Friday, June 25, 2010

"Everything Falls" by Fee

You said You’d never leave or forsake me
When You said this life is gonna shake me
You said this world is gonna bring trouble
On my soul, this I knowWhen everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together

When everything falls apart
You’re the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find You mighty and strong
You keep holding on, You keep holding on

When I see darkness all around me
When I see tragedy has found me
I still believe
Your faithful arms will never let me go
Still I know

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You’re the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find You mighty and strong
You keep holding on, You keep holding on

Sorrow will last for the night
But hope is rising with the sun
It’s rising with the sun
There will be storms in this life
But I know You have overcome
You have overcome

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You’re the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find You mighty and strong
You keep holding on

Thursday, June 24, 2010

"We have a lot to unlearn" - Daily Devotional

Thursday, June 10, 2010

We have a lot to unlearn by Rick Warren

The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. You will not clear them away all at once .... Deuteronomy 7:22 (NLT)

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus is deliberate in developing his disciples. Just as God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land "little by little," so they wouldn't be overwhelmed, he prefers to work in incremental steps in our lives.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons --

  • We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson forty or fifty times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, "Not again! I've already learned that!"—but God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
  • We have a lot to unlearn. Many people go to a counselor with a personal or relational problem that took years to develop and say, "I need you to fix me. I've got an hour." They naïvely expect a quick solution to a long-standing, deep-rooted difficulty. Since most of our problems—and all of our bad habits—didn't develop overnight, it's unrealistic to expect them go away immediately.
There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it "taking off the old self" and "putting on the new self." (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-25; Colossians 3:7-10, 14.)

Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.Every change involves a loss of some kind: You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Brittney's Birthday!

Today is my boyfriend, Billy's little sister's 20th birthday. Happy Birthday! I pray that the holy spirit will guide you and help you make the right decisions! No more teen years! Love you girl!

Fall 2010 Semester

Registration for Fall 2010 classes opened today. I am still going to Collin College. I signed up for Biology 1, Biology 1 Lab, and Concepts to Physical Wellness... Fun, fun, fun.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Fishmongers

Tonight I went to Fishmongers Seafood Restaurant for the first time as an adult and went with the Nelson's. It was so good. I got salad and decided to try their house salad dressing which was "Spicy Thousand Island." It had a very unique taste and tasted perfect. They should definitely sell their dressing if they don't already. I ordered seafood gumbo and shrimp etouffee which was good but way too spicy for me. My mom orderd fish with baked potato casserole and oh my gosh ... The taste was as close to heaven as I have ever been. Then we ordered their bread pudding which was also delicious. I definitely recommend Fishmongers!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Ronnie Griser

Yesterday, a friend of mine passed away that had been battling health issues for a long time -relying on dialysis for 30+ years and degeneration of his body. He is now with the Lord and I can only imagine what it is like. Ronnie, I know you are now walking, in the presence of our Creator, and surrounded with love that you deserve. I am so happy for our friendship.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

June 16, 2005

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the day I was hit by an 18-wheeler and became paralyzed. But it is also the day that God breathed life back into my lungs and gave me a new heart; a second chance to live the life I was called to live. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phillipians 1:21). I encourage you to open your eyes and look deep within your hearts. You are here for a reason. The most amazing feeling is knowing what that reason is.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Daniel's Birthday!

Today is Billy's brother's 23rd birthday! Happy Birthday Daniel!

Friday, June 11, 2010

"A saved heart will want to serve" - Daily Devotional

"It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan." 2 Timothy 1:9 (LB)

You were saved to serve God. The Bible says, "It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not because we deserved it but because that was his plan." (2 Timothy 1:9 LB)

God redeemed you so you could do his "holy work." You're not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God's kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.

It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. The Bible reminds us, "God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God." (1 Corinthians 6:20 CEV)

We don't serve God out of guilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he's done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded, "Because of God's great mercy . . . Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service." (Romans 12:1 TEV)

The apostle John taught that our loving service to others shows that we are truly saved. He said, "Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life." (1 John 3:14 CEV)

If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, and I'm only concerned about my needs, I should question whether Christ is really in my life. A saved heart is one that wants to serve.

Tuesday June 01 2010 12:00 AM
Posted by Rick Warren

Beauty Secrets from Around the World

Very Interesting! Take a peek women!

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/greatskin/beauty-secrets-from-around-the-world-1675857/

Monday, June 7, 2010

The Six Phases of Faith

"Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, "Let it happen, then, just as you believe!" Matthew 9:29 (TEV)

God takes our belief and he blesses us through it, and that makes life a great adventure. It is critical that we cooperate with God as he builds faith within us. Because of its importance, I want to review the six phases of faith we've studied over the past week. This will also let you see them all in one place.

Phase 1—Dream: Do I have a dream planted in me by God? If you don't have a dream, start praying, "God give me your dream." If you can't write down the dream God has given you, you need to be praying. If you don't have a dream, you're not living, you're just existing. God placed you on this earth for a purpose.

Phase 2—Decision: Do I need to make a faith-decision that will help that dream become a reality? Some of you have a dream from God, but you haven't made a decision to follow it. You're still on the fence. God's word for you is "Go for it!" Some of you may need to make the decision to give your life to Christ. Some of you may need to make the decision to join a church. Some of you may need to make the decision to get involved in ministry.

Phase 3—Delay: What has caused my dream to be delayed? If your prayer hasn't been answered, that's okay. It just means you're in God's waiting room. Now is not the time to detour. When things don't happen on our timetable, we tend to run ahead of God and create detours to make it happen. You may end up making the wrong decision. Wait, wait, and wait for God to work his hand.

Phase 4—Difficulty: What difficulties have I faced waiting for the dream to be fulfilled? You are being tested, but it's not going to be the last time. You'll go through many, many tests in life. God says, "I know exactly what you're going through. I see it. I'm watching. Don't think I've forgotten you—I haven't."

Phase 5—Dead End: Have I come to a dead end yet? Some of you are there ready to give up. But the truth is—you're right where God wants you. You're getting prepared for deliverance. God's word for you is "Hang on! Keep on believing! Don't give up!"

Phase 6—Deliverance: Do I expect and trust God to deliver me? "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matthew 9:29 NIV) God is faithful. What he tells us to do, he will do. But it doesn't happen overnight. You go through the faith-phases of Dream, Decision, Delay, Difficulty, and Dead End . . . and then comes Deliverance.

Sunday May 30 2010 12:00 AM
Posted by Rick Warren
http://profile.purposedriven.com/dailyhope/post.html?contentid=4476

Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:1-12

The Beatitudes

1-2 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

For Kelly Ezell

Saturday, June 5, 2010

My Dream

I had a dream last night that I was on a stage in front of hundreds sharingmy story with Billy and the Dallas Cowboys by my side.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

June 1

I spoke June 1st for MADD's Allen Teen VIP. It was awesome. I was one of three speakers.

John, the second speaker spoke to the teens about his experience from the other side of the spectrum. He had been drinking, collided with another car, and accidentally killed someone. He ended up having to serve time in prison. He has an amazing story and as a result of what happened, he got a degree in social work and has matured spiritually and mentally.

The third speaker Scott Becker is a prosecutor and actually came to hear me speak. He was the DA of my case. He is very knowledgable and agressively gave a much needed speech for the teens.

I appreciate those of you that came to hear me speak. When I speak, I feel closest to God as if I am fulfilling my purpose and it is in those moments that I am at complete peace and happiness. I am glad you got to experience such a moment with me.