A Test of Faith

My grandma has been a Christian for 40 years. Her life has been hard, though. Why would God allow so much trouble to come into one person’s life?


Do you or someone you know work out with weights? If so, you know that the goal of weight training is to develop the muscles and make them stronger. At first, the strain of lifting causes the person to feel weak. In the long run, however, it makes him other strong. Like a muscle, faith grows stronger when it is exercised. (See James 1:2-4.) The book of Hebrews is all about faith—how to strengthen it, how it can help you endure.

One of God’s goals for us is to learn to trust him more. When a Christian asks God for more faith, he or she is really asking for more trials. God knows that only through exercise can our faith be strengthened.

Another reason for hardships can be found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Suffering helps us develop the compassion to help others. Our endurance through trials is very important to God. It allows him to use us to pass along comfort and encouragement to others.

Some Christians are glad that they have few problems. (Can you relate?) But our response to problems helps us to grow.

Does Anyone Care?

He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. Psalm 9:8

In his justice he will punish those who persecute you. 2 Thessalonians 1:6


When you feel abused or abandoned, as though no one cares, remember that you worship a God of justice--supreme, almighty, the righteous judge--and he is on your side!

For more information

It's too early to be up today

Its 6:13am. I just wanted to say hi to everyone. School is good. I am still torn whether to stay for next year or not but only because of academics. I am hoping to go to the board soon to state my position and hopefully they will allow me to accel where i would like to.
I miss LBG tramendously. She wrote sometime, i think, last night and i could only smile and wish i were there to hug her and give her all my love as I read her entry early this morning. It is truly a blessing to have friends to love like these and to share my adventures and drama with.
I thought about katie yesterday and some of the amazing friends she has chosen and she too has some wonderful friends. Keri and Angie are two wonderful and very funny light hearted people and they suite Katie well. I see Katie is parts of her friends and i see her friends in parts of her.
well, i just wanted to say hello before i go off for a shower and then for breakfast. yay... yawn...
Happy belated bdays Peter and Melissa

Being faithful

Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10

God has a method for determining our readiness for responsibility. Jesus says if we prove ourselves faithful in the small things, God will trust us with greater responsibilities.

More little ounces of Happiness... Which are more like tanks full of it

Today I went to Michaels to do some project shopping, then went to the mall to look for two books both of which i didnt get. But that is not the good part. well, actually it is only part of it. While out, i realized that i was VERY VERY close to my school and i could stop there to say hello to all my teachers. :)) Which, my mom knew would just make my day. So after shopping, we left the mall around 2:48 and went to the school. The first person i went on a hunt for was Mrs. Wentz herself but i came to find out that she had already retired at the end of last year. (Which i should have remembered. I knew she was retireing, i just didn't know when exactly)Next came Ms. Kessell my old gym and health teacher who was really cool. She was sadly not there but on a sick day..:(( I saw mrs. Fodness, my middle school math teacher for two years coming down the hall and she had stopped to talk to someone else, on which i took the advantage to run back into the gym where she couldn't see me so i could possibly sneak up on her. That didn't work out too well but i think maybe she was happy to see me nontheless. I didn't even get far, not even finishing my hello when I saw Ali coming down the hall arms open and tears swelling on the bottoms of her eyelids, waiting to just burst. This, folks, touched me deeply. I didnt know, at the time, that she didnt know i had left for BMA but she was told after i had left already for BMA and left her a message on her machine a while ago. But anyway, Ali and I greeted eachother with a long and overdue hug. Oh, it meant soo much, she really has no idea. The hug was so loved felt i thought I, myself, was going to cry because i had forgotten i had missed her so. I wanted to leave her for a moment or two to go run to all the other teachers. the next one being The very mr. little, my FAVORITE, my absolute favorite guy teacher on the planet whom i look up to because he is a soldier who had gone and come back from iraq. OH i could have just burst into tears at that moment. I could have just been in awe over actually seeing him in person after such a long time. He is a remarkable teacher and i wish there were more like him. The very next person i saw was mrs. Geistwhite, at i didnt even recognize the person next to her from behind. But i went up to mrs. Geistwhite and said hello and instantly saw the person's face next to her, but she didnt even see me. So i scooted over and gave her my hug. It was nice to see her as Mrs. Morris (former ms. reimer) with short hair. It is a new look. So off to Mr. Bobo because he was in the hallway and i briefly explained my whereabouts to him and how things were. Then i was off to mrs. Umphrey to say a quick hello and then i was off for mrs. Solomon again because mrs. Fod wasn't in her room, which might I add has changed. So on the way i stopped and chatted to mr. Little and explained to him where i was and he asked what i was planning for college and i told him. I told him i was SOO UNBELIEVABLY HAPPY to see him home that i was just.. it just didnt feel real. He really has no idea of my appreciation for him. So after that I went back to mrs. Solomon in search of mrs. Gerb but didnt find her because she was on a personal day and so Ali and I chatted some more and i could have just cried and cried and cried and went home with Ali. Especially after, she told me she had a laptop for me!!! FOR ME!! i was just gonna scream in excitement and hug the pooh out of her!! i contained myself thankfully and was completely speechless. I am STILL speechless. But anyway, what the moving part was is that she was on the verge of tears when she saw me. She kept repeating how proud she was I got into BMA, knowing i really wanted to go there. she asked how everything was at bma and how my homeleave was and how classes were and everything. I couldnt even answer most of them still in shock and still just.. i dont even know. But i really would love to spend a day with her sometime soon. But i would love to tell her about everything that has been going on in my life and get the updates in hers. The last her son told me they were getting the pool in. and She told me today it is in and they are getting the patio in sometime soon. I'm excited to hear about everything. I hope to see her sunday before i leave and i wish she could drive up with me to bma but i know that wont happen. I dont think i could let her be in the car with my mom for 3 hours round trip. Right now i'm so thankful in soo many ways. I feel like i got soo much accomplished and i feel ready to go back to my school now- the bma one. I have seen and briefly chatted with most of the allen staff today and I am quite satisfied. I talked and saw Kris and dolly today which just completed my morning. OH i cant even express my happiness anymore. I saw my teachers today!!!! I went shopping AND i did homework and WAS PRODUCTIVE THROUGHT IT ALL! I got a hair trim, spent time with my cousin, my brother, my dog AND MY MOM! My laundry is done, my aunt is coming up tomorrow to visit, i bought two songs i've been dying to buy, I went to borders even though i didnt buy anything, I got something for my task force dean. I am buying or will buy my mom this really good candle at white barn candle which is a 17dollar value and i'm getting it for $5. Which makes me happy. I downloaded something so i can talk to a certain person online. I downloaded my pictures from BMA... I am soon to make some phonecalls to people. Maybe saturday night. :) OH!!! i SLEPT IN FOR TWO DAYS!!! I didnt go to the doctors but i have come up with a solution for my knee pain so that saved some money. I talked to Anthony and Kyla yesterday. :)) oh oh!!! I LISTENED TO MY DAVID CROWDER and ALL the rest of my music. I feel content with that. So that makes my heart happy. I could explode with all the happiness i have inside of me right now. Praise you God!!! I have amazing friends that i had forgotten how amazing they are! i have amazing teachers that reminded me how amazing they are! I have an amazing computer with the amazing itunes on it that blessed me with wonderful music. :)) I am a VERY HAPPY girl!!

Thank Goodness for You!

I saw two very special people in my life online just moments ago before they went went off to pick mushrooms (yes its weird, i know),and it had just made my day complete. I got that feeling of having wonderful friends who make life fun and interesting and help you through all the rough patches and never leave your side no matter how rough. I was reminded of laughter and how good it feels to laugh with friends and the memories that are made at those very moments and the bonding that occurs in those very moments. Having friends such as these reminds me life isn't so harsh and guys can be sweet and fun and u can love them just like any other friend. In the minute or two i saw these two people, it brought wonders of happiness. I only wish they were always with me and they could be with me while i am at BMA. That is the only sad part. I cannot possibly share my experiences with some of my friends as i want to. I can not just call them or knock on their door and tell them all the great things nor can i just jump online or even wait online for them to appear in my messenger just to tell them i love them and i miss them and i'm thinking about them. but at least we have things called email and blogs and myspaces and post offices!! Thank goodness for those things!

How good it feels to be home

you know, i woke up this morning at 8:30 and still wanted to sleep?!?! I got on the puter for no reason at all just to be on the computer today. I played with my dog and helped my mom this afternoon. I took my little bro down to the bus today and that was a joy in itself. i played with my blog's appearance a bit and messed with the colors as u can see. I really wanted to get orange in it but couldnt get a nice orange in the scheme and make it look kinda nice. Last night i got to go to bed late and with the time i did spend being up i organized my biology folder and typed up vocab. I loaded and messed with my pictures from BMA and attempted to download the new itunes.. What else.. i thought about calling people and ended up not doing it because i was online. I got to talk to my beloved Kryzsiu and Dorothy ann porawski well mostly kris because dolly has been working. i am listening to emily and how i missed her as much as it doesnt seem like it i appreciate to hear her.

What You Give..

Risk- that’s what relationships are all about, aren’t they? Taking a chance on those around you, giving them a piece of your heart, and trusting that they’ll give you a piece of theirs in return?

Give yourself in relationships and see what you et in return.

This is part of my verse reading in Oct. :)

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4

Relationships are deepened when friends help one another through difficult times. We strengthen our relationships by extending the care and comfort we've received from God.


Thank you Emily Y. love u and miss u

Plans for YOUR life

Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. Romans 12:12

God has big plans for you--even if it may not seem like it right now. Even in the worst of circumstances, God has provided a heavenly hope. Keep telling him about your struggles, and he'll keep holding you up.

Out to Union

Congradulations to all the runners/bikers today! A great big hug to all of you my dear friends out there! I'm soo proud! :)) And a special congrats to Miss Santos who is always amazing because she is from G-burg!! You know we are all athletic ppl! ;)

k back to this on for my mom.

Stop It- Living agua

Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

It's wise to treat others the way we would like to be treated--with humility, generosity, and forgiveness. Jesus teaches us how to maintain good relationships.

Living water:(note to self) REMEMBER ME

He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

God's great mercy caused him to save you. In spite of what you've done, he couldn't stand living without you! He even gave you his own holiness!

It's pitch black outside at 6:07am and i am up. I'm not a big fan of actually going places this early in the morning but at least i'm up. :)
In other news i talked to Mrs. Moretta yesterday and i'm not moving out as of yet. But this i had made the decision just before i decided to actually pick up my guts and walk to the office. I figured, why not try to actually change this person (if its possible) for the better or at least change a little bit of her thinking so she can more fully understand some things and my perspective and hopefully get us both closer to God. Plus, i reasoned with myself, it'll help me in the long run as well to have the capability to work with people who are more difficult to work with and that will challenge me spiritually as well as challenge me in my social skills. I can work on my 'open mindedness' too. she told me to pretty much over look the things she does/ how she acts cause thats just how she is and isn't trying to be 'mean'/'disrespectful' and i should sit and talk with her when i'm calm and such so i dont blow up in her face or whatnot. Mrs. M must not know be too well because most of the things she DID tell me i knew already. but i still feel a little better that i told her.
AND in OTHER news! I recieved a realish planner yesterday and i felt soo much happier after i remembered how much happiness and organization it brought to my life. I wrote all my assignments down and the things to do and goals to make and b-days that are coming up. My life feels soo much more organized and i feel like i have a grasp on this h/w deal now. it is nice. Especially because i look at my planner so often and in doing so i see things that need to be done and then i get them done and next thing u know it, i have nothing to do!! and i have finished something (or lots of things) and i am satisfied. :)) you know, i can't stand having things hoving over my head to be done. It drives me nuts cause i can't sleep at night knowing there are things that have to get done. Hense the staying up late and getting up so early sometimes. So yea, the office made my day yesterday.


Church seems boring and confusing sometimes. Are all of the songs, readings, and rituals necessary?


Worshiping God keeps us connected to him. In worship we recognize God as the one who is in control and who has the power to change our circumstances and life. (See 2 Chron 20:20-22.)

Jehoshaphat discovered this fact very graphically as he sent the worshipers out with his army. As the worshipers were singing, God miraculously provided a victory!

Worship takes many forms. Most of the songs and readings come right from Scripture. If you concentrate on the meaning behind what is being sung or read, you will see that the words communicate very important facts about God.

Another purpose of worship is to encourage us to grow in our faith. It can encourage us to go out to face a world of collapsed morals.

Ephesians 5:19 was written during a time when Christians were put in prison for their faith. It says that believers should always sing 'psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, . . . making music to the Lord in your hearts.' By doing what this verse talks about, believers were able to encourage each other as they reminded themselves of the faithfulness, goodness, and strength of God.

I found this picture on the union site yesterday or the day before. :) so cute! it made me smile. I was hoping to share more photos with you today but i when i hooked up my camera it wasn't located on the computer.

quick reflection

there was a lot of rambling happening in one of the last posts. All of which are true feelings to an extent. I prayed about the moving out deal and i asked God if i should move out, have mrs. Moretta on duty today. And so far Moretta hasn't showed. ok.. i forget what all i was going to say but now i need to get back upstairs take a few pictures of chuck picking pooh out of the shower and then i'm off to the add building to get my bio book.

miss you all

Come Clean

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
James 5:16



When New York’s Citicorp tower was completed in 1977, many structural engineers hailed the tower for its technical elegance and singular grace. One year after the building opened, the structural engineer William J. LeMessurier came to a frightening realization. The Citicorp tower was flawed. Without his approval, joints that should have been welded were bolted. Under severe winds that come once every sixteen years to New York. the building would buckle.

LeMessurier weighed his options: Blow the whistle on himself. Suicide. Keep silent.

LeMessurier did what he had to do. He came clean. He confessed the mistake.

Plans were drawn up to correct the problem. Work began. And three months later, the building was strong enough to withstand a storm of the severity that hits New York once every seven hundred years.

The repairs cost millions of dollars. Nevertheless, LeMessurier’s career and reputation were not destroyed but enhanced. One engineer commended LeMessurier for being a man who had the courage to say, “I’ve got a problem; I made the problem; let’s fix the problem.”

You may be at that point where you realize your life is like that flawed building. Although by all appearances you are strong and successful and together, you know you have points of weakness that make you vulnerable to collapse. Sin is corroding the very foundation of your life. What do you do?

You come clean, get help, and get fixed.

Confession is good for the soul. When we hide sin, we hide ourselves from others. Like William J. LeMessurier, when we come clean, we can, as James writes, live together whole and healed.

James is not suggesting merely to confess sin to a preacher or a priest. We confess our sin first to God, but we must confess our sin to those who have been affected by our sin as well. It is also beneficial to confess your sins to a trusted fellow believer who can offer a physical reminder of the grace of forgiveness and encourage you to live rightly.

So, confess your sin. Get it out of your heart. Make it right. And, move on.

An Emotional Wreck?

so maybe, i, myself have become an emotional wreck. I started to tear up over a comment. I dont think THAT is normal. I miss Katie rediculously much and the first thing i say in the morning while walking out of my room is "i miss katie carlson" which isn't cool all in itself. This place gets me emotional, i think and makes me miss some people more than i thought i ever would miss them. And the boys, what can i say about the boys... I stay away from them (with the exception of chuck,Dan,Cody and Peter) as much as possible and even give some the cold shoulder. And then there is Drake. I dont even know what to say about Drake. He makes me fustrated because he won't talk to me and he gives me one word answers and wont open up anymore to me. My class is nice but some of them are just gossipy more so than public school and i hate that. Others think they're too good for you. I don't know. I miss being able to sit down and talk to my close friends either online or on the phone and listening and comforting. I want to be able to be there for LBG and others like i said i would. I would drop everything if i could do it that easily here and spend the rest of the afternoon talking to one single person and helping them do whatever. I miss that tramendously. I miss having the time to journal and have alone time and be able to sit and talk with God at any moment of the day. I miss having the friends around who say "hey!!!" when they walk by you in the hall or something and are excited to see you. I could have and probably eventually will just sit and cry for no reason at all today/tonight. I feel emotionally unstable yet as strong as the incredible hulk in the same sense. I am strong enough for two but when alone i can't hold myself up. thats kinda how i feel... And i'm also kinda torn in whether or not i should move out of rm. 12 and leave the roomie i have now or not. I feel a pull that i should stay but i'm afraid if i stay i will be very unhappy. I don't want to argue with my roomate every morning and during work and not have some alone time. And if i move out thers that question of will she absolutely hate me if i do it (which is likely) and then that will make me feel horrible.
I miss hanging out with Emily (cousin) and just talking about life and camp and influences and getting through it and supporting eachother and borrowing clothes and just going over to hang out and get away and have fun. I miss having adam around trying to prove some kind of point and debate everything that is said in his presence. I miss remembering our inside jokes and talking about how great the people in our lives are and how they have effected me/us. I miss being able to be hugged and just held or just hug emily and comfort her and not have a second thought about it. You can't just go up to people who are having a rough time and hug them and tell them its gonna be alright and listen to their problems- it just doesnt work like that here. They'd think i'm some sick person who needs to be put in a straight jacket. I miss that one on one connection with people and just talk. I miss a lot of things i guess... And i wanna cry but that'd be pointless. There isn't privacy where i can just crash and think things through and talk to God about it all and work it all out and in the end just say thank you God and i love God. Its not like that. I am starting to get this feeling where.. nevermind lights out is now.. more later maybe..

Not worth reading

There isn't much to say. I am praying for some friends and i ask that u pray for them too. I had testing today from 1:35 to 5:30pm and there's a repeat of it tomorrow. I still want to decorate my door or do something.. I have homework to do but i dont feel like doing it. I would like to just organize my stuff and sit at the computer (at home) and listen to music AND download more music.
oh there are soo many i things i would like to do but something is stopping me from.
1. I would like to strangle a certain somebody of the male gender
2. I would like to sit and organize all my papers and get 'real' folders and make deviders (which would include quotes and pictures)
3. I would like to take a nice bath (for once)
4. I would like to be able to play the viola well enough to sound 'good'
5. I would like to sleep a whole day or just do nothing.
6. I would love to see some friends (cough, cough, Dolly and emily)
7. I would love to go play with my dog for a couple hours
8. Go horseback riding
9. Read a good book
10. BUY a book i've been dying to add to MY library
11. Give dolly a huge hug and spend time with her (IN PERSON)
12. ACTUALLY DO my h/w
13. talk to jeannette, Laura, and other ppl on the phone sometime soon if not see them in person.
14. Go swimming
15. Go see mrs. Wentz a teacher i had in middle school whom i miss
16. Go to maryland to see some people (cough::cough:: Gina)
17. SLEEP
18. sit and talk to ppl online for one day all day.
19. Go to the post office
20. Recieve a certain package from a certain person
21. and finally go to the mall. :)) i actually miss it.. kinda freaky since i hardly ever go.

Living to Serve Others

For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

Jesus had a far different agenda than the world has. He could have pursued personal greatness, but instead he chose to trade his life for ours.

Updates on Bma, yo!

Katie i miss you! i miss you! i miss you!!!! tell me how life is at union! I hope u are getting enough sleep. :))

I am starting to get the flow of BMA although i still miss my old school a lot. I miss mrs. Gonce...:( (dude i need to call laura and jeanette.. ) I miss the teachers there. Mike Shofner is still my fav. teacher so far here. He's fair too and makes one of the most boring classes worth while to listen to. The teachers who can make history class the tad bit interesting need to be applauded because that is a hard task.
on another note, i may be talking to mrs. Moretta shortly because i'm not quite sure if my roomie and I can go a year. we are not getting along very well anymore. WE aren't clicking and i dont think it will happen unless we are not spending every waking moment near eachother. As much as i want to stay her roomie to get the experience i'm a little concerned about my mental well-being. ;) we spend or have spent maybe 70% of the day together but it is becoming less and less so i'm not sure what i'm going to do.It's not a bad thing that we spend a lot of time around eachother but it sometimes is. She's a hard person to work with sometimes and that coming out of my mouth isn't cool. She IS a nice person as long as her needs/wants are being fulfilled. I would rather talk to her about these issues instead of this or ms. moretta but i'm honestly a afraid of her reaction and i'm scared she'll react really harshly and it'll ruin the chance of ever having any kind of frienship.

This morning i had a super tight schedule! i had ensamble at 7 and it lasted til 8 and i start work at 8 and from 8-10 i'm supposed to work and because i came in late (8:06) i needed to work until 10:06 and my first class started at 10:05 today because of sabbath. Between both things i needed to be able to change from ad building appropriate clothes to work back to school clothes. So in the end i was late to both work and to class.
At work i cleaned the basement. My roomie is also my co-worker. She didn't finish her job this morning so i needed to finish her job as well this morning and i didnt know i was going to be asked to do hers too until 9:55 so that was a rush.

We had a spelling/vocab test today and i thought i was ready for the spelling part but i dont think i was. we were already 4 problems into the test when i walked in so i had to catch up fast which wasn't helping me any. But i passed with at least a high B so i'm happy about that. I knew the words she just pronounced them in a way i didnt know what word it was cause i had been saying it different.
and these history quizes. They are kiling me. i'm gonna need to start taking notes on those.. ok.. back to talking to my bestest friend in the world!
i'm out!

Don't give up hope

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Your weakness allows the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen you moment by moment.

i have another blog coming!

Do the Right thing

Do the Right Thing


Justice. You can’t read more than a chapter or two in any of the Minor Prophets without a cry for justice leaping off the pages. Not that it is a minor theme found only in these books. God has sewn a broad thread of compassion for the oppressed throughout the tapestry of the Bible. But here in the books of the Minor Prophets, it becomes a central theme.

Check out Amos 5:24: 'I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.'

Over and over, God told Israel that they were not to be like the other nations; they were to hold to a higher standard. The other nations took advantage of the poor, allowing the wealthy and powerful to grow fat off of their labor. God wanted his people to treat the less fortunate with compassion and fairness. In Proverbs 14:31, God even goes so far as to identify with the poor: 'Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.'

Other nations considered widows, orphans, and foreigners as second-class citizens. But in Israel, these individuals were to be treated with dignity. 'This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other' (Zech 7:9-10).

We are confronted today with many opportunities to do the right thing. The plight of the homeless, the distress of our inner cities, the suffering of the hungry, questions of racial and economic fairness, the struggle for peace—these and countless other issues cry out for people of courage, compassion, and conviction to stand strong for justice in Jesus’ name. God is vitally concerned for the widow, the orphan, the Somali Bantu refugee, the crack-addicted baby—anyone who suffers and needs help.

Are you?

The little pleasures at Bma

Today while walking out of the Ad building I overheard the principal tell a student that he was needed in the his office for something and the student had said "yes, sir." I continued walking but with a inner smile because of the repsect and courtesy given to everyone especially the staff. This wasn't very common in my public school and when it was heard it was out of mockery or whatever. So on the short trip from school to the dorm i thought about all the little nice things about BMA. I will have to cut this short because worship is in four minutes but... We have bible class here and chapel (which might i say is almost always good) and we have vespers and open home and the students all know eachother and help each other out whenever. Common courtesy is often seen here and there isn't nearly as much "eww, look at that" or talking behind the back deal or 'dissing' the 'nerds' i just love it. its all about respect and politeness and it just gives me butterflies to see it soo much in one area and in one day!

Saints of His and Angels of mine ;)

You have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois. 2 Timothy 1:5

Who in your life has helped you discover Jesus' love? Thank God for these saints.

Thank you Gina, Gina, Dolly, Jenny, Katie and Jeremy for helping me discover Jesus' unconditionaal love for me! Thank you God for sending them my way!

Giving Your Best- Leadership Devo

Giving Your Best

They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”
Mark 7:37



Leaders pursue excellence. They lead their organizations, their families, their businesses, and, in fact, their very lives striving for their best.

Jesus was committed to excellence. God gave his very best—his Son. And, as the New Testament writer Mark reminds us, God’s Son gave his very best—his life. He made the best wine (see John 2:1-11), his fish and bread recipes were delicious (see Matthew 14:13-21), and the limbs he restored were perfect (see Mark 3:1-5). His followers should do no less. Less than our best is inadequate, considering the fact that God has given us his very best.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.” Whatever our role, our position, our organization, or our lot in life, we should strive for the best. The measure of our success should not be attached to our particular career or what we earn but on our character and what we give.

Excellence does not mean being the best but being your best, understanding that variation makes all the difference in the world. Excellence is being better than you were yesterday. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.

Some people have fame thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. Excellence is achieved. What will you do to have people say, like they said of Jesus, “Everything he does is wonderful”?

Isaiah 30:15

The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says, "Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

God appreciates the strong, silent type. He wants you to wait on him, listen to him, and trust in him. Have confidence that he will guide you. It's that simple.

Living Water 3

He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and your protection. Psalm 91:4

Although God may not save you from external troubles, he will protect your spirit in the midst of them. In the heat of battle, rest in God's promises and put your faith in his protection.


God is Good
All the Time

inspiration for the day

Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through. . . . Instead, be very glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering. 1 Peter 4:12-13

What problems face you today? Don't be surprised; you are a partner with Christ in his suffering. What an honor!

Living Water 1

The master said, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities."Matthew 25:23

Do you desire to be used by God? If you do your best at the job you've been given, God will call you to greater work!

happy sabbath now that it is out! ;)

i had a class party today! it was good but my feet itch like crazy! i know, kinda bizzar but i'm gonna wash them as soon as i get back upstairs!

Shout to Dan!! Your welcome! Our pic from glow is going on my wall as soon as it gets printed! ;)

A shout to Emily E.

SO GREAT to hear from you!! you should send me mail/comments more often!! katie and Emily both have my email so u can get it from them or just comment on here. whatever works. I most definitely WANT to be at Union NOW because all you people are there but i dont want to have to go to classes and not know anything but anything and feel despretely stupid. I am glad u have come to that realization about the pain deal! ;)
maybe a bandaid will help your heart in pain. :))
love you!! you are on my dresser here at bma!!!! :D:D:D you've been there for 3 weeks and you were on my home dresser for maybe a week.
yours truly

Devotional for today!!!

Because now, not only do i read 3 from books i have but i am receieving 3 online!
Trying to be good and not sin seems like a full-time job. How can anyone stay pure? Why would anyone want to?


In 1 Timothy 6:11, Paul encouraged Timothy to 'pursue righteousness and a godly life.' In other words, keep doing what’s right. But some try to seem holier than others in order to be admired or to earn their way to heaven.

Jesus talked a lot about the Pharisees. These men had created long lists of rules that they followed. They wanted to be admired for their discipline.

But in Matthew 5:20, Jesus made an incredible statement: 'But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!' In other words, you have to have more than just correct behavior. You have to be pure on the inside. This inner purity begins by accepting Christ’s death on the cross as taking the punishment for our sins. When we do this, we take on Christ’s purity. In God’s eyes, we are worthy of eternity in heaven! Now that’s a pretty good deal!

It doesn’t stop there, of course. God wants us to be like Jesus. This is a lifelong process of allowing God to change us (see John 15:1-17; 1 Tim 6:11-12).

A Christian who’s really alive realizes that her eternity is settled. But she also genuinely wants to be more like the one who paid such a high price for her soul—Jesus. Her motivation—and yours—is not to parade her goodness in front of others, but rather to please God.