"To be complacent in the comfort of my life is to not allow the Holy Spirit to move through me. But to be challenged and live my life through the confidence of Christ, His will be done."

If you’re feeling bitterness and hatred towards someone who has hurted you and brought you pain, remind yourself that it is not the person you hate, but rather it is the enemy you hate for what he is doing to them; he has discern their hearts to have cause the situation. We all fall short of this sometimes but we then should feel compelled to pray and send blessings over them as it was the enemy who’s working on their behalf. The Lord loves them as He loves you. So tell yourself it is not them, it is not me but it is the enemy. Choose love. Choose God.

The kind of daughter…

Turning 21 was a big deal for me…okay, not really. But in a sense, it is. I’m getting older. ONE WHOLE YEAR OLDER. And throughout these years, since I’ve learned how to drive and having my own car, I’ve gotten the chance to really explore (the state of MN, mainly the metro area…lol).

Lately, I’ve been thinking about giving back to my parents…

After my mom past away, I grew up away from my dad and my step-mom. I jumped from siblings to siblings, basically…they took me in, so I didn’t really get a chance to “bond” with my parents the way other kids did.

Finally coming to live with them in the last 2-3 years, we don’t exactly “click” right away but we’re both learning to adapt to one another, slowly. It’s been tough. It’s been hard. It’s been emotional, even heartbreaking. But I think I finally get the idea of what kind of daughter I want to be to them.

My oldest sister was the kind of daughter that wasn’t really there because she got married and moved away when she was young. My other sister was the kind of daughter that would sacrifice her time and energy to get things done for my parents because after my oldest sister left, she was next in place to be the oldest daughter of the family. And then there’s me…

First off, I WAS the kind of daughter that would rebel…sad to say, but it’s true. I was the youngest daughter, the spoil girl who got everything she wanted and got away with everything she did.

But now, I can look back and say I was trouble, but I’ve changed.

Through the love of God and the grace He has poured on me, He changed my selfish heart into giving more then receiving. Though I’ve gone through many obstacles in my lifetime, He’s been merciful. He’d guide me through every curves and turns until I’m back on track, shooting straight to where He had always planned for me. To Him, I’m forever grateful and am so undeserving of His overwhelming love.

Now, I want to give back to my parents…for all the times I’ve been a big trouble to them, I want to do something good in return.

I want to love them the way I’ve never loved them before.

They’ve went through a lot to bring my siblings and I to live in this country and along the way of trying to live the American dream, they’ve worked too hard to the point where they haven’t had the chance to really explore that “dream” … And I want to change that.

I’ll be honest and say I don’t know where to start and I don’t know how to begin, but I know one thing, they deserve to explore and see all the wonders that I’ve been given the opportunity to.

I want to be the kind of daughter that’ll take her parents and show them the world. Every single bit of it. I’M SO EXCITED!

A prayer: Take This Job and Love it!

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to follow Your plan for my life. Help me to walk in daily obedience so that Your unique and perfect plan for my life will naturally unfold before me. And when I am discouraged or stressed because of the work I am doing, give me Your peace and the assurance that I am in the right spot doing the right things You created me to do.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

-Mary Southerland

(Source: girlfriendsingod.com)

"I want to be reminded by Your captivating love…"

To be quite honest, I didn’t fall too into THE VOW’s hype. Yes, I wanted to watch it but it wasn’t something I was impatiently waiting for…and I’m glad I didn’t.

In my opinion, I thought the movie was good but I felt that it fell short…just don’t know where. I thought it was…vaguely weak in a sense and missing something. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It just didn’t live up to it’s hype…(other’s may think otherwise, this is my opinion).

It wasn’t until I came across this article about Kim and Krickitt Carpenter’s (the ones who inspired the movie) love story. It was then, that it filled the missing pieces to complete the story for me.

Krickitt says, “The Lord wrote this story. And though I believe my walk with the Lord was stronger prior to our car wreck than it is now, it (her faith) has not faltered.” Krickitt’s relationship with the Lord began as a young teenager, but it was not until she was in college that she “learned what it meant to walk with the Lord and put your life in his hands.” Her commitment has not let her down.

Truly, a love story written by God, Himself. Inspiring…

I LOVE NUTELLA!

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Behold, you are beautiful, my love,
behold, you are beautiful!

-Song of Solomon 4:1 (ESV)

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"No, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
- Psalm 147:11 (NLT)"

“Unending Love”

There’s no silver or gold
And no treasure untold
That could draw me away from Your heart
Neither love of myself
Or of anyone else will do

Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescues me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I’m humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love
Your love, Jesus

Letting go of my pride
I lay down my desires
Just to worship in Spirit and truth
More than all of my dreams
More than fame I will seek You Lord

Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescued me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I’m humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I’m humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescues me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

(Jesus) Jesus nothing compares
To this grace that rescued me
Savior now and forever
Your face is all I seek

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I’m humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I’m humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Now all I am
I lay at Your feet
I’m humbled by the wonder of Your majesty
One thing I know
I find all I need
In Your unending love
In Your unending love

Prayer request

I ask for Patience and strength to endure hardships.
The power to comprehend the love of Christ and a deeper sense of assured hope.
Pray that my faith will not be destroyed and for a greater faith I will await.
Pray that I won’t fall into temptation.
Pray for protection from evil’s harm.
Pray that I’m only going through what I’m going through because He has something bigger and better in store for me.
Pray for forgiveness and cleansing of my sins.