Get up and Walk.

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your bed and walk.” -John 5:8

In this story, Jesus came to a man who had been in the same poor physical condition for years. He had given up on life. Jesus asked the man one simple question, "Do you want to get better?" The man had a decision to make. As a human being living in this crazy world you also have a decision to make. You can choose to continue living life on the ground, or you can get up, pick up your bed and walk. My friend, I think it is time for you to throw in the towel and yell, "Enough is enough." You are a child of God. Its time to get up and fight with every ounce of your being. With this attitude you will be able to accomplish anything, gain victory over your struggles,and receive blessings from the Lord.  
Today is that day. Its time for you to get up. Its time for you to walk. You don't have to remain living on the ground any longer, my friend. Life is hard, there is no doubt about it. However, we serve a God that is ultimately bigger than any problems we will ever face. He will give us the amount of strength we need to overcome any struggle this life will bring you.

GET UP TODAY AND WALK.

Give Others Jesus

In Acts 3:1:6, we read. .

" One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer-- at three in the

afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, 'Look at us!' So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk'. "

As I read this passage of scripture last night the Lord spoke to me about giving. So often I feel like I have nothing to give others. After reading this last night I discovered that I was wrong. I realized that I have everything to give others. I have Jesus. Peter and John didn't have silver or gold to give the beggar, they had Jesus. They gave the man what they had, and what they had was all he needed. This passage challenges me to share Jesus with others in every situation and every circumstance. Jesus is all anyone needs in this world. Jesus is the answer to all of our problems. I challenge you to share Jesus with others. Whether its through your speech, through your actions, through prayer. Give others Jesus.

While doing my quiet time yesterday I came across some verses that reminded me of a challenge I was presented with last summer at Fuge camp in Mobile, AL. Our camp pastor taught from the book of Mark that week and opened my eyes to an interpretation of the scriptures that I had never seen before.

In Mark 1:16-18 it says, "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were
fisherman. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'
And immediately they dropped their nets and followed Him.

Simon and Andrew depended on fishing for everything. Fishing was their job, it provided them with money and food to live off of through the year. When Jesus called them to be disciples scriptures says they not only dropped their nets and followed Him, but they IMMEDIATELY dropped their nets and followed Him. That was a major sacrifice for these two men, but they did it anyways. They had faith in this man that they barely knew and followed him.

Whether we see it or not, we are like these disciples in a way. In our lives, we all have things we consider our "nets". Whether its an addiction, certain habits, or activities we may participate in on a regular basis. . we all have nets and we need to let them go. We need to be like these disciples and drop them. Not tomorrow, not next year, but NOW. Just like Simon and Andrew immediately dropped their nets, the Lord calls us to immediately drop ours. The Lord wants us to get rid of those things in our life that keep us from fulling living our life for him and walking with him daily. He wants to have a relationship strictly with us without all the distractions getting in the way.

I know this may be a lot to take in. . Believe me its a lot for me to take in too, but its so important. I'm not only telling you this to challenge you, but I am challenging myself. Starting today I am going to take action and try and rid myself of things that get in the way of my relationship with the Lord. Its so much harder said than done, but its possible. So, I leave you with this question. . "Will you chose to drop your "nets" today and follow Him?"

A blessing from the Lord.

Have you ever had one of those special friends who has left a lasting mark on our heart? As humans, we all need someone we can depend on. That one person who we can laugh at silly things with, call at 3 o'clock in the morning, cry with, that one person who is always there no matter what. I am blessed to have one of those special friends in my life. But, how did this relationship start? That's easy. The answer is God. God placed us in each others life two summers ago. When our relationship began it was one just like every other until we took it a step up-- We chose to become accountability partners.

Do you know what an accountability partner is? Let me tell you. An accountability partner is that person who tells you the things you don't want to hear but need to hear. They do it because they love you and know its for your best. Accountability partners are definitely not "perfect", they have their fights just like other relationships because sometimes they have to break things to you that nobody else has the guts to do. They constantly pray for each other and for each other's families. The key that makes this relationship so special is the fact that it is built around the Lord. The Lord gives us the love for each other as friends that can bring us through anything. My accountability partner has always been there for me, eager to listen and help me through any problem that comes my way. I have cried many tears on her shoulder and shared so many feelings with her. She has not only been an accountability partner, but an amazing mentor for me. She is one of my greatest blessings from the Lord.

I guess what I am trying to get across with this blog is this: Pray that the Lord will send you an accountability partner if you don't have one. An accountability partner will encourage you in your walk with the Lord and challenge you in ways that will strengthen your faith. They will keep you standing strong when you are having trouble standing alone. I thank the Lord that he sent me an amazing accountability partner and mentor, one I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I love her so much!

"Iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17

Face it, don't Fear it.

Have you ever been in a storm? Winds blowing, rain pouring, lightening striking? Its scary, huh? Especially if your alone. I hate storms and the fact of being alone during one. Recently, I have been battling a personal battle, a storm in my own life. Im not here to complain about the storm one bit, but rather to thank the Lord for it. Even though its tough, and some days I think I may never make it to the next, at the end of the day I can still thank him for it. I am only 16, but in my opinion I have learned so much already. Some I have learned from others or my mentors, but most I have learned through my own personal experiences. Storms in my life are what have made me who I am.

SO, with that being said I want to encourage you with this: (Btw, I have to remind myself these things too, because I tend to forget sometimes) Face your storms head on. Hold your head high and keep in the back of your mind that most likely God is teaching you something through this, and chiseling you into a better person, someone more like HIM. I encourage you to find someone who can walk with you through your storms and remind you that everything is gonna be okay. That in itself, has helped me so so so much. I have been truly blessed with two woman who hold me accountable and help me through so much. I dont know what I would do without my Mom, and Mandy (My momma #2). These ladies are inspirational, godly woman who truly show God's love towards others.I love them unconditionally and can never thank God enough for them. Also, your friends who can hold you accountable are amazing as well. I have three awesome friends, Beth, Erin and Abby! Love them so much and the best part about them is that being closer to the same age we sometimes face the same storms and can walk with each other through them, fighting the same fight. Lastly, I want to remind you this: Your BEST FRIEND through a storm in the Lord. You can always rest and find peace in him. Your going to think you can't, but you can. I promise you it is there, and always is.. Hold you head up, look to the Lord, and rest in him. Storms come and go, just remember they are shaping us into people more like him. And I don't know about you, but I want with my whole heart and soul to be more and more like him everyday. LOVE YOU!

The Real Me

When I started this blog, my intentions were not to make myself look good. At all. If people think thats what this blog is all about then I will delete it right now. My purpose of this blog was to share my experiences and lessons learned, hoping that maybe they would impact your life. I want to be nothing but honest on this blog. Thats why I am about to share with you about who I am. The real me.

Im not perfect. I never will be. I make mistakes constantly. I sin everyday. I dont always follow the Lord or his will for my life. I am not always the best of a friend, nor the best sister to my siblings. I am not always the best daughter for my parents. Thats me. I get angry, I have a temper, I scream and yell sometimes. I cry. I complain. I argue. Thats me. I gossip. I lie. I cheat. Thats me. I have drank. I have bullied. I have disobyed. Thats me. I am a sinner. I am no different from anyone else.

But, I am forgiven. Forgiven from those mistakes I make daily. I have been saved by grace. I am now a child of Gods. He walks with my daily and helps me through struggles. He helps me make the right decisions.. but sometimes my earthly flesh gets the best of me. All I am wants his will for my life. I love him unconditionally. Thats me. I want to do mission work. I want to feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Thats me. I want to be an example to others. I want others to see him through me and want what I have. I want him to use me. Thats me.

The Lord has made me who I am. I take no credit for it at all. I just want you to know though, and never forget.. I am not perfect. I never will be. I am just Erin. This is the Real Me.

One day at a time.

Today I was sitting in my room. It was really quiet, only because I was the only one in the house. As I sat there I began really thinking about my future. (I seem to do that a lot lately) Where will I be in 10 years? Will I be married? Will I have a job? My own house? Kids? Along with these questions, come other questions such as.. Will my husband want to have kids too? Will he want to do mission work like me? Will I get a good job somewhere? Oh, and so many more...

Finally after thinking about all this for a while, something hit me. As I was reading through scripture I remembered a passage in Jeremiah.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

God has a plan for me. Yes, I know that. I have heard that over and over. But, I never ever sat down and actually thought it through. GOD, the mighty ruler and Lord over the whole universe has a special plan for me. For my life. His plan is nothing but of good. All things a part of that plan to give him the glory and honor. I want nothing more than to live my life fully devoted to him. Pleasing and honoring him in everything. Every word from my lips, every move I make, every thought I think, every breath I take. All for the glory of God.

God knows the answers to all those questions I had. They may not be the way I want them, but the way HE wants them answered. If God is truly calling me to missions, than he will send me the right spouse who has a heart for missions too. Maybe he wont send me a spouse at all. Maybe his will for my life is to be single my whole life. Thats just something I will have to accept because He has a purpose for that. Kids, we will see. A job, a house, etc.. He knows.

Now, what do I do until then? I wait. I live life now as full as possible. I want to live his will for my life out everyday. Take life one day at a time. The Lord has a plan and in his time what he wants for me will happen. I can't worry about the future now. I know I serve a loving God and I trust him with my life fully. I am so blessed now with what the Lord has already blessed me with. I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned out for the rest of my time here on this earth. Meanwhile.. I will wait. I will take life One day at a time....