Enjoy.

Take a deep breath. Smile again. Pick flowers. Have a laugh. Chat with a friend. Take a nap. Read a good book. Indulge in a bubble bath. Appreciate someone. Take pictures. Light a candle. Forget the world for a day. Take a walk. Count your blessings. Whatever it is that gives you that happy feeling... do it.

This is the only September 28, 2008 you will ever get. Make sure it will be worth remembering. ♥

Captivating.

I just finished this book, which was recommended to me by a good friend of mine. I think it's probably one of the best "just for woman" books I've read in a long time. It's easy to read (Which is always good for me, I don't like author's who show off with big words!) and it's helping me be more in tune with the femininity that is quickly being buried by a sinful world. It discusses struggles in a woman's upbringing and touches on our many insecurities... and how God is basically trying to remind us of our captivating beauty. Easy, real, and helpful. Good book. I hope to see some of the ladies in my oikos pick it up.

Amber and Samantha... get this book! I think you will enjoy it.

Nothin' but a big mess.

Did you know that being a Christ follower does not mean you are perfect? Did you know it means you are broken, messed up, pitiful, and in desperate need of a Savior? It might sound dumb, but it is  something that many people don’t realize. 

The only difference between a Christ follower and someone who does not believe, is that we are saved by God’s good grace. I always hear people saying, “Well, I’m not good enough to be in church. I’m screwed up. If you only knew what I’ve done. I’ve messed up way too bad. I couldn’t even forgive myself.” Any of these sound familiar?

It frustrates me at times to be labeled as “Good girl”. “She’s got it all together” or “She’s perfect”. In reality, this is so not true. Sometimes I wish I could show people how often I mess up so that they would grasp the fact that, just because I live a life in Christ, does not mean I don’t have struggles like everyone else.

 Yeah, I mess up- But I am forgiven, therefore there is no room for guilt in my life. Anything good in my life is present only because I have decided to allow Jesus into my heart.

Once upon a time, I was completely broken. I didn’t see a bright future and I didn’t have a hope for my days to get better. Do you understand that I am a sinner in desperate need of a merciful God who forgives me day after day and makes me whole again? We often overlook this simple fact. 

I don’t know how to “do life” on my own, so I have chosen to give my heart completely to the only definite hope in my life. I have given my heart to Jesus, because without him, my life is hopeless. 

I wish people would understand that it’s not about “Going to church” and “Looking like a good Christian”. It’s not about that “feeling” you have after one night of worship. It is about making a legitimate, mindful, and definite decision to dedicate your life to be a world-changer. To do this, you've got to have a relationship with Jesus. 

 Living a life for Christ is a daily struggle that constantly needs TLC. It is a huge responsibility but it is the most rewarding decision you will ever make in your life. It is about daily growing closer to your savior and being on a mission to make this messed up world a better place.

So next time you feel guilty for something, and say, “That church would burn if I walked in there” or “God wouldn’t be able to use me to change this world” , just remember that my closest “Church” friends and I were once broken people who have struggled with drug abuse, jealousy, alcohol abuse, abortion, pre-marital sex, adultery, pornography, and the list goes on. 

We are sinners saved by grace who would not be able to positively influence this world if not for the mercy and forgiveness offered to us by a heavenly father who gives us the wisdom and freedom to move on from our dirty pasts. 

The bible is not something we “have to” read. It is something we desperately need to cling to so that our wicked hearts would not lead us down a destructive path that would do nothing but hurt the people we love the most. 

The bible is a powerful tool created to show us what to do when life gets tough. And it is a daily reminder of how much our father in heaven loves us and wants to use us to make the world a better place. It is not made to condemn us, no. It is made to free us. 

No one can make the decision but you. No one will force you to change your life in order to become the kind of person Christ can use to influence your world. It’s up to you to seek forgiveness. It’s not easy. It takes tons of discipline. It hurts at times and it is difficult. But it is what our future generations need. Will you be a world-changer? Because without the presence of Jesus, our lives are nothin’ but a big mess.

“If there is only one thing that people would remember from my life after I pass, I hope they would say I left it a better place than when I got here.”

(Thanks to Pastor Paul for his great message that pumped me up to write this blog).

Would you do me a favor?

Hey Friends,

I don’t usually do this, but I find myself in need of the people God has placed in my life. I will officially graduate with my Bachelor’s of Arts in Communications in June ’09. To some of you, you may not think this is quite a big deal, but for me, it is huge! I have been in school for about seven years now, trying to finish a four year degree =) What the heck, right? It is something that I want so bad, and so many times I felt like throwing my hands in the air and giving up. But God knows my heart and my desire to earn that degree, and he has been so gracious in enabling me to keep going and here I am, with three quarters left. I struggled my first few years with having the confidence to go to college, but God has been so amazing to me and reminded me that through him, I can do anything.

I am asking whoever would like to, to pray for me this year, that I would not be too anxious for June to get here. I want to continue putting God first in all I do and give him the glory for any accomplishment I might receive. I ask that you would pray that I take one day at a time, and remember to count all of my blessings that I have right in front of me. Pray that I continue to be a world changer, a wife that would bring glory to God, and a friend available to offer help to anyone who needs it. I don’t want to get so caught up in that light at the end of the tunnel, that I forget to focus on today. I have been so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who encourages me and pushes me to achieve my goals on a daily basis. His hard work is a huge part of why I will be able to graduate, and for that, I am so grateful.

I know my heart is anxious right now, because along with finishing school, I am getting that baby fever! When you are married to a man who loves the Lord and whom you know will make an amazing father, it is really hard not to want to pop out some little ones! So, I ask for you to pray also for me in this area. I want everything to be in God’s perfect timing, not in mine. I want God to speak to my heart and remind me that all of these thoughts in my mind are completely out of my control. I want to be reminded that nothing is certain in this life but him, and it is there that I know I will find peace in my heart. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own” - Matthew 6: 33-34

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” - Matthew: 16: 24-25

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I especially thank you if you would remember to pray for me. I know that God puts people in our lives for a reason, even if we don’t always see them. I want to make myself available to pray for you also. If you have anything specific that I can be praying for you in this season of your life, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I often pray for my friends as a whole, but I would love to know what I can be praying for you specifically. My e-mail is Mindyclark0803@yahoo.com  Remember, we are all in this together! Thanks again and have a wonderful day!

Mindy =)