Paul and Silas - imovie format

This is our fantastic clay animation video made in our educational technology class!! It's probably the best rendition of Paul and Silas ever done! :)

The First Potluck

Bible Stories are a great reminder of who we live for!! Here's to Cassandra, Crystal, Liz, and Carly. :)

Actions Speak Louder

Actions speak louder than words. This phrase has integrated its way into numerous sermons and lessons over the years, and it has yet to be proven false. Body language falls under this same category. We use our hands to motion "come here," while we nod our heads to enforce what our hand and arm suggest. Our stance and expression combined can show power, confusion, and even humor.

However, Satan uses the power behind body language. For instance, you could get into line at the movies only to hear someone behind you whisper, "the nerve!..." You then realize you were so excited about your movie that you accidentally cut someone off. You confident stance tipped off the person behind you as being cocky. Body language says it all...even if "all" isn't what you meant to say.

As a woman, I understand the power behind a glance or a stance. All too often do my glances get mistaken for interest or invitation for someone else to be interested. In highschool this was a huge problem for me. I could never understand why a particular someone always thought I was interested in him. Looking back on it now, I see that I always smiled a welcoming smile, always said hello, and always genuinely asked how he was doing (all of which is okay) but added to this i tried to dress "in style", so much so that I ended up flaunting myself at him without meaning to. Today, watch the way you stand, the way you cross your arms, the clothes you wear, and the expressions you find yourself giving people. Although we often don't mean to give the wrong impression, that may be because we don't want to pay attention to it. I challenge you to control your body movements, expressions, and style in such a way that glorifies God.

Swallowing Pride

Swallowing pride is a rather humbling thing to have to do. Knowing you aren't always right just knocks you down a level sometimes. Letting others roll with the credit you should have received, and not saying anything about it....It all forces us to swallow our pride. Pride is an emotion that when let out, it will stop at nothing but your conscious. It is only when you allow yourself to accept your own pride as being sinful that it can be swallowed. However, should we get to that point? The point when we have to even deal with this topic? Probably not. It'll happen every now and then, but all in all we should be able to control our selfish nature when it comes to wanting the glory, the credit, or self satisfaction life brings our way. When Christ's Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us, we then have a new responsibility to keep our pride under check. The Holy Spirit will help us with that....He will remind us to pause when our heads are getting too big. And if our hearts and minds desire Christ, then the Holy Spirit will remind us of Christ's ways...and that His ways weren't prideful. With God's help, we can overcome anything....even pride. Glorify God today by your steady and constant breathing....let the words you breath, and the actions your breath allows you to do....let it all glorify God.

God as a Gentleman

I love the way God reveals Himself to us. It takes a lifetime to even begin to understand how we should live for Him, but I love that each stage of our lives require us to know God in a different way. Tonight I had the priviledge of discussing God with a good friend of mine. We sat down before parting so we could pray for each other, and my friend prayed with thanks for God being such a "gentleman." A gentleman, huh? I had never thought of God as a gentleman. Right now I have been seeking peace from God concerning being single for His glory. However I've been struggling with placing GOD as the groom of my life. However to understand God as a gentleman creates in my mind the most perfect man. One who opens up doors for me, provides for my needs, holds me close, respects me, wants the best for me, etc... Yet as a gentleman, God fills this role! He opens life doors for direction in my life, He provides for my every need, His Spirit draws near to me, He respects and loves me, and God definitely Has my best interest at heart. He is a true gentleman that I am madly in love with!! How great is our God that He would give Himself to each of us in order that we may fall in love with Him and give Him the glory He deserves!!! Take a step back to see how God is revealing Himself to you today. While this stage of my life needs a gentleman, God will reveal Himself to me in a totally different way when the next stage of my life comes. Glorify God by letting Him reveal Himself to you. Breathe in His ways, and thereby worship Him!

Praying for the Wounded

The most amazing thing happened tonight. It happened with my friend on our way to pick up my car. We were on country roads when we saw a dead fox in the middle of our lane. It was a smaller fox, probably just out on it's own. We slowed down, and actually we back up to see it again. Then we decided to help move our little buddy off the road. Yep, that's right. We decided to move the dead fox. As we opened our car doors he pulled his head up...you could almost see the pain in his eyes as he tried to lift himself to safety. However a car had hit his back legs, and they seemed broken. My friend grabbed a blanket from the trunk of her car, and she gently wrapped it around the fox, slowly lifting him up, and tenderly placing him in the grass beside the road. The next moment was greater than the previous as we stopped, laid hands on this fox, and prayed for him. It was the most amazing moment, b/c if you think about it -- that moment was once in a lifetime. To pray for the healing of a fox...of a wounded soul. However we DO have opportunities to pray over the wounded. The world surrounding us is filled with wounded souls. Their legs are broken, disabling them from walking the way they ought. They struggle to keep their heads afloat, and yet we rarely pull over to carry them to a safe place where we can pray for their healing. Next time you find yourself near a wounded soul, take the time to care for it. You will feel the exhiliration only the Spirit can give, and may you be reminded of God's healing power for all of His wounded children....even his small foxes. : ) As you breathe today, worship God and glorify Him with your actions toward the wounded.

Hillsong - One Way

One Way

Where do you transfix your eyes? Christ tells us that there is only one way for us to spend eternity with Him, and that is THROUGH Him. Christ died for us, and yet we often turn to other means of temporary comfort to avoid facing ourselves. We find video games, the Internet, and reading magazines keep us from fully seeking God. We give ourselves over to these things as though they are the only way to a satisfied life. How much time do you spend looking at things on the Internet? How much time do you "facebook", mess with "myspace" or "xanga"? Do you shop when you're stressed? When bored do you play video games or watch tv shows you don't even care for? It's easy to do, but it is also deadly to our spiritual direction. There is ONE way, and that way is Christ. Where do you spend most of your time and to what do you put most of your effort into?

When we are weak...then we are strong. When you are weak and incapable, Christ intercedes for you -- giving you the strength and endurance you need. However if we choose to fix our eyes on a way other than Christ, then we will not see the light He shines, nor will we see His saving grace. We won't see that He has died for us, giving Himself up so that WE can spend eternity with Him. He loves you, and wants you to know HE is the only Way in life. Transfix your eyes, heart, and mind on Him...may your every breath worship Him!!

Blind Planning

Planning for the future is a mind boggling event. There are so many figures, costs, situations that have to be considered, and when they ARE all considered, you may find yourself sitting back flabbergasted by the new level of responsibility you may have infront of you. Planning out the next month...or tomorrow for that matter...is difficult and often unexpected plans arrive throwing you for a loop.

Wait, though....who said it was our responsibility to plan? Jeremiah 29:11 states that GOD knows the plans for our lives. He has plans already made up! So why should we worry and fuss over trying to find the perfect place to live, the perfect school to attend, or the perfect car to drive? What seems perfect to us might be tainted in the Lord's eyes. Therefore when you find yourself making plans...whatever those plans may be...ask yourself if you have God's heart guiding your steps. Do you have God's eyes scouting out the field? Our own eyes are blind to the wonders God has in store for us. So make sure that when you plan...that you glorify God by letting Him lead.

Source of Beauty

Beauty now a days is defined by the way models look in magazines. They are slender with perfect complexion and skin tone. They have gorgeous hair, perfect posture, and everyone dreams of someday being in a magazine just like them. Who says what styles work and what styles don't? While we should be confident in ourselves, we often let society determine that for us. Go to dove.com and click on the "Campaign for Real Beauty" link. There should be three videos at the bottom. Click on the middle video. You will be blown away by the way we have this warped perception of how every model is naturally gorgeous without any additional help. Let our confidence be found in Christ. Each and every son and daughter of God is incredibly beautiful because we are all created in HIS image. Check out that video, and then ask yourself if you have a warped perception of your own beauty. Remember to glorify God by appreciating who He's made you to be. YOU, my friend, are beautiful. :)

Inner Dwellings

Dwelling – not your humble abode, but the state of mind you often find yourself in when you are deep in thought. You “dwell” on a situation or idea. My favorite time to dwell on issues is when I am driving. Of course, I pay attention to the road and other vehicles surrounding me, but my mind often drifts off toward a pressing issue or concern. When I dwell, I don’t like to stop dwelling until I’ve come to a solid solution. How often do I dwell on the things of the Lord, however? Nine times out of ten I find myself dwelling over trivial issues such as what I might wear to a wedding. It is not often that I dwell on the ways of the Lord. Sure, I try to live each and every moment for the Lord, but just think of how much more effective my faith might be lived out if I dwelled on spiritual issues. What are spiritual issues? Prayer concerns, how to help those in need, ways to reach the lost, or ways to best reach/serve/love those around you. Dwelling on such things just might enhance the way you live…therefore the way you breathe; therefore the way you glorify God. Next time you catch yourself dwelling…check to see if what you’re dwelling on is worthy of glorifying God.

Patient Endurance

Life is going at such a fast pace that we often fail to endure what comes our way. We want answers to our questions, and we want results asap. We want what we want when we want it, and usually we want what we want right now. So when God's timing doesn't match up to our fast pace, we often find ourselves impatient, tapping our toes, and scratching our heads waiting for answers and results. However if we are to endure, then we must have patience...a lot of it, too. To endure is to withstand. Not withstand as in "put up with." Rather withstand as in "tough it out."

No matter the situation, whether it be finding a job, awaiting test results, losing weight, trusting God.....we need to have patience in enduring. When we fail to endure we fail to trust God. When we fail to trust God, then we fail to glorify Him. So take the time to put your complete trust in the Lord...place everything that hinders you from glorifying God in His hands and in His timing. Then wait. Wait on the Lord, and you will find yourself glorifying Him through your patience. Patiently endure, and thereby glorify God!

Selfless Dreams

When I was a little girl it was my dream to be just like Kristy Yamaguchi or Scott Hamilton. "If I can do a triple axle," I used to think, "then I can BE somebody!!" Fifteen years later my dreams have changed quite a bit. My dream of figure skating went down the drain when I discovered I couldn't do a cartwheel. :) While spins, glides, and axles used to astound me, I've shifted my focus away from myself. Instead I dream of making a difference. With age I've come to realize that the dreams that last are those that do not involve myself. Instead I dream of molding minds, of changing hearts, and of encouraging those around me to keep on keeping on.

Christ calls us to dream large. There is a world holding millions upon millions of people. All of those people have a heart and soul. When we dream only for ouselves, then we hold ourselves above other people. My dream as a child only worried about my own success. If I ever make it to fame, then I pray that my focus will not be on my success, but on how my success can change the lives of others to glorify God. We have a daily opportunity to create new goals. What do you dream of? Do your dreams involve others? Dreams reflect the heart, so take a minute to ensure that you are focusing on God's people rather than on yourself. Dream for Him, and thereby glorify His Name by being His vessel.

Dive in Deep

If you were told to jump in pool water would you dive? Would you go head first or would you stick your foot in to test the temperature of the water? Those living a cautious life are more likely to test the water before diving in, and those who trust what's before them tend to immerse themselves without worry of possible chills once wet. God lays out for His children a lifestyle that is beautiful to look at. It's gorgeous actually. We are called to live for Him: loving, caring, serving, helping, clothing others, smiling, encouraging, using gifts for His glory, etc. We are called to be like Christ. In order to do so we must must must read into His Word daily. His Word being the Holy Bible.

Most people have a really hard time figuring out where to start reading. They need a plan, an outline, and maybe even a map to guide them through the terminology and lifestyle God's put before them. These people are your "water testers." They stick their hearts out there just enough to get them wet with God's Word. If they find they like what they read (via a plan, of course) then they proceed to jump in. While the Bible says nothing against testing the waters, God does encourage us to accept Him with ALL of our hearts. To do so suggests getting a running start so that we can jump with our arms waving wild with excitement! I would think God would love for us to dive in head first so that our "test" is submersion.

Have you noticed that when you stick your foot into pool water you cannot help but to leave small pool ripples? Those small ripples represent how effective you will be for Christ if you only test His ways. Rather, when you dive in...or even cannonball...you create waves that sometimes even splash out of the pool!! Doing so represents leaving a HUGE impact for Christ when we dive into His Word. Though sometimes confusing, God's Word holds truth and life applications that only better our lives for His Kingdom when we place our trust and faith in Him. Dive in....dive in deep: breathe for God by reading His Word. Worship Him in this way, and you will be blessed beyond measure.

Rays of Passion

In every aspect of life, one should feel honored to have the opportunity to pour passion into it. Passion. It is the very essense of who you are. It billows down deep inside of you and when you speak, act, move, or think, then you give passion permission to move. When it moves you find youself overtaken by an energy that radiates from an unknown source to most, but to Christians that source is as clear as the sea on a bright sunny day. The source is God, for He is the definition of passion. There is passion in Christ, in His love, in His works. All throughout the Bible we see Jesus doing what He loved best, meeting and saving the lost for God to the glory of His Father. There wasn't a minute that went by in His life that wasn't being filled with Christ's passion.

Likewise, we hold the power to pour passion into our lives. The way we talk, the things we say and do for others and for ourselves... They should always and only be filled with genuine passion that comes from Christ Himself. We may say that we don't have the ability to draw passion, but thanks be to God for His blessing of provision when we are unable to complete the task!! Be passionate and therefore glorify God in Heaven!

Hopes of Redemption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHjw_aWWXcA

Day in and day out humans place their hope in something or someone. More often than not, people find themselves let down when their hope falls through. As a Christian it is vitally important to place your hope in the solid foundaiton of Christ Jesus. Romans 7 and 8 are amazing chapters in the Bible that address the issue of sin, salvation, hope, and future glory. We are promised life with Christ upon His return if we live according to the ways of the Lord. As a result of that promise, we find ourselves patiently awaiting Christ's return so that we may leave this place we know on Earth in order to be restored with God in Heaven.

The anticipation that accompanies hope is exciting. Relating hope to an everyday situation, one might say he hopes to make the baseball team!! Imagine working hard every day to improve, trying out for the team, and then waiting for the team roster to be announced. Your palms would be sweaty with anticipation, but you would smile knowing you'd put your best foot forward. You woujld hope with all your might that you make the team! Transfer that energy and excitement over toward Christ's return. Do you hold the same level of hope and anticipation for Christ to return? Afterall, this life we live is our "tryout." We hope and pray we will someday be reunited with Christ in Heaven.

Until that day comes we find ourselves here on Earth. We are here with purpose, with promises, and with the hope of eternity with God. How we live these days reflects our worship toward Christ. If you are more excited about making the baseball team than making God's team, then you might want to go in search of that lost anticipation! For to yearn for Christ's return with a patient smile and a heart filled with hope is to worship God with your very being. When Christ returns I want to see my hope revealed! Worship God with your life...your breath...your hope...and therefore glorify our Father in Heaven.

Thinking to Glorify

Thoughts run in and out as fast as a freight train, and sometimes they weigh as heavy as the two ton cargo in the last cart. They have a way of lifting up or tearing down. When positive, thoughts have the power to bring a smile not only to your face but to your heart as well. On the other hand, negative thoughts have an equal, if not stronger, ability to hold you back from living a carefree life. Some say you can't control what runs through your head, but it's the pre-work that sets the tone for what's about to filter through.

Day in and day out we have an infinite number of opportunities to change or alter the path of our thinking. We choose what we look at, what we listen to, and how we behave. Our thoughts are influenced moment by moment according to what we put in. "What you give is what you get" may be a familiar phrase to some, but there is truth in it. If you surround yourself with negative input, then you choose to allow your mind and lifestyle to receive the negative effects of that input.

Glorify God. Worship Him with your thoughts. Filter each and every one through a mental moral checklist so your mind may shine radiantly for His name. Though challenging to maintain thoughts, it is rewarding to persevere. Afterall, perseverance can build character. So when the freight train runs through your mind, make sure it stops to let off those unplesant thoughts that take you away from living the way you ought. All glory to God!

Breathe as Worship

Breathing...It's essential. Without requiring as much as a conscious effort for most we inhale refreshing drafts of air that quench our thirsty bodies. Our bodies require the consistent pattern, and yet most take it for granted. If we stopped breathing, we would cease to live. If breathing instills within us the ability to live, then essentially breathing IS the utmost key to living a physical life. So if breathing is life, then I ask what does your life look like? Are you inhaling uplifting content...encouraging to you and to those around you? Or upon examination would your lungs reveal dark substances that hold you back, bring others down, and hold negative expectations.

See...the way you live, the breath you take...all of it...it comes from the most wonderful Creator, the most magnificent lover of all...God. How we take that breath...How we breath and the ways in which we walk out our lives... it's all a reflection of who we are and a reflection of the worship we give back to God. YOUR life...my life...each life... it's worship. The breaths that energize your everyday experiences...They provide the foundation for your lifestyle and you therefore bring worship back to God. What you do with your breath is your choice, but how amazing it is that you can look at each breath as an opportunity to glorify God!!

When you breath...do you take short breaths filled with anxiety? Do you catch yourself holding it...waiting to exhale at just the right time or fearing someone will hear you breath? Or do you breath with a confidence...knowing that each and every breath comes from God? Breath a life that reflects the glory of God. What you say, how you act, where you go, what you see, what you consciously think... Train it to glorify God..the one who saved you, made you, formed you...the One who breathed life into your very lungs! Sooo Breathe!! It's your form of worship.