~I'm a Dreamer~

Let me ask you a question..What exactly are dreams made up of? 

To me dreams are the visions that we hope to bring into reality, the things that we refuse to give up on and see them come to pass, the things that makes us truly happy just to think about, I believe that we dream up the best world that we know how to in our minds..especially when our world is anything but perfect, as humans we simply do the best we know how to and most of us work hard to make our dreams become a reality and we refuse to give up on our dreams..no matter how big that dream may seem to other people..keep in mind that the only reason why it seems too big in their minds is because that's not their dream nor does it make them happy as it does you, so how could they understand something as complex as your dreams? ..They can't.

I love this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that says.."The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

If you can dream it..you can do it, just have a little faith on the days when you feel like giving up on your dreams..you owe it to yourself to follow your heart and dream a good dream to make this world a much better place and to make your dreams come true!

You are the only one that knows what makes you feel the happiest and you are the only one that can walk down the road that leads to your dreams..take chances, if you make a mistake..move past it on to better things, you are the only one that knows what you dream of fully..do what it takes to make them come to pass and you will be truly happy in your life! 

Next.. serve God and if by some chance your dreams fall through God will then bring to life a new dream for you..just seek him and you will discover so much more than you could ever imagine or dream up in your own mind! God knows what stirs your heart..even better than you do, you can trust him with your whole heart, your hopes, and yes..even your dreams!

Your dreams are powerful and they can change the world and they can also change you..so dream Big things! Believe in yourself and take a leap of faith when it comes to your dreams!

~Dani

~Be Genuinely You~

There's a saying that I really like by Judy Garland and it says.."It's better to be a first rate version of yourself than a second rate version of someone else"

I think we could all learn a little something about life if we would apply that to our own lives to be true to ourselves and to not worry about what others think..instead work on being the very best that you can possibly be! Work on the things in your own life that needs to change and don't be so quick to judge others, you'll be more happy if you'll work out things in your own life that needs to be addressed, your life will feel much fuller and you'll be more satisfied with everything that is in your life!

I've learned a lot in my life thus far about the importance of self-worth and how it matters the most being able to have a good attitude when things in your life goes anywhere but up and you are left with your back against the wall! It matters that you remain greatful in your life and that you appreciate the person that God created you to be..who you are as a person is not so much about who you were born as but of who you allow yourself to grow up to be.

In our lives we make right and wrong decisions and when the choices we've made were the wrong ones..we simply need to admit that we were wrong and move past it, you can feel good about your life even if you've made some bad mistakes but you must admit to those mistakes so you can accept the grace of God and so you can move on to better times in your life!

Give yourself a chance in life, don't settle for less but instead settle for the very best! God wants us all to be happy and he wants us to feel good about who we are!

We don't have to live in the world struggling with an identity crisis! We are who Christ created us to be..worshipers! We are his and he is ours! We are sons and daughters of the King! God created you for his purpose and when he created you he said "it is good!" Believe that today!

Psalms 139:13-15

"For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

 Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth."

Be thankful that God made you the way that you are..because you are the only one like you! You are just right the way that God made you and the passing days can be even better if you'll learn from your mistakes and change when you need to..you will be even more satisfied in your life when you surrender your life to God. 

~Dani

~I don't have to be afraid!~

With all of the wars going on in the world..amongst other terrible things..it seems like we should be afraid but I've got news for you..You don't have to be afraid because Jesus conquered all of our fears when he died on the cross! 

God is with us at all times so why should we be afraid?

When we feel alone..God is there! When we are confused..God is the problem-solver! When we are in doubt..God is our peace of mind!

Whatever situation it may be that has you stressed out or whatever the issue may be..God is going to come to help you, the only thing you need to do is pray and seek God until he comes to help you to get through that struggle you are facing! Trust him..he knows you better than you know yourself! 

If God can make the stars and the planets align..then he can make everything come together in your life!

If he raised the dead..he can also bring life to your hopes and your plans that may have died!

We don't need to feel as though we're alone and we don't need to be afraid because Jesus has already made a way of escape for our every struggle! He is mightier than anything we could ever face in our lives..we just need to realize that our job is to give our lives and even our fears to God..It's God's job to help us through the good and bad things in life and he will hold onto our hand to walk with us through the darkness of this world and know that we have nothing to fear because he is always near! Give your every fear to God today and surrender the worry to him so you can go forth in peace in your life! Every struggle in your life seems more simple when you have God beside you to share the load! Give your whole life to him because he loves you and he really does care deeply for you!

Psalms 56:10-11

"In God, whose word I praise,

in the Lord, whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.

What can man do to me?"

~Dani

~The world can't take it away~

There's a song that we used to sing that said this.."This joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me, this joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me, this joy that I have, the world didn't give it to me, the world didn't give it and the world can't take it away"

Those words can inspire you to make the most important choice in your life!

When you realize that the world didn't form you or love you or free you from your sins..that gives your life a sudden purpose to seek the will of the creator! When you realize this in your life, your life begins to have much more meaning and value in your own eyes, I believe that's important to ensure that you have a sense of value and an appreciation for your life to be able to rise to whatever occasion that the world may throw your way! God knows that we're valuable and he calls us valuable! We should call ourselves valuable based on what God thinks of us!

Also, God made you in his image so learn how to love yourself the way God created you and you'll have a much happier and fuller life!

Proverbs 16:3-4

"Commit your work to the Lord,

and your plans will be established.

The Lord has made everything for its purpose,

even the wicked for the day of trouble."

God knows your value and he formed you in his image, he wants you to rise to your full potential and come into God's calling for your life!

Whatever you do in your life..let it bring glory to God in some way!

Colossians 3:23

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"

So whatever you choose to do today in your life, consider God's purpose for your life! God has the very best plans for you and for me! Choose him and you'll be happier and more fulfilled in your everyday life!

Take God's hope and run with it and never look back! Seek God's will for your life and take hold of the new purpose that God has in store for you! Don't go back to the person you were yesterday..change so your life will be even better! 

God's goodness is all around us and his mercy is new every morning so take that chance that God has given and make a better life for yourself because you deserve it! The world can't take away God's plan for your life..there's nothing that this world can do to prevent you from rising into his calling for your life.. That calling is yours because God says that it's yours! so what do you have to fear? Nothing!

~Dani

~It all started with a plan~

We were on God's mind from the very beginning, he loved us and knew us before we were in our mother's womb! God knew from the start where our place would be in the world and what our passions would be!

In the beginning there was a plan to create a universe, water, animals, and humans! He knew just how he wanted us to be..in his image! Wow..that's remarkable to me!

God loved us so much even when we were only a plan..a dream inside his head, yet he loved us the same yesterday as he does today!

Genesis 1:1 - 2:1

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;  male and female he created them. 

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. On the seventh day he rested, Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them."

When you are wondering if God loves you, all you have to do is look around you, all the creation around you shows you just how big his love for you really is! God loves you and his testimony of that is that he created the world for us to dwell on and he created us to worship him! You and I were made to worship! He deserves the honor and Glory! 

~Dani

~Get over it!~

John 14:12-14

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

If you truly have faith through God then you can get through anything in this life! I've learned this to be true so many times now, God always comes through for me in the very hour that I need help! 

He's always there and never fails me, his love reaches down deep to the uttermost parts of my heart and soul, he's always on time and is never late to rescue me!

If you're tired of people constantly failing you and you're overcome with this bitterness and oppression, if you are feeling like it's the end for you, then I want you to read these words and take them to heart..

If you're lonely, if you're afraid..whatever it may be that you're fighting to escape just say the name of Jesus and he'll help you to get over it! No matter what you're trying to break free from God can make a way for you if you'll trust in him and surrender that situation to him right now!

No problem is Big compared to how Big my God is! I can make it through anything in life as long as God is for me! As long as God is for me..who can come against me? No one can! My God is a mighty God and every problem I have ever faced that God got me out of wasn't even Big to my God! God will help you to get over your mountains too, if you'll put your life in God's hands and surrender your whole heart to him..you'll realize what I'm talking about and you'll realize just how awesome my God is!

No matter how Big the problem..God's going to help you to "Get over it!" No worries when God's on board! Surrender your life to him and never look back at this old world..move forward to better times and happier times!

There's a song that says.."Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong!"-By: building 429

You can never go wrong with God..God will always be the right decision..even if the world disagrees with you!

Isaiah 54:17 - 55:2

"no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,

and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord

 and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

“Come, everyone who thirsts,

come to the waters;

and he who has no money,

 come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food."

Nothing will ever satisfy you like God will! Choose him and deny yourself of the world because it's the world that will pass away someday..But Jesus is forever!

~Dani

~Our Brothers and Sisters~

As it is Memorial Day Monday I wanted to share a poem with you that I wrote, first I want to say something..there are so many things we can be thankful for and one of those things is what an awesome country we live in! So many men and women have worked hard and sacrificed so much, many have lost their lives while fighting for our freedom and the families at home awaiting their veteran's to return home or having to hear of the painful news that their family member has died defending this country, they have all sacrificed much and I cannot imagine having to lose that much or suffer such loss as they have! I have so much respect for them all and I dedicate this poem to them..

"The flags hang at half mass today, the pain still rests on the shoulders of many, though the pain is now more bare-able, folks still find it as terrible.  I will never truly understand their pain but I shall forever have them on my mind and in that way we shall always be together united we will stand as one nation under God!"

Thank You to all of our veterans, we wouldn't have such a great country without the men and women fighting overseas to keep us to be safe here at home, I'm so proud of you all and have such warm thoughts that I want to send to you! Thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do! Even though we may never meet face to face I want you to know that I love each and every one of you, my brothers and sisters! My prayers go out to you!

~Dani

~Worth It~

I've heard it said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This life has difficulties and hurdles to overcome but it's worth it to give your life to God and allow him to use you! The journey may be long and the path may be uncertain at times but the destination is what makes it all worth it in the end!

We don't have to fear the things of this world because God is near!

I know at times you may think that nothing is harder than the trials you are going through to make it into happier times and that you would almost do anything to get back to your life of how it was before but the truth is that if you can just hold on a little bit longer you'll see that better times are on the way!

There's a song that says.." Hold on just a little bit longer, he knows this is going to make you stronger!"

1 John 3:2-8

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

Hold tight to what you know, that God is going to always pull you through!

Know that if you trust The Lord he'll make a way for you and you'll make it out of the struggles you are facing in your life now!

I know how hard it can feel at times when you're facing something difficult and how it can seem as though it's impossible to you to find a way out of that but you're going to make it and God's going to be there with you the whole way! He is with you helping you to make it safely out of the place you're in!

Trust in God and in his will for your life, he doesn't send struggles your way but he promises that when you are facing them that you do not face them alone..God is going to be with you the whole way!

Nothing makes you more happy than being in God's will, I cannot describe to you just how wonderful it feels to know that you're right where God has placed you to be!

Keep your head up and keep walking..knowing that God's got your back and he's going to be there even if it's to catch you when you fall!

~Dani

~Happier than I originally planned~

I wanted to Testify of what God has done in my life! 

I feel so blessed and fortunate in my life, not everyone can say that they were raised in a Godly home or that their parents have been happily married for 37 years! In the world nowadays it's not very common for couples to be together that long and still be happy about it! It seems like there just aren't very many "power couples" out there these days to follow their good example! This is just one of the many things in my life that I feel blessed to have, to learn from my parents example and someday use that to build a life with my future husband someday,

I think that the problem these days is that most of us just want to be with someone..instead of finding "the one" the truth is that not just anyone can do, it has to be right and after you find that person you have to be dedicated to them and make the commitment to build a happy life with that person, I know that it takes time and patience.. amongst other things to make it with someone but I know that it's worth it to wait for the right person to spend your life with!

The other thing I'm thankful for is that my parents taught me to respect leaders in the church and seek the wisdom of the elders, they have turned out to be some of my closest friends and I've learned a lot from them! You can learn a lot about life when you talk to a person who has a lot of life's experiences!

The other thing that I'm thankful for is that I have learned valuable lessons in the church and have learned people skills along the way, I'm still slightly shy because that's part of my personality but I'm not a backward type of person, I love to visit with people and entertain company, I may not be the life of the party or the most outgoing person in the room but I'm good to keep company with as well as being behind the scenes, like being in the kitchen! I've learned that it's okay for me to be the person that I am because God made me that way and I don't have to be someone that I'm not for someone to like me and I'm not going to change to fit someone else's standards..I only need to measure up to God's standards..not the standards of this world! I've learned that I am good enough because God says that I am his child!

The other thing I'm thankful for is that I surrendered my life to God and have accepted his will and purpose for my life instead of pursuing my own selfish desires, and I've realized that I'm truly happy because of it! I'm excited and I'm looking forward to what the future will bring and who I will meet along the way..I know that God's plans are the key to true happiness and I know that he won't let me down..he'll lead me right where I'm supposed to be! Right now I'm meant to lead praise and worship here but there's much more that God has planned for me and I'm determined to see his plans through!

I'm happier than I ever thought I could be and it's according to his purpose that I'm so full of joy and have such rich blessings in my life! I Praise God for all he's done and is going to do, to where I'll go and who he'll lead me to!

Surrender your life to him and you'll be happier than you originally planned too!

Romans 8:28-30

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."

~Dani

~Welcome home, you!~

It's so painful to watch people who you once knew, people who were your friends before..now they are away from God and they feel like strangers when you're around them now.

I cannot express to you enough how much my heart hurts to see them out of church, I never thought I'd see the day when someone so close to God..they could just let their relationship with God slip away and now I feel like I don't even know them anymore, almost as though I've never known them before.

It's hard to believe at times where they are in their lives currently, it pains me to see them hurting and seeing them lost.

I wish there was a way for me to reach them and tell them just how much I miss seeing them in church with me, these people who were my friends have lost their way with God and every time I see them I wonder what happened for them to get so far away from God!

I want to have the chance to witness to them but I know that right now all I can do is live my life as a good example for them to see, it would be wrong for me to ask them why they are no longer saved or attending church, I would never judge them in that way but I would wait for the right moment to present itself to talk to my friends who have lost their way and hope that they would sit beside me in church again someday!

It's my hope to see them in church with me again someday, pursuing God's calling for their life and welcoming them home! I would love nothing more than to see them in God's family again and gaining back the people that I used to call my friends. 

I want their homecoming to be like this one was in the bible..

Luke 15:20-24

"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. ’ And they began to celebrate."

~Dani

~The voice of truth~

There's a song that says "but the voice of truth tells me a different story,  the voice of truth says do not be afraid, and the voice of truth says this is for your glory out of all the voices calling out to me, I will chose to listen and believe the voice of truth"

There are many moments in the bible where you read about the followers of God being called to do something that seemed impossible to others but they did it anyway because they knew what God's purpose was for them and they would do his will even if it meant no one would back then up or even if it meant death..they were determined to get it done!

There are other stories such as what Esther had to do, Esther had to bring important news to the king even though she knew most likely that it meant death for her for doing so! But sometimes you just have to take that risk and do what God is speaking into your heart to do! No matter what other people try to say to convince you to shall I say..wimp out of the calling over your life! Sometimes you simply must go even if it costs you extra money, time, even losing friends or sometimes even if it could cost you your life to speak God's truth! 

Go.. Not because it's easy but because you're up for the challenge for God!

Though people will tell you along the way that it's impossible for you to do, do it anyway and don't concern yourself with opinions of this world because they don't matter..GOD'S OPINION IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS!

What the world sees as TRUTH isn't always the same truth as we see, people who are of this world refuse to believe the things that would change their lives or reveal to them the whole truth..forcing them to realize that they were wrong to believe in anything other than the truth.

I've heard it said that the truth hurts but the reality is that lies hurt even more so, lies can tear even the closest of friends or family members apart and gossip can ruin people's lives, I've seen it happen so many times between good friends and close family members, lies will tear up the strongest of friends or family members and it's only a matter of time before people find out the truth and grow tired of the lies. 

They say the truth will set you free but you have to be the one who admits that you were wrong and realize the other person was right to truly become set free from the chains that lies have held on you!

We have all lied before in our life and there's only a problem with lying if you never admit to yourself and others you've lied to that you have done so to them, before there's healing you first have to admit that you were wrong and make the decision to change for the better and to walk in truth! There is a verse that is a good place to study in that I want to share with you..

2 Corinthians 5:7

"for we walk by faith, not by sight."

When you aren't sure what to believe "pray" don't use your words or spread something that simply isn't so, and don't believe everything you hear, sometimes we need to just be silent and allow The Lord to speak to us and show us his truth so that we may walk in his ways and prosper in our lives!

When you're unsure of who to trust or what to believe..put your trust in God and it will all be resolved!

When in doubt of everything in your life go to this wonderful verse, it will ground you when you're feeling unsteady in your life!

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

~Dani

~The past is in the past!~

A while back I was pondering this thought..what if thinking about our life in the past is contradicting the future ahead of us? 

If your memories hold you back from moving toward your future then you need to establish a different mindset for yourself, the past is the past for a reason..meaning save thinking back on those memories to when you have a rainy day and you need some cheering up! Don't remind yourself of the hard times..unless you are remembering what you've come out of in your life!

Don't allow yourself to long for what used to be, instead make a better future for yourself and don't worry yourself about those things!

Don't stress yourself out just because your life isn't all rainbows and butterflies currently, instead be positive and have the outlook of "I won't always be in this place in my life!" "This too shall pass!" Have those kind of thoughts and don't concern yourself with the things of the past, it's time to move forward and pursue better things..bigger things of God! It's time to step into the future that God has been preparing you for! Step into that calling God has in store for you and trust that God has better times ahead of you..don't think for a second that the best is over and done..Instead think to yourself that God is just warming up and the best is yet to come! Good things are on the horizon for your life..say goodbye to old horizons and welcome even better ones ahead of you!

God's not finished with you yet..so stop telling yourself that he is! God's not done and neither are you!

~Dani

~The Faithful ones~

It's important to be faithful to God in all we do, when you look in the bible at all the amazing stories, you'll come to realize the blessings that you receive in your daily life! You'll realize that you're a happier person, you're more positive in life's situations, you get along with others around you better, the list just goes on and on of the many things in your life that are benefitted because of your faithfulness to God! Here are a few verses to encourage you to remain faithful in your walk with God..

Psalms 36:5-10

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;

 your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

 in your light do we see light.

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart!"

God offers so many blessings to the faithful ones, he offers us protection from harm and keeps us safe from Satan's schemes!

When we fall God is there for us to encourage us to get back up again and press on! God's blessings are around us every day for us to enjoy and the beauty of everything around us is another simple reminder of God's faithfulness!

I can testify about the faithfulness of my God! God has kept me going all these years and has comforted me in my hour of need, when others have failed my God has proven himself to me and has picked me up off the sinking sand many times in my life! God has proven time and time again just how faithful he is to me! 

I never have to worry if I can't trust him..because God is always there for me so I know that I can trust in him!

Thinking about God's faithfulness reminds me of a song.."Lord I need you, oh I need you, every hour I need you, my one request, my righteousness, oh God how I need you"

God's faithfulness is endless, he will forever be and will always be our Savior and our Lord who is faithful to us! God wants to see us all succeed in life and be happy! 

God has a plan for us all just so long as we're faithful to him! In order for God's will to come to pass we must first allow God to be Lord over our life! If you offer God your life to welcome his will for your life then blessings will follow soon after!

God blesses the faithful ones..put your life in God's hands today and God will prove himself to you!

~Dani

~Who are you according to your fruits?~

Your fruits are really what others see of your lifestyle mostly, the way your attitude is, the way you carry yourself, the words you speak are all part of what reflects of your fruits!

We have to be careful and pay close attention to the way we treat others and the words we speak!

What is in your heart? Is there jealousy in your heart? Is there greed in your heart? Are you kind to people to their face but gossiping about them behind their backs? Whatever it may be..the truth will come out no matter what your fruits are! If you are kindhearted, loving, devoted to your friends..those fruits will show themselves..people will see those things, good or bad fruits..people will find you out! Be real..don't pretend or go back on your word, be kind and decent to others..no matter what has happened in your day. Treat others the way that you would like to be treated and true friends will show themselves to you.

Jesus treated all of his disciples fair and the same, he loved them as his brothers and he never betrayed them! Wouldn't it be nice if we could also treat others that way? What if we could be caring toward people in our lives instead of starting problems? What if we could bring a smile to their day instead of bringing sorrow to them? 

That's why we need to take a look at our fruits and see if we are carrying around good fruits or bad fruits to others, it's very important to benefit others..not tear others down all the time! Have joy and peace to offer to others and people will want to be around you! If you're a negative type of person it can be hard to make friends because you can only offer them negativity, but if you are a happy type of person people will want to be around you and they will in return be good friends to you!

What kind of fruits are you carrying around in your daily life?

Galatians 5:16-26

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident:sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

Ask God to examine your heart today and ask him to reveal to you what kind of fruits that you carrying in your daily life! Ask him to help you to change if your fruits are not good, ask God to change your heart and your actions today so that you can be a living testimony of the joy of The Lord in your daily life around others! Make a good difference in people lives..don't be the problem in people's lives, show them Jesus in your daily life! Let your fruits be good fruits that benefit others around you!

~Dani

~What does it take to be a friend?~

When it comes to the word "Friend" the first thing in my mind is not just someone to have fun with but it's someone who is always there for you when you really need someone, passing time and space shouldn't matter as long as that person is just a call away from you and you are just a call away from them it they are in need of someone.

The word Friendship goes much further than you believe, to be a true friend also means that you will stand up for that person when others gossip about them, not only that but a true friend will also dig deep to find out if their friend is in trouble and is in need of talking to someone.

When your friend makes a mistake in life you don't point your finger and blame them..instead you reassure them that everyone makes mistakes and that you're there for them to help them to cope with what they've done and to forgive themselves.

That reminds me of a story in the bible about Peter, Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny him and yet Jesus still loved him though he knew what Peter was getting ready to do! That's what you call grace! Jesus did the same thing for us when he died for us..He knew that we were sinners and that we would sometimes sin even after we have been saved..but Jesus still offered us grace to make it right! Jesus loved us so much..though we were sinners..he died for us! Not because we deserved it but because of his mercy and grace! Now that's what you call a friend! Jesus is a true friend!

And sometimes friends will fail us and betray us in life but Jesus never will fade away from us! Jesus will always be there when we are hurting! Sometimes people fail us and leave us all alone, I know how that feels because I've felt that before but I moved on from that because I realized that no one on earth can ever satisfy me or be there for me the way that my God can!

When we trust only in people..we will always get hurt but when you trust in God and you never lose hope that people will change through Christ..you won't be hurt be anyone permanently! When God is with me..whom shall I fear? When people leave..God is with me! Trust in God..God is your source..not people! When people fail you..God can never fail you! God loves you!

Psalms 41:9-10

"Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!"

~Dani

~I want to believe~

Many of us have the same problem..we have trouble believing in "the unseen"

When things in life go wrong the first thing we seem to do is push God away and we blame him for the unexplained things in our lives, we do this because we are part flesh, because of our sinful nature we want to turn away from God automatically.

There was someone else in the bible who also had trouble believing, his name was Thomas..also known as doubting Thomas, he was like most of us are when it comes to believing in a higher power but in the end all he truly wanted was to see his Savior face to face again, it wasn't so much that he didn't believe..he simply had never heard of such a thing as someone coming back to life again..other than Lazarus and he was there when Jesus called him by name and he came back to life.

I can understand Thomas' perspective because he was thinking.. "how could someone who could heal the sick or raise the dead..really be gone?" He was mourning differently than the other disciples were mourning the death of Jesus! He was in such pain from the death of his Savior that he found it hard to believe that he would ever see Jesus again on earth!

John 20:24-31

"Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

So if you're having trouble believing in a higher power..just take it from Thomas' story and look at his story as a lesson of love..not of doubt but of the deep mourning of the loss of his Savior and the love that he had for Jesus, only the end to this story is that Jesus came back to life and rose again! There isn't an unhappy ending at all but a beginning and a new start for us to be with our Savior again someday, we were sinners in our lives yesterday but today we can start anew and we can have new life because of Jesus!

Don't look for evidence or questions to be answered..instead just believe not because of what you see with your eyes but instead what you feel in your heart..know that God exists and there is a higher power because you wouldn't be here if you weren't created or loved by God! 

God loves you so just believe in him!

~Dani

~Are you who you want to be?~

Ever since I was a child I would sit around and visit with the adults and the elderly, because I loved hearing their wisdom and the stories they would tell about "the good ole days" even though I was good with children, babysitting or in the children's ministry doing puppets or skits, somehow I always wanted to be around the adults and just listen.

Back then I felt like it was more important to learn something from the elders of the church because I already knew when I was a child that I wanted to grow up to get married and later on share the wisdom I learned from those wonderful people with my children someday.

I always thought "I want to learn things now..not later" because I wanted to be prepared for what's to come in my life someday!

The problem nowadays is that the youth and young people don't take anything seriously and they don't feel the need to change to better their own future, it's concerning to me how they don't realize partying, drinking, just having a good time and being young..as they call it, they don't realize that it's affecting their goals, hopes, and dreams, and it's shaping the kind of person they're going to be in the future! They don't see it now and they don't realize how short life is and how lonely it will be when they wake up and realize that they wasted their lives away and they are alone with no one to share their lives with.

In the words of switchfoot "this is your life, are you who you want to be, this is your life, are you who you want to be, this is your life, is it everything you've dreamed it would be, when the world was younger, you had everything to lose, and you had everything to lose"

Choose wisely who you want to be today, because it could affect your future.

No other person can write your story, your choices are your own and they will affect your own life but the choices you make can affect others around you as well..so keep that in mind today as you make decisions through out your day, those decisions will affect who you turn out to be in the future, so be mindful of the friends you chose and the places you hang out in and the words you speak about yourself or about someone else..because the words you speak will form the kind of world you live in, so make your words count and only utter positive words about your friends and others, they will grow to appreciate your friendship and admire the kind of person that you are and they will want the kind of life that you are living if they see Jesus inside of you and they see the love of Jesus inside of you!

Proverbs 18:20-21

"From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied;

he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

~Dani

~The Solution to every problem~

In life there are always issues and obstacles to overcome, whatever the issue and whatever the obstacle..God will always be the one who will be there listening to our prayers and he will be there to help us to come up with the solution to our every problem!

God is the answer to everything in our lives, no matter what you're facing today..God's going to help you to get through it!

Remember that God's on it, he's never surprised by what's going on in our lives and he knows that we will come out of that situation stronger and wiser!

God doesn't send bad things our way but he is there and he has guardian angels watching over us at all times!

You can find the comfort in knowing that somehow no matter what the problem or issue is, no matter how difficult it may seem to you..It's not too hard for God!

 God is the solution to whatever problems you're facing in your life and he's going to get you through them all!

Have the faith in God and know that nothing is impossible with God!

God's going to get you through this..so trust in him and remember that he's got this too!

Mark 10:27

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

~Dani

~How to move on..~

Moving on isn't so much about forgetting everything that's happened, it's about making peace with the situation you were in and deciding that you will have a much better future!

Moving beyond what you've gone through takes determination and the decision of not settling for less but instead striving for more!

It's about moving past the ashes and finding something beautiful out of your situation, it's about remaining positive no matter how hard your situation seems at that moment in your life, it's about allowing yourself to move on and into something better for you, it's about moving out of the bad and into the good things in life!

Everyone needs to allow themselves to be happy and have a second chance in life when something bad has happened in your life whether it be by someone else or by a decision that you have made..You deserve another chance in your life to make it right! Take that chance and run with it, forgive yourself and just move on with your life, when you move on you become happy again and new hope is there waiting for you!

Get on with life and be happy..you deserve to have a second chance to make for a better future..Make it count, make it worth it!

Lamentations 3:22-24

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;  his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

 great is your faithfulness.

 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,  “therefore I will hope in him.”

~D

~Be an inspiration~

As Christians we need to be able to inspire those around us! If we could share the joy of The Lord to our neighbor and show them that even though we are face to face with a difficult situation in our lives we are still able to have joy and peace, then that's a witnessing tool right there!

Imagine for a second what that could mean to your neighbor to be a good example of the proof that God gives you strength day to day, that you can continue your walk though the road ahead is uncertain and may have bumps, turns or even dead ends up ahead and you may even have to start over but you're going to trust The Lord in knowing that he's going to get you through it, That is a witnessing tool to those around you..believe me when I tell you that your continual walk with God will encourage and inspire others to also pursue a relationship with God!

When your friends are able to see the positive attitude and how encouraging you are toward them..they will want to be around you more often because they will begin to see that they need what you have inside of you and that's a relationship with God!

Be a candle in the darkness, be a peace speaker, be a devoted Christian around your unsaved friends, be a helping hand to your neighbor, and most importantly allow others to see your relationship with God out in public so they can see how good God is!

1 Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

~Dani