Life Action... The Great Commisson

While I was at Life Action Camp, I worked in the kitchen... I prepared the meals that were fed to the many campers that came. Now... before I ever got to the camp I told my family..." I do not want to be in the kitchen..." And there I was.  I think God was teaching me that I can (and will) serve Him wherever He wants me too.  Surprisingly,  I had a great time in the kitchen! I met a ton of new people from so many places. We laughed and really just had a blast! I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.  David Livingston once said,  "If a commission by an earthly king is considered and HONOR, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a SACRIFICE?"  Now I know that what I did in the kitchen may have not been a "big deal"... I just cut up stuff,  served it,  and cleaned a lot!  To some it might seem a pretty silly job, but I was doing for my Heavenly King so it was an honor.  I have to admit... if the President of the United States had asked me to work in his kitchen I may have been more excited in the beginning, but Our God is so much more amazing than any president.  He is holy, mighty, all powerful, Redeemer, and so much more than we can even imagine!

 Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.


So... next time I get kitchen duty, or any other job that might not be very appealing, I just have to remember that its a honor to serve my King.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Life Action...What I Learned

I recently got back from Life Action Camp in Buchanan Michigan, and it was an experience that I will never forget! We got there July 12th, and left July 26th.  I'm so glad God allowed me the opportunity to go.    

One of the things I learned about was the power of prayer.   I had been praying day after day for a friend that I knew needed to know the Lord.  Turns out, the whole camp had been praying for this person!  Our prayer was answered and our friend came to know his Creator and Savior!

The Great Commission was the subject for this summer at Life Action, and I also got a really deep conviction about living out Jesus' great commission! Matthew 28:19-20- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

I learned so much from Life Action, and I will have more stories to come these next couple of weeks!

Walking In Grace,
Abby

1 Peter 2:21

Have you ever had to deal with a difficult person?  I know I have.  It can be over the littlest things too!  I have to deal with a difficult person almost daily.   I am not always proud of how I respond.  Sometimes I respond quite well under the circumstances... but sometimes I kinda-maybe-end up blowing up.  Another thought I need to consider is what if I am the difficult person someone else has to deal with?  

Scripture talks a lot about the difficult people that Jesus had to deal with.  I mean, He had to deal with Judas, the high priests, and all the people that didn't believe He was who He said He was.  If anyone in the history of forever had the right to blow up at someone, it was Jesus. 

So even though we all have those people that are hard to get along with... we need to do what Jesus would do and treat them with love, respect, and show them who Christ followers are.

1 Peter 2:21- For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, that ye should follow His steps.

P.S. This song is by Sidewalk Prophets. Live Like That

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Forgiveness

There has been a lot of discussion lately about Josh Duggar and the past molesting of his sisters.  Now I know that many people have their own ideas about Josh Duggar, and what should happen to him.  I also know that he was a minor, and not a Christian at the time.  He asked forgiveness from God,  his sisters,  and his parents.  I know what He did was wrong, but he made it right by the people that he needed to.  If his sisters,  his parents,  and his God can forgive him... why does the American public feel like they can withhold forgiveness?  This is what can happen to a teen that doesn't have Christ in their lives.  If God can forgive us for all our sins, then who are we to not forgive someone who's a sinner just like us?  For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23  That is why God sent His Son to save us. 

Colossians 3:13- Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Ephesians 4:32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I'm so thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ,  aren't you?

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Clear The Stage

Last night, I attended a Bible Study with some of my close friends... and boy was it convicting. We have been going through a series called," Behold Your God."  It's about looking at God for who He really is, and treating Him like He deserves.  Last night's session was about idols.  I had always thought that idols were anything you put before your God in importance, but it's more than that.   It's anything that you put before your God, anything that you can't stop thinking about,  and anything that you love with all your heart as well.  I learned so much as all I could think about were the many things that came to mind immediately that could be classified idols in my life.  Two that came to mind right off was sleep and my phone.  For some it might be clothes and shopping.  For others it might be certain foods or maybe a relationship.  I left realizing how easy certain things or people can become idols and thinking about how hard I'm going to try to keep Christ first because nothing and no one is better than Him.

This song by Jimmy Needham, was a song that one of my friends shared last night and it s message went right along with what we studied.  It's called," Clear The Stage," and I hope that it speaks to you as powerfully as it spoke to me.

P.S. His testimony is also inspirational!  If you YouTube "Jimmy Needham Testimony" you will find it.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Throwing A Tantrum

I spent some time at my sister's house today.  My nephew Jack had to sit in his playpen... and he was definitely showing us that he wasn't going to have any of that.  I have seen Jack angry, but I have never ever seen him like he was today.  He cried, and screamed, and cried some more... but eventually he calmed down, and started to play with all his toys.

It reminded me how I am when God puts me in a place that I don't like.  When my dog Hobo died... I wasn't happy.  When my grandma was sick and dying... I didn't enjoy that.  When daily disappointments come my way,  I sometimes act like Jack did today.  What's so neat about God is that He doesn't do what is right in man's eyes... but in His eyes.  He knows what is best for us. 

Psalm 46:10- Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth.

Whenever I am sad, or mad, or am just having a bad day... this verse reminds me that I need to just let go and let God . Be still and know that He is God! So if you aren't having a great day, or are going through something hard like a death or a disappointment... Just stop, look to God, and listen for His guidance.


Walking In Grace,
Abby

Image Bearers Of God

The other day, I had a afternoon with a couple of my dear friends. We had a awesome time. We wrote a hit song (in my opinion), we had a pillow fight, and best of all we had a Bible study. The study was given by my pastor's wife, Kimberly Wagner. It was about labels. We all have labels, and we can all remember the labels that we have been given. I know that I have had labels put on me. I know (now) that they don't mean anything, but at the time... they meant everything. 

During our Bible study, Mrs. Kim taught us that we are image bearers of God... so it doesn't matter what people may call us, but it does matter how we react. We are created to show others who God is. Jesus knew pain from hurtful words and actions toward Him...and He always reacted with forgiveness. 

Genesis 1:26- And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness...

So... the next time that I am called a name... I will have to remember that I am an image bearer of God,  and there are people watching me that need to get a glimpse of what God is really like. 

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Hobo

My dog has been missing for 4 days, and yesterday my sister found him. It looks like he was run over by a car not too far from our driveway.  Hobo was my best friend. I have never had a better friend. My dad brought him to me 6 years ago when I was 7. If you read my blog posts regularly, you've read about me and my family moving a lot over the past several years.  Hobo has been with me ever since that started. He moved with me to every new place, and made me laugh even though hard things were going on. God gave me Hobo to help me through those tough times.  God will always send us what we need when we need it.

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

God knew that I needed a friend during those particularly
hard times. He gave me one, and now... even though Hobo is gone.....I will always think of God's faithfulness and His amazing gifts when I think of Hobo.



Walking In Grace,
Abby
 
 
 

Anger Management...

Last week in my youth bible study class we were talking about anger. We began discussing what the Bible says about anger, and we studied this verse:

Ephesians 4:26- Be angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. 

Woah... Be angry and sin not. That confused me.  I couldn't figure out what God was saying.  It seemed like anger itself was a bad thing...a sin.  Me and mom looked up the passage in a study book we have by John McArthur. John McArthur explained that the anger in this passage is a determined and settled conviction.  It's anger Jesus showed when in Mark 3:5 when He was healing a man with a withered hand.. and the Pharisees were upset that He was healing on the Sabbath.  He looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts.  It was anger He showed when  He overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple.  Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 
 

It's good and right to be angry about certain things.  Jesus was angry when His Father's name or reputation was at stake...or when other's were hurt or treated wrongly.  He, on the other hand, never got angry about what was done against Himself. 

I am generally opposite that.  I do get angry about when other's are treated wrongly, but I am much quicker to get angry about wrongs done to me.  That's where I learned that it becomes sin.  John McArthur explains that it is a self defensive, self serving, resentful anger that is sin.  It is selfish, undisciplined, and vindictive.  It's results are never good. 

The Bible gives us a hint on how to handle anger.  It says to  not let the sun go  down our anger.  Anger can get out of hand if it isn't handled the right way.  Bitterness can sneak in...or a lot of other things that will harm us... and our relationship with God and others. So... anger is not  a bad thing, but the results of anger that can get bad.  We should get angry about certain things.  As a big sister, a little sister, a daughter and a student,  I have to work at this... but it is possible!


 

Walking In Grace,

Abby

 

Procrastinator...

I am learning to play the piano.  In order to be awesome at anything, practicing is a must.  The problem is that when it comes to piano, I am a procrastinator.  I know that I need to practice, but I always wait until my mom actually tells me to practice.  I do then because I know I have to. My piano teacher also knows when I haven't practiced.  She can tell by my progress.  I disappoint her and myself when I'm slack in doing what I know I need to do.  I want to play the piano like Harry Connick Jr ....but putting in the time and effort to do that is a challenge.

I realized it's the same in the Christian life.  If we don't put time and effort into our relationship with Christ, the results are the same. I want to honor Christ,  know His Word, and be a knowledgeable child of the one true King.  Doing that takes spending time with Him and in His Word. Even though not playing piano or not being in God's Word doesn't seem like it is a big problem... in the long run it can really hurt me. I am a procrastinator... and I am not proud of it, but with God's help,  and some genuine effort on my part....I can change that. 

Walking in Grace,

Abby

Happy Easter!!!

Today is Easter... the time of the year that we celebrate what Christ did on the cross. Now I have known about what Easter means since I was a "wee one", but every year as I read in Matthew, this story never ceases to amaze me.

Matthew 27:33-48
33-And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,
34-They gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.
35-And they crucified Him and parted His garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
36-And sitting down they watched Him there;
37-And set up over His head His accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
38-Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
45-Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46-And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Matthew 28:6
He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

He rose from the dead!!! How amazing is this?!?! He died, was buried, and rose again for us!! I'm so glad that even though He knew that we would mess up (a lot!) that He still chose to save us!

Happy Easter!!!

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Friends Are A Gift From God:)

Last night, I got to watch Ben Seewald and Jessa Duggar's wedding with a couple of my best friends. It was so much fun to see if we made the BIG SCREEN. We went to their wedding in November, and were excited to see if we made it on tv. LOL! Last night was just one of the many times that I have loved hanging with my friends.  I love my friends, and I don't know what I would do without them. Scripture has a lot to say about friendship.  While Jesus was here on Earth, he had good friends, and He also experienced the devastation from friendships gone bad.  Friendship can be the best thing ever, but it can also be the worst thing ever! One of the things that my Mom tells me all the time is that in order to have a friend... you have to be a friend. That is WAY harder than it sounds. Being a friend is difficult sometimes because it requires time, trust, love, energy, kindness, forgiveness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness... and we have only struck the tip of the iceberg. Being a friend is a huge responsibility, but it is also a huge blessing.

Like in Matthew 7:12- So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Proverbs 18:24- A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17- A friend loveth at all times...

Proverbs 27:17- Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

John 15:12- This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love hath no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.



I love my friends... they encourage me in my walk with Christ, their always there to help me, and I can always count on them to be there.  The question is... what kind of friend am I?

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Oh, What A Beautiful Day

Today was a beautiful day... The sun was shining, a day when you want to frolick outside. (If you knew me you would know that I don't like to run), but today I wanted to run and walk and play and just enjoy God's creation! It's days like these that just make me happy, and remind me of how amazing my God is.


 John 1:3- "All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made."

Genesis 1:1-"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

Genesis 1:31-"And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."


All things were made by God, and God saw that everything He made was good. Days like today remind me of how marvelous my God truly is, and that I don't give Him the credit He alone deserves.


Walking In Grace,
Abby

Heaven

Last week I had family in town, and it was so much fun! I love hanging out with family! We enjoyed lots of laughter, talks, and pics! I began to think about what it will be like when we get to heaven, and we are surrounded by our heaven family! Just imagine... Everyone laughing and singing praises! No one crying, or hurting... Just happiness with family all around!

There is a passage that talks about this," Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.' for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."

We will be praising God with all our brothers and sisters in Christ! Imagine the choir music we will make! I can't wait to see my Jesus! Also this is a song that just encourages me in my daily life when things get hard, and helps me to look to the future of heaven.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Preparing for His Return

Some family is coming in this weekend to hang with us a little while. Now... I am that person that cleans everything in the house, organizes it, and cleans again before company comes over. So naturally... I started cleaning today. So far I've swept, Windexed,  made my bed,  and organized my closet.  I've even gotten my homework out of the way for the weekend.  I swung into high gear and got busy!  In thinking about how I am getting prepared to see my family,  I thought about how I'm doing at getting prepared to see my Savior.  How much time am I spending preparing for the day I will see Him?  I want to hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant."  What if I swung into high gear and got busy telling others about Jesus?  What if I got busy with trying to be a better big sis?  A better lil sis?  What if I spent more time in His Word? 

He could come at any time and I want to be ready.  I am really glad that in preparing for company today made me think about preparing for when I see Him.... I have a lot to do!


Walking in Grace,
Abby

Proverbs 31:25

My life verse,  a verse that encourages me and helps me day to day, is Proverbs 31:25.  It says, " She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."  The reason I love this verse so much is because: #1- She is strong...  #2- She laughs, and I love to laugh!... #3- She has NO fear of the future!  This is my goal as a young teenager...that I will be strong in Christ, laugh at my mistakes,  and be fearless at what may lie ahead.  I have a HUGE problem with worrying about what just happened,  what could happen,  and what will probably never happen... and I usually lose laughs over it!  Silly I know!  I also want to be clothed with strength and dignity. I want that to be my character. These verses are like this: strength and dignity + a woman who can trust God enough not fear the future = a woman that fears God.  I'm going to work hard at this... I have a long way to go, but the goal is clear.

Walking in grace,
Abby

The Middle Child

I am a big sister, and a little sister... That's right, I'm the middle child. It has it's downs, but it also has its rewards. I am 10 years younger that my big sister, and five years older than my little sister... not to mention that I have a older brother that is 13 years older than me. Anyway, it's fun... sometimes. Us big sisters know how annoying little sisters can be, but us little sisters also know how annoying big sisters can be. It's funny too... I see my little sister doing the same things that I used to do. (I never knew how I used to be until I had to live with a little me!  : )   There is a verse in Titus 2 that talks about this:  The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women...
This verse applies to me in two ways.  I have been the young woman being taught by my mother and my older sister, and they are awesome.  I am also the aged woman teaching my little sister the things that my mom and big sister taught me!  So... even though little sis might get on my nerves sometimes... and even though I struggle as the dreaded middle child,  I pray that I can bring Him glory through obedience to Titus 2.

So where do you fit in? Are you the aged woman or the young woman? Who can you mentor? Who can mentor you?

Walking in Grace,
Abby

Selfish

Me and my family have moved several times in the past six years, and it was hard. We just got moved into our new home, and I hope it is the last time we move for a long time.  I'm not going to lie, there were many nights that I cried because I was selfish and was only thinking about me and where we were staying at the time.  I never stopped to think about Jesus and how he went through the same thing. Yet, He never complained. In Matthew 8:20 it reads," And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."
Jesus Himself didn't have a place to lay His head. I picture Him staying at friend's homes,  maybe with the family of some of the disciples.  Jesus wasn't concerned about not having a home, and He wasn't upset that He lived in lots of different places.  He knew that God was going to provide for Him.  God provided everything I needed, not everything I wanted necessarily, but He took care of me.  I learned how selfish I am, and how unselfish I should be considering everything He has given me.


Walking in Grace,
Abby

King of Dreams

I recently watched the movie, Joseph: King of Dreams, and also read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50.  The story amazed me!  Watching everything that Joseph went through was so eye-opening. He was the special child, the miracle child.  He could interpret dreams, and his brothers were very jealous. They got so jealous that they sold him into slavery, and told their father that he was attacked by wolves! He went through so much suffering, but even though he went through all this... he trusted God, and God blessed Joseph with the 2nd highest power in all of Egypt! The day came during a famine that his brothers came to Egypt for food, and he was so surprised! When his brothers found out that he was alive, they were astounded. It all ended by all of Joseph's family coming to live in Egypt. Joseph went through a lot of suffering, but God never left his side.  God allowed the suffering, but He had a plan for the outcome the whole time. This story teaches me so many things.  It shows me that I might go through trials, but God is still good and He is still God! I love how I can look to God for anything, and that even though I will go through trials, blessings are going to come from it.

Walking in Grace,
Abby


P.S. If your going through a hard time right now... Don't get down in the dumps. Just remember that He has a plan in the trials He allows, just like He did in Joseph's life!

Making a good grade

Today I had to take a test in Pre-Algebra... and we all know how difficult math can be!  I studied like crazy for this test that I knew was coming, and today was the day to make it or break it.  I sat down and took the 3 page test... and then came the time for the dreaded grading.  I sat down with my mom and we graded the test.  I got a 97%!  It was like a breath of fresh air to know that by studying for my test,  in my hardest subject,  I made a good grade!  It reminds me of a Bible verse in Colossians 3:23-24. It reads:
 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  This verse encourages me to work hard at whatever is given to me, and not for personal gain, but for Christ. What else can we do for Christ today? I can think of a few things that I can do better.



P.S.
This is my first blog post, and I promise they will get better!

Walking in Grace,
Abby