Choosing Joy

JOY.
It's not just about feeling the emotion.
It's about being in the state of joy.
It's not always about what you feel-it's about where you choose to place yourself....in the state of joy where you choose to still have a spirit of joy or out of it.
Before Jesus death...He didn't feel joyful as in the emotion but He was glad to BE.
By being at rest in God, we're not talking about spiritual lethargy but about the PEACE OF GOD, Being in harmony with oneself, with God, and with one's place in God's purpose and plan, unflustered by circumstances, by change, by trials, by ups and downs, or by fluctuating feelings.
-Michael Phillips

Therefore...choose joy.

You make beautiful things

A new favorite song: ☺

YOU MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS -GUNGOR

All this pain
I wonder if I'll ever find my way
I wonder if life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in you

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, you are making me new
You make me new, you are making me new

You make beautiful things

Peter denied Jesus three times.
The third time Jesus turned and locked eyes with Peter.
His eyes cried out...What have you done?
Do you really care about me?
Where is your heart?

How often are we like Peter?We say we love Jesus and will be faithful, but when the real test comes we are often too scared to stand up for Jesus' name. We go with the flow instead of being strong in what we believe. How often do you think Jesus' heart cries out with pain at our rejection? We told him we would follow him no matter what the cost, but then it comes, and the cost requires too much to give up...and we break our promise.
Are our hearts grounded in God? Are they so firmly rooted that they will stay there, no matter what comes our way?
Children of God:
Take up your cross and FOLLOW the one who died for you...and rose again to bring you life.
True life.

Come To Jesus

This song has really inspired me...I was just at a bibleschool and my one class was  Gospel Team. We were a group that learned songs and at the end of our term we went on a singing tour. It was totally awesome. Our chorus director chose the theme to be on prayer. Are you a praying person?Really and truly?When was the last time you spent an hour with God? I came home very challenged! So as you listen to this song...listen to the words. Come to Jesus. Fall on Jesus. Completely. Don't hold anything back. Cry to Jesus. He cares. He will always be there no matter what you are facing. I loved this song and hope you will to! -Kelsi

A Mother Teresa Quote

People...are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may not be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see in the end, its between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
-Mother Teresa-

Everything has BEAUTY but not EVERYONE sees it. -Confucius

Interview with Heidi Barkman

Hello again...
I bring to you the official interview of Heidi Barkman on life and words...

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be to great for me to make for Him.
     C.T.STUDD
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: One Thousand Gifts

Q: Who is your favorite author?
A: Leslie Ludy

Q: What if your favorite song?
A: All immproviso amore

Q: What is your favorite verse in the Bible?
A: Daniel 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolation, and the city which is called by they name: for we do not present our supplications before thee fro our righteousness, but for thy great mercies.

Q: What to you is the essence of life?
A: Love and wisdom

Q: What is your favorite word?
A: Jolly

Q: What would you say is one word that describes yourself?
A: Sensitive(she goes on to say she has no idea)

Q: Describe life in two words.
A: Surprising and fulfilling

Q: Why do you love to write?
A: Because it helps you get your thoughts sorted out

Q: If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?
A: My carnal nature

Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Little kids sarcasm, funny laughs, myself(at my dumb mistakes:))

Q: And last of all, what is your motto for life?
A: Know exactly who you are in God and know who your God is. Know what you want to do with your life then go at it with all of your heart.

thank-you, Heidi, for your answers and time!