My Father..

I came across this on Pinterest and I completely love it! These verses are such an encouragement.

http://christdaily.tumblr.com/

It's gives me the chills that I've messed up so many times yet God is accepting, loving, righteous, gracious, etc. This is why I need him. He died on the cross for OUR sins. The price has been paid. God is giving us the free gift of salvation. Are you going to accept it? Friends change and come and go, but God will stay the same FOREVER and he is there every single moment of everyday. 

Go shine your light for Christ!

Crazy Love

I started reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and I can't put it down-I'm addicted. There was a specific part of Chapter 2 that really hit me, so I'm going to share with you Francis Chan's wisdom.


"Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives."
"Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip of control."
"Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance. They declare our tendency to forget that we've been forgiven, that our lives here are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won't be lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again, and that in the context of God's strength, our problems are small, indeed."
Francis Chan, Crazy Love (42).

This hit me really hard. I tend to worry a lot which leads to huge amounts of stress. I am telling myself it's okay to sin because I'm making exceptions. That's powerful. I need to let GO and LET God. It's easy to say just give your worries to God. In fact-I do, but then I find myself taking them back. I need to put my complete trust in God and I will feel so much better since I won't be stressed. Easier said than done. That's for sure. That's why I need God. I need him because I fall short all the time. Where would I be without him?

I had a conversation with someone the other day that was a part of the slap on the face I got. It's so silly to worry. I always knew it was but just the way it was said to me made a big impact. I feel so blessed to have such awesome Christian role models in my life that God definitely speaks through. 
I read chapter 2 right after the conversation I had. I was worrying and stressing about where I'm going to be in the fall. Cornerstone? Moody? GRCC? Nicaragua 2nd semester? When I gave it to God-I knew that I couldn't take it back. I have thought about these things a lot..but I need to pray for peace. Peace in the decision I make knowing that it's where God is leading me. Worrying gets me nowhere. It only makes things worse because then I start to over think the situation. I am feeling convicted as I write this because it's definitely something I struggle with, but it's also an area I've been growing in.

If you haven't read this book yet-I highly recommend it. Even though I haven't finished it, I'm addicted to it. I'm excited to see what else God shows me in this book. It's been a huge blessing so far. I pray that if you read it, that it's a blessing to you also.

2011

2011 had a lot of struggles, but a lot of amazing things happened also. 

The biggest thing the year started out with was the call I felt from God to work at SON-Life Camp. I had no idea what working there would bring because to be honest-the idea of it freaked me out going into a group of people I didn't know. Little did I know-God had way bigger plans. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us." As I look back on the year, this verse would be my motto for the year. After I found out I'd be working at camp, I got asked to go on a trip out west to help with 3 girls, and I also had plans in place to go to NYC on a mission trip with my youth group. Summer 2011 was going to be the best one yet!

My junior year was over and it was time to head to SON-Life Camp for Orientation. This was something I was super nervous about because I didn't know anyone. I had such mixed feelings. The week was a little hard, but as I look back I feel crazy for thinking it was hard. God was right there with me the whole time! I left for NYC right after orientation was over. That trip was amazing and eye opening in so many ways (you can ask me for more details). I came back from there and right away that next week had to work at camp. I was so exhausted and didn't know how I would get through the week with the little bit of sleep I had. I prayed so hard about it, and God kept me going! When we are weak HE is strong. I experienced that that week more than I ever have. The girls that week were so sweet. 

I got to the point where I couldn't wait to go back to camp the next week I worked. It was such an amazing feeling! My last week at camp there were so many mixed emotions. I couldn't wait to begin the week with such a wonderful group of girls. I woke up Tuesday morning and found out one of my really good friends from middle school died in a car accident. It was hard, but God held me hand through it all. Staying at camp was the best decision I ever made. I felt so supported there. 

During that week, was when I realized God's presence the most in my life. You may ask, how could I keep it together in front of campers? I don't know the answer to that-it was all God. I was in the best place. The staff at camp was amazing. When I was really torn and thinking about my friend a lot, there was always someone there to talk with, cry with, read scripture, or pray with. God works in mysterious ways! In short, it was the hardest week I've faced in a long time, yet amazing because of the people that surrounded me in this time. It's crazy to me that God knew when I applied for the job that this would all happen and those people would come around and support me. It gives me the chills. 

A week after camp I left for my trip out west which was an amazing experience (if I put details, it would be 80 pages). 

Senior year started off great. 

About a month and a half after school started-my grandma died. During that time I realized that I can't ask why, but what. What God are you going to use this situation for later on? Yes-I may not see it now and I may not until I get to Heaven. 

God showed me so many things this year (see other posts). One of the biggest things that sticks out to me is that when I believe lies about myself, I'm telling God he messed up. That hit me so hard and has helped me work through those lies. 

I hope you all have a blessed 2012! I pray that you all go out and shine your light for Christ in everything you do! God will NEVER leave or forsake you-even in the toughest times. I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life to help me along in hard times. You know who you are-and I feel so blessed to know you. Despite the struggles, I can look at the past year and see where God worked in SO many ways. Camp was a huge impact on me and I pray it was on the campers also. I am looking forward to see how God is going to use me this year. It's scary to say the least, but exciting at the same time. 

Love, 

Mallory