~Return to Me~

It's so sad thinking about all of the people that used to attend church that no longer attend anymore, most of the kids that grew up in church with me are lost now that they've grown up..it just breaks my heart that they refuse to come back..I have so many questions in my mind of why this is, did they leave all that they knew from the church all because they heard gossiping in the back corner of the church? Did they leave for college and they got sucked into the "party scene" lifestyle that a lot of others get involved in?

I'm constantly wondering why they left the church entirely or even that they simply let their faith die.

 It hurts in so many ways to see them searching for something in the world when it's always been right there while they were sitting there in the church service..

I long for the day when they come home again and I see them with their hands raised surrendering their lives to God again! I miss their faces, I miss their hugs and most of all I miss seeing them entering in and praising The Lord in the services!

I also wonder if they just had a low self-esteem that never got the attention that it required..that happens sometimes when there are so many other people that are obviously hurting and you overlook the person who seems to be alright when quietly they're hurting inside and they need help, what if that need wasn't met somehow? 

Perhaps we need to have a reality check in the churches and we need to talk to the students more? Maybe if we would look deeper at that person we would see the need that they have? We can reach those lost sheep out there! It's not too late to reach them! God has some amazing things in store for that person and whatever that is..Satan has been working hard to defeat their potential! Satan is a liar and he will not win! God has a purpose for that person out there..for your friends that are no longer in church! Pray for them that their eyes would be open to the things of God and that they will return to church! Reach out to them and continue to encourage them and invite them..one day they will say "yes" and you'll be sitting beside them in church again..you just watch!

Psalms 57:1-2

"​1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 2 I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me."

~Dani

~God says I'm important!~

There are always going to be people around you that will try to make you feel small or not important but there comes a point in every persons life when they must discover that true value in themselves and decide that what God sees in you is more important! 

Sometimes you have to turn up the praise and worship music and surrender all of your pain to God..knowing that he's going to take care of you and most of all that he's going to take care of that situation in your life! There will always be negative people around who like to pull you down with them..that's why they say.."misery loves company" lets face it no one wants to be alone but instead of letting them pull you down, you need to bring them up! Don't let them do all of the talking..you have a mouth that can speak too, you don't have to settle for negative conversation with that person..you can build them up and make them feel joy through Jesus! Show them what God has done in your life and let them see the joy of The Lord in you!

Jeremiah 24:6-7

"6 I will set my eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. 7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart."

If you're tired of the kind of world you're living in..start changing the world, if you're tired of negative words..start taking over the conversation with words that build people up! You don't have to just sit there and accept your current situation! You can have joy in your daily life and you can choose not to settle for only pain and destruction but to lift up your head and say.."I'm a child of God, I'm special to my God!" And If your friends won't listen to your positive words then perhaps it's time to find a new group of friends who want to have joy in their lives too! You don't have to listen to hurtful words all of the time..it's time that you changed the subject and started to talk about how good it feels to be a child of God..about how much joy you have had since you gave it all to Jesus! Maybe they will see that passion in you and they'll begin to realize that's what they also need in their daily lives! If you'll show them the passion you have for your God..what's going to stop them from wanting some of that for themselves?

~Dani

~Wisdom in your youth~

Philippians 4:8

"8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Hosea 14:9

As I was sitting here thinking about what I should write about tonight it came upon my mind about the fact that school is starting soon and I wanted to write about gaining wisdom to inspire everyone going back to school to do the right things, say the right words, and learn something this year that will benefit others around you!

I remember when I was around eight years old and some of the other kids were rebelling against their parents or teachers, I remembered thinking about how bad that must make them feel and how under-appreciated they must've felt dealing with that attitude when they were only trying to help us kids to become better individuals and grow up honoring God with our lifestyles and helping others! I made a choice that day after seeing that with my own eyes and I knew that I could never treat any leader the way that they were treated that day because it just wasn't right and they were taking time in their day just to teach us some valuable lessons in our lives!

Maybe you are watching the other kids mistreating a teacher or their parents or perhaps even another student and it makes you feel for them? There is something that you can do to help them to feel better..visit with your teacher when you walk into the classroom and ask them how their week has been, be eager to answer questions that they are asking, if you enjoy baking..make them some brownies or cookies, any extra effort such as that will encourage them and set them off for a better day..it will remind them why they decided to choose this line of work and it will allow them to see the positive impact that they've made on at least one of their students! Never stop trying to be the reason for someone to smile, that's what life is mostly about is bringing joy to others and being a helping hand in hard times or just being there for moral support when they really need a friend to count on! Be a good example when there aren't any around you and someone will see that and it will inspire them to also become a good example even if it's later on in their lives down the road, you never know the reason why someone is misbehaving so pray for them and encourage them to do something that will bring sunshine and life into that person..most of the time you will discover that someone is hurting inside and they are only acting out because they're hoping someone will realize that they need some help..be that friend when they finally let their walls down to let someone else in..that's what it's all about in my opinion, it's about reaching those in need and being a good example around others for Christ! Let others see your heart and your kindness this year at school..you'll make friends that year that will be lifelong friends to you and God will bless you for it!

"9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them,

but transgressors stumble in them."

~Dani

~Mistakes..We've all made them~

Psalms 102:24-27

"24 “O my God,” I say, “take me not away in the midst of my days—

you whose years endure

throughout all generations!”

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment.

You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,

27 but you are the same, and your years have no end."

One thing we all have in common is that we've all made mistakes, even the nicest person who has the kindest heart has made mistakes even if those mistakes were not found out by others..we have all made choices that we're not proud of! But God loved us so much that he offered us a way of escape from the burden of our sins through grace! A God like that who still chooses to love us even though we have turned our backs on him is a God who has no end and will never fail us, there is none who can compare to him..for he is God alone! Why would you decide not to serve him when he's done so much for you out of his love for you?

Proverbs 20:6-11

"6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,

but a faithful man who can find?

7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!

8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.

9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”?

10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright."

No matter what you've done..no matter what hurtful words you've spoken..no matter how many times you've failed before..God sees you and what you've done, yet he still loves you so much! Start today..start now, ask God for forgiveness and accept a new beginning! Turn from your old ways and move forward into better things, Now there will be days that are hard and you'll want to go back to your old ways sometimes because Satan will try to convince you that it's better than what lies ahead in your future and he will lie to you but he's wrong! The good things are ahead of you in the future..leave the past behind and continue toward the goal and the unforeseeable future that God has in store for you! It's going to be worth it to make it into God's calling over your life! Don't listen to Satan's lies..listen to what God has to say and all your needs will be supplied!

Choose today to move forward in the things of Christ..leave the past behind!

~Dani

~I can be who he says I can be!~

Satan sure does like to speak negative words into our lives..it's one of his favorite things to do especially when you're following so closely after God's will for your life..there's nothing he likes more than hitting you by surprise!

I'm here to encourage you today, you don't have to listen and take to heart the negative words that Satan is lying to you about! Satan is wrong! God has the perfect purpose planned for each and every one of us and nothing that anyone can ever say or do will change that plan! God loves you and he has all of these wonderful plans in mind for you, these plans are prosperous and these plans are only good things..not things that will harm you..Satan only wants to bring harmful things into your life but God has good things in mind for your life so you can trust him with your whole life even your heart is safe in his hands! You can fully trust in all that God is and the words that he speaks over you! What an honor it is to serve a God that only has good plans in mind for us!

Job 42:2

"2 “I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."

God is our provider in all areas of our lives! He is our protector! He is everything that we need to be happy and his plans are things that will make us the happiest than we could ever imagine that we could be!

Trust in him and know that no matter what Satan tries to do to throw you off of God's purpose for you life..it will not succeed! That plan is going to take place as long as you cling to that hope that God has better things in mind for you..follow after God and that plan is sure to happen in your life!

Jeremiah 29:11

"11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Our own plans fail us at times but God's plans never will, he knows us the best and what our hearts desire is! When you grow tired of your own plans failing..surrender those plans and reach out for God's plan instead because those plans will be much better than your own plans will ever be and they will work out in your life!

Proverbs 19:20-21

"20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

~Dani

~Surrender:Learning to let-go~

Why is it that we sometimes hold on to the things that are causing us pain in our lives? It just seems crazy, right? We hold tight to the things that matter..which isn't the problem but we sometimes need help learning to let-go of the things that aren't important! Like when someone says something like.."I don't really like that color on you.." Or maybe.."that food wasn't good that you made.." Or perhaps even assuming things like.. "they didn't hug me so they must be angry with me.."  We must learn to Let it go! It's hard when you have so many questions going around in your mind but you deserve peace in your life so just let that go and move forward to the good things in life again! Move past that pain, that anger..those things are long gone now so look to the future instead and picture yourself smiling again!

I know it feels as though the pain you're feeling will last forever but it's only temporary I promise you, I know it's hard to continue in your daily life at times but with God's help you're going to get through it! Surrender all that you're going through to God today and I know that it's going to be alright because God is going to take good care of you and guide you safely past the situation you're going through at this moment in your life! Trust in him..He alone is never failing and with him it's going to all work out for the good..have faith in him!

Jeremiah 20:11-13

"11 But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed,

for they will not succeed.

Their eternal dishonor

will never be forgotten.

12 O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your vengeance upon them, for to you have I committed my cause.

13 Sing to the Lord;

praise the Lord!

For he has delivered the life of the needy from the hand of evildoers."

~Dani

~Waiting on a miracle..~

Everyone has something that they've long waited for in their lives, whether it be the career of your dreams, building the house of your dreams, receiving a healing in your body, receiving a financial miracle, maybe something like you and your spouse needing a miracle of having a baby? Or maybe you're like me..maybe you're waiting on Mr. Right..the person that God created just for you and the reason why you're not married yet is because you decided not to settle just for someone who was a nice person..perhaps you wanted the ministry to go along with it? Does that sound like you?

It's not easy waiting for the thing that you most want in this whole world..but the thing that helps you to keep waiting is the fact that you only want that one person in your life, or the perfect career opportunity, or for the doctor to tell you that it must be a miracle because you're healed! Or maybe you've just poured the foundation of your new home! Whatever it may be, God has a plan for us all..and he knows what we dream of, he even remembers the dreams that we had forgotten we had and he has the perfect moment to place those things into our lives!

I can only imagine how it must feel to find the right person that you know God has made just for you..believe me I have imagined every single detail of the first time we meet to us growing old together because I take it very seriously, I think the reason why marriages are failing these days is because no one takes things seriously anymore, nor do they believe in true love or something as beautiful as waiting until your wedding night..no one takes it to heart anymore and perhaps they don't give their whole heart and self the way that they should..there are so many reason why marriages and relationships are ending, and I'm not an expert based on being in relationships that are on and off like some people do but I have watched my friends and friends of friends being in off and on relationships that is simply painful to watch! It's just so sad that they cannot be happy, mostly because they refuse to surrender to love or allow themselves to a lasting future with someone! It hurts to watch them trying half way and them having the same outcome every time! I can see how exhausted they are from trying so many people out..many of them even try living with every boyfriend/girlfriend they've had and still they wonder why it won't workout..they won't allow themselves to just be single and place it in God's hands and wait for that right person the old fashioned way..there's nothing wrong with being different than those of this world, they may look at you funny when they hear you say the word "Virgin" but at the end of the day you have peace in your heart and spirit knowing that the right person is going to come along and they will be forever..when their relationships will go from person to person until they simply give up on love completely being alone or they marry someone who doesn't treat them as good as they should! It's a harsh thought but I've seen it happen to some nice people all because they gave up on what they dreamed of and gave in to what the world thinks you should dream of! I don't know about you but the decisions that I want to make are the ones that allow me to sleep at night and have peace in my life! They say.."Faith makes a fine pillow!" 

I hope this helps you to believe in the future again and don't ever give up on your beautiful dreams! God has a purpose for those dreams..all you have to do is continue believing in them and go after them even though others don't always want to follow along behind you, at the end of the day..the person that has to be happy is you..not them so don't worry about their criticism because they don't have to live with your choice..you do, so do what makes you truly and fully happy with yourself! Believe in the beauty of your dreams and follow your Jesus when you no longer trust your heart because the heart can be wrong at times but God is never wrong so we can always trust him with our heart and our dreams!

Jeremiah 29:11

"11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Don't give up on that dream of yours, it may feel like it's the end because of the struggles that you have faced in your life but if you'll trust in The Lord's plan this time and decide that you're not going to settle for less but only accept God's very best..it's going to be worth it, you will see!

I haven't given up, I didn't listen to them when they told me not to wait but instead I listened to the plans that God intended just for me to have and I am happy because I have peace in the waiting, you can have that same feeling as well! Trust him with your whole heart and he won't ever steer you wrong!

~Dani