Merry Christmas

First off, can I just say, Merry Christmas! You've probably heard this phrase about a hundred times today, but I don't want you to forget it. I feel like sometimes we get caught up in the things we have to do to make the holidays a success, and we don't stop and smell the eggnog. I want to give you a challenge, this holiday season, I want you to stop and say what God has gave you this past year. Where did you feel God throughout the year? And most importantly, What does Christmas mean to you?
Sure, you may put on a good act in church, you may even commit to a youth group, or go to Sunday school every week. But what is something that you need to work on? We are all imperfect human beings, nothing can change that, but we can strive to be better. For example in my life, I may be a hardcore Christian with good intentions, but I lack devotion throughout the week. I have fallen short of commitment and I don't even remember the last time I sat down and had an honest conversation with God. What is something you can do this upcoming year, to remind yourself, of where you came from. Of who sacrificed his life, so that you may have the choice to do something different in yours and in the lives of those around you.
This holiday is to remember the birth of the one who was set apart to save us all. This world is a screwed up place, but with more people being the light of that little baby lying in the manager, there will be a glimmer of hope. If more people spread the word, that there is a Messiah who died for you. He came into the world so that every last one of us would have a chance to have an intimate relationship with our Father who so desperately wants one with us.
There are people out there who choose not to spend the holidays with certain people. I want all of you to know, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if it's your mother, who you haven't seen in 10 years when you ran away from home. It doesn't matter if it is a rivalry including jealousy between cousins. It doesn't matter if you're still arguing about the silly disagreement that prevented the entire family from talking to each other ever again. Christmas is a time of reconciliation and forgiveness. It's about being with the ones you love, and most importantly the ones that need love. God wants us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you. So, if there is someone who you aren't on good terms with this holiday season. Take this opportunity to set aside your differences and to come together again. Because Christmas is much better, if you celebrate as a family. A family with differences, and disagreements. But a family that has put that aside, because their love for each other is much greater than that!
Merry Christmas, and I hope you all have save travels this season!!! May God bless you and protect you this upcoming year!

My Testimony

The other day, I was asked to speak to my youth group about my story. At first, I didn't know what to say. My story doesn't have one of those awe-ha moments, where I realize Jesus was the way. But, that got me thinking, that's what makes my story relatable. I decided that some people may want to know more of who I am as a person. Why my opinions are what they are. As the person reading this, you may not know me personally. I feel like that is a problem, because I want you to have a connection to me and want to help you in any way I can. That being said, here is my Testimony: (shortened, because if it wasn't we'd be here all day.)
I grew up in a christian home, and was raised to believe in Jesus Christ. So many people think that Christians don’t have any problems, that once you accept God into your heart all of your struggles disappear, I was also one who thought that. When I was in a bad situation, like when I lost my Grandma, I thought, Why God if you loved me so dearly would you take her away from me? I thought that God must love me less because he didn’t save her. I went through a time of grief, and at the time was also battling bullies at school. I turned away from God thinking that he didn’t have something worthwhile in store for me, that I was better off making my own path, that I didn’t need him in my life.  But then I realized something, no matter how hard we try to make our own plans work they don’t. Everything seemed like it was falling apart and I had no idea what to do. That day, I picked my bible, for the first time in a very long time and turned to Jeremiah 29:11- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And at the time I didn’t believe that verse, I didn’t want to believe that verse. I wanted to think that I could do everything on my own and that I didn’t need God’s help. My friend was there for me when I needed her most, and she helped me see, that no matter what I did to reject God, he was always waiting for me to come back to the path he originally intended. It was at that point that I realized God wanted me to believe and have hope of better things, he wanted me to carry that hope with me throughout my daily life. And that no matter how anyone else sees me, it doesn’t matter, because I am created in God’s image. And although God doesn’t make my struggles disappear, he makes them bearable enough for me to handle.
I will probably post tomorrow if we have a snow day! For all those people not from Michigan...a snow day is when the roads are so bad you can't get out of your driveway!
Like always, I'll post later!

Rant

Hey Everybody!
Today is going to be a different type of post. I was thinking about what to do today, and realized I never post anymore. I have a talent (even if it is a small one), but God has granted me the power to share my voice.To speak what is on my mind, and sometimes you can't make sense of what you want to say...but you just type and see what comes out. I am currently praying for numerous people in my life. These people shall go nameless, but they are struggling. Physically, Mentally, and Because some of them don't know God the challenge is harder. I don't know how to reach them at the place and time in their life and in their stages of what they are going through. I don't know what is going to happen and that is very hard. I love being in control of what is happening in my life, in the people's lives around me, and especially the future. I feel like I can't help them right now and I pray that God give them what they need at this current point in time.
I started writing Spoken Poetry, if you don't know what that is I suggest you look it up on YouTube. It really found a place in my heart and ever since then I have not been able to stop. That being said, I may eventually share some of that, but I don't know how yet. Once I figure that out I will let you all know!
It's the season of Christmas! My brother is coming home in twelve days and I am so anxious for the joy he will bring to my household. I don't know if I'm getting anything, but honestly I feel like our society is too focused on the gifts, they don't see the gift of family, the gift of God as a baby.
I feel like my thoughts are all over today and I apoligize, but I hope you get something out of this rant.