Beautiful

Isn't Gods creation so incredible? That is one of the reasons why I absolutely love to photograph! But would you believe I almost completely missed out on the beauty in the pictures that I took above? The night before my daddy took us out on a family date and we had lots of fun shooting at an indoor range, then going to village inn for hot chocolate and coffee while we talked and laughed together. It was really late when we got home, and I just wanted to sleep. Trust me, I did not feel like crawling out of bed early Saturday morning! but I quickly changed my mind when I was struck with awe at the "winter wonderland" that enveloped me outside! absolutely everything was covered in a thick crisp frost. It was beautiful to say in the least! I had a blast driving the truck around capturing different scenes of the world around me.

After I got home and thawed out - I began looking through the pictures I had taken, and reflecting once again on how beautiful Gods hand in creation is. I also thought more about - what if I had slept in and missed this? The frost didn't last long after the sun came up, and I was so thankful that I was able to enjoy this unique beauty while it lasted.

Have you ever thought about the things that we may have missed out on? Do we let the busyness of life, and other "priorities" distract us from things that God is trying to do or show us? Its so easy to get caught up in frivolous things, that we miss Gods "still small voice" that is calling, and leading us. I sure don't want to fill my life with meaningless "things" and miss out on the bigger purpose that God has for my life!

Its a choice

Dont Quit

I did NOT feel like running this morning

I rolled out of bed at 5:45 did not want to go out and run. Slowly I tied my shoes and filled my water bottle. Dragging my feet I got myself to the gravel road and started running.  mile 1 seemed to drag by, let alone mile 2. let me tell you my mind gave me plenty of reasons why it would be good to stop. even just for a minute. but as I got to the stop sign at the end of my second mile something drove me on, for some reason my legs kept going. As I came to 2.5 I could give myself even more reasons to quite. But then I got to thinking - Why quit? why push my self just to give up at the last 1/2 a mile? what the world was I thinking???  I turned around and started up the hill for the last half mile! I kept thinking

dont quit,

dont stop,

dont give up,

keep going

and then......

I made it! 3 miles! the surge I got for finishing -- It was Amazing! I am SO Glad I finished! As I kept walking to cool down, my thoughts whirled through my mind.

What if I had quit? would I be excited about the accomplishment of pushing through and finishing? --No. I would have been

Frustrated
Discouraged
and Defeated


So why would we ever quit?-on anything? when the finish line is so close, WHY QUIT? nothing is ever easy, but thats why the end is so worth it!


Spiritually - sometimes we get so tired, and weak in our spiritual journey. theres days when it feels like we cant take another step. but theres no victory with out a fight! In our weakness, is where HIS strength begins. - Dont quit on God

Dont quit. DONT . EVER . EVER . QUIT.

A good perspective

I want to share with you all something that really encouraged me last week. Im still "chewing on the thought" and trying to grasp the full depth of its truth, wisdom, and meaning.


In the course of a conversation last week the Lady said these words, - I will never forget them.

"The gifts, and talents that God has given you,

is what He wants you to do"

I sat back against the couch and replayed the words in my mind. over and over and over again. Its such an elementary thought - but for some reason it really hit home.

Sometimes in life (actually quite often as of late) I keep groping around for answers. my heart crys out to the Lord. I keep asking my self - What does God want me to be doing? Where does He want me to be? Should I do this?  Should I do that?         I DONT KNOW! 

But those words stay in the forefront of my mind. The talents that God has given me - is exactly what He wants me to be doing.

My heart is

Humbled

Overwhelmed

Excited

& Filled with gratitude!

My trust is in Jesus.

God is bigger than any obstacle

He is powerful

He can overcome the "impossible"

Keep On Keeping On

Keep on keeping on

In service for the Lord

Keep on keeping on

In studying His Word.

Keep on keeping on

In believing prayer

Keep on keeping on

Until the answer's clear

Keep on keeping on

Even when the way is grim.

Keeping on keeping on

Putting all your trust in Him,

Keep on keeping on

When hope is almost gone.

Keep on keeping on

and look to God alone.

Keep on keeping on

Until your journey's end.

Keep on keeping on

and hear our Lord's "Well done"

------Clara Jarvis

He Will See You Through

When the way is paved with trials

and you don't know what to do,

Don't despair the Father's near

and He will see you through!

When your heart begins to tremble

at the load you're called to bear,

and you begin to question,

"Does He really care?"

When your mind is gripped by doubt

and you want to scream and shout,

turn your gaze towards Calvary

and watch His love spill out.

Fixed upon His lovely face

calm your heart, quiet your soul,

The Father's near and He is in control!

When the night is long and all seems wrong,

lift your head, God's not dead

and He will see you through!

When you feel so all alone,

like you've never before known,

take your broken bleeding heart,

flee this world, and fall before His throne!

When all seems false and nothing true,

feast upon His precious word,

for He'll SURELY see you through!

When your heart is overwhelmed,

and the clouds your life surround,

Lift your voice, sing His praise,

and your spirits He'll miraculously raise!

When you can't take another step,

and you fear the enemy might win,

Don't give up, don't give in,

there's one thing you must do!

Close your eyes, cry to Him,

and He WILL see you through!!

~Bekah Rehm~

My Father Said To Me

God made a huge impact in my heart by reading these 4 words.

"...Fear not: believe only..."

(Luke 8:50)

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Dear____________(insert your name!)

"I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
I knew what I was getting into when I said your name, but I said it just the same.
I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into.

And I am not shocked by your weakness.
And I am not shocked even by your sin.
And I am not shocked by your brokenness.

I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still chose you.

Cuz only I can see the end from the beginning.
And only I can see where this is going.
And I see in you the seeds of love.
And I see in you strength when all you see is your failure and all you feel is ashamed.
I can see deeper than that.
I know you better than that.

I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
I knew what I was getting into when I said your name. I said it just the same.
I knew what getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.

Your only at the beginning.
You've only just begun and I know where you are going
And all you can see in the moment is that your hurting.
And all you can see in the moment is that your aching.

I knew what I was getting into when I called you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still want you.
I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.
I knew what I was getting into when I called you.

Just don't give up.
And don't give in.
If you don't quit. You’ll win, you’ll win!

Everything is in my hands.
It's going to be alright.
It's going to be okay.

And you don't have to pretend to be something or someone your not.
Cuz I know you better than that, even better, even better than that.

Listen my Beloved.

I knew what I was getting into when I called you.

I knew what I was getting into when I said your name. I said it just the same.

I knew what I was getting into and I still like you.

I knew what I was getting into and I still chose you."

Love - God ♥

Listen to the song "I knew what I was getting into" by Misty Edwards! It is so beautiful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLYB0F4Uzeo

(i have to just give you the link because the video wasnt embeding into my blog post!)

anyway watch it! it is the most encouraging song ever!

A Love Story

?Questions?

What if you woke up today

with only the things you

thanked God for yesterday?

Did you grow closer to the Lord today or did you fall further away from Him?

Have You made a difference in somebodys life today?

Just some random questions that iv been asking myself....convicted? -... a clue...- YES.

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him wich died for them, and rose again. 2Corinthians 5:15

Ministry

I thought about the subject a lot while I was stick the past 2 weeks. Its been the core of how Jesus has been working in my heart recently. Today in my Bible reading I came across a verse.

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist,

make full proof of thy ministry."

2Timothy 4:5

Questions started echoing in my mind.

~Whats my ministry?

~ Where is my ministry?

To whom am I ministering?

Where should I be?

God do you want me to go on a missions trip?

as I sat and pondered some things- I started to recall a conversation that I had with my dad quite awhile ago. The words of a book I recently read drifted into my thoughts. Parts of a verse formed in my mind. All answeres to my own questions.

my Daddy has so much insight and wisdome! a few months ago, I was sitting in the dinning room talking with my dad about this very subject. (more correctly my dad was guiding me and giving me counsel!) but I still recall the message of his words. His wisdome brought me to realize

ministry is right here!

I want to go on a missions trip, I want to go be apart of a ranch in OR. that ministers to hurting kids... nothing wrong with that... maybe someday I will get the chance to! but my dad pointed out to me - that there are hurting kids right here in small town NE! sure im in the cornfeilds... but Ministering is having a personal relationship with the individual! even though its all great... but I really dont have to go across the world/country to reach out to kids and people. the fact is they are right here- I know them, I know that they are hurting, struggling. and I know that they need Jesus.

the answer to my question about "what IS my ministry?" -

my ministry is Luke 4:18.

my ministry is to stand up and fight for the cause of Christ

my ministry is to bring hope to those that have none

to encourage those that are falling

to share the gosple

to light MY world

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hat anointed me to

preach the gospel to the poor

he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,

to preach deliverance to teh captives,

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty them that are bruised,

YOU can make a difference for Christ exactly where God has put you. weather your in small town USA, the middle of a bean patch, or some big city -doesnt matter. God has you where he has you for a reason. Im so thankful for the place where I am,

Im so thankful for how God is changing me

I want to BE more, I want to DO more. how could we possible say.... "iv done enough for God" we cant.

I WANT TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God

I will strengthen Thee; yea

I will help thee; yea

I will uphold thee with the right hand of my rightesouness.

A Bow

"When we choose to answer the call of our Lord,

we become like a bow in His hands, A bow is useful only when it's drawn.

It's the drawing, the ability to handle tension, that gives a bow its value.

With a little draw, there is little release. Yet each time we submit to God,

we expand our trust and faith and grow more flexible, resilient, and strong.

Over time we are able to flex into a full draw and know His full release.

The bigger the draw, the farther our arrows fly for him.

The farther they fly, the greater the impact we make on the hearts of

those around us who need help."

~Kim Meeder~

What if Im fifteen??

I hardly ever have the radio turned on. If music is playing It’s usually a CD, or songs that we have on the computer. For some reason I walked by the radio in the kitchen and clicked on K-love Christian radio, and went to sit down at the computer desk. I started to sort through some pictures and work on an birthday invitation for my grandma when a song came on that I hadn’t ever heard before. I leaned back in the chair to pay more attention to the lyrics. As I listened God softly pushed on my heart. I felt convicted and challenged by the words to this song. So I want to share them with you.

Fifteen Lyrics
Greg Long

I was sitting at the table
As the waitress took our order
In her eyes I knew that something wasn't right
And before I saw it coming
I was caught up in her story
Of the storms that she had weathered in her life
My friend said can we pray for you
She said I think I'd like you to
She walked away, we bowed our heads
But then he turned to me and said

If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause, I may be the third,
may be the seventh
There may be years in between
but what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen

Just a chapter in a story
With the ending still unwritten
Do they find the truth of Jesus after all
As I listen for the whispers
And I follow where they lead me
I pray that I'll be faithful to the call
If I'm who I'm supposed to be
I know that God can work through me
I may not understand it now
But I believe somehow

If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause I may be the third,
may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen

God I don't want to miss the chances
When you open the door
What may seem so insignificant
You see so much more

If it takes fifteen times
To hear about Jesus
For someone to believe
Wherever I stand in line
I've got to make a difference
In case it comes down to me
'Cause I may be the third,
may be the seventh
There may be years in between
But what if I'm fifteen
What if I'm fifteen

I just can’t explain how God used that song to once again show me how important it is to be sharing the gospel everywhere I go. Do I make a difference every time I stand in line? I just hope it encourages you to make a difference to. We never know the life story of the lady checking us out at the grocery store, so the teenage girl handing us our sack in the drive through. But it it takes 15 times for them to hear about Jesus I pray that you and I would be one of the ones to hand them a track, or stop and share Jesus. What if we are that fifteenth person?? And what if we didn’t bother to share our faith with them??? Is theyre blood going to be on our hands like it says in Ezekiel 33?

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die;
if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way,
that wicked man shall die in his iniquity;
but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it;
if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity;
but thou hast delivered thy soul. (Ezekiel 33:8-9)

overwhelmed

My heart is so moved. As I set the table and finished preparing supper my brothers had an episode of Oddesey playing. While I was going in and out of the dining room, I caught a few glitches of the story. It was about Connie and Eugene going in the imagine nation station back to the story of Jesus. At the very end 2 statements were made during the story that brought tears to my eyes.

The first statement was made by one of the wise men as they seen baby Jesus he said “is this the one brings hope to the whole world” just imagine! JESUS Christ! Even as a little new born baby—brought hope to the world… He IS the hope of the world!! I am so humbled. I just can’t find words to describe how grateful I am that Jesus has given me hope. Without Him I would be nothing.

The ending statement was simply this “we have a reason to live, that’s worth dying for” wow! The end times have been on my mind often. And honestly sometimes it scares me! Will I be able to stand for Christ like the brave ones who have done so before? Even at the cost of life? But “we have a reason to live, that’s worth dying for” Jesus Christ is so fulfilling! He is everything we need! He is on the throne! Im so thankful that I can completely trust in Him! I am completly overwhelmed with how amazing God is, and how undeserving I am of the hope, love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness that is so freely given me!

Whew. Well I just had to jot that down! My heart is so full! And I have a very limited about of words to try to describe that! Thank You Jesus!

Harvest

There are so many things that come to my mind when I think of harvest. I picture eating supper on a tailgait, climbing into some good quality John Deere equpiment spending hours with my dad. collecting tickets at the grain elavator (along with hot coco, and suckers) roling the tarps on and off of the grain trucks each time we made a trip to the elavator. those are just a few of the reasons why harvest is my favorite time of year! I love every bit of it!

obviously we are smack dab in the middle of my favorite season! combines are driving back and forth across feilds all day long. trucks and semi's make trips to and from the grain bins, the grain cart keeps the combine empty, and the other trucks scootin along! I tell ya, farmers dont dink around when the crops are ready... now im confronted with the question.... why do we??? are we not called by Jesus Christ to be farmers? we are told that the fields are ready to be harvested, why is that not taken seirously? once the beans, and corn are ready; farmers dont just sit around and wait another 3 months before they finally decide to go start doing something about it! we need to be ready to gather in the crop as soon as its ready. crops dont stay ripe forever. theres a window of oppertunity that opens..... then closes.

are we taking seirously the fact that people need the Lord? the crops are ready to be brought in, but nobody wants to do the work. we need to stand up and be the labourers that God needs!

Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Psalms 126:5-6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Ga 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

(btw I did take the combine pictures one evening! it was a TON of fun! perfect sky, and a perfect subject!)

Straight To Hell

Those Words have been on my mind so much; "Straight To Hell". When I lay down to sleep each night they ring in my thoughts, As I pray they bounce back and forth in my mind. So many people are heading STRAIGHT TO HELL. It's so bothersom, because its people that I know. I dare say each one of us wouldnt have to think more than a few seconds - to spit out 10 of our friends/relatives that we KNOW are going to Hell when they die. The worst thing; is that it doesnt bother us! it doesnt make us weep, and we dont go out of our way to try to pull them out of the fire. It aggravates me that I dont do enough.

Last weekend we had a rodeo, and during one of the events a young gal that I knew got bucked off her horse and trampled. I stood by the edge of the arena shocked. I watched a bunch of dads huddle over her, and I was so sickened at my self that I hadnt told her about heaven and Hell, or the fact that Jesus Christ is our ONLY hope. The question "what if she dies" kept bouncing through my head and made me just want to cry my eyes out. minutes later I watched the EMT's load her up and pull out. So I prayed, not only that she would be ok, but that I, and we as Christians would be roused to pull people out of the Fire.

People in this world have 1 shot at life. Hebrews 11:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: How is it that we are so comfortable with this life, that we dont go out and try to win sould like Jesus is comin tomorrow? I dont think we even PRAY enough, because I know that I dont :( We shouldnt be ashamed because we have the power of God. -- but we have not, because we ask not. so I just pray that we ... that I... would be so charged to not give up, and to share the gosple to those dear to us. I dont want to have to watch people that I know and love be cast into hell because I didnt tell them. God help me.

♥ Koda Girl ♥

A Call To Anguish

you Need to watch this video. its only a few minutes and its powerful. may we all be moved to anguish

SOoo.... here I am :D finding a tiny bit of sit down time! but i cant quite decide what to post about! VBS, Missions Confrence, Mommas Birthday (today), my amazing friends, Idk. but i guess i will just say that right now - God is so incredible! so often (every day) I fall short, I mess up, make a mistake, I fail. But everytime I fall, very gently my savior picks me up and leads me on. how thankful I am that God never quits his work in us. The past couple weeks I have just been so humbled. Each time I cry to Jesus, He wraps his arms around me, and im so undeserving. I am really SOOO thankful that the Lord does not give us what we deserve! His mercy, and Grace just confounds me!

"Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might."

thats pretty much all I have to say at the moment! (I'll try to be better at blogging!)

Koda Girl

L-5 Youth Ranch

hey everybody! sorry for my disappearance from blog land here! i just got way to overwhelmed and buried in life to get on, and some setting was messed up on our internet that wasnt letting me post. so... here i am finally! anyway not much (and yet at the same time.... TONS of things) have been going on! its crazy. but even though it was a couple weeks ago i still wanted to do this blog post. it was such an amazing week! and i love looking back through all the pictures, pulling out the memories, and recalling how Awesome God is.

a couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to help at a ranch for the week. many of you probably know about it. but I'll lightly recap, and then let you experience it through some pictures! the week i was there, they were having day camps for kids. it was absolutely incredible how the Holy Spirit moved, worked and directed the whole week! from the activities each day, to the partnerships, conversations, and relationships between the volunteers and the kids. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness!!

so no enjoy some pictures!! i have a big album made that you can check out when you click this >> (}-~-{) << (yeah the snaffle bit - click it and it will take you to the pictures!!) and heres a couple for the bottom of the post! enjoy! (btw i think you can leave comments on the pictures in the album so please do so!!)

unashamed of the gospel

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.
The dye has been cast. The decision has been made.
I have stepped over the line.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
my future, is secure. I'm finished with low living,
sight walking, small planning, smooth knees,
tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions,
plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right,
first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by faith, lean on His presence,
walk with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast my goal is Heaven,
my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few,
my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away,
turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in
the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the
adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up,
until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up,
spoken for the case of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know,
and work till He stops me.

My banner is clear. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed."

I read this and it really encouraged me! I guess it was supposedly written by an African Christian, before he was martyered for the faith. I pray that as Christian- we would truely live like this. forget a life of ease, fitting in, comfort, and worldly pleasures! God is so worth everything that we have! He's worth living for, He's worth dieing for!!!

Gods Love

Proverbs 10:12 ¶ Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

We read over this verse in our family bible reading time the other day, and 2 things about this verse stuck out to me.

1 Is the fact that in our life... in our relationships, we should not dwell on peoples faults, but that we should let Love cover a multitude of sins. Its an action that we have to take. It can be so easy to pick out our friends' faults, and a sin of all people... is gossip of course. And what does gossip do? It tares apart the downside of someone. But ya know, we should never focus on that! Because God asks us to love, because he first loved us....... which brought me to my second thought

2 why do we/should we let love cover peoples sins? …. because Jesus did it for us! And this is the part I love the most.... man I just cant get over it! The Lord looked down on us, and he knows that we are simply filled with sin. But Jesus loves us so much! He came and died for us! I know that to many of us this is not a new fact. But I still cant comprehend! Im just amazed by his love! And so ya know... when we accept Christs love- when we accept his gift of salvation, his love covers ALL of our sins! He doesnt look at us and pick out our faults- He looks at as and see's our redemption! A wicked heart made white as snow. Im just astounded. WOW!!!!!

my hearts on fire

this last week i found my self in Washington Iowa back at the most amazing and powerful youth conference that i have ever been to. "OUR TIME" ya know. it was amazing, and i could post pictures of some of the fun things. but thats not whats in my heart. i want to tell you about the amazing work that God did in my life.

i dont even know where to begin. and i dont feel like i have or know that words that would describe, or paint the faintest picture of Gods prodigious works. He challenged me to remember and KEEP the charge that I as a Christian have been given. the Charge to hold high standards, the charge to protect and stand up for the truth. the charge to do my part in pulling people out of the fire.

God spoke so much.... convicted and challenged my heart. i could talk about each message for hours. but to sum it up.... God set my heart on fire. I am not here to serve my self... i want to burn and burn and burn for Jesus Christ!!! and i pray that nothing i do will pour water on that fire. who cares what people think about us! sure this world may think that us crazy bible thumpers aint worth a hoot... but God cares. God is TOTALLY worth living for! He thought we were to die for! why cant we stand up for Him? ya know... if we care more about what this world thinks... thank what God thinks.... if we would rather be friends with this world... then SHAME. i want everything i do to be for God!

carrying the Cross of Christ... the cross of commitment is heavy, but we cant just lay it down! Jesus carried it for us! but we have to be totally commited to serving Christ. we need to NEVER let the Sword... the word of God drop from our hands. God wants us to use us... but if were sitting in the dirty dish water of the world... he wont.

I Challenge you.

dont sit on a bench and live your life! goodness sakes jump up with me, and lets do something for Christ. doesnt have to be something BIG. but God says that if were faithful over very little... he will make us will make us ruler over 10 cities! (Luke 19:17) I want to get to heaven and throw crowns, and jewels, and precious stones down at my Saviors feet.... not wood hay and stubble, or ashes.

dont be afraid to speak the name of Jesus. to some its a cuss word, but to US!!! its the POWER OF GOD!!!!!!!! we have been given SOOOO much! and how much are we doing for God? there's individuals in Africa that have absolutely NOTHING and yet they are doing stuff for God. we need to set aside some of the things that pull us away from Christ and just follow him!!

its OUR time to do OUR part for OUR generation