Don't want this summer to end...

Seriously? I am in complete denial...I walk into the stores and see school supplies and just don't want to believe we are almost at the end of summer. I feel like this summer went by so quickly, but God has accomplished so much.

At the beginning of Summer I challenged the girls to allow God to shake them up this summer and don't go back to school in the fall the same person as when they left. Instead when they go back to be someone who is more in love, awe, and excited of who God is and His Word. I love hearing the stories from them of that happening, but I can tell you one thing for sure - God rocked my world this summer. He showed me more of Him everyday, I became more in awe of Him so much, and I have a new level of excitement for Him and His Word. I pray God showed and revieled Himself more to you this summer as well...

Here are a few snap shots from the past couple of weeks...

Hanging out a Starbucks with some of the girls...

Catching up with my sweet Christine!

I made these homemade Cinnamon Rolls from scratch... dough and all, ladies! It was so much fun and I had my parents over for a Saturday Breakfast/Brunch!

Hanging out with my awesome Julia!

Sorry this is blurry... but it was a fun dinner night with the girls at Olive Garden! Just love love love them soo much! They are going to shake this world for Jesus!

Week 2 of Summer Girls Bible Study

I'm so so loving studying the Word of God with these girls! God is showing us so much and teaching us a ton. This past week we studied Colossians 3 - setting our hearts and minds on things above, not on earthly things. How many times do we set our heart & mind on earthly things? I know personally, I can get so easily caught up in the everyday life and miss so many God opportunities. I want to make the most of each day and ONLY set my heart and mind on things of God.

Then I just love love love verse 4 - "When Christ, who is your life..." I love that - not part of your life, not some of your life, "WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS YOUR LIFE!" Love that...Christ should be our whole life. There is no question. God rules your life - there is no room for other junk.

So many times we learn to fill our life with things and stuff that can be causing a static connection between God and us. I don't know about you, but as the Scriptures continue to talk about ridding ourselves of the junk - I don't want anything in my life but things of God. This week, we are challenged to rid ourselves of anything that does not please God. I'm so excited to see what God is going to show us so we can be a better example and light for Him.

Here are a few snap shots of this week:

Summer Girl's Bible Study

Can you believe it's summer? It sure did get here quick...I'm exceptionally excited about this summer because God has placed on my heart to write and teach a 5 week series for teenage girls at our house.

God is so good isn't He? He placed on my heart a couple of months ago about doing a study and shortly after started telling me exactly what to teach on. This summer series is called, Sex and the City. We are discussing friends, fashion, glamour, sex, and of course our city. I love digging into God's Word! He has personally been challenging me in my relationship with Him while preparing to teach and live out the lessons He has given me.

This past Monday we kicked off the 5 week series! We had a wonderful time digging into God's Word and learning about Him. We were challenged in our friendships and that at the end of the day, our relationship with Him is all that matters!

I look forward to the what He has in store for this series!

Here are a few snap shots of the night. Sorry on the group photo - a few girls left before the photo was taken!

Wake Up Call!!!

My best friend told me about this video she saw at church this past weekend. While watching it I just wept. Watch the video below...

It stepped on my toes and I hope it stepped on yours. I don’t mean that in a horrible way at all...actually I mean that in the most loving way. I totally agree with the guy...I am so tired of Christians living a double life.

In one of my Bible studies I am in this semester we are studying the Old Testament. Wow!! I am seriously in love with the Old Testament. I have heard it spoken too many times to people that they should just read the New Testament. It’s easier. It’s better. What? Hmm...God wrote the WHOLE Bible. I’ve also heard before that when you read the Old Testament you can really see the heart of God, and after really getting into it and studying it I would have to agree. I love how God is just black and white. There are no gray areas with Him. You are either in or your out. Your chosen or you aren’t. I will talk more about the Old Testament in a whole ‘nother blog...

After watching the video last night I looked over to my husband with tears flowing down my cheeks and said how deceived Christians are...how deceived our generation is and we are teaching the next one the same. I was personally challenged to step up my game as a Christian. I am carrying the name of Christ. That is never to be taken lightly.

I’ve told many of my girls that God and Satan are not Disney characters and Heaven and Hell are not a fantasy land. They are very real. People have watered down and tried to make everything look so cute that it’s been made into something that it’s not.

I want to make God famous through me. I am going to challenge each of you reading this as well as myself. Make God famous through you.... STAND UP be the Christian and carry His name. Be a JESUS FREAK. Be the difference. Be the change! Cuz one day we will have to make a stand for it all!

O Praise Him

This video just brought me to tears....check it out!

I love the fact that life is just going on all around him, and he is trying to hold back from bursting out so many times, and then finally he just can't take it anymore. Can't hold the passion for God back any longer. Doesn't care who sees him or what others think. All he cares about is worshipping God. How awesome is that? I love to worship God, and to think that is what I will be doing for eternity. Woohoo!!!!

What if Christians lived life not holding back from their passion for God? What if we didn't care what others thought of us? I personally threw what others thought of me out the window a long time ago. Who cares what they think? All that matters to me is what God says. I've had so many people look at me crazy while I'm in my car praising Jesus with my hands lifted. What they don't know is I am having church in my car.

What keeps you from just bursting out and praising God in the middle of life? Are you scared what others may think? Just stop today in whatever you are doing and PRAISE HIM!!!