Life Changes cont.

If you told me a year ago, where I would be today, I would have laughed and said, "yeah right!" I'm happy. A year ago I was presenting my Very Hungry Caterpillar to my Online Intensive Class at Liberty University and so incredibly nervous. I had a great time when it was my turn to "teach" it. I look back from that time and see where God has brought me, and it has been amazing. Difficult times, challenging times, times where I wasn't sure which way to turn and all I could do was look up, but He was there waiting. Thank you Lord for being there, always. A little bit of what is on my mind tonight...

Life Changes...

There have been so many life changes recently it can be hard sometimes to know where to turn but I am thankful that I am hanging onto God's hand through it all. I watched the New Everyday (neweveryday.tv) episode today, which a friend of mine is one of the ones in it but she said something that really made me think. They were talking about Missions Trips and how we can do missions in our community and in our own country, or we can go overseas. Jenn was talking about when she was on a trip and how the place she was in, each person on the trip had a person from that country with them to walk beside them, sometimes they would just walk with them, other times they would hold out their hand so that you could grab it if you needed help and then there were times where they would grab your hand to guide you. Jenn shared how this taught her a lot about God. By hearing this it really spoke to me because there have been so many times where I have seen God walking beside me, sometimes holding out his hand, and then at times, grabbing my hand to pull me out of a pit. As I reflect on this and see where God has brought me it's been amazing to see how He has been there every step of the way, there have been times I obeyed diligently, and others when He has dragged me, kicking and screaming. In the end, He knew what was best for His daughter and I'm so glad He has brought me through each and every trial. I wouldn't be who I am today if I had not been through each trial, challenge, hardship, victory, etc. As I look back on graduating, even that is a huge victory that God brought me through and I wouldn't have graduated with the degree I did, from the university I did without His hand guiding my every step. I have a job that I love but waiting for God to bring the job that is perfect and where I'll be able to use the skills that He blessed me with and educated me with. Those are my thoughts for now... Enjoy.

What am I supposed to do with my life?

Johnnie Moore, an amazing speaker and author and previous pastor at the university I attend. He has written about what we should do with our life. Which is follow Christ. The world tells us we should do certain things, but to follow the World but God does not call us to live that way. We are in the world but we are not to be of the world. God calls us to live radically, to not live in the world with a little bit of Jesus but to live like Jesus while we are in this world. Moore is an incredible author and really digs deep but is so honest with his readers. From the time I first heard him at convocation at Liberty University I have been captured by him and his ability to engage his audience and he does this so well in his books too. This is a must read for everyone.

Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible

Duck Dynasty has taken the world by storm! They have not settled for being nothing less then real on television and in their real lives. They give glory to Jesus and pray on national television. There has been so much controversy over this family and their show, but God has given them an amazing gift and using it to bring the glory back to God. I was excited to see this Bible was going to be available for review, so excited I stayed up just so I could get it! I finally received it in the mail today and fell in love with it. I love the look of nature it includes throughout the pages but also love the devotions that relate to real life, they also had a bit of humor in it as well which makes the devotions really interesting and something you can relate to. The sleeve is nice but even without the sleeve, the Bible cover looks like bark and would be nice without it. These guys have an awesome ministry and it is amazing to see how God is using them through TV, Music, Books, and now this Bible. An awesome one that everyone should purchase!

The Christmas Story for Children

I love when I get the opportunity to review Children's books because I am able to use them in my teaching as well as with my nieces and nephews. Max Lucado is an amazing author and well known for his "adult" books but over the past number of years he has been writing children's stories and they have been having an impact on children's and adults lives as much as his other books. I have used and loved his Hermie stories and when I saw this book come up I knew it was one I had to have. This book is a companion to The Story for Children. This book talks about the events that happened leading up to the birth of Jesus. It explains it in terms children will understand and the pictures are beautiful and portray what Lucado and the other authors are trying to convey in the wording. An awesome book that I will use for years to come!

David Wilkerson: The Cross, the Switchblade, and the Man Who Believed

This book is written by David Wilkerson's son, Gary. God called David and He followed. David felt like God could do amazing things in New York City, and David, being a willing servant followed what God called Him to do, in the most ignored places of the city. I didn't realize that David was the founder of Time Square Church. David followed as God called Him and trusted Him day to day to bring people that God could minister to through David. It also surprised me to see that he founded Teen Challenge. David was willing to step out in faith and do the unthinkable in some Christians' lives. It seems that many people are willing to take the risks that God asks us to take as Christians. Following Jesus is a risk and He asks us to do things that are not in our comfort zone, that is what this book is all about. If you want to be challenged and learn about how God can use an ordinary man, called by God, then this book is for you!

Jonah and the Great Big Fish

This book is a classic Bible story. I received it and my sister looked at it with my 2 year old nephew and we both had the same thought, the illustrations look like they have been stretched to fit the pages (like a distorted picture). The book content was great and accurate but was disappointed with the pictures because it made it hard to focus on the story. This is a great book for kids, but again, change the pictures! It is a story how God was with Jonah even when he was inside the fish and how God brought him through that time. This is a book that will be put with my teaching supplies and although the pictures are a little frustrating, the students will get the idea and I think will enjoy the story.