Just Praising Jesus :-)

Hey everybody :-) So it has been awhile since I have posted! Been busy busy! I am doing good by Jesus' love and caring hands! I am so thankful for Him. The One who keeps me sane! Just talking to Him makes everthing alright in my world! He is so amazing. You know sometimes I'll look up into the sky or just look around and think... "God has been here for so long and He has got everything in control. He made the world and everything in it." It just makes you feel good to be alive!!

Weary soul who has been fighting so long do not give up! God sees you and what you have need of before you even ask! Just trust Him! The battle is not to make you weak but to make you a strong soldier in Him! DON'T GIVE UP!!!!



Blessings and Love,
Tiffany

A New Year's Prayer

I was reading the "Dear Abby" section today in the newspaper. Someone had sent in a prayer by St. Francis. I personally love this prayer, because it sums up what our light for Christ should be.

"Lord make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me show love;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

and Where there is sadness, joy;

O' Divine Master, grant that I may not

so much to seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

For it is giving that we recieve,

It is pardoning, that we are pardoned

and it is dying that we are born to

Eternal Life"

Happy New Year

So it is 2011 :) Wow a fresh new year... I am 3 hours and 53 minutes into it :0)

Here a few minutes ago I opened up my Bible and it opened to Matthew 6:21

"For where your treasure is, there will be your heart be also"

I try not to make New Year Resolutions, because I usually end up not keeping them.

What I do want to think of is "Where my Heart is?" That is what I challenge you also. As we leave an old year behind. Reach into this new year with a Heart for GOD. For the reward of the treasure is far beyond what we can imagine.

1st Christmas & Remembering

This year was my family's first Christmas without my Beautiful. Precious Momma. But as I read in someone's elses blog. She is spending Christmas with Jesus. Her love for the Lord was so passionate. I remember a time even though she must have been in a lot of pain. ( I think she sheltered a lot of times how much she must have hurt) But she got on her knees and prayed. Her courage lives on in my heart. Touching Jesus was all that mattered to her. I remember a couple of days before she passed we nearly lost her. Our double wide filled with all sorts of family, the room was filled with doubt. As I was and a few other people were holding on for a miracle. I remember leaving for church and telling that room of people I had faith and they better get some or something to that effect. It no longer matters to me what I said. The night before she passed away I came in from church ( We were having a Youth Explosion which we did not stop despite the fact of my momma's sickness and even her passing each night we were in service.. I did not want to stop. I knew my mom would want us to have church) I told her that we were going to make it and she said "Of course" Throughout everything she wanted me to talk Faith. Even when hospice came she reassured me they were only going to help, that it did not mean she was going to die. I was angered nearly every time a hospice nurse visited. I remember one day in particular. The hospice nurse was asking all sorts of questions. Even though my momma was laying there on the couch sleeping she asked what funeral home we would be using. Oh. My.Word. I know the lady was just doing her job. But for pete's sake! My momma held on to faith so strongly. She came to the Youth Explosion four days before her passing I believe. Even though she sat in the van (We were outside in a tent) My pastor prayed for her and told her to believe for God's healing and to confess her healing. She did of course even though she was half out of it with medicine. These are bittersweet memories. I cry because I miss her so much and at the same time I am impacted by her love for Jesus. I know she got her healing. Just in a way I did not want. Some days I think of the last few weeks of her life and they play continually in my mind. I try not to think of the day she went home. It was a day of shock and I comforted other people that whole weekend. Her life was definitely celebrated in that weekend. Only God gave me the strength to face it. She was truly my best friend. I wanted to share some photos I took last Christmas of her.

The Treasure Just in Reach

I know it is hard for all of us at times on this path God has chosen.. At times you feel like that you could give up. The world seems to offer you better things.. But you know deep within your heart those things are only temporary. Last week my Co-Pastor read something to me that "stuck in my crawl" so to speak. I will tell it to the best of my memory. (True story) This man was in his early thirties and I can't remember exactly how he ended up in the hospital. But he died.. He saw himself on the table as he went up. He found himself surrounded by all these rooms. An angel came to him and started showing him the rooms. They were filled with diamonds and all sorts of precious jewels. The man asked the angel what all these were for. The angel told him that it was the treasure to be given to God's servants.. but they gave up right before they were to recieve it.

I have to say that it really struck a chord in my heart. Yes, waiting on what step to take in life next is hard. Yes, waiting for God to give me a husband is hard. Yes, living without my precious mother is hard. But I have to remember God has a plan in all this. I will recieve the promises He has promised. I can not give up so easily.. God's treasure is just in reach. I will trust Him. Because even though on my toughest of days.. I am a jewel in His crown. I will trust Him because He is worthy... He hasn't forgotten you dear Lady of God. He loves you and understands when nobody does. He knows the depth of your heart and the thoughts that you think. And yet He still chases you with reckless Love. Oh me, wow.. when I think about it.. It makes my heart want to burst with all sorts of emotions! Oh how He loves us...

How is Your Heart?

I was just wondering. How is your heart? Is it focused on the world and what it can give you in relationships (temporary fun, hurt, and sadness) or are you focused on Jesus and simply waiting at His feet...and falling in love with Him. "Now Tiffany," You may say, "I'm an eligible single person and I'm lonely." Have you ever thought about how Jesus was single and alone. But yet He was not alone.. He had God. I know a lot of us are called to be married. But that's not the greatest calling of our life. The greatest calling of your life is to fall in love with Jesus. Here lately I have needed Him more and more. I have discovered that He is the greatest Prince I could ever have. He is there in my pain and truly knows how to comfort and heal me. I know that there is a great guy God has for me. But I am not in hurry to meet Him. I am not going to be like Martha and be bustling around trying to see what kind of single preacher guy I can get. I am going to wait at Jesus' feet like Mary did. You know what Jesus told Mary that she had chosen the greater part and it would not be taken away from her. I have expierenced lonliness and I still do. Especially when I am around all the married and dating people at my church and when I see all the love going on on Facebook. I have learned to say "Jesus you come fill my lonliness and you have a plan and I trust in You." Now I realize not everybody is going to kiss dating goodbye. But PLEASE take careful time in what you do. Seek God and see what He has for you. I know I thought I would have met the one by now and be planning my wedding. But instead God is leading me to bible college close to 850 miles from my home, friends, and family. I don't understand His ways but they are higher than mine. I'm going to close with these thoughts my friend put on FB.. "Are you putting your relationship on hold for God, or are you putting God on hold for your relationship."

Well that's Odd...

Well it's Wedensday and I have taken all my 9 weeks exams except for one and that is Web Page. I'm excited that Friday is just around the corner and then it will be SPRING BREAK!!! So excited!!

Last night I was talking to one of my guy friends on Facebook. We use to go to middle school together but after the 9th grade he moved to a different school. So we were just talking about Prom and he was saying he didn't want to take anyone from the school he goes to. I was like "Aren't you going to take your girlfriend?" (His profile pic had been of him and this girl..so I assumed that it was his girl) "No I don't have one" then came the question...."Do you have a boyfriend?" I replied "No I don't, I'm not into dating right now." "Why? You could meet guys." My Reply went something like this "Yea I could, but I don't want to, I am waiting for the one God has for me." He says "How will you know if he is the one." (my guyfriend is not a Christian) so I explained that God would give us wisdom that we would just know and that God gave me a joy that no guy could ever give me. His reply..."Well, that's odd."

I wasn't expecting that kind of reply..LOL But the Bible does say we are a peculiar people.

Sweet Love

Last night at church all I have to say is that it was A.W.E.S.O.M.E. (doesn't stand for anything..just so ESTATIC) Oh.My.Word. the service kinda started out dead in a way. But our hearts were open for Jesus. Well let me tell you He came in like a flood..his sweet presence just swept in there. People were crying and praising God. One of my cousins had came and after church on her facebook status she said she wanted to be saved. I was so Joyous. Man ain't going to get the glory for what God wants to do. That's all it took was our hearts hungry and open for his presence. The preacher got up after that and talked about 15 minutes and said He didn't want to get in God's way and he didn't preached because God had already moved. I am so glad we don't go by a program. This person has got to sing and the preacher has got to sing. But just let Jesus have his way in a service :D Tons of Awesomeness!!!

I have been meditating on Psalm 139. It has became such a reality to me. That he would care to know my uprising and my downsitting. That he knows the words in my mouth before I even speak. He is aquainted with all my ways. What a beautiful truth. That he would have mercy and save me. That he would still love me even though he knows everthing about me. What a LOVE!
No man could ever make me feel like Jesus. Even if I make my bed in hell he is there. If I take the wings of the morning and dewell in the uttermost part of the sea...even there shall his hand lead me and his right hand hold me. He has possessed my reins and covered me in my mother's womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.... He saw my substance...and though I was unperfect....the great sum of His thoughts toward me....If I should count them they are more in number than the sand (Every girl wants a guy who continually thinks about them and just adores them..wow Jesus thinks more of us than anything :) I would encourage you girls to check out Psalms 139 and see it as a love poem from God :D God Bless :D

Do You Trust Me?

The couple of past weeks the Lord keeps asking me "Do You Trust Me?" For example on Facebook I'll just be looking at friends and seeing who they are in a relationship with and everything seems to be fantastic and they are in love. Then I look on my life and I begin to be jealous and discontement rises. I have caught myself about to look at someone's profile just to see if they are still dating and the Lord gently asks me "Do You Trust Me?"

We are all human and we long for Love and Satisfaction. I remember reading in Passion & Purity about the way "bread" could not satisfy the heart like "manna" Bread is the dating/earthly love/earlthy pleasures and Manna is that heavenly bread Jesus. (My Definitions) I wish I could remember how Elisabeth Elliot explained it.

I am not saying that it was wrong for me to be checking to see how happy and content people were. But that I was losing focus on what God wanted for me. I would be asking myself "When am I going to fall in love? Where is the One God has for me?" My heart would start to feel impatient and lonely. But God is getting my heart and affections back where they need to be "For He satisfieth the longing heart, and filled the hungry soul with goodness"

Yesterday, I was sitting in my P.E. class thinking about the future and feeling out of control. The Lord brought Jeremiah 17:5-8 to my thoughts. It talks about how the man who doesn't trust the Lord he is like in a desert and the man who trusts in the Lord is like a tree planted in the waters. It really got me to thinking and it encouraged me greatly.

I hope this post makes sense... My thoughts kinda look jumbled together..Oh well :) God Bless Ya'll

A Beautiful Thought

"What a beautiful thought I am thinking..."

The other day I had this beautiful thought.

I was a queen and I was entering into the courts of My King (Jesus) and everything stopped. Jesus had only eyes for me. He had found favor..I was his Queen.

Then today I got to thinking that is what the church is. We are one body as his Bride. God wants that wife/husband relationship with us! We are his Bride. He loves us and wants to take care of us. He will provide for our every need. He is definetly the ULTIMATE Prince. What more could a girl ask for? He knows my heart and its desires. Wow....its just so beautiful...

Today

Today I traveled with my senior class to the Community College close by. We are getting are tution paid by the supervisors of our county. It's something to that effect. So basically we traveled about 35 miles to hear a 15 minute speech about something we had already heard about. But we did get out of class and we did get to eat the college's food which was 50 times better than ours. It was fun I got to hang out with my best friends and had a lot of good laughs.
(up above-Me and Kristy)
Tonight I am going to go stay with my Bestest Friend Kristy and her husband Jerred. We haven't hung out in awhile so it'll be FUN!! We always have a crazy time!!! It's funny how me and Kristy are so far apart in age (7 years) but we are so much alike. Sometimes we will say the same thing at the same time without anything planned. We call it our brain wave. One night when our young people were out at McDonald's me and Kristy had this brillant idea to get rings with "Brain" and "Wave" on it. Somebody made a remark we should put "No" and "Brain" We are use to their teasing though!! But it's like God has connected us in such a special sister way. We know that one day we are going to do a work for God together. Jerred, her husband, is the most countriest guy you will find and He loves her so much! They knew each other for years and years and graduated high school together but they were just friends. Then in 2008 they met up again and fell in love!! It's so sweet! Last year in September they got married. I was the maid of honour and did a horrible job of it. First, I had Jerred's ring on my thumb and when I went to fix Kristy's veil and it slipped off by the pastor's feet. Then when I reached down to pick it up my shawl was pinned to my dress and one side popped off. So here I was with my bouquet, Kristy's bouquet, Jerred's ring, and trying to keep one side of my shawl from falling. But I survived and nobody noticed!! But it was sad I thought I was losing my best friend forever. But I didn't we are actually closer now and we hang more than what we use to! Anyways I am kinda rambling! Oh another thing is that people have mistaken us for each other multiple times and we aren't even related. Her own father and grandfather mistook me for her!! It's so weird!

But Jesus is my bestest, bestest, bestest friend! He always will be! The other night it was cool. I was thinking about God and this girl had said He was lovely. I began to think of Him and the way he paints the sunset. I actually smiled!!! You know how when you think of that guy when you like him. But the joy wasn't temporary and that smile I really meant it. It's just amazing how God will become our Love if we just open our heart to Him!

Wow

So the first post of 2010! I can hardly believe it is already 2010. This year I will turn 18 and graduate. In four months to be exact. It's like WOW!! I always felt that it would be forever till I would be eighteen and be a graduate. Now its only four months away, and it's bittersweet.

My dad and little brother is watching football. Its between Cincinnati and Florida Gators. I was suprised to see that Tim Teebo (maybe that's how you spell it) had a scripture on his face makeup. It was Ephesians 2:8-10. You just don't say that every day.

We made it to Canada safely. We had to turn our cell phones off it costs money to have them on. But I still have my laptop and there is wireless internet at the motel we are staying at. Daddy preached a good word tonight at the church. It was about setting our affections on things above. I also learned a new Ojibwa word. "Shook-may-gay-wen" It means promise. The people up here are so sweet. The pastor Sis. Sarah Waboose is in her sixties and she has such a servant's heart. She prepares some really good meals too. God has really been working on my heart about sacrifice. I am slowly beginning to understand about being a servant. It's just amazing and humbling. I know it's only by the grace of God.

"He is jealous for me. Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy! And all of the sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclisped by glory, and I realize just how beautiful you are, and how great your affections are for me!"
(Oh How He Loves Us; David Crowder)

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
(Isaiah 61:3)

A Guy to Complete Me?

So I got a new book called Sacred Singleness by Leslie Ludy. I love books about being single and waiting for the one. Well this one has really stirred me up! It's focused on during the time of singleness and getting in a deeper walk with God and falling in love with Him! Now I know how it feels to long for a godly guy to come and sweep me off my feet and carry me away to happily ever after. But you know what I don't need to wait for my "happily ever after" I can have it right now with Jesus! He can become my Prince Charming and the Lover of My Heart. I know that we girls tend to put our life on hold and say "Oh if I had a husband then I can really start living" But you know what there is a Love that will always keep you living if you will just let it! Now I am not saying don't ever get married or that you can't date. But to let God write your love story and let the time of singleness be a chapter (might be a few chapters for some of us lol) We don't need
a guy to complete us! We need the Husband of our souls! He can reach down into the deepest places of our heart that no human being can ever touch!

And to know the LOVE OF CHRIST which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the FULNESS OF GOD!
(Ephesians 3:18)

For he satisfieth the longing soul and filled the hungry soul with goodness (Psalm 107:9)

Oh Hallelujah to be filled with the most high God!! How amazing is that?? That those lonely nights when you could be out with some guy (boy do I have them) they can be offered up to God to be filled with his Awesome Love!

A good point in the book was that it's good to have a desire to be married! There is nothing wrong with that but don't let the desire have you! But to put your full focus on Jesus! God will bring you someone but while you are waiting to give your heart to the Ultimate Hero! Come on he died to save our very soul! How great is that? Our Prince who came down from heaven to become a servant all for Love sakes. Wow!! This time of singleness can be miserable or it can be used for God's glory and to get to know the Prince of our heart!

And to answer my question "A Guy to Complete Me?"
"And ye are COMPLETE in HIM, which is the head of all principality and power" (Colossians 2:10)

~Tiffany's iPhone~

Love: True Love

So wow..its really DECEMBER!!! Is it already time for Christmas? lol What a random way to start a blog post..oh well. So the other day I bought "I Kissed Dating Goodbye". Omw it is one of the most awesome books about purity and waiting and pursing that intimate oneness with Jesus. I wish I hadn't spent so much time pitying myself over being so single and mulling over it. But I can make a change. Well Jesus will make the change. I just have to surrender myself, my whole self. Not just a thought or minute or hour. But my whole heart, my whole mind, my whole soul, my whole being. In "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" Josh Harris talks about how we have this picture of romance in our heads, kissing and falling into each other's arms. And then God says look at this picture of love and its His son hanging on a cross. God has really been talking to my heart through these books and especially His Word. Jesus was true love. I told the Lord the other day that I was so thankful for His mercy on this stubborn thickheaded girl. Jesus is so WONDERFUL GOOD!! :) I know I haven't reached even close to the middle where I need to be. But Jesus shall guide me. He is patient and kind. Our picture of Love is so degrading and worthless compared to His love. We are so selfish and always wanting "What is in it for Me?" of " I gotta get all I can get!" But you know what instead of being selfish for this flesh and trying to find fullfillment everywhere. We should pursue Jesus!!! He won't reject us! He will return his love back. More love than we could ever imagine. We also have to keep in mind that Love is not just butterfly heady feeling but all what it says in 1 Corinthians 13!

Wow I've written a lot. It was just something flowing out of my heart I had to to get out! :)

To Know the Love of Jesus

Last night on my way home from singing with my youth group at the nursing home. I was kind of feeling sorry for myself. I was the only one without a boyfriend or the One! (I should say) Well I asked Jesus just to take the lonliness in my heart to fill it with Him. I needed Manna! I knew only that could satisfy my longing! This morning during my quiet time with God I came upon this verse
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)
I was like Omw!!! The love of Christ and the fullness of God! That's exactly what I needed for my lonely heart! God is so awesome and so loving!

The Love Of Jesus

You know I could write paragraph after paragraph about the Love of Jesus. So I will try to keep it Sweet and Short...
Every girl (just about) has this desire inside their heart to be a guy's girl. I know I have for the longest! I am only 17 and it feels like it will be forever before I meet and fall in Love with the Man God got has got for me. But what I am saying is that during this time of singleness..and often times an achy lonliness. Jesus has just been filling my heart with a satisfaction and Love and a longing for Him. I mean OMW here is the God of the universe and He wants me! This space of singleness is a time for me to be filled with His love!
Last Christmas my Mom bought me a book by Elisabeth Elliot called Passion and Purity. Omw! It helped me soo much! It was kinda like a guide book in form of a love story. And it was true love story (Elisabeth and her late husband Jim Elliot)! I have read that book over and over. God really used their love story to be such a source of encouragement!
Jesus is the Best thing that Has ever happened to me! He is always there..His love just so overwhelming and it fills every corner of my heart!