"Safe"

What does the word "safe" mean to you? You might say that it means "to be protected from danger", or you might say something else. According to dictionary.com. "safe" is: secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk. Both of these definitions do resonate with me, but let me share with you an acronym that I wrote for the word, "Safe" is Secure, Anchored, Free, and Everlastingly loved.

I wrote this acronym for one of my fanfiction stories titled "S.A.F.E.". In the story, one character will finally come to terms with something that has haunted her for most of her life. You'll have to read the story and the stories before it to understand what I"m talking about, but here is the final line of the story.

"I am no long scared, abandoned, fearful, and empty. Instead I am secure, anchored, free, and everlastingly loved. I am safe in the arms of God's embrace, breathing in his freedom." 

The last phrase that she says (safe in the arms of God's embrace, breathing in his freedom), is actually a line from one of my new favorite songs, "Where Would We Be" by Matt Redman. This song became one of my favorite songs even before I had come up with the acronym. Every time I sat down to write a section of this story, this song would be the first one that I would listen to. In fact, I am even listening to it right now as I type this post.

This song is also featured in the story during a church service, The church in the story is in the middle of a series titled "SAFE" and they are currently on the second letter, A, which stands for "anchored". The song is the theme song for the series. Thee verse that they use is the story is Hebrews 6:19, which says "we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (NIV)

I wold like to share with you an excerpt from the story, which is actually part of the message that my character hears and takes to heart.

"There are some of you this morning that are holding onto an anchor that's not from God. It's from the Devil, and he is weighing heavily on you. He doesn't want you to let go of it. He wants you to become so weighted down that maybe you reach your breaking point, But, God says to let it go. He wants you to let go of whatever is weighing you down and be anchored in Him and Him only. He wants you be safe in his arms. He wants you to be secure, anchored, free, and everlastingly loved."

So, what I am trying to get at here? Well, I want you to one day feel safe in the arms of God. Le t go of whatever is holding you down and be anchored in Christ.

This is my definition of safe.

By the way, 2 quick things, my second semester of college is going a lot better than my first semester. Also, here is the link to the story, "SAFE". Make sure you read or are familiar with the stories preceding it, specifically "Russia', so that this one will make sense.

http://archiveofourown.org/works/5760079/chapters/13272103

"Thrive"

What's your word for this year? Well, if you asked me this back when I was a junior in high school, I would've answered with this, "Courage". Each day, I needed to have courage and be very brave to adjust to my new high school as I was transitioning from a private school to a public high school. I remember walking in on the first day and it felt like a giant culture shock. By the time I reached my senior year, things were a lot better. It wasn't the greatest, but with God's help, I made it through and best of all, I graduated with honors!

What's your word for this year? Well, this year, my word it "Thrive". According to Dictionary.com. thrive is a verb meaning "to prosper, be fortunate or successful." "Thrive" is my word for 2015.

In 2014, Christian artist Casing Crowns released their 6th album titled "Thrive". This album also featured the song with the same title. The line that stands out to me is this. "It's time for us to more than just survive. We were made to thrive."

So, how do I thrive? Well, let me give you an image. Take your right hand and hold up all 5 fingers. Then take your left hand and place it under your right hand, but have your fingers point down .This, according to Casting Crowns' singer, Mark Hall, is called the "Thrive Five". The fingers on the left hand are like roots of a tree. This is called digging deep into God's word and learning more about who He is, The fingers on the right hand are pointed up. This is called reaching out into the world and showing others who God is. We as Christians are not just to only dig deep and only reach out, we are tot dig deep AND reach out.

So, why is thrive my word for 2015? Well, it was also my word when I started college last fall. Unfortunately, and I won't go into details, but I had a rough semester because of some very stressful things that took place. Make a long story short, and thanks to God and my parents, I am going back to college for a second semester!! I still however bare an emotional scar from everything that took place.

As I prepare to head back to college for the spring, my goal is to not just to survive, My goal is to THRIVE!!!!!!! How am I going to do this? Well first off, I'm going to go into each of my classes, ready to learn. Second, I'm going to grow in my spiritual life. I have actually already started a few new things to help. I have started a prayer wall with people's names on post-it notes. Most of them are authors on FanFiction that need prayer. The rest are friends. Another thing I do is devotions. I read devotions morning, noon, and night. It's a great way to relax and focus my mind on God.

The last way that I am going thrive is to think positive. A lot of times last semester I was really negative and not in a good mood because of what had happened, Yes there were days that were enjoyable, but there was always a sense of sadness over me. I wasn't exactly my full self and there were days that I let it overpower me. Well, this year, I am not going to do that. I am going to instead be "safe in the arms of [God's] embrace, breathing in his freedom (Matt Redman "Where Would We Be").

So, what are you waiting for? Stop trying to just survive, go out there and THRIVE!! Dig deep into God's word and reach out into the world!

Here are thy lyrics to this amazing song.

"Thrive" by Casting Crowns

Here in this worn and weary land

Where many a dream has died

Like a tree planted by the water

We never will run dry

So living water flowing through

God we thirst for more of You

Fill our hearts and flood our souls

With one desire

Just to know You and

To make You known

We lift Your name on High

Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more

Than ordinary lives

It's time for us to more than just survive

We were made to thrive

Into Your word we're digging deep

To know our Father's heart

Into the world we're reaching out

To show them who You are

So living water flowing through

God we thirst for more of You

Fill our hearts and flood our souls

With one desire

Just to know You and

To make You known

We lift Your name on High

Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more

Than ordinary lives

It's time for us to more than just survive

We were made to thrive

Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible

Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible

Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible

Joy Unspeakable, Faith Unsinkable, Love Unstoppable, Anything is possible

Just to know You and

To make You known

We lift Your name on High

Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more

Than ordinary lives

It's time for us to more than just survive

We were made to thrive

Hey!

We were made to Thrive!

"A Christmas to Believe In"

I don't have much to say about this song, except that I love using this phrase, "Wishing you a Christmas to believe in!"

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope your Christmas was a Christmas to believe in! See you in 2015!

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful and heartfelt song by my favorite Christian artist, Matthew West.

"A Christmas to Believe In" by Matthew West

It's a house full of noise ‘cause the family's all in town
It's an attic full of toys so the kids won't find out
The smell of cookies in the oven, it's a slow dance in the kitchen
Oh, ain't it somethin', it's a Christmas to believe in

It's in the snow making angels, it's a mistletoe kiss
It's an empty seat at the table to remember who we miss
It's a candle light carol, it's a grateful choir singin'
Oh Hark! The Herald, it's a Christmas to believe in

More than just a Merry Christmas
I'm wishing you a Christmas to believe in
Where the moments turn to memories
And years from now you'll close your eyes and see them
More than just another busy season
I'm wishing you a Christmas to believe in

It's a blanket by the fire watching all our favorite movies
“It's A Wonderful Life” in black and white just like it should be
It's Salvation Army bells, hear them ringing to remind us
There's a world that needs our help, may compassion come and find us

More than just a Merry Christmas
I'm wishing you a Christmas to believe in
Where the moments turn to memories
And years from now you'll close your eyes and see them
More than just another busy season
I'm wishing you a Christmas to believe in

Hallelujah, we believe in Christmas

It's grandpa's Bible opened up to Luke Chapter 2
It's the greatest gift of love being born for me and you
It's a heart returning home to the One who is the reason
Every Christmas is a Christmas to believe in
May your Christmas be a Christmas to believe in

"At The Cross (Love Ran Red)"

"Love Ran Red"

When  I first saw these words, I din't understand their meaning. All I knew is that it was the title to Chris Tomlin's newest CD. Also, the only two songs that I knew form the album were "Waterfall" and "Jesus Loves Me", (it's actually something else. It's not the one that you would hear in Sunday School.) so the title didn't make sense to me at all. Anyway, I remember asking myself, "What do these three words, 'love ran red' mean? Well, today, 11-5-14, I got my answer. In chapel today. we sang a song that had these words in it,. The words were "where your love ran red and my sin washed white. I owe all to you. I owe all to you. Jesus" As I was looking at those words, Chris Tomlin's album came into my mind. That's when I got the meaning. Red is the color of blood, and it spilled out of Jesus Christ as he hung on a cross. God loved us so much that he sent his son, Jesus, to die on a cross and shed his blood for us. His love for us ran in the form of red, washing our sins white as snow. Now, I don't know about you, but that's love!

Maybe you are reading this and you're saying to yourself, "How can my sins be washed white?" Well, I have the answer for you. All you have to do is ask. First, you admit you are a sinner, then you believe in your heart that Jesus dies on the cross for your sins. Finally, you choose to have a relationship with him. It's that simple. Just pray this simple prayer, 

Dear God, please forgive me. I know I'm a sinner. I believe Jesus died and rose from the dead so I could be forgiven of my sins and live forever in heaven. Thank you for loving me and allowing me to have a personal relationship with you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen."

If you prayed that prayer for the first time, congratulations! you are now a believer in Christ. I believe that you have been born again. I encourage you to tell a friend about the new relationship that you have. 

Read the rest of the lyrics of this amazing song by Chris Tomlin and be an awe of what Jesus di for you. 

"At The Cross (Love Ran Red) by Chris Tomlin

There's a place where mercy reigns and never dies,

There's a place where streams of grace flow deep and wide.

Where all the love I've ever found,

Comes like a flood,

Comes flowing down.

Chorus:

At the cross

At the cross

I surrender my life.

I'm in awe of You

I'm in awe of You

Where Your love ran red

and my sin washed white.

I owe all to You

I owe all to You Jesus.

There's a place where sin and shame are powerless.

Where my heart has peace with God and forgiveness.

Where all the love I've ever found.

Comes like a flood,

Comes flowing down.

Chorus:

At the cross

I surrender my life.

I'm in awe of You

I'm in awe of You

Where Your love ran red

and my sin washed white.

I owe all to You

I owe all to You Jesus.

Here my hope is found

Here on holy ground

Here I bow down

Here arms open wide

Here You save my life

Here I bow down

Here I bow down

Chorus:

At the cross

I surrender my life.

I'm in awe of You

I'm in awe of You

Where Your love ran red

and my sin washed white.

I owe all to You

I owe all to You Jesus.

Diary of a Runner

October 29. 2012: Joined Team World Vision
October 29, 2013: released an album of 9 songs that showcased my passion for worship
October 29, 2014: preparing to run my 4th 5k.

Here's the story of how I went from hating running in 3rd grade to now wanting to run a half-marathon by the time I graduate college.

My first run that I can remember was back in third grade gym class. It was a mile run called the turkey trot. Not knowing much about running, I just took off. The goal was to run one mile, or 24 laps around the gym. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to complete all 24 laps. We only had a certain time to run it. During 4^th-8^th grade, I had to run a mile as part of the presidential physical fitness test. Each year, I always told myself that I wanted to do better. I remember even re-running it on the make-up day. There was one year in Jr. High that I couldn’t do the make-up run because I had a bad cough that prevented me from running. During those years of running, I could never remember all of my times. The last mile that I remembered was 10 minutes even. I believe that was in 7^th grade. At one point during Jr. High, I considered joining the track team. That failed because of too much homework and my mom saying that I couldn’t do it since I was in band.

Fast forward to freshman year of high school, I didn’t have to run a mile, but I had to run laps for a certain period of time. I tried to pace myself, but it was difficult to do it. Since having to run a mile back in elementary and Jr. High school  I developed a small hatred for running, but yet I loved to race my sister on the beach. My sophomore year of high school, I still had to run laps, but this time, I changed my attitude. I wanted to learn about what it meant to be a better runner. I also began to pace myself better.

When I transferred to a new high school, the idea of running was dropped. I wasn’t required to take gym, so there was no opportunity for me to run. It’s now October and the day after the 2012 Chicago marathon. My physics teacher ran the marathon while injured. He wasn’t able to get his goal, but he was able to finish, which made me happy. Anyway, on the day of the marathon, I was actually coming home from a retreat. I had decided to wear an orange short in support of the team that he was running for, which was Team World Vision. Later that day, I posted on Team World Vision’s facebook page saying congrats and that I wish I could join the team because I wasn’t a good runner. Well, about two weeks later, that changed. On October 29, 2012, I signed up to join Team World Vision. My first run would be a 5K called the Hub Run.

Throughout my junior year, I began my training. I would run through the hallways of my high school as well as run laps around my yard. Eventually, I had to stop for two reasons. One, my high school was getting too crowded and two, it was starting to get cold out and I hated running in the cold. Finally, March rolled around and I was now on a training plan. The only downside was that I was using a treadmill. On the longer runs, I would run and watch a movie. On the shorter runs, I would listen to music. Sadly, at the end of April, I gave up on the plan because I fell behind. I then decided to just run on my own. I had one goal in mind, run the 5k in under an hour. I was going to do it, no matter what.

On May 5, 2013, the day arrived. However I had two problems. One, I had to work the night before, which caused me not to get to bed early. Also, I woke up with my knee in pain because of reason number one. I was nervous. I even emailed my teacher and said “Pray for me today, I’m in pain with my knee.” I decided to wear my new Team World Vision jersey to church that morning. Finally, it was race time. My phone was ready to go with all of music. My partner was there too. We both stood at the front of the line, waiting for the start. At last, we were off,

I ran the first mile without stopping. The rest of the race was a run/walk. I then finally crossed the line with both my hands raided to “Until The Whole World Hears” by Casting Crowns. I did it! I had ran my first 5K. My time, which I checked at home, was 37 minutes and 14 seconds. I was happy that I got my goal!

It’s now June and I’ve graduated high school. My next goal was to run the Crown Point Crusader Classic, which was another 5k, in September. Unfortunately, I was not able to run it. I then decided to take a break. Moving on to May of 2014, I decided to start running again since I was planning to run a 5K in college. My first run was a nine minute run to “Assemble” from “The Avengers” and “Lemurian Star” from “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”. The goal was to run without stopping for water. Well, I got my goal, but I was VERY worn out. Plus, I had to work later that night. Make a long story short, I came home work early because I felt like I was ready to fall over when I bent down to do something.

Throughout the summer, I would do these small nine minute jogs. My record for running without stopping that I officially timed was 7:44. I eventually broke that record. Today, it is 15 minutes. Ok, I’m now in college, my second 5k is on September 6. The goal was to run it under 30 minutes. Well, I did just that. I ran it in 29:50. Eight days later, I announced my third 5k. This would also be my second one this month. I was super happy to male this announcement. My passion for running was back.

Starting on September 16, I worked through a seven day training regiment of running and cross-training. Cross training included swimming and biking. The plan concluded on September 23 with a 1.67 mile run and a 1.56 mile bike ride. I then took a three day break. Saturday came and I was ready. I ran almost the entire 5k, only walking twice. I finished the last part of the race at a hard and fast run, hands in the air to “Until the Whole world Hears”. My time was 29:10. I did it again. I beat my goal of running a 5K in under 30 minutes.

After my third 5k, I decided to take a well-deserved break. I was supposed to resume on October 14, but ended up not because of homework and poor weather conditions (cold temperatures). However, I do have an alternative, bike riding. My longest ride so far is 8 miles in 1 hour. As I am writing this, I am preparing for my 4^th 5k. This one will be interesting because I haven't done much running since my last one. I hope to run it in a decent time. My long-term goal is to run/walk a half-marathon by time I graduate college in 2018. I am also approaching my 2-year anniversary of being a member of Team World Vision. So far, 6 people have water for life. $50 provides water for one person. When I ran the hub run, I raise $200. On my one-year anniversary, I released an album of 9 of my favorite worship songs. The album was all about worship and water. I wanted to showcase my passion for worship. Also, any donations that I received would go toward World Vision. I raised $87 and then contributed the remainder to make it $100. As of today, Team World Vision has a copy of my album as well a a picture collage so they can see what I look like.

I was so excited to sign up for the team. I would like to thank my physics teacher, my running partner from the Hub Run, and TWV themselves for inspiring me to run. Most importantly, I would like to thank God, for giving me the ability to run. I couldn’t have done any of these races without Him!

The picture below is of me outside my dorm room after completing a 15-minute run in the cold.

"Forever Changed"

Hey, readers. Other than writting my thoughts on songs, I also write stories on FanFiction. Most of them are crossovers with The Avengers and Star Wars. Anyway, my most recent story is titled "Forever Changed."

The description is as follows: One is killed, one is taken captive, one is severlely wounded, and with the help of a special guest, one will make a life-changing decision that will change their way of life forever. 

Here is the link to "Forever Changed". Also, if you have social media, please share this with your friends. Let's see if we can start something awesome!!!! 

http://archiveofourown.org/works/5740567/chapters/13228375

"Waterfall"

Chris Tomlin's new song, "Waterfall" is my most current Christian theme song. I love the metaphor that he chooses to describe God's love. God's love rains down on me, just like a waterfall.  His love is amazing. I couldn't ask for anything better than his love that never fails me. Read the lyrics and be reminded of God's unchanging love. Also, check out the video of me singing this amazing song.

"Waterfall" by Chris Tomlin

Oh God, my God I seek You
I wanna move when You move
You're more than I could long for
I thirst for You

You're an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

Oh God, my God I seek You
In this dry and desert land
You lead me to streams of mercy
Once again

You're an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall

It's coming like a flood
I'm dancing in the rain
Everything I've done
Is covered in rivers of grace, amazing

It's coming like a flood
I'm dancing in the rain
I lift up my hands
Your love never changes, amazing

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls, too deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me

Waterfall, waterfall