Never Walk Alone

Shattered, broken pieces of a daughter's heart hit the floor one by one with every word yelled out of her father's mouth. Tears burned in her eyes as she tried to hide her emotions as her English teacher told her she was not suited for college and that she would go no where in life. Her heart ached when the ones she loved so dearly turned to other friends and hobbies and left her alone standing in the wind.

We have all seen ourselves in places like this before. We feel alone. Desperate for love from the people we love the most. Everything seems so much worse when everything hits you at once. Especially when you are trying harder than you ever have. It feels like the world is upon our shoulders and we have to prove everyone wrong. We just have to. Or at least that is how I feel when bad things happen.

I feel the need to show everyone that I am more than they think that I am. I have to show my family that I am more than the "black sheep" of the family who only cares about church, music, the Duggars and The Inspirations. I need to show my friends that I am not a Christian just because I am sheltered. I need to show my church that I intend to leave everything up to God, and that I don't care about their personal opinions when it comes to my faith.

The only problem is that I can't do these things.... alone. I can not show them that I am trying to be all God wants me to be when I feel like I'm walking alone. I personally believe that we weren't made to be isolated people. I believe that God made us all to be "People persons." That's why I think that God said He could walk with us where ever we go.

We are truly never alone. God is continually with us. He will NEVER let us walk alone. We may not feel His presence, but He is always with us. Praise God. That's the only thing that keeps me going some days.

Verses: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." John 14:18-19

Song: Never Walk Alone
By: Brian Free and Assurance

Never Walk Alone

Verse 1: Arms stretched out wide, barley hanging on to life

left to suffer on your own

You came for all man kind to bridge the great divide yet some how ended up alone

because of all the blood and tears you shed,

I will never know that kind of loneliness

chorus: You spirit never leaves me,

Verse 2:Even when I'm hurting

I don't have to bear that burden on my own

You carried all the pain and buried all the shame

When you made that rugged tree Your righteous home

Because of You I'll never walk alone.

You came here as a man, I know you understand

What it's like to walk these roads

though my problems don't compare to that crown you had to wear

still you take them as your own

because of all the blood and tears your shed,

I will never know that kind of loneliness.

chorus 2xs

Lord, because of you I'll never walk alone.

Trust and Obey!

Trust - (Noun) Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something or (Verb) Believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of. Trust sounds like an easy thing to do, right? It should be, but often times, we find it hard to simply, TRUST someone. I know that many times I have trusted people that I shouldn't have. That's something that happens to all of us at one point of time or another. That is why it's so hard to trust people.

Trusting people is one thing, but trusting God, SHOULD be a completely different thing. Many times I find myself treating God like an unreliable friend. When I was debating on what college I wanted to attend, I prayed long and hard about where to apply. Well, God showed me Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee. That's a good ways away from home. I prayed about it, and sent in my application, and when I hit submit on the online application, I told God, if you want me to be here, let me get early acceptance, if you don't, please make them decline me!

Well, I got accepted, and I felt this peace come over me. I don't know how to explain it, but I felt like everything was going to be okay. Then came all the paper work. Man, there is alot of that! I started filling it out and got to thinking, well, can I trust the result I got? I started questioning God! I stopped trusting and started doubting! THAT'S when Satan charges at us!

We all (including myself) need to learn to Let Go and Let GOD! He's in control! Whether our answer is one we want to hear or not, we need to keep in mind that God knows the whole picture, while we see only a tiny glimpse. When we learn to TRUST God even in tough situations, we will be better off!

The challenge this week: To Trust and Obey!

Song: Trust and Obey

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Chorus: Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey. But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey.

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?!