Overcoming Fear has been a desire of mine for a long time! However, it just seemed that I could never look my fears in the face. One of my greatest fears is snakes. One of my friends has too snakes....pythons of some sort. Well...a friend of mine challenged me to hold the snake! Now over the process of a week, I decided to take AJ up on his challenge and I found myself actually holding a snake. I cried and pretty much hyperventalated in the process...but I am thankful I did it. I am also thankful for friends that challenge you out of your comfort zones to move beyond fears!

This is my friend AJ who is in love with Lilith...the snake!

Valentines Day this year was a blast. I spent it with some of my favorite people on the CBC campus. So many of them are going to do such courageous, awesome things for God. Just wanted to send a shout out to some of the greatest! :)

ICE SLEDDING!

I must say that this was a first for me. I have never sailed down a hill on a cardboard box and felt like I was on a roller coaster only not secured...but it was a blast! I would not trade the memories for the world. I went two nights in a row. Now my body is bruised up and sore...but it was worth it! :) Yah...for ICE SLEDDING!

The Unexpected!

The UNEXPECTED!!! I learned that is is a part of life. I either love or hate it. Sometimes you have weeks that bring you both good and bad unexpected moments. This week was one of those weeks for me. I realize this is what is ahead of me for awhile as I approach the future. Everything that lies ahead is going to be full of unexpected. For the longest times I have been fighting it. However, the other day God spoke to my heart that he can most fully work through me during times of the unexpected. As soon as God gripped my heart with that reality I have been forced to live it all week. So many unexpected things have arisen that have tested me to the max. However, I find that in the unexepted something happens to me. I begin to take risks. I find myself jumping finally when during times of normalcy I never would.

The other day I realized I have been standing at the edge of jumping off the cliff of God's will for my life. I have been so scared to jump. I keep making excuses for how their are jagged rocks below and no one to catch me. I complain about how I will die in the process of jumping. I cry out to God daily, "I won't make it." However, God keeps saying to jump. This past week, I finally jumped in so many ways towards what God is leading me to. You know what I found....all along God was there to catch me. Its crazy to me how it is so hard to just do what God speaks sometimes. I am thankful that in unexpected times God can help me take the leaps I need to.

Look Beyond!

"Do not judge a man by what he appears to be, but see him as what he can be if he gives himself unreservedly to God." Francis Roberts

James 2:3-4 "If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' bt say to the poor man, 'You stand here' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts."

This simple thought brought me to my knees tonight! There are so many times when I look at people and think they aren't worth my time. I must admit that there have been times when I have looked at the junior high girl who feels called to be a missionary with much love and looked with judgment upon the girl who wears black, sits in a corner, and refuses to listen to you when you try to talk to her. I don't know why I do this, but its much more easier for me to get along with an extrovert than the quiet, misunderstood person.

However, I am moved by the thought that Christ died for all. When his eyes fall upon my youth ministry he doesn't see students the way I do....he see's students he died for and deeply loves. It is time for me to have a vision change. I want to be able to not judge people by their appearance but look at them through Christ eyes as his marvelous creation with boundless potential.

Isn't this why I am in ministry? This is the purpose of what I do....

I challenge you who might read this blog to refocuse your eyes today and begin to see those around you for who they can become in Christ. Don't let judgments stop you from loving. Look at those around ou with joy that God has called you to see who they can become!!!! He can change the cynic. He can change the hopeless. He can change the broken. He can change lives! We serve an awesome GOD!!!

Too funny!

If you know me at all...you know that some things just make me laugh! Well...I saw this dog in this vehicle the other night when I was returning videos at a local rental place.

It was tooo cute! I don't think I've laughed that hard in awhile. For some reason it reminded me of the scene in Open Season when it looked to the hunter like the little dog was driving the rv!

Anyways...I guess I ought to get some sleep now! Hope this will give you something to laugh about! :)

Dancing Piggies!

So for Christmas this past year my brother gave me two very amazing gifts! These are in fact singing pigs that dance. However, when I tore open the package and pressed the botton to play them nothing happened. You see....my brother had forgotten to but the most important item....batteries! Without the batteries the pigs were nothing more than a stuffed animal. However, once I found batteries and put them in...it was a joy to watch the singing pigs dance over and over again. However, I noticed that after a few days the novelty wore off and I didn't really laught quite as hard anymore when they danced for me. It made me think...now don't give me a hard time...I know I tend to spiritualize things I shouldn't.... but it trigured this thought! How often do we treat God like a novelty that has worn off. When we first experienced him or had an experience we were consummed by him, but then the novelty wears off and we treat God like he's nothing.

These little dancing piggies are challenging me to wake up every morning and pursue God like I never have before. Like he is a package that I have yet to unwrapp!