The Light

Here is the English version of the song I posted yesterday, so all my non-Spanish speaking readers can understand the song.

"We Are" by Kari Jobe:

Rise Up

Over the past month or so I have been wanting to write this post.  I've thought over and over of what to write.  But I've put it off...life has been crazy busy!  Tonight though, I really feel that it's time to write it.

Throughout the last year or so I've had such an ache inside me for my generation.

My generation is hurting.  My generation is searching.  My generation is falling.

I long to see my generation rise up.  I long to see it stand tall.

As I look around I see people going to drugs.  Going to alcohol.  Living in sin.  I see young pregnant girls trying to figure out how to fit into their new role as a future single mom.

I see people who go to church on the weekend, but during the week they do whatever pleases them...so they fit in with the crowd.

We were not called to fit in.  We are called to make a difference.  We are called to stand out.  We are called to live in the world, but not be of the world.  Yet I see my generation, Christians included, who are living in the world.

My heart aches so deeply to see these people rise up and shine for Jesus!  They all have so much to give.  They all have so many lives to reach for Him that only they can reach!

Why has this generation, my generation, settled for less than what God has for us?

Around two months ago I started watching American Idol because I heard of a young man on the show who was taking a stand for Jesus.  The very first performance I saw of his was "Everything" by Lifehouse. As I watched Colton Dixon worship Jesus on stage as the world was watching, tears filled my eyes.

Colton inspired me.  He showed me in that moment that my generation is not forgotten.  He showed me that my generation still has hope.  God IS raising up people to take a stand for Him.  For Colton that stand is in front of millions.  For me that stand is in front of my coworkers, as well as people I have met, and who I will meet throughout my life.

Will you also rise up?  Will you stand firm for Jesus, no matter what?  Will you live your life in a way that those around you will truly see Jesus living in you?  Will you join the community of Christians who have already committed to living completely for Jesus?  What a wonderful community it is!

Will you show the world Jesus is your everything?


Here is Colton's final American Idol performance of "Everything." (Sorry it's not full width.)



Here's another video of the entire song.

Why He Came

Happy Easter Sunday!  

Throughout the Easter season the passage of Scripture from Philippians 2 has really been speaking to me:

Although he was in the form of God and equal with God,
      he did not take advantage of this equality.
 Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant,
      by becoming like other humans,
      by having a human appearance.
 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,
      death on a cross.
 This is why God has given him an exceptional honor—
      the name honored above all other names—
       so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth,
            and in the world below will kneel
             and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
      to the glory of God the Father.

~Philippians 2:6-11

I have read these verses over and over again, but in light of some things weighing deeply on my heart these past few months verses 9-11 have held special meaning to me.  They have given me renewed hope.  

At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  

Jesus rose to bring life...eternal life!!  The grave could not hold the King!!  

If You Have Faith...

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
~Matthew 17:20

When I was younger, somewhere between the age of 9-12, my friend gave me the necklace in the picture for my birthday.  In the middle of the heart is a mustard seed, and the square behind it has part of Matthew 17:20 on it.  As the years have gone by the necklace has been tarnished, the resin holding the seed in the heart has yellowed, but the truth of the necklace remains - If we have faith in God, nothing will be impossible for us.  


In life it is easy for faith to be tarnished.  It is easy to allow circumstances to distract us or leave us hopeless.  It is easy to lose heart.  


As I was doing some cleaning a couple days ago I found my necklace, and as I found it God revealed something to me.  All it takes is the smallest amount of faith that God can and will do something.  A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds, yet it grows into a large, sturdy tree.  The same happens with faith.  God takes an ounce of faith and turns it into something strong and unshakable.

I am thankful I found this necklace and was reminded to have faith and trust that God will continuously work.  My friend, like others I know, is lost.  Yet, although she is lost right now the necklace she gave me years ago reminds me to keep on believing.  Keep on hoping.  Keep on having faith in Jesus that nothing is impossible...nothing at all.  They will come back to Him.

All it takes is faith.  Faith to be able to HEAR them praising the Lord.  Faith to be able to SEE them with arms lifted to their King.  Faith to be able to SAY today is the day they are found.

A song on Phil Wickham's album Response called "This Is The Day" has been a real encouragement to me over the past week or so...  Listen to it and declare life over those you know who are lost and need to be found.  For today is the day of salvation!

When Life Hands You Lemons...

Growing up, every time when I was going away or planning on doing something fun one of my Great Uncle's would tell me to make sure I ate a lemon when, just to ensure I didn't have any fun.  The next time I would see him I would tell him that I had a lemon, but that the sour taste of the lemon didn't ruin my fun.

This game I played with my Great Uncle always reminds me of the saying that says, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."

Life will hand everyone lemons, but it's up to us to decide if we are going to let the sour take over, or turn it into something sweet...something delicious.

The past few months I've felt trapped.  Very trapped.  Trapped in sorrow.  Trapped in pain.  Trapped in confusion and hurt.  Each time I felt pain, I would pull away even further from the people around me.  I quit talking to people, because it was emotionally exhausting to reach out to anyone...and I didn't feel like anyone was reaching out to me.  In the past few months I have felt more lost than I have ever felt in my entire life.  I suppose I let the sourness of the lemons in my life take over.

When life takes a turn you didn't ever imagine possible, it's so easy to get trapped in the pain that you lose sight of what is important.  That's what happened to me...and that's what the enemy would like to happen to us all.  He wants us to feel defeated and alone.  He wants us to doubt our purpose and destiny.

Reality is though that the enemy has already been defeated.  He was defeated when Jesus rose from the dead.  I just need to cling to the hope that God is in control.  He knows exactly what I need...just as He knows exactly what you need.

There's a song I've been listening to called "The Anthem" by Jesus Culture.  There's a line that says "Wake up child, it's your time to shine.  You were born for such a time as this."  That's become my anthem.  It's time to wake up...time to make lemonade out of the lemons.

True Love

"When Someone dries your tears
 When Someone wins your heart
 And says you're beautiful
 When you don't know you are

 When all you long to see is written on His face
 Love has come and finally set you free
 On that wedding day
 On that wedding day"

~Casting Crowns

All About Me In 30 Days - Day 1

A Photo Of Yourself And A Description Of How Your Day Was

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you are all having a wonderful start to your weekend...I sure am!

My day today was amazing!  It started off by sleeping in!  After a long week, sleeping in was amazing!  My grandparents are visiting for the weekend, so for brunch we had incredible food that was mostly made my my grandma and grandpa.  Since my grandparents were bringing some of our favourite 'traditional' foods my mom's cousin and her family came over for brunch.  We had a good visit with them! 

Then after they left I took my grandparents out for a ride in my 'new' car!  They hadn't seen it yet so it was nice to show it off! 

After that we had a relaxing afternoon, waiting for the turkey to cook, and for my friend to come over.  Traditionally our family has always spend Thanksgiving just as a family, but this year I really felt it on my heart to invite a friend over as her family has moved away.  It was great to have Sarah over!  We had a dinner/evening full of laughter...much to the expense of my brother!  It felt great to have my entire family together, with my grandparents and Sarah! 

God has blessed me abundantly!  Though times have been extremely tough lately, I can't help but have an overwhelming sense of being blessed. 

I am living closer to my extended family than I have since I was little.  (And now a whole 15 minutes closer to my little cousins and Aunt and Uncle!!)  God has brought me an amazing friend who is honestly more like a sister to me.  God is also been bringing me a couple more friend!  I just feel blessed, and extremely thankful!

And finally, I am so grateful for Jesus' amazing love for me and my family!  He will never let us go...no matter if times are good or bad.  He's holding us in the palm of His hand!  I am so thankful for His great love for us all!

Missing:  Mom...who was taking all the pictures!

Like A Child

"And [Jesus] said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 18:3

I've been thinking about this verse ever since Friday night. 

In case you missed my last post, on Friday night my little four year old cousin asked Jesus into her live.  I saw my grandparents on Saturday and my grandpa told me of the conversation he had with Nevaeh the night before.  It completely melted my heart! 

...but it made me think.  When I told some of my siblings (cause I was SOOOOOOO excited!!!) one of them said "but she's so young."  That's just it.  She's young....with pure faith.  Like Jesus said, we can only come to truly believe in Him if we come with the faith of a child...pure and untainted by the things of the world.  That is why I believe Nevaeh understands the love of Jesus more than someone who is much older than her.  As we get older we try to examine and take apart everything, where as small children take everything how it is.  They don't try to pull it apart based on circumstances.  They just believe.  And God honors that. 

I don't think I'm explaining all this very well.  I just found a video that may help to 'explain' through seeing a 5 year old girl sing her heart out to Jesus!  Enjoy!

Click This Link To Watch The Video  ...sorry...I'm not sure how embed this video! 

All The Angels Are Rejocing...

"...In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”  Luke 15:10

And tonight all the angels are rejoicing that my dear little cousin asked Jesus into her heart tonight!  I could not be happier than I am right now!  :)

I am so proud of you Nevaeh for taking this huge step in your life!  I can't wait to see your own personal relationship with Jesus grow and thrive!  I love you! 

In Everything Give Praise

Last night I started reading Job.  I could barely get through reading through chapter 1!  I've read the book so many times before but this time it became very real.

Imagine for a moment.  There is a man named Job who was a God fearing man.  He lived a good life...a life that pleased God.  He had a big family.  He was wealthy. And the Bible even says he was the most influential man in the Middle East!  Job had it all, and I am sure life was amazing for him! 

Then one day Satan comes before God.  (What a conversation that would have been!  Satan, who was cast from heaven and who will spend eternity in hell before the Almighty God who created Heaven and earth...Wow!)  So imagine this conversation and God begins to tell Satan all about how amazing Job is!  Satan comes back at God's remarks and says that if Job had reason to he would curse God.  So God basically gives Satan access to every thing in Job's life...except his very life. 

Already this story is pretty crazy!  But a day came when absolutely everything in Job's life changed...

A messenger came to say all Job's livestock was taken away and all his servants massacred.  Before the messenger was finished speaking another messenger came to say all Job's flocks and servants were burned to death.  Again while the messenger is still speaking a third messenger arrived saying Job's camels and servants (he must have had so many servants!) were massacred.  Finally a fourth messenger arrived to say the home all his children were in collapsed and all his children had been killed. 

WOW!  Imagine what a bad day Job would have been having!  To hear all that one after another is crazy!  I don't know how I would react to that but here is Job's reaction:  (vs 20-22)  "Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head.  Then he fell to the ground and worshipped.  He said, "Naked I came from my mother, and naked I will return.  The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away!  May the name of the Lord be praised."  Through all this Job did not sin or blame God for doing anything wrong." 

I can't even imagine a response like that!  Everything Job had was taken away, even his own children, yet he praised God! 

Maybe this passage really spoke me this time around because life hasn't been all wonderful lately.  I've briefly mentioned in previous posts that May was a rough month for me.  It felt like everything wrong that could happen all happened one week after the next.  It's taken all summer for me to feel like I can manage the pain from May.  There's still so much to work through.  Tears are still shed.  But in the midst of the pain and confusion I need to remember Job.  I need to remember to give praise to God even in this season of deep pain.  I need to keep believing that God is the very same today as He was in Job's life.

And as long as we have breath there is time for redemption.  Time for the people in my life who are so far from God right now to turn around and come home.

Sometimes...

Sometimes I wish time didn't go on.

Sometimes I wish I was still young.  Living in the good days where life was simple.  Where faith was 'as a child' if that makes sense.  Where people truly cared and life wasn't complicated. 

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time to when I lived in Calgary...when my friends and I were all serving God.  When He was what we would always talk about.  When nothing could come in the way of our love for Him. 

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time to a time where smiles always filled our faces.  Where fear was far from our hearts.  Where my sisters and I would enjoy our time together and sing our little hearts out for Jesus.

Sometimes I wish I could go back in time when real true friendships were the norm.  Where people actually cared about one another.  Where if you reached out to someone they would extend their loving arms back. 

Sometimes... Okay, really I wish this all the time.  I wish life was still as simple as it was when I was little...

But it's not.  So many people I love have turned from their first Love, Jesus.  So many people I know could care less about everything and everyone.  It hurts.  Badly.  Because all I want is to see them with arms raised high serving their King. 

I'm not going to give up.  I will continue pressing on.  Keep praying.  Keep believing.  Keep hoping.  Because a day is coming where they will bow their knee and worship Jesus.  A day is coming...

You're Beautiful...

"I see Your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say
You're beautiful."

"I see Your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
It's all proclaiming who You are
You're beautiful, You're beautiful."

"I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on Your heavenly throne
Soon we will be coming home
You're beautiful, you're beautiful."

"When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful."

"I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful
I see Your face, I see Your face
I see Your face, You're beautiful, You're beautiful, You're beautiful."

*Lyrics from You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham

Real Love

When I heard Sidewalk Prophet's "How You Love Me" for the first time a few months ago I fell in love with the lyrics of the chorus. 

The entire song talks about how Jesus loves us despite what we may have done.  He loves us despite what we may do.  He went to the cross out of love for me.  For you.  It's all because of His love...that is real love!

Okay...I don't know if it's just me or not, but I still can't get the embed feature of youtube to work, so you'll have to click here.




Okay...I finally got it working! Apparently it's happening to other Blogspot bloggers as well. Sorry it's a little too big...I had to embed it differently than I used to. :(

Hope

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

~Jeremiah 29:11

The Reason For Easter

Easter.  It's my favourite time of year...

Usually...the flowers are blooming...the grass is turning green...the birds are singing.  It's a time of year where reminders of life are everywhere.  What once appeared to be dead and dormant is now beginning to shine. 

The statement on my calendar for March says:

 "After the winter comes the spring to show us that in everything there's always renewal divinely planned - flawlessly perfect, the work of God's hand."  Helen Steiner Rice

This statement is so true.  Not only in the physical sense of spring, but also in the sprititual sense of spring. 

A little over 2000 years ago Jesus went to the cross...for you...for me.  He came to bring life.  He came to bring renewal.  He came to bring hope.  Jesus was born after years and years (I can't think of the number off the top of my head) of silence...  That time probably felt like winter to the people of Israel.  I'm sure they were wondering where God was, and why things were so silent.  Yet, in God's timing He sent His Son Jesus into the world, to bring redemption to all mankind.

He endured the pain and suffering you and I deserve because of our sinful nature.  He took it all upon His shoulders to bring us freedom.  To bring us eternal life...if we choose to accept Him. 

That's what this season is about.

The amazing thing though is that the story doesn't end there. 

Jesus died upon the cross on what we now celebrate as Good Friday.  On what we celebrate as Easter Sunday Jesus arose from the grave!!  He beat death for eternity!  He brought hope to what appeared hopeless!  He brought life everlasting! 

This Easter, like every other Easter, I'm celebrating the life, death, and resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ!  Easter is always an exciting time of year for me!  Though I celebrate His life, death, and resurrection all year round, Easter is always a reminder that all around the world people are coming together in thanking Him for what He did for all of us.

As I celebrate this Easter I'm reminded of what He's blessed me with throughout this past year.  As I have written about so many times over the past month or so, I've been really busy with school...but leading up to this weekend I've had a lot of blessings that have helped me get through the stress of school. 

The first thing was meeting my best friend Kim at the airport on Thursday.  I hadn't seen her in 4 months and so seeing her for the brief minutes I saw her for was amazing!  I was reminded of the season of winter I went through in various friendships and how God has taken that winter and is beginning to grow something new in my life as I experience "spring".  God has used Kim, and all my other new friends, to show me that in His timing, spring does arrive...no matter how long or hard winter was.

The second thing this weekend has held is the priviledge of seeing a lot of my extended family.  For years I've wanted to live closer to my cousins.  I always wanted to be able to "watch" them grow up...as in experience things with them that I couldn't because I lived hours away.  Last night I babysat my three youngest cousins...something I always dreamed of but never imagined would be possible.  This weekend will go on record as one with the most extended family at my house...other then when we celebrated my grandma's 65th birthday.  I've seen both sets of grandparents, one aunt, two uncles, and four cousins!   

This weekends been great!  There's so much to be thankful for!  Thank You Jesus for everything You have done for me!  There aren't words to accurately describe how I feel right now...

I know this post is already long, but there is a song I want to share with you.

I just came across it, but it's a great reminder of how "We Are The Reason" Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again!



Have a wonderful Easter celebrating Jesus!!