Welcome to a brand new series. I'm calling it Worship Wednesdays. Why that name? Well as most of you know, one passion I have is music. There's nothing better then music to help me get through the day and when the music pleases and worships God it makes it even better. So I am hoping to bring you a new worship song that I have been listening to each week. My prayer is that it will encourage and inspire you to spend more time praising God.
So are you ready? Let's get to this weeks song.
Today I decided to choose the song The Same God by: Newsong. It's one I have been listening to a lot lately. One thing about this song is I can relate to it. I have been having a lot of family stress going on lately and it's gotten to the point that I feel like I can't take much more. I keep praying but sometimes it feels like God doesn't hear me. After listening to this song I am reminded that God was with me before all this happened and He is still with me now. I just keep holding on to Him. He will get me through this. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever.
Hope this song encourages you. Here are the lyrics below. Let's worship God together in song.
Back to the wall, scared you'll fall
What you going to do
Day and night,
Don't know why its like the worlds' against you
You're praying for a break through
There was a day
When your faith couldn't be held down
God was near enough to hear every word
But somehow you wish He heard you right now
Don't you know
The same God who was with you then is with you now
The same God who led you in will lead you out
So take all the fear and doubt
Go on and lay them down
The same God, the same God is with you now
Can't you see
Everything happens for a reason
There's a time, there's a place
For every season
He knows what's best for you
So don't be afraid
The same God who was with you then is with you now
The same God who led you in will lead you out
So take all the fear and doubt
Go on and lay them down
The same God, the same God is with you now
Just keep holding on
Oh keep holding on
The same God who was with you then is with you now
The same God who led you in will lead you out
So take all the fear and doubt
Go on and lay them down
The same God, the same God is with you now
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Thursday, October 8, 2015
The Value of Having a True Christian Best Friend
The Value of Having a True Christian Best Friend
In life you will experience friends that come and friends that go and very few that will stick by you forever no matter what. It's easier for some people to just be your friend when it is convenient for them or when nothing is wrong. But when a trial or struggle comes up and things get rough they just walk away because it is easier then to try and understand. Unfortunately, I have experienced this in my short life of 20 years more then twice.
Let me first start off by saying that I'm not pointing a finger at these people or that I am judging you. I hope by writing this and getting it off my chest I will help others that may be going through this very same thing. I think everyone at least once has had a friend that walked away when things got rough.
Just because they say they are a Christian doesn't meant they act like it. I met a girl through a Christian kids magazine pen pal program when I was 10. We would write letters and eventually started instant messaging (yes I'm that old to remember) almost everyday. This girl was my whole world. Then one day she started telling me things that were concerning and how her family no longer went to church because her dad was hurt real bad by the church. Of course I was worried abut her and was praying for her family but I knew that I had to end our relationship. What she was telling me were things that were concerning my parents. To this day I do think about her and still pray for her.
What I learned from that experience is you should be careful in how much you give of yourself and trust them. Getting over our relationship was hard. She was my world at that time and was really the first time I ever experienced a broken relationship.
Next was someone I met at a Christian Mother and Daughter Purity weekend conference. By this time I was 14 years old. She was similar to me and was totally living a Godly life. She was all about waiting for true love and we had a similar situation like me about my pen pal. She spent the weekend talking, laughing and taking pictures. I even saw her perform in the orchestra after the conference because we were staying in the area for a few more days. We exchanged numbers and started talking on the phone, emailing, writing letters, instant messaging, and google buzz (yes I'm old). She would give me advice. One day she posted something that disturbed me. I was worried and afraid our friendship was heading down the same path as before. Next thing I knew she totally changed and was listening to hard music and posting lyrics to songs she liked. We grew apart but maybe I should've guessed. She even told me one time we talked that I have to be okay with God bringing people in and out of my life including her. Again I was devastated, would I ever have a true christian friend that would stay by my side forever? God what are you trying to teach me? These were the questions going through my head. I still pray for her that she would go back to her roots and faith.
Next came along my third Christian friend, we met and connected or so I thought when I was 15. We were a lot alike and she would just tell me that I was more like a sister to her then her real sister. We would talk on the phone, video chat, Facebook, ravelry, and Instagram each other everyday. She came and stayed at our house a few times. Again I was completely open and trusted her. Boy was I wrong, that didn't last. I had a storm in my life due to health issues and she completely shut me out. She would tell me she understood what I was going through but never once proved it to me. It was all about her and how I didn't care about her. It was so bad that we had a fight on the phone and haven't spoken since. Next thing I knew she posted something to Facebook that I knew was directed at me without mentioning names so I would see it. I saw it and then the next day she unfriended me. Was I hurt? Was I devastated? Was I broken? Did I cry? YES!!! It's only normal to have these feelings.
So now that I've completely opened up all these emotions and past relationships, the hurt and pain you are probably thinking what this has to do with the title of this piece of writing. Well let me tell you I have moved on, forgiven all these girls that have hurt me and decided to live my life as God intended. Yes it is great to have someone to talk to and interact with but it all boils down to God. One thing I learned through these situations is that God wanted me to put my trust and be completely open with Him. I'm still learning how to trust and be completely honest with Him.
Now don't get me wrong. I have friends, and they are wonderful. God has blessed me with a wonderful support circle of people. I will go into the meaning behind the title. The value of a True Christian Best Friend.
Because of what happened to me I built up walls around me. When I meet someone new for the first time. I'm more reserved and careful about what I tell them. That doesn't mean I don't like meeting new people and become friends. We take the word being a Christian way too lightly. There is a difference in being a Christian and a True Christian. A couple things I want to point out and explain is what to look for and what to value when choosing your friends.
One thing is to know the other persons faith and beliefs. I'm still to this day very careful what I say to certain people because we may believe something different. I always try to find people that believe like me but as you have read it doesn't always work out like you think it will.
Second, another thing to look for is how they act around you. Do they want to really get to know you? Do they truly care about you and want to try and understand what you are going through? For me personally, I try to listen to others and try to understand what they are saying or what they are going through.
Now you may think why is she writing on this. She has had nothing but broken friendships and never had a true Christian best friend. Let me tell you I actually do have one. I will end this by telling you the story of my True Christian Best Friend.
My true Christian Best Friend, loves me for who I am and not what I've done or where I've been. She doesn't judge me but encourages me. When I need to talk I know she is willing to listen even if it's late at night or early in the morning. These are the things I value the most is she prays for me, gives me advice, wants to learn about my health issues and truly cares. But most of all she is completely sold out for Christ and living w true Christian life not just saying she is a Christian and that's what I value the most. I'm not mentioning names but she knows who she is. She is someone that i don't have to have my walls and barriers up with. I can be completely honest and trust without being afraid to get hurt. I believe God knew what He was doing when He placed her into my life. It was no accident! It was His plan for me. I mean this as a compliment someday I pray that I can be a true Christian friend to someone and they say the same things about me that I am saying about her right now.
So I am going to end this here because I have probably taken way too much of your time reading this but if I help just one person with this piece of my life and story it will be worth this. So choose your friends wisely and most of all trust God to know who, when and where He places them in and out of your life. I promise you it will be worth it in the end.
In life you will experience friends that come and friends that go and very few that will stick by you forever no matter what. It's easier for some people to just be your friend when it is convenient for them or when nothing is wrong. But when a trial or struggle comes up and things get rough they just walk away because it is easier then to try and understand. Unfortunately, I have experienced this in my short life of 20 years more then twice.
Let me first start off by saying that I'm not pointing a finger at these people or that I am judging you. I hope by writing this and getting it off my chest I will help others that may be going through this very same thing. I think everyone at least once has had a friend that walked away when things got rough.
Just because they say they are a Christian doesn't meant they act like it. I met a girl through a Christian kids magazine pen pal program when I was 10. We would write letters and eventually started instant messaging (yes I'm that old to remember) almost everyday. This girl was my whole world. Then one day she started telling me things that were concerning and how her family no longer went to church because her dad was hurt real bad by the church. Of course I was worried abut her and was praying for her family but I knew that I had to end our relationship. What she was telling me were things that were concerning my parents. To this day I do think about her and still pray for her.
What I learned from that experience is you should be careful in how much you give of yourself and trust them. Getting over our relationship was hard. She was my world at that time and was really the first time I ever experienced a broken relationship.
Next was someone I met at a Christian Mother and Daughter Purity weekend conference. By this time I was 14 years old. She was similar to me and was totally living a Godly life. She was all about waiting for true love and we had a similar situation like me about my pen pal. She spent the weekend talking, laughing and taking pictures. I even saw her perform in the orchestra after the conference because we were staying in the area for a few more days. We exchanged numbers and started talking on the phone, emailing, writing letters, instant messaging, and google buzz (yes I'm old). She would give me advice. One day she posted something that disturbed me. I was worried and afraid our friendship was heading down the same path as before. Next thing I knew she totally changed and was listening to hard music and posting lyrics to songs she liked. We grew apart but maybe I should've guessed. She even told me one time we talked that I have to be okay with God bringing people in and out of my life including her. Again I was devastated, would I ever have a true christian friend that would stay by my side forever? God what are you trying to teach me? These were the questions going through my head. I still pray for her that she would go back to her roots and faith.
Next came along my third Christian friend, we met and connected or so I thought when I was 15. We were a lot alike and she would just tell me that I was more like a sister to her then her real sister. We would talk on the phone, video chat, Facebook, ravelry, and Instagram each other everyday. She came and stayed at our house a few times. Again I was completely open and trusted her. Boy was I wrong, that didn't last. I had a storm in my life due to health issues and she completely shut me out. She would tell me she understood what I was going through but never once proved it to me. It was all about her and how I didn't care about her. It was so bad that we had a fight on the phone and haven't spoken since. Next thing I knew she posted something to Facebook that I knew was directed at me without mentioning names so I would see it. I saw it and then the next day she unfriended me. Was I hurt? Was I devastated? Was I broken? Did I cry? YES!!! It's only normal to have these feelings.
So now that I've completely opened up all these emotions and past relationships, the hurt and pain you are probably thinking what this has to do with the title of this piece of writing. Well let me tell you I have moved on, forgiven all these girls that have hurt me and decided to live my life as God intended. Yes it is great to have someone to talk to and interact with but it all boils down to God. One thing I learned through these situations is that God wanted me to put my trust and be completely open with Him. I'm still learning how to trust and be completely honest with Him.
Now don't get me wrong. I have friends, and they are wonderful. God has blessed me with a wonderful support circle of people. I will go into the meaning behind the title. The value of a True Christian Best Friend.
Because of what happened to me I built up walls around me. When I meet someone new for the first time. I'm more reserved and careful about what I tell them. That doesn't mean I don't like meeting new people and become friends. We take the word being a Christian way too lightly. There is a difference in being a Christian and a True Christian. A couple things I want to point out and explain is what to look for and what to value when choosing your friends.
One thing is to know the other persons faith and beliefs. I'm still to this day very careful what I say to certain people because we may believe something different. I always try to find people that believe like me but as you have read it doesn't always work out like you think it will.
Second, another thing to look for is how they act around you. Do they want to really get to know you? Do they truly care about you and want to try and understand what you are going through? For me personally, I try to listen to others and try to understand what they are saying or what they are going through.
Now you may think why is she writing on this. She has had nothing but broken friendships and never had a true Christian best friend. Let me tell you I actually do have one. I will end this by telling you the story of my True Christian Best Friend.
My true Christian Best Friend, loves me for who I am and not what I've done or where I've been. She doesn't judge me but encourages me. When I need to talk I know she is willing to listen even if it's late at night or early in the morning. These are the things I value the most is she prays for me, gives me advice, wants to learn about my health issues and truly cares. But most of all she is completely sold out for Christ and living w true Christian life not just saying she is a Christian and that's what I value the most. I'm not mentioning names but she knows who she is. She is someone that i don't have to have my walls and barriers up with. I can be completely honest and trust without being afraid to get hurt. I believe God knew what He was doing when He placed her into my life. It was no accident! It was His plan for me. I mean this as a compliment someday I pray that I can be a true Christian friend to someone and they say the same things about me that I am saying about her right now.
So I am going to end this here because I have probably taken way too much of your time reading this but if I help just one person with this piece of my life and story it will be worth this. So choose your friends wisely and most of all trust God to know who, when and where He places them in and out of your life. I promise you it will be worth it in the end.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Meditation Mondays - We are United in Purpose!
We are united in purpose!!!! Rally around God's purpose! Yesterday church was amazing. The students took over and lead worship, prayer, and then the high school pastor did the sermon. One thing that stuck out in my mind is how God gave his life for us who don't deserve it. He wants us to lay down our life for each other like He did for us. Think about that. Are we willing to put aside our want and needs and be willing to lay down our life for our friends? I am sharing a couple scriptures that were read in church.
John 17-20-23
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.Another thing that really hit me hard today was part of a song that was sung.
Nails couldn't keep you down
The grave couldn't keep you in
Hell couldn't keep you out
You reign, You reign!!!
How awesome it is to know that you are God of all and reign forever?
So I leave you with this. Are you willing to go and live your life for Christ?
Blessings and Shalom,
Grace Mae
Monday, August 24, 2015
Meditation Mondays - Dealing with Disappointments
So one thing that we all face and deal with is disappointment. Church yesterday was about dealing with disappointments and so I thought it would be a good idea to write about this for my blog.
God wants us to trust Him with our disappointments. Now I know that is a little harder then it sounds. I struggle everyday with disappointments as living with a chronic health issue I can't do everything I may want to because I don't physically or emotionally feel up to it.
Some people don't understand that a change of plans or when I'm looking forward to doing something and then things change I get disappointed more then maybe I should. To them it might not be a big deal but to me it's a big deal because I'm never sure when I will have a good day or a bad day. That's part of living with a chronic illness.
I have a hard time being honest with my feelings. I've been hurt and been disappointed by more friends or who I thought were my friends. Really, I should be able to tell God my feelings and be completely honest with Him because He already knows what I am feeling. The main thing about dealing with these disappointments are not setting your expectations to high.
So whatever you may be dealing with, or struggle with I encourage you to be honest with God.
Blessings and Shalom,
Grace Mae
God wants us to trust Him with our disappointments. Now I know that is a little harder then it sounds. I struggle everyday with disappointments as living with a chronic health issue I can't do everything I may want to because I don't physically or emotionally feel up to it.
Some people don't understand that a change of plans or when I'm looking forward to doing something and then things change I get disappointed more then maybe I should. To them it might not be a big deal but to me it's a big deal because I'm never sure when I will have a good day or a bad day. That's part of living with a chronic illness.
I have a hard time being honest with my feelings. I've been hurt and been disappointed by more friends or who I thought were my friends. Really, I should be able to tell God my feelings and be completely honest with Him because He already knows what I am feeling. The main thing about dealing with these disappointments are not setting your expectations to high.
So whatever you may be dealing with, or struggle with I encourage you to be honest with God.
Blessings and Shalom,
Grace Mae
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels Concert
On August 2nd I was able to go with my mom to see Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels live in concert. Let me just start by saying WOW!!! It was amazing! Honestly it felt more like a big praise and worship time then an actual concert. God was definitely moving and you could sense His presence there.
With everything that has been going on lately it was just what I needed. Praising God and lifting my voice with others was so wonderful.
Some of the songs that they played were, Waterfall, How Great is Our God, Our God, At the Cross (Where your love ran red), Waiting Here for You, and God's Great Dance Floor.
You know how everything happens for a reason and nothing surprises God. Well we were blessed to run into some friends that we hadn't seen since around 2011. I thank God because He must've known that I needed to have these two wonderful Christian girls back in my life right now. Even though we hadn't talked much or hung out for a long time we were able to just pick up where we left off. Love you girls so much! <3 <3 <3
So I will leave you with this......Continue to worship God and love Him with your whole heart.
Blessings and Shalom,
Grace Mae
With everything that has been going on lately it was just what I needed. Praising God and lifting my voice with others was so wonderful.
Some of the songs that they played were, Waterfall, How Great is Our God, Our God, At the Cross (Where your love ran red), Waiting Here for You, and God's Great Dance Floor.
You know how everything happens for a reason and nothing surprises God. Well we were blessed to run into some friends that we hadn't seen since around 2011. I thank God because He must've known that I needed to have these two wonderful Christian girls back in my life right now. Even though we hadn't talked much or hung out for a long time we were able to just pick up where we left off. Love you girls so much! <3 <3 <3
So I will leave you with this......Continue to worship God and love Him with your whole heart.
Blessings and Shalom,
Grace Mae
Monday, August 17, 2015
Meditation Monday - The Struggle is Real
So as I was trying to figure out what to write about for my first post since I came back to the blogging world I thought I would write about something that I think we all go through at one time or another.
The Struggle is Real! What do you think that means? Everyone is struggling with one thing or another. Whether it is a relationship, health issue, finances, lost of a loved one, or just wondering what you are suppose to do.
It's so easy to pretend and act like everything is fine on the outside when truth be told you're falling apart on the inside. You may tell yourself, no one will understand, or do they really care? I have been like that and I'm working on it. Some of the struggles I am facing right now are really hard for me. Not only physically but emotionally as well. At times I feel like everything is happening to me. When I'm out and about in the world it's easy to act happy but when alone the struggle is real.
I saw a quote the other day and it is so relevant.
"sometimes I keep my feelings to myself because it's hard to find someone who understands."
But one thing is that God wants us to bring our struggles to Him. I've been learning that a lot lately. I thought that I could handle everything on my own. I didn't think anyone would understand, I built walls around me and didn't want to let anyone in because of the fear of getting hurt again or what others would think. When I finally realized that I can tell Jesus my Father what I'm going through He is there for me and knows exactly what I'm going through and truly understands.
So now I'm not saying that a friend wouldn't understand or cares as I have several great friends that are like sisters to me, and I talk to them which is awesome, but what it all comes down to is God is the only one that can get me and you through whatever it is we are struggling with.
My prayer is that whatever it may be you are going through right now that God will help you.
Blessings and Shalom,.
Grace Mae
The Struggle is Real! What do you think that means? Everyone is struggling with one thing or another. Whether it is a relationship, health issue, finances, lost of a loved one, or just wondering what you are suppose to do.
It's so easy to pretend and act like everything is fine on the outside when truth be told you're falling apart on the inside. You may tell yourself, no one will understand, or do they really care? I have been like that and I'm working on it. Some of the struggles I am facing right now are really hard for me. Not only physically but emotionally as well. At times I feel like everything is happening to me. When I'm out and about in the world it's easy to act happy but when alone the struggle is real.
I saw a quote the other day and it is so relevant.
"sometimes I keep my feelings to myself because it's hard to find someone who understands."
But one thing is that God wants us to bring our struggles to Him. I've been learning that a lot lately. I thought that I could handle everything on my own. I didn't think anyone would understand, I built walls around me and didn't want to let anyone in because of the fear of getting hurt again or what others would think. When I finally realized that I can tell Jesus my Father what I'm going through He is there for me and knows exactly what I'm going through and truly understands.
So now I'm not saying that a friend wouldn't understand or cares as I have several great friends that are like sisters to me, and I talk to them which is awesome, but what it all comes down to is God is the only one that can get me and you through whatever it is we are struggling with.
My prayer is that whatever it may be you are going through right now that God will help you.
Blessings and Shalom,.
Grace Mae
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Long Break....Welcome Back!!!!!!
Hey Everyone,
Long time since I last posted anything on this blog. Truth is life has been crazy and I have been suffering from a lot of health issues.
Let me just start by saying, I have Lymes, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Bartonella. All these have affected my life. I have joint pain, headaches, brain fog, affected my hormones, and more. I am getting better but because it took over 10 years to figure this out it's going to be a long road to recovery.
I'm so glad I am back to posting as I have missed blogging. I have prayed about returning and what the future holds for my blog. I would like to continue with Meditation Mondays. As far as when I will post other things it all depends on how I feel.
One thing by starting this blog back in September 2013 I wanted it to encourage other young women in faith. I'm really praying that through this blog Jesus will shine through me.
Thanks for reading and I hope you will come back.
Blessings,
Grace Mae
Long time since I last posted anything on this blog. Truth is life has been crazy and I have been suffering from a lot of health issues.
Let me just start by saying, I have Lymes, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Bartonella. All these have affected my life. I have joint pain, headaches, brain fog, affected my hormones, and more. I am getting better but because it took over 10 years to figure this out it's going to be a long road to recovery.
I'm so glad I am back to posting as I have missed blogging. I have prayed about returning and what the future holds for my blog. I would like to continue with Meditation Mondays. As far as when I will post other things it all depends on how I feel.
One thing by starting this blog back in September 2013 I wanted it to encourage other young women in faith. I'm really praying that through this blog Jesus will shine through me.
Thanks for reading and I hope you will come back.
Blessings,
Grace Mae
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