This encouraged me today...

Disciple's Notebook had an excellent post this morning. It's quite short, so please, take a minute and read it.
It's entitled "Faithful to Seek God".

Thoughts...

So I was thinking a lot tonight, Christmas night, about what it means to be a Christian. The word "Christian" means "Christ follower". When you say that you're a Christian, you are inferring that you follow Christ. However, you may be sitting on the fence--one side is a passionate, sold-out life for Christ and the other side, a lukewarm, carnal, world loving life. Which are you going to choose? You must choose to follow Christ, because to not choose or to "put off" choosing one is to choose to follow after the world, live carnally and that defames the name of Jesus! Do not claim the name of Christ if you do not intend to represent Him as He is. God is a jealous God. He desires that you seek after Him and Him alone.
Obviously we are not going to live in absolute perfection for the rest of our lives, but we do live our lives on one side of the fence, which side are you on?

Quote of the week...

“What kind of a God is it who asks everything of us? The same God who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all; and with this gift how can He fail to lavish upon us all He has to give?’ He gives all. He asks all.” -Elisabeth Elliot

Branson pictures to come...! :)

24 more days...

... till Ellie gets back!!

YOU decide!!!!!

Ok, so I have heard some "complaints" ;) about my newer music selection on my blog here...so I've decided to give you'll a chance to have your favorite song playing here on my blog. I am going to take the first 10-15 favorites or so (leave a comment telling me your favorite song) and I'll do my best to find them on Playlist.com. However, I have veto rights, meaning I can reject any song if I dislike it or just would never put it on my blog. Leave a comment and I can't wait to see your favorites!! :)

P.S. If you happen to like my current music selection, you could leave a comment too and let me know! lol

Ever wondered how pumpkin pie is made?

YUP. Now you know. :)

Friends. :)

I just was thinking how wonderful it is to have friends who "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (you all know who you are!! ;) To be able to share thoughts, struggles, joys, burdens, dreams and what God has been doing in our lives with one another is an awesome privilege! Friends who always point you back to Christ when your focus gets messed up, are a must. What a blessing and encouragement Godly friends have been in my life! I love you guys!!

Ponderings...

I'm learning more this week that if I want to completely give my life away to my Savior, I must be entirely empty of myself. Self keeps my eyes off my Prince. It distorts my focus and weakens my passion.

So often, I am just trying to make it through the week and in doing so, I lose my way and forget Who I am serving.

At the moment, I'm trying to refocus. Trying to remind myself why I'm here, and Who I owe everything to. I guess it really helps typing my thoughts out... Ya know, living for one's self is the most miserable existence possible! I truly believe so!!! I'm so thankful for a loving Shepherd Who straightens me out when I stray.

.

Pastor Larry asked a question on Sunday...
.

"How do you picture the 'normal' Christian life?"

Good question...

I quickly wrote down my response to that question and it is as follows:

Living in complete and radical abandonment to the Lord Jesus Christ; seeking to honor and glorify Him in all my actions, thoughts, attitudes, words, plans and dreams. Pouring out my life for others, the hurting, lonely, poor, hungry, and needy Christ-less people that this world is so full of - loving them with the love of my Savior. Frequently sharing the gospel with those God places in my path. Desiring that the beauty of Jesus be seen in me so that when others look at me their response would be not be "what an amazing girl!", but "what an awesome God she serves!" Cause it's all about Him, right?!
.

I do not claim to live this way 100% of the time, perhaps not even 50%, but it is my desire to be more like this every day.
.

I cannot serve both God and self. One must be dethroned.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24

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25 "And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You overflowing!

I'd Rather Have Jesus

We sung this in church today...what an amazing song!

It has blessed me many-a-times. :)

Would you rather have Jesus?

---
---

I'd Rather Have Jesus
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
---
Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
---

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy name
---
Than to be the king of a vast domain,

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.
---
He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hungering spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead

I miss her...

Prayin' for you, my dear cousin! I'm so excited about all the things God has been teaching you! All the things you have been learning, you prolly wouldn't have learned if you weren't right where God has you! I love you and realllllly miss you! (I'm so glad that you've been able to make frequent phone calls back here, tho ;)

Having you gone has just made me even more thankful for you.

Don't know what I would do without you, girl!

Erica's visit

Last weekend, Erica made a special trip to Omaha for a visit and Jess was able to join us for supper at Golden Corral. We brought a deck of cards with us and stayed for 4 hours!! :)
FUN times!!! :D

The love of the Lord...

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15)

..........

I am so far from being "lovable", but He loves me still.

He never gives up on me, He is and always will be faithful.

Oh praise Him! What a joy it is to give my life away to HIM!

I love You, Lord!

The book review I promised you all. :)

So here's that book review I told you all was coming. :)

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If I had to pick one single book other than God's Word that has impacted me more than any other, it would be this one. If you are looking for something more then mediocrity, if you feel God's calling on your life to rise above "normal expectations" and live a life poured out for others instead of self, then this book is for you.

---

So many young Christian women/girls are sitting around waiting for "Prince Charming" to come around, wasting precious single years that they may never get back. They are caught up with the idea that they "gotta get married" quick because they won't be truly be fulfilled until they are. You know, life doesn't really start until you're married, right? Wrong. God created each one of us to be completely satisfied and content in Him alone. "And until we are content with Him alone, we aren't truly ready for an earthly romance that will stand the test of time."

When Christ is not our all in all, we try to find lasting satisfaction and fulfilment in an earthly romance, but we never will. Even the most godly man cannot satisfy the deepest longings and desires of my heart. Only Christ can. So if I expect to find my completion and satisfaction in man and not in Jesus Christ, he will always disappoint me!

---

So, what do we do? Am I saying marriage is wrong? NO! But I AM saying that getting married before you've become completely content in the Lord Jesus, can bring major disappointment and disillusionment.

---

Surrendering everything to the Lord is so important! All your dreams, desires, wishes...

---

"...God [wants] everything, even the "good" desires of [your] heart."

---

Excerpt from the book:

"No matter how our selfish, fleshly side feels about it, laying everything on the altar before our King, and allowing Him to do with our lives whatever He sees fit, is where true Christianity begins.

Our desire for marriage must be no exception. Let us not fall for ear-tickling, lackadaisical messages that require less than absolute abandonment to the One who gave His very life for us. He took up His cross, and He asks us to do the same.

Never forget...on the other side of surrender, we will find the greatest joy!"

---

So many girls spend their high school years pining away for "prince charming", so when the first one comes a'calling, they snatch up their chance to live their childhood dream of being a wife and mother. A beautiful dream that when not fulfilled in God's way and in God's timing can bring heartache. It is true, that for most girls, it is God's will for them to be married and have a family.
But not for all. And for many girls, God has called them to singleness, whether that would last a year or a lifetime.

---

What are you doing with your single years? These years are a gift from God and for most of you they won't last for long.

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While you are single, you have special opportunities to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God that you may not be able to do when married.

1 Corinthians 7:34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

---

Don't waste these years. There are so many needy, hurting people in this world.

What can YOU do to make a difference?

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This review has only touched "the tip of the iceberg". There is so much more that Leslie Ludy discusses in the book. I would really recommend reading it. You can borrow it from me if you like, or you can order it from Amazon for under $11.00 including shipping.

Warning: You won't walk away from this book the same person.

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I would love to hear feedback, especially on this post. Even if you disagree with any of the points I've made, I would love to hear response!

To learn more about the Set-Apart Girl ministry, you can visit: http://setapartgirl.com/home.html

WHOOPY!!! :D

YAYAYAYAY!!!! I'm SO excited that FALL is here!!! My favorite time of year!! :) sigh.
I just had to get that out there! :D Are you excited for fall too?
Some of my favorite things about fall...
-hay rack rides
-pumpkins
-bonfires
-crisp air
-changing colors
-sipping a steaming hot cup of pumpkin pie spice while curled up with a good book :)
-crunchy leaves ;)
-pumpkin pie bars
-Nebraska football games
-playing football with family and cousins
-apple cider
So anyway, I love fall. Just wanted to say that!

What are some of YOUR favorite things about fall? It would be fun to hear from everyone!

The cry of my heart...

Holy Spirit Have Your Way

Long after the tears fall I'm still your child

I put down my defenses and lay down my pride

Love and forgiveness flow in deep and wide

So I run to you and surrender all!

[CHORUS]

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

.

In times of trouble, though trials may come

The rock of ages is standing strong

I'm fighting battles, but the war is won

So I'll run to you and surrender all

[CHORUS]

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You overflowing

[CHORUS]

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

Amen.

Here is the song on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR156yJZFUY

Wow, if I had to sum up all of the things God has taught me this year into one song,

this song would do it well.

To live a life poured out for others,

forsaking all my own wants, wishes, and dreams

(getting married someday, having children and a family, going on a missions trip, traveling, etc)

Yes, that means even surrendering God-given desires back to Him!

-living for the One who gave ALL for me.

If this is all I accomplish in my life, then I will have lived well.

God is teaching me that right here,

right now, I need to find complete fulfilment in HIM.

Life is not all about ME, but all about HIM.

After much prayer, God has shown me His will for this time in my life.

I just need to obey.

In obedience, there is great joy!

If you think of it, please, pray for me!

From Grace's library...

-Sacred Singleness-

This is what I have been reading lately...

So far, I have been so tremendously

blessed/convicted/encouraged/changed/excited/

by the message of this book!

Be looking for my summary soon! =)

My belated 9-11 post...

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)?"

by Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Out in the yard with your wife and children?

Working on some stage in LA?

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky?

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor,

Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know?

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do?

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters?

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Teaching a class full of innocent children?

Driving down some cold interstate?

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor,

In a crowded room did you feel alone?

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?

Did you dust off that bible at home?

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened,

Close your eyes and not go to sleep?

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages,

Speak with some stranger on the street?

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?

Go out and buy you a gun?

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching,

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger?

Stand in line and give your own blood?

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family,

Thank God you had somebody to love?

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love

The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Hey guys! Check this out! I'm a MODEL!?!?!! http://www.mccneb.edu/ :D lol! I guess not THIS kind of model!

too good...

"One way to stop gossip is to breathe through your nose!"

Thank you, Lord.

I just want to thank the Lord for the things He is doing in my life!

There are so many things to be thankful for!

The first I want to mention is;

1. Over the last year, my family has become such a treasure to me, more than they ever have been. I love them so much. I wouldn't trade them for any other family in the world.

2. I am also so thankful for special friends and the encouragement they are to me.

I honestly don't know where I would be right now, had it not been for the godly friends God has placed in my life who have always encouraged me to take my walk with God seriously,

to seek Him above all else.

3. I am so amazed and thankful that God answers prayer!!! I have been praying and asking for wisdom (wisdom: understanding and seeing a situation from God's perspective) in a specific area of my life, and He has shown me what I have have need to see for so long. Praise Him!!

Please pray for me, that my whole life would be totally given over to seeking His face.

I desire to bring glory to God's kingdom and serve Him in whatever way that might do so.

I so want to be totally rid of myself, and completely filled up with Jesus.

I want to show His love to people in this dark and needy world.

This is what I have been up to lately....

Ya'll wanted to see what I have been up to in the last little while? Well, here are some glimpses of my last two weeks (Aug 11th-22nd, events in order). Enjoy!

Family vacation in South Dakota and Wyoming...

...ending with a Waldo family reunion and

celebrating my great-uncle's 90th birthday party

@ Pepperjax Grill. Cousins are the best friends you'll ever have. :)

Something's funny... :)
I visited Betsy for about 5 days. It was awesomely fun, of course! ;)

Wiedemeier family reunion! This is only about 3/4 of all the 1st cousins. :)

Can you spot me? Ellie is right behind me, for those of you looking for her. ;)

Most of the married cousins and their spouses and kids, with Grandma.

About half of the second cousins. Adorable kids! :)

{More pics to come if I have time. :D}

Interesting passage..

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Matthew 9:28-29

So I was reading this passage in my quiet time this morning and this part just stood out to me...
These demons knew that a time is coming where they will be cast into the place of torment for ever and ever. I don't know why, but that was quite revealing to me.
They know their day is coming, they know Satan has been defeated! However, obviously there is still a war being waged and we need to be so aware. Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy us. He hates us and He hates God. In order to wage war against the devil, we must realize his subtle scheme and be prepared to fight against him; for the Lord and for our souls.

Hey everybody! Just wanted to see if this works... I am posting this by texting from my cell. If this works out ok, I might actually post a lot more. :)

Alaina

I was sure by now

God You would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to you

And you raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

~Casting Crowns; Praise You In This Storm

Alaina, I miss you so much my dear friend. I can't begin to describe the hurt and pain I feel right now knowing I'll never see you here on this earth again. My heart is aching so much for Josh right now, I don't even know what to say. What you two had was more than perfect and I still can't believe it's gone. I'm going to miss everything about you, my sweet friend, especially your brightness that you brought to my life. The way you lived and your life always challenged me to be sure of what I believe so I would be able to give an answer to anyone who asks, of the hope that is in me! I've been praying so hard for your mom, your dad, Kelsey, Jacob, all of the Beasleys and closest friends you left behind almost every waking moment. In the deepest moments of grief and pain in the hearts of His children, I believe God weeps with us. I know His heart is breaking for Josh, for your family, for the Beasleys, and for your dearest friends.

I praise you God, for You are sovereign. You see the whole picture even if I don't.

May I trust in YOU, knowing that you are faithful

and will "work all things for good to those who love you."

"the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21

I love you girl and I can't wait to see you in Heaven!

and one more final thing...I am wishing that you could play more basketball.

(this was Alaina's final facebook status message...)