch of beautiful perfect people, but they each are very special in their own way.

Anyways, I was talking to God that night and He said something that really made me think. He said, "Anna, what would you do if Jen (one of my characters from my book), came up to you and asked why you didn't make her more beautiful like Brielle?" I was sorta stunned. "Well, I would tell her that I created her that way because it fit who she was. I mean, I made her with poofy brown hair, and clever green eyes, because that's who she is." Then He said, "Yes, but she isn't as pretty as Brielle or as sweet as Brie." I answered, "Well of course not! She wasn't meant to be sweet and pretty. In my book Jen is supposed to be outgoing and wild, so I wouldn't make her look any different than I already did." Still God persisted, "Okay, but what if Jen started crying and begged you, her creator, why you made her with only one arm and why you had made her with such plain hair?" I suddenly realized where God was getting at, "I made her with only one arm because I wanted my readers to always remember how unique Jen was and how she was different from all my other characters. Plus I knew Jen would come up with cool styles to put her hair in, so I wasn't afraid of making her hair brown and kinda frizzy." Then God responded, "I did the same for you, Anna. I had a special plan and purpose for your life and I made you exactly the way you are because if you looked like anybody else it wouldn't have fit the plan I have for your life. I think you are beautiful in your own special way."

That discussion with God totally changed the way I looked at myself and others. I finally was able to accept who I am and not try to turn myself into somebody else. I also hope this post will encourage you and help you to see yourself in a new way.

Pure Life Day

Hey everyone! Today is a very special holiday. It is Pure Life Day! Now you might be wondering what that is. It is a day of raising awareness to, and celebrating teen purity. This is a day that we focus on saving yourself for your husband. But purity is a lot more than just not having sex, it is a life style. A pure life style, living for God. The woman who started Pure Life Day, wrote a book called, “Pure Love, Pure Life”. I encourage all of you to buy a copy. Also if you are interested here is her website: http://purelovepurelife.com. Today you can go on the website and see the video she streamed about purity. Also on this website is a Pure Life pledge, I strongly suggest that you print off and sign the Pure Life pledge about staying pure. Happy Pure Life Day!

I Believe in Scripture

This was an awesome video I found on a friend's blog. Now I don't want you to just hear what this guy is saying. I really want you to dig deep and listen to every word he says. When you do that you will be inspired and amazed. Enjoy!

Kreativ Award

Kreativ Award 

Rules:

1) Link back to the person who gave you the award

2) Complete the form below

3) Award other blogs, and let them know that they have been awarded

4) Share seven random things about yourself

1) Name your favorite song:
Make a Move by Royal Tailor

2) Name your favorite dessert:
Chocolate Cake

3) What makes you angry:
Slavery (there are 27 million people in bondage right now)

4) When you're upset:
I am quiet and say nasty side remarks.

 5) What's your favorite pet?
Dog

 6) Black or white?
Black (black doesn't stain very easily:D)

 7) Biggest fear?
Being abandoned

8) Everyday attitude? 

Totally depends on how much I slept the night before.

9) What is perfection?

  Jesus

10) Guilty pleasure?
Thinking too much about whether a guy likes me

Seven random things:

I am very outgoing and say the first thing that comes to my mind in public. 

I hate ribbon

I love (and can't live without) my high tops.

I am gluten intolerant.

I have flunked Alegbra twice.

I don't have a friend that I can tell anything too.

I talk to guys easier than I talk to girls.

I WANT TO THANK Ashley at http://godzgirl1.wordpress.com/ FOR NOMINATING ME.  THANKS SO MUCH!

I award:

Amiee at http://allfilledup.wordpress.com/

Katie at http://katieoostman.blogspot.com/

Guys and Shoes.

Here is an awesome little article I found while reading my Susie Magazine (a magazine created for teen Christian girls) about guys. It gave me a chance to really step back and look at the way things really are. I loved the article, so I wanted to make sure to share it with all of my lovely followers (didn't want you gals to miss out :).

Scene: You’re drooling over a really cute pair of shoes and decide they’re exactly what you want.

Problem: The store doesn’t have your size. So you squeeze into a half size smaller than your own shoe size. Uncomfortable, yes. But you really like the way they look.

Bigger problem: You purchase them and wear them to school, but by the end of the day your heels are sporting blisters, and your toes are threatening to fall off.

Solution: You finally take the shoes off and let your feet breathe again. Whew!

Lesson: There’s nothing you can do about your new shoes because they’ll never grow to be the size you need. Now you’re out a wad of cash, and you’re dealing with ugly blisters for the next week.
You’re Not AloneWe’ve all been there. We’ve either considered buying those cute shoes that the store doesn’t have in our size, or we’ve gone ahead and actually purchased them because they were just so cute. We know it’s just not worth it to get something that doesn’t fit. It brings discomfort and eventually pain.

You don’t want to settle for a shoe just because it’s cute. Get the shoe that’s perfect in size. Once you find the right style and size of shoe, you’ll probably even like it better than the other pair—because it feels good. It’s a perfect fit!

Guys are kind of like shoes. Don’t settle for a guy just because he’s cute, or you’ll eventually be disappointed. The relationship might look good at first, but after a while one of you will end up getting hurt. God created you as a unique individual. And guess what! He also created someone who fits you perfectly.

If you wait for the guy God has set aside for you, you’ll find that not only is he the perfect fit, but he’ll probably be much more attractive to you than others you could have dated that weren’t His choice.
How to Know if You’re SettlingHave you ever thought about making a list to describe the guy that you’re trusting God for? A list is a great tool and can save you from a ton of heartache if you let God help you create the list.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen girls who make a list with every intention of sticking with it and then change a few points here and there in order to have it describe a certain cute guy. If you find yourself doing this, you’re settling!

Once you begin cutting and pasting to make your list to fit the guy, you’ll find your list looking almost foreign to you. It’s no longer a list describing the guy whom God has set aside for you, and you end up selling yourself short. See, when you create a list with God’s help, you don’t fit the list to the guy—the guy fits the list or he doesn’t!

This is where Satan loves to toss a couple of lies at you:

You’re unworthy. He’ll try to make you think that you don’t deserve a guy like the one on your list.

You’re imagining things. He’ll also try to make you think that the guy described in your list doesn’t even exist.

Don’t believe the lies! You are worthy of nothing less than the best, and God is preparing someone to be the perfect guy for you. He does exist.
There IS Life Outside of DatingDon’t let your world revolve around dating. Guys really don’t make the world go round, God does. So while you’re waiting for Him to send the right guy into your life, focus on these five things:

Who am I? Great question! Use this time to discover who you really are. What are you passionate about? Start growing in those things you enjoy, because they’ll be useful to you in the future.

Beef up your spiritual muscles. Read the Bible seriously. Begin memorizing Scriptures and relating them to your life. Talk to God on a regular basis. Growing spiritually stronger now will help you become the godly lady your future guy will need.

Become a good student. Spend time studying and keeping your grades on target, and you’ll be better prepared for what God has in store for your future.

Strengthen your friendships. Have you ever noticed that when you begin dating someone, you lose a lot of the closeness you had with some of your friends? Take this time to make fun memories with them!

Participate on a missions trip. If you’ve never been on an international missions trip, I highly recommend you go on at least one. You may find a new passion that you didn’t realize you had. It’s so much easier to spend time away when you aren’t constantly thinking about a particular guy all the time. I can assure you that your life will change from this one trip. If fact, consider going on the SUSIE missions trip to Panama this summer! Get all the information at www.neverthesamemissions.com. Something incredible happens when you invest your life in those less fortunate.

Really important: While you’re waiting for the guy on your list to make an entrance into your life, don’t compromise by dating other guys who don’t even come close. If you can learn to trust God to write your love story, you’ll never be sorry.

Some girls think they’re abnormal or not good enough because they don’t have a boyfriend. They’re buying into more of Satan’s lies. It’s totally OK for you not be dating. God’s timing is perfect. He’s never early … but He’s also never late! So go ahead, girlfriend, and make that list.

-Misty Gatlin

New Year's Resolutions

Here is a list of questions to ask yourself about 2011. My whole family participated in these questions and it was interesting learning about what my family thought of the past year. If you want to you can just ask yourself these questions, or you might enjoy sharing it with your family and friends. What would be even more fun is if you asked yourself these questions every year and keep a binder filled with your answers. I think you would realize how much your have grown over the past years. Enjoy!!

20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2011.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.

Who Are You

Hey, I saw this vid and it really inspired me. I hope you are able to take something away from it too.

Bubbles.

Bubbles. Bubbles are such a beautiful creation. I dipped the bubble blower into the clear and glossy liquid. I blew them at my little sister as she squealed, clapping her chubby hands together. She spun in circles laughing as I blew bubbles down on her. How beautiful are theses little clear round circles that seem to be made just by blowing. As I blew them up at the ceiling I noticed that they almost seemed to change colors. The light reflected off of the bubbles causing them to change from purple to pink to green to yellow. Until all of the colors seemed to be dripping around this single circle of air. How beautiful.

But once you think about it, my sister's favorite delight is just some soap mixed with water. Really that's it. No special potion or expensive mineral is put into those little plastic bottles. You don't even have to pay big bucks for bubbles, just $1 for a three pack. Yet they are so beautiful. It caused me to think about amazing people who were in the Bible. I mean look at David. David was just some shepherd boy who had a way with sheep. But God used this kid to kill a giant and become a king of an entire nation. God used a boy that had a love for Him and made something beautiful and great. Just like bubbles made from soap and water.

Breathtaking

I had a breathtaking night! Yes, I would use the word breathtaking. I looked it up in the dictionary and it meant 'thrillingly beautiful, remarkable, astonishing, exciting'. That was exactly how tonight felt. I went to an ice skating rink with my homeschool group and it was the most fun I have had in a long time. The cool air rejuvenated my spirits, and the rsk-rsk of the blades against the ice filled me with joy. The laughs of groups of friends, the whispers of couples, the smell of coffee wafting toward the rink from a near by Starbucks, all added to the breathtaking feeling that was inside of me. Hmmmm.  I am so thankful that I am surrounded by my little group of friends. I see now how God stragetically placed them in my life. I don't think I was ever more thankful for my friends than today. Comment on this post if you had a "breathtaking" event or awesome friends this season or maybe in the past, and take time to thank God for placing those friends into your life.