The Thankful Month

The picture that accompanies today's post is one that a friend of mine posted recently and it really convicted me.

If you're on Facebook any, you have probably seen people on your friends list taking part in the "Thankful November Challenge".

The object of the challenge is to post one thing you are thankful for every day of the month leading up to Thanksgiving Day.

I have taken on the challenge and to be completely honest,  sometimes I have a difficult time with it (especially the further we get into it).
 

I don't have a difficult time because I don't have anything to be thankful for (far from that)... just sometimes I allow myself to become so worked up, focusing on everything that is going wrong that I close my eyes to all the blessings.

We can be so quick to update our status with the latest gossip we just heard from "big mouth Betsy" or so eager to use our social media timeline as a cheap therapist on which to cast our frustrations....but we sometimes second guess ourselves when it comes to posting thankfulness for something good that God has done in our lives.

But why?
The Bible tells us multiple times to give thanks....

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 

Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

Psalm 107:1
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 100:4
"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

And that is just a select few of the instances in which we are told to give thanks.

You make be thinking to yourself  "I'd be more thankful, if I had more to be thankful for!"

Well first of all, that's flawed thinking from the beginning...if you aren't thankful with the small things, God won't bless you with the big things.
Second of all, there are people out there with a lot less than you that are a million times more thankful for what they have.

As I begin to branch out of my comfort zone, I have a growing interest in helping a group from my church at the homeless shelter. I have only been able to be involved once so far at the shelter, but just from that one experience....conviction hit....

Here are a bunch of ladies who literally have all most nothing to their name, some separated  from family, and they are just thankful to be alive and taken care of. They are just thankful to have a hot supper, a slice of cake, and someone  just to sit down with them to talk about life.

And we feel like being ungrateful because we wanted the Iphone 5 not the 4S.....


Or, you may be thinking to yourself  "I just don't FEEL like being thankful..... this happened, that happened",  and the list starts flowing....

Just remember, sometimes bad things happen as "blessings in disguise".... like the following post I saw a while back titled "Conversation with God":

Me: God, can I ask you something?

GOD: Sure.

Me: Promise you won't get mad?
GOD: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
GOD: What do you mean?
Me: Well I woke up late,
GOD: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start,
GOD: Okay....
Me: At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
GOD: Hmmmm..
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call
GOD: All right
Me: And to top it all off, when I got home, I just wanted to soak
my feet in my foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work. Nothing went
right today! Why did you do that?
GOD: Well let me see..... the death angel was at your bed this morning and
I had to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you
sleep through that.
Me: Oh...
GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your
route that might have hit you if you were on the road
Me: ............
GOD: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't
want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work
Me: Oh.....
GOD: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to
give a false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let
you talk to them so you would be covered
Me: I see God
GOD: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out
all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in
the dark.
Me: I'm sorry God.
GOD: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me,in all things, the good
and the bad
Me: I WILL trust you God
GOD: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your
plan
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything
today.
GOD: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I
love looking after my children.

Kinda makes you see things in a different light, doesn't it? 

So as you continue the November Challenge, remember that being thankful isn't confined just to the month of November.

Being thankful shouldn't just be an action. it should be a way of life....especially for the Christian/

We all have stuff to be thankful for, sometimes you just have to take a step back and a quiet moment away from the crazy messed up world to see it.

If you woke up this morning... you have something to be thankful for, because someone somewhere didn't.
If you ate something today... you have something to be thankful, because there are people starving around the world.
If you went to a job today...you have something to be thankful for, because there are many people today who are unemployed.
If you have a bed to sleep on and a roof over your head...you have something to be thankful for because some people live on the streets.

If you have at least 1 true friend...you have something to be thankful for, because true friends are rare and valuable.
If Christ has saved you... you have something to be thankful for because you don't deserve salvation. You did nothing to earn it.

“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.”

“One of the main reasons that we lose our enthusiasm in life is because we become ungrateful..we let what was once a miracle become common to us. We get so accustomed to his goodness it becomes a routine..” 

“Sometimes we focus so much on what we don't have that we fail to see, appreciate, and use what we do have!”

“Gratitude doesn't change the scenery.  It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors.”

Live...Laugh...Love

Until Next Time, 

Racheal <3  

See You At The Pole

2 Chronicles 7:14 -
"And if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

The above was the theme verse for this year's "See You at the Pole".

This morning before the school bells rang, student from all over were gathering at their flag poles to pray together.
I had the privilege to attend a couple schools and witness first hand the event and I have been thinking about it all day.

Some people may ask "so what? What's the big deal?", but I'm here to tell you it is a huge deal! (Especially for the kids and teen imvolved.)

Nobody likes to be uncomfortable and nobody likes to be looked at weird, and I know that a big step for these.

I'm sure they got some remarks from friends and probably lots of questions like:
What were you doing?
And
Why were you doing that?
But I can also only imagine the doors it opened for sharing the gospel.

I know standing out and being diffent is hard (especially on public school campuses), and I can't put in words how proud I am of the students who took a stand... completely unashamed!

The bible says in 2 Timothy 1:8 "...do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord...", and again in Matthew 10:32-33, "Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven."

That is exactly what the students did.

They were not ashamed and they did not deny the Lord!

As the "Week of Prayer" continues (and even after the week ends), my prayer is that those involved will continue to speak out, pray, and be lights in their school halls because that is what we as Christians are called to do. 

Matthew 5:16 "...let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

And adults, that isn't just for your children. You need to be leading by example. Your work places are just as much a field to be planted and harvested as schools are!

Continue fighting. Continue sharing.  Continue praying. 

We aren't finished until the Lord returns or we are called home!

Live...Laugh...Love

Until Next Time, Racheal <3

Too Fearful to be Faithful

Does it ever feel like God is answering prayers for everyone and their brother (and sister and mom and dad and cousin and nephew and uncle and grandparents....), but not you?

Like your prayers are bouncing off of some supernatural ceiling and falling unheard right back in your lap?
Quite frankly,  that's where I've been stuck for a while now.

I hear countless stories of people I know having miraculous encounters with God, and I'm just over here saying with my mouth "wow! That's amazing!" While asking in the back of my mind "why can't that be me?"

I've seen God save people. I've seen God open doors for people. I've seen God give signs to people who need them.
But where is mine?
Ive actually had others pray for me, because they must "have a better connection"

I know I can't be the only Christian out there thay struggles with this. Can I?

Feeling utterly defeated and ready to give up, I had my spiritual eyes opened today.

After 2 amazing messages at church, and one heart to heart chat with a good christian friend of mine,  I got an answer.

Fear and doubt.

That's right.
God isn't sitting up in heaven trying to pick on me or be mean. Thats not the type of person He is.
He is just waiting for me to have the faith when I ask. He wants me to be sure that I am ready to accept whatever the answer may be.
Some times we let fear and doubt  run through our veins and we end up saying a prayer because it what we are supposed to do, and we have no faith that it will happen because honestly we don't want it to.

As I type this one verse that I have memorized keeps running through my head. 

It is James 1:6-7

            But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Pretty clear if you ask me. Ask in faith. No doubt. No fear.

Saying you have faith is easy, But demonstrating that faith by your action can be difficult.

You just have to take a leap into the unknown and trust that God knows best and believe that He won't give you more than you are capable of.

Or as my friend put it... step out the boat. (A reference to Peter walking on the water and the reason for my choice of clip art)

I wish I could give yall some theological gold nugget of wisdom and some very sspecific instruction on proper prayer, but I can't. I'm still learning.

But I do fully understand now that fear has no place in a faithful prayer.

So now in the best way I know how, infront of everyone reading this, I pray that God shows Himself to me in such a mighty way that there is no denying it is Him.

I pray for wisdom, direction, and vision.

I ask this with no fear and with no doubts, because I have faith that He knows what's best.

With Him on my side I can do all things (Philippians 4:13), because if He is for me who can be against me? (Romans 8:31).

The only thing to do know is prepare, because the winds about to start blowing!

Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

FOCUS

Today as I was rocking a baby to sleep at work, I noticed that she was very focused on a specific object behind my rocking chair.

As the chair moved forward and backwards, her eyes moved side to side at the same pace.

Her position was changing, her surroundings were moving, but her eyes remained focused and glued to whatever it was she was intrigued by.


So my question for you today is...

Where is your focus?

When our focus is where it should be, things will run smoothly.

But if you allow your focus to drift it can cause major problems.

You see, whatever you focus on is, 9 times out of 10, what you will end up with.

If you focus on getting that new car/boat, big house, of even an ice cream cone...chances are you will do whatever it takes to obtain the object of your focus.

When you focus on the positive, more positive things will happen.
But when you allow yourself to focus on solely the negative aspects of life, chances are you will ONLY see the negative and not the beauty of the world around you.

A perfect example from the Bible that comes to mind is the story of Jesus walking on the water, which can be found at Matthew 14:22-33:
                     ^" Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 See, when Peter allowed his focus to drift from Jesus (where it should have been, and where ours needs to be) to the waves and storms around him, he began to sank.

I know none of you have gone out and walked on water, but I'm sure the majority of you have faced a similar scenario.

Say you are living life and everything's fine. You and God are on great terms. You pray daily. You read your Bible. You can't compliain about anything.

Then all of a sudden, a storm pops up. Something you were not expecting.
You get sick
You get in an accident
You lose your job
A family member passes away...

You have a choice to make then just like Peter, don't you?

You can chose to keep your focus on Christ believing He has a reason for what He is doing
OR
You can chose to move your focus to the trail you are experiencing and become "sucked under" just like Peter.

I know life can be scary and I know at times very confusing, but if you keep your focus on Christ you will make it through.

That Bible even says in Matthew 6:33 to "seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Keep your focus where it should be, on God, and He will give you everything you need. There is no need to worry about anything. God has your back!

So just like a baby, focused on a random object behind a rocking chair, keep your eyes glued to Christ.
Don't let your focus drift. Don't let the waves take you under.

Satan will try every trick in the book to get you to look away from God.
Don't give him the satisfaction of stealing your focus.

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light."

Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

So Many Doors

Look at the picture to the left and imagine with me that you are walking down a hallway full of doors.
The doors are swinging open, close, open, close, open, close, and you have no idea where any of them leads.

All you know is the one you just walked out of is supernaturally bolted shut and the is absolutely no way of re-entering it.

What do you do?


Do you stand outside the shut door and beat on it fervently? Or do you continue walking down the hallway trying to find another door that looks appealing to you?

As amusing as this illustration way seem, it is a perfect picture of how life works.

Each part of our life and every decision we make is a "door"

For example:
Where you went to high school and which activities you were involved in there is a door, and each door you walk through will eventually close and lead you to another door.

Say you were involved in sports in school. You played football all 4 years, and you were offered a full ride you the college of your dreams to play ball for them. That is a an example of one door opening another door and it just continues on.

But sometimes we are kicked out of certain doors, because they weren't meant for us. Maybe it was what we needed at the time, but now we are read for something else. Something bigger and better.

As I sit here and type, I remember back to a time where I was laid off from my part time job at a daycare I was working at. I was devastated and I remember banging on the close door and cry out, "why! no!". It really got me down.

It wasn't until God opened another door for me as a full time teacher that I finally understood that God had a bigger plan for me.

My new job threw me out of my comfort zone, which in return helped me grow...not only mentally, but spiritually as well.

Having been never worked in a "secular" environment caused me to see that all the training I had acquired in my sheltered Christian work place was preparing me to continue as a witness some where else.

Well enough about my personal experience (we will save that for a future post) let's turn to scripture and see what it has to say.

Revelation 3:8
          “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Psalm 25:12
          "Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose."

Psalm 37:23
          "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."

Proverbs 3:5
          "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Isaiah 30:21
          "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left'"

Scripture makes it clear that when we come to a confusing time in life, when we are bombarded with a hallway full of doors, that if we cling to the Lord He will show us the path which will should take. He won't leave us abandoned with out hope. 

You just have to remember that God in His infinite wisdom has a specific plan for you life and anything He does is meant to improve you, equip you, or try you. But you can rest assured that whatever He brings you to, He will bring you through and complete it. (Philippians 1:6).

I saved my favorite scripture for last, because it wasn't until recently that I began to fully understand. I had heard it all my life, and there isd even a children's song based upon it. The verse is Psalm 119:105.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Have you ever attempted to walk a dark and unknown path with just a lamp? I'm not talking about a flash light (which is shined ahead), but an actual lamp. It isn't very easy, because the lamp only lights up what is directly near you. And that is how God choses most of the time to direct us. It could quite possibly be because He knows us and out fleshly nature, and how He knows that if we could see the whole plan up front we may either 1. chicken out or 2. try to find short cuts. 

I very close friend of mine said it perfectly when she said, "God's word is like a lamp unto our feet, not a crystal ball to see into the future." (forgive me if I misquoted that a little.)

But how true is that?

So stop trying to bang on every door that won't open for you.

 If you get kicked out of a door, have faith that it is for the best. 

Stop trying to plan your own life around what you think is right 

and stop trying to do God's job

Having faith is not only having faith in God, but also having faith in His timing and plan.

Keep that in mind as you continue to walk down your hallway of life.

Live, let go, and let God

He wants to bring about the best for you today!

Live...Laugh...Love

Until Next Time, 

Racheal <3

Monkey See. Monkey Do.

From the time we are babies, we are imitating the actions of others around us. From walking to chewing to laughing to clapping to using baby sign language.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we (sometimes even as adults) immitate the behavior of others in our social circles and we do so (sometimes completely unaware) for many different reasons.

We do it to form bonds with the person.
We do it to learn.
We do it to show the person we care about them. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.)
And sometimes we just do it to annoy them...can't be mature all the time!


 But more important than WHY we imitate is WHO we imitate.

You have teens girls getting knocked up because they see it celebrated on TV (Can you say "Teen Mom" and "16 and Pregnant")
You have people using profane language because it is so freely used in most of today's entertainment media.
 You have young girls wearing provocative clothing because that what all the models wear.
You have more fighting and violence because that what young boys are watching.

Now don't get me wrong, not EVERYTHING that comes out of Hollywood is filth...but MOST of it is.

Hollywood also isn't the only thing we imitate.

We imitate the behavior of friends, coworkers, and family as well.

Do the people you associate with and try to be like better you?

The Bible says multiple times through out the New Testament that we should be imitators of Christ.

              "Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children." Ephesians 5:1

              "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5

              "For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps." 1 Peter 2:21

So, if the Bible wants us to imitate Christ, then anyone else on earth we imitate should be people who are also trying to imitate Christ. 

Paul told us that 1 Corinthians 11:1.
He told the Church at Corinth to "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ."

Easy enough to understand, right?

Imitate Christ, but if you need someone fleshly to imitate...imitate those who are following Christ.
Forget Hollywood.  

The part where is gets hard is when you realize that, like we said, imitating is a natural itstinct of human nature. 
People are watching you. 
Did you hear me? People are watching YOU. Whether you like it or not. 

Are you being someone worth imitating? Or do you simply talk the talk but refuse to walk the walk?

If you children, students, friends, or family members picked up your good habits...how would that make you feel? What if they picked up your bad ones?

To be able to say what Paul said takes a lot of efforts. Looking at your life right now, would you be able to tell the people around you, "Hey yall. Do everything the way I do it because I am doing everything like Christ." 
I don't think I could. You may be thinking, but Paul couldn't be doing everything right. And you would be correct in that statement. Even Paul said in Romans that even when he tries to do good he still does bad because of his flesh. You know what the difference is. He TRIES. He doesn't say "I'm a sinner, I'm not perfect. Might as well just do whatever the heck I want." No he says, "I'm not perfect, but I try. I still screw up, but I follow Christ and he leads me. When I mess up I'll make it right. I want to be an example to others in Christ."

Are you imitating people who are worht imitating?
Are you being someone worth imitating?

Don't cause others to stumble. 
All you have to do is try. 


"Man's natural character is to imitate; that of the sensitive man is to resemble as closely as possible the person whom he loves. It is only by imitating the vices of others that I have earned my misfortunes."

 Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time, 
Racheal <3

Keep Going

How many times in life do you just feel like throwing in the towel.

Waving the white flag of defeat and yelling, "I'm done! I surrender!"

Everyone feels that way at one time or another, and if you say you haven't...knock on wood sweet heart cause you will sooner or later.

As humans, we can sometimes become easily frustrated and discouraged.

Life can be hard.



Our boss is driving us crazy.
Our parents/kids are making us want to pull every last piece of hair out of our head.
Our dreams seem to just crumble to pieces around us as we watch.
We get stuck in a rut and have no idea how to make it out because we are in too deep.

We feel abandoned. We feel weak. We feel defeated. We feel helpless.

We just want to slap a big fat period on the end of our sentence of life and say "The End" (at least to that chapter)

But something that caught my eye today was a simple picture of a girl with a tattoo of a semicolon, and the caption was "keep going".

Not being much of a grammar person, I decided to look up the significance of the simple (yet sometimes feared) semicolon.

What I found really made me pause in amazement.
It said, "a semicolon is used when a sentence could have been ended, but it wasn't."

That's when I realized this often over looked and neglected piece of punctuation holds a lot more value than one could even possibly imagine!

You may be thinking, "That's great Racheal, but how can that be applied to MY life. I'm not just a sentence. I'm a person"
You can be right in saying that, but in order to apply it...we must first identify what in our life can be used as a semicolon. 

Many times through out scripture we see people (just like us) who seem to have come to the end of their sentence and then out of no where...a semicolon appears.

The first example that comes to my mind is the story of Lazarus. 

Lazarus was DEAD. That's the ultimate period if there ever was one.
But God didn't want Lazarus's sentence to end there, so He just placed a semicolon there and brought him back to life :)

You see guys, that's the Christian's semicolon. It's God's power, purpose, and protection over our lives. 

When you feel like giving up just remember, God is on your side. He is your strength. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand. He might let you bend, but He won't let you break. He is your safe place, your refuge, and your protection from the storm. He is the giver of rest.

              "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

             "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

             "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

            “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 

           “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1

           "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28


And when it comes to scripture, I saved this one for last because it has to be one of my personal favorites:

             "He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it even unto the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

God has begun a good work in each and every single one of us. And He wants to COMPLETE something good in each of our lives. 
Who are we to place a period where God intends for there to be a semicolon?

Don't lose heart. Don't give up.
That's what Satan wants to happen, but God is pleading with us "Don't stop. Keep going. Trust me."

I don't know about any of you, but I am kicking myself right now as I type. 
Too many times I give into the lie that I can't do something and that I'm better off a quitter. 
But the next time Satan tries to tempt me with a period, I'm going to slap a big ole semicolon in his evil little annoying face and say "God's not finished with me yet. I have a purpose to fulfill!"

I have a brand new respect for the semicolon. wouldn't my high school English teacher be proud?

What about you? 
Do you feel like giving up?
Are you falling for the lies that you can't do this anymore?
Do you feel alone? helpless? abandoned? weak?
 If you are, cry out to God. Ask Him to pour out his strength and healing on you life and whatever you do, keep going. God has great plans for you :) 


"What winning is to me is not giving up, is no matter what's thrown at me, I can take it. And I can keep going."

“Never give up,keep going,don't quit,die in your tracks before ever giving up.If we back down every time we are faced with something tough,we are complete failures.” 

 “If you are going through hell, keep going.”

 “When the world says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘Try it one more time.’”
 

Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

PS. Here is a song which I believe fits in nicely with today's topic. It's Called He Said by Group 1 Crew...give it a listen :)

What's My Worth

A car: $18,000

A new tee shirt: $20

A movie ticket: $5

A gallon of gas: $3.54 (at the moment where I live.)

Rainbow flip flops: $40

A Plant Fitness Black Card Membership: $19.99/month

A pack of Stride gum: $1.19

Everything has a price.


We decide the worth of an item by how much we are willing to pay for it. Think about that for a moment. Would you pay $20 for a pack of gum? No. What about $18,000 for a new tee shirt? No. Why not? Cause it's not worth that much, is it?

And while this system of monetary worth may work for objects and items that can be sold at convenient stores, it is in no way an appropriate way to judge the worth of a human being.

As children of God, we were all bought with the same price. The blood of Christ. Meaning, in His eyes we are all full of worth. Doesn't that make you feel good?

It should.

Now, when things can get hard, and we get down...Satan loves to attack us and our lives by making us feel like we have a lessened sense of worth because of our looks, actions, or unique quirks. But let me tell you, it is a LIE. I mean the Bible even tells us that he is the "Father of Lies" (John 8:44)

But, if we know he is a liar...why do we allow ourselves to fall victim to the lies?

That's a good question, but a question I can not fully answer.

What I can tell you though is I can sympathize with the feelings of worthlessness.

I have (in the not so distant past) felt...unlovable, worthless, alone because I have fallen into the trap.

I was blinded by the lies and couldn't see the truth.

The more Satan told me I wasn't anything special or important, the more I began to believe him.
And the further I got from God. I couldn't believe He could actually love someone like me.
I mean why would He? I saw myself as a fat, ugly, failure, with not bright future.
Why would He love someone like that?

It's taking alot for me to admit this to you all, but I feel like it something that needs to be talked about.
So many people become buried under the lies it crushes them til they feel they can't take it any longer.

Getting out of the pit isn't easy, but it isn't impossible! (Because with God ALL things are possible!) There is hope.

You just have to get the lies out of your head and replace it with the truth.

What is the truth? I'll tell you the truth:

• God loves you (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:37-39)
• God made you perfect, just the way you are (Psalm 139:13-14)
• God has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)

 Hearing these truths once, won't completely change your perspective...Just like hearing the lies once didn't.

It's going to take yourself daily reminding yourself what God says and daily prayer to remain strong through the trails.

I ask you today, Where do you find your self worth?

Is it in the car you drive? The clothes you wear? The house you live in? The opinions of others?
Or is it where it should be? In the eyes of a God who loves you so much more than anyone else ever could!

Mine used to be in the first few, but now I'm working ever so hard to live a life of worth in Christ.
It may not be easy all the time, and my old tendencies may try to to take a hold of me, but it is oh so fulfilling.

Your life will drastically change when you realize that other people may not see your true beauty/worth, but the God of the universe thinks that you are "to die for"!!

Don't let others bring you down, let Christ hold you up :)

“Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is believing you're worthy of the trip.”  

“You can be the most beautiful person in the world and everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but if you yourself don't know it, all of that doesn't even matter. Every second that you spend on doubting your worth, every moment that you use to criticize yourself; is a second of your life wasted, is a moment of your life thrown away. It's not like you have forever, so don't waste any of your seconds, don't throw even one of your moments away.” 

“It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.” 

" Never doubt your value, little friend. The world would be a dismal place without you in it."

“Low self-esteem causes me to believe that I have so little worth that my response does not matter. With repentance, however, I understand that being worth so much to God is why my response is so important. Repentance is remedial work to mend our minds and hearts, which get bent by sin.”


Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

PS. Click here to watch an amazing message by a young man that everyone should hear!

What's With All The Green?

Happy March everyone!
Man, is this month flying by or what? Feels like it was just January.

Well, with March comes a very special holiday that, to honest, not very many people know much about.

That's right! If you couldn't guess by the post's title and the picture of shamrocks, I'm talking about Saint Patrick's Day!


As I was trying to prepare a simple and sweet devotion for my church's ladies group tonight, I kept trying to think of a way top tie St. Patrick's day in with the lesson. I was thinking, "hmm...pots of gold could be treasures, possibly earthly vs heavenly. I could talking about 'luck' and whether or not a Christian should believe in luck." All good ideas, but not exactly what I was looking for.

So, I decided to ask around. "What is Saint Patrick's Day"

I got various answers, but her were the top 3

1. A day when you wear green so you don't get pinched
2. A day wear you eat corned beef and cabbage and drink green beer
3. Something Irish

The more I though about it, the more curious I become. Why am I celebrating something, if I don't know what it is.

So, my research began.

And here is what I found:
           
                 "At about the age of 16, Patrick, a Scottish young man born into wealth sometime in the late fourth century, most likely around 385, was violently captured by Irish raiders and forced into a life of slavery. Patrick later escaped and was reunited with his family, but in a dream, felt called by God back to Ireland to spread Christianity to the people of that isle. So this godly young man set about to make this dream come true. He prayed for God's strength and then studied scripture to ready himself. Then He was prepared to return to the land of his captivity. He preached the Gospel and built churches throughout the country until his death on March 17, 461. For the modern day Irish, St. Patrick's Day is considered a time for spiritual renewal as they fondly remember the slave-turned-evangelist who spread Christianity to the Emerald Isle." (http://social.popsugar.com/Interesting-Story-About-St-Patrick-1123058)

Ok, so it is something religious. Great.

But... the more I began to read and study, the more God began to reveal deeper truth to me. He was saying, "Racheal, that's and example of what I did for YOU."

Huh? But God, I didn't kidnap no one? What do you mean that's an example of us?

Well, you can bet Patrick wasn't friends with the Irish. (Who would be?) I would even go as far to say he was probably more like enemies with them. Yet, he cared about them and wanted to share with them the truth of who God was.

And take a look at Romans 5:8, 
               "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

"While we were yet sinners", while we were yet enemies of God...Christ died for us.

While we were mocking God, while we were denying God, while we were blaspheming God, while we were spitting in God's face, while we were point our fingers at God saying "I don't need You in my life, "wile we were yet sinners"...Christ cared about our spiritual state...and died for us. (US... you, me, your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends, your family, Saint Patrick, and the people of Ireland.)

Imagine if Saint Patrick had told God, "No way! I'm not going back there! Those people enslaved me! They don't deserve to hear about Your love"
He wouldn't have fullfilled his purpose, and God most likely would have sent someone else to do the job.

But...Imagine if Jesus told God, "No way! I'm not going to earth to die a painful death on a cross! Those people curse Me! Those people take My name in vain and those people are going to spit on Me! They don't deserve my blood or the salvation I have to offer!"

Kinda puts it in a different light, doesn't it?

Is God calling you to speak to someone about Him and you feel like you shouldn't because of how they treated you in the past? or are still treating you in the future?

As Saint Patrick's Day approaching, have fun wearing the green, eating the food, and fellow-shipping with loved ones. But I also hope you take time out to remember the lesson given to use by Saint Patrick and his ministry to the people of Ireland, and apply it to your life and the people you come across on a daily basis. Be it coworkers, classmates, friends, family, or even people in the grocery store.

Just remember, someone once gave you a chance to learn of Christ. Who are you to keep your mouth shut about Him to someone else? You may be that person's only shot at eternal life.


Live...Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

PS. Just a cool tip bit of information. The shamrock is asscoiated with Saint Patrick's day, because the shamrock is part of the Irish culture and it is the object used by Saint Patrick himself to teach the Irish people the basics of the concept of the Trinity. 3 in 1...Father, Spirit, Son. 3 petals, 1 leaf. :)

Why Worry?

Let me start off by saying worry is a sin.

There I said it. It's a sin, and it's probably a sin that most Christians commit without even realizing it.

I know I struggle with it on a daily basis.

As a matter of fact...I've caught myself doing it today.

You may be thinking to yourself, "How is worry a sin, it's natural to be afraid of certain things?"

And you may be correct in saying that, but let me explain...




To be afraid of something means to have a fear of it, to have a fear means to have "an unpleasant emotion", and an emotion is defined as "a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances".

So in a nut shell, to be afraid means you have an unpleasant, natural, instinctive state of mind because for a certain set of current circumstances.

How is that different from worrying?

Well, to worry means to "give way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles."

Notice there is nothing natural or distinctive about worry. Worry is making a choice to allow you mind to dwell continuously on something, be it a "difficulty of trouble" (or a fear).

So how does that make it a sin?

Well, it makes it a sin because by choosing to allow yourself to dwell on things that are most likely out of control, you are taking your eyes off of God and you are saying to Him, "I don't trust you to handle the curve balls that are thrown my way! You don't know what you are doing."

That's what I have to say about it, but just like all my other posts...we need to turn to Scripture and see what God Himself says about it:

Matthew 6:25-34
            “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Philippians 4:6-7   
            "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

There are many others verses that could be used, but these are the passages that I am most familiar with.
So in reading them, what do you take from it? I take that worry is good for absolutely nothing!

As I've heard it put before, "Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but gets you no where."

How true.

 

Well, if I should worry, what should I do?

 

Look back up at Philippians, "...but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Also check out this verse, 

1 Peter 5:7 
            "Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

If God doesn't want you to worry, do you really think He is going to make you handle it alone? NO. 

He wants you to call on Him. He wants you to give up your worry to Him, because "[His] yoke is easy and [His] burden is light" (Matthew  11:30)

 

Won't you give up your worry? Won't you hand over your anxieties to Him? 

Just call upon His name and make your requests known, that's all He asks you to do.

Imagine how much better your quality of life would be if you simply prayed, 

"Lord, I worry that I may lose my job, I worry that the people I love may make the wrong choices. I worry I may fail You. I worry that I'm not setting the right example to others. I worry that I won't measure up. I worry _______ (insert your worry here), but I cast that worry upon you because I trust you fully and I have faith that everything works together for the good of those who love you, and I claim Your promise of peace."

Only you can chose to let it go. Right now, this very moment.

Do you chose you continue to wallow in your worry, or will you chose to accept the peace from the Prince of Peace?

 

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."

 

"Worry can keep us up all night long, but faith makes one fine pillow"

 

"If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today."

 

“If there is no solution to the problem then don't waste time worrying about it. If there is a solution to the problem then don't waste time worrying about it.” 

Live...Laugh...Love

Until Next Time, 

Racheal <3

The (Not So) Perfect Christian

I'm not perfect....

There, I said it.

Are you happy now?

I'm not perfect...

There, I said it again!

I'm not perfect! and guess what... neither are you!

Why do people get the idea in their head that Christians are perfect.

I never understood that theory.

I'll be the first one to admit that I sin. I sin every day of my life.

Society has this idea drilled into their heads that Chrsitans are like robots.
Once they give their life over to Christ, their life is going to be perfect. They will no longer sin and they will never stumble, fall, or trip up.

But the Bible is very clear that ALL have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that there is NONE righteous (Romans 3:10).

I think Paul summed it up best in Romans 7 when He wrote:
           
                             "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Now in my personal opinion, I would say that Paul is one of the more influential people for the kingdom in all the Scriptures, and even he struggled with his sin nature overpowering his desire to obey all the rules he should.

 Well, if you don't become perfect after salvation, what does happen?

You become forgiven.

Imagine it like this...

You are born clothed in dirty, filthy, tattered rags.
 At the moment you accept Christ's sacrifice, He take off His spotless white robes and place it on your shoulders.
That way when God looks down on you, He sees the righteousness of His Son on you.
But, underneath you are still wearing your dirty clothes, because your original nature was never taken from you.
Does that make sense?

A close friend of mine has a theory that when you get to Heaven, she pictures that God is going to have like a power point slide showing of everything you did through out your life...good and bad.
Applause for the good, and when the negative appears...Christ hits the delete button and says to the Father, "Forget that mistake, it was covered by my blood!"

I like her analogy.

You may be thinking to yourself, "Great! that means I can go about my life doing whatever I please because it will all be forgiven anyway so I might as well live it up."

WRONG.

That's not the attitude a Christian should have. A Christian should WANT to do right and should strive everyday to become more and more like Christ, even though becoming equal with Him is unattainable.

We should show others the grace of God through our lives.
We should point others to Him through our actions and our words. When we do something good we should praise Him for giving us the power to make the right decision, and when we do something wrong, we should thank Him for the forgiveness He so freely gives to those who call on His name.

The most humble hearts are the hearts of those who are willing to admit that they have a problem and not fake it and hide it. People will have a lot more respect for you when you do that than when you try to construct a facade of neatness on your own.

Let Christ do what He does best allow Him to forgive you today. 

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say ... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow


 Live..Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

Voice for the Voiceless

"A person's a person no matter how small."

While the above is a line for the book "Horton Hears a Who!" by Dr. Seuss, the quote has been used in man pro-life campaigns to spread the word about saving the unborn.

on this date (January 22nd) 40 years ago, the voice of the smallest generation lost their voice.

What does that mean?
How should I feel about it?
What should a Christian's view point of abortion be?
What can you do?
Can YOUR voice really make a difference?


To start of with the basics,

Roe Vs. Wade was a land mark case in the 1970's to legalize abortion, or as I call it the killing of innocent babies...

At the risk of sounding overly political and to keep myself from just running off at the mouth about my hatred and disgust of the procedures, I will try to remain strictly with the scientific facts and Biblical truths.

I will start with the scientific facts.

Pro-choice people believe that abortion is no big deal because the fetus is just a blob of tissue and it is all about the woman's right to do with her own body how she pleases.

But science shows that the fetus is not her body, but a completely different body with its on identity.

Let's break down the development, shall we?

•  Day 22:  heart begins to beat with the child's own blood, often a different type than the mother's
•  Week 3:  By the end of third week the child's backbone spinal column and nervous system are forming.  The liver, kidneys and intestines begin to take shape.
•  Week 5:  Eyes, legs, and hands begin to develop.
•  Week 6:  Brain waves are detectable; mouth and lips are present; fingernails are forming.
•  Week 7:  Eyelids, and toes form, nose distinct.  The baby is kicking and swimming.
•  Week 8:  Every organ is in place, bones begin to replace cartilage, and fingerprints begin to form.  By the 8^th week the baby can begin to hear. 
•  Weeks 9 and 10:  Teeth begin to form, fingernails develop.  The baby can turn his head, and frown.  The baby can hiccup. 
• Weeks 10 and 11:  The baby can "breathe" amniotic fluid and urinate.  Week 11 the baby can grasp objects placed in its hand; all organ systems are functioning.  The baby has a skeletal structure, nerves, and circulation.
•  Week 12:  The baby has all of the parts necessary to experience pain, including nerves, spinal cord, and thalamus.  Vocal cords are complete.  The baby can suck its thumb. 
• Week 15:  The baby has an adult's taste buds.
• Week 17:  The baby can have dream (REM) sleep.  
•  Week 20:  The baby recognizes its' mothers voice.
•  Months 5 and 6:  The baby practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into its developing lungs. The baby will grasp at the umbilical cord when it feels it.  Most mothers feel an increase in movement, kicking, and hiccups from the baby.  Oil and sweat glands are now functioning.
•  Months 7 through 9: The baby opens and closes his eyes.  The baby is using four of the five senses (vision, hearing, taste, and touch.)  He knows the difference between waking and sleeping, and can relate to the moods of the mother.  The baby's skin begins to thicken, and a layer of fat is produced and stored beneath the skin.  Antibodies are built up, and the baby's heart begins to pump 300 gallons of blood per day.

Now if that doesn't sound like a human in every aspect of the word, then I don't know what does. For more information on the fetal developmental process you can visit the "National Right to Life" website by clicking HERE. 

There are many Biblical truths about how God feels about abortion.

While no, you will not find the exact word in the scriptures the concept is presented quite clearly. Well, for basics "Thou shalt not kill."

But if that isn't enough to convince you lets take a look at Exodus 21:22-24
                "If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman’s husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide.“But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,25burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise."


Something I get out of these verses is that fact that not only does God want to protect the unborn, He also equates the child's life to the life of a grown man. "life for life"

If you take the life of the baby it is the same as taking the life of the man.

A majority of abortions in the US are done out of convience. Because a woman gets pregnant and she can't take care of it or she doesn't want the baby to ruin her life. But you fail to consider ruining the baby's life. It did nothing wrong. So why should he/she be punished?

Abortion is murder in God's eyes.

 Whether that child was planned in your eyes of not, God knew it was going to happen. God knows every person and has plan for their life before they are even conceived

Jeremiah 1:5
        "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

But there are special circumstances...
What about in the case of rape or incest?

Well, yes. Those are special circumstances... but those circumstances doesn't make the little life any less important in the eyes of Christ.

By saying that baby doesn't matter and that baby shouldn't have a future, you are saying that God is incapable of taking a mess and transforming it into a blessing.

You are saying that God can't use the circumstances to bring glory to Himself, and that may friends is not an attitude to have.

I have witnessed Christ many times taking unplanned tragedies and disasters and turning it around into something remarkable that has brought many to Himself.

While yes having to carry the baby full term might me "embarrassing" or bring back "horrible thoughts", it's is the right choice.

So many options are available.

Adoption being the main one. Just think how many couples would love to have a baby that can't. How happy you could make someone through your pain.

Ok, I should wind down before I get too high up on my soap box...

But just one more thought before a close,
What would have happened had Mary decided to abort baby Jesus just because her friends ridiculed her for her pregnancy? (because they didn't believe her)...think about it. No birth...no life...no death...no resurrection...no salvation... Just keep that in mind.


In conclusion just remember:

Life is valuable...at all stages and ages
Everyone deserves a chance at life...who are you to take that away?
God has a plan for you...He always has
You may not understand what's going on...but you will one day
You may feel alone...but you're not
 

"I'm pro-life. I'll do all I can to see every baby is created with a future and potential. The legislature should do all it can to protect human life."

"I think at the heart of the pro-life movement is the idea that all people are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights starting with life."

"Ive noticed that everyone who is for abortion is already born."

"It is a poverty that a "child must die", So that you may live as you wish."

"There are two victims in every abortion: a dead baby and a dead conscience."

"The real question today is not when human life begins, but, What is the value of human life? The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of a tiny baby to make sure all its parts have been torn from its mother's body can hardly doubt whether it is a human being. The real question for him and for all of us is whether that tiny human life has a God-given right to be protected by the law–the same right we have."
 

 Live..Laugh...Love
Until Next Time,
Racheal <3

"When The Going Gets Tough...

...The Tough Get Going."

I've heard the above phrase multiple times these past 3 days from multiple people and used to mean many different things.

Upon further research I came to the conclusion that the quote can have 2 main interpretations...

1) "When the situation becomes difficult, the strong will work harder to meet the challenge."

2)  "Those who act tough and proud will vacate a situation when it becomes difficult lest they be proven not as tough as they appear to be."

As interesting  (and possibly accurate) as the first interpretation is, I would guess when used in casual conversation most of us would assume it is being used in the context of the second interpretation.

In today's society we want instant gratification. My pastor has often referred to us as the "Jiffy Pop Generation". As silly as that sounds, it is a perfect description of the attitudes carried by many.

We want it all now.

And at the risk of wanting everything now, we sometimes miss great opportunities because it might take a little longer to get it, or because there might be a little bit of work involved.

Let me tell yall something right now.

Relationships and friendships....take work! You just can't sit back and think everything is going to be perfect 100% of the time. That may be what the Disney movies taught us growing up, but that's fiction...not reality.

Reality is that people are going to hurt you, people are going to break your trust, people are going to press your buttons, and yes people are going to make you want to pull your hair out sometimes, You are going to fall flat on you face sometimes,  BUT that's all a part of the journey that makes you stronger.
Its having the power and pride to pick yourself back up, work together, and continue on.

It's easy to love someone when all is going great and perfect and life is full of rainbows and butterflies...
It's not easy to love someone when they lie to you. It's not easy to love someone when they break your trust.
But in those moments of heartache you learn from it and you grow from it.

I saw a picture on facebook not long ago that really go me thinking on this particular topic and I want yall to take a look at it....

 

What a powerful answer.

"...if something was broken we would fix it, not throw it away."

It doesn't even have to be applied to man/woman relationships.

 Too often I've seen friends split ways because of a stupid argument. And instead of  resolving the conflict and fixing whatever went wrong, they just threw their entire past into the dumpster and yelled, "I QUIT!"

That's not the attitude we need to have. That's not the attitude we need to have about anything!

So your friend talked about you behind your back? Is it really worth ending the the friendship?

So your spouse lied to you? Is it really worth a divorce?

Anything worth having is worth fighting for.

Imagine if Christ had the same attitude towards us that we have towards others...better yet, lets play out a quick scenario...

Jesus: "I love you so much, I will give my life for you so that you can spend all eternity with me."

Me: "Thank you Jesus! I love You too!"

**Time Passes**

Me: *denies Christ in front of my friends and uses His name in vain*

Jesus: "I can't believe you! How could you do that to do? I will never forgive you for this. I take back what I said earlier, rot in hell you dirty sinner!"

Could you see that happening? I sure can't and just typing made me feel sick to my stomach.

Not everyone is meant to be together, but even then your first reaction shouldn't be to jump ship at the first sign of trouble.

Think of how patient God has been with you and try to be patient with others. We are all fighting battles, we are all trying to get ahead, and we are all pressed down by the stresses and struggles of everyday life.

All the more reason to try and show a little compassion on people. 

How would you feel if every time you got close to someone they left you because of something trivial?

You may be thinking to yourself, "Racheal, your profile says you are single. Who are you to be talking on a subject like this. You have no idea."

And you may be right, I dont have a lot of relationship experience. But I do have experience with people in general. And I do have experiences having to decide if I should burn the bridge or mend it.

So I do know where I am coming from...

My friends and I have argued and fought, and even not talked for a lengthy period of time, but once we would finally sit down and work out our difference, our connection was stronger because of it.

The rope of our relationships are covered with knots from where it has been severed and tied back together, and this may sound cheesy...but the knots are stronger and secure and I am proud of my knots. They show character.

Maybe you are ready to give up on someone or maybe even something because it's to hard...

Don't let that be your only reason.

Maybe you are thinking there has to be something better out there...

Don't throw away a diamond just to pick up a stone.

Everything good in this life takes work. Love is not just something you feel, it's something you DO.

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place"

"Cheating on a good girl is like throwing away a diamond and picking up a rock."

"Relationships last long NOT because they are destined to last long; but because two brave people made a choice to keep fighting for it."

"True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

 Live...Laugh...Love

Until Next Time, 

Racheal <3