{life}

Here's a photo album of my life from the past few days. Sorry for the lack of posting...I've had good intentions to,but good intentions don't post!! 

              My walking companion 

      Signs of spring...may apple buds 

My goofy brother pulling my goofy cousin around..what a pair of crazy guys! 

            Delicious homemade pizza 

Dad was playing along while Josiah and I played the cello and violin. He plays the coke glass with screws. 

 Josiah on a motor lift...never a dull moment with him. 

          Daffodils at grandmas house

 A project in the making

Spending time at grandmas house

I think that is enough for now... I will hopefully post again soon.

Happy Spring!! :) 

"Not one of us is "called" to live the self-indulgent,pleasure-seeking,comfort-craving life of the typical American Christian. If you think that God has called you to merely live in a nice house with a well-paying job and be part of a Bible study group,then you aren't very familiar with what His Word says. It's not that living in a nice house,having a well-paying job,or joining a Bible study is wrong. But those things are not the essence of the Christian life. 

There is a sacred claim upon each of our lives that is not to be ignored. Christ makes us whole so that we can be poured out for Him. Not once a year. Not even two or three times a week. He has called us to be a living sacrifice-to live a lifestyle of serving and sacrifice for His kingdom."

-Set Apart Femininity 

{Go}

I have been thinking about missions a lot lately...mainly on the impact of missions trips in the lives of individuals. 

I've been on 3 missions trips and have learned,enjoyed,grown,and changed because of them. I have seen God work in amazing ways on various missions trips. I believe each mission trip that I can take is a privilege from the Lord. I am excited to see where else around the world I can serve my Saviour-whether it be short-term or perhaps if the Lord leads this way...permanently!?!?

I actually studied why we should go on missions trips this morning in my devotions. 

There are several reasons...I won't go into them all.

But what is the point of missions trips?

If you asked most people what the point of missions trips was,you would most likely get an answer something similar to this:

"The point of missions trips is to tell people about Jesus and win them to Christ." 

Sounds like a good thing,right? 

But does it just stop there? 

Or are there really more reasons? 

I believe it goes beyond just reaching souls for Christ.

Believe me reaching souls for Christ is extremely important and should be a priority in every Christian's life,but I think there is something more.

Read your Bible- I think it gives another clear reason.

You see my good 'ole King James Version of the Bible,which is the Word of God, tells me that ...

Mine eye affecteth mine heart...

Lamentations 3:51

I'm speaking from experience,so just hear me out for a minute. 

I believe every Christian ought to be going on missions trips...

because once you go,

you realize that...

...your eye really does effect your heart.

{What is the Difference?}

What is the difference between a youth group that is on fire for the Lord and one that is not? It's not their youth pastor,it's not their church,it's not their pastor. Let me tell you what it is. It's their relationship to the Holy Spirit of God and to the Word of God while it is being preached. 

Jerry Ross 

{Strangely Dim...}

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

look full in His wonderful face

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

in the light of His glory and grace. 

taken from the hymn {Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus}

It's kinda crazy to me,to think that some Christians will go to church and sing hymns,week in and week out,for years,and yet never once think about the words.

The song above has become very realistic to me.

I find that the more time I spend with Jesus...

...the less and less I want to spend my time entertaining myself with things that aren't bad,

but just aren't profitable.

Believe me,I am not saying I come home from work and go straight to my Bible and stay there until I go to bed. 

That's not what I do.

But it's like the desire has changed as I grow in Him.

The more time I spend with Him-

talking to Him,

learning of Him,

meditating on Him,

loving Him,

the earthy things are becoming...

well...

{strangely dim} .