I will not fear

 Or will I? I long for the peace people take for granted everyday. I long for the negative and fearful thoughts to go away. It has taken me a long time to come to terms with this bag I carry around with me everywhere. It's called Anxiety. It's not an occasional fear I get when faced with an unknown circumstance but its part of my every thought of my everyday. Fear consumes me. It paralyses me. It causes me to live in chains bound by the very fears that hold me captive. People ask what are you scared of? The answer simply... Everything! It's 3 am and I am awoken from a bad dream, that I have had several times. I sit in silence with my body fully tensed listening to every crack, breath and hallowed noise I hear.
 Peace? What is that? It's something so far away right now that if it were in front of me, I wouldn't recognize it. I know where peace comes from, I have access to it because my Father in heaven would happily grant it to me. He wants me to rest in His perfect peace. I reach my shackled hand out for help but quickly pull it back in because the fear is so strong, I can't see through its darkness. It's a strong vice that grips the very breath I breathe. God Im weary! God it's heavy! This bag of anxiety that I drag around from day to day. I am free in Christ yet I am bound by fear....

To be continued....

Not quite sure why you think you're that awesome, cause you're not!

Greetings people! 

So last week my husband and I got a phone call from a couple of our friends who are at college... They seemed pretty down and not themselves. They proceeded to tell us that they were dealing with some racism from some students at school, but doing their best to stay positive and trust the Lord.
It has been on my mind ever since... so I want to take this time to talk to those fools I mean "Christians" who hurt my friends.

I'm not sure if you got the memo but racism isn't godly, and sometimes it hurts people so deep that only God can touch those wounds you have caused. 
Did you forget that pride is on God's top hate list. Pride is what causes someone to be racist. Pride thinks it's better than someone else. Your pride is what enables you to think you're somebody when really you're nobody. It's sad that someone who is saved and knows Christ love can treat someone else like that. Did you forget who your Father is? 

Galatians 3:28 Says were ONE in Christ
John 7:24 Reminds us to not judge by the appearance 
1 John 2:9 Says that if we say were of the light but hate our brother, were really are still in darkness
John 13:34 Commands us to love one another as Jesus has loved us
1 Sam 16:7 God tells Samuel that he doesn't look on the outward but He looks at the heart

I could go on and on and on. Racism is a generational curse passed down from one to another. There is only ONE race. The human race! All human beings are created in the image of God. So you think your image is better because it's white or black or something else? That is so stupid! God does not show partiality or favoritism and neither should we. What about Eph 4:32 where God tells us to be kind and tenderhearted towards one another? Ohhh yea I forgot I can only do that if you are the same color as me. Again, stupid. What kind of God do you serve? My God is loving, kind, and compassionate and He gave His precious Son's life for everyone. So next time you think a little more highly of yourself then you ought, CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE GOD HAS TOO! 

And since were on the issue of racism, I mid as well touch on a little interracial dating! Pull up a seat, and make yourself comfortable! This is one of those topics nobody wants to address! Here are some things I hear about it...

1. Why can't people just stick with their own race? Oh the human race?
2. I don't care if other people do it, just not for my kids? Oh that's right because you wouldn't want to tarnish your family pictures with something that looks different and surely we don't want to disappoint all your older racist relatives!  No no! 
3. Red and yellow black and white we are all precious in His sight!! Yea until that yellow wants to date your daughter or son and now you're singing a different tune. 
(My Favorite one) 4. You won't reach your full potential for God! That is very true because Moses wasn't used much...hmmm. And you won't reach your full potential when YOU are doing the work and not God! 

5. It's so hard on the children! Yes sometimes it can be... cause people like you whose mind has been blinded by satan. 
6. I just don't think it's right! Why? Cause your racist parents taught you that growing up. 
7. My church members don't agree with it! Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise.

8. It's okay to fellowship with other races! Oh yea we can sit next to each other in the pews but don't build a relationship with one another now that would just be wrong! GET A CLUE!
God loves all people, so shouldn't we? 

Why So Clum Chum

You ever meet a brother or sister in Christ who is just miserable all the time? It's like you have to count how many times you see them smile. It just drives me bonkers, because I want to say:
1. Man it must be hard knowing you are going to heaven... BUMMER!!!
2. Wow Jesus is your Savior! That's tough.
3. You get to speak to the Creator of the Universe any time you want... you're so worn out from talking huh?
4. Your life has purpose...let me guess you are just so exhausted from telling people about what God has done for you!
5. You know that everything in your life will work together for good.. I don't know how you are surviving this Christian life!

COME ON!! I just gave you Debbie & Donald Downers 5 amazing reasons to be happy in the Lord! Is life easy? No! Do we all have days where were sad, mad, annoyed, frustrated, discouraged, lonely, misunderstood etc? YES WE DO! And that is okay because that's just the way the ol cookie crumbles. You are allowed to be human, but in my opinion if you are unhappy all the time then you need to make an appointment with Jesus. You need a serious date with God! Galatians 5:22 says that JOY is a fruit of the Spirit. So if you are walking with God it should be evident. This is no pat on my back but there have been times in my life that I seriously had a hard time looking around and  finding something to be happy about but I always knew I could find something awesome in the Lord. He's got the joy you need but you have to get it from Him. What if you saw an advertisement about a church in your area and the people were pictured like this?

I'd be at that open house, let me tell ya! Why is anyone going to want to be a Christian if they know you and know you are never happy? Lost people are looking for happiness everywhere in everything. You know the One who made JOY! Come on pal! Turn that frown upside down! Get off the discouragement couch! Shake off those feelings of misery! You belong to God! He loves you! You can be happy! Go look in the mirror and say: I am awesome! Life isn't that bad! When life gives you lemons,  just start throwing them at people. Hahah JK! 

Don't Let Anyone Dull Your Sparkle

Me: "Hey, I decided I was going to take tuba lessons!" My friend: "Oh wow that's super lame, whyyyy?"

Sometimes in life you're gonna realize people just gon hate, it's cool! This post is all about when you decide you want to change & be different, and people aren't happy for you! Man I wish I could say that I never acted like that jerk who gets the ugly dumb look on their face, like heh? I have, but the older I get the more I realize I want to be happy for other people when they want to be different, change a hair style, wear white shoes after labor day... STOP!! I was kidding about that last one...that's NEVER acceptable! =)

I remember when I was younger and  I decided that I was going to wear my hair in a side pony and my sister was like UMMM PEOPLE DID THAT LAST YEAR!! Ohhh well I just caught on and I really think I look cool, so let me DO MY THING!!!!
Why can't we let people be divergent sometimes? We just think we are so awesome, and maybe we are but still! If you want to start wearing preppy clothes, GO FOR IT! If you want to take those clarinet lessons, YOU GO! If you want to stay home every weekend and watch old black & white movies DO YOUR THING!! If you feel the need to collect horse figurines and even wear a horse sweater, hey I aint hatin on you! Just no animal noises, that would be a no go! One day you wake up and you feel like talking like you're from England. THAT'S COOL TOO! If people aren't breaking God's rules and they're just being a little different every once in a while, then embrace your friends. Don't be a joy kill.
Embrace your inner explorer! Embrace your inner accepetor<<< new word. I think. ;)
Don't let anyone make you feel stupid for wanting to open a Doritos factory! The nacho flavored ones are profound!!!!

Disclaimer* If your friends are getting on your case because your acting "different" meaning you don't want to go to church that much, you started dressing like some huzzy or slob, you think cursing is cool, you started hanging around a strange crowd. This blog isn't for you... that's for another day. You're letting sin dull that sparkle. 

Why Am I Still Single? Part 1

You've asked yourself a dozen times... why am I still single? I mean really there are over 7 BILLION people in the world, and you can't catch a break. I'll you why, because no one can handle all that awesomeness! 

That had to make you smile! =) Here's a couple things I learned about being single.

1. It stinks!
2. You can roam as you please, no questions asked! That's kinda cool!
3. People think you have no life.
4. You get thrown into the single life loser category.
5. People assume you're ready to jump off a cliff, don't!
6. You never have to fight over the last bite of YOUR sandwich! Not cool! 
7. You're more spiritual, having all those dates with Jesus, maybe! 
8. You are fat and ugly, hence why you're not in a relationship.
9. Still single because you won't let grandma hook you up with her bingo directors son.
10. God doesn't love you.. so He is like pshhh NOBODY FOR YOU!
11. You're a sloppy eater and no one can bare to watch food drip off that chin!
12. You're filthy rich because your still single and still a loser doing nothing on a Friday night!

Okay that is all a lie! Well maybe # 2 & #6 are true! Let me tell you some real facts about being single!

1. God knows where you are!
2. God hasn't forgotten you!
3. God's ways are perfect and so is His timing
4. It's not easy... but you're gonna survive!
5. You are awesome!
6. Married people aren't cooler.
7. God has someone, its His master plan!
8. You aren't ready yet, yes I know your 65 and still waiting! ;)
9. The ONE you are waiting for isn't ready. HURRY UP FOOL!
10. You think you're too awesome! Have a little humble pie!
11. Their current spouse hasn't died yet... JK!!! 
I'm stopping there... Okay you are single! It does get lonely and boring and sometimes you just wanna straight slap couples for looking happy. THAT'S OKAY!!! Don't really do that... cops, jail time, sleeping with one eye open... NOT GOOD! Ask yourself these questions;
1. Does God love me?  YES HE DO-- Gotta get ghetto with you!
2. Is He in control? Does a one legged duck swim in circles? OF COURSE!
3. Are you in His will?
4. Are you walking with Him daily?

If the answer is yes, then wait for Him! He wants you happy and He knows how awesome marriage is because he designed it. Maybe God wants to deal with some past burdens you been carrying around? Maybe they are too big to bring into a relationship.... It could be a lot of things. It doesn't mean you aren't a good catch! It doesn't mean you aren't special. You are... 
My life verse is Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord and He will gives thee the desires of thine heart. Does that mean God is just gonna give you whatever you want? No... silly but I believe God is saying here ,hey fall in love with Me! Worry about pleasing Me and I will full fill the longings of your heart! I have claimed that verse many times, and God has always come through! We can't go moping around telling God He is never gonna do something...Maybe He says Okay.. Fine. I'll take back the new car too! Hahah. 

Confessions of a Shopaholic =)

I meet few women that don't like to shop, and I when I do I want to bust out the the thermometer, and first aid kit because something has to be wrong!! You poor thing! I love to shop! I live to shop! Anyone that knows me knows that I put it down in the stores. =) 
As of late, I stumbled across a few websites that seriously have become quite the addiction, and I wanted to share because they really have fun stuff for a great price. The first one is  http://jane.com/. They take a little longer to ship than the next two I am going to introduce you to but still a great little online boutique. The way it works is everyday new things are loaded onto the site but they are only on there for about 2 days! If you want it, don't hestitate BUY! It will be gone! 

The next site I found is called Sassy Steals http://www.sassysteals.com/

They load a few new things a day and it's scattered throughout the page so you may check it out and it looks like all the same stuff but IT'S NOT! Keeeeep scrolling! =) They have great customer service and even send you some coupon codes after you sign up for email and when you purchase something. It's really great! 

Finally! The last online boutique I found is called Simple Addictions http://simpleaddiction.com/ and let me tell you pal it is a serious addiction. This site usually updates one or two things every so many days. I have found that all 3 sites are usually the same on shipping and pricing. Maybe your a dude and you're thinking this blog is obviously not for me... Christmas is coming buddy and you could buy your special someone a little something something!! And if she doesn't exist, mom would love a new pair of earrings! Follow both veryjane and sassy steals on instragram! They always post new deals! 

Frosting On My Cupcake

You see it from the across the room, just staring at ya! You can't help the small amount of drool dripping off your bottom lip. Are those cupcakes I see? Ohhh baby!! You get a little closer and realize it's not just cupcakes but cookies, brownies, and even CHEESECAKE!!!! Call for back up, CAUSE I'M GOIN IN! 

Who doesn't love sweets? I mean I am sure they're some insane people out there who don't but like I said INSANE! =) 

I started baking little treats for my husbands co-workers, and I always text him about 5 minutes after I know he has gotten to work. "Did anyone eat them?" "Did anyone say they liked them?" "Were they happy?" I go nuts with it! I wanted to be a blessing to them but I truly believe I am the one getting blessed. I just get so happy! I mean if I showed up at work one day and someone brought in some delicious baked goods I would LOVE it! Now I would feel like a fat slob but I would still love it! So here's my challenge, not that you asked for one! This week I think it would be cool if you baked something for someone randomly. Maybe someone you don't even know! And maybe you're saying aloud, Kate I can't bake or Kate I aint got no sugar in the house!lol  That's cool! Go buy one! Throw it in a bag and write 'Have an awesome day' on it! Lets be DAY MAKERS! Everyday someone is struggling with something, why not just go ahead and make their day, heck eat some yourself and make your own day! ;)