The Sunshine Award

Hi Everyone! I was recently nominated for the Sunshine Award by Natalie. Go and check her blog out . . . it is great! :) Here's the link: http://christianteenagehomeschooler.blogspot.com/

Questions for the nominees (that'd be me! ;) )

1. How big is your family? We are a family of 8! :) I have 4 brothers, and 1 sister. In my opinion, it's not a big  family though. ;)

2. Do you knit, sew, or crochet? I Knit Scarves, and Sew odds and in's here and there. ;)

3. What are your favorite movies or shows?  Courageous, Fireproof, and Facing the Giants.

4. What is your favorite Bible verse? James 1:2-4

5. What is your favorite book? So Many to choose from!!! The Bible! ;) 

6. Do you live in the city or the country? Where do you dream of living? We live in the city! I dream of living in a comfy, cute house, with enough room in the backyard to plant a flower garden.

7. Do you play sports, or do you like other activities? I play Volleyball in the Summer.

8. What is your favorite subject of study? Probably Music.

9. What is your favorite time period of history? Does the Bible count? ;) I actually really like the Civil War time period.

10. What is your favorite food? Pizza! Taco's, "Meredith's Chicken", Taco Soup and Chicken Chili.

11.Do you have any pets? What is a wild animal you would like as a pet if it were possible (for example, an elephant or deer)? We have 1 beautiful Great Pyrenees dog, 1 Rabbit, and 7 Chickens. If it were possible, I'd probably choose a horse.... if that counts. Otherwise, a Polar Bear... our dog looks and acts just like a bear sometimes. It's cute! ;)

So here are the instructions for the nominees, as told by Natalie. 

 If you are chosen and want to participate:

1. Copy and paste image above or create your own.
2. Answer the following questions.
3. Nominate your own bloggers (as many as you choose).
4. Let your nominees know.
5. Put together 11 of questions to ask them.
6. Publish your post!
   
   My nominees are:
   Mercy at: http://mercyray.blogspot.com/
   Britt at: http://www.encouragementforeverydaystruggles.blogspot.com/
   Bethany at: http://todaylibertyordeath.blogspot.com/
   questions for the nominees:
   1. What's your full name?
   2. Favorite color?
   3. What color do you wear most often?
   4. If you won $10,000, what would you do with it?
   5. How big is your family?
   6. What's your favorite animal? Why?
   7. What's your favorite season? Why?
   8. Name me 5 of your favorite movies?
   9. Favorite Sport?
   10. Would you rather go camping or spend the night in an RV?

Blogging Award Tag Post

First off, I'd like to apologize to both Libby on:  http://anoblecallingblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/blogging-award-tag-post.html

and
Natalie on: http://christianteenagehomeschooler.blogspot.com/

Both of you were so kind as to nominate me for the blogging award! And, I have been so extremely busy, that I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I made some time for it!! ;) Thank you both for nominating me!!!... so, here it goes: Libby, here's the questions that you asked me... (I'll do yours next Natalie) ;)
1. What are 3 of your favorite books- besides the Bible, of course? Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham, Preparing to be a helpmeet by Debi Pearl, and You'll get through this by Max Lucado.
2. What is your favorite thing to bake? Anything Chocolate!!! :)
3. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be? hmm.. maybe Ireland? Hawaii sounds fun!
4. If you have to live somewhere besides the U.S., where would it be and why? Probably Ireland, because I love their accent!!! :)
5. Name 5 of your favorite movies. Courageous, Fireproof, Facing the Giants, Hinds Feet on High Places, and from what I've seen of the previews, "God's not Dead". ;)
6. Do you have any pets? If so, what kinds are they? Yes! 1 dog, 1 rabbit, and 7 chickens. We have a Great Pyrenees, and I'm not sure what breed the rest of the animals are. ;)
7. What's one of your favorite Bible verses or passages? James 1:2-4, has always been my favorite!!!
8. Where do you turn when you are needing encouragement? The Bible mostly, sometimes some friends from Church.
9. Do you know how to sew? Know how, yes... am I good at it?... not really. ;)
10. What is one thing that you don't know how to do, but would like to learn? Deliver a Baby!
11. Would you rather hold a snake or pet a shark? Can I choose neither?! IF I had to choose, probably a Gardner Snake. 12. How tall are you? 5' 3 3/4", but I call myself 5' 4"... ;)
13.. What is your favorite candle scent? hmm... Vanilla, Apple Crisp, and 
14. What are your favorite tea/coffee flavors? Vanilla!!! :) White Chocolate, and Marsh-mellow.
15. Which do you prefer: ice cream or frozen yogurt? neither... unless it's in the form of a shake... I have very sensitive teeth that don't handle anything frozen very well. ;)
16. What are your favorite TV shows? Little House on the Prairie, MacGyver, I love Lucy... haven't watched much besides that...

11 facts about me:
1. I hate the cold!
2. I'd rather have iced coffee, over hot coffee... even in the winter. ;)
3. I don't mind driving, and running errands for my family.
4. I'm more of an extrovert...
5.  I love to babysit!!!!
6. I enjoy vacuuming! ;)
7. I'd like to become a Labor Doula one of these days... we'll see. ;)
8.  I teach 20 Piano Students.
9. I enjoy writing with Calligraphy pens! I love it when I get to write letters!
10. I love playing Games!
11. I love to play Piano and Violin, and I love to sing!!!

So, I nominate bloggers:
Breanna: http://dancingintherain-brianna.blogspot.com/
Cheyenne: http://talesfromirisgarden.blogspot.com/

Rules:

1. Share 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the questions set by your Nomination Blogger- Nominate 11 bloggers. (I only did 2)

2. Set questions for the nominated bloggers.

questions for the nominees:
1. What's your full name?
2. Favorite color?
3. What color do you wear most often?
4. If you won $10,000, what would you do with it?
5. How big is your family?
6. What's your favorite animal? Why?
7. What's your favorite season? Why?
8. Name me 5 of your favorite movies?
9. Favorite Sport?
10. Would you rather go camping or spend the night in an RV?

I hope I did this right Libby... let me know if I didn't. ;)

Jesus, friend of Sinners

I was convicted this week on how often we don't love the sinners.
Have you heard the saying, "hate the sin, love the sinner."?
My mom knows of a young woman whom is a lesbian. My heart breaks that some people don't understand how wrong it is, or are to set in their own ways to repent and turn from their wicked ways.
When my mom went down to visit her sister a while back ago, she saw this particular young woman. My mom gave her a hug, because, as awkward as it was, my mom wanted her to know that she still loves her.
After the trip, my mom talked to her sister, and her sister said, "She just wanted to know that you loved her! And you showed her that you did."
We cast so much judgment on some people that we don't look at our own sin, in our own life. Sometimes, I have to ask God to forgive me, because I judged someone based on how they acted/dressed/looked. God, please forgive me!
In Matthew 12:33-37, we see that Jesus says, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”I really like this song by Casting Crowns that talks about how Jesus loved the sinners.
"Jesus, Friend Of Sinners"

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours
You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours
And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Valentine's Day and Agape Love

So, because Valentines is this Friday, I thought I'd post about Agape Love. :)

Valentine's is a holiday that our culture takes and gives presents, chocolates, rose's, hugs and kisses to those whom they love. We all know that....right?!
Our family doesn't exactly celebrate Valentine's Day. My parents will get each of us kids a little something... like maybe a water bottle filled with a little bit of candy, or something as little as chalk and a ball for the younger ones... just to show us that they love us. :)
However, there is an even better kind of love!... it's called Agape Love. It's a self-less kind of love. A sacrificial love... the love that Christ has for us. Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross for us!
Before I share a couple of verses, I'd like to share a story about love...
for my little brother's 3rd birthday, he wanted toy guns. So, on July 26th 2011, he got some toy guns. A few days after words, him and I were playing. I was the bad guy... and like all bad guys, you play out the story of the Sheriff shooting you. Well, Elijah shot me, so, I naturally, fell down and said, "I'm gonna die! You shot me, so I'm going to die!" Elijah literally rushed over to me, and scooped my head in his arms and gave me a kiss on the forehead. He said, "You can't die!" When I asked why, he said, "Because your my best friend, and I love you!" I was naturally touched by this, and so, without hesitation, I got up, and said, "your kiss saved me! I'm all better!" :)
I couldn't help but think of this story, when I thought about love. It's a sweet story that I'll remember for the rest of my life. :)
Just like how I "died", we all must "die" to our sins. Christ love was/is the perfect example of how we ought to love one another. Just a little something to think about. ;)
1 John 4:8

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Romans 5:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Corinthians 13:7

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends

.John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Is God good when life Isn't? Part 2

So, when tragedies strike, where is God? Was the calamity God’s idea? Of course not! God never creates or parlays evil. “God can never do wrong! It is impossible for the Almighty to do evil…” (Job 34:10 also James 1:17) He is the essence of good . How can he who is good invent anything bad? And he is sovereign! (Daniel 5:21) God is good. God is sovereign. Then how are we to factor in the presence of
 calamities in God’s world? 

     Here is how the Bible does it: God permits it. When the demons begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs, he “gave them permission” (Mark 5:12-13) The old testament speaks of the consequence of accidentally killing a person: “If [the man] does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate.” (Exodus 21:13) 

     God at times permits tragedies. He permits the ground to grow and dry, and stalks to grow bare. He allows Satan to unleash mayhem. But he doesn't allow Satan to triumph. (Romans 8:28) God promises to render beauty out of “all things," not "each thing". The isolated events may be evil, but
 the ultimate culmination is good.

     Look at Job and his life… we see that Job was inflicted with much… all but one of his servants died, his his oxen, donkeys, and camels, were stolen, the sheep and servants were burned up, and all of his sons and daughters were killed. However, through it all, we see that Job says, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21) it even says, "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong." (vs. 22) It didn't stop there... Job's health starts to go downhill, when "Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sold of his foot to the
 crown of his head." (Job 2:7)
He told his wife in verse 10, "...Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?' In all this Job did not sin with his lips." In the end, Job said, "Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job repented for questioning God, and God restored him, and blessed him. (42:12-17)
We must let God define good. Our definition includes health, comfort, and recognition. His definition? In the case of His son, Jesus Christ, the good life consisted of struggles, storms, and death. But God worked it all together for the greatest of good: His glory and our salvation.
At some point we all stand at this intersection. Is God good when the outcome is not?
Your pain won't last forever, but you will. "Whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has in store for us." (Romans 8:18)
What is coming will make sense of what is happening now. Let God finish his work. Let the composer complete his symphony. The forecast is simple. Good days. Bad days. But God is in ALL days. He is the Lord of the famine and the feast, and he uses both to accomplish His will. So, yes, God is still good, when life isn't! :) Have a blessed week!