Advent has Arrived~!

Advent has arrived - as of yesterday, December 2nd.
This year, I want to take a look at the different aspects of Christmas, and when Jesus arrived. I hope that it will open up your eyes of the true meaning of Christmas and I want to take a look at the different people that were involved. I want us to take some time to where we are not focusing on gifts, santa, reindeer and hot cocoa, and focus on the true meaning of Christmas - that time of year of when our Savior, Jesus, Came to earth and die for our sins.

-A Birthday Reflection Post-

26 years ago today my parents were at the hospital having me.
I was born at about 2 am  November 29th 1986. I came a little earlier than what they expected me. mom was incredibly sick in the hosptial before she had me. 

Thinking on past years, past birthdays - and just thinking about what i've accomplished so far in my life....
I have had a wonderful life, that is for sure. I have an amazing family. I really do. Supportive, loving, and always there (sometimes a little too much haha!) anyways- I feel that my parents did a good job of raising my brother and I... I really do... even though we fought until I moved out of the house...
After I came back home from being away at college for a few weeks, I remember that it was an odd feeling that we werent fighting... we actually gave each other a hug! haha. anwyays--
In the past I have felt 'un accomplished'- people that I graduated from high school with were already graduating college.  After I graduated high school, I went to a university for a year, the ultimately decided it was best for me to just move back home with my parents and go to school at night and work during the day....for about 5 years I went to that community college, I was able to knock out the majority of the 'core' classes though. then after trying to really figure out where I was going in life... God called me to get into ministry -for young adults.- and here I am... going to school just to do that.
While I know basically everyone I know has graduated and is in their career... I dont mind it. I have had to learn lessons along the way of finding my true path. But as usual just ready to be really on that path of helping young adults.

Looking back on a year  - in my life several things have changed. All good things ... of course at the top of that list is getting engaged to a wonderful man, a man who God certainly designed for me. Then I have gained alot of other experience with work, and just other things. Of course actually beginning school and getting a few classes under my belt and what not.

I cannot wait to see what God has planned for the future. The next year will be a busy ride, but a good one.. I really can't wait.

I have realized I really have learned that the simplier things in life are sometimes the most fun.
Since Steve and I began dating, we rarely go out to eat. ... we just really enjoy being at the house, in the kitchen, cooking dinner, trying a new recipe, and just being in there together, and talking and whatnot.
in the past I have always wanted to go out to dinner and everything for my birthday dinner. This year, when Steve asked me what I wanted to do - I thought on where I wanted to go for my birthday - but ultimately decided that one of my favorite things to do is just to have dinner at home... I requested that he cook and clean up, that would be a wonderful birthday dinner.. So that is what we'll be doing saturday for my birthday... I can't wait.

It is amazing of how much things can change... for good and the bad... I look forward to seeing what God has planned for me the rest of my life. The first 25 years were fantastic. :)

 

Happy Thanksgiving....

Yesterday was Thanksgiving... I know we all have various family styles and traditions. Yesterday my family enjoyed all the traditional foods.... turkey, green beans, corn casserole, sweet potatoes, and stuffed ourselves with too much food.then we all got in the living room, where the football game was on, and we all visited and hung out... a few people fell asleep. Steve and I went for a walk (almost 2 miles!... which felt great! so much better than getting in that food coma and passing out. we were able to enjoy the great outdoors and enjoy each others company, and get some fresh air.

Last night as we left, we passed by a Wal-Mart and we passed by a mall. The parking lots were absolutely PACKED with cars - this year they moved up 'black friday' into thanksgiving evening.... people were there fighting over crockpots, toys, toasters... and who knows what. just to get a few cents of a discount.... I had thought about going out and going shopping on black friday(today) however I decided against it. I realized that the store that I wanted to go to, wasnt really having any special deals on anything. So I am just sticking to some shopping online... ANYWAYS... just seems funny that yesterday we all were Thanking God for all that we have, everything that we are Blessed with, the food that has been provided, the loving hands that prepared it. Thanking Him for clothes on our backs, our friends and family, and family that are traveling. Then mere hours we are killing each other over a crockpot. .... seems kinda silly. almost like its all for 'bragging rights' ... "i got the last crockpot, I had to punch an old lady to get it!!"


Just something to think about. The sales will continue for the next few days- as we continue to eat on the left overs and spend more time with family
.

Even though Thanksgiving has officially past us, We still need to be Thankful for all that we have. There are so many that are truly without... Not only just this time of year, but during all parts of the year, we need to remember those who have hit a rough patch and are trying to get back on their feet. Or even those who may be emotionally, or spiritually lacking, and need some help....

Always able to change

Last week I was talking to my brother (he and I rarely have a conversation, just busy schedules, nothing bad...) but we talked on my way home... and something was brought to my attention....

There was someone who had mentioned to him that they had messed up so much in their life, that they just didnt care how much more they messed up....

I just wanted to say that no matter what kind of mistakes you have made in the past it is all forgotten by God.
It's up to you though if you want to change and not make the same mistakes, or if you want to continute the same path that you are going down.
no one can make you change though... its all up for you to make that decision.

It doesnt matter how old you are or what kind of things you have done...

I have made plenty of mistakes, everyone has... but it's that moment when you make that decision to walk in a different light.
its that decision to turn towards God, and have Godly actions, rather than walking in the path of the world.

When you walk the ways of the world, you will never be completely 'satisfied' you will constantly be 'searching' for something... in the midst of your searching maybe you get into a group of people who party, and drink, or do drugs...or get into random relationships with someone, and end up sleeping together... at the end of it all...at the end of it all do you feel good about yourself? or are you still in a 'slump.'

a typical girl Good student, high grades, very talented... - who had alot of trouble at home the last few years of high school. she essentially gave up.. she didnt care about anything anymore, so she got in with a group of people when she got to college and began partying, and she stopped going to church, got into relationship after relationship. grades started dropping, and the partying continued..... she said that she 'gave up' - and that she wanted to go to church and become better, but what was the point since she had messed up so bad...

when you are so involved in worldly things, its hard to see clearly. You just want to focus on those things that give you that 'temporary high' - when in actuality it brings you down, and it sucks the life out of you.

WHen you turn from those worldly things, and turn towards God, and really begin to have a relationship with Christ, your life will change. and you wont care about the parties and other worldly things that you have been surrounding yourself with.

I cant tell you what to do. no one can, it's all up to you. You get to decide of which path to take. Just know that Jesus wipes away and it doesnt matter about what you've done in the past... just matters to have a relationship with him, and to love others around....

class number 2

Tomorrow I start my 2nd class with The Kings University. (yes, you will probably be seeing me post everytime I have a new class for school. sorry.)
This class is just your basic English/Grammar class. Today I was looking just a quick view of what we will be learning about each week.
Alot of it sounds so basic, stuff that we learned back in 6th grade and before, prepositional phrases, adjectives, adverbs... and such... but I am glad that going  back to the basics, and re-learn the fundamentals of English... I think that this will be good, I hope that with this class it will allow me to write better when I am done with it.
I love to write (hense.... why I am writing a blog now.) but sometimes I feel like writing, not only gets your 'thoughts' out on 'paper' at times you let out emotion, dreams, plans, advice, ideas.... sometimes writing things out helps me solve problems or issues... sometimes it only leads you to more questions... sometimes you write for fun, and in an informal manner, and sometimes in a more professional way. I enjoy writing to the extent that when someone reads what I write, I hope that they can get inspired in some form or fashion, and I hope that change can help us among those who need God.

I love to write to tell people things in the Bible, I love to teach, through 'paper'.

I used to help out with the youth at my old church. I thoroughly enjoyoed teaching the kids. I really did. it was some of the most 'growing' times that I personally had- I grew more and more as I kept digging deeper and deeper into information, resources, and such. I would write out my whole lesson, writing down word for word allowed me to really work it out in my head as to how it would sound and what needed to be said next. It helped me alot, I was able to memorize what I was going to say better. writing helped me so much.

Beginning a class for grammar I feel like will be very beneficial, considering it will be definitely something that I will be enjoying it.

I can't wait to relally get the ball rolling on getting classes knocked out :)

Beware of False Teachers

Matthew 7:15-20

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?¹⁷ So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

On more than one occassion I have heard pastors 'preach' - but at times I questioned of their motives of what they were preaching about. One particular pastor that I have heard speak on more than one occasion  I have had this feeling that he was standing there on that stage to promote himself, rather than promoting and teaching about God.
The very first sermon that I heard from this particular pastor was about tithing. it was a just a few years ago when I heard the sermon.... what I gathered from the sermon was that if you did not give 10% to the church, then you would not be 'Blessed.'  -- the more money that you give to church -- to God- the more that you would be Blessed......
(not something that I learned when I grew up...)
I was taught that whether you put in $1 or $100,000,000,000 then you'd be blessed, it was what was in your heart... I understood though that the church runs on our tides and offerings and such, so it was good to give as much as you could, just so the church would be able to operate. - But it didnt matter how much you should put in that offering plate, just because you put only a small amount or none, didnt mean that God was not going to bless you.

there is a pastor who for several weeks that I had watched him preach, he would continually get on stage and would announce his or his wife's new book...  and everyone should buy it... and you (the audience) should tell everyone else that you know about the book, and they should purchase it. when he speaks about this, it doesn't feel right, telling people that they would be 'Blessed' if they bought it.... in the two times that I've seen him promote his or his wife's book, both times he spent a fair amount of time talking about it, what its about, and then repeatedly telling people that they would be blessed if they bought it..... this pastor has a HUGE audience, with thousands of people watching every week, whether that is physically at the various (4) Campuses over the course of many different service times, and not even including the people who watch online... But this pastor uses  his power of being a 'pastor' and he has a microphone, and able to talk to thousands of people.
I understand about having a book out, but there is a difference between mentioning your book, or having it on the 'announcements' on a screen or handout, and a different if you promote it by  getting up there and say buy this for me, if you do then you will be "blessed"....

This same pastor also claims that he is a prophet. I have never seen him prophesy-- but one day Steve and I were watching his sermon online- and he was trying to get the attendance for EVERYONE to come to see him prophesy - because we would be "blessed"- he gave a few examples that he was successful with prophesying some peoples lives... but he did put out a disclaimer "everyone makes mistakes... so I may get some things wrong...."
understandable... but if you truly have the holy spirit in you  to prophesy - then it would be God speaking through you - not you saying something... and if it was God speaking, then it would have been accurate....  just something that sat wrong with us.... since he was claiming to be a fantastic prophet, and everyone would be 'blessed' to come to the event.

another pastor that I have seen was flaunting the fact that he was debt free- built a huge mega church - (which looked a sports stadium than a church) - and flaunting that he once had nothing, but God has blessed him with so much money that he was able to build a huge church, all out of his pocket - and no loans or anything. (why stand on an altar and flaunt of how much money you have?) really?? (didnt sit well with me.)  In the same sermon, as I listened I couldnt tell in his message of the points that we should be taking away and what we were really learning, seemed more about his life than anything, and the bible verses that he had, didnt really go with what he was speaking about.

Sometimes you have to be careful when a pastor is giving a sermon, and randomly throwing in Bible verses, for some pastors, they don't give the whole spectrum of the Bible verse -like what the passage was truly about, just because the verse had a certain word or something to supposedly 'prove' their point... at times that bible verse doesn't truly back up that point... When I go back and read the passage... I wonder where the pastor(s) came up with that particular point. They also sometimes 'sugar-coat' things, basically telling you alot of 'feel good' messages, rather than 'stepping on your toes' and really getting 'down and dirty ' in the Bible....

God instructs us that we are to be wary of people who act like one way, but have ulterior motives. We can recognize these people by their 'fruits' - what kind of 'product' or whatnot are these teachers making? we can tell by if they are making a good fruit, then they are good people, but if it is a bad 'fruit' then they are not.

2 Timothy 4:3-5 (The Message)

^3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.

I chose the message version of this because I found it more easy to read, and get my point across for this point, but of course feel free to look it up in your own  Bible or a different translation.

This particular translation though, it states it quite plainly...

We are on this earth, and while we listen to many different people. And many people have different views, or different motives. We have to figure out for ourselves as far as if that particular person's teaching lines up with our own views--- such as ask yourself, and evaluate to see if that particular person lines up according to the Bible..
Like what 2 Timothy 4:3-5 says - you have to be care ful for people who  fill you up on misleading information or teachings... you have to be careful for those people.
We are to continue to be good servants to God, and to spread his Love, as it is intended in the Bible, not because we want to promote ourselves, or because of thinking of our own reputation, but because it is truly in our hearts.

We remember.

yesterday was the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. A day that many people will never forget. (Sorry for not posting this yesterday when I should have..)
Here is my story from that day...I know we all have different stories... and we all were doing different things, and many of us will not forget about how or when we heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center that September morning.

I was a freshman in high school and was sitting in my 2nd period Biology class, it was still the 'passing period' but I was already seated and ready for class to begin. The girl that sat next to me walked in - I do not remember her name, but I do remember she was an exchange student from Guam. she was either a junior o senior, but she didnt have a first period, so this class was her first class. she walked in, and was standing taking her backpack off when she asked me "did you hear aobut the plane crash?"
"no...."
she didnt have much information, she didnt know anything really... but I thought to myself... planes crash... whats the big deal.
The bell rang, to signal that everyone should be in the classroom, when a guy in the back of the room asked the teacher if he'd heard what was going on... the teacher was already trying to get on the internet to try and see what was going on.... the internet was apparently packed with people doing the same thing.
the tv's in the classroom were not set up to get outside channels... (or so they said...) my teacher, Coach Foster though, went to his little closet where he had metal coat hangers, proceeded to make an antenae, out of stuff so that way we could watch to see what was going on. other classmates began to help him... he almost had it when the bell rang to signal of class was over...
Walked to my 3rd period... Band.- I guess by this point they had turned on the televisions so that way we could see what was going on.... we watched the television in awe... and wondering what was going on.

Rumors were being spread that the hijackers were going to hit the Dallas trade center...


For the rest of the day all we did was watch the televisions to see what was going on. We watched as the towers fell... and  the footage played over and over again of the planes hitting the two towers, and reports and footage of the plane that struck the pentagon, and the plane in that pennsylvania field.

I don't remember the point when I was told it was a terrorist attack, and that Bin Laden was behind it.
I know that it was all new to me, I'd never thought much about the U.S's relationship with other countries and such.  From that point I began to look oustide my little world, and really be able to understand that the world is much bigger than what it seems.

Many lives were lost that day. and Many were heroes. too many innocent people lost their lives that day and so many people were brave to go in and rescue people, and help so many people.

Many lives are lost every day - but I think as a country we were able to come together and help each other out, and really the first time for me to see a nation (or at least everything around me) just stop, and be in shock and awe at what was being shown on television and everything.
I remember so well the few days after that- air traffic was stopped- I live in the DFW metroplex, and planes are always in the air, but there was an odd silence that was noticeable- when there suddenly wasnt many planes flying over head.

Hard to believe its been 11 years. Times have certainly changed since then. just because of the those events so many precautions have been set in place for air travel.

We will never forget that day, and I pray for the families that lost someone or was directly effected by those events on that September morning.

Wedding modesty

A couple of months ago I wrote a post about "what are you wearing"... this kinda ties along with it.


I already purchased my wedding dress... (a bargain at a local thrift store... a whole whopping $25.... Granted I will be making lots of changes to the dress, but I love that I'll be making it 'my own' i just have to get it up to the tailor to figure out what to do.) ANYWAYS....

IN the midst of looking.. (on the internet) for dresses... I fell in love with dresses with lace on it.... and was noticing that there seems to be more options out there... with 'straps' - or 'cap sleeves' and whatnot... (in the past, from my EXTREMELY  limited looking seemed like all dresses were strapless or spaghetti straps... which to me,... I was not going to do strapless.. and spaghetti straps... eh...) anyways... so glad that there are more options out there.. however was noticing that on alot of these dresses they had the extremely tight fitting dresses, and the plunging necklines... both of which... I am not a huge fan of,
.
I was watching "say yes to the dress" last night (I dont watch much tv... just wanted to see what this was about...)
i watched a couple of episodes... and a few of the brides that I Saw wanted the super tight dresses, and 'the more the boobs the better' ... the more skin the better.. there was one gown... it was like 'oh my goodness... what in the world....super plunging neckline...

So makes me wonder.. I dont know where that bride held her wedding at... but if she held it in the church... just wonder how she felt when she was up there with the preacher, and saying her wedding vows?

I would feel SOOO awkward. thats just me. though.

A while back I was watching a youtube video of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception, where they did a swing dance... the bride, was wearing a very short dress, and as she was dancing it was obvious that her strap of her dress kept sliding off of her shoulder, after almost every move, she had to put her strap back on her shoulder.. (if you're going to change into a different dress for the reception, may be a good idea to make sure you can dance in it... so you don't have a wardrobe malfunction while you are out on the dance floor....

I am not saying that a bride has to wear long sleeves and a high neck and everything, just basically... when you are out there trying on dresses, is that really something you want to wear in front of the preacher, and grandma/ grandpa... mom and dad?
(I know I would NOT like my family to see me in some of those dresses... )

So glad that there are other options out there, so that way brides can have different options for a wedding dress.

 

Why does God have me here?

This morning, I got out of bed... and was extremely exhausted. The past two nights I have had trouble actually getting to sleep.... not something that usually happens. Normally my head hits the pillow and im OUT 10 seconds later. Not the case last night or the night before... I lay there for a long time, before I pull out a book and read, then eventually try to fall back to sleep, and eventually do. (I hope that tonight I will have better luck...) anyways... I was asleep until my alarm went off (i normally wake up  a few minutes before my alarm goes off...) and got out of bed... was really dragging... I had to make sure to have my coffee this morning. I got ready for the day, and headed out.

You see the past few days I have felt the need to do more with my blog and need to write more.


This morning as I was driving, was thinking about my future... and why God has me in the position that I do have with my work...I know that he has me where I am for a reason... then this little verse popped in my head

 Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, plants to give you hope and future."



Purely words of encouragement right there....

You see... God has a plan.  He has it all under control.

I know that God can do some amazing things, and we have to wait patiently for his plans to prosper, it is all a learning and growing experience.

We may think that things should happen at a certain time place, or manner... but when in reality, God has a plan for us to go over certain hurdles and puts us in certain situations so we can grow and learn.

We have to put our full trust in God, and look to Him when we are in the midst of it all and know that he does have great plans for us.

When you put full  and complete trust in God, you will begin to have an incredible relationship with Him.

This verse is such a wonderful reminders when you have mornings ( Afternoons, evenings, or in situations) where you say "why in the world am I in this " ... or "I wish something would be different...".

God has a plan, and when the timing is right, He will open that door for you to walk right through. ...
You have to trust Him, and Know that is His plan, and not YOUR plan, though :)

If you do not raise your children... who will?

Something has really struck me over the past couple of weeks... While I do not have children... but several friends of mine do- but something really hit me especially earlier this week....
Parents are supposed to not only just keep their children alive, but to raise them up right. If you do not raise them to have patience, manners, social skills, learning skills (reading, writing, colors, letters, shapes...) then who will? then when you do not model a good christian environment, of Love for you and your spouse... fathers modeling how a man is supposed to treat a lady... and mothers modeling how a woman is to treat a man... (if you don't then what kind of romantic relationships will your son/daughter have or treat others?)
If you teach them and show them the ways of the world, then when they grow older, will they grab the Bible, or will they grab something bad?
I have noticed that some parents throw some kind of electronic device at their children, so that they will entertain themselves, rather than be teaching their children things, and have the television teach them stuff.... and alot of thimees they will put television on to 'cartoons'- rather than something educational and good quality that they can learn from.

I know that it is important for children to entertain themselves at times... but instead of throwing on the television- what about coloring? or an age appropriate puzzle, or other toys... I dont know...
When you throw an electronic device at them, they most likely arent learning anything and they will not know how to communicate with people.
There is a family that I know, their children do not know how to communicate with people... they constantly have some kind of electonic something in their hands and have their head down looking that that, rather than talking... after you ask them some kind of question.--- kids need to learn how to properly communicate.

There was a girl walking down my street the other night. (she looked to be in high school...)  YELLING into her cell phone. Steve and I were sitting out there, when all of a sudden we started hearing her-- Cussing at whoever it was that she was talking to, and telling them, that they wanted to get high more than to see her, and apparently treating her wrong. I dont know the situation, except for what she was yelling all the way down the street. but I figured that it was her boyfriend....or something... Both Steve and I both looked at each other and he said 'sometimes you wonder why and how people get with the people that they get with...'....
So true. For this girl... I just wonder what kind of role models did she grow up with to want to be with a guy who apparently is doing drugs and whatnot...
It is important to show your children of what kind of spouse to be on the look out for (when they are the appropriate age...) that way they (hopefully) will not get mixed up with someone that is bad for them.


Talking from my life now:
I'm going to brag on my dad for a minute. I know that there are alot of good dads out there.. but mine was really great to me.
When I was little... Beginning at an early age (Newborn)... He would dress me up all cute and would take me to whataburger... while he met a friend for lunch. (He was at the time not working, and mom was, so he was a 'stay at home dad'- for just a little bit after I was born, until he found a job.) He would show me off... I'd get a little older and he'd still take me to whataburger and we'd eat... for 'date nights'--- I remember him also taking me to Dairy Queen, and would go with him to get gas in his truck, and he would ALWAYS get me a surprise... same thing everytime, in a little brown bag - a handful of peanut butter bars..... He has always been there for me... While he was always nice--  he knew when to discipline too.  (while I hated it then... I know it was good for me.... made me to be who I am today) Dad still takes me out on 'dates' -- well when mom isnt around... gives us an opportunity to go - we always know where we are going... and what we are ordering ... To whataburger - for burgers and chocolate milkshakes (except when their milkshake machine is broken, like it was a few weeks ago) haha. anyways-

It is important to set an example for your children. They look up to you, more than what they may realize. It is important for them to watch you respect others, particularly your spouse. It is important to impliment Biblical principals in your home, even at an early age. It is important for them to see you to follow the same rules.


Keep in mind that it is up to YOU to teach them morals, and values in life...