Desires.

     We all have desires. We have those times where we feel like nothing is going our way and we just want to give up. We want to give into doubt and worry. We want everything to happen when we want it to, no matter what it takes for that to happen. God understands where we are coming from. He understands our desires. 

     I struggle with this day in and day out. I have my own desires-- desires for family members to change and see Christ, desires for God to use a broken picture and make it beautiful in my eyes, desires for a world that wants to simply serve Him. I pray for these things constantly and feel like God is ignoring me. Then I have to shut my doubts up and remember the promise He gives us.

Then you will take delight in the LORD, and He will answer your prayers.

~Psalm 37:4

     We have to be careful not to criticize and get angry with God when our desire isn't being met right then and there. Often times, we cast judgement on God and say heck with it just because nothing has happened yet. God could simply be whispering in our ear, "The time has yet to come, my child. But don't fear or get upset, because I've got you in the palm of my hand." God answers prayers in a lot of ways. It could be a "no", "not yet", or "yes" depending on HIS perfect timing and will. 

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers."

~Jeremiah 29:11-12

     You see, God knows exactly what He is doing. He knows every single detail about our lives and just wants us to give Him our total trust. Not just a little here and there, but in EVERY aspect of our lives. What more could He ask of us after the promises He gives us all throughout the Bible? He knows the plans for us- those plans that are meant to do us no harm even though they seem that way when taken at face value. The reality is God has our back. All He wants and desires from us is that faith and trust we all should have. 

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

~John 20:29

     The circumstances that surround us seem unconquerable and hopeless. Thankfully, we have a God that can conquer anything and everything within His timing. With that said, it's time for me to cast my worries and doubts at the feet of Jesus and leave it all up to HIM. Leave it to Him to handle my situations, burdens, and troubles. It's time for me to sit back and have the blind faith I need to have. After all, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. I pray that God would give me just that---the faith I need to sit back and KNOW everything will be alright because I have a God that simply loves me enough to take care of my every need.

     Now it's your turn. It's the time for you to sit back and relax. The time for you to breathe and give your burdens to God. The time for you to build a testimony in yourself of being a person who has that blind faith. Join me. <3  

SO BLESSED.

The old and worn roof over my head, tastful and satisfying food in my belly, loving family and friends to depend on, a compassionate church I can worship in freely, clothes on my back, an education and school I can learn in, a copy of the precious words of God, a warm bed with pillows and blankets surrounding me at night, a safe and supportive environment I can grow up in, TV's and computers, the sweet sound of laughter-- a few things I'm thankful for. Now picture this... No place to call home, a hurting stomach begging for food and something to drink, an abandoned heart longing to be loved, persecuted for even claiming to be a Christian, no clothing but maybe scraps of old cloth, education isn't even considered because finding a way to survive is the priority, the hope of having a Bible is overweighted by the chains of persecution, a cold and dirty ground for a bed, sounds of gun shots as another person dies, the only form of entertainment is the rocks and twigs beneath you, an aching heart cries out for help in sobs of pain. It's true, it's real. We are spoiled rotten and have no perspective on what life is really like for many people. We have it made while people die daily from starvation, untreated diseases, and suicide because they feel worthless and with no hope. We see the commercials, ads, and pictures all the time; when will we really get it? WE ARE BEYOND BLESSED! My heart breaks to know what life is like for so many people. I'm sick and tired of sitting around and playing games; I'm done telling myself they will be okay. So, that is why I'm freely allowing Christ to sear a hole through my selfishness and send me to help these people in His perfect will and timing. I pray that we all would realize just how blessed we are. The next time you start to complain or when you become unsatisfied, remember how much God has already given us. Thank you God for opening my eyes and heart to what this world is really like. I pray one day I will get to experience it and make a difference.

Caring like Christ

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

~Matthew 25:35-36~

That girl walking down the hall with her head down scared of being overlooked and judged. That boy you see in the stairwell with defeat written across his face. The 'weird kid' sitting alone at the lunch table. The kid you see needing a word of encouragement and hope. That person...

We all have these people in our lives that we could care less about, and simply act like we don't know them. Am I guilty of this? YES. Am I ready to stand up and be light to them? YES. Am I ready to quit caring about what others think? YES.

I struggle with all of these things, and it's right then that Satan works his way into our minds and whispers to us that it's okay to sit back... That it's alright to watch people deal with pain and hurt... That it's not a big deal for another soul to spend eternity in hell with him. And what do I do? What do we do? We buy the lies he tells us and accept it as TRUTH.

Then I am reminded of Matthew 25 and the awesome truth it holds. Jesus plainly tells us that when we CARE for others that we are doing exactly the same thing to Him. When we feed the hungry soul with loving words, when we give the hopeless heart water in hopes of replenishing their pain in life, when we allow that person to lean on us, when we cloth them in the apparel of a child of the King, when we allow God to use us so He can heal their bitterness, when we simply reach out...

The next time you find yourself staring at the new kid, or judging the girl who made a mistake, remember this... God wants YOU to be His hands and feet. He wants His body of believers to get out of their comfort zones and find happiness in caring for others while caring for Him.

So, my question is this: When will you allow Christ to sear a hole through your pride or worries in fulfilling the work He has called His people to do? I know I want this, and I hope you do too.

His Plans

Do you ever wonder what purpose your life has or will have? I know I do. I know I wonder all the time what God has in store for me and how He will use me. It was until recently that I truly realized what God was trying to tell me... It was simply this: I am right where I need to be for now. Here in little old Blairsville. Here in my school, my sports teams, my

community, my church. Who ever said you have to be in a foreign country to spread His word and be a witness? I believe Satan works this into our minds to discourage, trick, and dishearten us so we won't have the courage to do the work God has for us. The Bible states it like this:

He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM."

Jerusalem can be compared to Blairsville or Union County. All nations compared to all types of people at our schools and jobs, all the different groups and cliques within our community. My point of this is to plainly say that if you are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes, God WILL use you if you seek His face. I know that's what I am doing. Stay in the Word, prayer, and Christian relationships and you will see God use your life in ways you wouldn't think.

Look for these opportunities-- they are everywhere! So, the next time you question your purpose in this world, run to Christ and He will use YOU.

"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations."

-Isaiah 42:1

A Faithful God

Do you ever feel lonely? Forsaken? Defeated? If so, there is a man who knows exactly how you feel... Jesus, the perfect man, felt the same way you may feel at times. While hanging on the cruel cross, feelings and thoughts invaded His mind. "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning," Jesus proclaimed. Personally, I have felt this way before as you may have too. Psalm 22 talks about how Jesus felt while shedding His blood for you and me. He felt defeated, alone, and afraid-- just like you. He cries out to God through the pain and hurt and then says, "you have answered Me." When thoughts and emotions overwhelm you, hold on to this passage. Jesus UNDERSTANDS what you feel and what your going through! Cry out to Him and then just wait and listen... He could be answering you. Until then, trust that you have a faithful God who will NEVER leave you.

A Stronger Testimony

Many circumstances in our life leave us hurt, broken, and confused. It's in these times that God wants our TOTAL trust. Even when we don't understand a single thing. We have to realize that God, the Creator of you and me, wants us to realize that we are a tiny part of this big plan He has for us. Even when we can't see how this plan will work out and how it could possibly be good, it will. 


I can honestly say that in the past month, my life has felt like it's gone down the drain. I have experienced true brokeness, sorrow, and confusion. My Uncle died, I got in a wreck, and my grandpa's in the hospital with serious lung issues. I say these things not for pity, but to simply say that God is going to use this to build a stronger testimony in me. When I feel like I'm hopeless and hurt, alone and afraid, broken and bitter; I remind myself of this: EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. We have all heard this saying before. It wasn't until recently that I really started believing and clinging to this truth, though. You see, God has this BIG plan, and he wants YOU in it. These horrible times and trials are some way or another going to evolve into a beautiful masterpiece that God created. It's hard to see how this could possibly be true, but believe and cling to it. 


I hope this will be a word of encouragement to you, and that you will hold on to the hope that God gives you. Praise Him in your storm, and good will come out one way or another.