Lets be honest.
Life isn't easy. In fact most of the time it's quite darn difficult!!!
Sin nature really sucks. Messin up over and over..and when I think about it,it's always so incredibly stupid. I find myself time and time again asking myself,"WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING!?". yupp.
Or sometimes I ask myself WHY does God allow me to make the same mistakes,over and over. AND OVER AND OVER!?!? Isn't He supposed to be a gracious,loving God!?! Where is He to guide me when I'm being stupid!? Why does He allow me to learn the hard way!? WHY!?!?!?! ...then *BAM*..hello,who are WE to ask HIM what He's doing!?!? He knows what He's doin. He's got the world in His hands,not Jo who is totally oblivious and clueless. obviously. Truth is,He ALLOWS us to go through things..He tests us to see just how far we go. If we never had hard times,none of us would have to excercise faith! It also makes us stronger,for even bigger battles.
Wow,if only we could see the big picture. God has a plan. He knows what He's doin in our lives and WE are the ones that go and screw things up. But He's ALSO a forgiving God who is always enthused to see us running back to Him:)
My whole point is just a reminder to myself..and I have a horrible way to trying to get my point across. I hope that all made sense. Ramblings,I know.
Just remember,stick to God and you CAN'T go wrong!!! :)

stacie orrico - strong enough. ( with lyrics.) x

"In my most desperate circumstance,is there I finally found..that You are strong enough,that you are pure enough, to break me,pour me out,and start again,that you are brave enough to take one chance on me...."

Grace and Guidance.

"From His fullness we all have received,grace upon grace." John1:16

A good friend shared this verse with me...and wow...it really has made a big impact on me. Guys,we've gotten GRACE UPON GRACE!!!! So many times I want to complain...whatever I'm going through "it's too much" ...and I blame Him. I blame Him for not loving me enough to help me through this. He DOES help you through. But He's not just gonna make it easy. He'll give you strength. He'll give you grace. Whatever you're going through is something He has aloud...

No matter how painful or how confusing it might be,it IS for your benefit. Even if we may never understand. Sometimes we will,sometimes we won't. That's where trust comes in. He loves you,and is with you every single step of the way. Don't push Him away,ask for His guidance!! And when He seems silent in Your life,take a step back. Maybe He's silent to teach you to trust that He's THERE. Just trust and obey. Or maybe He's using other people as tools through Him...to show you love and support. We will never FULLY understand God's plan and His wisdom...But just remember,He's got you in His hand. NOTHING,NOTHING!!!! can snatch you out of His care. He's right there. Waiting. Loving.

"...For I am convinced neither death or life,neither angels or demons,neither the present or the future,nor any powers. Neither height nor depth,nor anything else in His creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus,our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Holy crap is that powerful!!!!! "Neither PRESENT or FUTURE....nor ANYTHING else in HIS creation can separate us!!!" I have yet to fully grasp this concept. Fully KNOW His love,grace,peace.

Take it step by step...learn. Be teachable to His leading. Let Him guide. Let Him BE. He IS the great I AM.

It's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be painful sometimes. But in the end ONLY Him and HIM ALONE will bring you true peace and joy!!!! Nothing else in this world can come close. Lets stop filling our lives with all that crap that will last for a moment... Lets focus on what He wants in our lives..on what will really matter for eternity. Gosh it's overwhelming. Praise God for His patience. He is AMAZING.

Unending love,amazing grace.

ehh. What's up in my world.

So.......I'm deffinately not a blogger.
My goal was to post something at least once a month. Something I've learned,or something to encourage others. Well. So much for that.

Right now my life consists of school,babysitting,going to Solon basketball games,and doing random things with friends. It might not sound like much,but it's sure keeping me busy.
I honestly CANNOT wait for summer. I'm really really excited for what's ahead. And yet,quite terrified. Last summer was pretty much AMAZING....the best summer in my life. Yes,alot of awful stuff happened,and it wasn't all "fun and games"....but through that I learned alot.

I've learned alot this past school year too. It's been the most heartbreaking,life changing,two years in my life. I've met some amazing people who have truly changed my life forever. Honestly,I look back and wonder how the heck I made it this far without them. really. It's so awesome. God has truly blessed me with some amazing people in my life. Even people I've known for quite a while I've gotten so much closer to,and have really been encouraged and learned alot with them. There have been other people on one hand,who haven't been such a great "encouragement" in my life....but through them I've learned alot too. As much as is was "not a fun time" in my life or whatever,without that happening...ehh,who knows where I could be. To be perfectly honest,I know I'm still doing things,and am very good friends with people maybe shouldn't do things with,I am more careful now. Well.....yeah,at least right now.

I've also learned so much can change in such a short time. You can be having the best days of your life.....and *BAM*. You're crushed. Going through the hardest time in your life. So far. heh.
It's scary sometimes. I could totally write and write forever all the stuff that's happened,but that's all I'm gonna say right now.

just stay strong,stay open to God's leading and love.....and you'll be ok. Remember: He'll never test you beyond what you are able. :D

-random post by Jo