The night before Christmas- Brandon Heath

I know it is no longer Christmas but I love this song. It gives a great picture of the birth of Jesus I think :) 

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born
Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn
We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape
In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light
But that was the night before Christmas

Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet, praying Godspeed the dawn
She looks to her man, holding her hand, they wonder how long
And the shepherds, wise men come to find them, and bow to a king
One star above shining on love, so bright it lit up the night before Christmas

And the world didn’t know mercy was meek and so mild
And the world didn’t know that truth was as pure as a child
The night before Christmas
The night before Christmas

And the world didn’t know, redemption was sweet and so strong
And the world didn’t know salvation was writing a song
The night before Christmas
The night before Christmas
The night before Christmas

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born

I don't regret

"I Don't Regret" by Barlow Girl

They're telling me they're concerned for the way I am living
That I'll miss it all why would I think that God is that trusting
I can't explain all the words He has spoken to my heart
Why'd I want him more

I don't regret choosing you
And I'm not ashamed
That it's You who holds my heart

Why do we think if we trust God too much will fail us
Nothing has come when I chose its that in me I'd trust
Separate me You have called out to follow You blindly
I won't fear You're leading me

I don't regret choosing You
And I'm not ashamed
That it's You who holds my heart

You have shown my ever wondering heart what love is
What on earth is more important than to have all of you

I don't regret choosing you
And I'm not ashamed
That it's You who holds my heart 






I love this song! I don't regret choosing Jesus. Even with all the hard times. Do you?

God's Creativity #2 "birds of the air"

#1: Quetzal

Look at the colors on that baby! My my! 
Quetzal is a name from  Nahuatl quetzalli, meaning "large brilliant tail feather" and I do agree! It can be found in parts of western Mexico. Their bright, beautiful colors make them a wonderful sight to the eyes. They also must be wonderful to paint because numerous paintings have been done of them. These large quite birds feed on fruits, berries and insects. And despite their brilliant, jazzy colors they can be hard to spot in the heavily wooded area where they live.


#2: Painted Bunting

The Painted Bunting is a native to North America and is a member of the Cardinal family.
The male Painted Bunting is often considered the most beautiful bird in North America! And looking at it can you see why? People would catch these pretty birds and keep them in a cage but due to declining population that is now illegal.
These birds are usually very shy and secretive which makes them hard to see. But when you do see one, you know that God has shown you one of his awesome masterpieces! :)


#3: Road Runner

The Road Runner's name comes from the birds habit to race down the road in front of moving cars and than retreat to the bushes for safety. Lol. 
They are usually found in the Southwestern part of the United States as well as parts of Mexico.
This small bird can run up to 20 miles an hour and usually feeds on snakes, small mammals, scorpions, spiders, and insects. Fruit is only about 10% of it's diet. 
When the desert gets cold at night, this bird can lower it's body temperature to conserve energy. 
Isn't God the master creator???? :)

Cling to the call

I was walking on water just a week ago
Not a care in the world even a day ago
Not sure what happened but all of the sudden
I saw the crashing waves all around me
And once again I had to choose
To put my eyes back on You
My eyes back on You

And You said...
Cling to the call
Cling to the peace that guards your heart
Cling to the promise
Though you stumble you won't fall
I will uphold you now just trust me with all
Just look at me and I will lead you as you
Cling to the call

I could stand without wavering just an hour ago
I could not deny You even a moment ago
Not sure what happened but three times denied You
And once again I've gotta choose
To put my eyes back on You
My eyes back on You

Now once again
I trust You're leading me
I choose to lean not
On my understanding, Lord
And I will sing as I cling…




These are the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, by John Waller :)

Meteor Shower

I can finally see that You're right there beside me
I am not my own, for I have been made new
Please don't let me go I desperately need You

I am not my own, for I have been made new
Please don't let me go I desperately need You 




This is a song called "Meteor Shower" by the band Owl City. I love it mostly just because of the lyrics. So simple yet so deep :)


Karis

Bible Memorization

                 

Recently I've been feeling a need to memorize scripture. It seems as that when I'm tempted to sin, it is extremely hard to remember scripture that could help me say no to sin. I have memorized verses in the past but with memorization you kind of need to continue to memorize constantly "keep 'em in your thinker", to keep memorizing. The bible even says to "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" 2 Timothy 4:2. We can't be ready if we don't study and memorize!

So I'm going to start memorizing five verses a week. I'm writing down five and than reviewing them every night (and sometimes during the day) than when I have them memorized, I'll say them to my sister who will then sign her name, below the verse, saying I passed it.

Here is the first five verses:

James 1:1-5

James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: 
Greetings.

 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

You are welcome to try it with me :) 

I would love to hear about your memorization ideas and thoughts.

In His Love,

Karis

God's Creativity #1 "fish in the sea"

I was watching a program last night about sharks and rays with some of my siblings and they told a little about this remarkable animal. It made me think about how awesome God is in his creativity, how unique his designs are. I decided to do a series on my blog about God's creativity in nature. "Fish in the sea" is the first one.


Look at this amazing creature! 

As an adult it can weigh roughly around 2,200 lbs! It's large fins are perfect to propel it through the vast waters. Look at it's wonderful design, God truly is the master creator! :)




How about this one? 



One of the largest and it feeds on the smallest; plankton.




Look at the colors!



I think that the blue jellyfish is so prettyfull :D Lol. My brother thinks it looks like a mushroom off of the mario game. 
But once again it shows God's wonderful design! :)

Rejoicing when others wouldn't

Acts 5:41 "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."
How many of you have ever suffered for the sake of Christ's name and walked away happy and joyful because you got to suffer for His name?
I don't know about all of you; but that hasn't happened to me. I've never suffered for my faith and than been happy about it. Truth is I haven't really suffered at all for my faith....
This is one of my favorite verses because it shows how much love for the Savior the disciples had; how much we should have. Now these guys were beaten, whipped, persecuted for the name of Jesus. And than they were told not to speak that Name again.
The Name, Jesus, the precious, glorious name of Jesus.


When you think of how AWESOME God is, who wouldn't want to suffer for His name?


<3 Karis

A prayer

Father,
Today I pray for patience
And the ability to hold my tongue
It will be hard, but I know that with you it is possible
Help me to respect those who to me seem undeserving
Without your love and forgiveness my life means nothing
Thank you for a second chance to love like you
Amen

More like falling in love - Jason Gray

Give me rules 
I will break them 
Give me lines 
I will cross them 
I need more than a truth to believe 
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes 
To sweep me off my feet 
It ought to be 

More like falling in love 
Than something to believe in 
More like losing my heart 
Than giving my allegiance 
Caught up, called out 
Come take a look at me now 
It's like I'm falling, oh 
It's like I'm falling in love 

Give me words 
I'll misuse them 
Obligations 
I'll misplace them 
'Cause all religion ever made of me 
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet 
It never set me free 
It's gotta be 

CHORUS 

...It's like I'm falling in love, love, love 
Deeper and deeper 
It was love that made 
Me a believer 
In more than a name, a faith, a creed 
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me






I love this song! For me it seems to say that our relationship with God should be more like falling in love with him. Wanting to learn  more about him, spending lots of time with him, just loving him with our whole lives! Amazing it would be!!! :)
~Karis

Father....

Father,
Take the pain, take the burden
Help me to leave the stress behind
In my hurt, help me to be a light to the hurting
Bless me and comfort me in this bind
Aid me to make a decision for your glory
Guide me with your gentle touch
I know that without you no one can stand
Yet help me stand for your name 
You confront the impossible 
To show me it's possible
Give me your strength to do what is needed
I'm your's forever and always


In His Name,
~Karis




"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26

Sex...Is like a gift wrapped in brown paper

There's a beautiful gift inside this package.

It's wrapped for protection, tied for security.

Stamped: "fragile!" "Handle with care!"

It's to easy to loosen the strings,

To let anyone tear away the wrapping,

To give the gift without commitment-

Offer it to the highest bidder,

Or hand it out as the prize for a game.

There's a gift wrapped inside this brown paper.

It's for keeps-not to be exchanged.

No deposit. 

Nonreturnable.

It's a suprise, a happy treat to be opened by the person to whom it's addressed,

On a date marked 

"Forever."

By Ruth Senter

What will you do with your gift? Will you save it for that special day? 

In His Name,

~Karis

Proverbs 25:28

Proverbs 25:28 "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
      Is like a city broken down, without walls.

So often we tend to just follow the world, do what they do, go with the flow. I'm sure you've heard of it, probably even done it. As believers the bible calls us to be a light in the midst of a dark world, to not be conformed to the world, and like this verse seems to be saying to build up walls around our spirit. Walls of faith! Don't let your spirit be conformed to the world! Build your walls of faith! 

In His Name,

    Karis

Better than a Hallelujah- Amy Grant

God loves a lullaby
In a mothers tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves a drunkards cry,
The soldiers plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

The woman holding on for life,
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
The tears of shame for what's been done,
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody 
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Better than a church bell ringing,
Better than a choir singing out,singing out.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah

Count it all joy?

James 1:2-3 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
Who wants to count it as joy when they fall into trials? It's certainly not something you want to do. And it is hard. Trials are conflicts, suffering, and troubles that can be really hard to deal with. Now depending on how you deal with the trials they can ether direct our attention to God or we can choose to turn away. Trials can also make us more useful to God and to help us trust Him more. 
Yes, suffering is very common among Christians. Just check out Hebrews 11:36-39. 
But also remember when you are afflicted with trials, God is ALWAYS there! God's peace is ALWAYS available and God's strength is ALWAYS available! NOTHING can separate you from God's love!
I'll leave you with this last final thought 
2 Corinthians 5:8-9 "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed"
In His Name,
Karis
P.S. This was a topic of a sermon I recently heard. So alot of these thoughts cam from that. Just thought I'd share them :)

The Ocean :)

Okay so I'm spending the weekend with my sister, my twin aunts, and my grandma at the beach. So far I love it!! I don't know how anyone can look, feel and see the ocean and think that it came about my random chance. I think that one of the reason's God created the ocean is to show His strength and power. 
One of my favorite quotes is: 
"Whether you like it or not, whether you know it or not, secretly all nature seeks God and works toward him". -- Meister Eckhart
I don't have much time to write about this right now, but I would appreciate your thoughts on the subject.
Genesis 1:10
In His Name,
~ Karis

Love, What is it???

About a month ago, I don't even remember what sparked it. But I was wondering exactly what is love. I went on a quest to find out. I mean sure I tell my friends I love them, I tell my family I love them, but really what is love? I went to the bible in search of answers. Here is what I found: 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down his life for his friends."

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

All this information leads me to believe that love is a very, very powerful thing. And above all else if we truly love others with real Christ like love the reward will be great in heaven. 

I am still studying on this particular subject, so maybe there will be more in the future.

Other thoughts on the subject would be greatly appreciated! :)

1 Corinthians 13:13

In His Name,

<3 Karis