Wasp, Don't you touch my Coffee!

So let me just start off by saying I HATE WASPS! I hate them with a deep passion! I do not believe that there is a part of me that could ever learn to love a wasp or at least like them! So I decided to find out a little more on these skeletal nightmares of mine. Through Wikipedia.com (don’t hate me and please correct me if I am wrong) I learned that…

1. Wasps can vary in color between dark yellows, to brown and dark black.

2. These wasps have little to no hair.

3. They have two long legs that are visible hanging down while in flight.

4. They do not have pollen baskets.

5. Two out of four insects from the wasp family are aggressive. The Yellow Jacket, and The Bald-faced Hornet.

6. The Paper Wasp, and the Hornet (European hornet) are gentler.

7. The Paper Wasps are the ones that hang out around my college campus eat other insects for food.

8. CAN STING!

9. The sting pain is rated at a 3.0 for a Paper Wasp!!!! (ouch)

10. The paper wasp is not attracted to light at all.

11. They make homes out of small umbrella-shaped papery combs hanging horizontally in protected spaces such as attics, leaves, or soil cavities.

I am not going to say that knowing more about these little torments makes me dislike them less. It just makes me know that I do not want to get in a tussle with these 3.0 sting pain rate insects! That is for sure!

As Christians shouldn’t we also view sin the same way we view our air born terrors? We should yell out and feel as strongly about hating sin as we do bees or wasps! There are three things that come to mind when I think of a wasp; the wasp is sneaky, the wasp will eventually sting, and the wasp can be uncontrollable.

My most recent encounter with a wasp was the other day as I went to buy some coffee from a local coffee house, on my way back to the car a wasp gently lands on the top of my coffee can. Well, needless to say I freaked out and dropped my coffee can on to the ground. As the wasp then crawled out from under the metal can heavy from the fullness of the ground up coffee beans, a man walked up from behind me and stepped on the intruding insect, thus saving me from this potentially angry wasp! You can imagine I was quite thankful for the man, and that my full can of coffee did not spill out all over the sidewalk.

Sometimes like the wasp in my story, sin can be sneaky. Flying in unannounced and landing on us. Our sneaky little wasp (Satan) whispers in our ears, “oh this one little lie won’t hurt anyone,” or “Just take it, the cashier won’t even notice or care,” or “Just take one little sip.” Then Wham Pow we are stung!

One little sin can start out like a small sting, then the sting can turn to an itch, then to a rash and by this point an all out infection. From the Message Bible in Romans 5:12 it says, “You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we’re in–first sin, then death, and no one is exempt from either sin or death.” I know that this verse seems pretty unpleasant, but there is hope! Just like the man who came from behind me in the story to save me from my wasp encounter, Jesus came for us and stepped on sin by dying on the cross and taking our punishment for sin upon himself! All we have to do is Confess what we have done wrong, Ask God to forgive, and He WILL!!

I guess there is something to learned from the wasp!

Where's the Fire?

When the term "Burnt Out" is said, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe a light bulb, a car, a person? But what about church? I believe that this term, "Burnt Out," concerning the church has been misconstrued throughout our generation and the many generations before us. So here are a few reasons why I believe that we as a body of Christ claim to get Burnt Out on church.

First off, we are the church; people are the church! The building where people meet for worship is what we call the “church”, but it is really the people who make up the Church. So if someone says, “I feel burnt out on church,” this really states that the person is tired of the people in the building, or tired of mundanely going to the building.

The definition I found on the word "Burnt Out" comes from The Free Dictionary website which reads: " 1) burnt-out: exhausted as a result of longtime stress." Stress is a natural human experience; no one will ever go through life and not be stressed. Stress can be a product of school, work, children, etc.; life in general is stressful and problematic. But, there is hope to this obstacle, in Psalm 55:22 it says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." (NIV). So when all the pressures of life are building up, and it seems like there is no relief in sight, I believe it is not God that we are burnt out on. When we feel exhausted and just can't go on any more, that is the time we turn and run towards God. He will catch us, hold us, and care for our weary heart.

Women in the church are terrible for wanting to show their strength and femininity by being “Super Woman.” This is an unattainable goal for women and leaves us feeling worn out and tired! So we as women burn ourselves out on church. The mentality that Proverbs 31 gives women is impossible, but that is what we believe a real woman of God to be. Yes, I do believe that we are to strive to be the best possible for our families, and others around us, but one key point is that the Proverbs 31 women were relying on God to be given the strength needed to be sustained throughout the day We need to turn to God each morning and pray that He will guide and strengthen us to do what is needed, as well as enjoy the wonderful blessings of God around us.

The second definition also from The Free Dictionary website is "2) burnt-out: destroyed or badly damaged by fire." There will also be a time in life of damage. Sadly we live in a broken world, a world that will eat a person up and spit them back out without a care in the world.The saddest part is that we can be damaged, then damage others. Sin creates this death trap that just keeps going and going like the energizer bunny. I believe that this happens far too many times to many people in the church. Either we are hurt and thus shy away from the church or we hurt our selves by sinning and being ashamed of our actions. Like the old saying goes, "If you play with fire, you will get burned!" This is just apart of life. But God is reaching out saying, "Let me heal you, do not be ashamed; give me your burdens. I can fix you, I can make your pain go away. Just come to me, let me in you're heart, let me love you!"

So do not say that you are "Burnt Out" on God, or Church, because it is not true. We get burnt out on ourselves, and life. Church is meant to encourage, strengthen, build, and deepen our walk with Christ. Instead of being burnt out, I challenge everyone to go and meet with the body of Christ with a heart of expectancy. Go to church knowing that God is going to change hearts and heal lives of brokenness. Never let our hearts grow stale, let Jesus heal you from the inside out.

by Anna Barbara and Tony Feagin

Captivating

I have been re-reading the book “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge, let me just say that every time I read this book I get more and more out of it! I decided to read it again over spring break just because I have been feeling spiritually dry for the past few weeks. As well as just feeling kinda ugly and self-pitiful. I have absolutely no reason to feel this way. I suppose I could blame it on hormones, stress, or just being a “girl”, but I know that God does not want me to stay in that mind set! My boyfriends is not a fan of self-pity moments either. So during this pleasant break I have been praying and seeking God, asking him to renew my spirit and my confidence.

Captivating is a wonderful treasure of a book! My favorite quote so far, “We desire to possess a beauty that is worth pursuing, worth fighting for, a beauty that can be felt; beauty that affects others; a beauty all our own to unveil.” As women we do need to be affirmed that we are beautiful. We desire for someone to know and say that we are beautiful. We bask in the compliments of others, even is we say we don’t, we do! We need to remember that us ladies are Gods handy-work! It is so important to not forget who we are and who’s we are.

I just want to say to all you women who are feeling like I am that YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, lovely, stunning, precious, and mysterious. All of these God has perfectly designed you to be! Please go out and find Captivating and read it as soon as possible!

Captivating

This might be my favorite book of all time! Captivating by Staci and John Eldredge is so inspirational and encouraging to women of all ages! GO get it NOW!! ;)

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Women Reach Out!

So recently while reading through “Captivating” by John and Staci Eldredge and God is remaking my heart ever tender for teen girls and children. While reading this book I feel the need to reach out to a middle school girl and just hug her and let her know everything will be ok!

“The reason there are so many struggling women is because there were so many wounded girls.” - This statement from Captivating is so true! As women we can either be to harsh or to soft, it is difficult to find a happy medium especially when there is hurt and shame to deal with. I know that when I am hurt I do not want anyone to see what is going on inside of my heart and mind. So I hide behind a big smile or a “lets just talk about you” kind of facade. It works for a while but then everything I hold back tends multiply and explode on everyone around me. I know that when I was younger in facing major self challenges it was crucial for me to have a mentor, a person I could talk to about what was going on inside my heart and mind.

My prayer is older women will be mentors to young ladies and help them to learn how to express their selves in a non-damaging way.To motivate healing with in the comfort of a confidant who is open and willing to get involved in the lives of the young teenage girls who are going to be mothers, teachers, and leaders, of the next generation! Women reach out!!

Beginnings...

To me it is crazy how many ambitions I have. The possibilities are endless for me and I don’t know why I dream the way I do. I am sure it is a God thing but I desire so much out of life it has become my goal to do everything.

I love to travel the world. I can’t wait to do that with my best friend Tony! (whom I will marry one day). I want to see everything, and do most everything. So far I have been to Sweden, London, Turkey, Africa, Canada, and parts of the Keys just to name a few far off places. I would also like to see Greece, Russia, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Cuba, Hawaii……. I just want to see the world, and all the wonders of my King Jesus.

I also want to have a family, maybe homeschool, and have a business. I have always thought it would be amazing to open a thrift store and make it look fancy but have cheap clothes. I just think that would be amazing!

I can’t wait to start my own family though I know it will be no time soon. but i do want one ;) I also know who my husband will be and his name is Tony! He is a wonderful sweet man of God and is hardworking and family oriented. He is my true match when it comes to being friend, boyfriend, and love!

I want to do ministry and make my life a ministry in it self. I want to be open to help anybody at any time and let the love of Christ reflect through me! Because he is my true beloved one!

I play the violin and I have a passion for music. I would also love to have a after-school program to educate children on music and instruments. I believe music is universal and healing. Music has the power to make you feel happy, sad, scarred, and loved, it all depends on how it is used. I believe music makes a difference in the lives of hurting children and adults.

My to-do list can go on and on with all of my dreams and ambitions so I will leave it like this for now.

My goal is to blog about once a week at first just to get my bearings. I would love to know what ya’ll think about this new undertaking of mine! I hope to bring some inspiration in this next generation of young people who are searching for acceptance and love and hopefully point them in the direction to God. Being a Christian can be soooo much fun!

Peace in Joy.