Yesterday God challenged me.
I am a small group leader at my church's middle school youth group.
At the beginning of the night, all the leaders gather together and talk about what's happening that night and then we pray together. Well...last night started out like any other night. We all gather, talk, pray, and then go love on kids! Well, when we got together, one of my dear friends and fellow leaders, got a call that our "sound guy" (a friend for quite sometime) Evan, had just raced to the hospital because his mom had just been rushed there. Lynn was an amazing woman of God. she had battled cancer for many years, but faithfully came to church because of her love for God! A few minutes later we got another call...this time from Evan...his mom was now with Jesus. Many tears were shed last night, but we know that Lynn is in a better place with a new, healthy, beautiful body, standing before the throne of God! As the leaders and myself included, got together a couple more times to decided what exactly we were going to do, God spoke to me. "I have something i want you to share with all the kids, Carissa" "Uh, now God? we're all a bit disoriented. Are you sure, God?" "Yes, there is no better time than now." "Okay God, give me words to speak."
i went to a couple leaders and told them what i had to do and then i was "scheduled" to speak right before worship time. So, when it was time, i went up on stage and began to speak. And this is what the Lord brought forth:
"God spoke to me tonight and challenged me to challenge you. As you all know, Evan's mom has gone to be with God. And now God is telling me that i need to live each day to the fullest according to His will. We all need to thank God for the little things. The things like waking up in the morning, having a family, and even for life itself. We need to live like there's no tomorrow. I don't know how many of you middle schoolers
go to church here on the weekends, but we are doing a series right now that's called "Live like you are dying". Are we living like we're dying? you need to tell the people you love that you love them. you need to be the example for Christ TODAY! God does not promise us long life, so we need to live for Him NOW! NOW is the time to make the decision to follow Christ, NOW is the time to be the helping hand to someone in need. NOW is the time to step out and be the example. Many of you have come here for awhile,
you have the heard the Word, you know the truth, now all you have to do, is LIVE IT OUT! Live for God NOW!"
that's the challenge...are you willing to accept it? Are you going to step up?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
It's all about Time...
I have not written in so very long! wow..time passes so quickly.
Speaking of passing time...i leave for Argentina in just 10 Days!!!!
God is so good and has done amazing things getting me ready for this trip!
He overwhelms me with His presence and His voice speaks His love through the beautiful creations around me!!!
A passage of scripture that came to mind...
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a tie to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."
I think that we all need to remember that God's timing is perfect in everything.
whether building a relationship with a friend or letting it rest;
whether going or staying; whether refreshing others or being refreshed;
whether choosing to speak or choosing to listen,
everything we do should be done in its time.
It's now time to end this post. :)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Product of Peace
Many thoughts cross my mind as i prepare for YWAM. What will it be like? How many people will be at the school? Will it be hard?...But the question that has come into my mind that most is: Am i going to have enough money to even get there?
People kept telling me that i shouldn't worry. if it God's will, He'll pay the bill.
i knew that in my head, but it wasn't really settling in my heart. i kept worrying about, but i knew i couldn't get more hours at my job because i have school. It kept getting to me. if i don't have the money, then i can't go and if there is no way to make more money...than how am i going to be able to get there?
One week at church, our pastor was talking about money and what we should be doing with it. He talked about how we need to let go of ownership of our money and really give it to God. I felt very convicted, so i decided to go up and receive prayer at the end of the service. Pastor Steve prayed over me and spoke some great things into my life! i felt God's presence there, telling me that it was going to be alright, i have nothing to worry about. Peace began to settle in my heart. Since then, i have felt completely different about my money and i know that God will provide...in any circumstance.
Today i got a letter in the mail from some very good friends in Oregon. They sent me a note telling me that they would be praying for me as i head to Argentina. Enclosed was a check...for $500!!!!!! yes. FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!!! i was in soooo much shock i just sat there and laughed!!! God has a way of blessing us so much, all we can do is laugh and look back and think about how silly we were for ever doubting God's faithfulness to provide our every need.
i now know that God heard my cry...even with a lack of faith. He is faithful and just to carry out His work until completion!!!!
I am holding on to that peace knowing that God is with me wherever i go...even in Argentina, He'll be with me!
May God bring peace to calm the stresses of your life now and always!
People kept telling me that i shouldn't worry. if it God's will, He'll pay the bill.
i knew that in my head, but it wasn't really settling in my heart. i kept worrying about, but i knew i couldn't get more hours at my job because i have school. It kept getting to me. if i don't have the money, then i can't go and if there is no way to make more money...than how am i going to be able to get there?
One week at church, our pastor was talking about money and what we should be doing with it. He talked about how we need to let go of ownership of our money and really give it to God. I felt very convicted, so i decided to go up and receive prayer at the end of the service. Pastor Steve prayed over me and spoke some great things into my life! i felt God's presence there, telling me that it was going to be alright, i have nothing to worry about. Peace began to settle in my heart. Since then, i have felt completely different about my money and i know that God will provide...in any circumstance.
Today i got a letter in the mail from some very good friends in Oregon. They sent me a note telling me that they would be praying for me as i head to Argentina. Enclosed was a check...for $500!!!!!! yes. FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!!! i was in soooo much shock i just sat there and laughed!!! God has a way of blessing us so much, all we can do is laugh and look back and think about how silly we were for ever doubting God's faithfulness to provide our every need.
i now know that God heard my cry...even with a lack of faith. He is faithful and just to carry out His work until completion!!!!
I am holding on to that peace knowing that God is with me wherever i go...even in Argentina, He'll be with me!
May God bring peace to calm the stresses of your life now and always!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Future Awaits
So, as some of you may know, i burned my hand at work the other day.(Sunday)
For those of you who don't know, i was steaming milk (i work at Starbucks in Safeway) the pitcher was a bit full to begin with so when the woman ordering informed me she wanted it extra hot, i thought "okay, that's not hard, just keep it from over flowing."
well, i looked away just for a split second and when i looked back, my hand was covered in 200 degree steamed milk! i was in so much shock that i didn't shot the machine right away and it continued to burn me. i also didn't want to just drop the pitcher of milk, i tried to turn off the machine, and then set the milk down, and then try and cool my hand down. at this point, my hand was completely red and it stayed that way for about 2 hours. i stuck my hand under cold water for awhile, but then had to continue helping customers, so the cooling didn't last long. I continued working for another 4 hours until my shift ended. my hand was in a ton of pain, but didn't look terribly bad. i then kept it in a cup of cold water for awhile, but that didn't help much, it was still very red. i could see the beginning stages of a blister forming, but thought that since it had been in cold water it would be okay and wouldn't be that bad, well after two days, the pain i gone , except when i write or type for more than a couple minutes. yes, my hand is hurting while i type this. i now have two blisters and the start of a third one. the redness is gone in some areas, but remains on my fingers around the blisters. Doing homework the last couple of days has been a bit of a challenge...along with taking 2 tests and writing 2 papers.
I am doing well besides that. and it's not all that bad. i am alive and well. God will take care of my hand in His timing.
All i can say is, i am sure glad that i know that i am going to Heaven. After getting these burns i have thought about Hell and what it must be like there, surrounded by fire, but stuck in darkness; burning continually without ease. Wow! how terrible would that be. i know many people who have been burned, but to be in Hell, i cannot even begin to imagine the torture for eternity, forever, without end, FOREVER!!!!
I am thankful that i have saved by the blood of the Lamb!!! Praise God for His great love and mercy on us!!!
My title to this post may seem odd, but really, we do not know what the future holds. i was not expecting to get burned at work, but it happened. God is the one in control and the best thing we can do is put our life in His hands and sit back and see what He does! It's our choice, will we choose to run our own lives, or will we allow God to take control and and do what He longs to do in and through our lives?
It's your choice...the future awaits...
Thursday, February 21, 2008
To Taste His Goodness
So i have found myself more and more in love with my savior.
But, then there is that desire in every girls heart to not only be pursued by her Heavenly Father, but to be pursued by her prince charming.
I was talking to my mom a few days ago and we were talking about my future and the thought of a husband down the road. I long for that day when it's official: I'm a wife!
And oh how i am so very excited to be a mom one day. But, as i was talking to my mom, she said that i need to be completely content being single before i can even think about finding a life long husband and forever friend.
I really thought about it and then told my mom when i came to this conclusion:
-I would be more content spending eternity in Heaven with God than being married here on earth.
-Sometimes i look at my future and wonder what i will be doing in 5, 10, 20 years, and sometimes, strangely enough, i never really think about my spouse being there with me. It's just me and God.
Not to say that i will never get married or have no desire, but i am falling more and more in love with God that i know He will bring someone along at just the right moment and i am not really worried about it!
A couple days after talking to my mom, i was talking to a friend of mine and she was asking how things are going and if there was anything new and exciting in my life. i then shared with her how i have felt so much closer to God even in the last few weeks. I said that i was beginning to see Him in everything: the bird flying by, i saw God's hand guiding it through the wind; the tall grass swaying in the wind, God's breath breathing life and the sunshine throughout the day, God's beauty radiating for all to see! At church i felt His presence next to me as i sang loudly to Him in praise of all the magnificent things that He has done for me. I heard His voice speaking to my heart as i sat intently listening to the message.
My friend told me that although many people are Christians and want to pursue God, there are few that actually allow God to take complete control of their lives to the point that they can taste Him. She told me that i was one of those people who had been truly tasting the goodness of God. I am really beginning to understand the deeper things of God, i am not done, the journey has only just begun.
I long for the day that i stand face to face with the Creator of all the universe, the God who chose His son to die on the Cross for my sins, the God who knows how many hairs are on my head, the God who knit me together in my mother's womb, the God who i have fallen in love with.
Psalm 34:8
"Oh Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
But, then there is that desire in every girls heart to not only be pursued by her Heavenly Father, but to be pursued by her prince charming.
I was talking to my mom a few days ago and we were talking about my future and the thought of a husband down the road. I long for that day when it's official: I'm a wife!
And oh how i am so very excited to be a mom one day. But, as i was talking to my mom, she said that i need to be completely content being single before i can even think about finding a life long husband and forever friend.
I really thought about it and then told my mom when i came to this conclusion:
-I would be more content spending eternity in Heaven with God than being married here on earth.
-Sometimes i look at my future and wonder what i will be doing in 5, 10, 20 years, and sometimes, strangely enough, i never really think about my spouse being there with me. It's just me and God.
Not to say that i will never get married or have no desire, but i am falling more and more in love with God that i know He will bring someone along at just the right moment and i am not really worried about it!
A couple days after talking to my mom, i was talking to a friend of mine and she was asking how things are going and if there was anything new and exciting in my life. i then shared with her how i have felt so much closer to God even in the last few weeks. I said that i was beginning to see Him in everything: the bird flying by, i saw God's hand guiding it through the wind; the tall grass swaying in the wind, God's breath breathing life and the sunshine throughout the day, God's beauty radiating for all to see! At church i felt His presence next to me as i sang loudly to Him in praise of all the magnificent things that He has done for me. I heard His voice speaking to my heart as i sat intently listening to the message.
My friend told me that although many people are Christians and want to pursue God, there are few that actually allow God to take complete control of their lives to the point that they can taste Him. She told me that i was one of those people who had been truly tasting the goodness of God. I am really beginning to understand the deeper things of God, i am not done, the journey has only just begun.
I long for the day that i stand face to face with the Creator of all the universe, the God who chose His son to die on the Cross for my sins, the God who knows how many hairs are on my head, the God who knit me together in my mother's womb, the God who i have fallen in love with.
Psalm 34:8
"Oh Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him."
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