Stripped of all innocence, I didn't ask for this pain.
I stand in your presence Lord wondering who am I?
God I need you to define me.
You stripped away all the old, all the bad of this world and made me a new creation.
Cleanse my mind and heart with your refreshing water.
God take away all the garbage this world has deposited in me.
Give me new hope to walk in my God ordained purpose, my destiny you created for me before my name was ever spoken.
You knew me before the world met me.
You define me while the world tries to destroy me but you reign and your glory will shine through my brokenness in this lost and dark world.
It only takes one flame to start a fire.
I am ready for a revival, come live in me.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
We are all different, ever wonder why?
Today in church it hit me that some of us are bold and others quiet.
We each come from different walks of life. Some are raised in Christian homes while others aren't. Some learn lessons in life the hard way and hope others learn from their examples. The worship song today had a line in it that said I give it all to you Lord, use all I have been through for your glory. I have had a jagged past filled with abuse, self harm, drug, alcohol and other addictions. The only thing that has ever filled the void in my heart is Jesus and I will spend the rest of my life sharing that message. The world offers band aid treatments but God offers surgery to heal the wounds so you can life a full life in him.
Some people will never understand my passion to reach the youth and young adults who are broken, lost and hurt. I can not ever forget what Jesus has saved me from otherwise my past had no purpose. I will live solely for him to spread his Good News of love, hope and restoration that was displayed by the sacrifice he made on the cross.
I love you Jesus!!!
We each come from different walks of life. Some are raised in Christian homes while others aren't. Some learn lessons in life the hard way and hope others learn from their examples. The worship song today had a line in it that said I give it all to you Lord, use all I have been through for your glory. I have had a jagged past filled with abuse, self harm, drug, alcohol and other addictions. The only thing that has ever filled the void in my heart is Jesus and I will spend the rest of my life sharing that message. The world offers band aid treatments but God offers surgery to heal the wounds so you can life a full life in him.
Some people will never understand my passion to reach the youth and young adults who are broken, lost and hurt. I can not ever forget what Jesus has saved me from otherwise my past had no purpose. I will live solely for him to spread his Good News of love, hope and restoration that was displayed by the sacrifice he made on the cross.
I love you Jesus!!!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Powerful One-liners...
Have you ever heard a simple sentence with so few words but its impact is profound on your life? Has a simple scripture, song lyric or simple conversation ever made you think how did I miss this?? I have received a few of these this week and want to share them with you :) I hope you are just as inspired as I am to listen, read and expect more from the simpler things in life. God is everywhere!
1 - "I’M PRAYING THERE WILL BE A BREAKTHROUGH, CAUSE I CAN’T BE THE ONE TO SAVE YOU,
GOD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES I’VE TRIED" a song lyric from Jesus Loves You by Stellar Kart.
How true this statement rings in my ears about past friendships. I have poured my heart and soul into other people's lives yet there has to be a time when I step aside and say "I have done all I can do and I have said all I can say". God is the only one who can breakthrough in his time not mine and maybe not by using me. I can't save the entire world just plant seeds.
2 - "Now that I've found You everything around me is changing, Nothing will be the same, Now that You've saved me" a song lyric from Only One by Hillsong.
It's amazing how 2 1/2 years after meeting God he still shows up in an awesome way each day. For 2 months now I have been battling my past and present which will ultimately change my future. God has stretched me beyond what I thought I could handle, he proved strong in my weakness. Everything really has changed once I gave him complete control of my life.
3 - "He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?" Romans 8:32 Amplified Bible
During lunch the other day God put it on my heart to read Romans 8. I read it slowly three times and it really spoke to me. I decided that night to read it again before bed and verse 32 stood out so boldly. I started to cry from my soul, it felt like my heart broke as I read this and realized God gave so much for us to show us he loves us, he cares, he gives us hope and he gave us Jesus. This one line offers so much knowledge into who God is and how much he loves us.
It really makes you think!
1 - "I’M PRAYING THERE WILL BE A BREAKTHROUGH, CAUSE I CAN’T BE THE ONE TO SAVE YOU,
GOD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES I’VE TRIED" a song lyric from Jesus Loves You by Stellar Kart.
How true this statement rings in my ears about past friendships. I have poured my heart and soul into other people's lives yet there has to be a time when I step aside and say "I have done all I can do and I have said all I can say". God is the only one who can breakthrough in his time not mine and maybe not by using me. I can't save the entire world just plant seeds.
2 - "Now that I've found You everything around me is changing, Nothing will be the same, Now that You've saved me" a song lyric from Only One by Hillsong.
It's amazing how 2 1/2 years after meeting God he still shows up in an awesome way each day. For 2 months now I have been battling my past and present which will ultimately change my future. God has stretched me beyond what I thought I could handle, he proved strong in my weakness. Everything really has changed once I gave him complete control of my life.
3 - "He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?" Romans 8:32 Amplified Bible
During lunch the other day God put it on my heart to read Romans 8. I read it slowly three times and it really spoke to me. I decided that night to read it again before bed and verse 32 stood out so boldly. I started to cry from my soul, it felt like my heart broke as I read this and realized God gave so much for us to show us he loves us, he cares, he gives us hope and he gave us Jesus. This one line offers so much knowledge into who God is and how much he loves us.
It really makes you think!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
We must live by God's agenda not the world's
Okay, have you ever been blindsided by life? I have and it's not fun...lol
About six weeks ago my entire life as I knew it was shattered! When I woke up from what I thought was a nightmare I realized God was holding all the pieces of my life. He has plans greater than what I will ever imagine. I must trust him even when the pain is so unbearable I don't feel I can go on. He will always send help, I just have to have an open heart and mind to receive it.
About six weeks ago my entire life as I knew it was shattered! When I woke up from what I thought was a nightmare I realized God was holding all the pieces of my life. He has plans greater than what I will ever imagine. I must trust him even when the pain is so unbearable I don't feel I can go on. He will always send help, I just have to have an open heart and mind to receive it.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Analogy of a Tattoo
I believe God is always with us even when we think he isn't. No one laugh but God spoke to me through one of my new tattoos....ok, stop laughing I'm serious! He showed me how he is the artist of my heart, my life and is in control. Let me explain....
I went into the tattoo shop back home last Wednesday, the night before I gave the artist and idea of what I wanted on my wrist. I gave him 3 symbols: a cross, a heart and a dove. I wanted basic and simple. He asked me if he could create a design and if I liked it he could tattoo it. I said "sure" but in my mind I thought I know what I want and how I want it. So when I went in Wednesday I was a bit nervous to see what he came up with but to my surprise I loved it!!! He created a cross, heart and dove coming out of a cloud...it is a smokey color around the cloud and white in the center. To me he captured what I wanted but didn't say...Even in darkness God's love can shine through by the work done on the cross which brings peace.
Now today I am in what I call the "icky" stage of a tattoo...it itches and is scabbing...yuck! I can see the beauty of what it will look like but these layers of skin must shed on their own. I must be patient, if I scratch it or pick the scabs it will cause the color to be uneven because it has not healed. The beauty of the design created by the artist will be compromised. If I neglect the needed treatment 5 times a day of applying lotion it could also cause problems. I must be patient while the process is taking place.
So how did God speak to me you may be wondering...
Right now in my life I am dealing with my past and in the process of breaking off toxic relationships. God showed me that he is the artist of my life. There is pain at times but in the process he is doing a new work. The layers must be cared for then when its time they will shed so the beauty of the work he has done will shine through! Be patient and know he is in control even when it seems so unbearable.
During this process of healing and growing in spiritual maturity I realize God place leaders in our paths to help us and guide us. I have had to learn to trust others with my past and have faith that God will heal.
I went into the tattoo shop back home last Wednesday, the night before I gave the artist and idea of what I wanted on my wrist. I gave him 3 symbols: a cross, a heart and a dove. I wanted basic and simple. He asked me if he could create a design and if I liked it he could tattoo it. I said "sure" but in my mind I thought I know what I want and how I want it. So when I went in Wednesday I was a bit nervous to see what he came up with but to my surprise I loved it!!! He created a cross, heart and dove coming out of a cloud...it is a smokey color around the cloud and white in the center. To me he captured what I wanted but didn't say...Even in darkness God's love can shine through by the work done on the cross which brings peace.
Now today I am in what I call the "icky" stage of a tattoo...it itches and is scabbing...yuck! I can see the beauty of what it will look like but these layers of skin must shed on their own. I must be patient, if I scratch it or pick the scabs it will cause the color to be uneven because it has not healed. The beauty of the design created by the artist will be compromised. If I neglect the needed treatment 5 times a day of applying lotion it could also cause problems. I must be patient while the process is taking place.
So how did God speak to me you may be wondering...
Right now in my life I am dealing with my past and in the process of breaking off toxic relationships. God showed me that he is the artist of my life. There is pain at times but in the process he is doing a new work. The layers must be cared for then when its time they will shed so the beauty of the work he has done will shine through! Be patient and know he is in control even when it seems so unbearable.
During this process of healing and growing in spiritual maturity I realize God place leaders in our paths to help us and guide us. I have had to learn to trust others with my past and have faith that God will heal.
8 Random Things About Me :)
Why 8? No reason, everyone does top 10 so I did top 8. I am the most unique person I know :)
1 - I have a secret obsession with Tattoos (ok, now everyone knows so its not a secret anymore) I have 7 and each one has a spiritual meaning. I do not randomly get tattoos they all represent a time and place in my life. My next piece will be the largest one ever...it is also to represent the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life which I am still working through.
2 - I have always wanted to dance in the rain but when it rains I always run to get away from it. I think I could melt :) LOL
3 - I have been married, divorced and do not have kids. I am not one of those people who has vowed to never be married again...just the opposite, I look forward to the day God brings a man into my life. I loved being married I was just married to the wrong person. God is my match maker these days, I do a really bad job when I try to take over that job.
4 - I love Hello Kitty...she caused me to commit my first sin that I can remember lol. The girl up the street had everything in Hello Kitty and I had nothing so I stole a little plastic figurine from her house...to this day it still haunts me :)
5 - I love to laugh and feel like I belong :)
6 - I use to live in Virginia, I lived there for 29 years and 3 years ago God told me to move to Tallahassee, Florida....so I did! Greatest and hardest decision I ever made but for the first time in my life, I truly met Jesus here :)
7 - I buy too many books and start reading them to end up putting them down to start another one.
8 - I love Dog the Bounty Hunter tv show...Leland Chapman (Dog's son) is HOT and not just because he is tattooed :) but yes that is part of the reason
Feel free to ask me random questions :)
1 - I have a secret obsession with Tattoos (ok, now everyone knows so its not a secret anymore) I have 7 and each one has a spiritual meaning. I do not randomly get tattoos they all represent a time and place in my life. My next piece will be the largest one ever...it is also to represent the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life which I am still working through.
2 - I have always wanted to dance in the rain but when it rains I always run to get away from it. I think I could melt :) LOL
3 - I have been married, divorced and do not have kids. I am not one of those people who has vowed to never be married again...just the opposite, I look forward to the day God brings a man into my life. I loved being married I was just married to the wrong person. God is my match maker these days, I do a really bad job when I try to take over that job.
4 - I love Hello Kitty...she caused me to commit my first sin that I can remember lol. The girl up the street had everything in Hello Kitty and I had nothing so I stole a little plastic figurine from her house...to this day it still haunts me :)
5 - I love to laugh and feel like I belong :)
6 - I use to live in Virginia, I lived there for 29 years and 3 years ago God told me to move to Tallahassee, Florida....so I did! Greatest and hardest decision I ever made but for the first time in my life, I truly met Jesus here :)
7 - I buy too many books and start reading them to end up putting them down to start another one.
8 - I love Dog the Bounty Hunter tv show...Leland Chapman (Dog's son) is HOT and not just because he is tattooed :) but yes that is part of the reason
Feel free to ask me random questions :)
Catching Up
It has been weeks since I posted any new blogs...God has given me many topics but in my own weakness and due to lack of time I haven't posted them. So all you faithful readers...hold on to your seat because I am gonna write a bunch in the next few days. I hope they are enlightening and inspiring. Hugs and kisses :)
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