After the Rain

The sky darkens, the clouds roll in, and a bolt of lightning flashes across the sky; you know it's going to storm. The rain drops began to pelt against the window and steadily begins to pick up speed and continues to go on like that for several hours or even days. There are "storms" in our lives as well. There are times when God stretches us, has the rain fall around us, and allows us experience the mighty wind which rushes against us. Storms in our lives are the things that make us stronger, mold us into better Christians, and refine us but they don't always seem like something that is beneficial to us. At times we may feel as though God has utterly rejected us and has left us to walk alone through the storm that rages around us, but be comforted, God has promised that he will never leave us or forsake us! He is there and he is the one who knows why we experience the trials, the pain, and the storms. God knows what is at the end of every cloud, he knows when the rain will stop falling, and he knows that after the storm; there is a rainbow. After the testing there is the result of what we have experienced. The sun will shine brighter, the wind will cease to push against us, and the Lord will give you better things than any fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

As this year comes to a close, don't be afraid if the storm clouds begin to gather or the sky darkens - trust God with the storm and allow him to lead you as we enter a new year of fresh beginnings and new blessings.

1God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah.
-Psalm 46:1-3

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My thoughts on dating and courtship

Many people have commented to ask me what I believe about courtship and dating and I guess it's time I answered that question.

1.First of all, I do not believe that there is a set of rules that can be applied to every single dating/courtship relationship. For example: you may or may not think that it is acceptable to hold hands with the person you are in a relationship with, you may or may not think that your parents must accompany you on each outing with a person of the opposite sex. I would consider these issues to ones of personal conviction and do not think that it would be morally wrong if either hand holding or going to dinner as a couple with your parents took place.

2. I think that both sets of parents (both the man and the woman's) be a strong voice in a courtship or dating relationship between a couple. Without parental advice and supervision, it is likely that your relationship with the person of the opposite sex will result in a pure and beneficial friendship.

3. I think that calling a relationship with the opposite sex a "dating" or "courtship" is not as important as desiring to adhere to biblical standard and desiring to honor God in the relationship.

4. The day may come when I am to begin a relationship which is to determine whether or not I should marry a certain someone- what term would best describe this relationship? Hmm...I guess my parents and I will have to collaborate to come up for a good term for that. It will be something in between dating and courtship.

That's my two cents worth regarding courtship and dating. If you have anymore questions or concerns feel welcome to drop a comment to let me know! May you honor God in your relationships!

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Merry Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart! =^) I pray that each one of us will think about Jesus Christ as we celebrate Christmas. Have safe travels, fun times with family, and thank God for the greatest Gift he ever gave- the gift of his Son.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
-Luke 2:11

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It's Christmas Somewhere

This morning you woke up to a warm house, had food to eat, and a surplus of clothes to choose to from to wear. I have to admit, I got up this morning and took everything I had for granted. I didn't think about a starving child in Nigeria who has never had a gift for Christmas and has never had a drink of clean water. Across the ocean it's Christmas but it's not really Christmas for so many people. I'm not sure how many of you participate in giving to missions or who even know missionaries but today I want to encourage you to pray for those who are serving the Lord in countries where people are so poor and needy. Pray for the precious people who need Christ just as much as they need food, clothes, and medical care. I think that when we take a moment to consider all we have for Christmas in contrast to the little that so many have, we become more thankful and Christmas means more than just presents and traditions. Christ is the greatest gift and he has supplied all my needs and as a Christian it is one of my responsibilities to assist in providing Christmas for those who are without it. Christmas isn't about the gifts we give or receive- it is about the Greatest Gift. This Gift is Jesus Christ and we need to be concerned that others receive this gift. Whether it's a block away from where we live or a thousand miles away, there are people who have never experienced the "real" Christmas. Let's show the love of Christ and give Christmas to those who are without it.

Note: Perhaps you've never heard of

Samaritan's Purse but if you have, be reminded of this way to share the love of Christ. Each Christmas season the Samaritan's Purse collects shoe boxes to distribute as Christmas gifts to children in impoverished countries. It's too late for you to participate this year but visit the website so that you'll know what you can do next year. Another way to share the love of Christ at Christmas is to give to missionaries who provide for the needy during Christmas time. Oh, don't forget about volunteering at a community kitchen which provides a Christmas meal to those who otherwise wouldn't have one.

How do you share Christmas with the less fortunate? I would love to know what you do so drop a comment and let me know!

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Made these for you...

It's pitiful how long it takes for me to understand Photobucket. I probably wouldn't have even used it but I wanted to make a few buttons I could use on my blog. I want to know your opinion, what do you think about the three pictures which I edited and added text to? I would appreciate your advice. Also, feel welcome to let me know which one is your favorite. If you would like, feel free to use the pictures on your blog but if you're going to do that could you please post a little link to this blog? I would appreciate that. Have a Merry Christmas!

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KJV only? What I think

Next to baptism, the disagreement over which version of the Bible is the "right" version may be one of the most highly disputed issues in evangelical christian circles. Several people have dropped blog comments asking my opinion on whether or not I believe that the 1611 authorized King Jame Version of the Holy Bible is or isn't the only correct version of the Bible, this post is where I will give my answer.

My second copy of the Bible was a King James Version and for many years it was the only version of the Bible that I personally owned. I've grown up being home schooled through the ABeka DVD program in which the KJV is taught to be the only "correct" version of the scripture. It wasn't until a few years ago that I begin to realize that just maybe this thinking wasn't correct. The first question I had was "Who authorized the KJV?" God wasn't the one who authorized this translation- it was authorized by King James. King James was a man, not God, and I think it is important that we realize that his authorization was from himself and not necessarily from the Lord. Another issue that arises is this: because other versions of the Bible use a different type of language than the KJV they are obviously not aligned with the style of language that would have been used during the time of Christ. While I would agree that the KJV has a more beautiful style than some other translations, it is my opinion that changing "thou's" to "you" is not changing the context of the verse and therefore versions that change such words are not violating the Word of God. It has been said that modern day Bible translators often inject their own views in the Bible by referring to other manuscripts (Byzantine, Aramaic etc.) during the translation process and in some cases, that is true. Bible for teens, tweens, couples, and everyone else have taken their prominent places in Christian books stores and many of such Bibles are filled with translations of the verses to which the translator thinks I may more easily connect. To say that I am not in favor of such critical liberties would be a severe underestimation. Such translations seek to place mans opinion in place of God and for those who do such, there will be judgment.

Beyond any doubt, I believe that the Bible is the Holy Word of God and should never be tampered with! The debate over the KJV versus all other versions will continue to drag on and Christians will continue to debate the authenticity of modern translations. As the years go on, I pray that God will give me the fortitude to stand for the Bible and only back translations of the Bible that are 100% true to the original text. The battle for the Bible is a serious one and we must not allow this precious Book to become diluted by the ideas of mortal men. Years from now I hope to be sitting in my creaky rocking chair with grandchildren on my lap as I read from the Bible and tell them about Jesus. The lamp table might be holding another version but it's going to be holding Scripture which is true to what God first had penned in his Holy Book.

P.S. Feel welcome to leave a comment on this subject. If necessary, I will post another post on this subject.

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Tidings of Comfort and Joy

We couldn't be human without losing someone we love. Whether it is a friendship ended, a relationship that was not to be, or the death of a friend or relative; it is around Christmastime that we especially feel such losses. Maybe you have just lost someone you love or maybe it has been several years but in either case, Christ is our comfort.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
-Psalm 147:3

Several years ago, after my great-grandmother had gone to be with the Lord, I was thinking about Christmas gifts and was considering what I would get my great-grandmother. That's when I realized that I wouldn't be buying anymore gifts for her- she was with the Lord. That reality is a gripping thing that suddenly comes upon us and causes sadness as you prepare for the Christmas holiday. Psalm 147:3 is a verse of hope to those who may be hurt or brokenhearted, the verse tells that Christ is our healer and he will restore our joy. The emotional healing from a loss or sorrow will take time but rest in the assurance that Christ will piece your broken heart back together.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness...
-Psalm 30:11

Maybe this year is one of those years for you. Maybe the lights, the nativities, and gifts of this year remind you of a different Christmas in which you were much happier and weren't missing someone you loved. In spite of the happier memories of times passed, remember that Christ came and we can have joy no matter what we confront. We find comfort in knowing that those who know Christ will one day be forever reunited. May you find comfort in joy in the Christ of Christmas and may you find strength in his arms.

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16%: Let that sink in

Sixteen percent. That's it, that's the percentage of professing Christians who claim to read the Bible every day. Consider this: if only 16 % of Christians claim to read the Bible every day and only 12% say that they read the Bible monthly, are today's Christians well versed in knowledge of the Lord? If they aren't spending time studying, meditating, and absorbing the Word of God; there is no way they will ever excel in your understanding of the Lord. We can speak of cultural reform, soul winning, and revival in the church, but until more Christians delve into the depths of the Bible, none of the desired things will ever happen. What if all you ever ate was vegetables and you never ate anything else? The result would be that you'd be alive but you wouldn't be healthy, so it is with our Christian lives. We could be Christians but never "taste" of the Bible and we would be sure of our salvation but our growth wouldn't be enhanced. If statistics stand to what they claim, vast numbers of Christians are munching on veggies and never getting to the meat. Unless we want to have our biblical worldview and our religious foundation snatched from us, those of us who have been saved by faith in Christ must get back into the Word of God. I want to challenge anyone who is not part of the 16% of Christians who read the Bible daily to dust off your Bible and come to grips with the fact that your copy of the Bible isn't just to be used on Sunday. The Bible is the living, breathing, infallible, and inspired Word of God and is the book of all books. From behind the stack of magazines, novels, and biographies; it is calling to you- pick it up and discover what you've been missing.


Note: statistics included in the above article may be located at the following link: http://www.centerforbibleengagement.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=7

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A look into my life

I've thought of at least six different blog post but none of them really seemed that good so I erased them and decided to write this instead. Sometimes you just have to write and see what ends up being jotted down. Right now things are very busy for me and I can hardly believe that Christmas is two weeks from today and I haven't even gotten my miniature Christmas tree set up! I'm thinking that I may not put it up this year. Call me a scrooge but the reality is, my dresser top isn't organized enough for me to enjoy looking at a tree. I'm funny about things like that! Have you ever decided to watch a movie and couldn't bear to sit down to watch it until you had cleaned you're room? Maybe it's strange but I do that all the time. Lately I've been finding that we can really waste our time on the internet. My schedule is so full that I don't have much time to spend browsing the web or emailing and you know what? I don't miss the browsing. The emailing is different but for a few days, I could certainly survive without the web. The clock is telling me that it's 8:36 PM and I need to wrap things up. Have a good weekend!

P.S. Have you read your Bible today? If you haven't please get it out and spend some time in God's book. I'll soon be doing a post about that.

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Paying God What We Promise Him

Ecclesiastes 5:2-5
Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.v3 For a dream comes through much activity, and a fools voice is known in many words. v4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed- v5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Have you ever wanted to do something or obtain something so badly that you promised God that you would do a certain thing for him if he gave you what you wanted? I've been guilty of making promises to God and not always keeping them. Verse 2 of Ecclesiastes 5 tells us not to be rash with our mouths and to not be rash about saying things to God if we don't plan on keeping our promises to him. If we desire a certain thing wouldn't it be best if we asked God for it without making a promise that we don't think we can keep or don't think we will keep?


Saying "God, I'll give you fifty dollars of my birthday money if I get $100.00" and then not using the $50.00 to advance the Kingdom of God is a foolish thing to do. If you get the $100.00 give God the $50.00 you promised and; if possible, give more. This doesn't just apply to the scenario above, do not delay to do what you told God you would do. If you can't keep your promise-don't make one. God doesn't take bribes- ask for what you want and trust God to supply.


Matthew 7:7-8
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened unto you. v8 For everyone who ask receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."


P.S. This evening I have my first lesson with my new violin teacher and I would appreciate it if you'd pray that that would go well- thanks a bunch!

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I thought I would share this

I was recently on Tangle looking for some multi-media to share and I found the below video. Some parts are a little over the top but the last few moments of the video says it all. Drop a comment to let me know whether or not you liked the video.=)


"God desires to be loved by men, although He needs them not; and men refuse to love God, though they need Him in an infinite degree."

-*Plaintes Du Sauveur

*P.S. I've never heard of the author of the quote but the quote is often so saldy true!

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Beauty Beyond the Compact

Suffice to say, I do enjoy wearing makeup. I think that it's natural for we females to want to be beautiful and therefore we do our hair, carefully pick out our outfits, and attempt to flawlessly apply our makeup. There is loveliness that proceeds beyond what a the makeup compact can supply, it is a inward beauty that outflows from the beauty which is manifested through Christ dwelling in us. This is the beauty that no amount of makeup, hair products, or apparel could ever compete with - this is the beauty of Jesus Christ. The old saying goes "Pretty is as pretty does" and that is quite true. If we are filled with the love and grace of the Savior, it will radiate in our actions and mannerisms. Sometimes we think that inward beauty doesn't affect the physical (outward) but I don't think that is true. I have met people who are beautiful inside and that beauty is very evident in their outward person. God is the creator of all that is good, splendid, and beautiful; let him fill you and radiate his beauty throughout your life. Life is too short for us to ladle on the mascara and forget about the makeup of the hidden person of the heart

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

P.S. I use Mary Kay makeup and it is very good quality and works well for those of us with sensitive skin-that's just a little side tip.=^)

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Merry Xmas?

I've got a question for you and it's this: what do you think of when you see the letter X? What comes to my mind is germ-x, x-rays, and xylophone; not a cross. I've been told, and I don't believe it to be true, that the letter X in Xmas is really a cross flipped on its side. Maybe you think I am over-reacting and am concerned about nothing, but it seems to me that this whole "Xmas" thing is a way to take Christ out of Christmas. While an X standing for a cross on its side sounds like a religious thing, the reality is that I highly doubt that stores are thinking about such a symbol when they write Merry Xmas on their company windows. What do you think? Is Merry Xmas just another way to eliminate the Christ in CHRISTmas or does it hold the meaning of the cross upon which Jesus died for us? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Christ is too important to be eliminated from Christmas so whether you or not you say or write Merry Xmas, remember the Christ who died so that we might have eternal life.

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