12-19-11: My top 11 movies from 2011

Continuing with my "11" theme, here is a list of my 11 favorite movies I watched 2011(Not necessarily from 2011 though)...

11. Thor -2011
10. The Spy Next Door -2010
9. Secretariat -2010
8. Prom -2011
7. Cars 2 -2011
6. Tangled -2010
5. Dolphin Tale -2011
4. Letters to Juliet -2010
3. Soul Surfer -2011
2. Beastly -2011
1. Courageous -2011

12-16-11: My top 11 songs from 2011

So, as this year sadly comes to a close, I figured I'd come up with the top 11 songs(in honor of 2011) that I listened to this year. Y'all know how much I love music, so this was no easy task... but here we go...
11. Unafraid - Joy Williams


10. Long Black Train - Josh Turner


9. Dirty Dishes - Scotty McCreery


8. Wait for Me - Rebecca St. James


7. Ours - Taylor Swift


6. Wanted - Hunter Hayes


5. Forever Reign - Hillsong United


4. Revelation Song - Kari Jobe


3. Never Once - Matt Redman


2. Battle - Chris August


1. Growing Her Wings - Lauren Alaina



And of course, me being me, here are my honorable-mentions :)

She's a Wildflower - Lauren Alaina
Awake and Alive - Skillet
Christ Alone - Edens Edge

12-8-11

Hello!
It is crazy to think that Christmas is just over two weeks away, isn't it? My brothers' Christmas program was tonight, and that, along with our house being covered with Christmas decor, made that realization even more evident.
I just love seeing little kids singing about baby Jesus. It really makes you put everything into perspective when cute, little four, five and six year-olds are singing, "Joy to the world, the Lord has come" and other songs like that. I don't think the majority of them really know what they are singing about, but still... I can only imagine God staring down on them, smiling ear-to-ear.
We are incredibly blessed that my brothers are able to attend a Christian private school, so every year we get to see a program that expresses the true reason for the season. But, I've gone to quite a few different programs over the years where Christmas is actually Holidays, and the "real" reason, is not Jesus. :( It really makes me sad when that happens, and I can only imagine how God feels, He gave His best gift ever, His son! And yet, we too often forget about that, getting all wrapped up in the giving and receiving of gifts, Christmas parties and spending time with family. Not that these things are wrong, but we really need to remember that the only reason we are able to celebrate, is because God sent His one and only son down to earth, to live a Holy and perfect life, only to die on a cross for something we did, because He loved us that much.
There was a song later in the program sung by one of the middle schoolers, and I find it just incredible. If you haven't heard it, I'm going to share it with you and I encourage you to pass it on. Put it on your blogs, facebook pages or wherever. It is called, "Where's the line to see Jesus" by, Becky Kelley.

"Santa Clause brought me presents, but CHRIST gave His LIFE for me."

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

11-26-11: One Amazing Year

Well, hello again! I hope y'all had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!
I cannot even begin to comprehend that 2011 is coming to a close in just a little more than a month, it doesn't seem real! How can time fly so fast? Part of me is glad, a new year brings joy and exciting times, but most of me is sad... I've had a fantastic year and I don't want it to end!
I started out 2011 by making a promise to grow closer to Christ, and I think I've done just that. I turn to Him for everything, I cannot get enough of his word, and I want to shout His glory to the ends of the earth! I love my Savior so much, I could be labeled crazy or insane!
2011 brought happiness and sorrow if I'm honest. I had an incredible summer, filled with VBS, hanging out with friends and my second Teenserve mission trip. But, in September I attended a funeral for a 14 year-old boy, who passed from cancer. I experienced trials, some small and some not-so-small, but God stood by me the entire time. I cannot thank Him enough for that.
As Christmas is right around the corner(how crazy is that?!?!), part of me wants to cry, and not because the year is almost over, but because I'm already seeing the way the world views this amazing season. Commercials filled with, "you need this, you need that" and Santa Clauses everywhere. Now, don't get me wrong, I love that ole' Saint Nick as much as the next, I even saw him at the mall earlier this week, but we need to remember that this is CHRISTmas, and it is a season of giving, not receiving.
One of my favorite Christmas songs is by the Go Fish Guys, and it is called "Christmas with a Capital C". I'm obsessed with it really, it is embarrassing :) Comedian Brad Stine has a little intro in the song, and speaks through-out the song too, it is funny, and yet so true.

10-30-11: The skit guys

Hello :)

So in youth group quite some time ago we watched this video I'm about to share. I fell in love with the message and it hit me so close to home it was unreal. I recently found the video online, and immediately wanted to share it with you.



The lines that hit home the most:
Man: "I let you down so many times God."
God: "No my child, you were never holding me up. I hold you up with my victorious, righteous right hand. Never the other way around. In this relationship, I hold you up."

What do you think of the video? Did it touch you too?
Have a fantastic week, and don't forget... God doesn't make junk. He makes masterpieces.