Just Because I Disagree.....

I wanted to put my thoughts down tonight on a specific topic that is misunderstood. Just because I disagree with something or a particular idea, does not mean I have a phobia of those things. According to the dictionary, "phobia" is a noun that means "an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations; "phobic disorder is a general term for all phobias"- (Source: The Free Dictionary). With that being understood, people should know that there are a lot of things that I, as a Follower of Christ, do not agree with.  Christians are not phobics of anything we disagree with so don't be so quick to "judge" us and label us as such. We simply would rather be right with God than with men. When I voice these disagreements, I do not do it because I think I am perfect and without sin. It is not a sign of me "being holier than thou" neither is it a condemnation. Rather, it is just me, studying to show myself approve UNTO GOD. ( 2 Timothy 2:15) If we say we love God, we cannot love the things of this world, nor line up with the ideologies of this world. How can we call the name of God yet do the very things that He commands not to do? It is not possible! The Bible tells us

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him"- 1 John 2:15

In today's society, it is getting harder and harder to voice your disagreement on something without being labeled as a "religious freak" who uses the Bible to " judge" when the Bible says " only God can judge".  Disagreement is not judgement. It means I do not believe what you believe. If disagreement was judgement, then those that do not believe what I believe are in fact judging me too aren't they? I post many facebook status about my life and my journey through life with Christ. The woman I am today, is not who I was 2 years ago or even last year. Every day I wake up only striving to be more of who God created me to be and that means I pray for God to break me and re-make me daily.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."-Romans 12:2

But that's where the "problem" lies. This means that people will not like me. This also means that I will not be the most popular but rather I'll be infamous because my mind is no longer conformed to this world. I have seen more than my fair share of facebook statuses bashing me and insulting me because of what I stand for and the things I post. I don't mind and I do not care. Jesus already said that we will be hated by everyone because of Him (Matthew 10:22)so there's is nothing new or shocking in the hate that Christians are now facing.Being loved by this world leads to lukewarmness, that which my God hates. I rather be alone in my disagreement of something, than perish in the company and agreement of many.

Yorkamazing <3

T.M.V -Matthew 7:13-14

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

12/12/12

Just a quick blog on this cool date. I'm in the middle of the stressful college life where you question your decision to go to school.......finals week! I pray for all students! May God give you the knowledge needed to excel in your courses! Eat healthy food, exercise if you can, and shower! (laugh out loud!)

Yorkamazing <3
T.M.V James 1:5

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." 

Strength in December

I'm sure that my daily readers can already tell by now that I love music. There's just this feeling I get when I hear a song that resonates with my heart. It truly is unexplainable but I speak to God through music, I worship God through music, I hear the voice of God speaking to me through music, and I gather strength, joy, and peace through music about God. Today as I was studying, the song " Praise You in this storm" by Casting Crowns came on my Pandora station. I have now replayed that song over 10 times and counting.  The phase of my life that I am currently and have been in for the last couple of months is trusting God whole-heartedly knowing that anything that happens, whether we consider it "good" or "bad", God is still God!

I'm learning to just love God for being God. Basically drawing closer to God and knowing His nature. I feel that this is important because it controls my heart and keeps me focus on God. I have lived 22 years and have found that through the years, many things have made me cry. I have been disappointed many times by both people and things, but one thing has been consistent, and that thing is that God did not change. He has never disappointed when He promised me something, neither has He decided that He is no longer interested in my affairs because of a mistake on my end. God has been faithful through it all and now He is trying to show me to rely on HIM ONLY. To trust His plans for my life and to know that His plans for me are good plans, even in the middle of my storms. This message was especially clear today when the song at church was " In the Middle"a song by Isaac Carree that talks about praising God even in the middle of the storm. Also the confirmation came through Casting Crowns "Praise You in this storm" just now.

And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn....I will praise You in this storm

 

My favorite part of the song is the chorus above where it says " You are who You are, No matter where I am". The statement is so deep! God does not change even though our situations may change and that's an amazing thing to grasps! It comes with so much assurance and peace knowing that just because things are hard right now, doesn't mean that God has forsaken us or given up on us. He is a perfect God, even in the storm. With that I am going into this month of December in peace. There lies ahead of me so many exams, presentations, and interviews, but no matter where I am, God is and always will be God therefore I will praise Him through all my storms this month and forever! May God see us into 2013! Amen!

Yorkamazing <3

T.M.V- Psalm 121: 1-3

I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth

Reflections of My Heart....Legacy

This is the song in my heart at the moment. I have dreams and visions I want to accomplish, but I consider them all nothing. My deepest desire is to be used by God and fulfill His purpose for my life. That's the legacy I want to leave......it's all about Jesus Christ! He is Love! <3

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me 

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest 

You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery 

Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best 

At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights 

We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl' 

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides 

The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy 

How will they remember me? 

Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough 

To make a mark on things? 

I want to leave an offering 

A child of mercy and grace who

blessed your name unapologetically 

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile 

To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy 

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile 

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred 

Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Legacy By Nichole Nordeman

Yorkamazing <3

Thanksgiving 2012

Today is November 25, 2012 and I am rounding up my Thanksgiving break and preparing to get back into the "student mode" for classes tomorrow. As I sit here writing this, I reflect on this break and come to the realization that in everything, no matter the state I find myself in, I should be content and thankful. For this Thanksgiving break, I didn't go back home to spend it with my family because of work obligations. I did however, spend it with some awesome people I regard as family. So what I am thankful for?

1. I am thankful for Salvation through Jesus Christ. Everyday I see more and more of His grace and how unworthy I am of His mercy and love. Yet despite all my shortcomings, this God still loves me. I am so undeserving and as a result I cannot but worship God all the days of my life. He alone deserves my praise!
2. I'm thankful for my family. I know most people say this but I love my family, I cannot imagine my life without my four brothers and my parents. In my 22 years of living, they've been there through everything always supporting, always providing a safe place for me. I thank God for them and for allowing me to spend more time with them.
3. I'm thankful for true friends. I've come across some of the most amazing people walking the face of the earth and I feel so honored that God has given me the chance to interact with them. They are a second family and a source of many good laughter.
4. I am thankful for my education. Here I am thinking about graduating in May with my Bachelor of Science degree and planning to start pharmacy school in August  to get my Doctor of Pharmacy degree. It's only God's grace if you knew my past and how I even got to where I am today. 
5. I am thankful to God also for myself. I know this is a weird one, but I thank God for working on me like He has been doing. This year especially, I feel God moving in me so much. I am daily being changed by His power to reflect Him more. I am being challenged beyond what I could have imagine yet His grace is sufficient in seeing me through. I love how He is molding me and I only pray that I can by His grace, continue to be a vessel in His hand for use. 

I have more to be thankful but this will take a lifetime to list. I just appreciate God for this life He has given me. For everything He has done, for everything He is doing, and for everything He is going to be doing, I am grateful. But most importantly, I bless the name of the Lord for who HE IS. Just for being God, i am so thankful! There's no God like our God. I pray you all had a lovely thanksgiving. By God's grace, we will never run out of things to be thankful for. I love you all! Stay bless!

11/25/12 After church

Yorkamazing <3

T.M.V- Psalms 106:1

Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ... 

Sound Doctrine

I went home to Houston this weekend so I was able to attend church with my family. I have to admit, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude to God when I saw my family. Not only were they in good health, but they are holding fast the SOUND DOCTRINE of Jesus Christ. It has been placed in my spirit lately about how the world has shifted away from that which is Godly and nearer to the very things that break the heart of God. The Scripture that has found its way into my mouth lately has been

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear"-2 Timothy 4:3 

In addition Isaiah 5:20 talks of people who call good evil, and evil good and that verse says WOE UNTO THEM. The Lord has instructed us to study to show ourselves approve unto Him, a workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth!  (2 Timothy 2:15) Therefore, if you are attending a church that does not preach the Bible, or preaches the Bible in parts (deciding which part to teach and which part to ignore) then your soul is in trouble. It is time to find another place of worship. If you have friends who are not godly, it's time to separate yourself from amongst them. Basically, remove yourself from anything and everything that does not stand on the Holiness and Righteousness of Christ. We are in this world, but not of this world! Be therefore different! Today when I attended the service, the Sunday school was studying the book of Revelations and my heart leaped for  joy! This is what all pastors should be preaching at this age! We are in the last days and this period of God's grace is almost over! Immediately following this period is judgement. The Lord is pouring out His Spirit and calling all that will hear to REPENT for the time is short. Do you hear Him? If so what are you doing about it? God's words will come to pass with or without your acknowledgment, whether you believe it or not. The safest place to be at this age, is under the Shadow of the Almighty.

I beg you brothers and sisters. If you read this, please search your heart and make sure that you are right with God. The warnings are here! Let us now surround ourselves with true believers of Christ! Remove and separate yourself from darkness! The Word of God tells us that "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"-John 10:27. If you are of the flock of God, hear His voice now. Come out of the world, and be surrounded with Sound Doctrine. Many will come and have come to dilute the Word of God and weaken the children of God. Therefore arm yourself with the TRUTH and that TRUTH IS JESUS CHRIST! THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER! 

Yorkamazing <3

T.M.V- Galatians 1:8

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

Relationship 101: There's a Season For Everything

I write this as a reminder to myself and as an encouragement to anyone who might come across this. When it comes to relationships, we shouldn't be in a hurry to enter one. I know that is easier said then done, but if we are truly living with the sole purpose of honoring God with our lives, then we should be able to give this area of our life  over to God's Will. Though it may be the season of rejoicing or should I say, romancing for "everyone", we shouldn't then be sadden when we think of our own case. I put the word "everyone" in quotes because we tend to over exaggerate everything! As far as we are concern, everyone and everything including the dogs and cats, have someone to love but us! (laugh out loud) when in reality, that's not the way it is. We should learn to trust the timing of God and rest on the assurance that He is never late. In the book of Ecclesiastics 3:1, the Word of God says

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

That means that there's no event that has slipped pass the knowledge of God but rather God has ordained all things to come to pass in its own time. I am choosing to believe God and using this period to honor Him and thank Him for the man He is preparing. I know that the longer the wait, the more things God is perfecting in him and about him to make him a suitable partner. And the same goes for me. When that season comes, I believe that person I will be then, whom God shall present to him, shall be the perfect mate for him and him for me: bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. So I rejoice with those experiencing their seasons now knowing that while I thank God for what He  has done and is doing for others, my own season shall come. I wait expectantly for that day. 

I believe this is what he is saying <3 

Yorkamazing <3

T.M.V- Psalm 138:8

"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands."