I'm really convinced that if you truly love God, as you may say you do, then He is your number one. Your only one. Your only desire. Your only love. Your only hope. Your one pursuit. Your everything. He's THE one. He is for me! I may only be a teenager, but don't look down upon me, God can use me just like He can use someone older than me. God rocked my world and He can rock yours as well.
Up here on this mountain I gasp at the view
This feeling inside me is 'cause of this fire for You
But the wind of the world will eventually take me down
Life has a way through my everyday of taking Your crown
I posted those lyrics from Jonny Diaz's song 'Everyday God' , and this song reminded me that if we truly love God, then we shouldn't let anything/anyone come between the two of us. Don't allow anything to take away the thrown that so rightfully belongs to God. Let Him be Lord over your life... not some guy or some girl you just met like five seconds ago and you're already saying things like "I love him/her soo much!" You know what, if you told me that, either I'd slap you (I'm kidding, I'd get introuble for that!) or I'd look you straight in the eyes and tell you "No you do not... You just met them. " Love does not operate that way... Check out 1 Cor. 13... a.k.a the love chapter
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
That's what love truly is. Love is amazing, please stop abusing it.
When God is your number one, the person you marry is number two. Don't let number two take your focus away from God. As a quote states, and I believe it should go both ways, "A woman should be so lost in God, that a man must seek Him first in order to find her." That quote reminds me that if we love God the way He loves us, we'll be lost in Him. Lost in His amazing love. His consuming fire. That when we truly are lost in God, if someone wants to date you, they will need to seek Him first, and have a passion for Him that nothing can extinguish, and then you two can date... correctly. Not taking things too fast.
Schedules and deadlines, all the good things that I do/
Replace the great, replace the space that has the shape of You/
But mountaintop praise on everyday days returns my heart to the truth that I am loved by You
I hate it when I allow things in my own life to take over the thrown of God... Not only have I allowed things, but I've allowed people to as well. It's not good for me or you to allow that to happen. We must keep our eyes on Jesus at all times.
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Allow me to ask you this, is there anything or anyone that has taken over the thrown of God in your life? Is He Lord over your life or is something or someone else "lord" of your life? Examine your own life. Keep it between you and God. Don't lie. Be honest.
And if there is anything, or if you couldn't find anything, ask God to help you to find it if there is anything there. If there is, will you commit to something that I've commited to in October of 2008?
Hillsong United was on stage leading worship, and I remember crying my eyes out, hands raised, surrendering everything to God... and this is what I said, "God I want you to be my one and only. My one pursuit. God I can't do this without you. I need you. Be Lord over my entire life. Take over. Consume me like a fire. I love you, you're my everything."
'Cause You are the God of amazing views
And You are the God of my everyday, too
When I am down in the valley below
I will sing of Your love so that others can know
Let God be the God of your everyday too... Keep Him your main focus. Nothing or no one else deserves to be Lord over your life but God and God alone.
Amen.
- Katelyn
awesome music to go and listen to on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4utIQEfXRc0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAwigrJ3Cyc
there's only one thing I can say:
♥♥I LOOOVEEE JESUS!!♥♥
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Hangin' On
This song just reminds of exactly what I've been doing for a really long time... And hanging on was hard for me, especially after Dare 2 Share in Lincoln, NE. I really don't think I need to share that story.... again. In fact, I don't even want this writing thing of mine to even be about me, I want it to do it's job -whatever that may be- and encourage you in your hard times that life throws at you.
I don't want this one to be like the last thing I wrote, although, it kind of will be in a sense, but entirely, I don't think it will be. But we shall see what God chooses to do with it. Shall be interesting.
The first time I saw the title of this song Hanging On by Britt Nicole, I wasn't expecting it to actually be as good as it was when I clicked play. When I heard it, it made me smile and think about what I've been put through, and how I chose to respond to all of it... (it all happened in the period of one month.. so it was alot for one teen to take in and pretty hard to handle and practically at the end of my sophmore year of high school)
And through all of the pain, and me struggling with alot of things, -attempting to balance school life and home life, was pretty much impossible for me to do and made things atleast ten times harder than need be- I knew God was always there with me... it didn't matter whether I felt it or not. It's not based on these emotions of mine.
you see my anxious heart
you see what i am feeling
and when i fall apart
you are there to hold me
how great your love for me
now i see what You're thinking
You say i'm beautiful
Your voice is my healing
Without You I just can't get by
hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
hanging on to every word You say
to light up my way
even every little whisper i'm
hanging on as if it were my life
i'm hanging on
I really wasn't planning on telling any of my life stories in this one, but it looks like I will. See, the "friend" I had come to dare 2 share with me, well she used me
-side note: I'm not trying to put anyone down, so don't take this like I am.- and she stayed there in Lincoln with a friend of hers for like a week... According to her I did or said something that made her mad at me and whenever I tried to talk to her, she yelled at me and absolutly refused to tell me what I did... I messaged her on facebook about a week ago, and this is what I said: (word for word)
I'm aware that we haven't talked since Dare 2 Share in Lincoln a few months ago... and I know you're probably really moody right now, and maybe this isn't the best time to send this to you, but I'm absolutly sick 'n tired of what happened that weekend being played in my mind like a voice recorder, so I have got to do something about it... and I'm praying you'll help me out here.
You have to hear me out on this, I do forgive you for what happened... I don't know what I did or didn't do or whatever, but I'm really sorry for whatever it may have been. I know our friendship isn't at it's best right now... -we haven't talked since the conference...- and I'm 100% committed to fixing whatever may be wedged between our friendship.
I know I'm not perfect, and (alot of) things need to be improved...
I know I've told you "I'm sorry" and that I've truly forgiven you, and I mean it with every bone in my body... I'll say it again, I'm sorry, I do love you, and I've forgiven you... and I've been praying for you and so have my family. I know some act like they don't like you, but they don't know what an amazing girl you are and can become if you set your mind to it.
If you want to be friends again, fantastic. If not, well, that's fine too... but the least you could do, is forgive me for whatever I may have done that may have caused you pain...
I'm not perfect, I fail. I make promises I can't keep, I say things I don't mean and my words have hurt some people, I do/have done things I'm not proud of, I hold onto my pride and more often than not, do not truly forgive people, I've failed so many times, I don't show love at all times, I'm not a good listener, I suck at school, I've been through "hell", I've thought bad things and some of those thoughts have become words or actions, I regret things I've said/done/didn't do....etc Simply put, I fail... a lot.
If you honestly forgive me, that's great!
This bold move on my part is scaring me a little, I'm not trying to make you mad at me or whatever, I just want to get this off of my mind... and to also let you know that I'm sorry, I love you and will you forgive me?
Lovee,
Katelyn
and this is all she said back: (word for word)
dont care any more our friend ship iz OVER so dont talk to me or message me any more
Just clicking on that message again, and copying and pasting all that was said between us in that message, almost made me cry... The morning (2:20 a.m) I read it, I cried, I felt like she just stabbed me in the heart with her words. It was hard to handle, but I got through it and still am... it still hurts me.
What if, what if I told you that if you're facing something difficult right now, that you can get through it? Well, you can... I have!
and when the darkness falls
i can't see what's before me
Your voice is like the dawn
always there to guide me
without you i just can't get by
so i'm
hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
Whenever your going through something difficult, God is right there by your side through it. If God takes you to the mountains, He'll go with you through the valleys. You will never have to go through anything alone.
What/Who are you going to hang on to? Your emotions and trust them? OR are you going to trust an unknown future to a known God? It's up to you. Be wise, don't trust in yourself, it will only lead you down a road filled with tears, loss, pain, and alot of disappointment. Choose number two... God will never let you down... He'll be the very one carrying you down that road that you're on and don't know where else to go... but I'm praying that you know who you're trusting in. Trust in Him. He won't fail you.
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” Proverbs 12:25
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
“…put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:1)
- Katelyn
I don't want this one to be like the last thing I wrote, although, it kind of will be in a sense, but entirely, I don't think it will be. But we shall see what God chooses to do with it. Shall be interesting.
The first time I saw the title of this song Hanging On by Britt Nicole, I wasn't expecting it to actually be as good as it was when I clicked play. When I heard it, it made me smile and think about what I've been put through, and how I chose to respond to all of it... (it all happened in the period of one month.. so it was alot for one teen to take in and pretty hard to handle and practically at the end of my sophmore year of high school)
And through all of the pain, and me struggling with alot of things, -attempting to balance school life and home life, was pretty much impossible for me to do and made things atleast ten times harder than need be- I knew God was always there with me... it didn't matter whether I felt it or not. It's not based on these emotions of mine.
you see my anxious heart
you see what i am feeling
and when i fall apart
you are there to hold me
how great your love for me
now i see what You're thinking
You say i'm beautiful
Your voice is my healing
Without You I just can't get by
hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
hanging on to every word You say
to light up my way
even every little whisper i'm
hanging on as if it were my life
i'm hanging on
I really wasn't planning on telling any of my life stories in this one, but it looks like I will. See, the "friend" I had come to dare 2 share with me, well she used me
-side note: I'm not trying to put anyone down, so don't take this like I am.- and she stayed there in Lincoln with a friend of hers for like a week... According to her I did or said something that made her mad at me and whenever I tried to talk to her, she yelled at me and absolutly refused to tell me what I did... I messaged her on facebook about a week ago, and this is what I said: (word for word)
I'm aware that we haven't talked since Dare 2 Share in Lincoln a few months ago... and I know you're probably really moody right now, and maybe this isn't the best time to send this to you, but I'm absolutly sick 'n tired of what happened that weekend being played in my mind like a voice recorder, so I have got to do something about it... and I'm praying you'll help me out here.
You have to hear me out on this, I do forgive you for what happened... I don't know what I did or didn't do or whatever, but I'm really sorry for whatever it may have been. I know our friendship isn't at it's best right now... -we haven't talked since the conference...- and I'm 100% committed to fixing whatever may be wedged between our friendship.
I know I'm not perfect, and (alot of) things need to be improved...
I know I've told you "I'm sorry" and that I've truly forgiven you, and I mean it with every bone in my body... I'll say it again, I'm sorry, I do love you, and I've forgiven you... and I've been praying for you and so have my family. I know some act like they don't like you, but they don't know what an amazing girl you are and can become if you set your mind to it.
If you want to be friends again, fantastic. If not, well, that's fine too... but the least you could do, is forgive me for whatever I may have done that may have caused you pain...
I'm not perfect, I fail. I make promises I can't keep, I say things I don't mean and my words have hurt some people, I do/have done things I'm not proud of, I hold onto my pride and more often than not, do not truly forgive people, I've failed so many times, I don't show love at all times, I'm not a good listener, I suck at school, I've been through "hell", I've thought bad things and some of those thoughts have become words or actions, I regret things I've said/done/didn't do....etc Simply put, I fail... a lot.
If you honestly forgive me, that's great!
This bold move on my part is scaring me a little, I'm not trying to make you mad at me or whatever, I just want to get this off of my mind... and to also let you know that I'm sorry, I love you and will you forgive me?
Lovee,
Katelyn
and this is all she said back: (word for word)
dont care any more our friend ship iz OVER so dont talk to me or message me any more
Just clicking on that message again, and copying and pasting all that was said between us in that message, almost made me cry... The morning (2:20 a.m) I read it, I cried, I felt like she just stabbed me in the heart with her words. It was hard to handle, but I got through it and still am... it still hurts me.
What if, what if I told you that if you're facing something difficult right now, that you can get through it? Well, you can... I have!
and when the darkness falls
i can't see what's before me
Your voice is like the dawn
always there to guide me
without you i just can't get by
so i'm
hanging on to every word You speak
'cause it's all that i need
Whenever your going through something difficult, God is right there by your side through it. If God takes you to the mountains, He'll go with you through the valleys. You will never have to go through anything alone.
What/Who are you going to hang on to? Your emotions and trust them? OR are you going to trust an unknown future to a known God? It's up to you. Be wise, don't trust in yourself, it will only lead you down a road filled with tears, loss, pain, and alot of disappointment. Choose number two... God will never let you down... He'll be the very one carrying you down that road that you're on and don't know where else to go... but I'm praying that you know who you're trusting in. Trust in Him. He won't fail you.
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” Proverbs 12:25
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5).
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil."
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
“…put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:1)
- Katelyn
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Ready For The Rain
I really wasn't planning on writing this... I actually wanted to write something else. but, apparently as I begin to think about it, God is actually letting me write this and still write about what I planned on writing about... which will make what I wanted to write about make more sense. Confused? Me too. I'll just try and keep it stupidly simple and use words in a way that one may understand... and not use confusing terms that NO ONE knows what they mean... except if you're like really smart and went to college, like doctors and their words that make them look smart...
whatever, I'll just get to the point of this already.
I'm only writing this because I noticed a status by a certain someone on facebook, and I thought he was an atheist since the time I met him... it turns out he's a mormon.
I did have a nice little conversation with him about an hour ago, I was freaked out, but oddly enough, I loved it...
but anyways, I was flipping through the music on my mp3 player (if you haven't gotten the hint by now, I love music and it really makes me think about things... and I end up writing about over half of them) and I came across the song 'Ready For The Rain' by Phillips, Craig & Dean and it really made me think... and almost made me cry a few times. ((Only because God is amazing.. and I'm ready for the rain.))
"Give me faith to see a new reflection
Of the man I dreamed to be
When the sun comes out tomorrow
I'll stand here as living proof
There is a blessing in the rain
Because it makes me more like You
Ready for the rain
ready for the chance to grow
it's those showers from above
that make the river flow
I'm ready for the rain
going to face a storm head on
though it dives me to my knees
that's where I'm made strong
even if those showers fall
You're still Lord above it all
so I'll look up to you for the grace
to get me through
Lord, Make me strong
I'm ready for the rain
I'm ready for a chance to grow"
(I did not find the lyrics using google... I could not find them anywhere and it made me mad a little..)
I'm convinced that this song, is like the soundtrack of my life. It's like my mind set... Why? because no matter what I'm put through, no matter what happens, He's still Lord of it all and I'll look to Him and not what others think I should do.
Because it's been with me looking to God and no one else, that's gotten me to where I am now... I love it!
Here's my question to you; are YOU ready for the rain? cuz if you're not ready, well, I'm afraid you won't know what to do when something bad happens to you or your family.
I guess I wrote this, because as I was talking to him, I "found" this song, and it made me think of two things... well, possible three.
1. bringing God up in our conversations and them possibly being close minded and a jerk to us because we dare to share the good news... and down comes the rain of rejection. Are you ready for that to happen?
2. how God has used what I've been through to draw me closer to Himself.
3. how much I really was not planning on writing on this.. but I'm loving what I'm typing.. so let's continue shall we?
"the sound of distant thunder
it would shake my world and
make my heart afraid
but I've watched my faith grow stronger
with every storm I'd walk through
and the blessing of it all
is that it brought me closer to you..."
There's something I need to say, and it has ALOT to do with the way I am today, see in October of 2008 at the youth convention thing, when I gave EVERYTHING to Jesus, I made a promise... and I've kept it.
That one promise was that even if I'm put through things that I may dislike, and no matter how much I dislike the situation, I know that God will get me through it... on his timing, not mine. I made that promise with tears rolling down my face, hands lifted and I meant it with every beath that I take.
No matter what I go through, no matter how terrible a situation is, He's still Lord of it all... and nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will ever change that!
God is someone whom no one can put into words, or a box, or anything. He's far too great for all that. So, since He is who He is... Let's praise the Lord forever and forever. amen.
I have a question for you to answer: Are you ready for that storm? Are you in one? If so, what are you going to do? Surrender everything to God? Run & Hide?
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."
"When the sun comes out tomorrow
I'll stand here as living proof
There is a blessing in the rain
Because it makes me more like You
.....
the sound of distant thunder
it would shake my world and
make my heart afraid
but I've watched my faith grow stronger
with every storm I'd walk through
and the blessing of it all
is that it brought me closer to you..."
"Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes." - Psalm 37:3-7
- Katelyn
Ps. 115:1
whatever, I'll just get to the point of this already.
I'm only writing this because I noticed a status by a certain someone on facebook, and I thought he was an atheist since the time I met him... it turns out he's a mormon.
I did have a nice little conversation with him about an hour ago, I was freaked out, but oddly enough, I loved it...
but anyways, I was flipping through the music on my mp3 player (if you haven't gotten the hint by now, I love music and it really makes me think about things... and I end up writing about over half of them) and I came across the song 'Ready For The Rain' by Phillips, Craig & Dean and it really made me think... and almost made me cry a few times. ((Only because God is amazing.. and I'm ready for the rain.))
"Give me faith to see a new reflection
Of the man I dreamed to be
When the sun comes out tomorrow
I'll stand here as living proof
There is a blessing in the rain
Because it makes me more like You
Ready for the rain
ready for the chance to grow
it's those showers from above
that make the river flow
I'm ready for the rain
going to face a storm head on
though it dives me to my knees
that's where I'm made strong
even if those showers fall
You're still Lord above it all
so I'll look up to you for the grace
to get me through
Lord, Make me strong
I'm ready for the rain
I'm ready for a chance to grow"
(I did not find the lyrics using google... I could not find them anywhere and it made me mad a little..)
I'm convinced that this song, is like the soundtrack of my life. It's like my mind set... Why? because no matter what I'm put through, no matter what happens, He's still Lord of it all and I'll look to Him and not what others think I should do.
Because it's been with me looking to God and no one else, that's gotten me to where I am now... I love it!
Here's my question to you; are YOU ready for the rain? cuz if you're not ready, well, I'm afraid you won't know what to do when something bad happens to you or your family.
I guess I wrote this, because as I was talking to him, I "found" this song, and it made me think of two things... well, possible three.
1. bringing God up in our conversations and them possibly being close minded and a jerk to us because we dare to share the good news... and down comes the rain of rejection. Are you ready for that to happen?
2. how God has used what I've been through to draw me closer to Himself.
3. how much I really was not planning on writing on this.. but I'm loving what I'm typing.. so let's continue shall we?
"the sound of distant thunder
it would shake my world and
make my heart afraid
but I've watched my faith grow stronger
with every storm I'd walk through
and the blessing of it all
is that it brought me closer to you..."
There's something I need to say, and it has ALOT to do with the way I am today, see in October of 2008 at the youth convention thing, when I gave EVERYTHING to Jesus, I made a promise... and I've kept it.
That one promise was that even if I'm put through things that I may dislike, and no matter how much I dislike the situation, I know that God will get me through it... on his timing, not mine. I made that promise with tears rolling down my face, hands lifted and I meant it with every beath that I take.
No matter what I go through, no matter how terrible a situation is, He's still Lord of it all... and nothing, and I mean NOTHING, will ever change that!
God is someone whom no one can put into words, or a box, or anything. He's far too great for all that. So, since He is who He is... Let's praise the Lord forever and forever. amen.
I have a question for you to answer: Are you ready for that storm? Are you in one? If so, what are you going to do? Surrender everything to God? Run & Hide?
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."
"When the sun comes out tomorrow
I'll stand here as living proof
There is a blessing in the rain
Because it makes me more like You
.....
the sound of distant thunder
it would shake my world and
make my heart afraid
but I've watched my faith grow stronger
with every storm I'd walk through
and the blessing of it all
is that it brought me closer to you..."
"Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes." - Psalm 37:3-7
- Katelyn
Ps. 115:1
Friday, April 2, 2010
Extraordinary
I chose that title because that's what is on the gray bracelet that's on my right and has been there since 2008 and it says 'Extraordinary'.
I got it at a youth convention thing in Branson, Missouri October 16-17th of 2008. That weekend is so impossible to forget... Life to a one-eighty and I loved it!
That one-eighty degree turn all happened while Hillsong United was on stage leading worship, and I don't remember what song it was, but that's not what really matters... what matters is that it was an unforgetable moment in my 14 years of life... I may have only been 14, but I knew something or possibly someone was missing that wasn't there, but should be there.
In that moment I remember both hands were raised, tears flowed during it all, and I had this feeling, I wasn't sure exactly what it was doing, (and I still don't know! but I love it!) but I'm certainly sure I knew who it was..-----JESUS!----
And at that moment, in that place, I felt alive for the VERY first time ever in my life.
See, I grew up in church my entire life without that relationship with Jesus... and, back then, if you were to ask me this question, "Do you know Jesus?" I'd say "Well, yeah... I know who Jesus is.." The answer to that actually is this, "I've grown up being told amazing things about Him, but all I know is that he loves me, and that he died for me and he rose again..."
See, I knew he loved me, -people told me he did- but I, personally have NEVER felt Gods' love until those nights in Branson. I also knew that he died and rose again, but they didn't mean anything to me until then, when I gave up EVERYTHING to Him. a.k.a surrendered... (there is only one thing we must surrender, and that one thing is EVERYTHING.)
I can't describe the feeling into terms that one may understand... but once you've encountered God, there are simply no words that will ever come close to even starting to explain it. But once you've encountered God, you will never be same.
Ever since those two God-encountering nights, I've kept that bracelet on and it's made me smile...--not the bracelet itself, but the story behind it-
I bought a t-shirt there that says 'Jesus Makes Me Smile' it may be cheesy, but I don't care.
Yes, I may only be 16, but guess what? I LOVE JESUS and the world isn't changing that... no matter what.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demans, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:35,37
Just in case you didn't hear me, I LOVEEEEE JESUS!!!!! :)
And here are some lyrics from the song 'The Power Of Your Name' by Lincoln Brewster that say it alot better than I could.... ,
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart
I will live
To carry Your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your name
Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart
That song is amazing. and I say we get out there and swallow our pride, and go and relationally and relentlessly share the gospel with our friends, family, stangers, co-workers, whoever, whereever, whenever. I don't give a care if you don't like them, it's HELL without Jesus.
Did you hear me? HELL. If you truly do believe in God, heaven, hell, the power of the gospel, how much do you seriously have to HATE someone to NOT share the good news with them? What if they died tomorrow? What if they died today? in the next 30 minutes or less? What are you going to do? share Jesus with them. Don't you dare say 'they'll hate me...' NO, they will HATE you if you don't share Jesus with them.
Jesus said, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)
Stats prove that 10 out of 10 people die. Death is certain... life is not. What will you do to make an eternal difference in someones life...TODAY?
So, swallow your pride, get out of your 'comfort zones' and go share Jesus! It'll make a difference. Maybe not at first, but it will... living in a world where instant gratification is expected, we'll get dissappointed if God doesn't do what we think he should do. He does what pleases Him... He's God, we are not, we can't tell Him what to do.
I dare you to share Jesus with someone... TODAY!
- Katelyn
oh btw, Jesus Makes Me Smile. :)
I got it at a youth convention thing in Branson, Missouri October 16-17th of 2008. That weekend is so impossible to forget... Life to a one-eighty and I loved it!
That one-eighty degree turn all happened while Hillsong United was on stage leading worship, and I don't remember what song it was, but that's not what really matters... what matters is that it was an unforgetable moment in my 14 years of life... I may have only been 14, but I knew something or possibly someone was missing that wasn't there, but should be there.
In that moment I remember both hands were raised, tears flowed during it all, and I had this feeling, I wasn't sure exactly what it was doing, (and I still don't know! but I love it!) but I'm certainly sure I knew who it was..-----JESUS!----
And at that moment, in that place, I felt alive for the VERY first time ever in my life.
See, I grew up in church my entire life without that relationship with Jesus... and, back then, if you were to ask me this question, "Do you know Jesus?" I'd say "Well, yeah... I know who Jesus is.." The answer to that actually is this, "I've grown up being told amazing things about Him, but all I know is that he loves me, and that he died for me and he rose again..."
See, I knew he loved me, -people told me he did- but I, personally have NEVER felt Gods' love until those nights in Branson. I also knew that he died and rose again, but they didn't mean anything to me until then, when I gave up EVERYTHING to Him. a.k.a surrendered... (there is only one thing we must surrender, and that one thing is EVERYTHING.)
I can't describe the feeling into terms that one may understand... but once you've encountered God, there are simply no words that will ever come close to even starting to explain it. But once you've encountered God, you will never be same.
Ever since those two God-encountering nights, I've kept that bracelet on and it's made me smile...--not the bracelet itself, but the story behind it-
I bought a t-shirt there that says 'Jesus Makes Me Smile' it may be cheesy, but I don't care.
Yes, I may only be 16, but guess what? I LOVE JESUS and the world isn't changing that... no matter what.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demans, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:38-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:35,37
Just in case you didn't hear me, I LOVEEEEE JESUS!!!!! :)
And here are some lyrics from the song 'The Power Of Your Name' by Lincoln Brewster that say it alot better than I could.... ,
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart
I will live
To carry Your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your name
Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart
That song is amazing. and I say we get out there and swallow our pride, and go and relationally and relentlessly share the gospel with our friends, family, stangers, co-workers, whoever, whereever, whenever. I don't give a care if you don't like them, it's HELL without Jesus.
Did you hear me? HELL. If you truly do believe in God, heaven, hell, the power of the gospel, how much do you seriously have to HATE someone to NOT share the good news with them? What if they died tomorrow? What if they died today? in the next 30 minutes or less? What are you going to do? share Jesus with them. Don't you dare say 'they'll hate me...' NO, they will HATE you if you don't share Jesus with them.
Jesus said, "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)
Stats prove that 10 out of 10 people die. Death is certain... life is not. What will you do to make an eternal difference in someones life...TODAY?
So, swallow your pride, get out of your 'comfort zones' and go share Jesus! It'll make a difference. Maybe not at first, but it will... living in a world where instant gratification is expected, we'll get dissappointed if God doesn't do what we think he should do. He does what pleases Him... He's God, we are not, we can't tell Him what to do.
I dare you to share Jesus with someone... TODAY!
- Katelyn
oh btw, Jesus Makes Me Smile. :)
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