Devotions and Jesus time

Hey! I just got home from school about an hour ago. Today was actually a good day, I mean some things were boring, but for the most part it was good. I think that my perspective has started to change recently because I've increased my time that I spend with God. I have been using this devotional book and it really helps me to focus on a topic and to go in depth with it. Before I would sort of flip through my Bible and read chapters, but not always get anything from it. I'm not saying that you have to always be able to apply those verses to life, but it's nice when you can relate and get some direction.
So now that I've been praying and spending more time in the Word, I am starting to feel more of a thirst for God to move and consume more of my life. I just want to share some of the things that I've been doing and these are some of the main stuff that I feel has affected me the most.
[Always pray first!]
I know this one sounds super easy, but it's also easy to slip up on it. Make sure to genuinely ask God to open your heart and mind to see what he has in store for you. You don't even have to talk! Prayer is communication, and that goes both ways: talking and listening. It's so good for you to sit and just soak in God's presence. It's not always easy to hear him or see how he works in our lives because there are SO many distractions. It takes time to learn to listen and soak in his presence. It's not easy and it's something I'm trying to work on also.
[Find your quiet place]
Try to pull away from all the noise and find a place that you can go to that is less distracting. Maybe you can't find a quiet place, so try to find a quiet time. Maybe early mornings or before bed. Make this your special meeting place.
[Look for accountability partners]
Get a really close friend who you trust and pray for each other. Talk to each other about things that have been going on, problems and triumphs. If possible, also get someone who is older than you because they are more experienced and can help give you a little guidance when you're confused, etc.

[Find a devotional]

This really really REALLY helps me. A lot of times, I don't know what to read in the Bible and devotionals really help me to focus on specific aspects of my life. They make devotionals for many age ranges, and it covers a lot of subject matter. This is definitely helpful for me.

[Worship]

If you feel like getting really deep in your devotions and if it's not just a quick few minutes, then set up a music playlist. Make a worship playlist that's made for your time with God. You can sing, you can dance, you can lift your hands, you can bow down; whatever way you worship him. You can also listen to this if you're out and about... I like to listen to worship music when I go on a run outside. Speaking of outside.......

[Outdoor Jesus time]

I love to be outside and take a walk and just talk with God. It's the perfect time to enjoy his creation and stand in awe of him. Praise God for the many many beautiful things that he has made. It is good, it is good!!

[Memory Verses]

It is good to memorize verses from the Bible. I usually memorize the ones that I know will help me and encourage me. Sometimes I memorize ones that are just ways to give glory to God.

I'll post a list of some of my favorite verses soooooon on my other blog. (http://music-songs-verses-starryamazement.blogspot.com/)

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So these were just a few ideas to help inspire you, in a way, to want more devotion time. I know that when I spend more time with God, it makes me want more and more of him. When I get off the track of Jesus time, I find it hard to get back into the routine of devotions. Kind of like when you don't excercise, you find it difficult to get back into shape, but once you're in shape it's easier to do more and more. I don't want to limit myself to a routine with God because I want him to move in my life whenever. So you are not limited to anything when it comes to God!! God works some things in our lives that are totally unexpected. I know that it is definitely hard to see what he is trying to do in our lives, but we just have to trust that he knows what's best for us even when we are filled with uncertainty.

Love y'all and praying for y'all,

starry_amazement

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Note/ P.S./ Whatever: I originally wrote this May 5, 2011; however, I didn't get to post it until now. It's finally summer!! Hollaa!! :) Today was my last day of school, finally. I'll be trying to post more and more. (my goal!)

Last Day of School

Yesterday was the last day of school. It was alot of fun, but it had sad moments. It was amazing!
Everyone had their ipods out, and this one guy brought a speaker. People all put their ipods in and there was a "dance-off." Not alot of people really danced, but oh well. And everyone was just talking and having conversations and such. That was the good part.
It was really sad when I would look at the clouds and be reminded of Jesus. The clouds also reminded me of my friend who moved to another state on the 20th. The 22nd was the last day of school. Then my other friend and I were listening to my brother's ipod. And the song "From the Inside Out" came on. We both started crying. Jesus love is just wonderful to soak in. Thanks to my brother who made us feel better by putting on a funny song.. (by the way, he's not really my brother, but he's like a brother to me)
The tears came out after more laughter when it was time to leave. Everyone gave everyone the last hugs and good-bye's. I think that I will still miss those people, cause some may not come back next year. I'm going to miss them so so so so so so so very very very super super much! haha. Now I must be off. If anyone of them read this- (I miss you alot if that's not obvious. You are superb and great friends.)

much love,
starry_amazement

Other blog, life

Hey all! I just wanted to let y'all know that I have another blog about music, poetry, verses, and just fun stuff. I'm not sure if I told you this but well I told you again. =) (http://music-songs-verses-starryamazement.blogspot.com/)

God has been so good to me, I feel so free from fear! He replaced that fear with comfort, hope, encouragement, strength. He is amazing! It's good to know that we are truly free in him!! He is beautiful, he is my all! I think that I could probably praise God forever, because the list of his amazing grace, and just him goes on forever! I think that song is so true, "I could sing of your love forever."

God is really worth our praise and our lives and all that we are. He loves us so much that it's incontainable. The reason I always want to write about my spiritual life is because I CANNOT contain it inside of me. There's nothing to hide! There's nothing to be ashamed of. I know that I'm not a perfect person, and I really don't want you to read my blog thinking, "Oh, well she's just a perfect little church girl, there's nothing wrong in her life, maybe God's only pouring blessing to her." No!!! Not true, I am not perfect! I know I sin so much! I know anyone reading this sins, because "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I think I am so far from perfection. I have to realize that when I cannot find myself, I find myself in him. That's my goal, that's who I strive to be like. He's beautiful, and I am far from it. I'm not saying that I'm far from God like an unbeliever would be, but far from his amazing perfection. God wants to pour his blessings on YOU! Yes you! And you can't just keep it to your self, share the blessings with others, and you'll just overflow with it! That's exactly why I created this blog because I can share the blessing that has been poured onto me. It's a wonderful feeling. (Listen to I will go by Starfield, I'll post it on my other blog soon!)
Okay, well its time for me to say until next time!
Peace, (Y) <>
starry_amazement

Chillin'

Hey everyone! Hope all is well with you! I'm really sleepy right now and decided I'd post something. I really don't know what, but hey, it keeps me entertained... I finished cleaning up my desk. It actually has alot of stuff on it! Wow, I put it all in boxes. Yawn, so much for the entertaining, I really need Starbucks! Doesn't that sound yummy?!? Ha ha!
Anyways, I kind of did Spring cleaning with my clothes. I went through my closet getting rid of the things that I didn't wear and didn't fit. I'm busy replacing my old size 6 - 6 1/2 shoes with 7s. My feet feel big! Well for me anywhoo.. =) It felt really good to get rid of all this stuff that I didn't need. My room got so clean... Well, yesterday and the days before that. (clearing off my desk sure made a BIG mess! but painting the desk and working with it is going to be fun, hopefully) I love the feeling of renewal, it's refreshing! I feel free of the junk that took up space in my room and now I feel spacious! Mmmm!
Oooh, also about the shoes, it was fun trying them on, hey I'm a girl, shoes are fun! Even though I know that some of the most outrageous shoes I will NOT wear, it's fun to play around in. I loved it when I was little I would always play dress-up, house, kitchen, or dolls. It was the days of princesses! I love freedom! =)
Oh, some of you might be wondering where I get my pictures for all these posts on this blog and my other blog. I get it at glittergraphics.com and some of the pictures I took. (like my profile picture...) Glitter Graphics have some great pictures, but not all of the pics are appropriate or clean. I don't authorize them... lol So just a little warning before you go jumping all over the site. =)
Well, this post is going to be really random... Sorry for jumping all over the place! But most of the time I talk about my spiritual life, I thought I'd talk about just my general part of life. But you see, my general part of life is my spiritual life. God is my foundation for my life. That's how it's the general part of my life. Well, moving on!
Peace out!
starry_amazement

Princess!!!

Hello all! It's starry_amazement! As you know me anyways! I was at a party last Friday. (I wanted to post this earlier,but, anyways!)
The theme...
Princess!
This was an amazing party, because the birthday girl has such a heart after God! She's so beautiful, shining, ha ha, going on again... There were many ladies, girls, chicas, women there. We all felt loved because the air was just friendly, and loving. People were wearing whatever made them feel like a princess. Crowns, dresses, jeans, leggings, tennis shoes, converse; you name it, there! poof!
It was wonderful because everyone was so happy. Even if you just met a person that night, it felt like you had known them forever!!! It was just a close feel of friendship and sisterly love. So many people, but like one heart!
Everyone felt so special, and beautiful, as girls. Alot of people want love, and girls oh, they try to find it in so many ways. I find my love in the amazing father! That night, there was love! love! =]


starry_amazement