"He has never left your side" and more quotes

~Saturday Stories~

"That's Who you need to have faith in, sweetheart, because through every one of these trials, He has never left your side." -Mrs. March, Jupiter Winds

"... I'm finally putting my inner life above my exterior life. I'm letting God change me, and he's showing me how to live for him. And I'm finding out that it's pretty cool." - Leah, Faded Denim

"I know, it probably sounds like I'm becoming a real fanatic religious freak, which I am not. But I am falling more in love with Jesus all the time. I can't even explain it, but I know that it's very real - and it's pretty cool." - Caitlin, Becoming Me

How about you? Do you put your faith in God? What do you focus on more: your inner or exterior life? Are you falling in love with Jesus? 

Spend time with your friends

~Friday for Friends~

I have to say... I don't spend that much time with my best friend. She' s a year older, and, as of now, I only see her 3-4 times a month. God has blessed me so much, and I hope I don't take it for granted. 

  "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

How about you? Do you spend time with your friends? In what ways has God blessed you? 

The Unknown.....

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Looking ahead might be exciting. It's also sometimes scary. College, a new job, new friends, maintaining old friendships, etc., etc., etc. Anthem Lights' song, "The Unknown" (lyrics) reminds us that God is with us no matter how scary the future. 

"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."" Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

What about you? Is something new about to invade your life? How do you plan to deal with it? 

Your heart

~Monday Movies & Music~

Chris Tomlin has a great song, "Your heart" (David). Here are the lyrics. 

"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’" Acts 13:22 (NIV)

Are you striving to follow God?  

On our own vs by God's grace

~Saturday Stories~

On our own we are

Sinful

Burdened

Weak 

Dirty

Scorned

Alone

So messed up. 

By God's grace, we are

Forgiven - 1 John 1:9

Helped - Psalm 54:4

Nourished - Matthew 4:4

Cleansed - Isaiah 1:18

Loved - Romans 5:8

Wanted - Revelation 3:20

By such an amazing God

Reconnecting

~Friday for Friends~

This past Saturday I spent some time with my friends at prom. Okay, so not the best place ever for deep discussions, etc., but it was nice to just hang out. I hadn't seen one of these friends in quite some time, and reconnecting and laughing and smiling together was so much fun. God has blessed me so much by giving us this friendship.

  "A friend loves at all times,

    and a brother is born for a time of adversity." Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17 (NIV)

How about you? Do you have friends or family that are a blessing to you? Who can you be a blessing to? 

The center of our lives

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Sometimes we get so burdened by all the things we need to or want to do. Seriously, it's crazy. Homework, sports, perhaps a job, time with family, at church, etc., etc., etc. Sometimes, wrapped in all this "essential" stuff, we forget WHO we are doing it for. Or, perhaps, we're not even trying to do it for Him. The song "All Eyes On You" by OBB speaks of who should be at the center of our lives: God. Amen to that!  

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

God, help us live for you!