Book Review: The Jesus You Can't Ignore

Don't you just love the cover?!

This is not an easy read! I started this book in August. It is now July. It's taken me one year to complete--not because MacArthur doesn't know how to write, but if you're like me & need a little action, humor etc. when it comes to books, this one is not for you. It can get boring because there is no humor and it gets a little "wordy". Plus the chapters are pretty long.

However, I did think the author is an excellent writer. This book details the ministry of Jesus from the gospels of the Bible. I love the way he begins the first chapter, capturing Jesus' character overall saying, "Jesus' way of dealing with sinners was normally marked by such extreme tenderness..." But it kind of takes a spin in irony, because the rest of the book is all about the opposite: When it's wrong to be nice.

This covers Jesus' dealings with the religious leaders, mostly the Pharisees. His sermons were full of harsh words & hard truths as MacArthur puts it. Not because He was a mean man, but because these people needed to hear the truth--and not a sugarcoated one at that.

Overall, I definitely reccomend the book itself, because you'll gain a lot of insight to Jesus' nature & teachings & the book can come alive in your mind but only if you like this kind of reading and if you're okay with words you may not understand! It's kinda like watching a movie! I'd say it was a nice change from books I usually head for.


*This was my honest review for Booksneeze

Readers & writers & characters oh my!

It's 10:30

I hate nights. Because that means I actually have to sleep.

Ugh.

Anyway, my eyes are drooping but I'm in a writing mood. I'm working on a story. It's been keepin' me busy. I give the glory to God b/c He's been giving me some inspiration! I hope one day I can ge it published. Wouldn't that be cool?

I love to write & write & write. I have a million and one stories either in the back of my mind or already on paper just waiting.

I simply don't have all the answers to those lonesome characters in the back of my mind.

I'm sorry Amythyst, I just have no clue what your last name will be, how old you are, or what your life story is.

Ronnie, girl, who know's where you're goin'.

Poor Jade. She has no one but I do have a plan for her!

Hmmmm.

Doesn't this remind you of something? Or should I say Someone? I didn't plan it out that way. It just happened. God just somehow steps in & makes it all about Him. Because it is!

But, really, it reminds me that He is writing our stories & wow! He already knows the ending. That's why He's all,

"Chill! I got it all figured out! I already wrote it I hope you know!"

Haha. Silly us.

I need to chill a lot of the time. I get so freaked out about the future. I wish Sadie, one of my current characters would stop worrying what she's going to become. I already know because, well, I wrote it. I have the idea.

What a humbling thought. God just revealed this to me now. I had no idea I'd be writing all this.

But it's true.

Okay, can you tell at all that I'm tired & about to fall asleep?

Goodnight, readers p)

The Boeing 767

"I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow

their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a

long, uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people

taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never

paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply

shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I

was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on "my"

issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns

to get their act together.

I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine

from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really getting rough when

you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony.

With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and

no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled

take off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself.

Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were

being delayed. The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed

speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who

are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes.

The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that "I"

was finally going to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over "these" folks?

I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up

.........Just get their butts in a seat and lets hit the gas I thought.

The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited

voice that we were being joined by several U. S. Marines returning home from

Iraq!!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause.

The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them

as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and

touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they

passed down the aisle.

One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her.

The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time. When we were

finally airborne, "I" was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the

delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the

remote in my hand.

These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about

"me" and "my" issues. I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and

the conveniences of the American way of life I took for granted others paid the

price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me"

those Heroes going home to their loved ones.

I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we

landed I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a

request for everyone to remain in their seats until our hero's were allowed to

gather their things and be first off the plane.

The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we

all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms.........

I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to

welcome them home and say Thank You for a job well done. I vowed that

I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough,

THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who

may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer

with us. GOD BLESS AMERICA! WELCOME HOME!

AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!"

 Found here

Yes, God has blessed America in so many ways & I hope we remember,

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD."

-Psalm 33:23-

I want to write!

But somehow, when I write, I get stuck.

I have so many ideas swirling through my head for a story. I have at least 5 "novels" I've started on & only 1finished. And even that one doesn't seem very good.

It seems like I have the perfect beginning & the perfect ending, but don't know what to do with the middle.

Where's the storyline?

The plot?

The...story?

I see Ella, I see Sadie, I see Abigail and Amethyst.

I see all my characters.

But who are they, really?

What part do they play in this make believe world?

Perhaps I'm analyzing this too much, but that's just me. I over analyze.

How can I make these ideas fly?

Dear Ideas,

You're plenty. You kinda make my mind hurt, but I suppose it's for the best.

I write you down all the time, but you don't leave me with much.

I'm stuck with an imagine-less imagination sometimes.

Are you sure all you have is what you are?

You're not going to answer me are you?

Well, I better ask the Lord to provide what you aren't giving me.

Just You & me {Short Story!}

I heard sea gulls and crashing waves, and knew I could only be in one place.

 “Where are we?” I asked quietly.

“We're almost there,” He said with adventure in His voice. Once my foot felt the water, something came alive in me and I couldn't stop smiling.

“Okay,” He said. “You can open your eyes.”

I wonder what He was thinking when He said that. I mean, He did make my eyes after all!

 So there I stood. With eyes wide open, taking in the scene. The ocean was right in front of me! There was a beautiful wooden sailboat ready to be taken ashore and I knew He had reserved it just for us.

“Let's go sailing,” He told me. “Out on the sea. Just you and Me.” My heart skipped a beat as He lead me to the boat. We set sail and boy was it at wonderful feeling.! He pointed to a dolphin. Oh! I had never seen one! 

Then He pointed to a shark, and told me not to be afraid.

 After hours of wonderful bliss out at sea, it began to rain. It poured. And I was scared for my life.

“This boat can't make it!” I yelled. “It's too small for these raging waves.” But you won't believe what happened. He came up to me and had me face the water. And then He said, “Be still," to the water. 

And that was all He needed to say.

Time went on and I watched Him catch fish with His hands. We talked about our dreams again. I looked Him in the eye, those beautiful baby blue eyes. He said something funny, and we just laughed until our sides hurt!

I love His laugh. 

Then it was quiet for a moment. The sun was going down and the breeze swept across my face like birds flying through trees. He looked at me and said, “Let's go for a walk.” I looked at Him strangely, although I knew in my heart what He meant.

“Where?” I asked anyway.

He pointed. He pointed out onto the sea.

“You mean on the water?”

He held out His hand and said, ”Let's go walking. Out on the sea. Just you and Me.” It took me awhile before I could get my foot onto the water. But He held my hand the whole way and here I was! Walking on water with my Best Friend. We walked miles, and at dusk, I got to watch Him paint the sky with only words and His fingertip. It was magical!

 I grew sleepy and although the water was great for my feet, I couldn't keep walking. So He picked me up in His arms and carried me. I know I heard singing the whole way.

 When I woke up, we were back in the boat. 

Just Him and me.

Waiting For The Sunrise

I am a dreamer.

Dreaming and dreaming, alone—in the dust.

I feel like a river. Flowing and flowing, alone—at dusk.

Flowing through an open gate,

Watching as the sunset breaks.

Waiting for the sunrise to make.

I am a rider.

Riding and riding, alone—in the woods.

I feel like a hider. Hiding and hiding from the weight of this world.

Hiding from a sheltered place,

Watching every hopeless face.

Waiting for the sunrise to make.

From The Journal (Anger & Hatred speaks out)

I want you to read something. It's my journal entry of about 8 minutes ago. I am forgiven, know this is true. I feel so amazingly in awe of Christ's forgiveness, & let. me. tell you. His forgiveness is REAL. Trust me--the fact that I was able to forgive myself says a lot. He is so gracious!

"I am so filled with shame. It’s sickening. It’s painful and the tears are more brutal than before. But I can’t begin to tell you how much anger and hatred is in my heart and it scares me. It frustrates me. It angers me even more than I already am. I knew the Bible talked about this. “Those foolish disputes come straight from the heart.” It’s true. But why? Why has this built up in me? What do I do now that I realize how much hate and anger is in me? This sucks. Why can’t I follow the commandments?

”Do not quarrel…” “Be gentle to everyone…” “Be at peace amongst yourselves”

And as I continue to look through those underlined words in the Bible, my heart feels softened. This one always gets to me:

"Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also must you forgive. Above all put on love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah…control your hearts.”

Colossians 2:12-14

It’s so easy to read & agree with it until you’re faced with the decision to actually obey it. Pride gets in the way. Me and ash (my sister) had the WORST ever fight. It was filled with cruel words, even pushing each other physically. It was so brutal that even the fact that the kids were present and watching didn’t stop us. I hate this. I even threw my phone at her! I feel so ashamed and angry more with myself. But that fact that she had to say, ”And you call yourself a holy little Christian?” That gets to me more than anything else. Anything.

I already asked God to forgive me. And I believe he did. But I can’t so easily forgive myself. I hate it. When that verse said, “just as Christ has forgiven you…you must also forgive” it helps me greatly. So if HE can forgive ME for being this way, I ought to not only forgive myself, but Ash.

Of course the devil had to do this a day before God takes us to Israel. I even considered staying here instead of going b/c I’m afraid to fight like this with ash. It’s so weird. Sometimes, I can control this anger & temper. But on days like today, I blow up—yelling and throwing rude comments. The thing is, she is right about the holy little Christian remark. I knew that all along. I never claimed myself to be perfect! Ugh. Just b/c I do call myself a Christian, doesn’t mean I am perfect!

Lord, help me. I can’t say sorry, b/c in my heart I still feel troubled. No she doesn’t deserve to be forgiven, but neither did I by you. I have so much shame I feel like I can’t go on b/c the memory is too vivid and the hurt is great. I need YOU. I can’t do this alone. I am so sorry. I am living in agony!

GOD, CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART! AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME!

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious; slow to anger and full of faithful love.” –Psalm 103:8-

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

“Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts.” –Psalm 119:27-

“Help me stay on the path of Your commands.” V. 35

“Don’t let sin dominate me.” V. 133

“LORD, if You considered sins, LORD, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness.” Psalm 130:3-4

Thank You Jesus! You’ve renewed my heart and I feel SO MUCH BETTER! You are so gracious to forgive!"

Okay. So why did I share this? It's because I want you to know I do not claim myself perfect. 2, it's to show you how gracious our Lord is! 3, it's to show you these verses. I love the "how far the east is from the west.." one. East and west can never meet! And He removes the sickening shame!

It's SO hard to be a "perfect little Christian". But I don't have to be perfect. My Father's love is so GREAT! He forgives us, so we must also forgive. Trust me--I did NOT want to. I do believe He created a clean heart in me. I need HIS strength--I can't do this alone anymore. Sure more fights will arise. But Oh, how I long for His strength.

If you get anything out of this--God forgives!

Fictional books I HIGHLY (very highly) recommend.

Hello readers!
(Not readers of this blog...just readers in general ;)

Let's just get to the point.

Books. are. awesome.

And I've read some over the past year that you need to read!

Here they are!

The Christy Miller Series

Okay. Seriously. 

These are the best books I've ever read. Robin Jones Gunn (author) is so talented. Her books are all about life, God, love, friendship and all the inbetweens. 

Christy Miller learns what true friendship is, what Christianity is really about (a relationship with the Lord) and finds love that is seriously tested through out all 30 books. TCMS are 12 books. Then is goes to on to another series, 

The Sierra Jensen Series

another 12 books...but it is the same characters, same plot..just from Sierras point of view. And then the series continues with 

Christy and Todd: The College Years

 just 3 books (the best love story ever!), and then again continues with 

The Katie Weldon Series,

 another 3 books.

Confusing yet?

These books are NOT little girls books. They are highly "mature" & are for pre-teens, teens, and young adults. You won't regret all that reading! I swear!

(And for all those Christy Miller fans out there who don't know this, Robin Jones Gunn has written 2 new books on the characters..(they're comin' in the mail for me!) Departures, Christy Miller's Diary, and Praying For Your Future Husband)

Go to Robins site here to read separate reviews on the books!

If you like love stories & crazy cool characters...get these books!!! SO worth it.

Robins "testimony" on how these books came about it awesome. You can read it here.

I rate these books 10 out of 5.

(Hey, I'm making the rules here...)

Solomon's Song by Roberta Kells Dorr

Does your heart just melt when you read Song of Songs in the Bible?

Well then you'll love this! It's a fictional book written about the love story of young King Solomon & his little shepherdess. It's very accurate to the account of David and the beautiful words of Song of Songs. It's just told from a fictional point of view.

It really makes you think about true love. How it's tested. How it really is patient.

Solomon and his little shepherdess, Shulamit's (or in the Bible she's called Abishag) love is severely tested through time, obstacles, and misunderstandings. But God is so good and not even the plot of Solomon's [evil] brother, Adonijah, can cut of God's plan for a beautiful love.

It is so amazing!(and romantic) PLEASE get this book!

(And if you do, I recommend you read the account of Solomon first (in 1 Kings) as well as the whole book of Song of Songs)
Don't you just love watching those old movies about people from the Bible?

Well, this book is ah-mazing.
It really is a detailed account of Song of Songs--Solomon & the Shulammite woman (Abisgag. She's mentioned in 1 Kings. But her name in the story is not Abishag)
Anywho...it's such a sweet & romantic [godly] love story.

Ruth by Lois Henderson

Okay, I seriously love reading fiction from people in the Bible. I just love it!

As you've probably figured out, Ruth is about....Ruth! It's inspiring, and beautifully told.

I love love stories...love stories that are scripted by God. And you'll love this one! (oh, Boaz!! *sigh*)

Lois has also written many other books about Abigail, Davids wife,

Lydia, (from the account told in Acts)

(not a love story but still amazing!)

and many other's I have not read like, Mary Magdalene & Hagar (which I am in the middle of reading right now)

Well...that's all for know folks!!

The Farmer's Wife

I deeply desire to be the wife of a farmer.

To burrow in his embrace until I get warmer.

To smell his skin; the scent of the earth

And to capture his smile, oh how much that'd be worth!

 

Open fields and wondrous sounds

Of gravel on the road, of treasures being found.

The golden rays would then waltz on my cheek

And my hardworking farmer, his God he would seek.

 

I can just feel his strong hands holding on to mine;

Gazing in his eyes our hands, we'd entwine.

Prancing over fields and strolling barefoot by the corn

Or watching the sunrise and morning glory being born.

 

When my belly grows, and life on the hillside is changed,

I'll make a prayer of how I hope my baby loves all of his days.

I'll nurture to him to health with the milk of my breast;

Giving him love, while tenderly watching him rest.

My daughters and I will sow in the garden,

While my sons follow their dad and try to be like him.

The girls will wear summer dresses, and play with their toys.

And my sons will discover bugs, while trying to be boys.

 

Oh how I deeply desire to be the wife of a farmer.

To witness the happenings of us. We. Him and her.

To experience with clarity the days of our youth;

And watch our children grow--our beautiful labor, our fruit.



England has two books:

...the Bible and Shakespeare.

England made Shakespeare, but the Bible made England.

-Victor Hugo-

"Books have to be heavy because the whole world is inside them."

-Cornelia Funke-

Books are wonderful!

Full of knowledge

mystery

thrill

humor

sorrow

surprises

love

joy

even hate.

Books can make you laugh until you ache & cry until you have to tell yourself that it's only a story.

Sometimes I think, "Why am I laughing more and crying more due to a story...than I am in my own life?"

But there's just something about a story!

"He is not the best student who reads the most books, but he who meditates the most upon them."

-Charles Spurgeon-

May your life be filled with laughter & books!

But guess what?

"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education."

-Theodore Roosevelt-

-----

Inspired by this reader.



The Treasure of a Book!

So I was browsing the bookshelf I usually ignore & found incredible books.

I looked at them & squealed!

I love books. I think they truly are treasures, right?!

 The only problem is...I want to read them all at once!
Here's a cool quote that's SO true!
"There are seventy million books in American libraries, but the one you want is always out..."-Thomas L. Masson

From The Journal: Singing in the dark

It's been a long time since I've just...written.

I mean...trust me. My journal does not go untouched. 

But sometimes I think my imagination does.

I love forming words and making them beautiful & attractive.

I'll read back on my old writings & realize it was not me writing! (know what I mean?)

Tomorrow is March 1st.

And every 1st of the month is always a sorta sad time. 

It's unplanned, but usually I write in my journal every 1st for some reason. And it's always about the same thing: my future.

January, February, was a feeling of fear. But throughout the month...I'm fine. I'm free.

But why is it always the 1st that my heart begins to shake?

-Should I go to college?

-Where should I go to college?

-Should I go to a community one or out of state?

-How far should it be?

-What am I even gonna go for?

-What will I be?

Such questions can make a person crazy!

They always overwhelm me...on the 1st of every month.

I'm serious too, because I have documented proof.

But what I feared about on January 1st, was cleared up & figured out by February 1st.

Isn't that great?! (It doesn't always work that way, btw)

I think it's important to write down all that you're feeling & going through. 

Then look back on it later & see how perfectly God took care of it.

My heart loves to sing.

But when the little birdie passes a dark valley...she is just so afraid. 

Haha, I can just picture her flapping her wings, sweating, & trying her hardest to tweet while trying to see in the darkness.

"Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark."

For some reason I remembered that quote from an old art project in the 10th grade.

Hmmm. Maybe because it so accurately describes me?

(The part about being in the dark...)

I want to sing even in the dark valley!

So we'll see.

My future may be unknown...but my God isn't!

Even though I used to get rained on...I want to start turning that rain upside down & let it take me for a ride!

Kinda like this picture:

Oh, the desire!

To skate!

I want to feel the ice beneath my feet again. Dancing on water that is frozen. Skating to glorious music, in rhyme with my movement. Letting the chilled air whip at my face & turn my nose red. 

I want to feel so free again as my skates carve up the ice. I want to spin until I am dizzy, & jump like a fox.

I miss the way I'd feel graceful.

I miss the way people would bump into me.

I miss lacing up my white boots.

I miss my foot hitting the rink for the first time that day.

I miss smiling at myself for hitting that move.

I miss just skating in circles.

I miss this.

And now my skates don't fit, and my dream is bigger than ever.

A Young Womans Daybook

Today is.....Friday.

Outside my window....is a nice scene of one of my favorite getaways.

I am thinking.....more about life.

I am feeling.....very tired & sick.

I am thankful for....all 5 senses!

I am wearing.... P-jays 

I am reading......Solomon's Song; As You Wish; The Swiss Family Robinson

I am creating.....photographs.

One of my favorite things......playing guitar.

For education this week.......uh....yeah.

Spiritual lesson I'm learning.....that worry does nothing :)

Godly trait I plan to work on.....trusting that God hold my future.

Scripture I am memorizing......"Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are You making?'" (Isaiah something :)

I am praying for.....a good friends' step-father.

For the rest of the week....taking it one step at a time.

Picture I'd like to share....

Oh, summer. I am so ready for you.

{Picture not mine}

The definition of this.

Joy. -->God-->Life-->Beauty-->Family-->Friendship-->Love-->Giving-->Receiving-->Dreams-->Iced Tea with lemon.

Love.-->God-->The Bible-->Family-->Friends-->Random people-->Children-->Enemies-->Life-->You-->Me.

Tell me a story.

Tell me a story.
Make it interesting & bright.
Make it fascinating & beautiful. 
Make it...lovely.
Tell me a story.
Make it dance.
Make it whisper in the breeze
& make it sweet the the honey of bees.
Tell me a story,
but don't forget to make it beautiful.
And so, the One who crafted the stars & carefully painted each zebras stripe said,
"Alright, I'll tell you a story. But you should know that you've already heard this one."
"Oh? How so?"
"Well, the story I'm about to tell you...
you're living. 
And yes. I made it beautiful."

Extraordinary

 

-Waking up to a sweet song play.

-Talking for hours with my sister on our way to Grama's.

-Photo shoots with nature.

-A happy dog's slobber. (Yes in my mouth practically)

-Trips to put gas in the car.

-Sweet sunshine on my face (Yes, that's where dappled sunbeams play =)

-New discoveries outside.

-Letting our dog stick her head out the window as we drove to the dollar store.

-Watching people.

-Realizing that God gives courage.

-Prayer & excitement!

-Climbing the roof.

-Catching a full moon.

-Cooking & cleaning with Gramma.

-Laughter.

-My day was ordinary in so many ways. Yet when I looked, I found that God truly maked it extraordinary.

The Key to a Hearts Garden - a story!

As Lilah climbed the tallest tree to get to the roof of her grandparents' old house, she slowly lifted her hands up to the sky. She let her long red hair dance in the wind, and tilted up her pink lips to the sun.

"Oh, Lord. I want you to have the key to my hearts garden."

She placed her hands over her heart and closed her eyes. 

"I don't want to let anyone sneak in and steal all the flowers. I don't want to let anyone do that. Not anymore. I want my heart to be pure before you--so take the key. I know at the right time you'll bring him to me."

Later that night as Lilah snuggled into her bed in the old attic, her heart felt fresh.

She had a dream that put all her words and desires into pictures:

Way deep into the woods, there was a garden and a white gate wrapped around it. In front of the gate stood a tall, strong man, holding a key.

This man was so radiant! More radiant than the sun. And he had a smile on his face that was more glorious than a crescent moon. 

Inside the garden were different types and colors of flowers. There were pink tulips, white daisies, orange poppys. 

One day, a guy walked up to the garden.

"May I come in?" He asked the man holding the key. "I want to pick those flowers in there."

"Sorry," the man said, "This isn't the garden you're supposed to pick from."

Then, another guy came up to the guarded gate and just stood there looking around.

He obviously wanted nothing from that garden.

Another one came over. 

"Can I come in? I want to pick that single white rose way in that back of the garden."

The man looked at him gently and said, "You've already picked a single white rose. And this one is not for you."

Finally a young man walked up and appeared to recognize the gatekeeper.

"Somehow I knew I'd find you here," the young man said. "May I come in now?"

The man looked at him as if he'd been waiting for him, and gave him the key. But before he let him enter, he said:

"You are free to roam and pick. But you must never pick the single white rose. As you can see it is not finished growing. It is not ready. It is not ripe."
The young man nodded and smiled, excitedly entering the gate.

He walked up to a red rose.

"A rose as read as the hair of my love, a tulip as pink as her lips. And a lovely white rose. White as her heart."

When Lilah awoke from this dream, her weary heart was no longer troubled. She had never felt more free and settled, than the day she gave her true Love the key to her heart.

------
This came to me out of truth; experience. It's hard to give Him the key, especially when you think you can take better care of your "garden". But like the dream, I don't want any guy who's not my future love to pick all my flowers. Soon, there'll be none left for him!
Know that God is ready to take that key! No matter how many flowers you have--none or all.

"His mercies never end. They are new every morning."
-Lamenations 3:23-

picture source here. =)

A Walton Scene:

Elizabeth Walton: Daddy?

Mr.Walton: What is it, Elizabeth?

Elizabeth Walton: When I get older, can I marry you?

Mr. Walton: I'm afraid I'm already taken.

Elizabeth: Oh, well, goodnight anyway, Mama.

Liv Walton: Goodnight Elizabeth.

The End ;)

Okay, so I'm not exactly sure those were the exact words, but I'm pretty sure they were.

That Elizabeth has quite a dream.

For you:

Planning.

Planning for my future is such an exciting task!

I'm prayerfully considering in a tiny whispered ask.

I can't wait to explore, to dream and to see;

I'm just hoping it's as wonderful as the dreams inside of me.

Poems for my sister.

(me left, her right)

My Best Friend, My Sister

Silent prayers: a million and ten;

 My heart was pleading for a very special friend.

Where is this person whom I can share my heart?

This was my plea from the very start.

"She's out there I know it, I just haven't seen,

And the one God had saved is probably a teen."

But what I hadn't noticed was a thing that was wrong,

My friend was right beside me--she wasn't in Hong Kong!

So why was I waiting for a best friend and a mister?

When right beside me was you: my best friend, my sister.

Oh, how lovely your friendship is to me;

Never would I imagined God would let this thing be!

Do You Remember?

Do you remember the day I would follow you around?

I'd wear all your clothes and all the jewelry I found.

Do you remember the hour I'd run to your room?

I'd admire all your stuff and I'd envy and swoon!

Do you remember all the names you'd call me that morning?

Beans, Pinkerton, Miss Piggy and Georgie!

Do you remember the times we'd act like big meanies,

We'd fight and we'd yell, and we prob'ly called each other weenies.

But the greatest of all was when we declared it to be,

That our friendship was sealed, and it's sacred to me.

My beautiful sister. My forever friend!

"Savor little glimpses of God's goodness & His majesty, 

thankful for the gift of them:

winding pathways through the woods,

a bright green canopy overhead,

and dappled sunshine falling all around."

-Unknown-

"I don't have to explain anything to my sister...

She's one of the few people who can read my heart."

I am so free to be me!

I am so free to be me! by God'sNoella featuring vintage inspired jewelry

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There's no one alive who is youer than you." -Dr. Suess

Max Lucado said something like...be you because you are the only you there is. If you don't bring it (what you have to offer the world), it won't be brought.

Lord, help me to be the -me- You created. Not the -me- I created.

Oh, sweet New Mexico!

Arizona, I miss you; Yes, I truly do. 

But arriving in my city was the best adventure, too.

Hours and hours in the car was a breeze;

But arriving to my city was a happy bittersweet.

You see, Arizona, your cactus & heat;

Were just what I needed with your oranges so sweet.

But once my eye caught onto my own city town,

I was happy to listen to the joy of that sound.

Those sweet purple mountains, sitting up above,

Was a gentle reminder of the place that I love.

Those happy giant dirt hills were a reminder to me, 

That the sweet New Mexico mountains are really a happy sight to see.

Oh, sweet Arizona.

Off to the place of sweet getaways; 

making memories from a simple taste of days.

Hours of stiff sleeping sleepy-time dreams, 

are what help me to open the getaway me's.

Evergreens stand with their tall bodies still;

Sky's and mountains and sun upon each hill.

Arriving to this place and that place was wild;

Hoping to pick a sweet orange was mild.

I gazed on the one who became my blooded other;

The one who makes tastys, the great chef my brother.

Way deep down under the blue pool of bliss,

Was just as magnificent as a sour lemons kiss.

Then a place of great food which was made in old days,

Let us remember, which I thought in a daze.

Here we were at a shop of the deer,

No room for a pool or a tired girl here.

Two million trees were the sight from the eye;

Simple yet perfect which gave a sweet sigh.

And now it was time to dine in a forest;

The thunder & lightning did not leave us borest.

"Happy Birthday to you," they sang with a smile;

We'll have to cry later, or maybe in a while.

A kiss from the heat on a soft December night,

left me in a dress that was a soft golden white.

Play me that song, that one of the sona;

Come back again, oh sweet Arizona!

---------

This poem is a little taste of what I tasted in Arizona! Just a few things I experienced & saw.
It was a great trip.
I hope you understand the weird meanings behind the words!