When Our Strength fails and Gods Strength Prevails

       All of us go through hills and valleys in life. We have days when our strength is completely helpless, and we feel like we can't go on. We have days when our whole world feels like it's falling apart. However, through it all, I can honestly say that God is good! I'm realizing every day that even on my bad days, I just have to remind myself of all of life's many blessings, and look at it, and say, "God is good...even then!" This past week, I've been learning a lot about trusting in God. Learning to completely surrender and give my all in all, to Christ. It's when we come to that place in life, when we completely surrender to Christ, and take up the cross, and follow Him, that God's strength is seen. We can't it on our own. It's only through Gods grace and mercy that I make it every day. 

     This past week, some family members and I were talking about struggles in our own lives. Struggles like, having doubt, worrying, stressing out about things, feeling like a failure at life, second guessing ourselves... the list can go on. But, I came to a stopping point this past week. Some family members came over to our house this last week, and we prayed. We prayed for Gods goodness and mercy to prevail. We prayed for Gods grace and strength to take over. There's a breaking point in every Christians life. A point where we have to literally give up, and fall upon Christ. I love how Paul Washer says it, "Repentance, is simply giving up! To stop fighting against God, and to stop attempting to gain your own salvation through your own works; to literally give up and fall upon Christ."
     I came to a breaking point a couple years ago. A point where I realized that I don't have strength to get through each day. I can't make it on my own. Some days, I still think I can... but it's in those moments, that God uses us the most. God is continually refining us. I'm constantly reminded in James 1:2-4, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." We can't get through life on our own strength, only in Gods. In 2nd Corinthians 12:9, we read, "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness..."
     Man will fail us every day of our lives. God is the only one who never fails! He is faithful to the end, and with us every step of the way! So, when we feel like we can't go on anymore, just know that God will give you the strength to get through each day... we need only to seek God and ask.

Award Post #3

Hi Everyone! I was recently nominated for the Sunshine Award by Maddie.Go and check her blog out . . . it is great! :) Here's the link: http://schoolandsuntans.blogspot.ru/
Questions for the nominees: (that'd be me! ;) )

1. Where did you come up with your blog name? hmm... I wanted to name the blog that had to do with being my dad's daughter, and God's daughter. And I knew that I was destined to be God's daughter (Romans 8:29-30, " For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.") So, I put together "Daughter of Destiny". :)

2. Why did you create your blog? Because I love to write! :) And my mom told me that she thought I'd be a good idea. ;)

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

4. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland! :)

5. What is your favorite book? Tough one! ;) Besides the Bible, probably any Max Lucado books! :)

6. Would you rather be a queen or the president? Tough one! ;) Whichever one I can get the most done... Make Abortion illegal, make Gay-Marriage illegal... etc... 

7. What is your favorite subject in school? Music! 

8. If you could make three wishes, what would they be? That men and women would repent, and turn from their wicked way. Women would no longer have abortions. And, that 

9. What is your favorite flavor of cake? Chocolate!!! 

10. If you could choose between tennis shoes, cowgirl boots, or sandals, which you you choose? Depends on the season... mostly flip-flops! :) 

11. If you could be in any book, which book would it be? The Bible!

So here are the instructions for the nominees.

 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 nominee is:
   Kaylee at: http://worthfarmorethanevenrubies.blogspot.ru/
   questions for the nominee:
   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?

Gold

Since my brothers and dad are hunting for the next few days, we girls decided to watch girl movies, and movies that my brother’s don’t like because it’s too low of a quality for them. : )

Yesterday, my sister and I watched, “Hinds Feet on High Places”, put on my Compass International. It’s one of those movies that the acting isn't that great, but the point to the movie is great!!! While watching this, I saw my life in that movie! I saw myself going through the desert of loneliness, and the wilderness of darkness. I was in that same position that “Much-Afraid” was in! And of course, I started to cry! One of the songs, stuck out to me though... When Much Afraid was climbing the steep rock, the Shepherd, and her 2 companions were helping her to keep her footing. While they were climbing this steep rock, a song came on called, “I think I see Gold”…I started to cry as I listened to the words of the song. I thought I’d share it with ya’ll! But please don’t think of it as a song that I like, but as a testimony that God will be with you, and that he is still working on you!!! I think the video presents the verses as well as the lyrics and the song that so easily reminds us that God is with us no matter what!!!

Yet another death...

Today, as I was sitting in the car before going into Wal*Mart, I was listening to the radio, and the DJ said, "Some days we get so caught up in life with taking our kids places, or doing school, activities, and other various things, that we forget to Thank God for the day. Sometimes we forget to pray, read the Bible, or look at the beauty of the trees/sky/sun around us." Isn't this so true?

Today, I found out that Shannon Sproul (R.C. Sproul Jr.'s daughter) died. They don't know the cause yet. Many of you know that R.C. Sproul Jr. suffered the loss of his wife a few months ago to cancer...and now today, his daughter. Let's all be in prayer for the Sproul family!!!

I was thinking about "death", after I heard this news today...and, I am so blessed! I'm blessed to have my grandparents, family, friends all still alive!!! As I said earlier, we forget to thank God for the blessings that we have. We may not think about it, but look around you...maybe it's a church that you go to, that you have been blessed by; or maybe it's family/friends who helped you through some things in your life. Whatever it may be...thank God for it!!!

Let's be in prayer for the Sproul family as they struggle through this rough time in their life...and yet know, that with death, comes heaven for believers of Jesus Christ!

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

~James 1:2-4~

Listening in the Quietness of the Desert

Have you ever gone through a trial so bad, that you felt like you were in a deep, dark hole without a way to get out or knowing which way was out? I have! My parents have! Maybe you're having a hard time finding a job, or trying to figure out what to do with each child you have. Maybe you're experiencing something so big, and so dramatic, that you don't think it will ever be over.

I remember watching this movie we have called, "Hinds Feet on High Places". It's one of those low quality films, but it's just enough to make you cry. I'm sure many of you know how the story goes, and if you don't, I encourage you to find out! Any way, "Much Afraid" is at one time in the desert, lonely, and trying to figure out the "Shephards" (God's) plan for her. It is at this time that her two companions help her to trust God. When "Much Afraid" goes through the wilderness, it's dark, cloudy and stormy, and it's through this storm that she learns that God is always with her.
When we go through trials in our life, as hard as it is, we need to understand that God has a plan out of that trial. We may not see it at the time, but God does!
The next time your in the desert or wilderness...STOP! LISTEN! It's in this desperate time that you hear God's powerful voice!

Ginny Owens wrote a song called, "If you want me to", and I thought it was perfect to share with ya'll. The song is beautiful as well!

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
(James 1:2-4) (NASB)

If You Want Me To:
The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here.
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to

'Cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step; And
I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet. So if all of these
trials bring me closer to You, then I will go through the fire if You want me to.

It may not be the way I would have chosen, when You lead me through
a world that's not my home. But You never said it would be easy,
You only said I'd never go alone.

So when the whole world turns against me, and I'm all by myself; And I can't hear You answer my cries for help. I'll remember the suffering, Your love put You through, And I will go
through the darkness if You want me to.

When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout! I'm gonna look into Your eyes and see, You never let me down. So take me on the pathway that will lead me home to You, And I will
walk through the valley if You want me to; Yes, I will walk through the valley
if You want me to