thankful

I have so much to be thankful for.
you lead
you carry
you challenge
every day.

You heal
You've healed me!
Saved my heart
My soul

I'm all yours
take me, mold me
I'll follow you.
Where ever you lead me
I'll go with no fear

I love you
I stand in awe
Lord, you are everything to me.

grace

Grace. God's grace. It's one of the hardest things for me to get. I understand it but, it's so hard for me to receive it. I did something, to the world it's nothing big in fact, I've been told enjoy, have fun. I've had this hurt in my heart that I've upset Christ. I've asked for forgiveness and God has forgiven me and keeps reminding me. I just feel so bad. This why I have such a hard time with His grace. I'm so worried I'll do it again. I love Jesus so much it hurts, and I don't want to upset him with who I am. Maybe I'm striving to be too perfect? Time to read more of the word; meditate.

Lord,
I need you. I don't want to feel bad. Show me your love. Show others your love. I don't want to feel like this anymore. Please.
Christ's name,
Amen.

Time stops when praising God. ♥

We had our first worship gathering at my house tonight and it went with flying colors. I felt like time stopped and we got to worship in a completely different way from the norm and talk about it after. Then, I still had time to play wii over at my friends house. Wow! God is good.

Amy had a great message today in church this morning. She talked about how God get's down on our level and holds our cheeks with his hands so we aren't distracted from what he is saying. It's interesting. I've been praying for motivation, this past week, and when she started her sermon about how God just wants us to listen and do what is called for us, everything falls into place. If you don't, he'll get down on our level and say it again. I felt like that happened to me me today. It was like a oh wow I get it kind of moment. It was the initiating action, as Don Miller would say. I love his books. Now, our of that, I have motivation. The Lord works in wonderful and loving ways. When it hit me, my eye's filled with tears.

I got to talk to some of the youth tonight after our gathering. One of the girls was telling me she's really not into all this "church stuff". I told her that I was like that growing up. I went to church but I really didn't believe. I told her I didn't go to church while I was in college. Then I explained to her my story about how Christ came into my life and how you have to ask and genuinely mean it. She looked at me and wasn't really sure what to say. I told her to start coming to youth group. It's a good time. Then the conversation shifted. It was really cool how I got to share that with her. Since I've given my life to Jesus, I've been a bit weary about sharing my faith and I hadn't really been praying about it but God showed me tonight that it's ok and you can have confidence about it. He knows everything on your heart. He has me on awe almost every day.

Romance me Lord,
help others find you.
Use me Lord,
I will always love you.

Happy Valentine's day!

snow day.

The first snow day in a long time and I had to work. That's weird. I'm not used to that. I'm not sure you would call going sledding with kids work but, if you didn't get much sleep the night before and getting over a cold, it could be work. Oh, it's so not fun when a child looses their boot in the lake because the ice was soft.

I just finished a book about 24/7 prayer. I loved it! The whole idea of praying and worshiping God for all day and night sounds so refreshing. I'd like to try it someday. I feel like someone would walk into a prayer room and everything bad would just wash away. They would be completely clean.

I have this feeling God is setting me up for something big. I have no idea what it is. All I know is I have to get into seminary and get through it. This past weekend was hard for me but I got through the emotional part. Now I've got to take action and do something. God's been whispering in my ear telling me that I'm alright, now go to this. There is an order to things, I've learned.

Lord,
my friend
father
teacher.
What it maybe, you are doing
love us even more.
We don't understand it
we try
We love you more.
God is good.
Thank you for today.
Amen

curve ball

Just when you think things are great and pleasant, God throws you a curve ball. But it makes me love him more. Makes things more interesting and I'll know who is more true to me. I also have to buck up and be me and not hide. I'm taking this, and looking at it positively. Just to clarify, everything is ok.

As I lay in bed to talk to you
you're there
listening
caring for me.

I trust
I listen for you
I wait
wait with Joy

Things happen over time
Love is what
you bring.
Loving me for me
no matter what.

There is nothing more
sweeter
beautiful
than that.

As I lay in bed to talk to you.
Thank you.

make cookies instead

Being sick makes you sleepy. Well, one shouldn't got to bed before 9 o'clock if you're 23 years old even if you're sick. Make cookies instead. They smell amazing!

Oh and drink your IZZE also. hehe

Pray for those who don't know Him.
Pray for those who don't get prayed for.
Pray 24/7
iPray

Something New

I write in my journal all the time like there is something to hide but this just makes more sense. I had a live journal sometime ago but I think it go deleted.

I've started on this new path with God and I've never been more happy in my life. Who knew have a relationship with Jesus would be this wonderful? I've always gone to church and done church things but I never truly believed. I feel bad that I'd been lying to so many people and for so long.

I went away to college and tried going to church but my major didn't allow that. Theatre was and still is a passion of mine but I got hurt so many times by people and what I didn't do. Mined you the things I didn't do are things you shouldn't do but I guess if you want the lead in a show, you get the picture.

I finished college and didn't know where to turn. What to do. I kept getting pressure from my sister and I understand why it was just hard because I was lost.

I started going back to church in the fall, singing in the choir and helping out with youth group. In November we went to convention in Atlanta. I was so excited! One, for the road trip and two, something was going to happen. I wasn't sure what but I knew it was good. During one of the speakers I asked God to say my name. Something simple. I thought it would be instant; nothing happen. Walking back, I was in a daze. Talking, but in a daze. Then a guy walking by, just passing me said Ally. I had to do a double take. I didn't know who this person was. He just kept walking. A smile came to my face and I was filled with so much joy.

A week later, I got a call to be a youth pastor. I'm in the process of applying to seminary and I have never been so sure of what I'm doing with my life.

The Lord loves all of us. He wants a relationship with you but, you have to pursue him first. It's funny, my friend Emma prayed for me to find God winter of 08. It took about a year and a half and during that time I learned so much about myself and then He saved me. :-)

"My God is mighty to save." - Hillsong United.