Beloved

My beloved daughter
You must believe
My plans for you
You cannot conceive


Have faith dear girl
My love runs deep
Hold tight to my truth
And in peace you will sleep


Put on your armor
Fight for what's right
Till Satan stands blinded
By your bright shining light


My beloved child
I call you My own
Yet you plead, "Please more!"
And continue to groan


I need you to know
What is coming shall be
The most glorious day
When you will meet Me


I love you so much
Let that be enough
Let me hold you close
When the water gets rough


My dear beloved
Don't ever believe
Your beautiful heart
Is too ugly for Me

Treasures in Heaven

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

As I read this verse, I can't help but get excited for heaven. I've been reading a book called "Heaven is for Real" (would definitely recommend this book, it's life-changing) and it has gotten me thinking a lot about heaven. The book is a true story about a 4-year-old boy named Colton who took a trip to heaven during a major surgery. A couple months after the surgery he tells his parents that Jesus had the angels sing to him because he was so scared. Over the next year or so, Colton's parents gently try to get more details about what he saw in heaven. It turns out everything he says can be scripturally verified, as his father (who is a pastor) points out. There is so much more about this book that I could say, but basically it is a childlike account of heaven that will definitely make you think twice about what you believe or don't believe about an eternity with our God.

As for me, I strongly believe that keeping an eternal perspective is key to our happiness here on earth. There are so many earthly struggles that will continue to bring us down if we let them. But if we choose to find the silver lining; if we choose to actively seek Jesus for our help and our comfort, then we will constantly find that there is nothing we should be crying about, nothing we should be whining about, and definitely nothing we should be angry about. Just think about this: God loves us so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). How could we ever forget the unbelievable importance this verse has in our lives?

So this is my challenge to you (and to me, of course): Next time you're sad or upset and just feel like you have no reason to smile... Remember what the God of the universe has done for you. Remember how much he loves and cares for you. And never forget what lies ahead of you... it may seem impossible or too far away to begin to think about, but it's not. We will be standing before the gates of heaven before we know it, looking straight into the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ. Scary? Maybe a little. Exciting? YES. This fact should make us all jump for joy! It should be able to put a smile on anyones face, no matter what their problems may be.

I came across this quote the other day by Marilyn Monroe, "Keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about."Although she may not have been thinking about God's love and grace when she said this, my thoughts jumped directly to just that. And just like a child on Christmas morning, my face lit up with the biggest smile ever, and I was reminded once again of how blessed I am to belong to such a gracious and loving God. And with that I want to leave you with one last bible verse from 1 John 3:1 "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

Above everything else, treasure Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart. :)

Only You, Every Day

Why do I keep searching for something I already know?
Why can't I listen when You say let it go?
How can I feel so rejected and alone,
when You're constantly pouring me love from Your throne?


I need to be okay,
with only You every day.
You sit waiting at my door,
Who am I to demand any more?


You've been there all my years,
You've held me through every tear.
So why don't I trust with ease?
Why can't I fall to my knees?


You say ask and you will receive,
So I keep begging you please.
And though I know You hear,
I still insist to grab the wheel and steer.


But I need to be okay, 
with only You every day.
You sit waiting at my door,
Who am I to demand any more?


I'm slowly starting to see,
I am the branch and You are the tree.
And without You,
there wouldn't even be a me.


Yes, here and there I may doubt,
But I've never forgotten what You're all about.
So I'll stand here in the rain,
I'll trust You through the pain.


One day I will be okay,
with only You every day.
And when I finally open that door,
I will demand only You and nothing more.

From Me To You

Me, me, me
God, what can you do for me?
You love me more than anything,
So You should give me everything.


I pray for the grade,
The money and the fame.
I'm looking for some strength and grace,
So I can be the winner of this race.


I want, I need,
Lord, please, please, please!
Give me more and more and more,
Isn't me that You died for?

Me, me, me

God, what can you do for me?

You love me more than anything,

So You should give me everything.

But wait, no, this just can't be right,

I think I'm asking the wrong things of You tonight.

Even though I know You'll give me all I ask,

I can feel You calling me to a much greater task.

I have more than I could ever need,

So now I pray You'll take my greed.

Lord, help me to sow my seed,

And give me the strength to give You the lead.

You gave up Your rights,

So that I may have life.

What in this life could ever exceed,

This great love You've shown to me?

You, You, You

Lord, what can I do for You?

You love me more than anything,

So I will give You everything.