Pen And Paper

Over the years, I have been asked many question about my standards and the reason why I’ve chosen to do things the way I have when it comes to relationships. This is a big topic to take on all in one blog, so I decided I would do it in parts. So in the next couple blogs I post, I will do my best to answer the questions people have challenged me with...... One of the biggest questions I have been faced with has to do with my physical relationship. Some people wonder why we don’t kiss, snuggle... etc...... There are several different perspectives on this issue which I have heard from different sources. I’ve heard it said, “If it’s not yours... don’t touch it.” That’s a quick and easy way to sum it up. Ultimately, that person you are with is not yours until there is a ring on your finger. There’s no commitment till you say “I do.” Another way I like to think about it is... if that person’s spouse was there, would you do what you are about to do with that person? Because, until...

A wave crashed up on the shoreline with the sunset glowing on the horizon. It’s warm rays of orange and yellow reflected on the ocean’s water giving it a pure sparkle. A cool breeze rushed through the air carrying the scent of the salty ocean. Picture perfect evening, as if nature was beckoning for people to come and take a long stroll along it’s beach. A young boy took it up on it’s friendly offer as he wondered up and down the  shore. The waves continued to come, splashing he’s feet as he walked. As the water flooded his toes, he felt something else touch him. He looked down and much to his surprise it was a brightly colored starfish which seemed to glow under the clear water. He plucked it out of the water and held it in his hand for a moment. He admired the beauty and thanked the Creator for designing such a wonderful creature. Then, with a soft toss, it plunged back into it’s watery home. The boy went on his way down the beach when he noticed another starfish which had been ...

"From your head to you’re heart.... 18 inches."  I know, I know.... it’s been so long since I’ve gotten to post something. Some of my friends were making comments about how I should post something again. I know this is the usual excuse.... but things have really gotten crazy busy around here lately and I’ve been a bit distracted. BUT... I have had this one written for quite awhile now... just haven’t had a chance to edit it and post it......  so, enough of this rambling and on to the real stuff here...... Something that God has been dealing with me about in my life for the past 2 or 3 years, is taking what I know and putting it to action. It’s no good having all the information but not doing anything about it. Being here at Bible College, I have been gaining a lot of new information. It’s so exciting to hear all these different perspectives on stories and situations I’ve never heard before, but the real test is when I come home from College. Will I just fall ...

A few Sunday nights ago, we had a Chapel service. We gathered together for a time of worship and prayer, then sat and listened as our teacher gave a lesson. We ended with extended worship and communion. During this time, I found a place to stand away from all the other worshipers. And as I stood there, I watched all the other students as some stood to their feet and raised their hands, others bowed their heads and whispered prayers, and some where on their faces weeping before the Lord. I sat there... in worship once again... and fought the familiar feeling of numbness. It’s something I have been struggling with for a while now. Just because I’ve literally grown up in church my entire life, I’ve been a Pastor’s kid now for about.... I don’t know... 6 years maybe? My dad has been leading worship in one way or another since I can remember. Needless to say, I’ve heard it and lived it all my life!! And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve struggled with making it new, and getting something out of ...

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” ~Philippians 1:6 I really believe God gave me my personal “semester verse” the other day. I had to read Philippians 1 for a homework assignment and I came across this verse. It really stuck out to me and I just kept going back to it. I found it interesting that I’ve read Philippians a few times before, but never really noticed this verse. But that is why it is called the LIVING word of God. For one could read the same passage over and over and find something new each time- that is, if they are looking for it and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal His words.  I just feel like God used this verse to speak to me. It’s His promise to me that He’s not finished yet and He promises to finish the work He’s started in me. It’s what I’ve been looking forward to this whole time... It’s one of the biggest reasons I came to Bible College. In many ways, it’s...

I had my first Bible Study Methods class yesterday and it was super awesome! I’m really excited to get more into that class! We’re going to be going over some pretty awesome stuff! Just in case anyone is wonder what the class is about.... it’s just literally... Bible Study Methods. They are going to take us through different steps on how to get more out of the Bible, answer questions, do our own research, ect.  Some things came up in this class I want to share with you all! First thing is quick and simple..... Seven easy steps for a closer relationship with God through your personal devotional: -Pray, Praise, Read, -Meditate, Memorize, -Journal, Close. *BAM!* It’s just like that. I encourage you all to try it. Start with 15 minutes then work it up. If you take 15 minutes out of your day, every day.... that’s only 1 hour and 45 minutes of your 168 hour WEEK!! Think about it.... I think you can find the time, don’t you? Moving on.... Our homework this week...

We went to the beach yesterday, which turned out to be quite an adventure as was drove for almost 3 hours trying to find the right place. We made a few wrong turns along the way, but eventually made it there safe and sound! Only by the Lords grace did we make it there safe and sound.  When we first got in the car and began our little journey to the beach.... I forgot to put my seatbelt on. I usually don't wear a seatbelt when I'm crammed shoulder to shoulder in a car.... it's just kind of awkward trying to find the right place to click the seatbelt in...... Anyways, as we hit the road, I got a little feeling that I should put my seatbelt on, so I obeyed. Then I began hearing a still small voice telling me I should pray for our safety.... that we will get to the beach without getting into a car accident. At first I kind of ignored it thinking "Riiiiiight.... we're not going to get in a car wreck! We're fine!" But that little voice didn't go away, s...

Almost through my first week at CCBC!! I’m all registered for classes: I will be taking Bible Study Methods (Required for 1st semesters), Ruth/ Esther (All girls class), History of Redemption (Required for 1st semesters also), Romans, and John. I also got assigned my “M1”... as we call it here.... which is basically my volunteer work I will be doing on campus. I’ll be working in the kitchen every other weekend doing evening food prep. I will be honest, it’s not what I originally wanted to do. I was hoping to be a server, and I found out later I could have requested it.... and probably still could. After thinking about it all day, I came to the conclusion, for whatever reason, this is where God wants me to be. I just decided to take whatever was given to me and believe that it was part of Gods plan. So, after that, I started getting more excited about it!! Just getting to serve where I’m needed is worth it to me. It’s all about the heart (which I will talk more about later) and the att...

"Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path!"  This verse came up a few different times in the past couple of days before I left for Bible College. And as I thought about it more, I realized how perfect this verse is for my life right now. It's as I mentioned in my previous post….the Lord is taking me out of my comfort zone so all I will have is HIM to lean on…… NOT my own understanding. I'm beginning to learn what it means to trust in the LORD with ALL of my heart. Notice the verse does not say, "Trust in the Lord with SOME of your heart." No…. It says ALL. And this is what I am learning to do. God doesn't want us to be on the fence about trusting in Him. We need to be ALL in or nothing.  I'm beginning to realize, I've been trusting God with some things in my life…. but not all!! I'm still concerned and confused about how certain situa...

I'm so excited to introduce my new blog to whoever is reading this. I'm not really sure how to start.... So I guess I'll just jump right in!! So here we go....  This month has been so wonderful, scary, exciting, nerve-racking, awesome, difficult and all around an emotional roller coaster!! But I'm SO thankful, because I can see God's hand so clearly in all of this. It's awesome to not only be a part of His great plan, but to also be a witness of everything He has been doing around me.  In a lot of ways... my life has been building up to this moment... this time in my life..... this new chapter. And I'm ready to turn the first page. I have been fighting it for awhile.... I feel like it's all moving so fast. As if, time is the rope tied around my waist pulling me through life as I've got my heels in the ground. But I've tried to give up that fight.... and instead allow my Author, to take the pen and begin writing my new adventure.  There's b...