This week at school and at youth group and with the comments from my blog post last week, I kind of felt God speaking to me. It really wasn't insane or extraordinary, but it really has given me a new view and purpose for this upcoming school year. Keep the fire burning. Yep, that's it. And I honestly think that my goal for this year, although simple, is pretty amazing.
Last year, I tried to live by my blog title, set the world on fire. And this year, the fire that God sparked in my heart will still remain. I will keep the fire burning. You all know about the burden that He has placed on my heart for missions; my goal is to keep that fire burning. The one burning here in my Jerusalem, yep, I am going to keep that fire burning too.
So I will leave you with this. Whether Christ has been your best friend for as long as you can remember, or you just met Him today. Whether you have you have acknowledged His presence, or you are still finding your way back home. Keep the fire burning, and maybe together, with the help of our Heavenly Father, we can set the world on fire.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
One Moment
It is amazing how one moment in time can be life-changing.
For those of you that don't know, this summer, I took a week long trip to Nicaragua. It was the best week of my life and I am still amazed at how much God changed me on that trip. I still remember sitting on the plane in Fort Lauderdale and awaiting my next footstep into Nicaragua. I vividly remember the first hotel we stayed in, and waiting for the bus to come that first day. However, as distinctly as I remember everything, I am still so sad because I am forgetting what if felt like to be in Nicaragua.
One of the days I remember like yesterday was on the Tuesday that we were there. It was the second day of VBS and we were at the village of Mateare. I can recall how badly those kids needed love, and how we were so willing to give it. One girl in particular stuck out to me. I remember her being the one that didn't only want a hug, but she wanted me to hold her. I held her for about 10 minutes when she wanted me to take her to her house. I had to say no because I couldn't go unaccompanied. I thought that I wouldn't see her again, but a few minutes later she was back and in my arms. I can still see the people and feel that gentle breeze as I held her that day and gazed up at the mountains and thought about the song "This is Home" :
I thought about how maybe God was calling me to Nicaragua, or maybe it was to show me that I can do that in Florida, but I left that day knowing that God was calling me back. Maybe not to Managua, maybe not even Nicaragua, or even South America, but I knew that God was calling me into missions. So I decided that I would go where He wants me to, and right now, that means being a missionary to my Jerusalem, here in Land O Lakes, but I know that His plan is best, and I will follow Him where He wants so that I can set the world on fire!
For those of you that don't know, this summer, I took a week long trip to Nicaragua. It was the best week of my life and I am still amazed at how much God changed me on that trip. I still remember sitting on the plane in Fort Lauderdale and awaiting my next footstep into Nicaragua. I vividly remember the first hotel we stayed in, and waiting for the bus to come that first day. However, as distinctly as I remember everything, I am still so sad because I am forgetting what if felt like to be in Nicaragua.
One of the days I remember like yesterday was on the Tuesday that we were there. It was the second day of VBS and we were at the village of Mateare. I can recall how badly those kids needed love, and how we were so willing to give it. One girl in particular stuck out to me. I remember her being the one that didn't only want a hug, but she wanted me to hold her. I held her for about 10 minutes when she wanted me to take her to her house. I had to say no because I couldn't go unaccompanied. I thought that I wouldn't see her again, but a few minutes later she was back and in my arms. I can still see the people and feel that gentle breeze as I held her that day and gazed up at the mountains and thought about the song "This is Home" :
This is home
Now I'm finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching
For a place of my own
Now I've found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is homeI thought about how maybe God was calling me to Nicaragua, or maybe it was to show me that I can do that in Florida, but I left that day knowing that God was calling me back. Maybe not to Managua, maybe not even Nicaragua, or even South America, but I knew that God was calling me into missions. So I decided that I would go where He wants me to, and right now, that means being a missionary to my Jerusalem, here in Land O Lakes, but I know that His plan is best, and I will follow Him where He wants so that I can set the world on fire!
Saturday, June 29, 2013
"Dear Maddy" , My Guide to Middle School
This coming school year, my sister, Madelyn, will be going into middle school. I want her to get the most out of it, so I have decided to write her a middle school survival guide.
Dear Madelyn,
Welcome to the wonderful world of bells, 6 classes, and crazy personalities. Middle school will be a big change from 5th grade. Here are some tips I have for keeping your head on straight and having successful character.
1. Make sure you are willing to break apart from the majority. Don't worry about fitting in. You might not be the picture perfect popular girl, but don't feel like you have to be. Stand out. Be different. It will get you a lot further than fitting in.
2. Keep a good relationship with Mom and Dad. I cannot understand why my friends hate their parents or don't want to stay in touch with them. They love you, so don't treat them like dirt. Plus, keeping a good relationship means less yelling and more fun.
3. Choose your friends wisely. You reflect your friends, so be around the people that you want to be like.
4. Don't let others words get to you. You might get lots of negative comments from a lot of people (but I don't know why because you are an amazing girl), just don't let there words bring you down. You are worth so much more than what other people think of you.
5. Keep your eyes on God. His opinion matters most. Stick with Him and always know that He will be there to catch you if you fall. Make sure He is the center of your years and they will turn out great!
Love you sissy,
Abby <3
Dear Madelyn,
Welcome to the wonderful world of bells, 6 classes, and crazy personalities. Middle school will be a big change from 5th grade. Here are some tips I have for keeping your head on straight and having successful character.
1. Make sure you are willing to break apart from the majority. Don't worry about fitting in. You might not be the picture perfect popular girl, but don't feel like you have to be. Stand out. Be different. It will get you a lot further than fitting in.
2. Keep a good relationship with Mom and Dad. I cannot understand why my friends hate their parents or don't want to stay in touch with them. They love you, so don't treat them like dirt. Plus, keeping a good relationship means less yelling and more fun.
3. Choose your friends wisely. You reflect your friends, so be around the people that you want to be like.
4. Don't let others words get to you. You might get lots of negative comments from a lot of people (but I don't know why because you are an amazing girl), just don't let there words bring you down. You are worth so much more than what other people think of you.
5. Keep your eyes on God. His opinion matters most. Stick with Him and always know that He will be there to catch you if you fall. Make sure He is the center of your years and they will turn out great!
Love you sissy,
Abby <3
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
My Fear of People (Well sort of)
I get scared sometimes. Okay, I will admit; I get scared a lot. I am afraid of things like snakes, lizards (don't even ask why), an over-attachment to Facebook (yes, that scares me). But what scares me most, is that people that I walk by everyday won't be with me in heaven. That they won't ever get the chance to hear the glorious news of Christ. I am afraid for people I don't know. And do you know the worst part? I won't be able to tell all of them. I could always stop people in the hallways, but there will be that person that walks to fast for me to catch. How am I supposed to tell ALL of them?
That is where you all come in. Not only is it my job to tell them, but it's your job too. We are all called as children of God to be lights to the darkest corners. We all need to share Christ instead of hogging Him.
So this week, I challenge you. Be a light to ONE person (or more if your heart so does desire). You don't even have to pick a stranger, it can be a friend. Tell them about Christ, or even just invite them to church. I want God to use us this week. Help me get over my fear, and lets be the sparks to set the world on fire.
That is where you all come in. Not only is it my job to tell them, but it's your job too. We are all called as children of God to be lights to the darkest corners. We all need to share Christ instead of hogging Him.
So this week, I challenge you. Be a light to ONE person (or more if your heart so does desire). You don't even have to pick a stranger, it can be a friend. Tell them about Christ, or even just invite them to church. I want God to use us this week. Help me get over my fear, and lets be the sparks to set the world on fire.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Psalm 69
I read this week during my devotions and really fell in love with it. David really pours out his heart and begs for God to rescue him. This really fit what I was going through. Saturday, I felt like I couldn't feel God, and that I was just going through the motions. But then, when I read this, I was encouraged to keep marching on. Although I really like verses 1-19 (and really encourage you to look at them), my favorite part was verses 29-33:
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
may your salvation, God, protect me.
30 I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people
I realized that the Lord does hear me, and that He does care, and even though we have hard times finding God, He will still use us to set the world on fire.
Monday, April 8, 2013
My Favorite Sound
"In death, in life, I am confident and covered by the power of Your great love. My debt is paid, there is nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love."
Friday night I went to a For King and Country concert. I had heard 2 of their songs before, but other than that, I was clueless. However, soon after they started playing, I knew that I liked them. The first thing they did was explain their name and how it was a battle cry and how it related to how we should be for Christ. What really got me though when we sang Jesus Culture's song, One Thing Remains. I posted the words to the bridge up above. But what made me get the chills was listening to everyone sing it. Hearing hundreds of people singing praise to the Lord really sends a shiver down your spine. " In death, in life I'm confident and covered by the power of Your great love." And even though I usually don't like out of tune notes or weird rhythms, I have a new favorite sound: the off key, off beat sound of people singing praise to the God who covers us with His love.
Friday night I went to a For King and Country concert. I had heard 2 of their songs before, but other than that, I was clueless. However, soon after they started playing, I knew that I liked them. The first thing they did was explain their name and how it was a battle cry and how it related to how we should be for Christ. What really got me though when we sang Jesus Culture's song, One Thing Remains. I posted the words to the bridge up above. But what made me get the chills was listening to everyone sing it. Hearing hundreds of people singing praise to the Lord really sends a shiver down your spine. " In death, in life I'm confident and covered by the power of Your great love." And even though I usually don't like out of tune notes or weird rhythms, I have a new favorite sound: the off key, off beat sound of people singing praise to the God who covers us with His love.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Our Purpose
Most
atheists will say that our purpose in life was to reproduce.
I
have to believe that our purpose in life is more than reproducing; that we are
called to do more than mate and have kids. If that was our purpose, then why do
people take their jobs too seriously? Why do they go and drink away all of
their problems? Why do we buy the
latest “I” products? Why do people
just want to have fun? Why do we
have feelings for the people we mate with? Why do teenagers moan when they find they are pregnant? Why have they created ways to inhibit
and destroy reproduction all together?
If our purpose is to have children, then why do we pour our energy into
reaching space, breaking the limits of Earth and her atmosphere? Our advancements are so much greater
than being thrust into the category of animals. No other animal has built higher or flown to the heights, or
invented what we have. How can
someone look at the complexity of the brain and the human genome and our body
and say that we evolved from a single celled organism that somehow appeared
during the Big Bang. No, I must
believe that we are created for a higher purpose, called to a higher goal, and
that goal is to further the kingdom of Christ and to worship Him.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inb the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Fulfill God's purpose for your life and set the world on fire.
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