Last week, Chad talked about the “house” of faith/Christianity, which I blogged about (the title was “Get Yourself Through the Door” if you want to go back and read it). It was awesome, and I was eagerly anticipating this week’s message. Needless to say, he did not disappoint.

Today, he talked about how we go through that John 3:16 door. We’re standing out in the yard, the rain is coming down, and we have people on the other side of that door saying, “Come on in.” So, like Chad, we walk through that door and come in out of the rain. So, what do we do when we are on the other side of that door?

Like most entryways, we usually end up in a hallway, foyer, or waiting area. When you enter a house, you kind of just scope it out at first and you are just kind of taking things in. That’s how it is when you first enter that “house” of faith/Christianity. When you are a baby in Christ, often times you are like, “Ok, now what?” Chad even talked about having a “Jesus smile” where you think that everything’s supposed to be alright now that you have finally made it through that door. But, that’s not how it is. It’s not about comfort, it’s about truth. And, when you start learning the truth, you sometimes feel the way Chad described; you feel forgiven, but confused. Yet, you feel peaceful. Everything’s so “new” and confusing, but at least you are out of the rain and you know that you are forgiven and that you are on the right side of things. However, you just don’t know what to do next. It’s kind of like that saying I have heard before, “I smile because I have no idea what’s going on” or “fake it til you make it.”

So, what do we do? Well, we can just sit in the hallway and continue to be confused, or we can keep pursuing the truth and taking our next steps towards Jesus and exploring the other “rooms” in the “house.” We made our choice to go into the house. Now, we are faced with another choice of whether we want to keep going further, or if we want to turn back.

For a while, Chad said that he didn’t really “feel” or sense God’s presence and power. So, the next easiest thing to do was to replace God with something else: money. He went down a whole different road and made some big life decisions, and when it didn’t work out, he was like, “God, why did you let this happen?” Well, we all make our own choices, and sometimes, we make bad ones. We can’t blame God for our own mistakes. And, even through the pain, there is hope. Pain can and will make us stronger, if we choose to learn and grow from it. Think about it. When do we learn and grow the most? Is it from the “happy” moments, or the “tough” moments? I think most of our learning experiences come from adversity. Just like with Job in the Bible. He went through TERRIBLE times; but he persevered and God restored him. However, Chad pointed out that “results may vary.” Not everyone gets the ending that they want to get. But, at least we are assured that the ULTIMATE ending will always be rewarding; if we persevere until our last breath.

The hallway is a tough area. It’s like a fork in the road. It’s where we decide if we are going to stick with our new faith and continue on, or if we are just going to go back outside into the rain. It’s a tough choice. So, many people, when they accept Christ, get stuck in that hallway and they don’t know what to do next. So, many just sit there for a while; others get up and carry on. And, of course, some even get up and just walk right back out the door.

Our faith isn’t meant to be lived in the hallway. The hallway is merely the starting point. One shouldn’t be stuck there forever. Go ahead, explore the rooms! Don’t stick around in the waiting area, or go back outside to the rain. Find a fellow dweller in that house of faith and have them help you explore the rooms! You aren’t alone!! Grab a tour guide!

So, that’s what I got out of it today. Of course, there is a lot more that I could say, but that’s the gist of it. Here are a few referential verses:

Colossians 2:13-14 - When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.

1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

2 Peter 1:3-4 - His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Awesome!! We are alive in Christ! Our sins were nailed to the cross and His blood covered them all! We have been forgiven and our sin debt has been canceled; paid in full! And, Christ did that for ALL of us!! Salvation isn’t just for “this” person, or “that” person, it’s for EVERYONE! So, the old “well, that works for you but not for me” excuse is balderdash! It CAN and WILL work for everyone because Christ died FOR EVERYONE!! And, His salvation not only assures us of eternity in heaven, but for our provision here on earth when we cling to his promises. Of course, like Chad said, “results may vary.” It’s different for everybody because everybody’s different and God has unique plans for everyone. But, we are assured in Romans 8:28-29: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

I can’t wait for more in the series!! Next week, I believe he’ll be getting into the “rooms.” What fun!! But, in the meantime, if you are still outside in the rain, or if you are a “hall dweller” and don’t know what to do next, contact me and I will help give you a guided tour! This house of faith is AWESOME and if you want to be able to go through the final door at the end of your life, you got to come inside the house NOW!!

The House of Hope banquet, last night, was wonderful!! (I will post a few pictures after I get that roll of film developed). I was so impressed with how it turned out!! LOTS of people came to support it!!

We all had a nice meal and had the privilege of listening to Live 4:1 play some worship music. We also got to look at a wonderful slideshow of pictures of The House of Hope and all the work that has been done to it! If you want to see what it looked like when they started working on it (and what it looks like NOW) click here.

Personally, I am just AMAZED at what God has done!! And, even more amazing, is the fact that The House of Hope has NO DEBT!!! AMEN!! Now, the next step will be to actually get started on helping teens. As of right now, they don’t know when that is going to start, but the more support and funds they get, the quicker the real work can begin!! And, last night was a great start to that. They took up a love offering, got a $5,000 donation from the original founder of The House of Hope, and auctioned off a painting that Bruce Winters painted right in front of our very eyes (I think the painting went for $3,000 and will be donated back to The House of Hope - you will see a picture of it when I get my photos back). They also auctioned off a little oil can that was found at The House of Hope as they were remodeling it. That oil can is over 100 years old and has been there ever since that house was built all those years ago and it’s in amazing condition!! That oil can is so symbolic; it oils the “squeaky wheels” of peoples’ lives so that they can get going again. I believe that can was auctioned off for $600 or so. Isn’t that great?!

We also got to hear stories and testimonies from many wonderful speakers. One of which was the founder of The House of Hope, Sara Trollinger. She spoke about how she founded The House of Hope in Orlando. Then, from there, God really branched out the ministry. She said it all started with the prayers of a few people, and two hundred dollars. Now, look where they are!! Look at what God has done!! I can’t even begin to tell you about all the awesome stories and things she talked about!! But, needless to say, so many lives are being helped and transformed!!

One example of such a transformation was of boy named Justin. He had had a lot of struggles in his life, and got into trouble a lot. He was arrested several times, and it just looked really hopeless for him to change. His mother had begged the judge to let him go to The House of Hope, there, in Orlando. So, that is where he went and amazingly, he turned his life around!! Last night, he proudly talked about how he was helped and how he now has a personal relationship with Christ! Isn’t that AMAZING??!! He said if it weren’t for The House of Hope, he would likely be in jail right now.

Tom Felger, the president of the new House of Hope that was just built here, also said a few words last night. He talked about his own experience of growing up in a wonderful loving home, and how blessed he was to have that. He said it was his desire that other kids know the Father’s love. He said he couldn’t have asked for a better Heavenly Father, or earthly father, and that he wanted other kids to have that same love. He also talked about how he helped mentor a troubled boy who ended up in juvenile hall. He said it was a terrible place for those kids to be! And, he knew that if the kids there just had love and opportunity, and a place to go to (like The House of Hope), that would be so much better! He had even told a judge, at that boy’s court hearing, that this community needed a House of Hope. Tom said that the judge replied by saying that that was the most sense he had heard in that courtroom in a long time.

I praise God for Tom, his wife Patrice, and the rest of the board of directors who have this vision for helping teens! They heard the silent cries of the teenagers of this community. They realized that there was a silent epidemic of pain, depression, abuse, etc. going on amongst young people and they decided to do something about it!! I am so proud of them, and I am so blessed and honored to have them as friends and brothers/sisters in the Lord.

Satan seeks to kill and destroy. That is what he is doing and has been doing since the beginning of the world. He doesn’t want us to have full lives. He tortures and oppresses us all and tries to make us as miserable as possible. But, Sara reminded us all that our God is bigger, greater, and all powerful. Satan is already defeated. We need to reclaim our turf, our community, our children, EVERYTHING!! “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” - 1 John 4:4.

That is the promise!! GOD IS GREATER THAN SATAN!! His power and authority will ALWAYS overcome that of Satan’s! Will we harness that power through prayer and obedience? Will we pray for The House of Hope, GIVE to The House of Hope, and stand up for organizations that seek to restore and rebuild our lives? The government isn’t going to do it. Our tax dollars aren’t going to these places. No. Our tax dollars are going to support more destruction, waste, and frivolous things. And, as I mentioned before, our tax dollars are also going to destroy life itself. Please sign this petition to stop it!!

There was so much more that was said last night; so many “God stories” and moving speeches. I wish you all could have been there to hear it! I wish I could recite word for word all the beautiful testimonies I heard, but I can’t. However, I hope what you have read has given you the general idea of how essential this ministry is and how AMAZING God is!! It sure was impressed upon me!! So, if you can, please consider giving to this ministry. Any amount will help, and it is tax deductible. Let’s put our dollars into the rebuilding and restoration of peoples’ lives and deliver a crushing blow to the kingdom of darkness!! Once again, here is their web address if you want to donate online (and they also have a mailing address too) And, if nothing else, just PRAY!!! Thank you so much and God bless you!!

Alright everyone!! They're here!!! The walk for life videos are up and running!! Please click on this link to see!! http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=E7E24913FEBE10A1  Read the description to the right and then click on "play all videos" to make sure you watch all of the segments. :) And, please feel free to leave comments and share the videos with others!!!! :) Here's to hoping these videos go viral!!

Once again, thank you to everyone for making the walk for life a big success and for being so supportive!!!! I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!! And, an extra-special thanks to "Paul" for uploading these videos for me!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!! I appreciate it - even though you edited your own thanks out of it!!! ;p GEEZ!!! It's not like I gave your name away or anything!! You're such a booger! LOL Anyways, he's wonderful everybody, and deserves a pat on the back..... whether he wants one or not!!! Thank you "Paul" !!! :)

Tomorrow night is the first annual House of Hope banquet. I mentioned, previously, that they would be taking a love offering at the banquet and I offered to collect whatever you wanted to give and put it in tomorrow night. So far, the only donation I "collected" is our own. LOL But, that's ok. So, if I don't get any extra to give to them tomorrow, that's alright. I just thought I would try.

This is a really wonderful and vital ministry, and it needs all the help they can get - especially since they are in their beginning stages!! Of course, tomorrow night isn't your only opportunity for giving. You can still donate on their site 24/7 by clicking here. Or, if you don't like donating online, you can mail it to them at their address provided, or I can take it/mail it to them for you if you live nearby and happen to see me and want to do it that way. And, of course, if you live in this area and want to attend the banquet, it's not too late!! Details on the banquet are on their website if you wish to go - it's free, by the way. ;)

Thank you, in advance, for helping out! If nothing else, just pray for them! I will post an update, probably on Saturday, about all the events of tomorrow night. I am sure it will be a blessed event!!

Hello, friends!! I have an update for you!!

My grandmother saw this article in the local paper two days after the walk for life. So, if you want to read about the total amount raised (and see my name mentioned!) you can click on the link here!!

It sure was nice to read about all the money raised and to be able to be the one to raise the most individual funds. Wow! What an honor that was!! Thank you to EVERYONE for helping to make it happen! And, as you can see, they are still in need year round. These are tough times for all of us, and ministries like these suffer just as much as we do. So, any time we can spare a few extra dollars, or material donations that you have, that would always be a big help!! As always, I am your “go to“ gal for that if you prefer to give me things for me to take down to them. I have a van, and I am more than willing to stuff it full of things to bless them with!! They are always in need of baby items, diapers, baby clothes, maternity clothes, and other baby essentials. So, if you have any of these things that you aren’t using any more, the clinic would love to be blessed with them!! Or, if you happen to be shopping and can spare a few dollars to pick up something you see on clearance, or you happen to glance over at some baby wash and feel like you could provide a sweet bath for a little one, go ahead and do it!! Send your donations and dollars to them, or if it’s more convenient for you, let me know and you can give the things to me to take to them, or I will come pick up whatever you have. I know gas prices are high, so let me burn up my gas instead. I have no problem with that. I don’t want the “pain at the pump” to ever be the reason that the clinic goes without!! So, let me shoulder that burden for you, if that’s the case. So, let me shoulder that burden for you, if that’s the case. And, of course, if you don't live around here, you can visit The Hope Clinic here and mail them a contribution, or you can support your own local CPC!!

On a side note, the video that I made will be uploaded VERY soon!! I will be posting a link to the video as soon as my friend has the opportunity to finish working on it (he‘s swamped at work, so he could use your prayers for strength and endurance - he sure does deserve them, after all he has done!). A BIG THANK YOU to “Paul” for doing this!! There is just no end to his generous giving spirit!! THANK YOU SO MUCH “PAUL”!! OXOXOXO PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR HEART!! GOD BLESS YOU!!  

To show my support for the unborn, I have signed
Grassfire.org's "Petition for Life" petition calling on our
legislative leaders to respect and protect the rights of the
unborn in our nation who are being threatened by abortion.

A recognized grassroots leader in the fight for the unborn,
Grassfire has rallied more than half-a-million citizens with their
national petition--a petition that has already been presented
to many key leaders in Washington and beyond.

Right now there are a number of key Pro-Life pieces of
legislation in Congress--notably the suspension of RU-486,
and the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act.

In support of these and other critical Pro-Life issues
Grassfire is calling on Pro-Life citizens to help them
rally an additional and mobilize an additional 30,000
citizen signers in time for our next petition presentation.

Please use your voice to support the rights of the unborn
by adding your name to this important Grassfire petition:

http://grassfire.org/21/life.asp?PID=7572518&NID=1

Sincerely,

Melissa

+ + To sign Grassfire's "Petition For Life" petition:

http://grassfire.org/21/life.asp?PID=7572518&NID=1
+ + Read Grassfire's Grassroots Alert: The Battle for the Unborn

http://www.grassfire.org/99/alert-050714b.htm
 

This Friday is The House of Hope banquet. If you are not familiar with The House of Hope, please click here to check them out. It is a safe and nurturing place where hurting teens can go to for help. And, in these tumultuous times, places like this are more vital than ever!! I’m sure every one of us knows a teen that could benefit from a ministry like this, which is why supporting this ministry hits close to home for so many of us!

Our church, as well as other churches (and this whole community!) have been working diligently on remodeling and restoring the house it has bought for this outreach/ministry. It has been WONDERFUL to see how lovely this house has turned out to be!! So, in celebration (and to raise funds for the ministry) they are hosting the first annual banquet; which Mitch and I will be attending.

Now, I know that I have just finished crusading and collecting pledges/funds for The Hope Clinic, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a chance and ask for help for The House of Hope as well. If you would like to help with this beginning ministry, you can visit their page and donate, (or mail them a contribution at their address that is provided on their page) or you may private message me and I will give you my address so you can send an amount to me. They will be taking a love offering at the banquet, and I would LOVE to be able to deposit a whole envelope of generous donations from my loyal and beautiful friends, on here, who are always so kind and generous!! Of course, even if you don't have the means to donate right now, The House of Hope is in need year round (just like The Hope Clinic) and you can send me whatever you can at ANY time, and I will see that these places get your donations. I know that many people aren't comfortable giving online, so I volunteer myself as the "go to" gal for those who prefer to do it that way. ;)

Thank you in advance for your support!! I am eager to attend this banquet and hear about all the wonderful things that are happening with this new ministry!! As always, I will keep you updated! God bless you and I thank all of you for being so supportive of the causes that I labor for!! These ministries are able to help people because of YOU!!  

Today, I got a beautiful and touching e-mail from my good friend Saundra. Every time I talk with her, or read something she writes,......mmmmmm WOW!!! I mean, every word is just EXPLODING with love, gentleness, joy, compassion, enthusiasm, and warmth!! She is one of the most beautiful people I know and is so full of the fruit of the Spirit!! She is so courageous and wonderful and I am SO BLESSED to know her!! God has REALLY generated a lot of growth in her and I have watched her transform into deeper and deeper levels of intimacy with the Lord and have watched as she continues to surrender her life to Him....no matter how tough the circumstances are around her!! Praise you, Jesus, for this precious jewel!!

Anyways, I was so touched by her e-mail that I asked her permission to share it with you. I pray you are as blessed as I was!! She sent this to me in response to the first blog that I wrote on Sunday ("Get Yourself Through the Door!").

"Hey Girl! I just got in from a weekend retreat with the ladies from church.  Thinking on the baptism.. the place we stayed at witnessed its first rebirth in the 20 years it's been open. One of our ladies asked to be baptized this weekend in the pool, so our pastor's wives invited us all to a 7:30am baptism. Our small group (36 of us, praise God!) gathered around the pool for support and sang Amazing Grace as our sister gained new life. It was truly beautiful.  Later the family that owns the resort told us that the windows in the dining room adjacent were lined with visitors watching, some in tears, as our friend was baptized.  What a great way to start the day and what an awsum way to show our Fathers divine plan while so many looked on...the Holy Spirit was moving so strongly in this group of women this weekend, and lives were transformed in a major way! It is normal for us to stop in the middle of what we are doing to pray for a sister, but I guess to outsiders it might have seemed odd...lol I had to giggle when I had a sore neck and a friend stopped to pray in the middle of the restaurant and later this lady came by and said.. you sure are a believing bunch! Oh yeah we are! Woohoo!

Anyways, some beautiful things happened in my life too this weekend.. pastors wife gave me a word..and awwwe I was so touched.  She called me "sister comfort"  and said that my gift and purpose in life was to extend mercy, and to give comfort to those who need the Fathers touch.  Said that I also need much comfort from the Lord to be able to pour so much of myself out and that she saw a big down filled comforter that the Lord had wrapped around me, a special one just for me with his arm around me.  Told the ladies that if they need comfort they need to seek it out in the women that God has provided for a purpose as that.  I was so shocked, lol, because she knows my heart that is what I do... lol several have jokingly said I have annointed hugs lol, but anyways.. this lady I dunno came and gave me a big hug and these tears just started to flow, and the Lord told me to just sit her on my lap and hold her like a child... man she started weeping! I just rocked her til she felt release..and she cried and cried... when she got up another lady came over and started weeping!  The Lord allowed me to minister to a few other women like that and they just kept coming..  One of the things I am learning that is the Lord can move through a touch as strongly as a word.. and just because I dont have a multitude of words when praying, sometimes silence speaks it all in the spirit.  Anyways this weekeend was great, we talked about offense, and the trap that we can easily get caught up in..and about true forgiveness. What it requires. Awsum stuff!"

How sweet is that?!! Wow!! It really touched my heart!! I pray that you are blessed!! OXOXO 

Give Christ the driver’s seat and watch where He’ll take you!!  

Watch out for my final blog!! I will write it and post it in a little while!!  

So, Chad explained his testimony. It was awesome!! He talked about how he accepted Christ at Promise Keepers and how, when they made the altar call, nothing could have stopped him from walking down there. He said at last, he had something that filled his emptiness; something that nothing in his wild living fulfilled. Jesus was his missing piece. It reminded me of this song by Stacie Orrico entitled “(There’s Gotta Be) More To Life”

I’ve got it all, but I feel so deprived

I go up, I come down and I’m emptier inside

Tell me what is this thing that I feel like I’m missing

And why can’t I let it go?

(Chorus)

There’s gotta be more to life…

Than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me

Cause the more that I’m…

Tripping out thinking there must be more to life

Well it’s life, but I’m sure…there’s gotta be more

Than wanting more

I’ve got the time and I’m wasting it slowly

Here in this moment I’m half way out the door

Onto the next thing, I’m searching for something that’s missing

(Chorus)

Than waiting on something other than this

Why am I feelin’ like there’s something I missed…

Always…Always….

(Chorus)

Do you feel that way? Are you missing something? Are you standing outside the door looking in on all the other “freakish” Christians like me? LOL Are you thinking? “I want to be like that, but, I don’t think I can…..maybe I want to…..maybe I don’t. I want to be happy. I want more. I want to be satisfied. I just need to walk through that door before it‘s too late. Can I? Will I?” And, some may even think, like Chad did, that some of the people who have walked through that door are hypocrites. Indeed. There are some people like that. In fact, I think we all are at times, because none of us are perfect. Just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean that you will never mess up. Being a Christian means that you ACKNOWLEDGE the fact that you screw up and sin, and that you NEED Jesus to save you and pay your debt. He’s just as Chad described - He cancels all our debt. It’s like us charging up credit card debt that we can’t pay; and the bill goes to Him (though it was never His) but He paid it anyways and the price was HIGH - but He did it for US!!!!!!! Besides, deciding that you want eternal life and that you want to be fulfilled has nothing to do with anyone else. YOUR relationship, YOUR choice, has to do with YOU and GOD!! Your salvation doesn’t depend on whether everyone else behaves like a Christian or not!

Next week, He’s going to talk about going inside the “house” of Christianity and about the hallway and the rooms inside. I really love where he is going with this!! He even shared a quote from the book “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis: “…mere Christianity is like a hall out of which doors open to several rooms. If I can bring anyone into the hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable.”

I know I have gone on enough on this one, and this isn’t even the whole picture of what Chad talked about either! I got SO MUCH out of this one! I think it was emotional and touching for everyone!! It sure was for me!! WOW! It was beautiful!! I can’t wait for the rest of the series!! Well done, Chad!!!

So, to wrap this one up, I will just simply close by asking all of you who are at the 3:16 door, to decide to go in. The door is open. Go through it now while you still have breath to breathe. When you die, it will be too late to choose. Maybe you are scared to go in, but the alternative is much scarier. Don’t be on the wrong side of the door!! Go inside!! Wait in the hallway, for now, if you want to. Just get yourself through that door!!! That’s your only way in!!

Hi Everyone!!

Here are the pictures of the walk for life (and of the Street Fair kids‘ parade) that I promised. And no, we didn‘t place this year. They had a LOT of participants this time around! So, if you want to see the pictures, you can click on the link below.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZNGbls0bM8e  

You know how sometimes you just have a day or week that just totally has you gonig up and down? Well, it's been like that a LOT lately - for me. Today was quite busy, and tomorrow will be even busier! Tomorrow is the kids' parade at the fair, and I worked really hard on Gianna's "float." I'll display pictures when I get them back. ;) I'll let you know if we place this year as well.

Then, after the parade and judging, I will have to go pick up my step-mom so we can go to my cousin's wedding shower. Then, I'll have to come home and start preparing for Gianna's birthday party on Sunday. LOL And, all of this is only but the start of all the "stuff" we got going on lately. So, stay tuned for more of my "crazy busy" updates!! (Well, when I have the time to update at all anyways! Ha ha).

So........being that I have been so crazy and up and down and "emotional" on so many levels, I ended up writing this poem tonight:

Emotional Overload

By Melissa

When all is still and quiet, and only you remain. When there is no one there to talk to, and you muse to yourself in vain. When all you have is stillness, and are alone with the many thoughts in your head; will you sit and go on pondering, or will you give up and go to bed.

I feel like I’m tired, but my mind goes on and on and on. Will it come to an end, or will I be staying up until dawn? Alas, I cannot not rest right now; but writing is a comfort to me. So, I’ll continue to keep on jabbering, as you can plainly see.

I get into moods like this, and so, I purge words onto the screen; to vent my thoughts and find a release (though sometimes, I don’t even know what I mean).

I am emptying out my head as best as I can. My time of release is almost done. I feel, however, like I haven’t accomplished much. Still, writing this has been fun.

Some people will read this and think that it’s dull. You may very well think that too. Of course, one might see the message in it all. Unless, of course, emotional overload is something that never happens to you! ;)

Something so cool happened to me just now!!

I went to the site that one of my friend's originally found me at, and I conducted the same type of key word search he did to see what would come up. And, AMAZINGLY, I found THIS BLOG (which is something I was hoping to find again, because it was talked about at "The Call" in Nashville!!)

Please read it!!! This is going to be the wrecking ball that knocks down the pillars of Roe Vs. Wade!!! :) This is going to change everything!! PRAISE THE LORD!!  

By Dawn Eden

Chapter One Synopsis:

In a world where morals are declining, we have forgotten what it is like to have a fulfilling life. All of us are seeking to fill a void; one only God can truly fulfill. Nothing else can truly satisfy, whether you are talking about alcohol, drugs, money, food, or sex.

Sadly, our culture doesn’t seem to grasp the fact that people and things aren’t going to cut it. Despite the answers that are right at our fingertips, in the word of God, we still blindly chase after the things that only leave us more empty.

Such was the case with my friend, Dawn Eden, who wrote the book The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On. She discovered that the culture of the dating world, and the premarital sex that it often brings, isn’t what it is cracked up to be. When she became a Christian and began to realize what God’s real plan for marriage and sex was, her outlook began to change and she made a commitment to chastity.

Changing from a lifestyle of casual sex to a lifestyle of purity and chastity, I’m sure, was no easy thing. As she describes, it was hard to flip the switch, but it was necessary. She discovered that the way she had been experiencing dating and relationships wasn’t working. It wasn’t fulfilling her at all. So, she embarked on a new lifestyle change that was all according to God’s basic plan for all of us.

Of course, to embark on any sort of lifestyle change, especially a largely beneficial and positive one, you must LOOK at it positively - and not as if you are being deprived or that you are giving up something precious that you truly never really liked anyways.. The right mindset is everything!! In chapter one, Dawn talks about how you have to look beyond the here and now and visualize your life beyond the present. Think about how your choices “today” will affect your tomorrows. Imagine how you will be in both scenarios: 1). You make a bad choice which continues to keep you in a cycle of bad choices every time you give into a bad behavior; and will suffer the consequences it brings. 2). You make a good choice which gives you the strength, endurance, and empowerment to continue to make good choices which will, in turn, positively affect your life. The more often you choose the good things, the stronger you will get. But, if you continue choosing the bad, you will continue to get weaker and weaker, and less motivated to change and turn your life around.

These principles of living don’t just pertain to relationships and sex. It applies to the whole broad picture of our being because God wants us to have fulfillment in every area of our lives. However, to have any kind of contentment, fulfillment, and true satisfaction in our lives, we have to be willing to do it God’s way and not our own. After all, He made the world; He makes the rules; He knows what’s best. Can any of us honestly say that our own methods of finding peace, joy, and happiness are as fulfilling as we would like for ourselves to believe? So, if that’s the case, shouldn’t we be willing to adopt a more excellent way of doing things if true satisfaction is, indeed, the ultimate goal? Isn’t our desire for happiness a permanent one and not a temporary one? Any kind of sinful indulgence will drain you of that pursuit because sin never brings true joy; only temporary fixes that leave you searching for more.

As Dawn points out as she winds up chapter one, even if casual sex was the way to meet, marry, and be happy with a man, what kind of a love story would that be? How fulfilling would that marriage be if that was all it was based on? Sex isn’t the sole aspect of a relationship; therefore, it should not be so heavily emphasized and dwelled upon. A worthwhile relationship and eventual marriage is more than just sexual relations. Besides, if sex was all it took to get a relationship/marriage, who’s to say that it couldn’t/wouldn’t happen again with another person? If sex is all it takes to fall in love and get married, what would prevent either party from having that kind of occurrence with someone else later when the “feel good moments” between the couple wear off?

Reading this book is a thought-provoking and enlightening experience. I encourage everyone to read this book; whether you’re single or not. The theme of this book will speak to every area of your life; at least it has to mine. I will continue posting my thoughts on the chapters as I read them. Of course, there are so many brilliant and wonderful “wow” moments that I couldn’t possibly describe them all without writing her whole book out on my blog. Therefore, to really get some of the good details out of it, I encourage you to read it for yourself. This book will “chasten” you into living a better life! 

Did you watch the debate? I DID! Wow! It was really something!! If you didn't watch it, you really missed out! It was wonderful to watch real questions, about important issues, be asked and to see that the whole panel of candidates (with the exception of the absent Romney, Guiliani, and McCain) solidly support marriage, family, LIFE, and liberty.

My two favorites have long since been Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee. I love both of them!! They are the most solid and committed. Though, if given a choice, I would lean towards Huckabee - who stole the show tonight, by the way. One of my most favorite comments of the whole night was when he said that some people became pro-life because they got into politics, while others - like him - got into politics because he is pro-life. AMEN! What an answer!!

I don't know if I could possibly restate the marvelous comments made by Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee. They just blew me away with their sincerely eloquent speeches of passion and love for their country; and the people that dwell in it. They truly are men of integrity with hearts of gold who wish to restore America to its greatness as we seek repentance for our sins, reverse the effects of the godless culture, and begin to return to the values we were founded on in order to have a prosperous, respectful, and honorable nation once again.

So, what about the Democrats? Well, they were cordially invited to partake in the same debate in a week or two, but every single Democratic candidate DECLINED! Hmmmm....... ;) Well, like the moderator said: "you can make your own judgments about that." Indeed. It truly is saying something when the Democrats refuse to take part in a values debate when all they ever claim is that they are advocating for "human rights" which they deem to be so VALUABLE. ;) Clearly, their "values" are drastically different; which should further convince America that the Democrats never have, or ever will be, on their side. Their only aim is to have total control of everything and rule the world with an iron fist. So much for democracy!

Well, I'm sure I'll get an angry Democrat or two heckling me for saying that, but oh well. I'm not known for keeping my mouth shut. I tell it like it is. No one has to read anything I write if they don't want to. I just blog/e-mail and pass the word along because I only seek to labor for what I know is right.

So, the only thing to do now, America, is to let our voices be heard! If we want a man like Huckabee or Brownback for our president, we need to mobilize! The mainstream media doesn't want a hard-core Christian conservative to be our next president. They are terrified to death! They would rather have a power-hungry oppressive dictator, and they are laboring like mad to make it happen. But, if they had to satisfy for another Republican again, of course they are going to be sure that they only talk about the RINOS (Republicans in name only) - that would be the MIA candidates of tonight.

Ok, everyone, we got a job to do!! If you're a Christian and you care about God's righteousness, stand with me now!! If we band together, we will be unstoppable!! Raise your voices up to heaven and let your prayers be heard! Pray for these candidates! And, if you can, contribute to them as well. And, of course, SPREAD THE WORD!! A word of mouth campaign will gain momentum quickly!! DON'T BE SILENCED BY THE LIBERAL GOD-HATING MEDIA!!! Just BELIEVE, people, and PRAY!! Don't buy the lie that just because these candidates aren't front-runners that they have no chance!!! With God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!! And isn't GOD greater than ANYTHING?!! Ummmm, YEAH!!! I pray that we will harness the abundance of power that we have at our disposal in order to ensure victory. That power is PRAYER!! PRAY HARD!! GOD BLESS YOU!!  

Today's service was awesome! It was baptism Sunday. I LOVE watching people get baptized! In fact, I don't think enough emphasis is put on baptism. It's beautiful, symoblic, and special. If you're a new creation in Christ and haven't been baptized, what are you waiting for? :) Even Jesus was baptized!!

I remember my baptism. It was in my teen years. I had been raised Methodist and I was "sprinkled" as a baby and then "sprinkled" again when I became a member of the Methodist church. However, I never had a "fully submerged" baptism. So, when I really started becoming more and more solid in my faith in my teen years, I decided to be baptized.

I just loved watching people tell about their testimonies and be drenched in the water and coming up "new." It's always a beautiful thing to watch!! Some had lives of considerable pain and rebellion while others simply wanted to commit to what they already believed and had grown up with (like I had). Every story touched me, and it was a pleasure to watch each person display their commitment to Christ today!

Chad also finished up the Ten Commandment Series with the "thou shalt not covet" command. What a toughie!! I mean, we all struggle with that one! We all "want" things, money, people, etc. But, wanting isn't the problem, it's the manner in which we "want." Chad was even humble enough to share an experience in which he had "coveted" and was tempted to just "take" what he wanted - but he didn't.

It's obvious that this is something we all struggle with. I totally felt like the sermon was "for me" today. I admit it. I'm guilty. I "want" things that I know I shouldn't want or can't have. Yeah, sometimes it's easy to be jealous of another person and what they have. Or, it's easy to want something that you think will make you happy or that you feel will solve all your problems. But, the important thing to remember is what Chad so beautifully illustrated: "covet" God.

We all have a "void." We all have needs that have to be fulfilled. We search in many places, but the place we find fulfillment is in Christ. He satisfies. The other wells only leave us empty and thirsting for more. I even feel like crap typing all this out because I don't feel like I am the one that should even be sharing this because I have struggled with this a lot lately. I even debated on whether I was even going to blog about this at all. But, I suppose that when you are the one struggling with it, you got more credibility (or less, I don't know).

Things have been up and down a lot for me lately - and throughout the year. I have had a lot of growth and a lot of setbacks. I have gone through so many changes and so much about my life has changed; especially in this last month. It's been hard for me to deal with and my emotions have been all over the place. One example would have to be my weight loss. I "coveted" being skinny again. And, while that isn't necessarily a "bad" thing, the way in which I want it sometimes is. As long as I keep my focus, I'm fine. But, when all the new compliments go to my head, that is when I start getting into trouble. I even had a hard time restraining myself from shopping (LOL) considering that weight-loss always leaves me with legitimately needing new clothes - but that doesn't mean I need to go overboard. Well, at least that is ONE thing that I have kept in better control lately! The last clothing item I bought for myself was a used pair of $8 jeans. LOL And, I haven't been to Maurices's or Fashion Bug in quite a while - despite the "coupons" that I get in the mail and the tempting "sale" displays in the window. Though, I will likely have to go soon, because I have absolutely no winter clothes and only two pairs of jeans.

Anyways, trying to keep things in perspective has been hard. I know that I've always been a "pretty girl" as I am so often told, but I don't think I have ever really believed it or felt it until now. I am just so scared of becomming arrogant or having a big head about it. I don't want to become superficial either. So, I listen to Mandisa's song "True Beauty" a lot! (Girl, your album rocks!! It's been such a blessing to me!! EVERY WOMAN IN THE WORLD SHOULD HEAR THIS ALBUM!).

So, those are some of the many things that resonated with me. I couldn't even begin to describe all the other ways that the changes of this year has affected me. I've changed, people have changed, circumstances have changed, the world has changed, my feelings always change, my ministry to the world has changed (all this walk for life involvement has had me busy and really kicked me into "make a difference" mode - big time! BIG CHANGES THERE!). Anyways, I just don't want to "covet" attention or ever be in it for my own glory. I don't want to "covet" recognition,. power, etc. I don't want to be prideful or selfish; though I feel that way sometimes - but that's probably just another snare the devil is trying to trap me with and trying to condemn me with too. *sigh* Just pray for me, everyone. I got issues. LOL

Well, I guess that's all I got for now. Love you all!! GOD BLESS YOU!!