Happy 4th of July to all of you Americans! 

Went downtown chattanooga with some family friends this evening, to watch fireworks. It was a short display, but still pretty nice. =)

I recently picked up the book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris. I know many have premonitions about this book, fearing that it will condemn them for dating and/or having relationships in general, and I think like most people, I perhaps felt a little bit like this for a while (alas never picking it up until now). Upon paging through the first, second, and third chapters, however, I have to say, it has been a blessing and a very encouraging book. 

More than just a book about our human "relationships" (or...the lack thereof?), it's really showing me that our focus should be on developing a relationship with our Heavenly Father. The author isn't about bashing relationships, but rather he encourages the relationship we have with God as a precursor of sorts for our friendships and relationships with others. That's just from the first three chapters though, and I'm excited to read the rest of it! 

In other news, my weekend was kind of nice and relaxing. I went to Chattanooga First SDA Church on Sabbath, which was a blessing. The young man who spoke was really good and made some profound points in his sermon entitled "I'll believe it when I see it". One thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that the blind men that Jesus healed couldn't see him, yet they followed Him and had faith that He could heal them. 

Sometimes I wonder to myself...do I follow Christ the way I should, even though I can see everything He has done for me throughout my life? Why do I doubt Him so often? He is God after all. I could probably work on that a bit, but only by His wonderful grace.

Anyhow, after church, I went for a drive up to what they call "Raccoon Mountain" over here in TN. I have to say, it is SO beautiful out here! Where I go to school in Walla Walla, Washington, it is just so dry and one big farmland in comparison. We have so many trees and rivers and nature out here in Tennessee and it's wonderful, I'm totally enjoying myself! God is really a wonderful creator and artist... 

Every New Day

I think it's been more than long enough since I have posted on my somewhat-abandoned blog! I am now at home for the summer, enjoying a bit of a slower pace after a year in Washington. I am still doing school, however, taking Applied Statistics and Jewish-American Literature online. It's not all easy stuff, but I will be glad when it's done. Anyhow, I will leave you with a thought before I go to bed.

Each day we are given is a gift courtesy of our loving Heavenly Father, and a new opportunity to live to our fullest potential! 

                                               Make the most of it!  =)

Becoming A Woman Of Excellence

A woman of excellence

Is what I long to be

Filled with your godly wisdom

So it is part of me

A woman of integrity

No matter what I face

Standing up for righteousness

And for your saving grace

A woman of destiny

Living out your plan

Knowing where you’d have me walk

Being guided by your hand

A woman of promise

Standing on your word

Holding on to all the truths

While carrying out your work

A woman of compassion

For the ones in the dark

Those that do not know your love

And have darkness in their hearts

A woman that will never

Compromise the faith

With what the world may offer

But will keep the narrow way

A woman who loves Jesus

And will only follow Him

Gladly to give up the world

So His light can shine within

Lord this is my earnest prayer

As a daughter by your grace

Grow in me these qualities

As I walk with you in faith

~ M.S.Lowndes

Life in True Color

Life is a journey, and sometimes it appears black and white. One would think that this should make things more simple, yet often it just makes them more complicated, more gloomy, more frustrating. Where has the color gone?

So often, we focus our eyes on the world…and the things in this world that discourage us, frustrate us, bring us down. We have school that is hard, work that is harder sometimes, friends who disappoint us and hurt us, and sometimes family who we don’t get along with. There are these, and other countless things that have the opportunity of bringing us down into a pit of despair. These are what create a black and white world for so many.

You may sometimes wonder if you’ll ever be happy again…but the truth is that you can be happy and if you want to be, you will be. A large part of it is the first step, making the choice. It’s not really about the world being black and white after all; it’s mostly about finding color in the black and white of every day life! It’s about allowing God to paint you a beautiful picture full of color and vibrancy and life! That’s the thing though, you have to want it enough to allow Him, because He doesn’t force His will upon you.

My encouragement would be this: When times get tough, turn to Jesus! He is hope, He is Love, He is Joy, and He is LIFE! He is this and so much more. Without allowing Him to be involved in our lives from day to day, we have no real chance of finding true happiness in life, because He IS the source of true happiness and without Him, we’ll just be running down a road that leads to a dead end.

Never give up, just look to Jesus and the beautiful, amazing things He wants to do in your life if you allow Him in. He is something to live for. Without Him we are nothing.

May this week be a week of happiness for you as you find your true worth and meaning in a God, who loves you unconditionally. Forget about the things in this world that bother you and bring you down – only look to Jesus, because He is there for you and is waiting with arms wide open! 

Happy Sabbath

God is Love. {1 John 4:8} 

 
I am so thankful that God has provided us a day to rest and relax and spend time with Him and others close to us without the distraction of homework and other weekly things.

May you bask in God's great love for you today and always. It is so broad, so unconditional, so amazing, so generous...and we are so unworthy...yet made worthy because we are children of the King. Sometimes I can't wrap my mind around how big His love really is! It's so incredible!

Think about it. Just ponder. Let it sink in...

God loves you. Now.

Always. 

Happy Sabbath! Rest in His love. It will never fail. 

Arms of Love

Whatever may have been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances, if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our compassionate Savior will meet you a great way off, and will throw about you His arms of love and His robe of righteousness. He presents us to the Father clothed in the white raiment of His own character. He pleads before God in our behalf, saying: I have taken the sinner's place. Look not upon this wayward child, but look on Me. Does Satan plead loudly against our souls, accusing of sin, and claiming us as his prey, the blood of Christ pleads with greater power. {MB 8.2}