Tell It Like It Is

Verse of the day:

The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight. Proverbs 11:1

Honestly, I'm not up to writing something today, but this is what I am taking from the verse of the day: tell it like it is (preferably without hurting anybody). God hates people who are dishonest.

Who Am I?

Verse of the day:
Then they grilled him: "Confess. Why this disaster? What is your work? Where do you come from? What country? What family?" Jonah 1:8

Who are you? I am an aspiring author, and I come from Adelaide, Australia. I am the oldest of 3 children.

I once heard this: there are ten unchangeable things that make a person unique:

1. The way God made us
2. Our parents
3. Our brothers and sisters
4. Our nationality
5. Our mental capacity
6. Our time in history
7. Our gender
8. Our birth order and placement in our family
9. The fact that we grow older as the years pass, and 
10. The fact that life is a race against time and the best way to use that time is to serve God and others

(Thank you to the Duggars for that bit of wisdom).

While I don't agree with all ten things (the last two are universal, they don't make us unique), I believe the other eight are carefully planned by God and that he has given us these things that make us unique for a reason.

Okay, I'm hoping I make sense. For example, I was born to in Australia to an Australian family for a specific reason. I was given the parents and the siblings God had planned for me.

I often say or think I wish I lived 100 years ago. While that would be great, I have congenital heart disease, and I know for a fact that if I had been born 100 years ago I wouldn't have survived very long after birth. God doesn't make mistakes.

So don't wish away things that you can't change, because you'll miss the plan God has in the circumstances you are in.

What way can you see God's plan in your circumstances?

God's Plan

Okay, so I don't have a verse if the day today. I had one all ready, but it doesn't go with how today has gone.

Today hasn't been the best day of my life. You know that job I got in the US? I got word that I couldn't get a visa, so I can't go (which is what I've been aiming for since I was 13!). I also thought it was God's will for me to go.

However, I am still going to take a trip there sometime. Or to London (my sister's moving there for a year). I don't know.

Please pray for me as I figure out my next move.

Hope

Verse of the day:
The mere sound of his name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers. Matthew 12:21

When you hear the name of God - whichever name it is (God, Jesus, Lord, Christ etc) - how do you feel? Hopeful? Joyful? Something else?

I was listening to a podcast today, which had a man talking about being saved. Being saved is all well and good, but he was telling a story about a man and a woman who got married. The woman said to the man "I love you, you've done so much for me, but take me home to my parents."

She refused to live with her spouse. This preacher was saying that this is what it is like when we get saved and then refuse to change our ways - it's like being married and refusing to live with them.

I know, sometimes, when you give your heart to God, you don't 'feel' anything. But emotions aren't everything. I have been a christian long enough to know if I don't feel like reading my bible, I should still do it because then I grow closer to God, and THEN I 'feel' like it. The more in love with God you are, the closer you are to him, the more you feel.

So, again, I ask - how do you feel when you hear the name of God? Nothing? Or something?

I'm praying for you guys!!

A God Who Is Angry

Verse of the day:
O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Psalm 38:1

Whenever I hear someone who cries this out, my heart goes out to them. Because they don't know, or they have forgotten, that God is merciful. Yes, God gets angry. But if your heart is in the right place, he will give grace and mercy.

And now, for your pleasure, a scene from Gilmore Girls. (I know I do this often, but Gilmore Girls can relate to anything.)

Lorelai: Is it okay that Max and I aren't Jewish?
Luke: It's okay by me.
Lorelai: No, but I mean to stand under it. God won't smite us or anything?
Luke: I highly doubt it. Besides, God would have to get a license from Taylor to do any smiting in Stars Hollow on a weekend, so I'd say you're safe.

I'm praying for you guys!

Paying Attention

Verse of the day:
Abishai brother of Joab and son of Zeruaiah was the head of the Thirty. he once got credit for killing three hundred with his spear, but he was never named in the same breath as the Three. 2 Samuel 23:18

A lot of the time society pays attention to the wrong things, and the wrong people. We pay attention to people who shouldn't be getting that attention. The two major examples of this that I can think of are Miley Cyrus and Charlie Sheen.

Sure, Miley Cyrus started out well. She was clean, she was a good role model, she was outspoken about her faith and she was on a tween TV show - Hannah Montana. But then she started going off the rails - nude photoshoots, drugs, and, more recently, raunchy lyrics and videos. Last year, her big hit was Wrecking Ball, and she twerks in her underwear. And what does she get for this questionable behavior? Attention. She had the most searches on yahoo.com in 2013.

And then there's Charlie Sheen. Granted, I've never been a fan of his, but I remember when he got kicked off Two And A Half Men for bad behavior. And everyone knew he'd been doing drugs for ages. But what did he get for that? Attention. That story was really big on social media.

Also, when was the first time I learnt who Angelina Jolie was? When she broke up the marriage of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt.

Why do we always seem to idolize people who exhibit bad behavior? I really want kids one day, and I'm going to be very careful how I parent them. I don't want them turning on the TV or the computer and watching raunchy music videos, or listening to songs about sex or being high or hungover or with swear words in them.

God tells us to think of things that are good and pure (Philippians 4:8). When Miley's latest questionable behavior is in the news, or when I hear that Lindsay Lohan's been arrested again, I like to turn it around by praying for them. Because sometimes I think celebrities need our prayers most of all.

Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!!

Verse of the day:
What's left of the people of Judah will put down roots and make a new start. Isaiah 37:31

I'm back! And so happy to be here. I've found I don't read my bible much when I don't have to, so you guys are my accountability partners.

Today is to make a new start. To forgive and forget things that have happened (within reason. It's fun reminiscing!)

A couple of people on blogs I read have decided they didn't want to do resolutions this year. I understand that - I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted to or not either! But a couple of days ago, as I sat in a cafe, God just put a few in my head. Here they are:

1. To be more like Jesus
2. To gain full control of my finances (I'm following Dave Ramsey!)
3. To finish my novel by September (which I have no idea how I'm going to pull off....)
4. To go to my first writer's conference this year, and
5. To pray for my future husband every day

I like that at least a couple of them aren't pass/fail, so I won't feel really bad if I fail them.

Also, if God wants these things, he will help me. but if he has other plans, so be it. I'm not going to be upset because he's doing something else.

Okay, just for fun (I like to do this), the ipod shuffle quiz!!

Put Your Ipod on shuffle and write the song title:
My name is:: Endless Love
I:: Waking Up In Vegas
I love:: Firework (so true, I love fireworks!!)
I hate:: Guiding Star
I care about:: Who Are You Now
He/She:: Blown Away
My Favorite Show Is:: I Knew You Were Trouble
My Favorite Book is:: Cyclone music from The Wizard Of Oz
My Favorite Drink Is:: Never Grow Up

How Was Your:
Day:: I Can't Drive 55
Night:: Once In Royal David's City (actually describes last night accurately)
Breakfast:: Feelin So Fly
Lunch: Chicken Payback
Dinner:: Grease
Year:: Dancing In The Moonlight
Last Christmas:: This Is The Life
Last Car:: Lullaby

Describe Your...
House:: Set The world On Fire
Room:: What I Like About You
Current Outfit:: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Appearance:: God Only Knows

Hair:: Prayer
Nails:: Good In Goodbye
Eyes:: All Too Well
Best Friend:: Poker Face
Mom:: Incomplete
Sister:: Christmas Time Is Here (HAHAHAHA!! if you know my sister, you know what I mean)
Brother:: Frosty The Snowman
Dad:: Silent Night
Grandparents:: Jodie Makes A Fire
Kitchen:: Thank Goodness
Current Jewelry: Out Here On My Own
Future Death:: Every Little Thing
Instant Messenger Screen Name:: Don't You Want Me
Current Bra/Undies:: I Heard Santa On The Radio
Purse/Wallet:: Only In The Movies
Current Perfume:: The Christmas Song
Boyfriend/Girlfriend:: Love Them Like Jesus
Kisses:: I Want To Be Seen With You Tonight
Hugs:: Wizard Of Oz theme
Love:: Copacabana

Questions:
Where Are You?: Illusion 
What Are You Watching?: Don't Forget To Remember Me
Who Do You Love?: What This World Needs
Why Are You Still Alive?: What's Love Got To Do With It
What Color Is Your Hair?: Farewell To The Fairground
What Color Are Your Eyes?: Go-Go Godzilla
Do You believe in the Easter Bunny?: When You Love
How Much Money Do You Have?: Stories
How Many Friends Do You Have?: Cry
How Old Are You?: Sweet, Sweet Spirit
Are You Currently Wearing Socks?: Jesus Made Me Higher
When Was the Last Time You Saw Your Dad?: You're The Top
Have You ever Kissed Someone Of the Same Sex?: I Want To See Jesus
Have You Ever Watched the Sun Set?: Call Jesus When You Lose Hope
Do You Like Orange Juice?: Even When I'm Sleeping
What Color Is Your Room?: Give Them All
How Many Boyfriends/Girlfriends Have You Had This Year?: Baby It's Cold Outside
Why Are You Taking This Survey?: Stay Beautiful
Where Is Your Cell Phone?: Let's Hear It For The Boy
Do You Even Have a Cell Phone?: Wishes
When Was The Last Time It Snowed?: The Teacher's Argument
Is It Cloudy Outside?: You're Not Sorry
Do You Wear Glasses?: Soul Surfer theme
When Was The Last Time You Took A Shower?: Mother, We Just Can't Get Enough

Do You Feel...
Depressed?: This Can't Be Real
Happy?: Kingdom
Concerned?: Grease
Mad?: Dogs In The Yard
Content?: Still My God

I'm praying for you guys!!

Merry Christmas!

Hi guys,

I just want to let you know I've been running ragged trying to do everything, and so I've decided to take a break from the blog till New Year.

I'll still be busy them, but I won't be busy preparing to move overseas AND have Christmas stuff to do, so I'll be less busy.

I also want to ask: What types of blog posts do you guys want for next year?? Let me know!!

I'm praying for you guys!!

Merry Christmas xoxo

Your Lips Reveal Your Heart

Verse of the day:
Perceptive words spread knowledge; fools are hollow - there's nothing to them. Proverbs 15:7

We are put on this earth to share God's truth - to tell other people about God.

We need to heed this command (and I am really bad at this!! It's not that I hate doing it, it's just that I'm always afraid someone will shut me down!).

And I never know how to go about it.

Anyway, the point is, we should talk about God. I used to talk about God -  and how he was working in my life - constantly. This was because at that time my heart was truly in love with God - so much that I couldn't stop talking about him, in the same way a girl can't help but talk about her new boyfriend or child.

What you talk about reveals where your heart lies. Don't get me wrong, if you don't talk about Gd much (or at all), it doesn't mean you don't have a relationship with him, but if you truly love him, it will show up in your speech and your conversations.

I wanted to post a clip of Gilmore Girls that illustrates this point, but I couldn't find it on Youtube. Sorry.

Does anyone have any creative ways to share the gospel?

Impossible debt

Verse of the day:
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. Matthew 18:23

At first glance, the verse of the day may seem bad. The fact that servants can not pay their master any debts, therefore probably angering the master and getting punished.

But it serves to remind us of the opposite. God is a master, yes, and we re like his servants, yes, who cannot pay back our debt of sin to him.

But he grants us mercy and grace and he paid the debt back for us.

I am thinking about this today, and this makes me joyful. I so often sin or make a mess of my life, but I always know he will grant me grace and mercy.

Praying for you guys!

Respecting Authority

Verse of the day:
He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded. Psalm 13:13

I have noticed that lots of adults scorn authority - particularly the parental kind.

I'm guilty of this too. Even though I'm almost 27 and I'm temporarily living with my parents, I hate them telling me what to do - because I'm adult. I can make my own decisions. I don't need anyone telling me what to do.

Sure, we all respect our boss at work, but even as adults, we need to respect every kind of authority that God puts in front of us - whether it be your boss at work, your parents, your grandparents, or even the policeman on a power trip.

God puts these people in our life for a reason, and we should listen to what they say. They may not always be right, but they have earned the right to be listened to.

I'm praying for you!!

News!!

Verse of the day:
For you will spread abroad to the rights and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. Isaiah 54:3

If you were to ask me what bible character I identify with the most, my answer has always been Abraham.

People who know me are often surprised by this - they think it might be Hannah or Sarah, considering I've always wanted kids - all I've ever wanted is to settle down - and, at 26, it hasn't happened yet.

But no, it's Abraham. When I was very young (I think around 13 or 14), the Lord told me basically the same thing as he did Abraham. He told me that there was another nation that he would give, where I would settle down and have kids and descendants. And that land was America, the land of opportunity.
I have never, ever been able to imagine living here in Australia with my husband and children.

Anyway, on to my news. I have gotten a job as a nanny in Wisconsin!!

I'm not sure of anything else yet - I'm hoping to go for at least a year - so I won't say anything else - but I just wanted to share my news.

P.S. If anyone knows anything about visas, please email me, or comment.

Praying for you guys!!

Sorry

Sorry guys, I don't have time to post something meaningful today (I'm running around doing stuff, and my head's all full), but I'll post tomorrow!!

But here's something for you to think on:

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12

In One Another's Shoes

Verse of the day:
Listen now while I make my case, consider my side of things for a change. Job 13:6

I am a big believer in putting yourself in one another's shoes. You don't know how hard their life is or what they are dealing with unless you're them.

I'm also justify behaviour for anyone, saying "she may have thought this," or "he could have had this going on that made him act like that."

I admit, this can be a virtue or a flaw, depending on how much I do it (have you ever heard someone  say that Hitler must've had an awful childhood to make him that heartless? I've said it, and my background is German).

One of my guilty pleasures is 16 & Pregnant, and lots of people think you'd have to be pretty stupid these days to get pregnant in high school. But you know what? At least half of those pregnant girls had horrible parents - no wonder they were looking for love in the wrong places. See? We should hold off on judging unless we know the full story (which is rarely

I think I sometimes justify people's behavior (or a lot of the time), for 2 reasons:

1) I always to see the best in people, so I give them the benefit of the doubt. This intertwines with my gift of encouragement - I'm always encouraging people. I hope this is a part of my character that never goes away.

and

2) I try to understand people and justify their behaviour because I'm not understood very well - at least not by my family. I'll do something or say something, and they won't understand, and no matter how much I try to explain, they just don't get it, so I give up. My brain works differently from my family.

This is not a criticism of my family, it's just the way things are, and I've come to just accept that they'll never understand me. I know my family loves me, and I love them just as much. But sometimes I get lonely, and there are certainly days when I wish someone would understand me.

I'm praying for you guys. I'm praying that you have someone that understands you, and I'm also praying that before judging someone, you at least think about what it must be like to be them and what challenges they may have to face,

Telling The Whole World

Verse of the day:
She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city Proverbs 9:3

If I have specific news that I'm happy about, I want to tell everybody. I'm usually simply busting to tell somebody my good news,

But I am a blabbermouth. I can't keep secrets (just to clarify, I am really good at keeping other people's secrets - I will never breathe a word - I'm just terrible at keeping my own secrets).

But this blabbermouth syndrome is not just about my mouth - it involves the online world, too. Very often I want to tell everyone what's happened, and it's too soon. I have posted things I shouldn't have on Facebook.

I am trying to keep things more to myself, and, day by day, I am. I'm learning it's just as exciting telling someone in person at the right time.

I've also been on the other end: other people have posted stuff that had me wondered why they didn't tell me, or why I wasn't invited. This can be hurtful.

So when you are reading you bible and it's talking about watching your mouth, remember: this also translates to your fingers.

Praying for you guys!

How Our Superhero Came To Be

Verse of the day:
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18


I was watching Man Of Steel for the first time today. It's not my kind of movie - I'm not into superhero movies - but I love Amy Adams, so it was worth it.

Anyway, as I was watching, I was fascinated with how Clark Kent got his powers. I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie, but it was really cool, and it being Christmas and all, it made me think about how Jesus came to be.

Mary must have been really brave to even mention that it was done any other way than the usual way to conceive. I strive to be as obedient to what God is telling me as her.

But that's what God does a lot of the time. He pushes us so far out of our comfort zone we can't do anything but rely on him.

We also have to mention Joseph. You know Joseph loved God when he obeyed and stuck with Mary instead of getting divorce - that would have been a hard thing to do too.

The gossips in the town must have had a field day.

I can just hear them "Did you see how big Mary is? She's obviously in the family way. And apparently the child isn't even Joseph's!"

Certainly makes me think twice about judging anyone.

I'm praying for you guys!!

When Life Changes In A Second

Verse of the day:
It's true that no one knows what's going to happen, and when. Who's around to tell us? Ecclesiastes 8:7

Life is different today.

For the first time in my life, I know how it feels to have someone close to you die - and the way you miss them the next day, and the day after that, and so on and so forth.

Yesterday I blogged about how my Grandma had died last night, and she's the first person who has died that I have been close to. I know I've had the blessing of being sheltered in that respect.

So today is the first day of our lives without her.

Which brings me to my point. You can try and live your life how you want, and ask God for direction or to tell you what he wants you to do, but life will always have what I like to call the 'random factor.'

Things that you can't change because no one except God knows they will happen until they do, and they change your whole life in a moment. And when they do, there's nothing we can do except try to deal with whatever it is.

I've only had this a couple of times by the 'random factor.' True, my life has changed in different moments a few times in the last 18 months (this is actually the second time my life has changed in a week), but it's always because God had made something clear to me that changed my life, like me moving interstate or overseas.


What are some moments like these in your lives?

Storing Up Treasures

Verse of the day:
All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. Proverbs 6:9

Today my grandmother died. And although she had been sick and it had kind of been expected, her health had been better the last couple of weeks. But I am grateful she just died without any pain or suffering - she was there one minute and gone the next.

Although it's a good idea to put some things aside for a rainy day (especially money), you shouldn't put aside too much. We should not store up possessions and money here on earth. We should store up our treasures in heaven, because that's what will last forever.

I am more aware than ever of this today, because (like anyone else who has died), my grandma left a lot of stuff. I don't see the point in having too much stuff just to leave it here for your family to deal with when you die.

I'm praying for you guys!!

Your Desires

Verse of the day:
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

I'm so happy!! This opportunity I got a couple days ago - I've decided I'm going to say yes to it. It was a big decision, and I prayed constantly, but I knew it was a clincher when I stumbled on the above verse, as well as this quote:

Love God, and do what you like. - St Augustine

I know I've always wanted to do this. I know God has put this dream inside me for a reason. And his timing is perfect. I've also felt God's pressing to look for an opportunity like this recently, like he was telling me that now's the right time. And if it's not what God wants, he will find a way to stop it from happening or steer me in a different direction.

But God wants us to be happy. But if we are truly delighting in the Lord, our hearts will be tuned to him so much that our desires will be his desires. So he is happy for you to do what you want - because he wants that too.

Are you happy? If not, what can you do to be happy with your life?

Four Ways To Becoming Wise

Verse of the day:
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

As I said in my last post, I want to be wise. I want to be a wise old woman one day.

But it's not just me, we should want to be, and try to be wise.

There are four ways which help me to be wise:

1. Pray for wisdom. God promises to give us wisdom if we ask (James 1:5).

2. Read the bible. You can't be wise if you don't know what the bible says about a subject.

3. Read books by christian authors. Christian fiction is good; christian non-fiction is better. Some of my favorite non-fiction authors are Candace Cameron, Lysa Terkuerst, Courtney Joseph, Robin Jones Gunn, Elizabeth George and Shannon Kubiak Primicerio.

4. Listen to the opinions of the people you respect. So much of my knowledge has come from things people whom I trust say to me. Also, for me, this has also come from watching media, like movies, the news, reading magazines etc, although I would be cautious about this. But, for example, I watch lots of TV and movies (which I really shouldn't do so much), and through all of the watching, I have grown wise enough to realise I don't want a boyfriend. I just want Mr Right. I want the first guy I date to be the man I marry. A lot of people date just to have fun, but I don't see the point. I've never been in a relationship, but I don't want one unless it's the right one.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. I'm praying for wisdom for all of my readers today!!!

Look Before You Leap

Verse of the day:
Watching the mindless crowds stroll by, I spotted a young man without any sense. Proverbs 7:7

I received some good news today!!!

And while I am jumping for joy inside, thrilled beyond belief, I still have to hesitate and be very careful, because this situation could turn around quickly.

I am praying for wisdom and for confirmation that this is the right move so I can move forward, knowing that this opportunity is the Lord at work and not something he doesn't want me to do.

I am praying hard, and I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight at all.

I want to be wise.

Hope everyone has as good a day as me!! xoxo

Freedom

Verse of the day:
Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. Psalm 25:18

No wisdom today guys!!! Today's been a slow day, and I've basically been reading Christian books and absorbing wisdom from other Christian authors.

But remember guys, you are free because God has forgiven your sins!!

Advent And A Song

Verse of the day:
Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Psalm 24:10

Sorry, I don't have much time to blog today. But I have to say...

I'm so glad it's Advent!! Yay for the Christmas season!!

This is my favorite time of year.

I'm posting a video of the song The Heart Of Christmas by Matthew West, one of my favorites!!

Enjoy!