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I just had to get on here and say that God is awesome and has completely renewed my life. I am on a different route, and I love where He is taking me. I am learning to be patient and stick close to Him for the ride. He has delivered me from many things so many times, and I do not always praise or thank Him for it. (Forgive me, Lord.) But He deserves all honor, glory, and praise, and I love everything about who He is.

Hallelujah Anyhow :)

My life has been a challenge this year, but it has been great at the same time. I have the most amazing people in my life, so it makes the hard times easier. Thank You, Lord, for always being good no matter what.

~*~Romans 8:28~*~

"When life's problems come your way, hold your head up high and say, 'Hallelujah anyhow!' " - Hymn, "Hallelujah Anyhow"

How to Be a Living Sacrifice

See Romans 12.

1. Renew Your Mind
2. Humble Yourself
3. Recognize Your Spiritual Gifts
4. Love Others
5. Stay Focused
6. Give to the Needy
7. Love Your Enemies
8. Be a Friend
9. Be Unified with Others
10. Treat Others Fairly
11. Live at Peace with Everyone

Remember Who Is In Control

Many times, we do not like the things that God allows in our lives, so we try to handle life on our own. But that is the fastest way to fail, because we will only lead ourselves astray. Only God can offer real, genuine help in our time of need. When we try to take matters into our own hands, that means we don't trust God. Also, we form idols: addictions, money, fame, approval, working overtime more than necessary, inappropriate relationships, etc. God is very clear in verses 27-29 of Isaiah 41 that such idols will come to nothing. They can't help us the way God can. Cease striving, & remember that the same God who saved you is the same God who made you. He knows just how to help you. God is in control. Trust Him.

=)

God is good, & I am very blessed to know Him personally!

God Is Amazing!

I just have to say that God is amazing and incredible! I love Him so much!

Now I'm A Graduate...

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." - Philippians 3:13

I have been a college graduate for about 2 1/2 weeks now. Honestly, this time in my life right now is bittersweet; I am glad to be done, but there are some things about Oklahoma Baptist University that I dearly miss. However, I believe that my time on Bison Hill has really prepared me for a great future. I have grown in so many ways during the past 4 years, and I praise and thank God for it all. Only He deserves the glory for everything that's occurred.

When I think about Philippians 3:13, I realize this verse greatly applies. At this point of my life, I have no choice but to move forward and not look back and reminisce. I am in the process of learning to think more like an adult while, at the same time, allowing God to prune me of what doesn't belong. Sometimes I do not understand this journey He has me on; I don't have all the answers. In just a few months, I will be moving to a place and a school where I barely know anyone. Still, I trust my Savior to lead me safely.

My family is so supportive. In all things, they have been behind me every step of the way. I am so thankful for them everyday. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to know that I have a family who will always love me. That's part of the flame that ignites my motivation. I can't thank them enough for their constant help, even it the difficult times. Their presence in my life truly blesses me; God has definitely spoiled me. :)

I must now take this time out to say a few words to a few young ladies who have been a huge part of my journey through OBU:
- Alexis Thurmond: I cannot thank you enough for your constant encouragement and support. You never cease to supply an uplifting word or remind me of my dreams at times I feel like throwing in the towel. I am so inspired by your drive and diligence to be responsible. To me, your life is a reminder to leave behind that which has already past and press on to the blessings God may have right in front of me. Thank you. :)
- Sharneece Pratt: There is WAY too much I could say to you right now. Haha. But it simply boils down to this: You are my little sis. That in itself has meant so much to me, because you have shown me what loyalty, care, and trust looks like throughout everything we have experienced together. It's so nice to know that I have someone who keeps me sharp; iron sharpens iron, for real! Thank you. :)
- Erica Daniell: My Ms. E...I always smile when I think of you, because your very presence makes me think, "Victory." I must say, your life story has encouraged me in more ways than I can count (you probably never knew that). I have no doubt that your future is bright, and I wish you best of luck in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant!
- Clarissa Watkins: I don't know anyone else who has your level of trustworthiness. I know I can always count on you when I need love and support. You were the one who stuck by my side through the most painful times and STILL kept a smile on your face and a joyful spirit in your heart. I cannot begin to tell you how comforted I was by that. "The Resolution" will follow me wherever I go - LITERALLY. God bless you. :)

Lastly, but most definitely not least, God I want to thank You. I definitely could not have made it this far without You. You deserve all the glory, power, honor, and praise for everything. You have constantly taught me that Your ways are not my ways; they are much higher and much greater. Thank You for teaching me humility, for after it always comes honor. I thank You for what is behind me now, because it all helped shape me for what is ahead. Thank You in advance for what You have in store for my future. Give me strength and grace to do my part no matter what as You continue to use me for Your glory. In Your name, Amen.

"I run, and I do not look back. For, in so doing, I stay on the right track." - Jacqueline Walter

Don't Lose the Game Before You Even Start to Play

"Tomorrow, our seeds will grow. All we need is dedication." - Lauren Hill

We all have dreams. Some of them are easily attainable; others seem impossible to achieve. Usually, we say that we are willing to do whatever it takes to make our dreams come true, but are we? In reality, we do not want to put in all of the work it takes for our dreams to come to pass; we would rather have them handed to us. But take these wise words from Lauren Hill into consideration - "All we need is dedication."

So, ask yourself, are you dedicated? Are you really committed to becoming all that you were created to be? Proverbs 24 states, "...I learned this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - the poverity will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber" (verses 32-34). This proverb explains that we will not have what we so desire if we decide to be lazy and not do our part to make things happen.

So, what are you waiting for? Don't lose the game before it even starts; have some integrity and do what's right and necessary to succeed.

He Goes Before Me

"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." - Psalm 16:8 NKJV

Have you ever felt like everything was going wrong? Maybe you've had one of those days that you felt nothing good even happened. You probably even wish for an early sunrise when it's still evening. Like it or not, we've ALL been there.

Psalm 16:8 reminds us that as we keep the Lord before us - always thinking of Him and keeping our focus on Him and His plan for our lives - He is always with us. Since He is right beside us, we will not be shaken. It does not matter what comes our way; we will stand firm when our lives are focused solely upon Him.

How is your foundation today? Is it rocky? Do you shiver and shake when the storms of life bring a cold chill to your heart? Or are you firm in the Lord, staying warm and toasty regardless of life's chills? Keep the blanket of Jesus wrapped around you tightly in the midst of a cold storm. There is no need to worry; He'll keep you safe and warm. :)

What "Whale" Must God Use to Get Your Attention?

"Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone."

Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach. - Jonah 2:8-10

A few friends and I went to the FCA college night about 2 months ago in Norman, Oklahoma. The speaker spoke about Jonah and how he refused to go to Ninevah as God instructed. Eventually, after the men threw him overboard during a major storm, Jonah was swallowed by a fish. While he was in this fish, he had time to think. God didn't end Jonah's life after the fish swallowed him, but He did allow Jonah to rethink his decision. Jonah realized that he couldn't run away from God's instruction, and Chapter 2 verses 8-10 paints that picture. Once Jonah realized this, confessed his wrongdoing, and praised God for who He is, God released him from the whale.

What is the "whale" in your life that has swallowed you? Are you in a place right now that you are only in because God is trying to get you to think about the decisions and choices you have made? Turn back to Him, and He will send you on your way to do what He has called you to do. As His child, He will always warn you when you are about to make a wrong decision. Are you willing to listen?

What "Nineveh" is God calling you to that you are trying to avoid? Could it be the need to stop an addiction, let go of a relationship, etc? God loves you and believes that you are precious, but He will not let your preciousness become your God.

It's time to wake up and exit the "whale" by surrendering to God's call to "Nineveh." Will you go?

The Value of Spending Time

"We can't stop the stresses of life...So I keep calling on the Repairman to patch up my soul." - A Worker in China

We were made servants through Jesus Christ so that we can spread the Gospel. But we need to be strengthened and renewed daily if we are going to stay on task for Him. & with the daily stresses and demands of life, our souls need frequent repair. That's why daily time with God is so important. The less time we spend with Him in His Word and in prayer, the less effective we are for His kingdom. We cannot spend our entire lives simply summarizing what the Bible says; we must get out and do what God is instructing us to do. Seek to spend time with Him, and then respond with obedience.

Daily time with God is what keeps a missionary going. In the same way, daily time with God is your fuel for each day. Without it, you will become weary and tired - maybe even injured. Daily time with God will keep you alert, and you'll likely have a more successful Christian walk. Consider Joshua 1:8, "This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do."

As you begin 2011, thank God for His gift - Jesus Christ - and the reestablishment of relationship with Him through this gift. Thank Him for new beginnings, fresh starts, and new mercies. Then ask God to forgive you for any lack of reverence for His time, and ask Him to restore you through your daily quiet times with Him. Lastly, thank Him for the changes He will bring in your life as a result of your diligence. What better way to start the new year than to rekindle that precious time spent with your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

#1

"In all we do, He's first..." - Trip Lee

Sometimes when we go through life, we forget the things, and people, that are most important to us. As Christians, we tend to even forget God and the love that He graciously shows us daily - the love that is like no other love that exists. Today's quote reminds us that we must keep God first in everything that we do, no matter how little or how small the task may be. If we forget Him, rest assured that He will do everything in His power to remind us of Him again. He never lets His people go astray, though we may suffer the consequences for our actions. Hardship is just one way that God brings us back to Him. It is through those dark times that we are reminded of how good He is and just how much we need Him. Therefore, we must make keeping Him first a priority.

Christians have once said in their lives that God is now first. When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, He immediately takes up residence and replaces worldly desires with godly desires. Sure, we will still have to fight fleshly desires. That's why we must decide to die to ourselves daily. It's a CHOICE. We can choose to operate in accordance with fleshly lusts, but we can also choose to operate in accordance with the Holy Spirit. Once we accept Christ, we are no longer dominated by sin. We just have new, holy desires that conflict with those of the flesh. And when something needs to change, sometimes it takes a while for it to do so. That's why the Christian life is a PROCESS. We will never be perfect until the day we die or until the day He comes again. However, our spirits will live on, and we leave our bodies behind. They will live on with God. Since all of this is so, we always have something to improve upon. Keeping God first in our lives here on Earth will definitely allow us to completely experience the abundance life that Jesus promised us upon salvation (John 10:10).

Therefore, until your life is done, Christian, keep God #1.

A Secret to Success

"Don't be discouraged by a failure. It can be a positive experience. Failure is, in a sense, the highway to success, inasmuch as every discovery of what is false leads us to seek earnestly after what is true, and every fresh experience points out some form of error which we shall afterwards carefully avoid." - John Keats

There are times and instances in life that will attempt to keep us down. We cannot control what happens or comes our way, but we can choose how we will respond to them. Life throws us many apples, but we can decide which ones we will eat and which ones we will just let rot. Ultimately, the ball is in our own court. We have been given free will by God to decide how we will respond to certain things that happen to us. If we are His followers, however, God will do whatever possible to keep us in line. We must stay in accordance with His will. Remember, we have plans in our hearts, but God decides the ending results.

Failure...Not everyone likes to hear or even say this word. Some people think of failure as a bad thing, but that is not always so. We all make mistakes, and sometimes our best lessons come from them. We just have to learn to look for such lessons, even in the midst of the difficulty. The majority of the time, it is people who test our patience and try to push our buttons, just to see how far they can push us. But God sees and knows this will happen, so we do not need to be afraid of them. Fear God alone if you are His follower because the thoughts and opinions of other people don't matter more than God the Father.

Simply put, let your failures propel you to success. Always remember that mistakes help us discern the things we do not want to do again, so never grow faint. Don't let anyone discourage you from continuing on. Your life is not centered around them; it is hidden in Christ. When life knocks you down, choose to get back up. Choose to be fighter. Stand firm, because God knows how to make all things work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)!

Jesus Is Our Rehabilitation

"The Christian life is an entrance into rehab." - Lecrae

When we go through daily life experiences, sometimes we can't seem to find the answers to particular problems that arise. For example, there still isn't a known cure for cancer. Doctors have been searching for years and years, but they cannot seem to find a cure. I'm sure this is quite frustrating for them and for their cancer patients. But even in the midst of this, peace can be experienced. How, you might ask? It's simple - and the answer is rehab.

Some people think of rehab as a way to abstain from some type of addiction. While this is true, the general meaning of rehab describes no such thing. To rehabilitate something means "to restore to health or good condition" (Dictionary.com). Therefore, when a person enters rehab, they are actually entering a state of restoration.

Upon acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, He immediately becomes our rehabilitation. He is the one who brings us back to good health and restores us to right-standing with God. We do not have to worry about cleaning our own selves up before coming to Christ, whether it's to accept Him or just confess our daily sins. When we come to Jesus, He takes us as we are, takes us through necessary spiritual rehab, and makes us useful vessels for His kingdom. This spiritual restoration varies with time because each person is different. Some may take longer than others to be rejuvenated, and with the process sometimes reaps frustration on our part. However, we must be patient and allow God to work in our lives through Jesus so that we may become all that He has called us to be.

Jesus is not only the rehabilitation for our personal lives, but He is also the Great Restorer of the world. When He comes again, He will make everything right. In this, we can place our hope as Believers. Come... Won't you let Him restore you personally today?

Acts 3:21 - For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.

Fear of Rejection

John 6:37 - However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.

Rejection is not an easy thing to handle. Many people fear it. Many times in our lives, there will be people who desert us and do not want anything to do with us. These people may be close friends and family, or even distant people who do not know us very well. Most of the time, those who reject us base their reasons for doing so on a matter of performance. They want us to meet certain expectations, and when we don't, they reject us. And sometimes, if we are not careful, we will allow certain circumstances to prevent us from properly discerning these kinds of people. In addition, if we allow every rejection to hurt us, we may make the mistake of rejecting others in return. This, however, is not the attitude that God wants His people to have.

If we know Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, He promises in John 6:37 that He will never reject us. He loves us no matter what, and we can come to Him as we are. He will accept us the way we are, no matter what we have done. Some people think they have to clean up their lives before they come to know Jesus Christ. However, that is not true. Come as you are, and Jesus saves and changes you. Salvation is not based on what we have done, but it is based on what Christ did for us. His love for us is not based on performance. He just loves us - no excuses. That's one thing that makes Him incomparable. Never place human characteristics on Jesus because He is like no other. He is the One who can remove the feeling of rejection and give us the proper comfort that we need.

If you are interested in coming to know Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, follow the link below to see specific passages from the Bible regarding Salvation:
More Info About Salvation

The world may reject us, but if you are in Christ, God will never let you go.

Wives and Husbands

1 Peter 3:1-4 - In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

Women sometimes cringe or get angry when the topic of submission to their husbands is brought up. I believe that is only because they do not understand the proper meaning. Submission does NOT mean that men can treat their wives as doormats. Submission means that women respect their husbands and speak the truth in love. Women do not need to be afraid of what will happen if they speak they truth in love. If your husband respects you, then there is no reason to worry about the outcome. It is better to say what you feel than to expect for your husband to guess how you are feeling. God did not create a man's brain that way; He created women that way. Therefore, since God has created man and woman this way, we must accept that in any case, not just in marriages. Simply put, wives, respect your husbands authority, but do not be afraid to give your loving opinion. Husbands, love your wives, just as you love yourselves. In response, they will love and respect you. To be honest, it is difficult for a woman to love her husband if he continuously bosses her around or abuses her (women, accept no form of the latter). If you notice, God does not command women to love their husbands, although love must be in a marriage. He commands them to "accept the authority of [their] husbands." In another passage, men are instructed to love their wives. When they do so, women will automatically show proper respect. Let me make it clear that I am not at all stating that women should love their husbands only when they show love to them. How many of us know that's just plain foolish? :) But I am saying that it is much easier for the woman to love and respect her husband when he shows her that he is taking his position of authority seriously by loving her and their children (if any).

Women, if your husband is an unbeliever, it will NOT do any good to lecture him or give him a sermon. More than likely, he has heard the Gospel and has chosen to be unresponsive. Therefore, only your "pure and reverent lives" will set the example that your husband needs so that he may one day make the decision to follow Christ when the Holy Spirit prompts him to do so. Men, if your wife is an unbeliever, the same applies to you. Many of the verses regarding relationships in the Bible can be easily reversed to fit the other person as well.

So women, their is no need to feel upset or discouraged in the area of submission. Get in God's Word, and understand what He means. Then, you will surely see the light in this area.