Top 10 of 2011!

Here's the top 10 viewed posts of 2011!

1. Just Wonderful Me!

2. Dire Prayer Request! (Sadly, Aaron passed on and is now with his Heavenly Father but prayers for the family are greatly needed! Thank you!)

3. Orchestra 

4. Beauty. Directed at you girls! 

5. Flattering

6. Past Tense

7. Take a Look

8. My Heaven List

9. School has taken over my life

10. television

Thanks for reading my blog! You all have been such a blessing and encouragement to me in the past year! Have a wonderful New Years and an amazing 2012! I know that God has out of this world plans in store for each and every one of us this year. Just wait and see.

See you next year!
Janae

Let's fight, I'm ready!

When going into battle, soldiers prepare and train for weeks and weeks before hand. Their commanders tell them when, how, and what they will be doing in combat. They get them ready so that when the time comes, they can overcome the enemy. There's not chance of losing. In the book of Judges God used the battles in chapters 1-2 to prepare and ready the descendants of the Israelites for future battles.

If I'm going into battle I would want to prepare way in advance for any future complications. I wouldn't want to run into anything unprepared. The life of a Christian is filled with battles. The Bible talks about the battle between good and evil that's going on but God has already won. That doesn't mean that it's going to be easy, it means that God will bring you through anything because he has already won the battle and you are his through faith in him.

I think whatever struggles you are facing now are equipping you for the future. The struggles you face now all have a purpose and fit into the plan. Soldier go through rigorous training physically for their physical battles. We go through rigorous training spiritually for the spiritual warfare we engage in.

Psalm 18: 39

You armed me with strength for battle.

Judges 3:2

He did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience.

Listening?

Psalm 66:19
But God has surely listened
and heard my voice in prayer
Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice:
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Do you ever feel like God isn't answering your prayers? I think we all get like that. There's something we often forget; something very important. God always answers prayers, it's just not always how we want. God works in mysterious ways. His ways are not our ways and our ways are rarely his. We expect our prayer life to look like this.
Us: "God, please help me to get a raise in my job this week and help my friendship with Amy to keep together through this fight we're having."
God: "Okay, here's your raise and Amy will be your best friend next week!"
But that's so often not how it works. We most of the time don't get that raise and might lose our best friend. It seems horrible in that moment. As if God didn't hear us. As if he doesn't answer prayers and he has no power. Again we forget something very important. God always answers prayers, it's just not always how we want. He gives us so much evidence that he can work in miracles and that his plans are for the best in the end. We still doubt though. It's hard to know even with lots of evidence. He may be using you not getting a raise to bring him glory through being grateful or your friendship being lost when she wasn't a good influence on you. Nothing is wasted. God hears your prayers every time. He longs to speak with you and delights in your requests. Believe that he can do all things, but when he doesn't do all the things you want, don't lose faith in him and believe that he does still hear, it just might be a delayed answer for now. So listen to his answers as he listens to yours. 

Brand Spankin' New Folks

My mom just emailed me "Relax. Read Matthew 6. God knows all of the details." I grabbed my beloved Bible from upstairs and it made me cry. It was brand new. The old verses that I've heard so many times were brand new. It spoke directly to what I was so upset about today. It's amazing how almost every time I open my Bible it becomes brand new. It's in a new context because my life is the new context and it makes a world of difference. Never underestimate God. He can speak the most powerful words through the same verses you've known since Sunday School. 

Insensible Faith

Luke 2:1-7
Psalm 139:16

Setting:
Right after Caesar Augustus issued a decree making everyone get registered for the census.
Joseph and Mary are heading back to Bethlehem to become married and register together.
They're riding along and then it's time... Jesus is coming soon, soon, soon!

No time for heading home or even to look around town for vacant room in an inn. Mary pulls out her maternal instincts and creates the best place she can for her new born baby, who also happens to be the savior of the world, to sleep and lay in. She doesn't freak out by now because she knows that the Lord is faithful.

How can if be possible to have that kind of faith? To be able to stop in the middle of your journey and do what you have to do even when it's hard and makes no sense. Is it sensible to have your baby in a barn? No. Is it sensible to be pregnant and be a virgin? No. Is it sensible that God would pick a young girl who was scared and troubled to raise and have his one and only son? No. Is it sensible that God would send his one and only son down to save us? No. But still, all of these things are true and happened. It doesn't matter what's sensible. It matters what we do with illogical turn of events. Faith is almost more not of being sure of things unseen but of being sure of the future when all signs of the present point to no. Have faith like Mary; be sure of what God is leading you to, don't worry, and rest in the fact that God is SO faithful and knows how things should and will turn out. 

A Prayer for Him

Dear God, 
Please be with my future husband. Grow him so incredibly close to you. Bond him to you. I also pray that any relationships he is in or goes into will glorify you and bring him to you and me. Help not to become too emotionally involves with any girl or physically. Keep him pure for me as I keep pure for him, but ultimately both of us for you. Keep him safe everyday. Keep his grades up. Make him a leader where he is. Help him reach his potential and shine your light in everything he does. Let others confide in him as a leader and man of God. Let him show others the way to you. Help him through everything. Grow him close to you. Help him be all you can make him be. Let him be humble and great. Help him be wonderful. Keep him from entering into any relationships and getting too involved. Let all of them bring him closer to me. I love him already and am looking forward to the day we are together. I'm looking forward to when we are perfect for each other. That time when we complete each other since you have completed us so perfectly. Please make me the person not he deserves, but that he deserves if that makes sense. The person that is prefect for him. That completes him once you have totally completed him. That appreciates him and makes him feel loved. The person that he loves with all his heart.
Amen.

Love is Waiting

(Chorus)

I'll be waiting for you baby

I'll be holding back the darkest night

Love is waiting til we're ready, til it's right

Love is waiting

For all you single girls. God is taking care of evvveerrryyything. Nothing is being forgotten. God schedule is perfect. Couldn't be better. Whatever struggles you are facing right now God is with you, stay strong and pure. Follow God and he will bring you through it. He knows the way out.

2 Chronicles 20:15 "Listen,...This is what the Lord says to you:'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. 

You are such a blessing! Stay strong.

Janae

Past Tense

Happened. 

It's such a powerful word. Our past dictates too much of our present. God says, "Just let go." and we say, "Oh no, no, no..." Who are we tell God no? I've realized my struggles are tied to the past. What I'm dealing with now has a hint of back then. I thought I was done with that. I think sometimes God uses our past as a precursor like it says in Judges 3:2

he (God) did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience

But at the same time, the past can be used as a weapon from the Enemy. It can have such a grip over our lives. It can dictate our futures without any reason. 

Some times I feel like I never fully got over past hurts. It still comes and bites me in the back. It whispers the lies in my ear. It's times like those I want to jump into the words of the Lord and never get out. I want to jump into the future to escape the past. What I need to focus on is the present and the future somewhat also. I need to focus on what God is doing now and who He is. His promises to me. 

Happened. 

It's such a powerful word. Yes. Happened not happening. When happened is used, it tells us that something is over. There is no more strength in the power of what has been done. Nothing. Jesus overcame the grave and have us hope. You have overcome and through that have been given strength, faith, and hope. You know have previous battle experience, but the battle can not overcome you. You must remember what happened. God brought you through the battle overcame it for you and with you. 

You are a blessing and warrior that was won, is winning now, and will win all battles through God. 

Janae

visions and revelations

The book of revelation is from a VISION from God to John. If he hadn't taken that step of faith to believe and know that it was from God and to act on it, where would we be? What would we know now? The rest of the New Testament was written words that God had actually said, or of things seen in the physical. Revelation is things believed in. That take an extra step. And extra uumf. Something pushing beyond the natural and rational barriers. None of it makes sense rationally to the world with worldly thinking, but with heavenly thinking, how could it even be doubted for a second? In the Bible I'm amazed by how many times God straight out tells people. People straight out know. And it's undoubted. Its regular for them. God tells them something and they immediately know its from God and that its THE truth. There is no other. But they don't even have to doubt because it's always from God and it always comes true. They have that personal relationship with Him that they KNOW his voice. He's their best friend. When he speaks, they listen. When he shows, they look. When he tells, they follow. What faith. A lot of times I feel like it's almost easier to have that kind of faith in God back then but that's just an excuse. It's the same thing now as it was then. What's changed since then? God is still God. He is still above all. Miracles still happen. And he still moves. Sometimes a lot of the same ways. How crazy it is that things happening in the Bible actually parallel what's going on directly in our lives! 

Flattering

Clothe yourselves in smiles, joy, and laughter. 
This is what's flattering.

Clothe yourselves in hard work, diligence, and self discipline. 
This is what's flattering.

Clothe yourselves in loyalty and trustworthiness.
This is what's flattering.

Clothe yourselves in wisdom, smart proverbs, and only let honest and true words escape your lips.
This is what's flattering.

Clothe yourselves in humbleness and reverence for the Lord.
This is what's flattering.

Clothe yourselves modest, stylish clothes that reflect God's glory in the purest way.
This is what's flattering.

Clothes yourselves in the words of the wise and dig into THE WORD with a shovel every day.
This is what's flattering.

Clothe yourselves in love and patience.
This is what's flattering.

Follow the Lord all the days of your lives.
For this is what is truly flattering for very figure for every woman (and man too). 

This idea stemmed off of the Proverbs woman and what is really important for "looking good" or having something be "flattering" for you. The world focuses on looks so much but there is SO much more. No, it's not being street smart or book smart. No, it's not being the quickest runner, the best free throw shooter on the basketball team, or having the hardest pitch. No, it's not playing the guitar, violin, trumpet, or clarinet the best or having the best voice. It's not about any worldly thing we put on a pedestal.  It's about your character, attitude, and relationship with God. It's your reflection of Him that's truly flattering.

Especially for women, even as Christians we think that Godly men are focuses on looks but I think that the true men of God look beyond that. The look for what God looks for. He wants the "Proverbs 31 Woman", or someone who strives to be her and most importantly like Christ.

this right here

This weekend was amazing.

It snowed. I have been waiting for this ever since the ski season started! It just makes me so happy and cheerful! And cold... but that's beside the point (:

Tucker enjoyed it too!

I had a sleepover with four of my most favorite people ever. Alex, Mycah, Candace, and Kaylin are so wonderful! I'm blessed to lead the Bible Study we are all in every Sunday night.

I have Bible Study tonight! We're ready Joshua and every week God speaks into my heart. It's amazing. I also laugh my head off every week.

I went out for coffee with Kaylin before church. I really needed that so much! Kaylin, I feel like I can tell you anything! Your advice and wisdom is always welcome and wonderful. With like being so crazy busy sometimes I just need a de-stresser and vent time (and some coffee for $1). Even though the place we went was under major construction it's a good memory (: I will always be here for you and cheer you on!

Church. Enough said. God was there. He is so real and so great! Favorite part of the week!

Mycah, her mom, my mom, and I went and saw Rebecca St. James in concert last night and it was amazing! She is such a role model and fabulous Christian artist.

Thanksgiving is this week and I only have two days of school. Enough said also.

God is so good. Sometimes I feel like I don't totally live that out in my heart but I really do know that it's true. Sometimes it's hard to feel that it's true, but it is.

2 Chronicles 20:9

If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgement, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us. 

You are a blessing! 

Janae 

Does that make me crazy?

Skiing

School

Church

Violin

Friends

Family

Sleep

Does all of that make me crazy? Okay, let me rephrase this. Has it been making me crazy. Answer: Yes. I feel like lately my life has gotten exponentially busy. Ahh! I love it but it's just so hectic! I just got done making fudge every hour of the day (Our youth group over all gave over $3500 in the 3-2-1 Challenge offering last night! Which is big considering our youth group is pretty small too!) and now skiing just started which is a ton of hours of my after school life. All my classes and after school stuff is getting to me and I just feel like I'm going to A. Collapse or B. Explode! God is so good and I just am really depending on him right now. Maybe that's why he's brought me to this. The phrase, "If He's brought you to it, He'll bring you through it!" is so true and that definitely needs to be my motto. I'm loving the verse

Psalm 57:1 

Have mercy on me, O Lord, have mercy, 

For in you I refuge, 

In the shadow of your wings, 

Until the disaster has passed. 

Even though right now I just don't know how to handle things, there's one thing I know is always true and comforting. I can just take shelter in his arms. God knows what is going on and where I'll end up. He has a handle on things and knows just what to do, quite the opposite of me! Man I'm so needy these days, but maybe that's a good thing. When I become needy and crazy God's right there to keep me sane and going again. 

My BFF

Let me tell you about my BFF. After this, I'm sure you'll want to get to know my BFF!
My BFF is:

• Beautiful 
• Nice
• Honest
• Caring
• Powerful
• Smart 
• The best at everything 
• Will do anything for me
• Funny
• Soooooooo wise
• Has the best house, actually pretty much my second home! 
• Treats me like I should be treated
• Knows what to do in any situation
• Has a billion friends
• Super talkative sometimes, other times quiet
• A best selling author
• Wrote me 66 books
• Really old actually
• Always hung around these twelves guys in his younger days
• Born in manger
• Loved everyone, especially children
• Died on the cross
• Rose again on the third day after saving us all for eternity (if we receive it)
• Lives in Heaven right now and in my heart
• Jesus

Don't you want to get to know him now? 

Don'tcha know where home is?

We always say home is where the heart is but sometimes a person's heart just keeps traveling on back to the same old place! To me, Minnesota is home for sure. No doubt. Love it. Could live here my whole life. Vacations for sure, but always come back. There's a few other places I'd want to/be okay with living in ex: Anywhere as a missionary, Illinois/Chicago area, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana... and the big one. SOUTH DAKOTA! I love that place! That really is the place my heart is getting home sick for right now even though I've never lived there (we almost moved to Sioux City but then ended moving here a year later!) but I've been there a million times and that's where most of my family is.

South Dakota 

= 

A million stars at night 

Crazy mid-summer thunder storms 

A pot of coffee always going 

Hot humid summers 

Pick-up Trucks

Country on the radio 

Hot-dishes and jello salads 

Deep Snow every winter

Meeting up with friends or relatives for coffee

Warm quilts

Cool houses

Nick's Hamburgers

Trips to HyVee and Walmart 

(Because they're the only two grocery stores in town.)

Relatives coming in constantly

Hours of conversation a phone call and doorstep away

Laughs and Hugs 

Taking 10 minutes to get all the way across town

Bugs everywhere in the summers 

(but hey, that's Minnesota too...)

Staying up late watching tv with my Grandma

Laughing with my aunts 

Seeing my counsins' kids running around 

Drives out in the country 

Going to Ward for dinner 

(but if you pass the grain elevator you've missed the whole town)

Seeing my family all the time

Hearing North and South Dakotan/Minnesotan Accents all the time (:

Being related to half the people we end up talking to

Catching up on reading

The Kelo Land News

The 

And of course more coffee. 

I miss it! Where's home for you all?

Purpose And Preparation

Lately I feel like everything I'm hearing is about God's purpose and his plan. It kind of came off of Joshua and then kept on going with everything I hear and read. My devotional the past few days has been about God's plans too. The most popular "plan" verse is Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'" But so many other times the Bible talks about God's plan for your life and to keep on no matter what you're facing. 

• James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 
• 1 Peter 5:9-10: Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
• Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”
• Philippians 2:13 “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

I can't think of other verses right now and it's going to bug me! Anyways, I've been thinking about how God is so big and he has something great in store. Like, bigger than I could have ever imagined. And right now is a stage of preparation. I have no idea what's going to happen but I do know that God is working something up. In Joshua, the Israelites went through a preparation period before they crossed the Jordan and defeated their enemies. God was getting them ready for the next even in their lives and journey. You might feel like God isn't really doing much right now in your life, or in the opposite way, life is kicking into high gear and it's getting harder and harder! God is USING that! He is using what you're going through right now SO much you don't even know! Well I don't either, only God does, but it's great. His plans for us are so much more than we can even think about. I feel so naive to God's plans. I want to know right now what's going to happen. That's sadly now how God does things! It's for the better anyways I know (; But, yeah lately I've just been getting this feeling that for however long this period in my life is, it's just getting me ready for whatever is to come because God's doing something big! He's already got it in the works beyond my comprehension and what a plan and purpose it is! 

Joshua 4

The flow of the Jordan was cut off BEFORE the ark of the covenant of the Lord. (Joshua 4:7). What I’m getting from this is that God always prepares the way for us. He doesn’t just send us into something unprepared. God knew exactly what he was going to do with the tribe of Israel and made sure that everything went smoothly. The same thing happens with us. He doesn’t just send us into difficulties in our lives without readying us first. It’s like, a General of an army doesn’t send his troops out into battle without first equipping them and having a plan. Even if they (the soldiers) don’t know it yet, the leader does and he will walk them through it! Wow! Okay sort of just clicked in my brain as I write this. God is omniscient right? Knows everything right? Well then he obviously knows what’s going to happen! In Romans 8:28 it says that God works through and with all things so that everything works out for our good. Sometimes I’m just so confused, okay like pretty much all of the time, even when I think I’m not, I truly am! And I pray, “God I’m just so confused. I just don’t get it. I don’t get it. I don’t get it. I don’t get it. Why? Why? Why are you doing this? What good is there in this? I know that you’re always good and in the end this will end up well and better than I could imagine, so could you just let me in on the secret? Just a little?” That’s not really how things work though. Uh. But yeah God prepared a way for the Israelites to OVERCOME what they were going THROUGH. Nothing stood in their way that was too big for their (and ours! Yay!! Praise him!) God! Do you remember that Veggie Tales song that goes, “My God is bigger than the boogie man, the monsters on TV…” well that’s exactly what was going on here! “My God is bigger than the Jordan, the city of Jericho…” was what the Israelites would have been singing! Also, when in verse 7 later on it the Bible says, “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”  And then in Joshua 4:21-24, “He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendants as their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the people so the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is POWERFUL and so that you ALWAYS fear the Lord your God.’” To me this is saying, what’s going on right now is BIG and will be memorable to you and your people (aka family and friends and those who know you) forever! God did the impossible at the moment that they needed it. He knows just what we need and when! And God has done amazing things and will do them again. What he does know is all for a purpose. I have no idea what that might be and neither might you, but let me tell you, God knows! And it’s great. He will teach thousands with what you know and are going through right now. What He has planned is so huge so just walk through right now and rejoice in the fact that God is here. He has prepared a way for you. He is preparing you for the future with what’s going on right now. He is AWESOME in every way possible. He has the future planned. He went with Israel and he’s going with you too. 

P.S. A little update on me, school is still so crazy but God is so good! Praise him! Tomorrow is the last day of school for the week for public schools in Minnesota and thankful that means me too! Yay! And on Thursday my youth group and I are headed off to Rochester, MN for Minnesota Youth Convention. It's like all Assemblies of God youth groups come to Rochester, stay in hotels for a few nights of this annual break off from school we have, and have worship, hang out, and hear from an amazing speaker (: I'm so excited! Have a blessed day y'all (:

-Janae 

Joshua 3 Journal

In my Bible Study right now we're studying the book of Joshua. This is my journal about what I got out of Joshua Chapter 3 so I thought I'd just like to share! Read the chapter and tell me what you think in the comments (: 

Here it is:

Stayed where they were at and waited. Followed the Lord. They KNEW exactly where he was. Not where he was going, but where he was. We always want to know where we’re going and where the Lord is taking us before we go with him, when really we don’t have much of a choice and should just do it anyways. I don’t want to go somewhere without knowing the way there and where the destination is. But, we just have to go with God. I would be SO scared to go right into the Jordan River when, there’s of course a whole bunch of water there! Crazy! But it’s going to happen. That’s where trust comes into this. They TRUSTED God SO much! They didn’t question him they just went. No matter what. Also, I mean they knew the Lord. They didn’t even have to question what was from him. Sure they had the Arc of the Covenant but still, they just knew. I wish I had that kind of knowledge of God to just know right away! So many times it’s like, “Well umm, yeah I THINK this is from the Lord, but I don’t actually totally know. I WANT this to be from the Lord, so I’m going to go ahead and say it is.” Or “I DON’T WANT this to be from the Lord, so I’m going to go ahead and say it’s not.” Or “Okay so I thought this was from the Lord, but I don’t really want it to be any more so, yeah it’s no longer from.” I feel like sometimes is just so hard to know. When it’s in the Bible, sure it’s plain as day, but when it’s just Him speaking to you it’s a lot harder to know. God spoke directly to Joshua, amazing! Okay then at FLOOD STAGE and then stopped flowing! Wow! Okay so if God can do that can’t he do something little? What can’t he do in our lives? I mean, he is just amazing, so why can’t we just trust him a little? Why can’t I just trust what he says and not doubt. It’s all about the doubt. I’m a worrier and so I’m pretty sure the Devil uses that against me. Like a lot. I worry about God’s plans for me. I worry whether I’m getting the right info from God. I worry whether or not it’s from God. I just plain worry too much. I need to know and trust a little more, amen? 

How Great...

How Great....
(In the sarcastic way)
-AP Euro homework for 3 hours
-A test I didn't remember I had
-Washing my hands and splashing water on my jeans during school so who knows what that looked like!
-Biting my nails again when I'm trying to stop (I know, confession time right now if you didn't know this about me!)
-Picking something out in the morning but deciding halfway through the day, "What was I thinking?"

How Great....
(In the BEST way)
-FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) The first meeting of the year was this morning, and my first time ever, and I'm really excited! It's great to know that there are other Christians at Wayzata!
-Bright red nail polish
-Left-over amazing zucchini bread from my parents small group
-Gorgeous fall leaves
-Beautiful sunsets outside my backyard
-My backyard period.
-My family
-My friends
-The fact that tomorrow is Friday and the weekend!!!!!!!! (This one is PRETTY great! Especially considering I'll be getting extra sleep! Yes. This is what I've been looking forward to!)
-Reading this blog  and thinking that her little girl with Down Syndrome is probably one of the most precious and cute things I've ever seen.
-Girls' Bible Studies on Sunday nights
-Playing cards with the girls in the Bible Study from above
-Minnesota Youth Convention being in a few weeks
-Being able to share my faith
-Brooke Fraser's song Something In the Water that I found on this blog that I love. (You should definitely follow this blog and look up the song on YouTube! I love it!)
-Okay yeah, I just had to at this in here: Our God!! I was just listening to Hillsong United singing How Great Is Our God on YouTube and I was thinking, yeah really, how GREAT is our God? I mean, he's so amazing I just can't get over it! Pretty much, it's indescribable.

Let's see, I had to think about things that aren't so great but I could think of a billion more that were so great! Let's not focus on the negative and say, "Wow, this is really great." with the sarcastic attitude but think, "Wow, this is really actually great!" and be with a whole-heart thankful and happy about it! Life is great and so are you (:

-Janae

P.S. Feel free to leave a comment! I love them! Also, what would you viewers like me to write about in the future? I'd love suggestions that are nice and caring!

Together

This is something that I've been thinking about a lot. Too many times I think about something and pretty much write out a whole post about it in my head but it's too late, I'm too lazy to type out the whole thing, or I can't at that moment. Then the thought leaves for a while and when I actually have time to blog I can't come up with anything! So here it goes, this might be random and not totally together but bare with me (;

Imagine a family where the members of it always fight but tell others how to have strong relationships in their families and how to act? I would definitely think that they were hypocrites and wouldn't listen to a word they said.

Imagine a family that looks perfect on the outside but at home they always fight with their relatives? Anyone who enters into that house would be SO confused and think differently about them.

Imagine that this family was real and it was the family of God. Coming from a Christian this may sound so terrible, like I'm trying to put down the church but that's not at all what I'm saying.

I'm saying this from seeing what happens and it's effects.

I'm saying this as a sister and a friend.

I'm saying this as someone who loves the Lord with her all she is more and more each day.

I'm saying this as an active member of a wonderful church.

I'm saying this as a girl who wants to see a revival.

To get to my message. So many times churches can be FILLED with gossip and drama. That's not at all what the church is supposed to be. Right now my church is going over our goals as the body of believers that meets in the building called New Life Community. The word used church is meant to mean a group of Christians on a journey towards God together. If all we do is fight then how is that being together? And more importantly how is that moving towards God in any way?

I've seen gossip and people being not so nice when we were right in the middle of the body of Christ. So many times as Christians, mostly I think in Youth Group since that's currently where I am in my church most of the time; we forget to act Christ-like while we're with each other. We forget how to love one another. We forget not to gossip and do it as "being concerned for his/her well good."

We also forget how people can see how we treat others. We might think that everyone in Youth Group is a Christian and knows how Christians act but you can't always be sure. You never know what people are thinking and how the way you act can impact their view of the church and God.

I think I have such a heart for my Youth Group because they're my friends and we are the future. For me, when I come to church I'm so excited because I know that the people there are going to support me, build me up, and influence me in the right direction. It's my home and my family.

Imagine a family where everyone loves and respects each other. Any one who'd come into THAT house would feel loved too and instantly want whatever they have.

Don't you want to be like the last family?

Janae

Time Flies

I was just looking at some of my first few blog posts and it just makes me think about how different I am from them in my blog posts and in real life! Time flies, it really does. I started this blog a little over a year ago then stopped. I started back up again a while ago and I'm glad I did! It's kind of fun to get to write what I'm thinking down and people read it. Okay, so maybe that sounds odd but if you're a blogger I think you'll understand.

Anyways, when I think back to a year ago everything seems so different. I seem so young too! Even though that was only some 14 months ago. The good thing is that I think that in this past year I've grown a lot, not height wise, sadly I'm still only 5'7" and a half, but as a person and especially in my walk with Jesus. I always think about can people still be growing closer to God everyday when they're in their 70's? But, I think I'm coming to understand it more. There's always room for improvement. I have to admit that I used to think, "Wow, I'm so close to God right now! How can I really get that much better than where I am right now?" (P.S. NOT a good way to think. We all struggle though. I used to need to get off my high horse if you know what I mean.) However, I've changed my thinking! Which is wonderful! I think part of my thinking had to do with, I just couldn't imagine myself any closer to God because I just felt that close to him, you know? Well, anyways, this past year, especially this past summer, it's like my growth with Jesus has been exponential! I know more now and am more near to Jesus than ever before. I'm still learning so much and am not perfect in any way, that's why I'm so needy for God!, but I'm aware of increase in God. When I think back to a long time ago, like let's say 7th grade, and I thought that I was so close to God, I think, "Wow, not even close hun!" haha

Time really does fly though. I just can't believe I'm already about to have my third week of school tomorrow and the summer is long gone. I'm totally looking forward to the future though! Colder weather, boots, sweaters, scarves, Thanksgiving, Christmas, fires in the Fireplace, youth group every Wednesday, skiing, family coming together, MYC (Minnesota Youth Convention), and dare I say it, Football! The future is so bright! Time flies but our lives here on Earth are so short compared to the eternal life waiting for us in Heaven! So excited about that too! (:

Have a blessed Sunday praising the Lord!

Janae

P.S. You should watch this video! But watch the WHOLE thing because the adorable part isn't until the end.   Oh dear, it made me tear up! Once you watch it you'll understand (:

School has taken over my life.

Hey everyone,

Sorry about not posting in forever, well if you care that is. I really don't know! Anyways, the reason is that school has gotten so crazy in the past few days, aka, school started and my schedule is intense. I know God is going to do amazing things at Wayzata High School this year and the school you attend, and or place you work at! Have faith and pray about anything and everything! It's lovely and helps. I started my first ever AP class and it's the hardest class you can take at Wayzata, or so the upperclassmen who've taken it say. There's hours of homework, quizzes everyday and a giant test just about every week. But, surprisingly I'm not that worried. If I get a A- (or heaven forbid B+ or B) I'll be okay. It's a college level course and I'm not in college so that's pretty good for a little sophomore like me, right? I think so. That's a pretty big step for me to be okay with anything less than an A-! That sounds extreme but if you knew me then you could know for sure! haha Well, that's why I've not been blogging and might not for a while. School has been so busy and is only going to get more crazy as the year goes on with Alpine Skiing starting in late November and Drivers Ed. Wish me luck! No, better yet, pray for me!

Have a blessed year!

Janae

Take a Look

Have you ever stopped to stare; in the car, at your house, at school, out the window? Well, I find myself doing that A LOT. Probably every day I end up just looking around at the world that we live in. From all my observations, I can tell you one thing that’s just so obvious to me. Our God is amazing! I could never make anything that’s even remotely close to as beautiful as our world.

I was up with a whole bunch of other teenagers from my church at my youth pastor’s cabin this past weekend. I got so many bug bites, sore limbs from sleeping on the ground, and a sunburned face, but, it was gorgeous and fun and worth every itchy bug bite. On Friday night we were out on the lake just as the sun was setting and I think I’ve never seen anything more beautiful. I think my mind just takes things in at a whole different level than most people because I see the grass and I think, “Wow! That’s so amazing and wonderful! How in the world did God create something so great?!”  When normally people would think, “It’s just grass.” I mean, I just get so excited about what God’s doing. It’s absolutely spectacular. Anyways, the lake was so gorgeous and I’m convinced I’m going to live on a lake one day because they’re so stunning and every time I see the gorgeousness that is a lake, which is a lot since I live in Minnesota, it reminds me of how great God is!

 

(My backyard at sunset)

The sky is also just so magnificent! Every day I see the sunset and can see the wonders of God. In everything I see I see Him. And after the sun sets the stars come out and I am in awe all over again. The way you see the world has a big impact on how you see God. God is so present in Creation so just take a look!

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (NIV)

Have a blessed day and you are a blessing!

Janae

Dire Prayer Request!

At camp this summer I had the joy of meeting my new friend Nicole! While at camp I also got to briefly meet her wonderful boyfriend Aaron. Now this boyfriend, he recently got into a terrible swimming accident, think Joni but more serious, and now he is at least paralyzed from the neck down and can only breath at this moment. His family, friends, and Aaron himself more than anything, need your prayers! They need a miracle very badly. To learn more about Aaron and how he's doing visit: www.caringbridge.org/visit
/aaronjohnson1 

What a Creation!!

Last weekend I went up north with my family and we stayed in Two Harbors. Let's just say that God is almost never more evident then when I'm out in His wonderful Creation and northern Minnesota displays what He did perfectly. It was so beyond gorgeous I still can't get over it! Here are some pictures from my trip!

 Isaiah 40:31- But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

 Matthew 6:33- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Psalm 37:4- Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

(P.S. I really love this verse.)

How could I not smile when everything is so beautiful and my Lord is so good!

Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

 

... Including catching a fish in my mom's case!

Lake Superior 

It was so crazily calm that morning we went fishing! 

Gooseberry Falls State Park! 

Waterfalls 

More gorgeous Creation

Psalm 118:24- This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

(P.P.S. This one too!)

Super crazy beautiful and crazy high up! 

 Deuteronomy 31:6- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Another water fall!

Proverbs 18:10- The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

We found some giant lawn chairs across from where we ate lunch! I felt so little! haha

The typical, wonderful view all weekend (:

The view from the Split Rock Lighthouse

And there it is! 

And this is where the keepers would live with their family.

Psalm 34:8- O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.

1 Corinthians 13:13- So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 

Doesn't it look like the ocean?

And there's the lighthouse from below!

Isaiah 12:2- Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Psalm 51:10- Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

(This is the verse on my purity ring too! Wonderful verse.)

Proverbs 3: 5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Psalm 37:5- Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Isn't it just delightful? On the first night we got there and we went to an old lighthouse and walked right by the Lake (it's the first picture) and I felt like my brain was going to just like, I don't know, become overloaded or something because of all the stunning-ness (Yes that's not a word but oh well. It fits.) that's all around me! I mean sometimes I just can't believe just how wonderful God created everything. It's surreal. the more beauty of Creation I see, the more I love God and appreciate just how wonderful He is and definitely is majesty. I could not even come close to making a place as beautiful as Earth. Even the clouds are lovely! I just looking up at the sky and admiring how grand everything is. Take some time to admire the works of our Creator! It's quite something (; 

Have a blessed day because you are a blessing!!

Excitement, what a wonderful thing!

The other day I was telling one of my best friends how I'm so excited for this and that, and then the list kept going on and on! I realized that I'm such an excitable person, or more or less, I'm excited for lots of things! The future holds so many new adventures and I just can't wait! Here are some of the things I'm looking forward to in the (near) future:

• Getting my haircut short
• Driving
• Wearing sweaters (Yeah, I know. I just love sweaters though!) 
• Buying new clothes for fall and winter
• School to start so I can see my friends
• Being in Chamber Orchestra (I'm a little scared to for this one...)
• Going to Two Harbors for the weekend! 
• Going up to my youth pastors cabin with my youth group
• Getting my pay checks for babysitting 
• The leaves to start turning colors
• Wearing jeans 
• Skiing this year (hopefully without any injuries... haha)

Well, just lots of things I guess! I can't think of much else but I KNOW that there's lots of things to be excited for and thankful for!  

I think that the things I'm most excited for are the things and plans that God has in store for me. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." - Jeremiah 29:11-12

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” - Psalm 32:8

Have a blessed day! 

p.s. Sorry for the messed up white behind the bible verses but I'm not really sure how to fix it at the moment though. I'm not the most computer savvy (; haha

A Cat in the Hat

Okay so this post isn't about the Cat in the Hat but as soon as you read the title you already assumed it was. This morning, when this whole thing was more fresh in my mind so bare with me here, I was just thinking about the titles of blogs I've read and how you never really know what something is about until you actually read it, listen to it if it's a song, or watch it if it's a video or movie. So many times I've heard the expression, "Don't judge a book by it's cover!" however, it seems that most of the time I do.

Example. When I'm deciding what movie to go see with my friends, if I don't like the title or it sounds stupid, dumb, or scary, I immediately decide I don't want to watch that one. Sam thing with a book pretty much. I always read the back but if the front doesn't intrigue me enough then I don't even bother.

Titles are so tricky sometimes. The Bible is the best book that was ever written but if I didn't know what it was about I wouldn't think that it would be.
Possible names for The Bible that would make me want to pick it up:

God's Never Ending Love Story
Past, Present, Future
Read Here to Save Your Soul
Pathway to Heaven
Wisdom for Dummies
Just Out: Jesus is THE Savior
Straight from the Lord's Mouth
The list could go on and on, (I personally love the first one because I'm a sappy teenage girl and it reminds me of a Lori Wick book title! I also recommend her books!) BUT none of those are the ones God has picked for His Word.

I feel like God picked a title that was more humble so that those who read it would choose to read it out of the content and not just because of a catchy title or a wonderful cover illustration. God also does that with us! The way He made us and who we truly are is much more than just what the world sees. And it is so much more than what we look like on the outside and our Earthly name. I think that our identity rests in God and our actions speak louder than our title and cover.

First impressions are a big deal I think but you shouldn't keep that image of someone in your head forever when their actions correct that first picture of them. I've been called or known as The Goody-Two-Shoes for a long time and there are good and bad things about that reputation. A long with that title I've also been thought of as up-tight or just no fun but once people get to know me they know that that's not true. Don't judge a person forever by their Earthly title that others have given them without seeing their true identity that God has given them. Actions truly do speak louder than words. At camp one of the things that I kept hearing during chapel and prayer was that no matter what people think of or title you as, with God speaking through your actions, you will be known as His son or daughter and the one that has what everyone else wants. That will become your new title and your new title will be God-proclaimed not peer-proclaimed!

You are a blessing in someone's life and SO loved,

Janae

I'm BACK!

I know I was going to talk all about camp in this post on the day that I got back but.... I'm so tired! I got like around 6 1/2 hours of sleep each night and normally I need like 10 to function like a regular person. It was definitely the best week ever! I loved the fellowship of all the other High School students chasing after God and I loved how the presence of God was carried with us when we left the chapel. Besides Minnesota Youth Convention I don't think I've seen so many students worshiping with all of their heart, singing privately to God! By the way, I am so excited for MYC now! But you could just tell on the faces of us that God touched us and moved into our lives in a new exciting way! I can't wait until camp next year and God didn't disappoint at all. He reached and moved beyond my expectations of what would be in store at camp this year.

When I recover from my sleep (It might be a while since I'm waking up at 7:30 to go boating out on Lake Minnetonka tomorrow morning...) I will tell you of all that happened at camp! 

Off soon!

It's about 7:50 here and I'm almost done packing for camp! So, I won't be posting until I get back which is this Friday. BUT, pray for me and the girls in my cabin that God will do amazing things in our hearts and through us this week! I know that God has amazing things in store for us this week (: Have a blessed week everyone! 

One of My Favorite Things!

Well, I love dogs, shoes, blueberries, rain, laughing, talking, reading (but it has to be a good book), writing, my family and friends, the list could go on; but what is my favorite?

It's not on that list because it is in it's own category. The only one there ever has been and ever will be. It's inspired, it actually is! It's inspired by God Himself! It's older than me, my oldest brother, my mom and dad, even my great great great-grandmother! You might have guessed it by now. It's the Bible.

Oh how much comfort I take in my Bible! It's like my security blanket. Okay this may sound odd, but even just holding my Bible is comforting. To know that The Word of God is right there in my hands is so wonderful! It's more that I can even put into words! It's really crazy actually.

There's really nothing like the words of God written down just for you! I love reading my Bible and the hope and love that it gives me. One of the biggest things that God is to me is the comforting Father God. He controls everything and is always there. So many times, it's almost as if I can feel God's big arms wrapped right around mine. I've kind of repeated myself a lot in this post but once you have that comfort that only God can give, you will understand completely! Embrace the Comforting Father God today! He's right there and extremely accessible. He's written tons of letters to you and you can even find them online. The Bible is so indescribable so instead of reading my words trying to tell you how it makes me feel, read it yourself. You'll see just what I'm talking about. (:

-Janae 

Beauty. Directed at you girls!

Beauty: n. A combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight. 

No where in that definition does it say you have to have no blemishes, perfect hair 24/7, a size 2 figure, and the most blue eyes that anyone has ever seen. But, lots of girls seem to think that beauty is exactly what they aren't. It just breaks my heart when I say to someone that they're very beautiful and they just disagree with me until I just can't even say anything anymore. Why is there such a strong definition of beauty that it's hard for a girl to feel beautiful. I have this theory that every girl is beautiful and every girl should think that they're beautiful. No, I don't mean that they should be conceited or think that she is the most beautiful girl in the world and therefore better than others. That's not at all what I mean!  

What I do mean is that God created each girl uniquely and each one of us is beautiful in a different way. The ways that I am beautiful are much different than my friend who's a few inches taller and has a models body (long legs and a slim body). Just because we're made differently doesn't make us less pretty than the other though. I don't think I've seen a girl that wasn't beautiful. Maybe others are more striking but when I smell the garbage that smell is most definitely striking also! The sweet smell of Roses is much less distinct at first but smells just as good as Jasmine. 

Beauty is also so many times associated with having a boyfriend also. One of my friends said that she's not pretty because is she was then she would have a boyfriend. I asked her if there were any guys she would like to date that she knew because I think THAT is the reason and she said no there weren't any. The little girl I babysit also said a few days ago that all of the cute girls in college have boyfriends already. Even her, a nine year old has these notions in her head! I think that girls of all ages need to start seeing the beauty in everything. Maybe it's just me that notices the beautiful way that God created the clouds as I'm driving by, or the way that the wind moves the grass in the marsh behind my house. 

God created each one of us just the way He wanted. He didn't say, "Oh well you, oh yeah I messed up on you a little bit..." or "You're not quite as pretty now but in a few years you'll grow out of that." or "Yes, she's prettier than you but you know what? You're WAY better looking than that girl! Just be thankful you're not the not unsettling girl to look at in school..." God didn't say any of those things the moment that He made you! He said, "She is so beautiful! I KNOW that others will see her in me by not just the way that I made her but in the way that she carries herself and in her heart." 

So many commercials are targeted at young women you just want to be beautiful. Like this one ridiculous commercial I always see for mascara that shows this beautiful young woman putting on her mascara as this guy is coming into her room because she is just so beautiful. I mean, to me, that commercial makes me not want to buy that mascara because I don't want creepy men coming into my room! But, the point of that commercial is to make us girls want to buy that so we can have that look. 

Beauty isn't just one thing and it's different just as everyone is different. When you're getting ready for the day don't look in the mirror and complain about your hair or skin or weight but look in the mirror and say, "This is how God made me and He made me beautiful." 

Janae

Camp!

When I went to Camp Tadmor, that's when I really started loving camp. I loved the spiritual aspect of camp. I loved the people that went. I loved my counselors. I loved my friends that went. I loved going to the lake and going off the blob. I loved everything about camp expect maybe that it was only six days. The whole summer I would just be waiting for camp! This year, since I've moved I'm going to a new church camp but I'm still none the less excited. My friends that have gone say that it's the best camp so we'll see if it measures up to Tadmor. We'll see (;

But, I am still so excited! I feel like it will kind of be like Youth Convention but a few days longer instead. I just love that strong spiritual connection that there is at youth events like Fine Arts, Youth Convention, and camp. I think it's almost my favorite feeling. The feeling of being all one. Everyone is just like me to a certain extent. I guess, because I go to such a big school where strong Christians are hard to come by, that I just long for that company of strong Christians; and at camp there is that! It's one of the things that I love about going to youth group.

At camp, it's just such a rush I guess. The Holy Spirit is so real and present. I know that a lot of Christians use it as kind of a recharge for their walk with God, but even if that's all it is, it's such a time of growth. The way that the fellowship, worship and reflection changes people is so strong and wonderful! It's so exciting to see the girls in my cabin growing closer to our awesome Creator!! So pumped!

Janae