Started a Bible reading plan today. Feel free to do it with me! I’m going to make it a New Year’s Resolution to try & keep it up.

I’m going to read my Bible for AT LEAST 15 minutes a day. Of course, reflection and prayer should accompany that Bible reading. I’m also picking up an idea my Youth leader gave us. I’m going to try and memorize a verse or more of scripture a week. It’s really fun, guys. 

Anyways, I’ll probably be sharing more and more Christ related things because I really feel called to do so. Maybe this will lead to me sharing the word of God, and ideas I have based on scripture, in other places too. I sure hope so. 

When you’re reading scripture, be sure to pray before you start. Pray for understanding, and pray for God to reveal to you how you can use this message in your life. Reflect on the message you read, and if you don’t quite understand, ask your preacher, or look it up. You might want to buy a study Bible. (I need one… :P)

Okay, bye guys! :)

As I sit here, personalizing my new laptop and typing on its shiny and oh-so-amazing keys, it’s easy to forget what Christmas is really about. I’m drinking tea in my brand-new mug. I’ve raving over how warm these sweet, new, button-down pajamas I’m wearing are. I’m staring at a huge laptop screen, anxious to wake up my brother to see what gifts “Santa” brought.

But the truth is, even without all these gifts, even without all the hustle and bustle of the holidays (the cooking, the plans, the gifts), Christmas would still be here. Shimmering with magic. Shimmering with warm feelings. Because even though we fill our siblings, nieces, nephews, and children with lies of Santa, Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus. Christmas is a time to get cozy with the Lord and to realize how lucky followers of God are to have such and awesome God! Our Savior didn’t get gifts. He got beatings. He got harsh words and abuse. Aren’t we blessed to be able to freely practice our religion? Thinking about it really makes me think about the people and freedoms I have in life, that I should be so thankful for.

Anyways. Thank you God. Thank you for my family, even though I complain about them. I know I’m so lucky to have a caring family. Thank you for bringing us to Your house Father. I’ve been blessed to be so welcomed into my church. What a blessing it was to be baptized with my boyfriend and siblings and parents. What a blessing! Thank you for Jamie. Oh God, I don’t know what I’d do without that loser. He’s such a wonderful person. Thank you for saving him Lord. Thank you for Michaela. I love that kid. More than life. She’s like a sister to me, but even more. I find comfort there, with her, regardless of anything. I hope she feels the same. I know things are tough for her right now Jesus. Touch her. Give her hope. God, thank you for Casey. I want to make a difference in his life. I’m trying dear Lord, so hard, but I feel like I don’t change anything. Give me hope. And help me to help. I love you so much. Forgive me where I fail you Lord. I fail you so often. I’m not worthy God. Cleanse me. Amen.

If the Lord told me, “Child, you may be answered one prayer, and one prayer only,” every person on this planet would be on their knees, overfilled with the Holy Spirit, praising the Lord and all His glory. 

If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.

-Mark 9:23, Jesus