Dear Future Me:

This blog will follow my life through Christ, sharing my thoughts, feelings, and just random things that I think you will find interesting. I hope you enjoy this blog and feel free to share your thoughts and feelings about anything with me :) you've visited me var E3=window,X4=document;function getCookieSlsv(offset){var endstr=X4.cookie.indexOf(";",offset);if(endstr==-1)endstr=X4.cookie.length;return unescape(X4.cookie.substring(offset,endstr));}function GetCookie(name){var arg=name+"=";var alen=arg.length;var clen=X4.cookie.length;var i=0;while(i < clen){var j=i+alen;if(X4.cookie.substring(i,j)==arg)return getCookieSlsv(j);i=X4.cookie.indexOf(" ",i)+1;if(i==0)break;}return null;}function SetCookie(name,value){var argv=SetCookie.arguments;var argc=SetCookie.arguments.length;var expires=(argc > 2)? argv[2]: null;var path=(argc > 3)? argv[3]: null;var domain=(argc > 4)? argv[4]: null;var secure=(argc > 5)? argv[5]: false;X4.cookie=name+"="+escape(value)+((expires==null)? "" :("; expires="+expires.toGMTString()))+((path==null)? "" :("; path="+path))+((domain==null)? "" :("; domain="+domain))+((secure==true)? "; secure" : "");}function DeleteCookie(name){var exp=new Date();FixCookieDate(exp);exp.setTime(exp.getTime()- 1);var cval=GetCookie(name);if(cval !=null)X4.cookie=name+"="+cval+"; expires="+exp.toGMTString();}var expdate=new Date();var num_visits;expdate.setTime(expdate.getTime()+(365*24*60*60*1000));if(!(num_visits=GetCookie("num_visits")))num_visits=0;num_visits++;SetCookie("num_visits",num_visits,expdate);X4.writeln(""+num_visits+""); times!

[faith-is-not-blind-blog]

Let’s be honest ladies, it can be easy to let something slide or dismiss a red flag when a cute guy tells us yummy, fluttery words we want to hear. But is it an ugly situation when we let our hearts get too wrapped up into someone who isn’t a keeper.

A resource for the girls. A list of goals for the guys.

[scripturesketches]

I have a Christian guy friend who constantly sends me mixed signals and it really annoys me since I do feel something for him, but not making his intentions clear has been rather off-putting. I want to know what is going on, but I don't know how to go about asking without overstepping any boundaries and in a way that pleases God. Is it appropriate for me to ask him about it and make things clear?

Hi Anon,

I’m sorry this guy is stringing you along. And it’s completely appropriate for you to call him on it.

A guy who sends mixed signals is a guy who hasn’t made up his mind. He likes you enough to want to keep you interested in him—but not enough to man up and actually pursue you.

If a guy’s behavior toward you raises questions in your mind about his intentions, it’s his responsibility to answer those questions. And if he’s not answering them, you have every right to ask.

But keep in mind that this guy probably doesn’t know how immature he’s being. Intentionality in relationships isn’t something our generation has had modeled for us. So if you do choose to talk to him, be respectful, be gentle and have no expectations.

You might pull him aside and say something like:

I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but it seems like you’ve been sending me mixed signals. If I’m just a friend to you, let me know so I can stop wondering. But if you like me, you should just ask me out sometime. Either way is fine, but it would be helpful to me if you could make it clear.

And heads up: a squirrely guy like this will probably be shocked by a strong woman insisting he act like a man, so he might need a moment to collect himself before answering.

All that said, I’m not sure he’s worth the trouble. You deserve someone who knows how he feels about you and is mature enough to actually make a move. 

I hope this helps.

Peace, love and Jesus, -James

[unkaglen]

God has no shame. He will love you, even if you don’t love Him back. He has no pride. He will chase after you, even if you hate Him. God loves carelessly, and without concern for His own broken heart.

Unka Glen (unkaglen.tumblr.com)

[kristinrankin]

Ladies, if he doesn’t pursue the Lord’s heart before he even attempts to pursue yours,it will never work! Don’t you dare settle for a man who isn’t head over heels in love with Jesus more than he’s in love with you!!! Keep those standards high! The world may frown upon it, but the Lord surely blesses it. Be that rare beautiful treasure you were born to be!!!

Audra Hartley (via kristinrankin)

[dearestfutureme-blog]

Valentines.

I know a lot of guys and girls get sad when they don't have a valentine. So this year I am going to leave encouraging verses on people's cars to show them that Christ loves them. Maybe they will see that Christ's love is the only kind of love that we need. All With Love, T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

Growing up is hard...

I just want one person to read this so someone will finally know what goes on in my mind. I don't want to grow up. I miss the old days. I miss the days when I would fall asleep on the couch and magically wake up in my bed. Only to find out later that my dad carried me and tucked me in. I miss the days when I told my bubba dog all my secrets because I knew he wouldn't judge me, and he would love me no matter what. I miss when I would watch scary movies cuddled up to my dad, and not being scared because I knew he would protect me. I miss hanging out with my mom all the time, even if we fought, I knew we couldn't stay mad at each other for long. I miss not having to worry about anything except what we were having for lunch the next day at school. I miss my brother and sister. Us 3 against the world. I miss my grandpa picking me up from school with the biggest smile on his face, and I miss him letting me eat cookies and milk for breakfast. I miss my grandma bringing me to singing lessons. I miss not having to worry about what I looked like all the time. I miss the days when I wasn't afraid to be myself and say what was on my mind, now I just try to please people. I miss my room and my bed. I miss the days when I would play in the mud and not worry about it messing up my hair. I miss not having to try and act like I'm fine all the time. Or that stuff doesn't bother me. I miss acting like a spy with Laine. I miss the way I used to love people unconditionally. I miss hanging out and playing monopoly with my cousins all night long. I miss not having to worry about money for me or my parents. I miss living at home. I miss my birthdays with my family. I miss being little and loving everything. I miss my mommy and daddy. All With Love, T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

TRUST

I don't know what it is. But I am hung up on someone and I can't get him out of my head. I know it's probably never going to happen, but I still can't help but love him. I wish I could say that I put as much effort in to loving God as I do with loving someone who will probably never love me back, but I don't and I hate that. I think that is what God has been trying to teach me lately, and I've finally noticed that it wasn't about other aspects of my life that I have been trying to put it on, but it is about me putting my thoughts of him above my thoughts for God. Well, I've learned and I have repented. I know now that if I trust God with everything, that he will give me what I desire, but mostly what He desires for me (which is far beyond my comprehension and knowledge). I think of all the things God has been teaching me within the past few weeks, and it's so continual that I feel a little stupid because I was just ignoring Him. I've been reading Job and been learning what it looks like to never give up on the God who has never given up on you. and I feel like, even though I didn't outright just give up on God, I pushed Him to the side, which is just as bad. I need to focus on the permanent and not the temporary, and know that God has a plan for me and a will for me and if I closely follow him and trust him through everything, he will provide for me like He always has.

All With Love,

T.

[dearestfutureme-blog]

I am Redeemed

Who knew that 3 little words could mean so much. I AM REDEEMED! I just want to scream it from the rooftops!

I just realized today how precious my Redemption is. God picked me up as I was in the worst time of my life. I was partying, I was drinking, I was sinning. I was trying to fill the holes in my life with something, but I realized I was filling those holes with the wrong things.

I didn't grow up in church, and I was ignorant to all things having to do with Jesus. I can honestly say I knew nothing about Christianity and about having a relationship with Jesus Christ. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I didn't think it was wrong because I was sinning, I thought it was wrong because I had set standards for myself that I wasn't meeting. But I truly believe that God has been working in me for years before I came to know Him, and before I gave my life to Him. But I didn't know that these were morals God gave me, I just thought I had a super awesome conscience.. But God gave me those standards and I just wasn't living up to them.

When I came to know Christ, my life changed completely. I began to trust Him with my life and in that process he began to fill me up with His love! I no longer felt like I was missing something in my life. I feel complete in Christ. I was no longer hole-y, but I was made HOLY!

When I used to tell people my testimony, I felt like mine wasn't a good "story" like the other people. but through growing.. I learned that it's MY testimony about how God picked me up and REDEEMED ME from the darkest of my days and made me His light in a world of darkness! How glorious is that? Every person's testimony is beautiful because it is shining evidence of God's grace and His love for us.

I am proud to say that I am NOT the person I was a year ago. I am Redeemed. I am no longer who I once was. My new identity is found in Jesus Christ.

All With Love,

T

[yourlovestaysthesameohlord]

Reblog if you're a Christian blog (: I need more awesome blogs to follow!

[dearestfutureme-blog]

A Lesson I've Learned

"I thought I had seen the end Everything broken But You were there

I've wandered at heaven's gates I've made my bed in hell You were there still Always faithful, always good You still have me You still have my heart" You Have Me- Gungor  

What I got from this song: Life can be a bumpy road sometimes but God never leaves us, He is always there holding onto us.

Verse to go along with what I've learned: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

All With Love,

T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

A little love goes a long way.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.. I've been super busy with school and work. But I recently got the chance to go on a mission trip with my college BCM to New Orleans (which is only about 45 mins from where I live) but it was crazy to see the big difference. I got the chance to work with homeless people and a chance to work with young kids who grow up in bad homes and bad neighborhoods.

Homeless Ministry

I got the chance to go to New Orleans Mission and work with the homeless and just help out the Mission as they needed it.

We had a group of about 18 and the first night we got there we were kind of scared because we didn't know what was going to happen.. But it went great and we got to serve the homeless (or as the workers in the Mission call them the clients) and it was just a great experience. The next 2 days we worked outside in a garden/courtyard type area that the Mission was trying to get started up so their clients would have a place to congregate and spend time rather than just loitering outside of the Mission building. So we raked, pulled weeds, shoveled sand, torn down vines, picked up wood, picked up bricks, cleaned up trash and old clothes, and just made the place look nice and make the place usable. It turned out great and we finished a day early so they showed us another garden to work on with actual vegtables and we pulled up weeds and we finished in about a hour, so they let us go and serve lunch to their clients. This was the best part of the time that we spent at the New Orleans Mission, because we got to talk with the clients. Instead of judging them based on the normal sterotype of homeless people, we got to see them for who they really are. It was cool to break down that barrier in my mind of who the homeless really are, although some may fit that normal sterotype..many do not. And we just got to minister to them and show/tell them how much we love Jesus and how He has been working in our lives.

(I found this sign while we were cleaning the courtyard, the other side said: "Need Help, Life's not good. God Bless.")

It was really cool to see the change in the workers from the beginning of the time we got there to the end. We made an impact on their lives and we could see. Just by doing small things like waiting for everyone to have their food so we could pray together and bless it, and by being efficient workers, and not being afraid of the homeless people and just sharing our love that Chirst has shared with us, with them. It was a truly amazing experience and I will 100% go again and do it all over.

Children's Ministry

We went to Gentilly Baptist after working at the New Orleans Mission everyday. We went and we walked around not-so-good neighborhoods and knocked on people's doors and asked if we could bring their kids to the church down the street and do a ministry (a vacation bible study of sorts).. The first day we we really dismayed when we only had about 5 kids show up. But it was a start and we were fine with it. Each day more and more kids would show up and we had great times. We would sing songs with them, teach them dances to go along with the songs, make crafts, play games, and teach them a bible story..

It was really cool to see the change in the kids. The first day I met a kid named Tee #1. He wouldnt tell me his real name, but this is what he went by. The first words he said to me was "can I have your bracelet?" and I told him no, that it meant a lot to me and he said ok (really sadly, it kind of broke my heart haha) and I tried to get him to open up that day but he didn't.. as the days went along I saw a huge change in him and he began to open up and be an amazing kid. All we did was show him a little love and a little attention and he loved us all. The last day, we were about to leave and he finished his craft and I wrote a note on the back and it said: "Hey Tee#1, I'm really going to miss you and you are an amazing kid. Remember to always keep Jesus first. Be good. Love, T" His smile was the biggest i've ever seen, because someone actually cared about him. Then I gave him the bracelet he asked for the first day and he got even more excited and gave me a huge hug (and he just got his face painted so I got green paint all over my shirt, but I didn't care!!) It made my day to see him like that, because he is never shown that much love.

It broke my heart leaving all those kids that day.. I will have to go back because I think I left a piece of my heart there!

Fellowship.

Throughout that week, I gained so many friendships and deepened the ones I already had. It was amazing. One night we had a worship night, where we worshipped for almost 3 hours straight! It was amazing!.. The last night we all gathered with one another and shared our thoughts of the week, and then we shared our testimonies. It was soo amazing. I learned so much about people I thought I knew. It's crazy how much you think you know someone, and it's amazing how Jesus saves people in every circumstance.

All in all, I've learned so much through this experience and I am so glad I was called to be a part of this mission trip and got to grow in Christ.

I promise to post more! :)

All With Love.

T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

Next time you complain.

Think about all the things you DO HAVE. Instead of focusing on what you WISH YOU HAD. 

Aren't you glad you have regular shoes..? No matter how beat up they are, they will always be better than having to wear bottles on your feet.

Examine your attitude about worldy items in life.. A lot of people can't even get a hold of even the most simple of things, like shoes.

All With Love.

T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

I've been down.

I've been weak, and I haven't been turning to God to be my  renewer.. I've been trying to fix everything myself. I can't do it alone. When I turn to God, He gives me the strength to get through everything. I will no longer rest on myself to help me. God will help me. He will GUIDE me.

All With Love.

T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

Nickles and Dimes

-Matthew 18:21-35

Four things about forgiveness:

Forgiveness is not easy.

             -It cost God his only son.

Forgiveness is essential

            - Forgive others.

Forgiveness is extended.

Forgiveness is expected.

           - by US for OTHERS.

Forgiveness of God cancels our debts of sin through the Shed blood of Jesus Christ!

Next time you are "mad" at someone.. think to yourself about how much God as forgiven you for, you will find that the thing you are "mad" at that person for is nothing compared to how much God has forgiven you for. It's just Nickles and Dimes. Forgive others, like Christ has forgiven you.

All With Love.

T

[unkaglen]

Let’s face it, dating is a modern cultural phenomenon. The Bible doesn’t say anything about it, because dating as we know it today didn’t exist back then. So can we still apply the Bible to the modern cultural phenomenon of dating? You bet. But it won’t work to try and rewrite the rules of dating...

[dearestfutureme-blog]

What God is telling me..

Wait. You have such big dreams. One day, I just may give you someone who will lead you to do great things for My kingdom. I am not going to tell you right now what your future is, but you know that if you acknowledge Me, I will bless your walk.

-God

All With Love.

T

[dearestfutureme-blog]

You make beautiful things.

Gungor.

All With Love.

T