Heartbeat

What is my purpose? Why am I really here? My answer to these questions....recklessly abandon it all for Christ, for his calling is much higher than anything I could imagine for myself. It is not about me, it is absolutely about Christ and his heart for the nations. The last few days I have purposefully engaged myself in conversations with people about why we are here. Keep in mind that I work at a Christian camp and conference center. Out of all the people I talked to only one gave an acceptable answer. One guy went so far as to say that "God created us just as he did the animals and we live and reproduce just like they do and then we die!" I'm sure he saw the shock register on my face because he then tacked on to the end of his statement, "and we should obey God" With my hands reaching up to heaven and my face tilted up to the sky I ask, "God, what have we become that most 'Christians' do not even know why they were put on this earth?". I believe that the will of God is twofold. Before we can ever do anything for Christ we must first love him. It makes sense. I love my father so much. I would do anything for him because I love him. If I didn't love him, it would be easy to not care about what he thinks or wants me to do. It is the same with God, if I don't love him then how can I care about what he cares about, and love what he loves? Deuteronomy 6:5 says,"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." I must love Him FIRST! This is the prerequisite to the second part. Christ asked Peter a very direct question "Peter, do you love me?" I can picture Peter looking at Christ with a puzzled look. He answers, "yes, Lord." Three times Christ asks this question, finally Christ says, "Then feed my sheep." This is the second part! Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" We are all called. Not all of us will be preachers or teachers, but we are all called none the less. God's heartbeat was and still does beat after the nations of the world. He loved all of the people of the world so much that he died for each of them personally.

My prayer is that God will fashion my heart to beat as his does, that he will make me sensitive to those thing which are dear to him. The preservation of the gospel, to love Christ, and the souls of men are the most important things, everything else is secondary.

Guardians of Freedom

I am a Christian. I am so thankful for the freedom I have in Christ. I am also a patriot and deeply thankful for those who willingly fight for and guard my freedom as an American. It angers me to my core when I hear people speaking out against our troops. I personally have had several family members who have fought and some died for the freedoms that we have enjoyed in America. None of them were drafted, they signed up to go. My uncle Walton S. Leveridge fought in the Philippines during World War II. My uncles Vernie, Karol, and Elmo Abla fought in World War II. Elmo was killed by a German sniper near the end of the war. My Grandfather, R.G. Leveridge joined the War as soon as he was old enough to go. He fought in Patton's Third Army and was there for the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. He also helped to liberate the prisoners in Buchenwald Concentration Camp. My uncle William Clyde Bowen fought in the Korean War and uncle Larry Bowen in Vietnam. I am proud to have these men as a part of my heritage. I honor their memory and I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices they made for my freedom.

I know there are many stories about the sacrifices people have made for our freedoms. It causes me to appreciate my freedom even more when I hear of them. I heard of one such story this past week. I don't know all the details, I don't even remember his name, but I do know that an American soldier willingly gave his life in order to save the lives of his fellow comrades. When faced with adversaries he chose to step in front of enemy fire and give the ultimate sacrifice. I'm sure that it is a sacrifice the rest of the men will never forget; for this was the day, their friend and comrade gave his life so that they could live. You know what I think is interesting? No one made him do it. Not the president, not a politician, not his officers, not his mom or dad, not his friends...HE CHOSE TO DO IT. Wow! It is a sobering thought. We should honor his memory and thank God for men who are willing to make sacrifices for our freedom.

These men are the Guardians of Freedom. They gave it all and had no regrets. So I ask you, "What have you done today for freedom? What sacrifices have you made today for America? Do your words and actions bring honor to your country or do they rip the very fabric from which this country was made?"

If you have or currently are serving in the military..."Thank you for your sacrifice."

Insignificant?

All down through the ages God has used people who were of little or no significance at all to do great things for him. He took a young boy's lunch and used it to feed multitudes of people. He used a young Jewish girl to save an entire nation. He searched through the hearts of men and found a boy who sought to please him. And the shepherd boy was anointed king of Israel. He turned a stuttering boy into a great preacher. He gave a blind woman the gift of writing music. She became one of the greatest hymn writers of all time. He made a poor, but honest farm boy a godly president.
We have all heard the saying "God does not call the equipped, he equips the called." This is a true statement. I am sure that each of the people mentioned never thought they would do the things they were allowed to do. They simply followed God with all their hearts and allowed him to work in their lives. So it is with us. God has a plan for each of us. However, it is only when we are still and allow him to captivate our hearts that we can surrender completely to his will. Psalm 86:11 "Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name."

Fun Facts About Me

It has been a while since I have posted anything and so I thought I would take this opportunity to share a few fun facts about myself. I hope you enjoy!

1. Started your own blog - yes
2. Slept under the stars - a few times
3. Played in a band - yes, 7-12 grade including marching band and 2 years of orchestra in college
4. Visited Hawaii - no
5. Watched a meteor shower -yes
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - no
7. Been to Disneyland - yes Disneyland and DisneyWorld
8. Climbed a mountain - I've been hikeing in the mountains
9. Held a praying mantis - yes
10. Sang a solo - I have been singing solos since I was 5 and have sang many since then
11. Bungee jumped - no i am afraid of heights and falling from them
12. Visited Paris - no
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - yes, I lived by the ocean for 6 years
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - no
15. Adopted a child - no
16. Had food poisoning - no
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I have been to it, but the top was closed when I was there due to 9/11
18. Grown your own vegetables - yes
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - no
20. Slept on an overnight train - no
21. Had a pillow fight - I have a huge family, I think that is a cardinal rule in the big family handbook
22. Hitch hiked - no
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - no
24. Built a snow fort - yes
25. Held a lamb - no
26. Been to Royal Gorge - yes
27. Run a Marathon - no
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - no
29. Seen a total eclipse - yes, a couple of times
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - many times, especially when I lived by the ocean
31. Hit a home run - I don't think so
32. Been on a cruise - no
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - no
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - I live where they were from
35. Seen an Amish community - I lived next to an Amish town and even had some friends there
36. Taught yourself a new language - working on French right now
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I would like to think so
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - no
39. Gone rock climbing - yes
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - no
41. Sung karaoke - yes at a slumber party when I was in grade school!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - no
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - not that I can recall
44. Visited Africa - no
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - yes
46. Been transported in an ambulance - no
47. Had your portrait painted - no
48. Gone deep sea fishing - no, but that is one of my dream...I want to catch a shark
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - no
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - no
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - yes in cozumel
52. Kissed in the rain - no
53. Played in the mud - yes
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - no
55. Been in a movie - do home videos count?
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - no
57. Started a business - no
58. Taken a martial arts class - no, I can scream really loud though
59. Visited Russia - no
60. Served at a soup kitchen - yes
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies- yes
62. Gone whale watching - yes
63. Got flowers for no reason - yes
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - yes, it didn't turn out so good, I passed out.
65. Gone sky diving - no, I am afraid of heights and falling from them
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - no
67. Bounced a check - unintentionally
68. Flown in a helicopter - no
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - yes
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - no
71. Eaten Caviar - yes once was enough
72. Pieced a quilt - no
73. Stood in Times Square - yes
74. Toured the Everglades - I lived by them for a year
75. Been fired from a job - no
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - no
77. Broken a bone - no
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - no
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - yes
80. Published a book - not yet
81. Visited the Vatican - no
82. Bought a brand new car - no
83. Walked in Jerusalem - one day I will
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - yes
85. Read the entire Bible - a few times
86. Visited the White House - no
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - yes
88. Had chickenpox - yes
89. Saved someone’s life - not physically
90. Sat on a jury - no
91. Met someone famous - I met President Bush when he was still Governor of Texas
92. Joined a book club - once
93. Lost a loved one - yes
94. Had a baby - no
95. Seen the Alamo in person - I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - no
97. Been involved in a law suit - no
98. Owned a cell phone - yes
99. Been stung by a bee - yes
100. Been to a birthday party where they put something on your eyes and have you feel through a bowl of rice for different objects - no

The Three Trees

This is for those of you who find that your life hasn't turned out quite like you had imagined it would. This is one of my favorite stories and I am thrilled to share it with you. Merry Christmas, and may you find your life pointing the way to Jesus.

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said,'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.'

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.'

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,' and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When a woodsman came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the Woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said, 'Peace', and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

So, remember, when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for your life that is far greater than you could have imagined.

Where is the lamb?

Due to circumstances in my life I find it very hard to trust people. I think to some degree all of us have been let down and dissapointed by others. My trust is not something I give easily. This not being able to trust is something that has leaked into my willingness to trust God. It is something that I constantly have to work on. I am reminded of the verse that says "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." My strength does not come from myself, therefore I can do nothing on my own. It is necessary that I trust God. I love the story of Abraham and Isaac. God tells Abraham to go to the mountain and sacrifice his son (Gen 22). He doesn't tell him which mountain, he just says go and I will show you. Abraham takes his son and wood and some servants and he leaves. I can't imagine what must have been going through his mind. He was going to have to sacrifice his son that he loved so much. Well, when they get to the mountain he leaves behind his servants and takes Isaac with him. I love this part of the story because Isaac asks, "Where is the lamb?" and Abraham replies, "God will provide one." It was a circle of trust. Abraham was trusting God to provide and Isaac was trusting his father. Then comes the test...Abraham binds Isaac and lays him on the altar and just as he is about to kill him the angel of the Lord stops him. We can read the rest of the story and know that a ram was provided. I love this story because we see how God called Abraham to lay what was most important to him on the altar of sacrifice. It shows me that it is not always easy to trust God, but it is so important. Because Abraham obeyed God and trusted him, God was able to bless him in a mighty way. I encourage you to place yourself and all of your wants and desires on the altar of sacrifice. See what God can do...

I love Grace!

Yesterday I was driving home from work and having been sick all day I wasn't paying attention to how fast I was going. The only thing I could think of was getting home and going to bed. As I looked in my rear view mirror I noticed the flicker of blue and red lights. I was being pulled over, for the first time in my life, for speeding. The police officer came to my window and asked to see my driver's license and proof of insurance. Then he asked me if I knew I was going ten miles over the speed limit. I said no. Then he asked me what was my hurry. I told him I had been sick all day and just wanted to get home. He took my license and insurance to his car and while he was gone I began preparing myself to get my first ticket. I watched as he walked back to my car, handed me my license, and told me to slow down and feel better. I was amazed, I told him thank you and went ten miles under the speed limit the whole way home.

I was reminded through this experience of God's grace. I completely deserved to get a ticket yesterday. That police officer had every right to fine me for breaking the law, but instead he chose to show me grace. Grace can be defined as unmerited favor, or something we don't deserve. God tells us in Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We are all undeserving of God's grace. We are all guilty of breaking his law. Romans 3:10 tells us, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We are all lost in our sins if we do not have Christ. If Christ had not provided a way to eternal life by his death, then we would all be condemned to hell for eternity. I am in love with God's grace. I do not deserve it, I did nothing to get it. It is a gift of his that he gives us. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. It is a gift that God offers freely to all men. If you have never prayed and asked God to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart, why don't you do it right now. You don't have to pray a fancy prayer, just talk to God, admit to him that you are a sinner in need of a savior, believe that he sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sin, and then confess your sin to him. Fall in love with Grace, it is an amazing gift.

Pray?

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." We are at a pivotal time in our nations history. The decisions that will be made in the next few days will forever change our lives. The United States of America is in a spiritual state of emergency and it is imperative that we as Christians prepare for battle. If God is for us who can stand against us? First of all though, we must have our hearts right before him. We must not shirk our duty to pray and seek his help. We must always remember God does not play favorites...we must be on our knees humble asking him to help us. I want to encourage each of you to not be overcome by evil, but rather overcome evil with good. The days ahead look dark and it doesn't seem like there is much hope, but God brings hope to the hopeless. Pray for our country, pray for our leaders, pray for the people of the united states of America, that God would open our eyes to our wickedness. We can not survive without his hand of grace. We must pray, we must repent, we must seek his face, and we must do all we can to reach a lost, dying country and world for HIM.

Cinnamon and Spice

I write to you tonight by candlelight and with the aroma of Cinnamon and spice wafting in the air I am reminded that fall is on its way, with it bringing change. It is ushered in by the crisp cool breeze of autumn days. Gone are the bright and happy hues of spring, in their place we see beautiful browns, regal reds, youthful yellows, and opulent oranges. Everything around us changes, out with the t-shirts, shorts, and sandals in comes hats, coats, gloves, and scarves. Amid this season of change, however, I am reminded of God's unchangingness and his steadfast love and faithfulness to me. (Psalm 103:1-5)

Which Will You Choose?

ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth

Then took the other as just as fair

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear

Though as for that, the passing there

Had worn them really about the same

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet, knowing how way leads onto way

I doubted if I should ever come back

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood

And I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the difference

-Robert Frost

I love poetry. This is one of my favorites. I think it is very symbolic of the choice we all must make. Do we follow God or Satan. The Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." I believe that just as salvation is a choice, so is the road we walk down after we are saved. Many people become saved, but continue in the old way. I challenge and encourage each of you to choose the road that is less traveled. It won't always be easy, but it will be worth it all when we see Jesus. It will make all the difference.

Am I Beautiful?

"Am I Beautiful?" It is a question that many of us have asked. I know that for myself I have asked it multiple times. We look at magazine covers and see beautiful people, we watch movies and we see beautiful people, we go to the mall and there they are...everywhere we look we are surrounded by what the world would call beautiful people. We as women and girls feel so much pressure to look a certain way, be a certain weight, have perfect hair, have a nice tan, etc. The world has put its stamp of approval on so many things and said, "if you look like this you are beautiful." I beg to differ.The longer I live the more I see there are two types of beauty. There is Partial Beauty (pertains to outward beauty, but is not complete) and then there is Complete Beauty (most people do not posses this kind of beauty it deals with inward as well as outward beauty). There are two parts of Complete Beauty. Part 1 Internal: The Bible tells us in I Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." Samuel had gone to annoint the next king of Israel, and he was looking at how tall, strong, and handsome the sons of Jesse were. What Samuel couldn't see were the hearts of these men, but God could and he knew that David was the one that would seek after him. It doesn't mean David was perfect we know he sinned, but he was repentant and he desired to love God above everything else. I believe what truly makes a person beautiful is having a heart that seeks after God. Part 2 Outward: The Bible tells us in Genesis, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. I have often thought how God has created men and women with unique characteristics that give us a picture of himself. God created men as being strong and a protector...they are the warriors just as God is our ultimate strength and protector. God has also shown us another picture of himself by his creation of women. He created women to show his beauty, sweetness, and gentleness. Each of us in our own way posses outward beauty. It is a treasure that God has given us so that we can better know this part of him. He tells us in his word, He hath made every thing beautiful in his time. Complete Beauty is not defined by your clothes, hair, tan, height, or weight, but simply by how God has created you. God has expressed his creativity and genius in his creation of men and women. He took the time to design each of us in a way that is pleasing to him. So the question here is not "Am I beautiful?", because you are, the Bible says. The question instead should be, "Am I completely beautiful?" You already have the second part, God has created you in his image, you are beautiful. The first part is a choice you must make, do you desire God above everything else. I hope each of you will find yourself being completely beautiful.

How is your vision?

The Bible tells us in Proverbs that, "Where there is no vision the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." It is my firm belief that the primary cause for so many failed marriages and dysfunctional families is that people have lost their vision or never had one to begin with. Most people have forsaken the law (Bible) and are paying with their lives. I do not want to be one of those people. God has given me an amazing role as a daughter. I am reminded of the verse in I Peter, "Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement." Sarah placed herself under her authority even when it was tough. Her earthly authority was Abraham, but ultimately it was God. If you read in Genesis you find that the one time she went above that authority it cost her dearly and we are still paying for that decision today. Those of us who are unmarried have been placed under the authority and protection of a father. It is our duty and privilege to serve him and learn from him so that when Prince Charming comes along we will be prepared to serve him. It is not a punishment to be single, it is a blessing. My vision for the daughters of America and those around the world is that we would turn back to the standard that God has set for us in the scriptures, that we would see our family as our mission field. It is my prayer that we would humbly serve and care for those whom God has placed in our lives and that by serving them we will be able to reach a lost and dying world. If we can not serve those closest to us how can we expect to reach the lost for Christ. Daughters, it is our duty and we must not shirk it.