God’s Purpose For Marriage

“How can you learn unconditional love through your marriage if you’re married to a woman who meets all your conditions? How can you learn mercy if you’re married to a person who never fails? How can you learn to be a man of grace if you’re married to a wife who never falters?”

—	Paul Washer

I'm finding that building trust is one of the toughest things to be done.

Through prayer I've been attempting to listen for ways to mend some tears in relationships. It's been very hard, and when doubts arise, it becomes even more difficult.

There aren't many options. Not many questions to ask.
The answers are looking me square in the face and I swear I'm having the toughest time seeing which is right.

In Need of a Little Clarity

Lately it has been a huge deal for me to find out what the next thing is. With school, with ministry, and life in general. I'm in the place I am right now, about to step off of a ledge, and I have no clue what so ever what's next.All I know is what it is that I love and have a deep passion for. That's pretty much it...Can't even really clarify on what it is that I want to do after school anymore. I know what it is that would be nice, but ultimately I want what God wants and that has changed over the past year. He seems to be steering me towards things that pertain to what it is that I need to be doing by taking me away from situations that I need to get out of. But like I said...I don't have that clarity.
What remains is my love for Jesus, young adults, mentally ill and/or disabled people, theatre & film, and encouraging others. I have come to realize that I am empathetic to the point where I feel as if I can feel others pain and emotions. Like physically feel it to the point that I literally begin to hurt. That always makes me place myself in another persons spot to see things from their perspective. Even when done wrong I feel bad for that person because a lot of the time their actions were caused by something. Whether it be fear, hurt, or anger. Something pushed them to that point, and though  their action may not be right, it still makes me sad. You know...How powerful is a pain to cause someone to feel like they aren't worthy of living? To cause them to set out, intent on destroying others lives...It's grieves me terribly.
I know a part of what the Lord wants me to do because of the weight it places on my heart. He's given me a heart that wants very badly to not only let people know they're loved, but to somehow ensure they feel loved. And to know that they have worth and purpose.

 That's what I desire. That's what I have to give while in the Earth realm...and I don't know how I'm supposed to do that to the multitude of which He ordered.
That fact really bothers me.

Do Your Part

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…Isaiah 45:2

Tonight at Bible study, it was brought to my attention that lately I've been the host of thorns, choking any chance of His Word to sprout forth from me.  With school, work, transitions, and attempting to get things settled...I became overwhelmed. And at some point that began to overtake my action for Him. For awhile now I've felt stuck in the same position...Continuing to feel overwhelmed, and continuing to allow my worries to hinder His orders. 

But no more.

Tonight will be a new beginning and I encourage anyone else who is going through the same to run to Him as well.

When you submit yourself to the Lord He says that He will go before you to prepare a way. To smooth the rough and straighten the crooked.

The difficult time you're facing is not the end! It is the beginning, and trust that God has been equipping you for this journey.

If you feel like you’re in a dry season, don’t look at your circumstances. Instead, look at the promise of God!

If you speak words of faith, God promises that He’ll anoint your head with oil and your cup will run over. He will refresh and anoint you to do what He’s called you to do. 

The problem is that we allow our attitude to dictate what we decide to believe, and when we want to believe it. Please, check that out and fix it.

Sop complaining.

Stop focusing on the negative.

Acquire an attitude of a child of God! One of praise and thanksgiving.

And if you're anything like me...stop being afraid to take a leap because things didn't work out the first few times.He's there with your plan and He's waiting for you to walk with Him. 

Do your part and just go.

In Christ,

Allie J.

Not Of This World...

Whoa...was doing some reading and came across this:

“But to live like the world and say, I’m separated from the world in spirit, and I don’t have to separate from the world because I’m separated in spirit is contradictory. I know where this idea came from. If you sniff a little, you know what you smell? Brimstone. Because that statement comes from hell and certainly belongs there and does not belong in the Church of Christ. It is never possible to forsake the world in your spirit and not forsake it in reality.”
~A.W. Tozer (The Crucified Life)

Hits you right in the chest.

“

You’ve probably heard some guy say this: “I will clean my act up when I find the right girl.” It’s not true. The lie is that once you find the right girl, all your problems will go away—you just need the right motivation, right? Wrong! If Jesus isn’t motivation enough to grow in maturity and pursue godliness, then you are not ready to pursue a woman. 

The truth is that when you’re in a relationship, you get their crap on top of your crap. That’s double crap. It is hard to start a healthy relationship with two immature people drowning in crap. Men, get your life together first, know where you are going, then invite a girl to come along (Prov. 16:1–9).

”

—	Brandon Andersen

Woke Up Feeling New!

I have decided, with God's good of nudge of course, to step into the lane of goodness. No longer will I dwell on negative thoughts, actions, or people because they are all insignificant to His plan for me. Others should not be able to make me feel incompetent or unworthy. These folks do not create the standard, nor do they determine where I will go.
With much strength from my Father I will stand strong in the location He has put me in and do what I am supposed to do.
When my assignment is over and the next one comes, I will be the one moving on.
Leaving them to their works of discord with no one to cast it on. 

I am still full of joy.
I am still beyond blessed.
And not once has God ever ceased to be great to me.

Realizing that...and now I can once again dance in all this rain.

In Christ,
Allie J. 

Forward By 10, Backwards by 0

It's difficult to gain territory, and it's even harder to keep it! The enemy has plans to take it back and bind you yet again. But the Father's plans are greater! And His power and grace are more than sufficient to hold you up through it all.
"Even when the rain falls..Even when the flood starts rising. Even when the storm comes, I am washed by the water. Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet. Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me...I won't fall as long as you're around me."
Be still and know that He is God. Be encouraged by that fact.
In Christ,
Allie J.

I'll Be Praying for Her...*eyeroll*

Lately I've called myself "praying for my enemies" not realizing how truly selfish I was being. Sure, a few good days, extra cash, and a hobby will keep them occupied long enough to relieve my nerves...but how is that truly beneficial for what is obviously causing them their pain? In the scripture "Love your enemies..."(Matt5:44) the word agape tells me I should be praying for the highest good to come to them. And that is for them to know our Lord and in turn have their hearts "turned right".
Fight the bitterness! Be consistent, be compassionate, and embrace the development of a new brother/sister in Christ :)
In Christ,
Allie J

Having A Rough Day?

 Matthew 11:28 - "Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest."