just my thoughts on life lately

You know, sometime times I really question what my purpose is. Like, does my life really have meaning? Can I really make a difference in the world? Can I even make a difference in my small community? Is who I am good enough? Why am I here? 
I know I can't be the only one who thinks stuff like that. There's no way I'm the only one who wonders if I even matter at all. More than anything, I just want to know that my life has value, meaning, and purpose. I want to know that I am wanted. 
Sometimes I have a hard time letting myself be me. I feel like if I am 100% me that people won't want me around or whatever. I've struggled so much with just wanting to belong that honestly, I really don't even know who I am. I've gotten good at acting like I've got my act together, but when you really get down to it, I am just as lost and confused and the next person. I have no freaking clue who I am. But, you know what? I don't have to. Psalm 139 says "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." So when I wonder if I am good enough, I should remind myself that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Yeah, easier said than done though. So often I lose sight of who I am in Christ and I try to take my life into my own hands.    That's when things get rocky and painful. Who am I to demand control of my life. Me wanting control is in a sense telling God "I don't trust you with this so I'm gonna do it myself." We all know how well that works..... 
I guess what I am trying to get at is that we all struggle. We all fall. We all do stupid stuff. We all try to run our own lives. But you know, life will never be completely joyful and whole until we surrender control completely. I know I am far from being there yet. But I'll make a deal with you. Let's do this together. Let's surrender together. The word says "Where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there." Jesus wants us to come alongside each other and encourage each other as His body. We are His church. So let's surrender ourselves to Him for His purpose. That's what we're here for anyway. The creator made us to reflect his glory back to him. Anything less than that is failing our purpose. 
So what do you say? You ready for a change? You ready for freedom. You ready for joy? 
I know I am.
It won't be easy. Doing the right thing usually is the hardest thing to do. (isn't that in a coldplay song?) But I am so so very sure that it will be worth it.
So let's go on a journey. I know in my own life, I am far beyond ready for a change.

I love you all.

Jesus loves you more.

Kate

P.S. if any of you ever need prayer, encouragement, a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, etc, I'm always here.

Also, listen to this song.
http://youtu.be/suIeoR2Wils

Thankful

Well, it's that time of year again.    The time for family, food, fun...... fighting, anger, frustrations....

I don't know about you guys, but I have a love/hate relationship with holidays. I love my family, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I just think it might be nice to spend a holiday alone, or with someone who isn't in my immediate family, you know? Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. I don't know. All I know is that as much as I love my family, sometimes we bug each other. Sometimes we butt heads. And sometimes I just wanna get in my car and drive away.

But you know what? Even in the frustration, I am constantly reminded that I am so so blessed to have them. Yeah, my family can be a little nuts, but whose isn't? Life is no fun without a little crazy. 

So instead of focusing on the frustrations, I want to take a little time to list some people that I am thankful for.

Mom - thanks for always telling me that you love me, for never giving up on me.... even when I was going through my stupid years. I love you

Daddy - Thank you for always pushing me to go for my dreams and always telling me that I can be anyone and anything I want to be. You are the reason I have always pushed myself to be the best I can be... specifically in music. You're the best dad ever. 

Casey - I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll just start by saying that I loaf you. ;) You are the best big sister that I could have ever asked for. Even when we want to beat the snot out of each other, I know you'll always love me and I'll always love you. You're my opposite but you're my best friend.

Adam - You've basically been my big brother for forever. You're an awesome brother-in-law, a great example of how a man should treat his wife, and a genuinely fantastic guy. I couldn't ask for a better brother. You're perfect for my sister and I am so glad that God put you two together.

Bree - You've been my best friend through so much. You've put up with my stubbornnes and been just as stubborn right back to me. You've been my shoulder to cry on, my listening ear, and the one person in my life that I can be 100% myself with. There's no one in the world like you. You're my soul sister. I can't even begin to describe how much I love you.

Angela - God definitely knew what He was up to when He planned for us to meet. You're the little sister I never had. You're one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted people I know. I still don't understand how we're friends. haha. But I am so grateful we are. I love you so much and I am so glad that you are pretty much a part of my family. 

Kris and Sarah - You guys seriously have no idea the impact you have made on my life. I wouldn't be who I am today without the wisdom I have gained from you both. You always told me the truth, even when it was hard to hear and even when I didn't want to hear it. I love you both.

Bethany, Kim, Emily, Brooke, Meredith, and Karissa - Y'all we're seriously the best leadership I could have ever hoped for, for my first year at Liberty. You are all so gracious and loving and wonderful. I am so blessed beyond belief to know you.

Jessica - We have become friends so quickly that it feels like I have known you for years... even though it's only been a couple months. I am so thankful that I started going to GospelCC and our community group. Meeting you is one of the best things that has happened this fall. Love you so much, girl. I'm looking forward to growing, learning, and serving with you. 




I would encourage all of you to really think about the people you are thankful for and tell them. You never know how much just a simple "I am thankful you are in my life" can mean. 
I love you all
Jesus loves you more. 
-Kate             

Sometimes I just need to vent.

Hey guys.

So let me just say that today was, for the most part, a disaster. I went to bed Monday night thinking it was Tuesday, so I set my alarm for the wrong time. So, I started the day off rushing, which is never fun. Then I went to classes, which were thankfully pretty normal. After class I was gonna go grab some lunch. It was a Drenchburg kind of day so I was hoping to get to my car quickly. Some car drove through a puddle and threw water ALL OVER ME. Then while, continuing to my car, I slipped and fell in a puddle. Now I have a lovely bruise on my hip.
Thanks Pavement....
So I ended up having to go home, which was not my intention.
Freshman choir was no fun today... I think it was mainly just because I was having a bad day.
Thankfully, after classes were over, my day got better. I did two haircuts, put another cut on my schedule for tomorrow, talked to my mom and my sister, and got to sit down and snuggle with my kitten for a bit. At least until she decided to go into attack cat mode. Also, I got an email from my new voice teacher. (YAY!)
Anyway, tomorrow is a new day... and actually, Wednesday is one of my favorite days of the week. I love my community group on Wednesday evenings. :) Also, I should be getting some stuff in the mail to make wreaths for my house. I'm ready to get my craft on.

Alrighty, I'm done now.
Love you all.
-Kate

Find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD; He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes and see how the wicked are punished. 

If you make the LORD your refuge, if you will make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your home. For He will protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The LORD says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.'" Psalm 91

 Have you ever just stopped and thought about how faithful God is? For most of us, the answer to that question is yes. Have you ever thought about His faithfulness when you're in the middle of a situation where you have absolutely no idea what to do or how things will turn out? Yeahhhh that's a little tougher.... 

I'm gonna be honest. This semester is proving to be really hard for me. I'm not talking about my classes, though those are challenging. I'm just talking about life in general. I realllllly just want to be back in North Carolina with my family more than anything right now. I know that God wants me where I am though. I'm not sure what I am supposed to be doing besides school but I know He has a plan. Jeremiah 29:11 tells me that clearly. It's just frustrating not knowing what to do. I feel like I lack purpose. And for anyone who knows me, you know that I need to feel like I have a purpose for being here. I need to be needed.

Another hard aspect is that I am So. Lonely. All the time. I miss my family. I miss my friends from my hall from last year. Even though most of us are still here, it's not the same being off campus. I feel a lack of connection. Living on a hall, you can kind of take it for granted that you have people around all the time. Living off campus shows you really quickly just how lonely life can be. I mean, I have 4 roommates and a cat, but my roommates and I all have really different schedules and I don't want to be a cat lady so.... yeah... it get's lonely. But you know what? Within my loneliness, I am learning. I'm learning to know God and trust that He is sufficient for anything I could ever need in life. He is drawing me closer to Him in ways that I couldn't have ever imagined. I am learning every day just how awesome the God of the universe is.

I can't even begin to explain how thankful I am that God got a hold of my life and my heart. I honestly have no doubts that I wouldn't be here if He hadn't woken me up. I was at a point where I was so desperate to feel something that if I didn't get to a point where I felt alive that I was ready to end it all. It's true when people say that Jesus radically changes lives. The change I have seen in my life is proof enough for me. So while I may not really be content right now, I know this unrest is here for a reason. Maybe He is getting me ready to move forward to something that I never imagined. Or maybe He is wanting to show me something I need to let go of so He isn't letting me settle until it's gone. All I know is that I have to continue to pray and seek His will.

So I guess this post is mainly to ask you all to pray for me. Pray that I stay on the path He has in store for me and that I won't stray off on my own. 
Maybe you're dealing with something similar. Maybe He pushed me to post this to be an encouragement that you are not alone. 
As always, if any of you ever need me to pray for you, or if you just need a friend, know that I am always here.

I love you all.

Jesus loves you more.

Kati

Just as a warning.

Uplands Reach. More commonly known as URCC.... Some of the kids from my church are there this week for Junior Camp. I guess some people have good memories of that place... I don't. All I remember is the favoritism shown toward some kids and the sense of not being good enough poured over others. I was, unfortunately, one of the ones who never felt good enough to be there. The last time I was there, I could count on one hand the number of people who actually even spoke to me... and that's including the so called "leaders" of that place.
The favoritism, as much of a problem as it is, is not my biggest beef with the place. I am a firm believer that God calls people to His salvation. You can't be scared into it through the hellfire and brimstone preaching. I'm sorry but that just doesn't work. I know that from my own experience. I thought I was "saved" when I was 14 at Teen Camp, but I was wrong. Very wrong. I know that the Word must be taught, but please, find a way to not make it terrifying. Preaching the stuff that "If you don't get saved tonight, you might die and spend eternity in the flames of hell." don't you think that's enough to make all those kids up there get "saved"? From my own life, I can tell you that that kind of "salvation" isn't real. At least it wasn't for me. The "camp high" lasted for like a week but there was no real change. For me, real salvation came when I was 19. Ironically, when a guest group from Uplands Reach was at my church. While I like the people as people, I have zero respect for the camp itself. It screwed up my understanding of what a relationship with Jesus really is.

So for those of you who go to/support/work at the camp, be wary. Pay attention. But ultimately that's your decision. I'm just stating my experience and opinions.

This is not meant to offend. Just meant to warn.

Sometimes life is hard

I've been thinking today about how very blessed I am. 

It's been a really hard day, not gonna lie. But beyond the hard stuff, I have such a blessed life. I have parents who love me. My sister and her husband are my best friends. Outside of my family, I have  most amazing friends I could ask for. The ones who are deeply involved in my life all share the same values and same core beliefs. We encourage each other and always push each other to dig deeper into our faith. 
Yes, I have been cut off by someone who I love very much. It hurts... a lot. But God knows what He's doing. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His grace is sufficient for me. So even though I am hurting and I have honestly cried a lot today, ultimately, God has a plan. I just have to have the faith to trust Him. I hate asking for help, but I could really use some friends in my life right now. I just need my loved ones to rally around me and encourage me when I am doing the right thing and hold me accountable when I stumble. So please, if you are one of my dear ones, just let me know that you're here.

I love you all.

Those who dwell in the shadow of the Almighty find rest in the shelter of the Most High. -Psalm 91:1

loved ones lost

By the title of this you'd probably think someone died.....

I honestly feel like a part of me has.

The person I have been best friends with for 3 or 4 years won't talk to me anymore.
I had a feeling this would happen. I knew it would hurt but I couldn't imagine this kind of intense pain.

I knew when I started taking my faith seriously that I would lose friends. It's a cost I was, and still am willing to pay. It's worth it. But that doesn't make it hurt any less. I have been crying for a while now and I don't see these tears stopping any time soon.

When you invest your time and life in someone and you trust them and they trust you with things that a lot of other people don't know, only to have that person abandon you because of differences in beliefs. It hurts. Realllllly bad.

I don't know if this friendship is over for just a while or forever. But I can promise that it's a friendship that I will never forget. I love all of my friends equally. No matter what lifestyle they live, what political party they follow, or what they do or don't believe. I was not placed in this world to judge. I'm here to love.

To my friend:  You know who you are. I don't know if you will ever read this or if you even care what I have to say anymore. But if there's one thing I want you to know, it's that I love you and I will never stop loving you and praying for you.

²  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.   -James 1:2-6



But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

 

Settle My Soul

Oh, this aching in my soul. This burning desire for companionship. God, why have you kept me single? Why are You waiting to send that one for whom my heart desires my way? I see my friends who are my age in happy, serious relationships, some getting engaged, and some getting married. What about me? Do You have someone out there for me?
  God, I would settle for just a close friend. Someone with whom I could pour my heart out too. You know my heart and You know my trust issues. God, You know that sometimes I even have a hard time trusting You, even though I know that You are the only One who will never abandon me.
  Abba, I am so lonely. You have seen the tears that I cry. You have heard my desperate thoughts. You have felt my pain when I see my friends and then am reminded that I am alone. God, please make me content. I say that I am okay with my life but You know that I yearn for so much more. Settle my soul, Jesus. Be my Jehovah Shalom. I need peace so much right now. God, I just want to be where You want me  to be. Please, just be my comfort. Be my rest. Be my friend.
-Your daughter

To the one for whom my soul desires,

   If you exist, know that I love you. More than anything, I want to be by your side to be your one and only. I want to be your other half. I want to be your bride. If you're out there, I am dreaming of the day I meet you. If you are feeling the loneliness that I feel, I pray that God will comfort you as well. He will bring us together when the time is right.

-Your future bride

Let me set this straight.

Just so you know that I am not ignorant.


Amendment One states " Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This Section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts."

The definition of marriage in federal law is the "[l]egal union of one man and one woman as husband and wife." Blacks Law Dictionary 876 (5th edition 1979). The word "domestic" was added to the words "legal union" to clarify that other legal arrangements, such as business partnerships, would not be affected.

Legally recognizing only heterosexual marriage isn't discrimination against homosexuals wanting to marry. Marriage between a man and a woman has existed in virtually every known society. It has served the purpose of channeling procreative sexual activity into an institution that will provide a stable environment for children produced from the sexual union of the partners in marriage. Same sex marriage is an entirely different relationship with an entirely different purpose. Expanding the marital institution to other relationships which serve completely different purposes ultimately undermines the institution which has proven to be the best and safest environment for children.

The amendment will not nullify medical powers of attorney, wills, and trusts if the parties are homosexual partners.
Under G.S. 32A-18 "any competent person who is not engaged in providing health care to the principal for renumeration, and who is 18 years of age or older, may act as a health care agent."  The relationship between the patient and the designated agent does not matter. The amendment explicitly states that it will not affect the rights of parties to enter into private contractual agreements.

The marriage amendment will not determine the custody and visitation rights of unmarried parents unless their behavior affects the child. Custody orders are based on the "parent"/child relationship, not on the domestic relationship between the "parents". Courts have based custody and visitation on the "best interest of the child". NCGS 50-13.2(2007) The sexual behavior of the party petitioning for custody or visitation is not determinative except as it affects the child. The "de facto parenting doctrine" was applied in 2010 in Boseman v. Jarrell. The Supreme Court refused to allow adoption to an unmarried same sex partner but did award joint custody and visitation rights to that non-biological same sex partner who had become a de facto parent to the child.

The marriage amendment will not affect domestic violence laws. Opponents would have you thing that the amendment obliterates our domestic violence law. The cases they use as authority are Ohio appellate cases later overturned by the Ohio Supreme Court which found the domestic violence statuses consistent with the state's marriage amendment. In Kansas the outcome was the same. Marriage amendments have had no effect on the enforcement of domestic violence statutes. 30 other states have marriage amendments. In all 30 states domestic violence laws continue to be enforced. I have read and reread the North Carolina domestic violence statutes. I am unable to even comprehend the logic of this objection.


The truth is, there is a real threat to the institution of marriage.
In several states same sex marriage has been imposed upon the people by courts that have engaged in tortured judicial reasoning - Massachusetts and Iowa for example. These courts have used the state constitutions to reverse the very pro marriage policies that were in effect when the state constitution was adopted.

Now it has come to North Carolina. Same sex couples in Asheville went to the courthouse for two weeks last fall seeking to obtain marriage licenses. A lawsuit was filed by the Register of Deeds of Guilford County in December challenging our state's marriage laws and asking the court to declare them unconstitutional because they don't allow same sex partners to "marry".

This marriage amendment will ensure that marriage between one man and one woman will be protected from result-oriented judges.

Grace. Love. Mercy. Kindness.

Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you, what reward will you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Luke 6:27-36  "But I say to you who hear. Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from the one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your good do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons and daughters of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

Romans 12:9-21  "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in showing zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Jesus, help me to show love to those who are unloving to me. Help, me show mercy and kindness when I receive none. Give me patience. Overwhelm me with Your love so that it overflows to those around me. I can't do this apart from you Abba. 

battles

This past week and into this week I have been seriously struggling with being lonely and feeling completely worthless and unwanted. This semester is just proving to be overwhelming for me. I went home for the weekend because 1) I didn't feel well and 2)I needed some time with my momma. Honestly, it was a battle to make myself come back to school. Most of the time I feel entirely isolated. I keep thinking that maybe God is trying to teach me to cling to Him right now, but the more I try to dig deeper into His word, the more difficult things become. The more isolated I feel. And the more I just want to quit.
  Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I do NOT quit things easily. So for me to be wanting to just throw my hands up and call it quits is a big deal. That doesn't really happen. Sure, I get frustrated, but I always push through it. This seems different. I am alone, three hours from home, struggling with feeling rejected (especially today) and basically I am just miserable.
  I just don't know how to get out of this rut. I also don't know how I got in it in the first place. I just keep praying Jeremiah 29:11. God knows His plan for me. It's a plan to prosper me and not to cause me harm. A plan to get me a future to hope for. Now if I can just find the strength and courage to get through this.....

Made in His image.

I was sitting in my car at snowflex today. Just listening to worship music and thinking about life and God and the meaning of it all. (I can be a deep thinker) It occurred to me that the same God who created the beautiful mountains that I was seeing and the trees and animals that reside in them, created me and every other person in this world, in His image. He knew my name before time began. He knows who I've been, who I am, and who I will be in the future. And even though He knows everything about me, He still loves me. He loves me through my flaws. He loves me when I make mistakes. When I run from Him, He draws me back in through His love, kindness, and grace. He never leaves. His love never fails. He's always there to catch me when I fall. He reprimands me when it's needed but it's always through love and He always has my best interest in mind. There is absolutely nothing I could do to make Him stop loving me.

  So why do I seek fulfillment in other things that I know will leave me empty? Why do I ever doubt Him? It says clearly in His Word that He is faithful. "He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -John 1:9  But why? Why does He care about me when there are millions of other people in the world? So many other people who are far more important that I am. He loves us all equally though. He loves us with an unconditional love that is beyond any human capability to understand. All because we are made in His image. This is what sets us apart from everything else that He created. If He provides for the animals, How much more will He provide for us? How can I doubt that He will take care of me when He takes care of the creatures that we, as humans, have been made higher than? It comes down to trust. Complete and total trust. I will admit that this is something I struggle with. I have a hard time trusting people that I can touch and see and hear. How can I trust God when I can't do any of those things? When none of my senses show that He is real. But if I could see Him, then it wouldn't be faith. If I could see Him, then He would be just like any other person that I can see. It wouldn't take the trust that require complete abandonment to what seems logical. God defies logic. He defies all reason. But He IS logic and reason. He is the only one who makes sense. I would much rather believe in a God who made me than to believe that I just appeared from nowhere or that I evolved from a monkey. 

  Ultimately I believe in God because He has never failed. He never will. People will ALWAYS fall short. We always hurt each other. We always mess up. God never will. He is perfect. He can't be anything but perfect. And even though He is the perfect spotless God that should want nothing to do with us, He loves us. He sent His only son, Himself in the flesh, to die a horrendous death so that we can commune with Him. So even when I can't feel Him, I know He's there. When I think I am all alone in the world, He's there to hold my hand and hold me steady. When I doubt, He's always right there to remind me why I believe in Him in the first place and to show me that Yes, He is so very real. 

  The God of the universe loves me, cares for me, has a plan for me, and will never, ever leave my side.

But guess what? The same applies for you. It just takes faith and trust in giving your life to Him. Belief isn't enough. Even the demons believe in Him. But they can't have a relationship with Him. We can. It's not difficult. It's really simple actually. When I asked Jesus to rescue me, I just was completely honest with Him. I remember exactly what I prayed. Here's what I said; "Hey, Jesus. I'm sorry. I am so so sorry. I have lived a complete and total lie. I can't do this anymore. I don't want to do this anymore. I'm ready to give up on life. I don't want my life anymore. I want YOU to take it. You do what You want with it cause I'm just gonna keep messing it up. Take my life. It's Yours. Whatever You want me to do. I'm Yours."

That's what I said, but everyone is different. There are no special words to bring salvation. Jesus just wants you. Not bits and pieces, but all of you. Every little bit. It takes complete surrender. It seems risky and scary at first, but I can promise that a life without Christ is a life that is never complete. 

I love you. Jesus loves you more.

"So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest. I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves us. Oh, how He loves us. Oh, how He loves us. Oh, how He loves." -John Mark McMillan   http://youtu.be/U0luHiWwi08