Okay, so it's probably my fault that nothing has been posted on here in forever and so I sincerely apologize! Maybe the time that elapsed since then will aid in making my post of more quality than my previous quirky story of getting pulled over. Much has happened since then! I know have a driver's license so the road just got a little bit more dangerous... :)

But alas, I digress.

I recently ran across a in interesting quiz that will really help you discern where you stand in relation to God's standards. Titled, "Are you a fool?" it is definitely worthwhile. Here is the link:



Wisdom and truth is so important in God's eyes so it ought to be so in our own. I would challenge to seek God's truth for your life and be very careful not to derive your standards and beliefs merely from you surroundings, your friends, your workplace, or sometimes even other Christians, for they too can be misleading. Our only source of absolute truth is in Christ and His Word so make it a goal to search the scriptures!

Agradecido de Dios,

Mary :)

Hungry?

Hey there! It has been quite awhile. Sorry!

A LOT has happened since my last post-even since Mary's last post.
I have learned quite a lot. God used really wierd ways to show me how I was idolizing certain people in my life. He also used equally curious ways to break me of it. He has lit a fire under me and I cannot stop thinking about him. I only hope that I will not fall once again into the mire of complacency. I pray every day that God's passion would lead my life. Most of the time I feel I have failed, but I am learning to be more patient and forgiving...even to myself. That's not to say I still don't have attitude, motivation, or fear problems. I do, but I can feel God's presence in my life...reminding me of things I do and slowly helping me to change. :)

I was reading this week in Matthew 21, in the parable of the wedding banquet. It and other things made me feel like God was shouting it in my ear to want God. To be hungry for God. Read the story. When the father says

"Friend where are your wedding clothes?"

in verse 12, it really behooves you to get right with God. Put on the righteousness of Christ so that God won't kick you out on judgment day. Work out your salvation so that you will be able to give an answer when God looks at your record and needs to see Christ's blood covering you. Get the passion of God in your heart. Serve someone this week. Tell someone about God. You will understand what the passion/love of God is like. Luke 19:10


I love y'all! Have a great weekend! :D

P.S Here's a joke. It took me a second to understand, but it is pretty funny. :) LOL

"A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible.
Then one day she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The Virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"

P.S.
I got pulled over too!!! FIrst time, but I didn't get a ticket!!! :D

It was my worst nightmare...

I did what anyone else would do...I tried not to panic!

I silently pulled over.

It was one of those things that I had discussed numerous times in church during Sunday school when we would discuss our fears. I just hoped it would never happen...but it did.

So, here's what happened.

I was driving home from church (I wasn't speeding and I wasn't breaking any other law, or so I thought...) when it happened. Much to my horror, I saw a police car -head lights flashing, siren blaring, (well, it wasn't really blaring) and he was directly behind me. That meant, of all things, I was about to live the very thing I most dreaded. I didn't know if I was going to survive!

I pulled over and he inquired if I knew why I had been caught (maybe he didn't say it quite like that). Well, my mother had hinted earlier (only after I had been caught) that I had forgotten to turn my headlights on. I must admit, though, since I knew I wasn't speeding, and it had been made most clear that if I had, I would pay, I was much more relieved and intrigued to see what would actually happen. I answered the representative of firm government justice that I had just been made aware of the fact that I had forgotten to turn my lights on. He seemed forgiving. However, he said that was just one of the reasons I had been pulled over.

Much to my relief, he went on to say that our license plates were expired. Now it was my mother's turn to faint. After waking her up with smelling salts, I told her that I was so relieved that I wasn't going to have to be the one to pay this ticket. :)

We most anxiously awaited the verdict.

Actually, since our license plates had only been expired for 3 days and my mother most persuadingly assured him that we would remedy the situation instantaneously, we received grace. There was no ticket for either me or my parents to pay. I think I drove away more relieved than her. :)

Okay, that was my experience. Honestly, though, I don't like being pulled over. I more afraid of that than dying, actually. It is interesting though how when someone realizes they've been caught, they dread what can happen. What would happen if everyone realized how God deals with things when we get caught. The fear of the Lord is good because it can help us to do what is right. Just like you know you rather not pay the $100+ ticket for speeding.

Well, moving on to a more lighter subject...

My favorite colors are pink, turquoise, lime, and black. They make for some sweet color combinations!

Question of the week for Dana:
What 3 characteristics will you look for in a future husband?

I personally would only consider someone who has a deep relationship with God, who has integrity, and puts God first in everything. That should about cover it! Of course, if I should expect that for someone else, I should expect no less of myself.

Well, the hour is growing late, I must sign off.

Have a wonderful week, live life to the fullest, and serve someone else.

Yours truly, Mary Liz :-)

P.S. TBQ regionals was amazing this week! If you've never done quiz, you are so missing out! I totally encourage you to try it!

Time Flies, Except This Week

SIGH>this week plus last week felt like a month. So much happened. I have made two...yes, two bad decisions as to when to have my cheat day (I wasted it on walmart cake...:( ) Random fact: There is a strange and annoying mooing soung coming from outside. There aren't any fields around, so I am really confused. This week has been characterized by failure and exhaustion. I was listening to a song I had never heard before by Relient K today that said "Failure is a blessing in disguise." I am really glad that my faith in God doesn't depend on me getting it right. Jesus makes me right with God. He puts the band-aid on when I make a booboo. Thank you Lord. I have made many flops of decisions and will indefinitely make more. The thing is, we learn from those things. I am learning new things everyday. I praise God because I truly felt like this week couldn't get any more confusing or exhausting. Even through that craziness...my God is still faithful. He is still working for our good, and will always find ways for us to prosper, to be blessed, and have victory in every situation of our lives.

Hebrews 12:4-13

Thanks Mary, for posting last week. I love you, mi amiga!

I have heard a kinda funny joke.

Q: What do ninjas drink?
-
--
---
--
-
A: Waaaaataaaaaaaaaaa!!

:D

Random fact: Pregnant goldfish are called twits. It's true.

New question of the week:
Q: What are your favorite colors?

Mine are: Pink, green, purple, yellow, orange, blue, red, orange, and oh I forgot...teal!

Love, Dana <3

At last!

Once again I find myself apologizing for the vast amount of time that has accumulated since my last post. So readers, I'm sorry!

That taken care of... Lots of things have been happening lately. Of course my life is extremely busy (I don't know why but I always like to see how much I can handle! Can anyone relate?). Two things I have drawn from it though: I should enjoy life and the blessings and every moment that God has mercifully given and yet if I get too busy I can miss the things God might spontaneously have me do. Maybe we should all honestly ask this question: "Am I too busy that if God asked me to stop and spend time (my valuable time!) telling someone how much God has done in my life and how much he loves them that I would tell him I just can't?" Busyness is a very good thing; God says over and over in the Bible that we are to be industrious and responsible with our time. But being too busy that we can't take time out to invest in relationships (one of the most important things!), or tell others about God's love, or even worse- neglect to spend time with God, than something terrible will happen to us. We will miss out on some of the most important things in life: relationships, friendships, and opportunities to grow.

Okay so some of the things that have happend lately are Fine Arts (we're going to Nationals in Orlando, oh yeah!), Teen Bible Quiz (we're going to Regionals for that!), music, and just friends and family stuff. I am really blessed to have a full and andventurous life! :-)

Question of the week for Dana (and for any others who care to comment!):
What's the best joke you have ever heard?

Quote of the week:
"Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right" -Henry Ford

If you all are lucky, I will figure out how to attach a video clip to my next post (that is, after I figure out how!).

Until later, Hasta la Vista!
-Mary

A Battle Won

Hi...it's Dana! It has sure been awhile and I have lots to say!! :D

This weekend was such a battle. I felt like God and Satan were warring over my soul. I felt so miserable and tired of fighting the Devil that this morning I just came to God and was desperate. I opened my Bible and God showed me the perfect verse that changed my morning.

Ps. 55:16-18,22,23b "But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me... Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall... But as for me I trust in you."

I love how God knew exactly what I needed to hear...before I even asked or began to look for a verse.

but then, as we know, the Devil don;t wanna lose the fight, so he started up again...convinced me to have a bad attitude. For me, when I get a bad attitude, it ruins me. I get in such a rut, that I feel guilty getting out of it, and it takes a ton of work to get me out of it, so I, being in a bad mood, know I need to rejoice or something, don't because I don't feel like fighting. But you know what Christ came in today and took me out of my bad attitude. I think I cried 5 or 6 times today. It has been a battle, but my God always causes me to triumph in His Name.
God is so amazing.

My friend Jake got saved last week at church and he has been saved by the blood of my Lord Jesus. It has been a pleasure to experience the change that happens to a person. IT IS So EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who gets to go to nationals in fine arts???????
-Mary, piano
-Chelsey, vocal solo
-Allison and Dana, small vocal ensemble
-Dana, vocal solo

Yeehaw and congrats to ya'll from other churches if you read this.

Polar coordinates are coool.

Tips for the week:
1: Love is only love when it's toward someone who is unreachable or someone you think doesn't deserve it.
2: Philippians 2:3-5, 4:4-9
3: Don't be afraid to talk to waitresses or waiters about Jesus or leave notes on the table
4: Use your gifts and talents outside the church
5: Show love to your family
6: Pray for others because the enemy is ALWAYS doing his job.(to try to steal your blessings/joy/the best God has for you/your salvation, to kill you(spiritually), to destroy you)

Have a wonderful week,
Dana

Hello there! This is Mary and I thought I would finally post a post! :) First of all I would like to acknowledge the fact that Dana is almost certainly a better blogger than I so don't be surprised if mine are slightly, well, less interesting! She is very interesting (and talented and good-looking and well, the list goes on and on. But I know that Dana might be getting rather annoyed when she reads this so I better stop!:) ) and that is just one of the many cool things about Dana!

So I was thinking about what to post earlier and then I thought back to one of the more lesser-known events in the Bible that I had read about in Daniel just this morning. I found it to be very captivating in the sense of how it relates to us.

In Daniel Chapter 10, Daniel is writing about one of the visions he had received. Long story short, Daniel had been led to fast and pray for three weeks. He was looking for an answer for the Lord but it was taking forever. Finally, on day 24 since he began his fast, an angel came to him with God's answer. What he says before he gives the answer to Daniel's question is quite astounding. Basically, on day 1, God was trying to give Daniel an answer but the satanic forces were delaying it. The angel then mentions how another angel, Gabriel, had to come and help him. Apparently through Daniel's fast and prayers, the satanic forces were being defeated. I found this scripture to be so fascinating because it gives us an example of how powerful the unseen forces of evil and good are. Of course God could have over-ridden everything the devil was doing and gotten the message to Daniel right away. But instead, He chose to work through the prayers of humans and through His angels. This is just one example of how powerful our prayers actually are and how we should always take time to intercede and plead for the lost and hurting, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Anyway, I guess this was just one of those scriptures that was just like "wow!" and really intrigued me.

Well, it's late and I have Bible quiz and Fine Arts to work on so I will sign off momentarily.

Have an amazing and joyous week! Live life to the fullest! Tell someone that Jesus loves them!

-Mary Liz :)

One day this fine spring break

I spent the entirety(that's a word, isn't it?)of the day with Kylie, one of my two sweetheart sisters. I had a great time. It made me realize how much time I don't usually spend with her and it was nice to have fun with her today. I also got to clean my room today. Thank you Jesus! :)

Anyway...I was reading in Exodus about how the Israelites always complained and grumbled against the Lord even though he would always provide for them. I mean manna and quail. There are many ways to eat it. Fried, in water, manna-and-quail sandwiches, baked, roasted... Anyway, it was making me realize how much I really complain, even though God is so humongously good to me--SO good--I really need to stop. I don't know......................what to write, so I pray you have a wonderful day and more faith than the Israelites! Lol. :)

Love, Dana




Here is a wonderful article. Please read it because it is all true!

from ag.org

10 reasons to pick up your Bible today
By Charles T. Crabtree

An open letter to those who need to reconnect with God’s Word

Dear Friend:
It has come to my attention you are not as diligent in reading, internalizing and applying the Word of God as you were in the past. I cannot overstate how critical it is for you to re-establish Bible reading and study as a high priority in your daily schedule. Please prayerfully consider these reasons why it is absolutely necessary for you to become a person of the Word.

Reason 1. The enemy of your soul does not want you to be a person of the Word. Since our first parents in Eden, Satan has sought to destroy God’s children by questioning God’s Word. He was bold enough to tempt Jesus by misapplying the Scriptures. If Jesus found it necessary to use the Scriptures to defend himself in this world, your knowledge and application of God’s Word are more than choices; they are matters of spiritual survival.

Reason 2. The Bible is a priceless treasure. For thousands of years, God has protected this precious Book from extinction. Believers have died to protect it. Evil regimes and false religions have done everything in their power to keep you from having a copy of the Word of God. Millions of your brothers and sisters in Christ would give their last dime to have a Bible, let alone the three or four copies that many American Christians possess.

Reason 3. The Bible is your resource for absolute truth. In a day of spiritual confusion, moral relativism, and intellectual hypocrisy, you hold in your hand a direct communication from God, which gives you spiritual clarity, moral certainty and intellectual revelation. The Bible consists of more than little black letters on a page. It is a “contract” in force between God and man. Every word is true and unchanging.

Reason 4. The Bible is your manual for living. Its Author is your Creator. God knows why you exist and the best way for you to live. No matter how much money and time you spend on “self-help” books, you’re far better off getting back to your “God-help” book. God is the ultimate expert. He loves you and wants you to succeed. Ultimately, He cares about your eternal destiny.

Reason 5. As a child of God, you should keep up on all the blessings your Heavenly Father desires for all His children. God’s promises in His Word are not reserved for a few “super saints.” They are for every believer. Most Christians do not have any idea how “rich” they are in Christ. By some counts, 7,000 promises are yours. Others have found many more. Find them and claim them. The Maker of Bible promises will never die, has all the resources to fulfill every guarantee, and is not running for political office.

Reason 6. The Word of God is powerful. It is powerful for many reasons. The Bible is the Word of the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent God. Every word of man is conditional and temporal, but God has the final word. The Bible is our powerful defensive and offensive spiritual weapon (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). It is a word of healing and deliverance (Psalm 107:20). People who curse God or refuse to admit He created the world would be shocked to know He sustains the universe by His word of power (Hebrews 1:3).

Reason 7. The Scriptures should be your “food for thought.” The thought processes of the world have become so evil and depraved you must overcome the ideas and philosophies from darkened minds by daily planting the incorruptible seed of the Word of God in your heart (Romans 8:5-8). Everyone knows that positive thinking is better than negative thinking. Imagine how your day would brighten if you met every challenge with a divine promise and every situation with a divine truth.

Reason 8. Those who neglect the written Word of God will soon have serious questions about the living Word: Jesus Christ. The spirit of Antichrist is certainly evident and prevalent in our culture, but truth about Jesus’ past and present and future is clearly revealed in the Scriptures. Remember, we are saved through faith in Jesus and “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, KJV).

When Peter stepped out of a fishing boat in a storm and walked on water, he didn’t begin to sink until he took his eyes off Jesus (Matthew 14:22-31). Believers are in serious trouble when they do not constantly read the Word, which reveals Jesus. Like Peter, those who do not keep Christ in plain view will be dragged down by the storms of life.

Reason 9. Every person has a desire to know about the future. It is amazing to what lengths people will go to see beyond the present. This innate interest feeds fortunetellers, astrologers, palm readers, clairvoyants and other charlatans. Their lack of accuracy is pathetic, yet millions continue to seek their counsel. You have in your possession the greatest Book about prophecy ever written — the Bible. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19).

When people speak of the future with fear and panic, they have taken their future out of the hands of God. They have neglected the words of Jesus: “Set your troubled hearts at rest. Trust in God always; trust also in me. There are many dwelling places in my father’s house; if it were not so I should have told you; for I am going there on purpose to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1,2, NEB).

Reason 10. How would you like to hear God speak to you? How would you like to sit down and listen to the teaching of Jesus, the greatest Teacher who ever lived? You can every day by opening the pages of the Word of God. It really is a letter to you. As you read it, the Spirit of God will quicken and reveal life-giving truth to you.

Reading God’s Word should never be viewed as a laborious task or even a duty. It is a wonderful privilege to open the Book every day and receive divine insights into the nature of God, the purpose of man, and the truth about time and eternity.

The Word of God is vital if you are going to live a victorious life. I pray this letter stirs a fresh desire in your heart to know divine truth. Remember: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word [emphasis mine] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, KJV).


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles T. Crabtree is assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God.

Here's more!

Hola, soy Dana y tengo mas para usted leer.

I like to talk in Spanish...anyway...

Hi, I'm Dana with more for you to read.

God is once again on the move. Like Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia, He's on the move. This last weekend, I had a wonderful time in Springfield, MO at a Bible Quiz meet. It was a unique experience-one in which I am very glad to have participated. From PMMs to friend finding to discovering that vidalia onion salad dressing is nasty to collecting way to many fruit roll ups, and checking out James River AMster's Commission, it was very interesting. Though it was fun, it was awfully trying. It seems that I have an attitude problem that God is trying to rid me of. :)
Anyway...that is in the past. In the present however, I know he is definitely working. I love it how whenever God is doing something, you can tell...well at least I can usually tell. :) At FCA, the lesson was about Attitude, in Missionettes the lesson is about attitude, and on Wednesday night, we talked about our attitude towards our parents. Along with this instruction about having a good attitude, I have been faced with what I feel has been massive trials-opportunities for me to have a good attitude. You know what? I am glad. Even though this has been an increasingly difficult week, God has been ever so faithful. I have felt His presence more this week at school...which is detrimental to me getting through the week....and I am so grateful to my Lord. I also find ways He continues to humble me or discipl,ine me because I have had too much pride. For instance...I got a pot I made out of the kiln today...and I was going around showing everyone the pretty colors of its glaze...when later in the afternoon, I had the pot in one hand and was trying to pick up our squirming puppy with the other. Needless to say(?), it fell from my hand onto the concrete of our front porch and was dashed into pieces. That reminded me of Revelation 2:26-28 "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—'He will rule them with an iron scepter;
he will dash them to pieces like pottery'[a]— just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give him the morning star." It reminded me of how worthless the things I make truly are. :) Really..i am like that...just a piece of clay that God breathed into. Yet God shows his great love in that while I am a sinner and while I am a "temple of clay", Christ died for me and you too. (Rom. 5:8) :) So really, I can have peace even though I have an attitude and am a sinner, because God is changing me everyday.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


Dana

P.S. Sorry for the many typographical errors. :)

Your local(or not) news of the day

Today I feel such a dreariness over myself and our church. Feelings can get hurt so easily, and think that the proposed name change is not nearly as important as unity in our body of believers. It's really sad to see people angry or hurt. I don't like it when people take sides and refuse to move.

God I thank you so much that you do know what we need before we ask. Lord, I pray you would calm this storm in my church, my family, and all the chrches in the world. Sometimes, Lord it seems like a competition to get the most people in our church or maybe like a business to have workers for. We know, however, Lord that you just desire us to love each other and that you wil lead others to our church if we accept you direction and let your Spirit move. Thank you that you will calm nerves and do your will. Jesus I just pray that 1st A/G wll be a place of people that loves youand loves each other. Love, Dana

Soooooooooooooooooooo. God is good and I love how He gives me peace and I love how He knows everything.
He's truly my best friend.

There you have it-Your local(or not) news of the day!

:) Have a wonderful day, and don't forget to rejoice in the Lord always.

Yours truly, Me(Dana)

Of Wool and Winter Jam

I realized today that I have been letting the devil pull the wool over my eyes. I have been feeling guilty and lousy, and I have wondered if it was my fault. Actually, it kind-of is. I wasn't staying alert. I was trying awfully hard, but I wasn't trusting in God.

But hey, Rome wasn't built in a day...
I am still being worked on.

I snapped out of it when I looked up at the wall next to my desk and saw a sticky note that says

"Guilt and Shame are from the Enemy"

and realized that I was letting the enemy steal a lot from me.

Yeah...That's what's up.

P.S. Go to Winter Jam. TobyMac is great in concert!!!

Love, Me

Why I Made a Blog

I made this blog so that I could write about what Jesus is doing in my life. I assume no one will even read it, but hey, if someone does, they will hear about Him.

Here are some sweet websites to start off with.

-visionarydaughters.com
-therebelution.com
-redenvelopeday.com
-delveintojesus.com


So now I'll talk about what is going on today.

Mary, Allison, and I were supposed to be in Manhattan, KS doing a Bible Quiz meet, but icy weather caused the trip to be postponed. It's amazing haow God's world is so complex in that it can be 75 degrees then quickly change to snowy weather. :)

It's been totally awesome how God has been placing scripture in my mind in many different ways. For instance...the verse in psalms that says "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. " I just noticed about a week ago that the verse was on my calendar for February. Then I hear my favorite song "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster in my parents' car. Then I have the opportunity to buy the ringtone. Once again, the verse shows up in Pastor's sermon. Then I have the opportunity to tell two people about the abundant life Jesus offers...using that very verse. Glory to God. I am not worthy of being used, but I realize that He will use who is willing. I realize so much that I should not go around worrying what to say...or worrying abut how I will stand up for Jesus. He always gives me that chance...and helps me take it.

I am not writing this blog so that people will think I am a good Christian. Devil...stop making this a pride thing.

Love, Dana