What up, bloggers...its been a long time! I don't really have a good excuse so I'll get right to what I have to say...

So I feel like these posts can super 'cliche' and I don't want that. I would rather people be able to watch me live out my relationship with God than me just flaunting it all over the Internet. Now don't get me wrong, there is something so great about sharing what the Lord has put on your heart. All I'm saying is that I dont want these posts to be a bunch of words. I want my life to reflect what I say.

Mmk now that I got that off my chest...where to begin!? Lately, I have really been studying romans 12. it is such a common, simple passage at first. But when you really READ it...oh no.

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

Just read it a couple times. Of course it sounds so easy, sure God I'll give you life...I'll be different than the world. But then things don't go the way you had planned and we start to have a spazz attack. I don't know about you, but I know this is a huge thing for me. I have this idea and I want things to go that way. But what He's showing me is that...I'm stupid (not literally haha but you get the idea). I really have no clue what's in store for me when I wake up tomorrow so who do I think I am trying to figure everything out!? But if I would just embrace Jesus and His goodness, I wouldn't have to worry about tomorrow. Because I'd have a faith in His plan that is greater than worry.

So I'm sorry this got kinda long and a little preachy. But I had to share what was on my heart..if it helps no one else, I know I got something:)

too much chicken broth

well, it's story time for you all..be excited. so saturday, i felt like someone had ran me over with a very large truck. it was the whole body aches, throat stuffed with cotton and don't even mention the head. you know that little cartoon character that has stars spin around its head when it gets hurt? that was me. kind of the 'did you just say something to me?' thing. not fun.

then sunday, oh sweet Jesus. let's just say, i could not get in that car to minute clinic fast enough. i literally thought my throat was being chopped into pieces. ha and you probably think i'm being dramatic....well, anyways. once inside the tiny room with the elderly nurse-that doesn't quite know what she's doing-we start the interrogation. you know the 'any allergies?' 'birth date?' 'any symptoms?' 'what are the symptoms of your symptoms?' seriously..just stick those death cotton things down my throat and lets go. well, after about 30 minutes, we figured out it wasn't strep. so to make a long story short...i've read 1.5 books since yesterday morning and have gone through about 8 advil. not to mention the chicken broth i've eaten...talk about yummy...

so why am i spilling my sob story? not quite sure, but i think i had a point. through this..i've learned something (shocking, i know). this life isn't always perfect...Jesus even told us this. but that's okay. because right after He said we'd have problems, He tells us not to worry - that He already overcame those problems. He promises that even though we may have issues, He came to this earth to FIX them. He doesn't want me in bed, defeated, because every time i swallow, i think of crying. no ma'am. He wants me to thank Him and be *happy* because i know He hasn't forgotten about me. He loves me and He WILL heal me. I just have to remember that He already took that pain and now all i have to do is trust Him for that healing.

John 10 - my Good Shepherd

one of my favorite things to study in the Bible are the characteristics of Jesus. i love how one story He's multiplying fish for thousands of people&the next He's letting the little kids sit on His lap. He is incredible. but there is one portrayal of Jesus that just really gets me - the story of the Good Shepherd.

you see, i really like cute stories&happy endings. i love knowing that the innocent princess is being protected by her hero. and in this story, we get to see Jesus as our total HERO. we get to see how much He just loves&cares for us - it says 'He calls His own sheep by name&leads them...He walks ahead of them&they follow Him because they recognize His voice' [10:3-4]. not only is He head over heels in love with His sheep, but He promises that He will ALWAYS protect them&wherever they go they will find green pastures' [10:9].

so let's think about this - He knows us; He calls us by our names; He leads us, protects us AND provides total comfort&blessings - more than we could EVER ask for or need! what more could we possibly want!? but..He goes even further. He tells us that 'the Good Shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep&that they will never perish - He will give them eternal life!' [10:27]. we get to be with Him forever just because He loves&cares about us SO stinkin' much. now if that isn't the greatest 'hero' story you've ever heard...i think we have a problem.

so now all there is left to do is follow the Shepherd. when He calls you, LISTEN. when He leads you, FOLLOW. when He protects you&comforts you, LET HIM. i promise you, you won't regret it.

here it goes..

hey, blogger world:) now i gotta say, it's kinda high pressure publishing your first blog post. especially when right now, i'm just writing to yourself. but i guess that's okay? it is my 'diary' after all;) so here it goes...

so i think i'm gonna start with a little spiritual encouragement. i heard the song tonight 'You Are Good' (like above) and it was such a good reminder of just how GOOD God is. how often do we shut our freaking mouths up and just look around at God's goodness. He has done so much for us...and He did it all for free. you and i don't have to pay a penny for all of the blessings He's given us. He asks just one thing of us - to receive it. i don't know about you...but i'd say we got it pretty good. how many times do our parents have to ask us to 'receive' our b-day or christmas presents!? yup, not very often...and when we do receive them, we are THANKFUL. we are thankful because we know that they went out, bought exactly what we were wishing for and gave it to us, just because they love us. you getting it? Jesus did this..and took it to the extreme. hello, He gave His LIFE! that's a little more than those jeans you were really wishing for. so the least that we can do in return is be thankful. praise Him because He is good and He is faithful. He will never leave us and He always wants the best for us! now THAT is a good gift:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=got6Olg0J-E just take 5 minutes and listen to this song - i promise if you really focus on the words, you will be hit with a revelation of how GOOD He is!