CD Spotlight: Wonder of The World

CD Title: Wonder Of The World
Artist: Rush Of Fools
Genre: Christian/Progressive/Rock

CD Release Date: September 16, 2008

My Favorite Songs: There Is Nothing, Wonder of The World, Holy One, You Are Glory, Lose It All, and Escape.

My Rate On This CD (on a scale of 1-10): 8

"What Does God Think About Me" Part Two

Not only does God love us, He thinks we are beautiful. He sees us as His beautiful creations. We are precious and lovely in His sight. This is another trait of God that I have had a hard time understanding. All I used to see were the imperfections, not the beauty of what God had created me to be. But then I realized that I was made in the image of God: the creator of the Universe, the Lord of all, the Author of all things beautiful.

If you're like me, sometimes you question your outer beauty because, according to the world, you just don't measure up to its standards. But God doesn't look at us and think that at all. He sees our beauty inside and out. He made us. We are His own. Who are we to question the workmanship of the Creator of the world?

If you didn't already know...God does not make mistakes. He is perfect. He is holy. He just can not make mistakes. So next time you're feeling down about the way you look, remember that God sees your true beauty...and nothing else matters.

(Please read the words to this song by Addison Road that I have typed out below.)

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"All That Matters" by Addison Road

I may never be the one that gets a second glance

I may never be the one they call the prettiest

But thats alright with me

And maybe I don't follow every crazy passion

Spend all my time trying to get a good reaction

But thats ok with me

This world is like a trampoline

High and low no in between

Jumping at the chance to please

Everyone but thats not me

Cause all that matters is

All that matters is

I know your love has set me free

And that's all that matters to me

Cause all that matters is

All that matters is

I know your love has set me free

And that's all that matters to me

Some people tell me to step out and do my own thing

And others say I got to blend in just to be the same

And stop being me

But this shallow world is no longer what I'm made of

I've been changed by grace

I've been saved by love

What more do I need

All that matters is

All that matters is

I know your love has set me free

And that's all that matters to me

My life comes from the One Who made the stars and brought the sun

He loves me more than these So I don't need another identity

All that matters is

All that matters is

I know your love has set me free

And that's all that matters to me

That's all that matters

My Daybook 6

Outside my window...
One of the most beautiful days. It's sunny, warm and comfortable. Beautiful cumulus clouds cover the bright blue sky. It's beautiful.

I am thinking...
That I wish I was outside while I'm typing this. It really is beautiful!

From the kitchen...
-Breakfast: Ham and cheese croissant sandwich.
-Lunch: Leftovers (baked chicken smothered in BBQ sauce and a fried red potato).

I am going...
To take a nap and then drive to church.

I am reading...

"The Adventures Of Capt. John Smith" and "Jane Eyre".

I am hoping...
That John gets to California safely and that he has no trouble with all the layovers.

I am hearing...
The sound of a basketball game playing on the TV...my dad snoring (sorry dad)...someone's lawnmower running...and my grandmother doing something in her room.

One of my favorite things...
Flip flops (I like to keep things comfortable).

My picture thought...
Doesn't this look relaxing??

"What Does God Think About Me?" Part One

That is a great question...what does God think about us?

First of all, He loves us more than we can ever imagine! I've always struggled with grasping this concept. God loves ME.....why? Why does He love me? Because I am His own.

Imagine yourself as a parent: Would you hate that boy or girl? No. You would love that child. Why? Because it's your own. It's part of you.

That's how God sees us. He looks past our imperfections and mistakes and sees us: His children.

God's love is an overflowing, never ending, unfailing love. Nothing compares to it.

----------------------------

-Puppy Love: 2 weeks in high school.

-A mother's love for her newborn: a lifetime.

-God's love: priceless and eternal.

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Like I said, nothing compares to the love that God has for us...His children.

CD Spotlight: We Need Each Other

CD Title: We Need Each Other
Artist: Sanctus Real

Genre: Rock/Pop/Christian

CD Release Date: February 12, 2008
My Favorite Songs: Turn On The Lights, We Need Each Other, Black Coal, Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly), and Lay Down My Guns.

My Rate On This CD (on a scale of 1-10): 9

Winter Jam 2009

These pictures were taken at a concert I went to at the beginning of last month. Hope you enjoy!

(Theses pictures are in the order that the artists came out on stage in.)

-Stephanie Smith-

-PureNRG-

-Francesca Battistelli-

-Newsong-

-Family Force 5-

-Brandon Heath-

-TobyMac-

I had so much fun at this concert! Can't wait until next year!

Winter Sunset

"The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth."

-Psalm 50:1-2(NIV)-

CD Spotlight: My Paper Heart

CD Title: My Paper Heart

Artist: Francesca Battistelli

Genre: Christian/Pop/Soul

CD Release Date: July 22, 2008

My Favorite Songs: All of them, but especially Free To Be Me, I'm Letting Go, Unpredictable, My Paper Heart, Beautiful Beautiful, and Someday Soon.

My Rate On This CD (on a scale of 1-10): 10

Commandment With A Promise

Let me paint a picture...

A mom and daughter are in a clothing store shopping one Saturday afternoon. The daughter begs her mom to let her go in "Hoochy-R-Us" to look for some new clothes. After a few minutes of wining from the daughter, the mother gives in and and she and her daughter head on into the store. The first piece of clothing the daughter picks up is a black shirt that is backless and has a PLUNGING neckline. And the argument begins...

I'm going to be honest...I do not always get along 100% with my parents. I am certainly NOT proud of it. I do argue sometimes when I don't agree with what they say. I mean, I love my parents and I value their opinions, but sometimes I just don't agree with them. God has really convicted me about this sin of arguing in my life recently.

Did you know that in the Bible God never said that children had to agree with their parents? OK, so I don't have to agree with them...but what does God say about my relationship with my parents? Well, it does say in Ephesians 6:1-2 that children are to honor them.
(Honor meaning to love, be reverent towards, obey, and assist in all things.)

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with a promise..."

When you honor your parents in everything, you will be blessed. You might not see the rewards for honoring them here on earth, but you will be rewarded when you meet your Savior face to face.

In Deuteronomy 5:16, God says that if you honor your parents, then your life will be long and happy.

"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you; that your days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with you..."

Also, in Colossians 3:20, God says that if you honor your parents, you will make Him happy.

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

Next time that you don't agree or argue with your parents, remember that God placed them in your life for a reason and that He smiles upon children who obey.

(For further reference, read Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16)

My Daybook 5

Outside my window...

The sun is setting at the end of a rainy day. The Arctic wind sends chills down my spine. I don't think that it could get any colder.

I am thinking...

That I love my parents so much and that I am thankful that God blessed me with them.

From the kitchen...

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs and a strawberry muffin.

Lunch: Chicken and cheese quesadilla Lean Pocket.

Supper: I don't know yet!

I am going...

To my room to practice my guitar for my lesson.

I am reading...

The Bible (always)

Jane Eyre (seems like always)

I am hoping...

That I can be better tomorrow as a daughter to my parents and a servant to my Savior.

I am hearing...

The sound of strong wind blowing a wind chime....cars driving by....stillness in my house.

One of my favorite things...

Having something revealed to me by God, and I knowing that that revelation could only have been Him that revealed it.

My picture thought...

I'm ready for the summer to come soon! In my life, summer=beach.

It's Been A Long Time....

I'm sorry that it has been sooo long since my last post. Life has been crazy!

I promise I will have some post ready soon. Please check back!

For now here is a picture for you to enjoy:

(This picture was taken during my last beach trip. This just shows us that the glory of God is ALL around us....even in the storm.)

CD Spotlight: Beauty In The Broken

CD Title: Beauty In The Broken

Artist: Starfield

Genre: Rock/Pop/Christian

CD Release Date: May 16, 2006
My Favorite Songs: My Generation, The Hand That Holds The World, Everything Is Beautiful, and Unashamed.

My Rate On This CD (on a scale of 1-10): 8

Poem: A Year Untried Before Me Lies

A year untried before me lies.
What it shall bring of strange surprise,
Of joy, or grief, I cannot tell;
But God my Father knoweth well.

I make no concern of mine,
But leave it all with Love divine.
The sun may shed no light by day,
No stars at night illumine my way.

My soul shall still have no affright
Since God is all my life and light.
Though all the earthly lights grow dim,
He walks in light who walks with Him.

No ill can come but He can cure,
No word doth all of good insure:
He’ll see me through the journey’s length,
For daily need give daily strength!

-Author Unknown-

Christmas Concerts Part 2

The second Christmas concert I went to this December featured Matthew West and American Idol' Mandisa. Here are some pictures from the event.

Matthew West:

(I'm sorry, this one is a little blurry.)

Mandisa: Matthew West and Mandisa:

I would also like to point out that both of the concerts I attended this Christmas season were free to my family. Yes, we were given tickets to two concerts in the same month! Thank You Lord for that blessing!

Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009

First of all, Happy New Year everyone!

I can't believe that the year is 2009! Where has time gone? It seems like yesterday it was the new millennium. Time sure does fly!

I spent New Year's eve with my friend Lauren, her mom and sister, and my mom. That afternoon we went and ate a delicious lunch at Old Charlie's and afterwards went and saw the movie "Bedtime Stories."

After the movie, Lauren and I went back to her house and watched Pride and Prejudice and ate chocolate brownie ice cream. It was wonderful!Chocolate and a romantic movie. Every girls dream!

We stayed up to watch the ball drop in New York city. As the ball dropped, my cell phone began ringing rapidly with tons of 'Happy New Year' text. I couldn't reply fast enough before a new one would appear. It was hilarious!

After all of the hoop-la (word in honor of my mother), I finally fell asleep sometime around 3:30. I was exhausted.

Lunch, movie, great friends, good times, and chocolate ice-cream. That about sums of my new year's eve.

This past year was a wonderful time for me. Overall, 2008 was good. Life was a little bit rocky at times, but my God was always there to pull me out of Life's little surprises. (Thank You, Lord.)

May God bless you in 2009 as He has blessed me in 2008.