A time to breath!

Have you ever said, I won't stop holding my breath until this matter is resolved? Well, now I can finally stop holding my breath for several reasons!

My parents secretly sent out for my High school diploma so that they could surprise me with it, but my mom forgot that it was coming in and sent me to get the mail. And so, being a graduate I could read a little, and it didn't take a genius to find out what the package was!

My Mom and Dad couldn't read the diploma to me, cause they were kinda choked up! I love them so much, standing by me through my childhood, and now, young adulthood! Next year I leave for college, with the full intention of coming back to family and friends unless something turns up (like finding a soul mate). Soon me and my friend Erik will take pictures of us in our cap and gown, with our families! I will be sure to post some pictures on here when they have been taken. Its seems hard to believe that I have been writing in this blog for almost 2 years! Now, I am just sitting here, breathing deeply the sweet air of graduation.

I am still holding my breath in anticipation of my newest member of my family, I pray that my mom has a quick delivery. This will be her last child, so as soon as it is all over, I will stop holding my breath!

There are many moments in our life when we need to breath. When we pray, when we are angry, when we are sad, when were getting married, and so the list goes on. This post just came to me as I spent an evening with my family, the thought, "Wow, I am done!"

Holding your breath for very long periods can be very unhealthy, so I would advice considering letting go soon cause the longer you wait, the more in shock you are after you let go! HA HA! I pray all you fellow readers still enjoy reading my posts, I sure enjoy writing them! God bless you, and remember, there is always a time to breath! Thanks for reading!

Where is the joy?

The time we spend with the Lord, should be a happy time, a time of love and happiness! But if you were to look around in church, or in Bible study, what do you find?

Boredom, hurried actions, sleepiness, distraction, and maybe even a foul mood! These aren't the actions of people who are enjoying their time with the Lord, but of people who wish this would just hurry up and get over with!

WHERE IS THE JOY?! Why can't we all enjoy each others company, and the company of our Lord, without strained feelings and actions?

Can a family enjoy time with the Lord, when they argued and fought their whole way through the morning? Why is the Lord's day any different from our fun days? Why can't it be the same?!

I can say without hesitation, that the people around you effect how you feel. If everyone is dreading the day, you start to dread it too! If everyone is tired and down, you soon follow! So why isn't the joy of the Lord rubbing off between the people who supposedly love God?! Why, instead of love, we get anger and short tempers?

I wish with all my might, that I could experience a joyful Lords day, or bible study! One that is just electric with happiness and joy! Like the Lords day and bible studies I experienced during my time in North Carolina, all the people I met there were joyful and happy, and they just rubbed you the right way! There wasn't any harsh words or actions, just joy!

I believe that God wants to see us joyful when we come to spend time with him, he wants us to "enjoy" what he and his word has to offer! But how is that going to happen, when no one is joyful? I pray that you are that person that brings the joy back into the church or gathering this week, no more foul moods, just happy smiles and thoughts!

As you can tell, this subject frustrates me on a number of levels, cause I have experienced first hand, a negative Lords day! I want to see joy, not obligation! So, the next time you spend time with the Lord, rub around the joy! Thank you for reading and God bless!

Light in the darkness

Many people walk the path of sin,
but light from the darkness shall spring,
Our Savior in the end shall win,
And souls in heaven shall sing!

On the path of life I tread,
But so many souls are lost!
And many more, their hopes are dead,
And their souls into hell are tossed!

A warrior of the Lord I must be!
No more will I hide and wait,
The Spirit of the Lord I must find in me,
I promise you Lord, I will no longer wait!

Rescued souls I harvest,
Only for the Lord I work,
But my heart is not the best,
Yet the Lord has done his work!

Praise the Lord, so many saved!
They sing glory to him!
And with gold the streets are paved,
Walking on heaven's glory safe to him!

What do I do?

Have you ever come across a time in your life when something is weighing heavy on your heart, and yet, there are no words to express it?! It is so frustrating, and yet, it seems so right that you can't explain it, can't even begin to try!
Tonight, when I took my dog out for her walk, I looked up, and for the first time in weeks, saw a clear night sky, and my heart swelled with awe as I look at the stars! No words can even begin to describe why such a sight takes my breath away, or that I start to tear up, and let the tears roll down my cheeks.
Same goes for when I look at someone I love. You almost believe that just by looking at them, they will know without looking at you, just what your thinking! But then comes when you really want them to know how you feel, and yet, nothing seems right...it just seems right to keep silent, and just let it take your breath away!
When I look at the stars, or at someone I love, the same question always comes to mind....what does God have planned for my life?
I would like to think, that his plan is for me is to graduate college with no broken bones, or hearts. And that I would marry and raise a family, instead of starting a career that in the end, I will end up hating, like my dad.
I must always remind myself of my quote I made up, "God knows, and that's all I need to know." But I also like to quote a friend of mine, who says to me often, "You don't know what the future holds, but you know who holds the future." I like to think that God is up in heaven right now, shaking his head at me and saying,"Rachel, Rachel, you silly little girl! Why are you so afraid to let me take over? Where has your faith gone? Don't you know that I have everything planned out just right, and if you would just listen, you'll find something better than what you have in mind!"
So, what do I do? And just out of curiosity, what would you do? Life is no easy road, and there are alot of things we will never fully understand, until when we die, and see God, we won't even be able to remember what bugged us so much that we wanted to end life early just to get it over with! I believe, that if we stop clutching the wheel of life so tightly, we just might be able to live, for real, in a place that seems unbearable at the time!
Just remember my fellow readers, that life is unexpected for everyone, except God! He knew before you were born, where you were going to end up! But if you fiddle with God's plan, that's when things get ugly, and the painting of life looks a little bit sloppy, cause we just couldn't help but bump God's hand while he was at work!
So what do I do? The answer is nothing! Just stand still, and wait upon the Lord! God bless and thanks for reading!

A Split Second Flash!

Last night I was watching a thunderstorm, with lightning flashing down in fast little electric spurts, and the noise of thunder afterwards, there is nothing like a good thunderstorm!

And as I watched the lighting flash and disappear again, I thought about how opportunity often flashes by in the same split second intervals. Sometimes we only have seconds to act before it disappears!

The opportunity to tell someone about their salvation, the opportunity to tell someone you love them, the opportunity to get down on your knees and pray, and so the list goes on and on!

When I think of opportunity, I often think of our Lord Jesus! He had the opportunity to leave out suffering for us! He could have walked away you know! He is GOD! But the fact that he stayed shows us just how much he really loves us!

Have you experienced a split second passing to do something right?! I know I have! As we learn to watch for them, we can pounce on them when they present themselves! I hope that I will continue to learn to pounce on split second opportunity! Don't pass up a split second flash, lunge for it, and don't let go! Thanks for reading and God Bless!

My random post!

This is going to be my most random post ever, so don't let your jaw drop open too far!

First off, yesterday was wonderful! I got along with my family better than I have in months! I am talking to the Lord more often, and he is blessing me with patience! The ability to be humble isn't there yet, but getting closer! I went to my grandparents and spent a full afternoon clay shooting, which was a blast! And then I went off to work a 5-12:45 shift, which surprisingly, was also great! (even though I had to chug some coffee in order to stay awake) And now I am also a graduate! I have finally crossed the thresh hold of my last year of high school, WOW!

The Lord has revealed so much to me in the past week, and I am so grateful to him for being patient with a stubborn child like myself! I know that through him, I can be made truly beautiful on my inward appearance! But if I am not willing to submit to my Lord, how will I ever progress through his loving guidance?!

I can see now how foolish I have been, and I pray I never go back to that point in my life! You fellow readers are such a blessing to me, and I have learned much through your friendship, as well as through God's word and personal guidance! I pray that you have learned something through me like I have learned through you! I hope you will continue to read, and follow, and comment on my posts, and enjoy my pictures and adventures through my young life! God bless you, and keep reading!

The Peace of God!

For the longest time, I was always stressed and upset, cause nothing would go right, and I was constantly in an argument with someone! I was so tired of life, and responsibility, I just wanted to quit!

But then something wonderful took place! At the beginning of this week, I got down on my knees, and I gave it all to the Lord, my worries, my love, my thoughts, and let him take the wheel of my life!

It was like a great burden being lifted off my back! I was no longer carrying a yoke all by myself! I was walking side by side with the Lord, and he helped me with my burdens! My heart is light and happy, and now I no longer wake up with a headache! I praise God for being so patient with me, for now I have finally given up trying to do things on my own!

I can tell you, now that I have experienced it first hand, there is nothing like knowing that God is fully in control, and you can just relax, and listen to God's word of instruction, and you take on this lighter burden! God knows every thought, every wish, every hardship I go through, and I am eternally grateful, that he cares so much about me! Now, I no longer wonder if I will get married or not, I don't wonder if I'll have enough money for college or not, and I don't fear what lays around the corner, cause God knows, and that's all I need to know! I wanted only to share this joy in my life with you my fellow readers, the Peace of God, is something we all have purposely turned from when we don't let God into our problems! Thank God, that he is patient! Thanks for reading and God bless!

To talk to Him!

I want to talk to HIM,
No matter where I turn,
And at my every whim,
I want so much to learn!

You know you can talk to HIM,
Day and night, just pray!
Don't wait until your heart is full to the brim,
Just talk to him, night and day!

My heart is heavy this day,
Every struggle, an ache in the soul,
And on my knees, I don't know what to say,
But from my heart my words do pour!

You know you can talk to HIM,
Day and night, just pray!
Don't wait until your heart is full to the brim,
Just talk to him, night and day!

In my sorrows, if only I knew,
That as soon as I talk to HIM,
My life is made new!
I with my mouth I will praise HIM!

You know you can talk to HIM,
Day and night, just pray!
Don't wait until your heart is full to the brim,
Just talk to him, night and day!

On my knees I cry,
LORD why did you die?
Die for the soul that at your feet does lie,
Why for me? why did you die?

You know you can talk to HIM,
Day and night, just pray!
Don't wait until your heart is full to the brim,
Just talk to him, night and day!

Now on my knees I understand,
Why my LORD did die,
Not for family, home, or land!
But for my sins, I cannot lie!

You know you can talk to HIM,
Day and night, just pray!
Don't wait until your heart is full to the brim,
Just talk to him, night and day!

O LORD I praise you,
For loving me so much!
You died because you knew,
That without you we would not live much.

You know you can talk to HIM,
Day and night just pray!
Don't wait until your heart is full to the brim,
Just talk to him, night and day!

Praise the LORD, I can talk to the FATHER!
I will fall to my knees most anywhere,
What other people think is not a bother,
I will only think of HIM, and up in heaven I will stare!

By Shotgun Girl

Beautiful Change!

A fresh graduate, a young life about to take wing, and yet so much is wrong in her life. She finds herself on "painful ground." And she doesn't know what to do!
Do you ever find yourself in this kind of rut in your life? I am old enough to leave my home, and go experience the world for the first time, but there are some things that need to be fixed! I don't get along with my siblings, I don't always get along with my mother, and whenever I try to be different in my life, with patience and love, everyone knows which buttons to push to unveil who I truly am, like eating frosting off of a burnt cupcake! I desire to be beautiful on the inside! That my family will love me, even during my struggles to learn to be fully mature in my actions, words, and deeds! I don't want to fear what my friends will find if they go to my family and ask what is Rachel really like?! I want them to hear, I am a woman of God, striving to be a loving, honourable, gospel spreading Christian! But that isn't going to happen without change! How do I change? Every time I try to change, my shallow buried bad habits are unearthed when I am pushed to anger. What can I do?! I want so much to change, to be a truly beautiful person in God's sight, but without him, I am lost!
God is the only one who can bring about beautiful change in a sinner! I am a horrible sinner, and I need God's forgiveness everyday! The only way I can continue, is if I humble myself before God, and give myself to him, like clay that is ready to be formed into a beautiful clay jar by the hands of the potter!
True beauty comes from a humble loving spirit of a person who has God's love! Someone in which God lives and shines through! My desire is to change for the right reasons! Not to make a name for myself, but that so the Lord can look on me, a sinner, and say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" I write this to myself, but I pray that you learn something through my experience! Let us all strive for Beautiful Change! God bless and thanks for reading!

I can't find the time!

"I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.....
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God! Held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time'"

By unknown author

To Speak of Things Eternal!

In this life we are surrounded by duties, jobs, responsibilities, distractions, and entertainment. Sometimes we just can't seem to concentrate on one thing!
As Christians our most important responsibility is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ! But our one excuse is that we can't find time to do it! I just received an email from a friend with this poem in it, and I want to share it. I have posted it separately from this post.
This poem is really convicting, about how when we don't do what needs to be done, so that others might receive eternal life, how would it feel to have that turned against us! True, we don't always have the courage to share our faith; we fear rejection so much, or the laughter of others that we really just want to shut up and be quiet! But Christian, we can't do that!
Its easy to say,"I am a Christian" when your surrounded by Christian friends and family, but what about when your surrounded by unsaved co-workers, friends and family?! You just going to let them perish?! We need to step up Christian, and do our calling, or in the end, when we stand before God, our not having the time to share our faith, will be turn on us, when God "forgets" to put our name in the book of life! So Christian, Speak of things Eternal, and have your name written down in the book of life! God bless and thanks for reading!

Love

Love is that warm feeling round the heart,
Its that decision to always care,
That person you wish never to be apart,
Its that thing that you give, hope and share.

HE has always loved you!
So much HE was willing to die,
HE showed you love anew,
And love at the cross does lie.

Love is the dedication,
The vow you take on your wedding day,
Love is a sweet confrontation,
Between a couple of GOD it will stay!

HE has always loved you!
So much HE was willing to die,
HE showed you love anew,
And love at the cross does lie.

Love is that first child born,
Through love it was conceived,
The love is clearly shown,
As you raise the child to believe.

HE has always loved you!
So much HE was willing to die,
HE showed you love anew,
And love at the cross does lie.

Love between two together,
As they promise to grow old, together forever!
And separate they shall never!
For love has bound them together!

HE has always loved you!
So much HE was willing to die,
HE showed you love anew,
And love at the cross does lie.

Love never dies!
Love never fails!
Cause love does not lie,
But leads you through life's trails.

HE has always loved you!
So much HE was will to die,
HE showed you love anew,
And love at the cross does lie.

Give your love to GOD!
Unconditional is the key,
His love is never odd,
But is the deepest kind of love for me!

I will give my life to HIM!
For HE has done so much for me!
I will not follow my every whim,
But into HIS loving arms I will flee!

By Shotgun Girl