Be Not Afraid!

It doesn't take much to freak me out. I am scared of everything. Literally. Some small things that scare me are things like spiders, snakes, lizards, Mrs. Batchelor's essays, and that weird thing that some people do to their eye lids, like the bending back thing. haha. But a few big things that scare me, and probably alot of other seniors in my school, are choosing the right college, leaving home, losing friends when we go off to college, and the big turn our lives are going to take after we graduate this year. There are a billion things I could talk about when it comes to fear.

Do you think it's odd that there are so many things that we are afraid of, but God hasn't given us the spirit of fear? We weren't made to fear anything or anyone other than our Almighty God. The Devil tries to instill that fearful attitude in us so that we can't do what God wants us to. He plants lies in our heads that will take our focus off of the goal God has set for us to reach.

A very personal aspect of my life would be a great example of this...

I absolutely love to sing, play the piano, and talk. That is no secret. My problem is that I am AFRAID to sing, play or talk in front of a crowd... I can just see the shocked looked on yal's faces! But I let Satan tell that I'm going to fail and make a fool of myself in front of everyone. When that lie doesn't effect me, he tells me that I'm not as good as Luke, Chelsey, Chris, Missy or Randy. Which hurts, because I love them so much.

I let fear run and ruin my life. I sometimes wonder if I didn't let fear and Satan enter my life, if God would be able to use me more often and more effectively. If I fully devoted all my time to Him, and just dismissed any unnecessary fear, would I be used? it's quiet a thought to think about!

So my challenge to you and to myself is... BE NOT AFRAID! God said 365 times in the Bible to "fear not." If He said it THAT many times, I'm sure He means it!!!!

Verses: 1) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1st John 4:18

2) "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

Song: Be Not Afraid

Performed by: The Whisnants

Verse 1: Rocked by waves and howlin' winds

and the storm that threatened them,

the disciples sailed a boat on Galilee

They were tired and full of frieght

for they had fought the storm all night

Then the Master came a-walkin' on the sea!

Chorus: Be not afraid: for it is I! in the fourth watch of the night

You've fought and prayed, but I am here and it's alright!

The storm will rage the winds will blow,

but they are under my control!

It won't be long til morning breaks,

Be not afraid!

Verse 2: Hope seems gone the day is done,

and the night is pressing on

the doctors say that they have done all they can do!

around the clock, the family prays, but help's already on the way!

Without a doubt, another doctor's in the room!

chorus

Lessons from The Inspirations (Part 6)

I know when my family hears this, there will be a huge sigh of relief...

This is my last post for this "series" I might post some things every-now-and-then but not as much as I have been.

I am always amazed. Legit. I always stand in awe of the presence of God. Even when things aren't going exactly the way I wanted, God shows me that He is gonna turn my situation into something I could never have thought up for myself.

I know it sounds crazy, but I am thankful that through everything, God is still amazing. He comforts me when bad things happen. I have the PERFECT example for that...

So, I have (had...) this friend, who for the sake of the blog, will be called "Jane." She went to church with me, and we became friends there. Well, this was the summer before our Junior year in high school. She told me that she was going to move to Union and go to school at my high school (there's only one high school in all of Union county, she didn't have much to choose from haha). I told "Jane" that I would show her around and help introduce her to people, and I kept my promise. I thought that we were tight. We were with each other all the time, and then when summer came, we both had things we needed to do. We didn't get to talk as much as we used to. Which was a sad situation for me, because I loved her very much.

Come our senior year, I found out she had deleted me from facebook, I didn't think too much of it, so I tried to re-add her. She never accepted. I thought that was kinda odd. So when I hung out with my friend, Morgan, the next day, I asked her if "Jane" had told her if I had done anything to offend her. Morgan told me that "Jane" said that she had deleted me on facebook. When Morgan asked her why, the answer shocked Morgan. "Jane" said that now that she knows people at school, she doesn't need to be friends with me anymore. I was upset when I heard that...

I was upset because "Jane" wasn't only my friend, but she is a sister in Christ and was a member at the same church as me. I would've made a big deal about it, but this past summer, something happened.

This summer (2011), I had gotten more serious with God. I turned everything over to Him and I told Him that whatever was in His will for me, I would be happy with it. And I didn't mean it in a half-hearted way. You know the kind that you mean the prayer until something doesn't go the way you want it to "half-hearted way." I meant it with every fiber of my being.

Well, I had been praying and praying and studying and singing and learning more than I have in the past 17 years of my life about God and the circumstances He sends to us. Well, a few nights before I found out about my friend "Jane," God should me a verse. Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

That verse got me through that situation and will continue to get me through many more that will come. I know I couldn't have gotten through losing a friend alone. God was with me every step of the way. He will ALWAYS be with me.

God wasn't just there during the trial of a former friend, but he was there when my best friend died, and when my parents almost got a divorce, when we left the church we had attended for 15 years. He has been there through every trial I have ever faced and he will forever be my guide. He's not only my Savior, but he's my LORD, he has full reign of my life, cause I can't do it alone. That's way Psalm 34:1 is so precious to me! He deserves our praises at ALL times!

You may be going through a rough patch, so just remember, you can't do it alone! God wants to help you through whatever you are going through! He loves you!

Verse: "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

Song: I Can't Do It Alone

Verse 1: I've got a tall mountain that's blocking my way

the highest that I've ever known

I plan to climb over that mountain some day,

Lord I can't do it alone

Chorus: I can't do it alone, on my own, I can't do it alone

Take hold of my hand, Lord, and help me I pray

for I can't do it alone.

Verse 2: the cross that I carry is heavy to have

I've reaped of the sins I have sown 

I plead, dear Lord look at my bleeding back,

Oh I can't make it alone

Chorus

(sorry, I messed up the 2nd verse, i couldn't understand the youtube video and can't find the lyrics I literally couldn't do this alone...)

Lessons from The Inspirations (Part 5)

Okay, so you know those people who always try to bring you down, or they always find a way to make things about themselves? they really get on my nerves... Not saying that I am not one of them, I have my moments just like everyone else does.

The ones that really annoy the stew out of me are the ones who won't ADMIT it. They just point fingers at others who do it. I know a preacher who does that... ALOT. I love him to death, but it just bugs me that he does that. He always has to have the last word or song. The sad part is... WE ALL LET HIM DO IT! We ENCOURAGE his self indulgence. It's a horrible thing.
I, too, have been guilty of that in the past. I encouraged people to get the cursed "Big Head." I'm not saying to tell someone that you love them, appreciate them, enjoyed their singing, or anything of that sort, but I AM saying that we DON'T need to make a church service (or anything for that matter) about that one particular person.

You might be thinking, "well you are making this blog all about the Inspirations." True, I am, I'll admit it. But let me tell you why. I love the Inspirations. That's no secret. But the secret is probably the reason WHY I love them. I really don't think anyone knows this about me... so you'll be the first. I love the Inspirations because of what they stand for, their character, the songs they sing, and WHO they sing about.

The Inspirations stand for Jesus and keeping His name in every state of our great nation. Their character, which speaks alot about a group of people, is amazing. You know how I know that? Well, remember how in my last post I talked about how they remembered me? Well, THAT shows how much they think of the people who enjoy their music. They choose to try to remember people. they don't have to. They sing songs that speak to the soul, not the flesh. They take me back to the foundation of MY faith. For me it has always started with a song. What goes in my ears comes out of my mouth. So, praise in four part harmony goes in, then it comes out (okay, so all four harmony parts don't come out at the same time... but they DO come out. haha). They sing about the ONLY One that deserves to be sung about... JESUS MY LORD AND SAVIOR! That just begins to tell you why I love these men dearly.

Okay, time to tie everything in together.

We need to be more like Jesus ( you thought I would say the Inspirations.... didn't you? haha). He was ALL about His Father's business... just like we should be. I believe that is what the Inspirations are trying to do and that is also my mission. I think we all need to step back and realize that it's not about us. It's about Jesus and what He's done for us.

God has recently given me a song about this... it came partly though something Brian Free had written and today's Inspirations song.

Jesus is all I need! He is the ONLY One worthy of ANY praise.

Song: Why We Came Here by: The Inspirations

Verse: "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Luke 2:49

Why We Came Here

Written By: Joseph Habedank and Nicholas Trammell

Performed By: The Inspirations

Solo: Jonathan Eply

Verse 1: Burdened down pilgrim in need of redemption fighting to walk one more mile

There is a haven for heavy-laden He is in the midst of your trial

We didn't come to remind you of how hopeless your problem appears

We are just servants fulfilling His purpose this is the reason we're here

Chorus:

We just came to share with those unaware that He's still alive and well

To show you a Savior who died a cruel death but still has a story to tell

Share the plan of salvation, and the God of creation

To a poor dying soul on his way

To enlighten the lost and encourage the weary

That's way we came here today.

Verse 2: I didn't come to be boastful or proud of anything I've ever done

My list of achievements could never compare to the goodness I've found in God's Son

The name I've been given is not worth remembering for there is one greater than I

Here in our presence deserving our reverence is a King who calls me His child!

Lessons From The Inspirations (Part 4)

Okay, so this is a little different than my other posts in this series.... but just as important(:

So Sunday, July 24, 2011, I went to see my favorite group of all times.. yepp, you guessed it, the Inspirations. Well, walking past their table, I heard, "Hey... HEY!... HEYYYY!!!!! Okay we see how it is... just keep on walkin' sister." Then I looked around and was like, "Umm... Are you talking to ME?!" And they replied with an answer I honestly wasn't expecting, "Well, of course! you always talk to us and you just walked through with your nose up in the air. I thought we were your pals?!"

Well needless to say, I was SHOCKED. I was thinking, "The Inspirations remember me... The men that I think the world of, remember ME! They see a billion people every month, and they remembered little ol' me? As my friend, Courtney, said, it sure does speak a lot of someone's character. Especially people like them that see so many people year round.

It speaks a lot of their character because they didn't HAVE to remember me. I mean, it never would've bothered me if they didn't flag me down like that. I wouldn't have been offended or anything cause I know they see a lot of people through the year. But they we're thoughtful enough to take the time to remember me and call me over. They may not know but that meant the WORLD to me. Totally worth the time driving from church to their with no break. haha. I told EVERYONE about what happened. It really blessed my soul, just cause I think so highly of them.

But, with each earthly blessing like that, comes a spiritual lesson. This lesson was something that we're taught as children, but it's something that's really hard to rap your mind around.

While I was so excited to tell everyone that The Inspirations remembered ME, god started to ask me, "Well how many people have you told about Me? I know EVERYONE's name. And I love you each. I even know the number of hairs on your head."

Now, if that doesn't get your fire going, you're wood's wet! Think about it. God. He has no reason to remember ALL of our names. He doesn't even have to remember the names of the saved if He didn't want to. But He does! He loves us each so much that He made us each special and knows everything about each one of us. He knows His children! And when you think bout that, nothing else matters. The president may not know me, The Primitive Quartet may not know me, the Inspirations do know me, but if God doesn't know you when the Judgement Day comes, then NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! God is all I need!

I'm not well known at school, I'm not "gifted" with spiritual gifts like others, but God knows me! And He knows everything there is about me. And He doesn't only know that about me! He knows it about you too! He loves you! (:

He Knows My Name!

Bible Verse: "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7

Song: He Knows My Name by: The McRaes(<<the different part)

He Knows My Name

By: The McRaes



Verse 1: He counts the stars one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shores
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountains and the seas
He's in control of everything
Of all creatures great and small

Chorus: And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
When I'm overwhelmed by the pain
And can't see the light of day
I know I'll be just fine
'Cause He knows my name

Verse 2: I don't know what tomorrow will bring
I can't tell you what's in store
I don't know a lot of things
I don't have all the answers
To the questions of life
But I know in whom I have believed

Chorus

Bridge: He knew who I was when He carried the cross
He knew that I would fail Him but He took the loss

Chorus

Tag: Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry

Lessons from The Inspirations (Part 3)

You get up in the morning, and it all begins. You may not realize it, but this is where your whole day becomes a series of this, that or the other choices.

Most of the time you just have to make minor choices all day long like what to wear, what cd to put in the car (and personally i recommend ANY Inspirations Cd), who to text, and what route to take to school, nothing serious.

Then, other times, it's more serious decisions, like if you should go to that party, go out with that person even though they have a bad reputation, things that could alter your life.

Then there are choices that you have to make, even though you know that no one is around to see what you do. Those are the choices that make you who you are. Those are the choices that give you your character. People might never know what you say, do or listen to behind closed doors of your home, and they may not be able to judge you on them, but God does see them. He may be the only one, but He's also the important one.

I was listening to "I Choose the Lord" on the Inspirations' new cd "God Makes No Mistakes," and I started to think about how I am about to head off to college. When I get to college, my parents, my church and most of my friends won't know what I'm doing. I could go wild and no one would ever know, except God. He would know. he would know if my choice would be Him or worldly things. If I were to stop reading my Bible, listening to my good, Godly, southern gospel music, or going to church, my life would be crazy. I won't have anyone to hold me accountable to stick with my convictions. So, even though I KNOW my life would go haywire, the Devil will tempt me, and if I don't make the RIGHT choices, I would fall into his trap he has so carefully set for me.

I Choose the Lord talks about how when no one else is around to approve or disapprove of your choices, you still choose the Lord. That's what my goal in life is, to choose the Lord even when I won't get a pat on the back. This is my cry until I reach the end, I choose to fight, I choose the right, I choose to take a stand like those gone on before! No doubt I'll win, Christ will defend there's no turning back until I reach that shore! I choose the Lord!

Verse: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Song: I Choose The Lord

The Inspirations

CD: God Makes No Mistakes

Verse 1: Like Daniel, let me stand. Like Paul, let me pray. Like Jesus, let me give my life for You! When the rest have turned and gone, and I'm standing all alone, Lord, let these words be what I say to You.

Chorus: I choose to fight, I choose the right, I choose to take a stand like those gone on before! No doubt I'll win, Christ will defend, there's no turning back until I reach that shore! I choose the Lord!

Verse 2: Like a farmer in the field, or a sower sowing seeds, my light must shine to those still lost in sin! So I'll press toward the prize, with a gleam in my eyes and this my cry until I reach the end! I reach the end!

Chorus

Bridge: I am not ashamed of the Christ who died for me! I'll wave His blood stained banner, until He calls for me! He calls for me!

Chorus

I choose the Lord! Who do you choose?!

Lessons From The Inspirations (Part 2)

Buddah, Confusious, and the Golden calf. What do all these things/people have in common? They are all IDOLS. When I think of people worshipping these things, it saddens me for many reasons. Reason #1) It saddens me to think that possibly, no one told them about Jesus. #2) It saddens me that they probably didn't grow up in church or have even WENT to church, EVER.

I don't know about you, but it's hard for me to imagine praying to anything or anyone other than Jesus. It's hard for me to even imagine not growing up in church!

It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that people pray to something that isn't living. I know what someone that prays to one of these idols might say: "Well, Jesus died." And that would be completely true. I couldn't argue with that statement, cause Jesus DID die on a cross. But what they left out would be that He ROSE AGAIN 3 days later.

So pretty much what I'm saying is this: Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose 3 days later to go and prepare us a place in Heaven.

How great it is to serve a living God!

Our job is to tell people about how GREAT it is to serve this Living God! It's our GOAL to win everyone to Chrsit.

So the challenge is going out. Myself included. The challenge is to tell everyone about Jesus and try to win them to Him.

So what else can I say other than: GAME ON!

Song: How Great It Is
Verse: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" St. John 11:25-26

How Great It Is

The Inspirations



1. I listened as a man cried out to his gods of earth and stone,
And it broke my heart to see all the tears that he shed alone.
And I knew that it was hopeless and he would not receive
An answer from the gods he served that cannot hear or see.  
CHORUS:
How great it is to serve a living God
Who knows each breath I take and every step I've trod.
How great it is to serve a God that's real.
Whe sees my every tear and He knows just how I feel.

2. So I fell down on my knees to pray like so many times before,
And I only ask my God to hear my prayer, Lord, just once more.
And it seemed like the heaven just opened up and I could hear Him say,
"Yes, my child, I can hear you, what do you need today?"
CHORUS

Lessons From The Inspirations (Part 1)

Everyone knows how much I love the Inspirations, well this "series" is gonna show everyone part of the reason why.

Saturday, I went to Jasper, Georgia to Mike Holcomb's Homecoming. The odd thing this time was that I was alone. In the beginning, it start out being Ashley, Kelsey, Karley and Gracie coming with me. Well, Kelsey and Karley had tournaments and Ashley had plans and Gracie felt sick-like. Well, I got there, got to sit with Mr. Holcomb's family and enjoyed hearing my favorite group of all time sing in fabulous harmonies that bring me to tears everytime, ALONE.

While walking around alone, during the break, I stopped to look at their new CD and visit with the group. The title of the CD is "God Makes No Mistakes," and it was like God was standing beside me whispering the CD title in my ear. "Katie, I make no mistakes. Trust me." I just shrugged it off like it wasn't anything, but, He certainly got my attention.

Well, when they started back, they started talking about the song "God Makes No Mistakes." they talked about how they felt like God would use that song to minister to people, cause God does that you know, minister to people through song, and how it has even helped THEM. I listened to the words more carefully then the other songs, for 3 reasons. 1) I didn't know the words, so I couldn't sing it. 2) The first few words were very close to the Patricks lives. 3) God started speaking. The third reason was all I needed.

Although I knew that God was going to use this song in my life, I wasn't sure how. I KNEW God had a reason for Jessi's passing, and I knew that I was apart of her life and she was apart of mine for a reason. It's like I knew all I needed, but it hadn't sunk into my HEART... until tonight.

Tonight was my first time back to the Patrick's house since Jessi-Shake. It was HARD. I thought I was ready, but being there, in the house, without her totally changed my mind about being ready. We were practicing a skit that she LOVED, in the garage where she taught me how to play the drums. I had never felt so many emotions in my life til RIGHT then. Both sad and happy. It was crazy, so after we finished practicing our skit, I went inside and just sat there. Thinking, praying, trying NOT to cry, and when I got a grip, I went and got  my sisters, told Bud and Kathi thank you and got in the car. Then the song "God Makes No Mistakes" came on. THEN it hit me. God used tonight to show me that even though I know in my head that He is using all of this to paint a picture, a picture that we can only see a part of, to make a BIG picture. We may think that He's messed up, but He HASN'T.

And oddly enough, that all went along with the skit we are working on. Now you try to tell me that all this working together isn't God.

But I guess my big lesson from the Inspirations tonight is that God really DOESN'T make mistakes. He makes beautiful creations. He uses all things to work together for GOOD for those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Now I'm just working on turning everything over to Him, and let Him finish His master piece.

"God Makes No Mistakes"
Steve Pearcy

Recorded by The Inspirations

Verse One: Have you ever seen a mother cry when she lost her little boy

Or a mom and dad stand broken for their son's life has been destroyed

Have you seen old age take those away who are special to our hearts

Listen then to what I say, God MAKES NO MISTAKES

Chorus: God makes no mistakes, He knows the path you take He brought you this far in life's way, He'll never let you down. God makes no mistakes.

Verse Two: Have you cried a river full of tears with an aching, broken heart

Have you prayed and prayed but no answer came in an hour, oh so dark

Weeping may endure the night but joy will come at dawn

Then my friend, you too can say, God makes no mistakes.

Chorus

Bridge: Eyes not seen, ears not heard what the Father has to view

But until the day He calls us home let me say to you

Chorus

Lesson 1: GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES!!!!!!!!!

Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."