I'm Still Going To Worship Jesus

Don't let the devil make you think you can't worship the Lord. Earlier today I went to church and heard a message on rejoicing and not worrying about anything. I left with so much joy in my heart and expressed my praise to Jesus more than ever today. I always used to think I look weird worshiping, but at that moment I didn't care what I looked like. Later on today I had to confront something about a mistake I made (which is never easy). I was sitting here listening to worship music, and when my body started moving, I felt bad. A thought popped in my head that I didn't deserve to praise Jesus by dancing a bit because of what I did. Why should I be happy when I messed up and someone else wasn't happy.

I stopped moving and entertained that thought for a moment, but then I realized that it was just the devil, and that more than ever I have a right to move around and praise Jesus if I want to because of what He did for us on the cross! "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). Jesus Christ saved us through Grace that was given to us as a precious gift. Whether I did something wrong or something right, I will still have grace as a gift from God! "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV). The devil tried to make me stop worshiping my Savior, but why? Because of His sacrifice, I am free in Christ! "Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1 NIV). The amplified version defines "no condemnation" as "no adjudging guilty of wrong". Don't let the devil try and stop you from worshiping God, because He sacrificed everything for us so that there wouldn't be a disconnect between His creation and Himself. Worshiping connects us to Him, and Jesus died on the cross so that we could reconnect with God. The devil doesn't want that though. So if you ever feel "unworthy" of praising or worshiping Him freely, just remember you are free in Christ Jesus to do so!

And one of my favorite songs right now that is reminding me of how Jesus has the victory and overcame death is The Anthem by Planetshakers and Forever by Brian Johnson and Bethel Music. Check those songs out for inspiration and remember that you are living graciously as a gift from God through the power of Jesus Christ! Have a blessed day :)

Joy Overflowing!

Why is Jesus so good to me? I've been filled with SO much joy today. Just thinking about how much I love Jesus is making me so joyful. Spending time with God will definitely help you feel replenished! That's what I've learned this weekend! If you need a nice dose of joy, just spend time with Jesus. You're bound to get other great qualities like love, peace, and other amazing things, just like when you hang around people often you start to pick up some of their sayings or habits. I think picking anything up from Jesus is the best!

Short blog, I know, but I just wanted to give you some encouragement! Have a blessed week and remember you're living graciously!

Jesus says "Hakuna Matata" (in a way)

Worrying is something we all tend to do from time to time, and some more than others. I know that I overly worry often, and then everything ends up working out the best because Jesus has it in His hands.

This weekend Shine (the worship team for the Bible study) went to a 24 hour worship experience at one of the member's home church. We didn't stay the full 24 hours, but we were there for a long time. In the 2 o'clock regions, he told the rest of us that the people hosting the event were one band short, since each band had a shift. There was pressure on us to fill in the spot, although we didn't have to. We wanted to, but we hadn't prepared anything to lead worship with for 5 minutes let alone an hour! We all were stressing out and worrying about what we would sing and what we would say. We prayed many times, and in the end we went up and led worship and were used by Jesus. Afterwards I was thinking- there was no need for us to worry as much as we did. Where was our faith in that? We had both faith and worry, which wasn't full faith. There was no need for us to worry, because all we were doing was going up on stage to worship. Nothing had to be rehearsed or practiced (although we did come up with a list of songs to do).

Jesus doesn't want want you to worry, because it isn't of Jesus. He says in his word "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself..." (Matthew 6:34). The devil wants you to worry because it doesn't give you peace, which is of God. Jesus himself said if you come to Him He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Even in the Lion King Timon and Pumba taught Simba to not worry. Worry, anxiety, and stress aren't healthy for you anyways, so don't worry! Jesus has it in his hands! "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be forsaken" (Psalm 55:22). Have a blessed and worry-free week!

God Belongs In My City - San Antonio

I had the privilege of getting to go to my hometown today to participate in the God Belongs In My City walk.  Everyone walks from Milam park to the Alamo and prays for revival and inviting God to be in their city. A group of 8 of us all together from Schreiner went. We got to walk downtown and pray for revival in San Antonio with hundreds of other believers. There were plenty of people on the sides of the street that we got to minister too as well, especially once we got to the Alamo. Once we got to the Alamo, we worshiped God together and then started praying for different things- revival in middle schools, high schools, and college campuses. We prayed for the mayor, the president, the military and other people serving such as fire fighters and police. Then we all laid hands on a nearby pastor or youth pastor. When I touched one pastor, I could feel the presence of Jesus so strongly in Him and I know that God is working with him in a great way. It blessed me to get to pray for him. Lastly, we prayed for revival in San Antonio overall. In the midst of praying, it started raining a bit, but then soon stopped, so no one was seriously wet, but refreshed. I didn't mind it raining on me, because it was 90 something degrees today.

 When the event was over and everyone was dispersing, I felt God tugging on my heart to pray for this woman and her son. I told my friends to wait a moment and went over. I said "Hi, can I just pray for you? I feel God putting you two on my heart" and the woman said "Sure I would love that". I help hands with her and her young son and prayed for them. Afterwards we hugged and shook hands with the little boy. It felt so good to listen to what God told me to do, and I physically felt so much better afterwards.

It was such a blessing to be able to be in my hometown on my knees at the ground of the Alamo and pray for the city. It was great to see God's people praying, worshiping, and ministering to others. Can't wait for next year :)

Among Them, But Not Of Them

I had a really great Saturday. My parents came to visit me, so we got to go to the empty cross again. Later on I went to go see a play that was on campus and there was a line that one of the actors said that stood out to me. "I am among them, but not of them". He wasn't even talking about Jesus's words, but that's where I'm going to go with this. Jesus said that we are in the world, but not of the world. That means that we are among others that are of the world and do worldly things, but we aren't of it. It's like this- just because you are in a foreign country doesn't mean you are of or from that country. Hearing him say this line made me think about how so many of us Christians today are acting like we are of the world. We try to fit in with the latest trends and do what's cool, whether that's in the way you act, look, or things you watch or listen to. We as Christians are supposed to be different. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says "Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you". If we act as Christ stated in John 15:19, then of course we would look different to others in the world. Our culture today is so  into fitting in and not standing out that we are trying exhaustively to be like the world that we can't share Jesus with anyone because we don't look different in our thought, actions, and beliefs. We need to stop just being Christians on Sundays around other Christians. Then again even on Sundays I still see youth acting like they are of the world while at church! I know it can be hard because of our prides and "reputations", but we have to be different and act like Christ if we want to help the hurting. We can't necessarily do that if we are caught in the same problems they are having. If someone is hurting because of how they have been bullied in school, we as Christians can't go and show them love if we are, in their eyes, the very same people that may be bullying. Jesus was different, and look what He did- saved the world! Past, present, and future! It's people who act different than everyone else that make a difference in the world. You don't have to do it alone either because the Holy Spirit is with you, abiding in you, and guiding you. He honors your heart for wanting Him to guide you. Plus in heaven, you are going to be around the body of Christ who all have different stories, journeys, and victories. Make your life one that you can give all the glory to Jesus in the end. 

Finding Joy in Every Situation

Well this Monday has been an interesting Monday. Usually I would say it hasn't been that great of a day, but Jesus has just allowed me to not be upset and find the positive in every situation. He is helping me not worry. So here's a synopsis of my day:

I went to the free doctor on campus to find out that I most likely have a patellar strain (from when I hurt my knee on the retreat), but at least now I know how to care for it and it should heal in two weeks. If I never learned that I would make things worse. Then I had to walk all the way to class only to find out after sitting there for 20 minutes that it got cancelled, but within that 20 minutes I was able to practice the piano for the quiz on Wednesday, which I had previously not gotten to do. Leaving early gave me time to head back to my dorm and ice my knee. It also gave me time to relax. Plus I had no class! Then I ended up late to my next class, but at least I wasn't counted absent in the end (at least I don't think), and then I was able to get everything I needed for my study guide. I wasn't the latest late person either. Then it started raining, but at least I had an umbrella and didn't get as wet as the last time it was diagonally raining. When I got back to my dorm, my roommate and I decided to go to Walmart. Once we were leaving Walmart and were in the parking lot, her car wouldn't start, but at least someone was nice enough to jump her car battery so that we could get back to campus. We weren't stranded there for two hours either. And then now I have a ton of studying to do, but at least I have time to study and didn't forget that I have tests this week and walk into class unprepared. Also the day before I lost my study guide, but I was able to print out another one and copy all the answers I had already done from someone else that I had helped the day before.

Overall I can say that I had a nice day regardless of all the unpleasant things that happened. Jesus has just given me joy throughout every situation without worrying. I hope you can find joy in everything. Some people call it optimism, but it's really Jesus giving you joy and showing you everything that is still good.

30 Hour Famine and a Sleepover

Hello! I had an amazing weekend. It started out with the 30 hour famine which I originally wasn't going to be part of due to all the studying I had to do, but people kept texting me about it. First the campus minister asked me if I was participating when I was eating lunch. As I took a bite of my hamburger, I read the text asking if I was participating in the fast. Of course it had already started, and I was already eating my cheeseburger, so I replied no. Later on that day (about 3-4 hours later) I got another text from a guy in the worship band for Shine. He asked me if I was participating and I replied no. He encouraged me to try it, even if it was just for 24 hours, so finally I gave in.

I had to keep myself occupied and not focus on the hunger. I watched videos on YouTube, talked to a friend on Facebook, read the Bible, and played my guitar. I drank plenty of water of course. It wasn't as bad that way. I woke up the next morning just as hungry, but not too hungry and gathered out in the quad area. There we had a short little ceremony demonstrating how if we were living in a third world country we would probably be dead or not able to work due to the little things. We had communion and then were fed lentil beans, rice, grape juice, and cornbread. It was very delicious, especially after being hungry. I am so thankful for being able to participate and realize how people who go without food are some of the strongest people I know. At least I had clean and cold water to drink in the fridge whenever I wanted it. This song my Dara Maclean goes out to all those who are hungry, orphaned, or depressed:

Later on that Saturday I went to my friend's apartment/dorm and had a sleepover with one other girl. The host of the sleepover was talking about how she writes letters to her future husband, and we all decided to write one. I had written one before on Valentine's day, but it was then that I decided I would write more often than just every Valentine's day. We wrote our letters and took pictures to add to the letter. It was fun editing them and picking out different features. Then  I saw her guitar and started to play it and could tell the strings were really old, so I offered to change her guitar's strings. She helped me and I taught her how to do so. It was really awesome seeing how after we added each new string and stretched it, the guitar sounded crisper and clearer. It's like how Jesus takes out all of the old things in our life and makes them new and better. Once all the strings were changed, we had a worship/jam session. It was great playing  and singing to Jesus. It made my night. Later on we made a funny video with weird effects on it. Anyways on Sunday we went to church together and had an amazing service. I learned about an organization called Beacons of Grace. They help people ( I think just men) learn about Jesus and get their life right. They brought to the church tons of crosses that some of the men there had carved and were offering them to us. I got a cross and put it up in my dorm room. I wrote on the back of it as well. I'm very thankful for that cross because honestly I had never had a cross on my wall before, and it's good to know that men were making these and getting to learn about the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Jesus's Love Like the Ocean

Quick blog for tonight. I went to Shine Bible Study and got to be a part of the worship team by singing. As I was there and was listening to the message about love, it made me think of the ocean. Even just one drop of water in your mouth tastes extremely saturated with salt. Imagine how much salt is really in the ocean. It must be an overwhelming amount. I want that to be like Jesus's love through me towards others. Jesus really really really really really loves us so much it's ridiculous in a good way. Let Jesus's love show through you towards others today. 1 Corinthians 13 talks all about love and its importance. Also read up on 1 John. Have a blessed day and remember you are living graciously!

Shine Retreat

This Friday and Saturday, I had the privilege of going to Camp Sequoia with the Shine crew. Beforehand though, I enjoyed going to my campus's color bonanza and getting messy and having fun. I seriously needed a shower before I had to pack for the retreat too!

The retreat was pretty awesome to say the least. When we arrived, we were fed by generous people and got to go to the river and swim. Now at first I was kind of afraid to go into the river even though I absolutely love swimming. I didn't want to get in by the rope swing, so I climbed down by the little ladder they had available. I was afraid there would be fish that would freak me out or that there would be a snapping turtle (which we are sure we saw at least once). I got more comfortable as we were in the river and talking and laughing. Then someone decided to go to the other side of the river, so we all followed. The first two girls that got over started screaming and struggling to get out. It turns out there was some type of twiggy, squishy, mossy, smelly stuff that you had to walk on to get over. By the time I got over my feet were wedged into that gross stuff and someone had to pull me out of it. By the time I got out the others were free climbing, so I just chilled at the bottom and realized I had to get back across, so I fell in and doggy paddles across.

Once I got to shower off, we ate dinner and then started practicing for worship. We went over to an area right near the river and had service. As I was walking over,, I stepped on a huge rock and really hurt my knee. As of now I bought a brace from the store, but I know it will be healed. The girls prayed for it, so I'm just giving it time to heal. The service was the most amazing part. God just touched so many people's hearts and there was a domino effect when it came to crying. People started sharing whatever was on their hearts, and then we went back up for worship. We just sang whatever we felt like. We went on for quite a while with singing "How He Loves" and the spirit just continued to move. After our long night of reflection and worship, we talked for hours. Some more than others. I think I went to bed around 1:30 or 2, but I'm not fully sure. On Saturday we ate an amazing breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and all kinds of drinks like orange juice, milk, and coffee. We had a quicker morning devotional and then relaxed at the river. I sat on a patio chair and relaxed while watching others. I talked to a couple of people once they got back from exploring the river and the cliff. We ate lunch, played sports (except for me because of my knee, but I had a really great conversation with one of the girls) and then packed to head back.

I believe that Jesus set a fire in our hearts on Friday night, and we've got a fire that's going to ignite our campus. Watch out everyone! Have a blessed day and remember you're living in grace! 

My Crazy Rebellious Trip

Tonight the campus ministry hosted a fun laser tag at the small mall event. My roommate and I decided to go and have some fun. Also I don't have any Friday classes, so I didn't mind going (I was looking forward to it all week long). We gathered at the campus ministry house and played a couple of games before we decided to head out.

Once we got to the arcade with the laser tag there, We were split into 4 groups of 6. My group went in first and I officially got the worst score in the history of scores: I was hit 49 times, I hit 5 opponents, I fired 510 shots, and my accuracy percentage was *drum roll please* 0%. I got on the top 5 list though! I was in 4th place with a score of 0! That was officially the worst score I had ever gotten.

Then my group decided to wander around the empty mall that the arcade was in, and had a good time. We sat around the water fountain admiring the coins people had tossed into it, joking about taking the quarters to do our laundry. In spontaneity, someone recommended that we all head out to the big cross and hang out. I didn't know what that was, and neither did my roommate, but we decided to tag along.

We started follow someone who did (and ended up getting lost after making a wrong turn, but we made it anyways). We got there at about 9 o'clock and all met. There were 12 of us total and we saw a big outline of a cross made out of metal. You could walk to the inside and read different things they had written on there such as miracles Jesus did and a prayer. One thing that scared me at first was that if you talked while standing in the inside of the cross it echoed really loudly. My roommate, suite-mate and I decided to go check something out near a darker area with a lot of rocks nearby and ended up seeing a table with a sign that said "Free God Stuff". Once we reached the rocks we realized they had writing on them. People had written prayers to Jesus and placed them in an area, much like the prayer wall in Israel. We found sharpies on the tables to write and went around finding rocks. By then we told the other 9 people that were with us about it and everyone was searching for rocks and writing on them. It was a great time of reflection. The place also had speaker rocks, so there was worship music to set the mood. It was amazing reading what all of these other people had written and seeing people thank God for everything they had. It was awesome. Afterwards we all gathered around and sang "Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary..." and prayed. Then we headed back to campus in our cars, and my roommate, another person and I got Sonic drinks. It was a really amazing night and I'm so glad I got to go.

Tomorrow there's going to be a color bonanza on campus as well as Shine going on a retreat, so I will have lots to blog about within two days! Have a blessed day and enjoy living graciously!