My Walk with the Lord

     I've been asked to talk about how my walk with the Lord is, and how I spend time with Christ everyday. Let me start by saying, unfortunately, I don't study the word of God as often as I should. I let other things get in the way at times.
     Before my husband goes to work every morning, we try to pray. We Pray for the day, and that God would give us the strength and energy we need. Sometimes there's specific requests for ourselves that we pray about, and other times it's just a general prayer.
     After he leaves for work, I usually clean up around the house, do dishes, respond to emails, do a little exercising, and some other work. I try to make it a point in the day that I sit down for a little bit, and write in my prayer journal. I write a note to God basically praying for my needs/want/hurts.... or others things. Lately, I've been praying for a lot of wisdom on how I can encourage my husband and let him know how great he is on a daily basis! :)

     I'll admit, at times, my days are so busy, I can easily forget to do my Bible Study every day. I have to constantly remind myself to put God as my priority. My husband and I try to do Family Devotions every night. At the moment, we're going through the Psalms and Genesis.
     The main thing to remember is, God wants you, He wants your attention. God is a jealous God. (Exodus 34:14) God created us to Glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. In America, we're given the freedom to own a Bible. Many people have one, but few people actually read it. Charles Spurgeon once said: "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." When life gets hard, what do we do the most? What do we turn to?
     A couple weeks ago, someone very close to me was going through a rough spot in life. This person felt very messed up, and like a failure. I can't tell you how many times I cried out to God to help this person. It's in those moments that I think God uses the most. It's in those moments when we're most desperate, and God shows us His strength in our weakness. It's in those moments that I keep reminding myself that God is still good, He's still on His throne, He's still faithful, and He's still Sovereign over all. God listens to all our prayers. He sees each tear that falls, and he's not ignoring our prayers. He's teaching us to rely on Him, even in the trials and tribulation that come our way. God has a way of refining us that we can't see when we're in the midst of something.
     I have to remind myself that when I'm in the midst of daily life, to continue my walk with the Lord, and know that God is on His throne. My walk with the Lord is coming at a slow pace at times. We run a race on a daily basis. Distractions come our way. I'll admit, even in those times, I'm not always great about going to the Lord in prayer. I need to remember to keep God as my #1 priority. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." ~Matthew 6:33~
     In what ways do you find helps your walk with the Lord? What might distract you? 

The Purpose of my blog

         Recently, I had received a couple hate-mail comments on my blog- specifically to dying to self post. After talking to some friends, and my husband about it, my husband asked me what the purpose of writing my blog was.
     So, I thought I'd share with you, the reason why I have a blog. When I first started writing a blog, I had no idea what I'd write about. At first, I was just posting inspiring songs, lyrics, poems, and such that I loved. I loved writing, and my mom had encouraged me to start the blog. So, I did. I sent an email out to family and friends letting them know that I started a blog. I started out with about 8 followers that week. I was excited! As time went on, I started to write about my struggles, my life, my daily routine's, my hurts, and in the midst of all of those, trying to point out what God has been teaching me personally. I wanted people to be encouraged and inspired. I wanted people to see what I wrote, thank God for it, and maybe see if they can apply it to their own lives. I wanted people to see that someone else struggles with things, just like them. As time went on, I got more blog followers, and excitement would get to me. Excitement, that someone out there was reading my blog. I hadn't intended for someone to feel like I'm the "girl who has it all together"... because I can guarantee you, I'm far from having it all together. I still struggle every day. I'm still a sinner. Yes, I struggle with pride every day. Yes, I have many days that I don't have it all together.
      Whomever had made a comment on my blog a couple weeks ago, told me that I had nothing to complain about, and that I was a a girl who just stays at home all day. And... you're right... I shouldn't be complaining! I'm blessed to stay at home and cook, clean, take walks, enjoy the fresh air, sew, knit, read, play music on the piano and Violin, study, worship The Creator of the Universe, I get to sit and do my Bible Study and stare outside and listen to the birds chirp and stand in awe at the mystery of how God created all of it. You're right, whomever you are... I don't have anything to complain about. I don't want to make this about me... this is about God! God created everything. God decided to put children on this earth to make laughter, birds in the air to hear joyous sounds, trees/grass/leaves/flowers for the enjoyment of His children. I'm not here on this earth to complain about "how little sleep I got" or that "the cookies burned" or that "I had a bad day today." I'm here on this earth to Worship and Serve our Creator, Jesus Christ!
     I'm not shaken by your comment, whomever you may be. The purpose of my Blog is meant to encourage and inspire other like-minded believers of God. It's meant for people to look at my blog, and think of God every time. It's meant to bring Glory to God in everything I do... I don't do it for me, or to give me glory... and at times, yes, sometimes, I feel like I do... but, ultimately, my purpose here on earth it to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever! ... This, is the purpose of my blog. To God be the Glory!

The Superbowl and Katy Perry

     Many of you watched the super bowl on Sunday. Some people, like me, went for the fellowship, but don't care about football. I don't even understand how football works, so for me, I was at our friends house for the fellowship, food, fun, and dessert. :)
     During the half time, they had a couple singers who were performing. One of the singers, was Katy Perry. We couldn't understand what she was singing, so when we asked a friend, he told us, that she was singing, "I kissed a girl, and I liked it." I don't know why I was so disappointed, I should have known that this is what our cultural has become. We love the pop artist's who've chosen to live a path that's opposite from the word of God, and we cheer at it, as if, we don't care. It's their own life right? They can choose to live it the way they want? ... when did our lives become about living for ourselves, and doing what we want? Only God knows Katy Perry's heart... but, what I'm wondering, is why are their Christians out there, who cheer at the songs she writes, telling her, that we love it, and want more? You're probably thinking, "Whoa, Caitlin, slow down there! It's just a song! No big deal! You're being way too sensitive!" Maybe I am... but, why are we here on this earth?

To Glorify God, and enjoy Him forever!

     We're not to praise man and man's works! ... Especially when it goes against the word of God!
     In 1st John 2:15-17, it tells us, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."
     "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ~ Romans 12:2~
     All I ask is this: Why are we okay with what Katy Perry sings? Does it bother you? It should. All I ask, is that we look and examine our own hearts. What do we praise? Man... or God?