Life is Good

"Life is good" here in Florida :). Enjoying the beautiful weather the Lord has provided today!

Scooped Up and Carried Away by Him

 The Clouds were absolutely beautiful!

"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Paul's letter to Thessalonica makes me smile. Oh how I would love to be Paul's friend in those days. A man, I imagine was a spit of the Spirit's fire. He longed for those next to him and miles away to know of Jesus Christ. What a passion I can almost feel as I read of his stories and travels in the New Testament. This passage struck me as I reading through 1 Thessalonians. Sometimes I really just like to go back through and reread the scriptures I have underlined in the past. This one caught my eyes after finishing up the book of Colossians. In this passage Paul is talking to the Thessalonians about how he came to love and serve them in Christ. He encourages them in this letter to go out and continue in his ministry that he left with them. I know for me as I read his heart on these Bible pages that I pray for my friends and myself that we would not just live life but live it with a purpose for the Will of God. This morning I was reading in, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things" and Beth Moore encouraged me as a Christian to pray constantly (1 Thess. 5:17) in order to have a seduced proof life from Satan. Not only to pray for myself, but to pray for fellow believers in scripture. My heart became just overjoyed! I LOVE when fellow believers pray with faith and the idea of inserting my friends and families names into scripture would be bullet proof!

My prayer scripture for right now is found in Ephesians 5:6-8. It says (emphasize mine), "Elli obey them not only to win  their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward you for whatever good you do, whether being a slave or free."

I'm excited to see all of the scripture my friends send me to pray over them Oh what a great thing God will continue to do in their lives and in mine as well. I can't thank him enough for a wall of protection of believers who love Him!

Sifted Like Wheat.

   "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
   But he replied, "Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Jesus answered, " I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." Luke 22:31-34

    In the book, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things", by Beth Moore, she discusses how even the righteous will fall. It simply amazes me to know that Satan has to ask God permission to tempt us. It just makes me step back and remember just how much power God has. Satan doesn't have any reign on believers lives. He must make a request first to bring an attack upon us. Beth Moore used example of men in the Bible who were attacked by Satan and not just any men, but passionate, devoted followers of Christ. She mentioned Peter, Paul and Job and how Satan each requested permission to attack them.
    Simon Peter was following after Jesus Christ and was a steadfast disciple. In the midst of an attack from Satan we must clothe ourselves with the Armor of God each day in order to prepare for anything he might throw at us. It is very important to stand clothed in the Word of God. I so desire to memorize as much scripture as I can. It's so uplifting as well :). Look up Ephesians 6:10-18.
    An encouraging thing about Christ (there are many!) is that he calls the broken and sinful and the ones who desire to follow after Him. A scripture I read tonight really uplifted my spirits and know with all my heart it was Lord speaking. "I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners." Mark 2:17. I am merely a sinner being shaped by God's grace each day! Oh praise Him! :)
     "I believe God allows Satan a certain amount of leash where believers are concerned, but I am convinced that if he wants more than his daily, allowance he has to get permission. None of us is less important to Christ than Peter, John or the apostle Paul. He would NEVER take lightly one of Satan's attacks on his followers. For Satan to launch a full-scale attack of seduction on a wholehearted, sincere and purely devoted follower of Christ, you bet I believe he has to get permission." -Beth Moore
  

Receiving blessings.

My life is a blessing each day that I wake up. Our God is so full of compassion! I don't understand how he stands me at times. I fall each and every day. At times Satan would use the idea of "perfection" against me. I constantly desire to be like the Lord and grow in Him each day but then when I would consciously fall, I would tend to beat myself up over it, instead of fully just giving it to the Lord and trusting that he forgives me each time. In James 3:11 it says, " We all stumble in many ways." Constantly I stumble and constantly I fall but each time the Lord reminds me, in your weakness, my beloved, I will make you strong.

Don't we serve such a great God? Recently I have been reading out of a devotional my pastor's wife from school gave me. It's called, "Lord I Want To Know You", by Kay Arthur. I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for an encouraging devotional! Kay Arthur discusses the different names of the Lord and there meaning behind each of them. Today she talked about El Shaddai,  the All-Sufficient One and how he never fails to provide for our every needs! I have been looking back over the past semester and the prayers I have presented to the Lord. It AMAZES me each and every time how he answers those prayers. "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8 This verse is one of the many that is proof to my life how God, El Shaddai has been moving. After spring break I began praying that the Lord would provide a job for me and a week before I was coming home for summer my dad emailed me, telling me about a man who was looking for someone to help him take pictures at his office. One of the many answers and then I had begun praying for a place to serve or a mission trip I could go on. One of my friends text me asking me if I would be interested in being a counselor at my church camp. I prayed about it, discussed it with my parents and filled out the application and then received a phone call saying they would love for me to be a counselor!

Don't ever stop praying to our God, our Father in heaven and our best friend! He's waiting with anticipation to hear from his children and never ever stop praising him! Blessings and answers are all around us when we simply start asking and knocking on his door!

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart, consider what great things he has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24

Mark 11:24

Is it possible for the Lord to break a language barrier and bless you with women who are from a completely different country and a different culture? By all means, YES! I can't explain how much these girls have truly changed my outlook on life. I met Anna, Effie and Diane at Carson-Newman. They are international students from Korea and are absolutely wonderful! They were able to come to Florida for a week and spend half of their time here at my home. I pray that my family and I were able to encourage and love them as much as they did us. My prayer while they were here was that the language barrier wouldn't get in the way for an even deeper friendship. God answered my prayers yesterday when we all went to the beach. Oh how faithful he is! Lately my daily verse that has spoken loudly in my life is Mark 11:24. It says, "Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours." As we were headed to the beach I asked each of the girls if they had dated anyone and they asked me the same. I was able to tell them that I had, but that I was waiting on the Lord for the right one. They smiled and told me that was good. Then we talked about their culture and other things. I just loved it because we were able to talk about more than simple things like grades and the weather. 

This morning I had to take them to the airport. It didn't really hit me until about 10 minutes from dropping them off that I may never see them again. I tried to not think about that, but couldn't help it. Each of us cried and said our goodbyes. As I got back in the car, I praised God for bringing such a wonderful women into my life and prayed for their flight. I'm so thankful to have met so many international students. I feel as though they have made more of an impact on my heart rather then me on theirs. But I pray the Lord will use me in the future lives that come from other countries!

If you EVER have the opportunity to have people from other countries come stay with you, do it! What a great way to serve like Christ and have them teach you about their culture and experiences. 

Top Left to Right: Anna, Me
Bottom Left to Right: Diane, Effie

Diane at the beach for the first time in Florida! :) 

Her face is always so  bright and joyful! You can't help but smile. 

Anna, laying out, well sort of. In Asian countries the girls don't like to lay out and get tan.
They like to keep their skin white. Anna was sweet to lay out with me for a little while though.

Right before I took them to Universal! 

His Creation Captured.

This is, "Trouble", the puppy at the Homeless Store :)

"I won't turn back"

I was driving on my way back to school and I noticed the lighting behind and tree and had to stop. :)

I think it's funny that the S is so far spaced out from alway...

I definitely took this while I was still driving.  I thought it was a gorgeous church!

Homeless Ministry Thrift Store

Homeless Ministry Thiftstore
Donate your clothes and shoes here! Located on the back road going toward Wal-mart.
Instead of turning right to go toward Wal-mart you stay straight until you
get to the dead end to 11E.

I'm in photojournalism this semester and our first project had to be on either sports or current news. If you know me, I'm not to big into sports so I tried my best at finding the most current news. As I was driving to Dunkin Donuts to study for Spanish yesterday I passed by this Homeless Ministry Thrift Store. I had noticed it before but never really thought anything of it until now. It kind of hit me, "Elli, you should go interview them about their business." I hesitated and decided to wait. So today when I got done with my classes I came back to my room to take a nap, but as soon as I laid down I was prompted to go take pictures there. I hesitated again but of course I wasn't going to back down again because I felt God telling me to go. I got in my car with my camera and arrived at the Thrift Store. The owner was very kind! He told me that they opened it in December and people donate anything from clothes to furniture, to toys. Also, he told me that they give the clothes for free away to the homeless children, adults, and veterans. I got really excited about all that they were doing! I have been looking for a homeless ministry to volunteer at and when he told me they fed the homeless as well I knew that's why the Lord had prompted me to come here. :) Isn't God so cool? I think so!

I want to be radiant like Moses!

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. Exodus 34:29-30

I read this scripture as apart of my daily Bible reading and it stood out so much to me! Oh how I would love to be so close to God that my face just RADIATED him. What a true and wonderful gift that would be. I pray daily that as I walk with Him that His Holy Spirit fills me so that I shine and stand out! I have had the privilege of knowing some incredible Christians who radiate Christ. They are beautiful! Such as, my parents, my sister, Mr. & Mrs. Crutchley, and Alexis, all of these people glow as they speak about our Savior. I've learned to radiate Christ doesn't happen over night. It takes days seeking him obediently and consistently, putting him above everything else! As I wake up to his Word each morning I become even more excited then the day before to learn more about Him.

My sister, my encourager, the one I admire and look up to!

Another verse I love is, "Those who look to him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5. When you look to God and make him priority all of his laws become apart of your life. Then your words and actions are Christ-like thus never leaving you guilty or in shame. OH HOW I HOPE TO RADIATE CHRIST!

He is beautiful!

A light in the darkness.
You are my lamp, O Lord;  the Lord turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29

A friend loves at all times
Proverbs 17:17

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see him now,
you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible joy, for you are receiving the
goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

A clear mind, a clear conscience.

"Other people seek to know and discuss at great length things that have absolutely no eternal value. If there's no real meaning or godly purpose in something, set it aside and seek to fill your mind with what does have meaning and purpose. This includes some television programs you may be watching or books you may be reading. What is the lasting value of these pursuits? Are they worth watching or reading? TV shows and movies with visual images that are ungodly and detrimental to a person's character simply need to be turned off. They clutter the mind and are contrary to the Bible's command to meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8)" -Charles Stanley

 Lately  I haven't been watching very much TV or movies because I don't have a TV and I really just haven't had a desire to. I've been learning that whatever you put in your body will eventually come back out through your words or actions. Whatever comes out, I want it to be good! "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good your whole body will be full of light. But if you eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:22

At times it's difficult to think that's it best to not watch a certain show or listen to certain music but in the end I know its is beneficial. I used to watch Friends habitually and still love that show but have realized it doesn't really benefit me or lift me up spiritually at all. It is hilarious and at times I'm sad to not watch it because it makes me laugh but I've found there are much better things to do with my time. Letting sexual innuendos, cussing, and negative things into your life leads to eventually coming back out. That's not so attractive!

I don't know about you but I want everything that comes out of my mouth and through my actions to be joyful and encouraging. I pray to lift up others around me and the only way for me to accomplish that is through the reading of God's Word and encouragement of other believers in Christ.

Let's not be like the rest of world and fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit so in turn we can pour Him back out to others. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2 Another verse that encourages me in this is : "Above ALL else guard you heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or left ; keep your feet from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27

God' timing.

Today was a wonderful day as always! Obviously everyone has weary days but, God has always come through even in the trials. I went and exercised this afternoon with my friend, Sam. Let me just tell you she's hardcore! We decided that we would burn a thousand calories or attempt to. Heads up, she did a much better job then I did. I could only go 3 and a half miles (which is 450 calories) and she went for 7 miles (820 calories). I definitely admired her perseverance. The whole time I was thinking, oh dear I can't do this. Then one of my inspiring christian songs would come on my Ipod saying, "win the race" and I knew I was going to win it! Then I did weights for the first time since high school. I will definitely be feeling the burn in the morning! But, it will be totally worth it! 
Last night and this morning the Lord really convicted me of something. I mean it's not surprising because when you ask him to reveal your flaws to make you better. Be sure to be ready when He does. It's encouraging and humbling at the same time. I never want to become hardened to his words. I really have had this ultimate desire for people to just see how GREAT our God is and sometimes it's hard for me to understand why they wouldn't want to except his gift of Salvation. I've asked my parents this question before, "If God's plan of salvation is grace and not works, why wouldn't anyone not just jump on that?" Of course the wise people they are, they told me that Satan is very deceptive and tells people that we are unworthy of that kind of grace. He says, "You're not important", "God can't love you unconditionally", or "You have to work to make it to heaven", ect. 
So lately I started to get caught up in the fact that I wanted everyone to know about our Lord, which is great but I really didn't want to miss any opportunity. I would ask God, is this the time to speak of your plan of salvation? Is this the moment. He'd say, "Wait". So I'd wait. I was explaining all of this to my mom and she gave me the verse," No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made Him known." (John 1:18) This verse stopped me for a moment and opened my eyes.  I felt him saying, "Elli, through your obedience and trust in me, I will be seen." It encouraged me to wait and be patient. 


Another verse I love is, " For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what have been made so that men are WITHOUT excuse." (Romans 1:20)  So as I walk with God it's in his own timing that he will use me to bring people to know God. It's through the confidence he gives me and other Christians that His name will be shouted in all the earth. Each day I fall, but each time I stand back up I hope to say his name a little bit louder! 
Walk out in confidence and boldness of knowing our Lord and he will surely reveal himself through your actions and words! Let's see God work and use his believers to make more believers. 
An inspiring quote I read the other day in my devotional by Beth Moore says this:
"If we are waiting for the needy to walk through our church doors, we may wait a long time. God doesn't wait for the people to come to Him. He goes to them and desires to intervene right at the point of their need. He's looking for a few brave people, like the apostle Paul, who are willing to go rather then wait for them to come. He's not looking for show-offs. He's looking for people through whom He can show off his Son." -Beth Moore
Show off God's Son, Jesus Christ to the World :). 

Walk in confidence.

Every day the Lord teaches me new things in my quiet time. Yes, it's convicting but exciting all at the same time! Lately Satan has really been trying to defeat me in discouragement and the thoughts that I can't succeed. Every time these thoughts cross my mind the Lord brings to mind all the verses I've been memorizing. Such as, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:4-6) And, "May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as your trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:8) Reciting God's word is one of the most powerful tools to resist Satan lies.


As most people know this semester I am now an R.A. at Carson-Newman and absolutely love it! God has definitely blessed me with this job. Last semester I began praying that I would receive this job for the Fall semester of 2011 and unexpectedly he gave it to me much sooner. I can't praise him enough. My heart's desire is to reach out to people and speak of God's incredible grace and mercy. That is one of the reasons I wanted this job so badly because I knew it could open that opportunity to speak about Him. That's when Satan came in. A part of being R.A. obviously means responsibility, work, and forming relationships which is great but can be overwhelming at times. I've never really had to do much except school work in the past and having to balance all of that and time with God is challenging. But, each day is a blessing and each time I struggle I grow a little bit stronger. 


A book I'm reading right now has been uplifting during those times of struggle and God has really spoken to me through the author. It's called, "How to reach your full potential for God" by Charles Stanley. I'll share with you a quote that I read tonight and lifted my spirits. 

 "Make a firm commitment to only listen to God about matters of identity. If something you hear about yourself doesn't reflect who you are in Christ, don't pay attention to it! If something you hear about God doesn't fit what you know about His true nature, don't buy into it! Don't repeat lies you have been told. Don't call yourself a failure when God says He made you a success. Don't call yourself weak when you know that the Holy Spirit makes you strong. Don't call yourself unworthy when God says you are worthy. Don't call yourself stupid when you know that the Father created you with an incredible capacity to learn and receive wisdom."

I hope you all have a blessed day and are encouraged as you seek God!