Light & Dark

My thoughts on the 25 Bachelorette Contestants

2012-05-14T21:49:00.000-05:00

Emily Maynerd.

Bachelorette of Season 8.

For the past few years, this show has aired and I have watched it on and off, never really fully committed. I am going to try to do my best to stay committed this season as it actually looks promising.

Let's go down the list shall we.

Aaron, the biology teacher. He looks promising and kind. I think that the both of them being close in age may play to his advantage.

Tony, the lumber trader, I'm going to count him out. He comes across to hard for soft spoken Emily for me to think they will make anything of it.

Sean from Dallas doesn't look like her type.

Charlie, the recruiter, proclaims he is going to "Recruit Emily's love." After a fatal head injury, his life's desires became more of a reality. I will vote him as a top pick, he seems sweet and genuine.

One thing I found to be interesting. Jackson, fitness model for Children's Gymboree, is from Lockport, IL. This is the same town I went to high school in. I found that interesting that the show hits close to home. I am going to count him in as one of my top picks just for that fact. I'd like to see him get far in the show.

John, aka "the Wolf". Seriously?! Common. I think that explains itself.

Josheph, who's favorite movie is Brokeback Mountain, who also claims he watches it twice a week. I think it's safe to say that I think he will go home early.

Ryan, nothing stands out to me about him, I'm going to count him out.

Arie, looks wierd to me, but hey she might go for him because he is a race car driver. I think I'll count him as a wild card.

Nate, the accounant. His answers to his interview questions sounded oddly perverted. He is a NO in my book.

Real estate Agent, Doug, caught my attention on the show because he is a single dad. I think that will play to in his advantage.

Travis, Alesandro, Jean-Paul, David, and Randy do not appeal to me to be her type.

Kyle, the financial advisor, I think will go far. He has the style down, and seems to me that he might come off as a prince charming to Emily.

Alejandro and Lerone are Donts for me.

Chris and Stevie, to me look like they might get through half of the show and then bottom out.

Twenty Seven year old Jef, looks way to young for her even though she is younger and even acts young on the show, he may be another wild card, Emily seems to really enjoy him.

Micheal and Kalon also do not look like her type, but who knows. Its so early in the show its really anyone's game.

Brent, he was my first out, he is twice her age. I don't think it will work out and I actually think he will go home early.

Mother's Day Tribute

2012-05-13T22:02:00.001-05:00

Mom fixing my hair in my senior portraits.

The camera man thought it was the perfect

photo 'op and included it for free in our package.

Thinking back--

Growing up, my mom worked several jobs to support us. I remember her working as a traveling nurse during the day and a bartender by night. Back then, I hardly had time to spend with her, but I cherish those memories fondly. I know it wasn't easy. She was a single mom back then, my brother would take care of me while she worked, and my sister lived with her dad. I value the commitment she had in working so that we three kids could have a better life. My mom has always been special in my heart. Of course, not because she is my mother but for many other reasons.

Now, I stand at twenty-one, adulthood in my face. I live with my wonderful fiance, and finally realize all that my mother sacrificed back then. I honestly don't know how she did it, working two jobs and making ends meet for us. It takes courage to be alone and support yourself and your three kids by yourself. My mother was a honorable woman.

Today, I have one of the best relationships with her. I feel honored to have such a great relationship that is held together with trust, patience, kindness, and most importantly--love. Without her, I don't know where I would be in life. She keeps my head pointed in the right direction. I look forward to many more years of memories and lessons shared amongst us.

Fairwell to Hollie Cavanagh

2012-05-13T21:23:00.000-05:00

This week we say good by to Hollie Cavanagh this week. Taking fourth place, Hollie has been the dark horse throughout the entire competition. After getting let go last season, Hollie came back ready and determined. I have been on the fence about her the entire season this year, not sure if i wanted her to go or not.

If you asked me two weeks ago what I though, I would have told you for sure to send her home. Back then, I spent the last 6-7 weeks wishing she would go home because in my mind I felt she has the worst performance every week. The last two weeks however I felt that she had really stepped up her game.

As the competition is down to three now I am excited to see who will take the win. My personal favorite is Phillip Phillips, there is something about him being original and true to himself through out the competition that has really stuck with me.

Sweet Sounds of Rain & Thunderstorms: Why We Like It

2012-05-03T22:17:00.002-05:00

Rain & Thunderstorms.

It's all too familiar. In fact, every time I hear that sweet sound of rain I feel a calming peace come over my body. There is no doubt that rain makes us feel good because rain releases feel good endorphins. I could spend all night and day sitting at the edge of our door watching the rain. There is just something about it that makes it peaceful.

We like rain because its cooling.

I love when a hot summer day turns to rain & thunderstorms and how it cools down our entire apartment. Since our air conditioner only cools our bedroom and not the rest of the house, the rain is quite refreshing and a nice cool breeze.

We like rain because of the sound.

You have to admit that the sound rain makes along with the thunder is a relaxing feeling. Its a soothing sound that calms the body and helps it relax. One thing I like to do while it rains is read. A good book along with rain is a recipe for greatness. Rain helps take the edgyness out of life.

We like rain because it cleanses.

There is no doubt that rain helps cleanse things. Rain can be useful for cleaning your car, washing off sidewalk chalk, etc., but above that rain is a symbol of depression and heartache or the worst of times. Rain helps us get through those difficult things an more by allowing us to grieve, a process we must all go through to move forward with our lives.

lastly,

We like rain because it renews.

After a good rainfall, there is something different about the way we experience things. The colorful rainbows brighten our moods. The grass is fresh and crispy green and seems to stand a little taller. It's a sense of freshness and life overall seems renewed.

Skyler Goes Home on American Idol

2012-05-03T20:12:00.000-05:00

I have followed American Idol all the way through this season from beginning to end. There is so much talent this year among the contestants that it is literally unreal how amazingly great they all are. As the top five dwindles to the top four we lose Skyler Laine, proclaimed for county music.

I am somewhat shocked, I though for sure Hollie would be going home tonight. I had spent the last 5-6 weeks wishing she would go home, however she pulled it out overall in the end.

What I have liked about Skyler's performances is that they are packed full of excitement. You know your going to get a great show out of her! I look forward to the day she puts out a record.

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Home

2012-05-03T06:36:00.000-05:00

If your like me, your household goes through what we like to call "Spring Cleaning" in which you deep clean your entire home. Here are some tips to keep you motivated.

1. Start Small.
I know this sounds silly but it's one tip I always stick to. Start with your smallest of rooms and work your way around the house from the smallest room to the largest. In doing this you will get a sense of accomplishment the more you get done which will propel you and give you the courage to take on the bigger extensive rooms.

2. Don't Spend More than 10 minutes in a given area.
Truth is, a majority of things like cabinets, surfaces, etc. do not take more then 10 minutes to clean. The problem is that when cleaning we like to focus our attention on one area and narrow in on it. It's Called Spring Cleaning. If you go to a cabinet, set a goal to have it reorganized, and dusted out within ten minuets. This will help you move things along in your cleaning journey.

3. Go From Top to Bottom.
This should be a given, but most people don't do it oddly enough. Start from the top of the room to the bottom. If your dusting taller objects such as a book shelf wipe from top to bottom. I personally always start with the ceiling fan, then move to cabinets, then counter tops, lastly mopping or vacuuming the floor. You do this because if you were to clean from bottom up, when you get to the stuff on the top the dust will fall on the things you have cleaning, thus making you have to retrace your steps.

4. Keep, Sell, Give Away.
Designate boxes with "keep", "sell", or "give away". Use these boxes to place miscellaneous items in while you are cleaning. I especially like these for our infamous junk drawers.

5. Have Someone Help You.
It is easy to get distracted while cleaning. Especially if you are going through things you haven't seen in years! Having a friend or family member their to help you can make the difference in keeping you on track to helping you reach your spring cleaning goal.

10 Guilty Pleasures I Can't Live Without!

2012-05-03T01:40:00.002-05:00

If one were to have a guilty pleasure, it would be none other than me-- for I have many! In today's society a guilty pleasure would be something that you enjoy but are guilty of enjoying. Simply put -- You love it, but you feel bad doing it. That seems odd right? Shouldn't we feel good about the things we enjoy? None the less-- here are my top 10 (in no specific order). What are your guilty pleasures, list them in a comment below!

1. Starbucks.
Starbucks is undoubtedly my biggest weakness. There is somethings that changes me when I walk into a Starbucks and order a coffee. My mood for the rest of the day is brilliantly joyful. Some of my favorites are: Java Chip Frappuccino, Tazo Chia Tea Lattes, Tazo Shaken Iced Passion Tea, and of course my favorite Birthday Cake Cake Pops.

2. Social Media Crazy.
We can all agree that our culture is becoming social media crazy. I often wonder how much damage it does opposed to the opportunities it provides us. There is no doubt that Facebook connects us with people we would not other wise keep in touch with, such as old high school or college friends but I do have to ask myself, how much of them do I actually keep in contact with? I notice that some people keep ridiculous amounts of "friends" linked to their profiles when in reality they probably socialize with about 20-30 of those people on a regular basis, if that. I fall guilty to Social Media sites such as Facebook, that let me interact with friends via the internet but I do also cherish the bond one grows with a friend face to face.

3. Late Night Snacking.
Who can resist a night time temptation from the fridge. You know it calls your name, and you want to resist getting up to grab the snack but your inner self gets the best of you and you get up anyway. I fall victim to this more than I want to. I hear eating late in the night is bad for you.... (haha) if that's the case, I have done a lot of bad things in my life. ;)

4. Chocolate Ice Cream.
This has to be a big guilty pleasure of mine!! There is no doubt I fit chocolate ice cream in my life at least two times a week. Who doesn't love ice cream? Around the outskirts of Chicago, there are a lot of great ice cream shops to visit. Of them I include Primo's Ice Cream (off 95th Street & Central Avenue) and Andy's Frozen Custard (off 95th Street & Cicero Avenue).

5. Prison Break TV Series.
Another of my guilty pleasures: Wentworth Miller. I love the entire Prison Break Series, Seasons 1-4. I find this a guilty pleasure that I like watching Michael Scofield and the rest breaking out of jail and I actually find myself at the edge of my seat every episode cheering them on when they broke out and yelling at the TV screen in anticipation of the next bad guys death. Opps! :)

6. Tattoos.
I find this extrodanary that I have a guilty pleasure for tattoos when I myself don't have any. In fact, I am actually terrified of needles to make matters worse. I enjoy looking at them, and picking out ones I like. One day I hope to eventually dive head first into my fears and actually get one.

7. Sleeping.
Yes I know what your thinking! How could sleeping be a guilty pleasure, extra sleep is good and makes me feel good too? Yes, for the record-- I love sleeping in so much that sometimes I sleep in more than I want to. For me, I think its hereditary. My mother was always a heavy sleeper and would sometimes sleep the day away. For me its a guilty pleasure because while I enjoy sleeping, I miss the beautiful part of the morning that I most enjoy.

8. Victoria Secret.
I think this one is self explanatory. I refuse to shop anywhere else, despite the expensive taste.

9. 70s, 80s, 90s Music.
I refuse to accept that we are in the era of electropop, hip hop/ R&B. What happen to the rock music. That stuff was, well... rockin'! Aerosmith, Newkids on the Block, ACDC -- we need more of this in our life for those of us who grew up on it. It's hard flipping through radio stations on a daily basis trying to find a good song like they had back then. Those were the days.

10. Singing Crazily in the Car.
Admit it! You do it too!! :) One time I was driving home an saw what looked like an 80+ year old woman rocking out, bobbing her head to old country western music with her windows down. That day, it made me smile to see such a sight.

Hope you enjoyed my Top 10 guilty pleasures!
Keep checking back for more posts.

<3 MMJ

Unseeing Trust

2011-03-18T18:02:00.001-05:00

God tests us and puts us through trials to make us stronger, to give us hope when we are weak, to build us up, to offer us more then what we can see. I have seen his fingerprints all over my life, up and down, backwards and forwards. I have trouble seeing what he sees. Every time I am tested with trials, I find it so hard to trust that things will work out just as he planned. It is often so hard to accept and follow a path that I can not see. It is hard to trust that he will take care of me. Yet he always pulls through and then I wonder how he could ever look at me and love me for who I am, but he has made me this way. The bible says that god sees us as his perfect children, a masterpiece in his eyes, a beautiful creation-- to everyone he is deeply in love with and cares for.

I believe times of sorrow are necessary to build character-- but every day I ask myself when the trials I am put through will end, when will I finally achieve the things I want in life and be able to tell myself and believe that I am worth something. I have felt so sad inside for the longest time. I search to be loved and to belong. My mom has always told me, I carry my heart on my sleeve laid out for the world to hurt me.

God, I want to dream again. Please take me where I've never been. I want to go there, this time I don't want to be scared. I want to be unbreakable.

You are beautiful.

2010-08-26T10:41:00.000-05:00

The other day I was on my was to church and was listening to probably my most favorite radio station other than WBGL , K-Love, and I was listening to their morning show. I heard them talk about a movement among women across the Chicago area. What is this movement you ask? Operation Beautiful--a movement to boost women and girls of all age's self esteem- post-it notes saying "you are beautiful" are put on the mirrors of girls bathroom mirrors where ever these woman would go, every where around the Chicago land area. These people would carry post-it notes with them and a pen and post not on mirrors but on clothing racks, make-up stands, and where camera displays are saying "your picture perfect". Growing up as a girl I understand that my biggest enemy is myself. We constantly judge ourselves telling ourselves that we are overweight, not pretty enough, that we are not worth others time, that we will never be as good as the better looking girl across the room and on our face we smile, but inside all I really want to do is feel better about myself.

I decided to start this movement in my own environment, at my school, at my workplace, where ever I go. By posting these post-it notes I could make the difference in the girl's life that walks into the bathroom after me. I could be the one that brightens her day when she is looking at herself in the mirror. I encourage others to do this. I posted my first note last tuesday in the girls bathroom at my college campus. Today while eating in the cafeteria, the girls sitting at the table next to me were talking about how nice it was that someone put that note on the mirror. We can make a difference, by being a light to others, and I hope God will use this to change hearts in others and draw them closer to him.

Jesus,the teacher.

2010-08-17T03:08:00.000-05:00

Since doing my bible study with Kay, we last focused on our lesson titled Jesus, the teacher. At the end of each section there is a take home portion as to which I can journal with. I choose to use this blog as my journal. When I was in high school I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to be the person that my students could come to for questions not just about homework but about anything. Teachers are so influential in a students life. Think about it! There is one teacher in your life, that you will never forget. For me it was my fourth grade teacher; Mrs. Webb. Although I am not in contact with her anymore, Mrs. Webb impacted my learning experience the most because she was so genuinely nice all of the time. She showed authority in the classroom, while still being able to be the friend that sometimes some of us need. Just like Mrs. Webb, Jesus, the teacher, showed authority. He instructed the men to follow him, and they dropped everything immediately, left there friends and family behind and they followed him. For me that would be so hard, I would ask so many questions. Questions like what is going to happen to my family ? Am I going to be ok? What happens next? before I up-and follow him. He also called the fishermen to be fishers of men as in to be disciples who make disciples. Tomorrow I will meet with Kay to talk about Jesus, the healer. Until then, lord please grant my soul the serenity to focus tomorrow, let me not just learn on the days of bible study but to cary them out day by day not just on the day I meet with kay or Sundays. Let me be an act of your will in love. Also, please remind me, because I need help with this, that its not always what I want that is best for me but your will. Amen.

Beginning in Jesus.

2010-08-12T02:42:00.000-05:00

Recently, I decided that it was best that I engage in a bible study. Not sure what I wanted I prayed that God would show me the path to take. Last week I met with Kay for our first meeting of the bible study me and her started, the book we are using titled: Beginning in Jesus. Foundations need to be made. I look back, and I feel like its been a while since I was saved, but it really hasn't. I still need guidance, and I am still learning things day after day. I need this. It is what is best. In order to change my world of being filled with pride, fear, doubt, sadness, and heartache that I let rest upon my shoulders, everything and anything I do should always Begin in Jesus and lastly End in Jesus. He should be the only one I turn to. Life is more than material possessions. More than tomorrow and more than my future on Earth. I am still finding it hard even now.

The study will go as followed. Last week Kay and I meet and went through the introduction of the book. Tomorrow when we meet we will discuss fellowship. The sections follow after as such: discipleship, ministry, evangelism and lastly worship, all of these being five major biblical purposes that lead to spiritual growth. The book says to compare it like this. If you play baseball, you can be an outstanding batter--but you still need to be able to know how to catch, run, throw and slide. You need more than one skill to impact your team. In the same way, having a handle on one or two of the five biblical purposes is great--but when they're all reflected together in a person's life, that person is much more biblically balanced and healthy. Each session that me and Kay complete will have a theme and places in the Beginning in Jesus Book for me to journal, write comments, discuss questions, and read a few short stories. The fellowship section has a theme of connecting your heart to others. The discipleship section has a theme of growing to be like Jesus. The Ministry section has a theme of serving others in love; the evangelism section has a theme of sharing your story and God's story, while the worship section has a theme of surrendering your life to honor God. Not only does this book have all of those things to help during the bible study, it even has at home sections with in each section so that when Kay and I are finished I can at some point during the week take time out to continue the bible study on my own doing weekly reflections, daily bible readings with passages provided, training myself with memory verses. I can also journal in the book or finish the wrap up section that has many questions that can not always get answered in the sessions.

I am excited to start this adventure with Kay and Jesus by my side. It will take trust, confidentiality, honesty, care, openness, risk, and a weekly commitment to meet regularly but I am so so so ready for it.

Things I would like to do before I Marry.

2010-08-11T00:45:00.001-05:00

-Rent my own apartment with a room mate
-Own a nice pretty camera like nikki's, i really wish i had a good camera
-Become a Full Time worker
-Finish School, or at least close to it.
-Go on a road trip, one that lasts over a week or two
-Visit Washington DC/ New York/ Pennsylvania
-Pay off as much student loans as I possibly can
-Save $10,000 or more
-Get in Shape
-Loose Weight
-Go on a Cruise to somewhere warm
-Go to a concert
-Go on a camping trip, sleep in a tent, and sit around a campfire

Walking on Sunshine.

2010-08-09T23:45:00.000-05:00

Dearest Readers, I haven't really been posting the past couple of days only because I've been so busy, please forgive me. Yesterday I spent time with Anthony and his family making pasta the real italian way and reminiscing in memories. I learned the trade secret to getting tomato paste perfectly out of the can. Something I never knew but am glad I do now because it will serve as useful! I learned how to make the famous Giacobbe pasta sauce. That will serve useful to, now I won't be able to settle for the mediocre Prego Sauce from Wal-mart any more. Sunday Pasta Days are always fun at the Giacobbe house! After we ate we sat and talked for hours, going through old photographs when Nicole, Anthony, and Vincent were young'ins. God really showed me yesterday that family is the heart of every home.

I really Love spending time with and being around family. Doing Projects.

Being involved. Helping, and even sharing memories. It can clear up any rainy day, literally.

Today I had to work, which wasn't that bad, it was a nice steady day. Not to busy and not to slow, just perfect, just the way I like it. I then picked up Meagan and we headed out to see the movie "Salt" which turn out to be an amazing movie filled with tones of action, the ending suggests and i hope there will be another movie to it. God showed me today that friendship can be the bond that holds you together. Your Lean-to. I could get used to this.

Today my prayer to God is this, Lord, don't let me take one moment for granted. Let me cherish each memory. Constantly show me that this is your will. Let me enjoy the ride along your path. I'm having fun sitting in the passengers seat. So Lord show me more. Amen.

I need a candle light to the darkness.

2010-08-08T01:54:00.000-05:00

Now more than ever, I am finding it very hard to keep pressing on. After all I've been through, after all my struggles, all my pains, there is still more, still more that sets me back. I have so many hopes and dreams and they seem to fade every time a road block comes into place. Is this really what God wants? I want if more than anyone, but still, I stay waiting, never achieving. The lord is my portion so I will continue to wait for him. But why is it so hard for me? For a while now I have been struggling with the fact of, "Is what I want, Is that what God wants, or is What I want not what God wants."

They say time heals all wounds, but sometimes--

one can only wait so long before they break.

The Lord is my portion so I shall wait.

God, I know that in the past I have been very inpatient. I have been very stubborn about having things my way. I know that its in your time that things will be put in place for me, but right now I'm finding it hard to wait. Im finding it hard to be patient. Please help me find the courage to stay strong, to be patient, and to love the life I have for now. Amen.

Days off are for restoration.

2010-08-03T23:26:00.000-05:00

Today I had the opportunity to have a day off and just relax and be by myself. I wont have very many more of them left, since I start going back to school for my third semester of college on August 24, 2010. I will be working part-time but almost nearly full time hours and going to school full time--my days off will be dedicated to study and classroom time. Usually I spend my tuesdays and thursday-- or days off-- running early in the morning, visiting anthony at work for lunch, spending time with the Giacobbe Family, running errands, or shopping and starting this thursday I will be doing bible studies with Kay Peycke. Since I work five days a week for almost nearly full shifts of nine hours, including my lunch hour, it gets tiring sometimes and sometimes it even gets stressful. With all of the things going on in my life, I can become quite the busy bee. Today I took the opportunity to catch up on my rest sleeping in till around 9 o'clock and also taking an after noon nap, which was quite refreshing I might add. I jammed out to some Toby Mac- Get Back Up, took a drive to my favorite Pop's Restaurant and ordered a Chopped Salad, unfortunately for all of you who love their chopped salad, it is only sold at the Pop's Homewood location, so it is a bit of a drive for the Lockport area-- I will add though that it was delish! It was a me time day. I also spent some time in Gods word today.

It is nice to have days off, committed solely for rest-- restoration.

We come to church on Sunday's but sometimes as the week goes on, and our schedules however busy or crazy they get, things can get in the way of remembering him. That is why I like days off. They give me time that I can stop from the going's on and the rush and focus on prayers, jam out to awesome worship songs--which i play through itunes on my computer-- and dedicate the day for restoring my soul. Today my prayer is simply that God, no matter how busy I get will continue to amaze me, continue to give me the days of rest that I need, and that no matter how busy I get that he will remind me of the reason why I love and need to make time for him. Amen.

Unanswered prayers don't really go unanswered.

2010-08-02T19:50:00.000-05:00

Today I learned a valuable lesson. To wait. To be Patient. Not that I didn't already know that I should wait and be patient on the lord but today it just really sunk in. For the past couple of months, I've tried so hard to achieve a certain goal, a goal I have really been pushing for. In the past I had people tell me simply that it's just not my time yet. Some comments I took to heart and others I pushed aside because I didn't want it to be true. However, today I got to talk to someone, whose I respect and value, who really put that into perspective for me in a nice, and graceful way that finally made sense to me. Long story short-- it wasn't that I'm not ready to achieve this certain goal because I want to go whole-heartedly after it, however I need more time before I get to it. After talking to this person, I walked outside and sat in my car, turned on K-LOVE and "Bring the rain" by Mercy Me (If you haven't heard it yet a link will be provided below to listen to the song) was playing and this reality was laid on my heart, that god is telling me that now is not the right time. This goal happened to be something I've been praying for daily for a really long time, that I would get this opportunity. My unanswered prayer.

If every prayer that anyone and/or everyone prayed was always

answered, then this world would be in ruins and end in disaster.

Unanswered prayers are good for the soul. Although, they bring us pain for the moment, they are what is best for us. God knows what is best for us. God knows what is best for me and this time I am going to listen. I cant make this decision on my own. In a way, god did answer my prayer--just not in the way I wanted him to. I asked for him to give me the opportunity and instead he told me to wait. I know my god is faithful and true. I will ride out this thunderstorm. I will walk through the rain, and I will be faithful and wait. Lord, just like the song "bring me rain" says-- Bring Me Joy. Bring Me Peace. Bring the chance to be free. Bring me anything that brings you glory, and I know there'll be days when this life brings me pain, but if thats what it takes to praise you. Then Jesus bring the rain. Amen.

Bring the Rain- Mercy Me

When we are worried.

2010-08-02T00:12:00.000-05:00

When I am worried, often times I find that, I--myself alone, tend to try to shift things to go my way. I will admit that if there was a way of getting something to work out the way I wanted it to that I would find it. Now that it has been a little over a year and four months since I was reborn I am starting to realize, now more so than ever, that I can't do it on my own. I can't truly "live" on my own. I can't worry on my own either. When I worry, I jump to conclusions. I start to navigate on my own to end my own worry. I just plain am not myself. The bible says clearly: do not worry. In Philippians 4:6, we are commanded, “Do not be anxious [do not worry] about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

How often do you present your request to God?

How often is it that we give our request to him and let him show us the correct path to take ?

With all things good, I should not worry! For my God is my salvation, even if everything is taken away from me. Today Pastor Scott Newman preached on Philippians 1:20-24. This was an excellent sermon. If you didn't get a chance to hear it, below at the end of this blog I will provide a link to listen to it online. Just absolutely excellent!! What really struck me out of this sermon was when he talked about how Paul, after everything had been taken away from him, he focused on his joy in God. Paul was tough! If it had been me in his shoes I don't think I would have made it. His life was planting churches and after all of that when he got imprisoned he rejoiced in the lord. Me--I would have worried about what was coming next. I would have worried that my life was ruined. He preached "Following Jesus through obstacles"-- one of my obstacles is worry. I worry to much for my own good. When I worry I try to remember that God made the plans, and God is the one who gave me life. He GAVE me life. It is not my place to try and make it my own. I will obey they lord, because I love him, I need him. He has no intentions of leading me in the wrong direction. He has plans for good and not disaster, to give me a future [but in his time, and will--not mine] and a hope. A hope that is eternal. He is there by my side every day step by step, and I am not just a face in the crowd to him--I am his child, whom his will protect. Lord I pray that when I am faced with worry, like I have been, that you will show me the path to take when I come to you with my worries. I pray that you will show us that when we are worried that you will taken the burden off our shoulders and place atop yours, and that if we seek out your will whole heartedly that you will show us the best and most right path to take in your time. Amen.

Pastor Scott Newman's Sermon -- click on the one for August 1, 2010

This is my calling.

2010-07-31T23:27:00.000-05:00

Every day I wake up I take a look around and am thankful that for one more day I am given the chance to live life. Some times I see people that waste their life away via playing video games when they could be working, sleeping when they could be helping, and even just sitting around and procrastinating. I say-- GET UP. Make the most of your time spent here.

I have noticed more so than now, and am ashamed to say that my generation and generations there after me are changing to focus on the future and what lies ahead of them. If they really knew me they would know that none of that is "really" important because right now is the time to be focused on the lord. Even now I see that our country, as stated "stands one nation under God." But does it really? Do we really stand under God? Schools don't teach the Gospel, and people go their whole lives without experiencing the wonders of having Jesus in their life, more importantly having Jesus along side them, to comfort them, to be their in the times of sorrow, to wipe away their tears. "The lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal"-- 1 Samuel 26:23. With that being said...

I WANT TO STANDOUT IN THE CROWD

I WANT TO BE LOYAL

I want to be the one that a person turns to and says, man she is godly. I want them to be able to say that I am everything they aspire to be. I want to hear them say they want to love god as much as she does, and hear them say I want to experience god the way she does. I want them to find salvation. I want them to know that the lord is there. Standing right next to them. Now is the time to turn towards Jesus and be uplifted, If ever a time was there it would be now! Not only do I want to be all of those things, but I want to be even more! I want to be a child to god, I want him to teach me his ways so that I can be a better disciple. I want to know god. I want to feel god, feel his holy presence, feel the need for him. I want there to be that drive in my life, no matter what I am facing. With this I will leave you a thought-- "God does not ignore those who depend on him" --Philippines 4:13 so lord let me depend on you so that you can show me your eternal glory. Amen.