Spread the Fire! - Light up the world!

Praying for Your Future Husband

2011-07-20T22:44:00.001-07:00

Recently I have read the book Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer. Now this is something that I've been doing for years in addition to writing him letters and such. But this books really helped me to fill in the gaps with specifics. I love the stories that Robin and Tricia have woven into the book - their own stories and life experiences. Both have drastically different stories, but at the same time, that is what makes this book so special - because everyone has a different story, especially when it comes to love. But to those who waited, and to those who failed to do so, there is something in this book for you.

As you are told in the beginning of Praying for Your Future Husband, "Love begins in the heart."

It seems like such a simple lesson - a simple statement. But it holds much truth in it. We need to be preparing our hearts as well as praying for that of our future husband's.

Some things that this book goes into are what we need to be praying for our future husband, such as we need to pray for:

His Heart
Him to be a God lover
Patience
Understanding
Trust
Loyalty & Faithfulness
Strength
Protection
Intimacy
"The List"
Contentment
Commitment

Beautifully drawn together with powerful stories. You will not want to put this book down and it is great to keep on reference. Additionally, it will help you get into the habit of praying for your husband as it teaches you how you can pray for him and even along the way show you what you can do in your heart to prepare it for him. I really do recommend this book! Come check it out!

Taking a Stand

2011-07-08T05:45:00.000-07:00

Human Trafficking is happening everywhere. It is time to take a stand against this horror. Help raise awareness for Human Trafficking!

Check out Love 146 - a local outreach that is working to reach Pittsburgh and take out Human Trafficking. Also, on a larger scale, you can check out Pearl Alliance! Take a moment to sign the petition to fight human trafficking and share with your friends.

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

Awake, Awake, Awakening - Book Reivew

2011-05-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

Title: Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom
Author: Stovall Weems
Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Summer is here! What better time could there be than this to go deeper in your spiritual life?! It is time to Awaken! In Awakening: A New Approach to Faith, Fasting and Spiritual Freedom, Stovall Weems leads you through 21 days to revolutionize and revitalize your relationship with God.

This book is filled with so many truths to grasp and at the same time it helps you to open your eyes to see the truth that has been sitting right in front of you.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "You're not here on earth simply to exist - you were sent here by God.

During this study I really began to think more and more about why I'm here and seeking God's direction in my life about it. Prayer and Fasting are essential to a healthy spiritual life and a strong relationship with God.

Awakening even includes plans for fasting and helps.

All in all - great message to the book. It was a bit hard to read at times, but was assuredly worth the time. I hope you read it and that it blesses you!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as a part of their Blogging for Books program.

His Revolutionary Love by Lynn Cowell (Book Review and Giveaway!!!

2011-05-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

rev·o·lu·tion·ar·y [rev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee]

adjective, noun, plural

1) of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change.

I am in those years. I see the girls, the guys and the drama. I’ve seen so many prematurely give their hearts away only to be broken again and again. I see the yearning in each girl – to be wanted, noticed, admired – to be valued. Little does she realize her value.

John Eldredge knew what he was talking about when he said, “Not every woman wants a battle to fight, but every woman yearns to be fought for… She wants to be more than noticed – she wants to be wanted. She wants to be pursued.”

Too often in this world I have seen so many not realize their value and they put themselves down and spend so much time comparing themselves with other people and some even give themselves away. But they don’t know that they are more. They don’t know that there is someone out there so madly and deeply in love with them.

He sees her and he sees beauty. He sees her and prizes her. He is enthralled by her. But she is so caught up in the world’s system that she doesn’t even know of this love. She doesn’t know about the love that changes everything. She doesn’t know the love that calls her and pursues her.

In His Revolutionary Love: Jesus’ Radical Pursuit of You Lynn Cowell tells of a love such as this. Oh, the thrills I got from reading this book! There is just something about the pursuit of love that excites you to the core! There are so many romance stories out there (and some are actually pretty good, I dare say it.) But nothing will thrill you more than reading this book! Lynn, I believe has truly captured the heart of the subject.

I was watching the Lake House the other night and just found myself going “wow, he waited for her all those years. He waited just to see her! He knew that she was all he wanted!” His pursuit (I will admit) made my heart melt. What girl does not want to be pursued like that? And who, while watching this movie, would not put themselves in Dr. Kate Forster’s (played by Sandra Bullock) place. We have dreaming hearts. We yearn for that kind of pursuit! Reading this book, you won’t have to imagine anymore, because you are that person being pursued. You will begin to see how the love the Jesus offers is exactly what you have been yearning for all of your life. This love is truly revolutionary. It changes everything.

There are three parts to this book. They are:

1)His Heart Toward Me

2) His Path for Me

3) His Hopes for Me

Are you looking for something more? Have you found yourself empty or with a longing in your heart that is not filled? Only the Love of God can fill that place in you. Jesus is in radical pursuit of you.

I highly recommend reading this book, ladies! It really will change your life. This love is so amazing. And it never ends. It never fails.

Lynn Cowell has a heart that is so passionate about God and for girls and women to understand in share in the radical love that He has for us. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and three teens and is a speaker with Proverbs 31 ministries. You can visit Lynn’s website by clicking here.

I will be giving away a free copy of Lynn’s book His Revolutionary Love this week! Here is how to enter:

1) click the following link to go to my main blog and follow the instructions from there.

2) Comment on there and tell me Why you should be the one to win this book.

3) Tweet about the give away and/or share with your friends on facebook and let me know when you have.

4) Be sure to subscribe and follow me so you can find out later this week if you have won!

His Revolutionary Love - Interview with Author Lynn Cowell and Book Give Away!!!

2011-05-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

I have found that in the Single Season there is nothing better than falling so deeply in love with Jesus! It really is the perfect romance. I have written about it previously here in my post Love In the Single Season. But even now, do you realize just now in love Jesus is with you? His love for you is so amazing, so deep and so intimate! And Lynn Cowell talks about this in her book which she just recently published entitled His Revolutionary Love: Jesus’ Radical Pursuit of You.

I had the privilege of interviewing Lynn Cowell about her book which I will share with you here.

Brittany Ketter: Tell us a bit about yourself:

Lynn Cowell: I am an author and speaker with Proverbs 31 Ministries; I have been a part of the team for three years. I live in North Carolina with my husband, Greg, of 24 years. We have three teens. We love anything we can do outside: white water rafting, softball, hiking as well as music of all kinds. I’m a big fan of sushi, well-worn sweatshirts and anything that combines peanut butter and chocolate.

Brittany: You said that you work with Proverbs 31 Ministries. How did you get into that? And what is the best part about that for you?

Lynn: Several years ago I attended Proverbs 31′s speakers and writers conference “She Speaks”. This was my first experience with the ministry. A couple of years later, I began to volunteer for the ministry doing data entry (which I still do!). At that time they didn’t have any one on their team who spoke to teens so I filled that niche.
The best part are the amazing women that are on the team. To have nearly 50 women on a team who get along great with no jealously or issues is really a work of God.

Brittany: Wow. That is awesome! What got you into writing?

Lynn: I started mentoring teen girls about 10 years ago. When the girls and I headed to the Christian book store to find a book that studied what Jesus’ crazy love for us, we couldn’t find one. I decided to write for the girls each week and would then email them. When I was done, I knew this was teaching that many girls needed thus the book “His Revolutionary Love”.

Brittany: Tell us about your book.

Lynn: In “His Revolutionary Love,” I help teen girls and their moms:

· Create confidence leading to higher self-esteem by discovering Christ’s life-altering love.
· Replace loneliness, rejection, and pain with acceptance, affirmation, and approval.
· Make wise choices that lead to a fruitful future, rather than becoming a victim to emotionally-based decisions.
· Shift faith in Jesus from just a parental influence to a personal, growing relationship.
· Learn how to discern the voice and will of God.
· Develop and stick to boundaries that protect the heart, mind, and body.
· Communicate with guys and other girlfriends in a manner that’s healthy and positive.

Brittany: What was your greatest inspiration while writing His Revolutionary Love?

Lynn: Someone I love dearly was going through her third divorce. I knew she was looking to guys to fill the love gap in her heart. It became my passion to help other girls find Jesus as the Only One who can give unconditional love to fill her heart.

Brittany: What captives you the most about the love of Jesus?

Lynn: His love is absolutely perfect. Even knowing our deepest secrets, our darkest deeds and most disappointing moments it change the way He loves us. He doesn’t think we are the greatest one night and dump us tomorrow. He is exactly what we crave.

Brittany: Tell us about your publishing process:

Lynn: It was so painful! If I had known from the beginning that I would experience 19 rejections over five years, I probably would not have had the heart to make the journey. Jesus knew that I needed this experience to learn humility, dependence on Him as well as time to hone my skills as a writer. It sure taught me perseverance!

Brittany: If you wanted to get one point across to your audience, what would it be?

Lynn: Love from a guy, whether it is a boyfriend or a dad, can never fill the love gap in your heart.

Brittany: Seeing that your book is flying off the shelves, are there any future writing plans?

Lynn: Yes…I definitely want to write a companion book for girls to “His Revolutionary Love” as well as a version for adult women.

Brittany: That is awesome! I look forward to it! Thank you for being with us today, Lynn. It was a pleasure to hear from you about His Revolutionary Love. Thank you so much for sharing!

Check out Lynn’s website here for some awesome posts! This woman truly has a heart that is so passionate about God and for girls and women to understand in share in the radical love that He has for us.

I will be giving away a free copy of Lynn’s book His Revolutionary Love this week! Be watching for my review of His Revolutionary Love to find out how you can win!

Blessings!

Brittany L. Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)

DREAMS

2011-05-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

Dreams are something that are a part of us from the very beginning. As a child we dream of what we will be and do when we get older. Over the years, many times our dreams may change, but the fact that we have them usually doesn't.

What is life without dreams? It is being stuck in the same mundane routine with no hope of something more for tomorrow.

It is contentment with your current character with no desire to go farther.

It is to deny God's call to go after Him and be more. Because to dream is to go beyond yourself. And to go beyond yourself requires the hand and divine guidance of the creator of the universe.

Someone once said that "dreams are the touchstones of our character". Over the years I have found this to be true.

We all have different dreams.

I dream of being an author and speaker and wife and mother. I dream of missions to India and Haiti. I dream of a life in ministry.

But as I said not all dreams are the same.

My friends have different dreams than I do.

One wants to be a missionary.

One wants to go after a music career but also work with abused horses and dance.

One wants to be a statistician! (told you we were all different).

I know others who just want to be homemakers and raise families and some even want farms.

My point is though, no matter how big or small you might think these dreams are as you read - they are big to the people that carry them. Our dreams define so much about who we are and what we stand for. It is only natural for us to dream. God has called us all to something greater and to dream as I said is to go beyond ourselves.

I will leave you with this:

What are your dreams?

Dream something so big that you need God to fulfill them! He is faithful!

It might just be a dream, but if you don't know how to dream, you don't know how to live.

Dare to dream!

~Brittany L. Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)

Here I Am - Lord, Send Me! (My call to India)

2011-05-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

"Go."

Wait. Did that seriously just happen? Did I seriously just hear that?

"Go"

I heard the voice again as the visions danced before my eyes. I could see many places and images of India, Haiti and several other places flashed before my eyes. This continued for some time. I lost track of exactly how long. When I opened my eyes, I could see the "soak room" was filled with women crying out and seeking God - all of who were here for the Women Without Walls Spring Retreat which was themed "For Such A Time As This..."

The "Soak Room" was 1 of the 4 sessions being offered that Saturday. It was a time to bask in the presence of the Lord and to seek His face and praise Him. And wow, did He meet me in that room! One word. One simple word and a vision. He gave me a desire that has long been planted in my heart.

But I couldn't leave it at that. I prayed that the Lord would bring me a confirmation as to what I heard and saw that day in the soak room.

Several hours later, I found myself back in the community room for worship and our final session before we departed. I was talking with several women and one of them told me that I should come to India. Pause. Right there! That was my confirmation! Praise the Lord!

In 2009 I was in Orlando for National Fine Arts (Assemblies of God Fine Arts Festival) with my Fine Arts Church group. That week was amazing and one of my favorite memories! One of the events that we did there was called the Eurasia Experience. This basically was us being thrown into a huge drama where we were shown what it would be like for us to go to one of those countries as a missionary. They had a whole market place set up and people dressed the part. It was crazy! You really thought that you were there! They even took girls out of the groups and at the end, we were brought to this other room where they were selling these girls! I remember being in shock that this really does happen! It really opened my eyes. And it was that week that a heart for India was born in me. Why India? I'm not entirely sure. But that is where I latched on to. And I've desired to go there ever since.

India - Located in Southern Asia is a land of both extreme riches and extreme poverty. As they still hold their caste system in place, if you are born poor, you will always be poor and there is no way out of that. The contrast between the castes are amazing. On one hand, you can see the buildings that boast of riches, and on the other hand you see in the slums the houses are mostly like tent-like structures made of mud, straw or coconut leaf, or palm leaves. India is also known to have a very high rate of human trafficking.

"India, along with Thailand and the Philippines, has 1.3 million children in its sex-trade centers. The children come from relatively poorer areas and are trafficked to relatively richer ones. (Soma Wadhwa, "For sale childhood," Outlook, 1998)"

This just breaks my heart. There are so many children there that day after day are bound to sexual slavery. They are raped and beaten and abused. And for many, they spend years in this lifestyle before they are thrown out.

There are several groups that are working with Touching the Hem of His Garment Ministries to build The Redemption Home. This home will help bring young girls out of the sexual slavery. There they will be cared for and educated, be taught a life skill and most important - learn about Jesus and how he sets them free! The land for the Redemption Home has been secured, however, for the building to take place, there is still money to be raised. (You can donate to the Redemption Home by clicking this link and following the instructions). I will post updates on the Redemption home as they come. I am so excited for the building of this home! There are other ministries already working in India to help these children and women. Project Rescue has a book which I read not too long ago by David and Beth Grand entitled Beyond the Soiled Curtain: Project Rescue's Fight for the Victims of the Sex-Slave Industry. It is a tough read but is filled with so many amazing stories of how they are working in the lives of these girls and women by ministering to them and helping them find hope and healing - physically, emotionally and spiritually.

I am so excited about being called to minister in India. I cannot wait to see what God will do through this!

In His shadow,

Brittany L. Ketter

Time Speeds By....

2011-04-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Maddie's 2nd birthday today! I can not believe how old she has gotten!mom made her Veggie Tales cakes - Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber! I made her smaller cake on which she blew out her candles! :) here is to 2 years of being blessed with Madison!

You are beautiful, Maddie and so smart. I am so honored and blessed to have you for a sister. I love you!

Pictured is a picture of the cakes and the birthday girl!

For Such A Time As This...Part 2

2011-04-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well now, it took me a lot longer to get to this second part than I originally anticipated. And I have so much more to write on other things as well, but I'll play "catch up" today and do this post before I get started on other things. Back to the Women Without Walls Retreat:

On Saturday we had break out sessions and had to pick 2. I went to Judge Cheryl Allen's session first where she had a powerful message also based in Esther about how your circumstances do not define your destiny because God equips those that He calls. I believe I covered a bit of that in the last post, so I won't get too in depth with it now.

The second session I went to was actually the "soak room" which was a time to bask in the presence of the Lord and pray. It was here that God called me to India. And really, it was an amazing time in God's presence. I highly recommend this! Surrounded by so many other Women seeking God. His presence was so strong around us. It was awesome!

Finally, we had our last community session after worship. Pastor Patricia Cherry was speaking and wow was the Word anointed! (As it had been all weekend, but still!)

The whole weekend we focused on Esther. After all, the theme was, "For Such A Time As This...". There is so much that can be taken from that book. I love seeing how even when the name of God is not mentioned in the entire book of Esther that throughout the whole thing you can see his sovereignty! Wow!

Predestined. Called. Justified. Glorified.
If God is for us who can be against us?!

"For Such A Time As This..." Esther was called to a position. God had called her to her position as queen.

This is where we get to - What we think we know, gets in the way of who He made us to be.

Esther could have sat back and said, "I'll never be chosen", or "I'm just an orphan". If she had focused on what she knew, she might have missed who she could be, and did end up being.

It took time. Preparation is a process. When Esther and the other girls were first brought to the palace, they had to go through months of preparation and beauty treatments. Esther found favor in the eyes of the eunuchs. She also had a teachable spirit and she learned all that she could from them.

When Mordecai (Esther's cousin) sent word about the plan to destroy the Jews, Esther reached a pause. A pause. Not an arrival time. A pause - a hesitation moment, a transition.

Esther 4:11-15 -

¹¹ “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

¹² When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, ¹³ he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. ¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” ¹⁵ Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ¹⁶ “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

It was here that Esther reached a pause time. She had to realize that she was not safe either.

Esther's next destiny step had arrived. She had to step ahead of her queen title which was obtained in beauty and favor, and she called for a fast (unity fast).

"If I perish, I perish" - With these words Esther took her next destiny step. She made her decision. She knew very well that she could lose her very life by such an act. But she took advantage of her "For Such a Time As This..." moment. And because of that, the Jews were saved.

Jesus had a pause time too in Luke 22 where he prayed in the Garden. And He took His next step when he said, "Not my will, Father, but yours be done."

It takes one person to bring about fulfillment.

God will position those he calls and He will order their steps.

In Esther 5 - this is Esther's posture time. She set her mind and obtained the King's favor.

What will you do with the anointing placed on your life? You need to move into your position.

For Such A Time As This...Part 1

2011-04-16T23:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I went to the Women Without Walls Spring Retreat at Antioch Village and Conference Center. It was such a blessed time in the Lord and in so many ways God met me there. The theme for this spring was For Such A Time As This... Speaking that weekend were Patti Carver, Pastor Patricia Cherry, Kathy Blythe, Honorable Cheryl Allen and Honorable Patricia McCullough.

Friday night opened up with Patti Carver bringing forth the message.There was so much that night that really hit me so I'll try to get into that as much as possible.

"And who knows whether you have not come to the Kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 NIV

Just a background on Esther, she was least likely candidate to be queen. Think about it. She was a Jew and was orphaned at an early age and her cousin Mordecai raised her. Based on her circumstances, Esther was not a likely candidate for Queen.

But Esther found favor with those who were around her. She had a teachable spirit and was gracious and she knew who she was in God. She was not afraid to be what God called her to be.

When Esther heard of the plan to destroy the Jews, she acted on it. She was willing to commit her life to the cause.

Obedience is key. If we don't do it , God will surely rise another up...but I believe that there are circumstances that we find ourselves in and there are moments that come that we were called to act upon. For such a time as this...God has brought us here. He has orchestrated our circumstances and people...He has orchestrated these "For such a time as this..." moments in our lives. But we have to submit to Him and we need to be confident in knowing who we are and be who God made us to be.

We need to stop letting others define who we are, how we act, and what we say.

We need to know who we are and be confident with who God made us to be so that when we come to those "For such a time as this..." moments, we can act accordingly.

In Ephesians 2:10 it tells us that we are created to do His purpose for us. We were created to do good works with God had prepared in advance for us to do.

God is positioning His people "for such a time as this..."

Another thing that was talked about at WWW was how we need to have haves. Stay with me here - this really got me! In Acts there is a very familiar passage of scripture where Peter and John are going to the temple and they pass this beggar who is asking for silver or gold.

Peter says to Him, "Silver and gold I have not. For such as I have I give to you.." The lame beggar walked again.

What did Peter have there? He had haves...for such that he had he gave....

You get a "have" by being in the presence of God and by being filled with His Spirit.

What do you have?

We need to spend time in His presence for when those "for such a time as this" moments come that we have haves to pull out and use. We need to be filled with the spirit and constantly in the presence of God.

Lastly for Friday night, we went over the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25. You see in this passage that these women had a lot in common.

-They were all virgins.
- They were all going to the wedding.
- They all had lamps.
- They all had fire in their lamps (at one point.)
- They were all tired.
-They were all waiting.

BUT
They did NOT all have extra oil.

Why is it that they didn't have extra oil? It doesn't say. But maybe they were too busy? Maybe they didn't think they would need it? Maybe they thought it was too expensive? But whatever their reasons, they did not have the oil.

Can you picture this? The ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom to come and getting very tired and suddenly they hear that the bridegroom is coming! And then they go and turn up their lamps and those of them who didn't have extra oil realized that they wouldn't have enough and are asking their friends, "Hey, can I borrow some of your oil?"

And they respond, "If I share my oil, I won't have enough. Go get your own oil!"

We need to get our own oil and not be feeding our flame off of other people's experiences. We need to have haves and to get into God's presence so that when those "For such a time as this..." moments come, we have a have to pull out and we will be ready.

I'll sum up the weekend later, but this is all for now! Friday session was amazing!

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany

A Rare Beauty [And a SheSpeaks Scholarship Opportunity]

2011-04-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those rare days where I did everything right.

-My hair went the way I wanted it to go.
-My makeup went on nicely in a fun way I decided to wear it today. (Bonus: it covered up my blemishes and spots on my face.)
-I wore the "right outfit" that is both modest and complements my looks and personality.

This is a rare day where everything I wanted to go right with my appearance did. But when it came down to it, I remembered my verse I sign next to my name, 1 Peter 3:3-4:

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

I am quite happy with my appearance today; but at the end of the day when I’m sitting in my big comfy chair in my sweats and an over-sized T-shirt with my hair in a messy ponytail on top of my head and my makeup washed off, I want to be beautiful. I’m not talking about the outer beauty that is here today, gone tomorrow, and ever-changing by the world’s standards. I am talking about the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit – a young woman who is humble, loving and compassionate to others. And whose outer character is a reflection of her inner character. I want my beauty to be genuine, and a reflection of who I really am and who I am in Christ.

In our world, people constantly are saying how you have to look and dress and act. They are constantly pressuring us to conform to what they say is beautiful. Please, tell me, who are they to say what is beautiful? Who are they to say who or what is worth more? God’s creation is beautiful, and He doesn’t make mistakes. When you start thinking along the lines of what the world says about beauty and putting your appearance down, you are saying that God did a bad job - which is anything but true! God knit you together in your mother’s womb and ever so perfectly he formed you with great intention. From your eye color, to your hair color to your personality, your genes, God purposely created you this way, and you know what? He is enthralled by your beauty. (Psalm 45:11) [Emphasis mine].

Do not believe the lie that your worth is based on your looks. But know the truth that when you realize just how beautiful you are and see who you are in Christ - that is true beauty.

1 Samuel 16:7 says:

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Your beauty is found in a heart that serves God and that is sensitive to His presence and obedient to Him. It is found in a heart that follows God's leading no matter what feelings may be present. If He calls you to stand, you stand even if you do so alone. If He calls you to write, He will give you the words. If He calls you to speak, open your mouth in faith that He will speak through you using you as a vessel. There is such a beauty in obedience. There is a beauty in having a quiet heart. There is a beauty in stepping out in faith and knowing that God orchestrates everything so beautifully. The beauty is in fearing God.

In Proverbs 31:30 we find, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting: but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

I believe with all of my heart that God has called me to speak and to write. He has already promised that He would give me the words. All that I have to do is listen for Him. In July the SheSpeaks conference is in North Carolina. SheSpeaks is all about women connecting the hearts of women to the heart of our Father God.

Check out the scholarship opportunity by clicking here

Also, take a look at the She Speaks site by clicking here.

My prayers and blessings go out to all of you.

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany L. Ketter

Redeeming Love and other greats! :)

2011-03-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Of all the books I've ever put on the shelf saying that I'd never read, I'm so glad that I pulled down Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers! Initially, I thought that it wasn't my type of book and that I would not be interested. My pastor's wife suggested it first and then my dance teacher, and then multiple people afterwards. Finally, I was convinced that I had to read this book to see what the hype was about.

My friend and I read it together....or rather I should say she started it and I decided I could beat her to finishing it and picked it up 2 days later! I was not able to put it down and had it finished in 2 evenings! WOW! What more can I say about such a story? That book is AMAZING! I was quickly hooked and went on to read The Atonement Child (Thanks to Mimi who knew I would love it and bought it for me! :D ) and The Last Sin Eater as well as some other Titles! I love these books!

And because I love these books, I believe that you should all check them out! there is also a contest going on and you can find out more about it here:

http://www.tyndale.com/blog/?p=1042

or on Francine Rivers' page on Facebook!

All the best!

~Brittany

What Are You Waiting For? Yada, Yada, Yada and Much, Much More!

2011-03-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

When I first received this book, my first reaction was one of excitement. (I LOVE NEW BOOKS!) My second reaction was "Oh snap! Now everyone is going to know I read this!" But I am reviewing it nonetheless and I hope you stick around to hear what I have to say about this book.

Back in 2007 I went to one of Dannah Gresh's Pure Freedom events and ever since then, when I would hear the word "yada" my mind would instantly take me back to that event where I learned the true meaning of the word. It's not the equivalent of "blah, blah, blah" as I had initially thought, but it's real meaning is "to know, to be known, to be deeply respected." This is something that I have held onto ever since the Pure Freedom conference all those years ago.

In What Are You Waiting For? Dannah takes this word, "yada" and traces it from Genesis to Revelation shedding light on God's view and purpose of sex. (Oh I just said S-E-X. Are you feeing uncomfortable yet?) Well, if you are this book will be a hard read for you.

This world has turned sex into something that is no big deal and something that "everyone is doing" and has completely disregarded the sacredness of it that God had intended.

What Are You Waiting For? also brings in several other topics including

-"Friends with Benefits"

-Masturbation

-Pornography

And other topics as well. In short:

Friends with Benefits - Not only is this a sin, but it's also impossible for both parties NOT to be hurt in the process. With the way God made us and because this is not in His plan for us, it leaves you broken, confused, and having "benefits" in there is a complete lie! There are no benefits.

Masturbation - This is addressed directly and as the sin that it is.

Pornography - To quote a friend of mine, "Pornography cheapens sexuality, objectifies the human body, reducing it to an object of gratification. " Dannah expands on this topic more in her book.

Other topics include homosexuality and other difficult sexual issues.

What Are You Waiting For? Is written in a blunt manner and could be an uncomfortable book to read. That much Dannah writes to you on the first page. As this is written to an older audience (mainly senior high and college girls) I would recommend it for the audience to which it is written and no younger than that. The direct style in which it is written is much needed in the world today. The main message in this book is abstinence.

Before you might have been thinking "yada, yada, yada" as in "blah, blah, blah" but after reading this book, I know that when you hear "yada, yada, yada" it will have a whole new meaning to you!

SoulPrint - Discovering Your Divine Destiny by Mark Batterson

2011-03-11T23:13:00.000-08:00

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." - C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

In SoulPrint, Mark Batterson takes you on a journey of self-discovery while exploring the life of King David and walking through his destiny getting a clear view of his soul print.

When I picked up this book, I knew it would be a good read - but it did not occur to me how it would change my own mindset on my divine destiny.

Mark takes you through this journey hitting on key points to help you discover your destiny. Some of these points include:

Confidence
Divine Delays
Letting God lead
Integrity
Willpower
Your Own Weaknesses
Your Strengths
And there are others!

Mark expertly takes you through and raises questions to bring you to a place where you must question your own divine destiny.

God created us uniquely. And each of us has a unique calling on our life and a different journey of getting to where we are called. Our calling and our journey make up our soulprint. But the purpose of our soulprint is to show the very prints of God himself as He has shaped us to be!

Consider SoulPrint a guide in taking your first steps towards self-discovery and to finding your soul print. What mark are you destined to leave?

This is a must read! You will be challenged, encouraged and blessed by the message that Mark Batterson shares in this book!

Fine Arts 2011 - "Compelled By Love"

2011-02-19T17:17:00.003-08:00

Okay….so this will be pretty short because I am absolutely exhausted….But…I justs have to say…

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE FROM NEW DAY ASSEMBLY WHO PARTICIPATED IN FINE ARTS TODAY!! YOU WERE ALL AMAZING! LOVE YOU AND VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!

To start our day off, Jodi did her vocal solo to Lead Me To the Cross and totally rocked it! :) She will be advancing to the district level for it! Way to go girl!

Then we had Lydia’s vocal solo to a song that I unfortunately do not know the name of….lol…But she totally rocked! AND she also was chosen to do her solo for everyone there at the awards at the end of the day. Way to go Lydia!! She has advanced to the district level.

Erica also had her solo, which once again, I don’t know the song, and I missed hers as we had an overlapping schedule. But everyone said she was great! She is also going to districts.

Aaron did his guitar solo which was absolutely amazing!!! (Forgive me, my dear brother for saying this…) but He is so cute!!!! lol. He would play and look up and randomly smile here and there, but mostly focus on his playing. But he is so stinking cute! (Sorry Aaron, I just had to say it. LOL.) He has advanced to Districts! WHOOO! (I couldn’t be a prouder sister. :D )

Erica and Lydia did a duet to Addison Roads “What Do I Know Of Holy” both playing guitars. They sounded awesome! And they are going to Districts! :)

Rosalie did a vocal solo to Natalie Grant’s “Human” which I heard she did very well! :) Go Rosalie!!!

Lydia did songwriting and once again advanced to districts!! (This I didn’t get to see, but heard it was awesome!)

Rosalie did a short sermon! She did great! And she is going to districts!!! WHOOOO!!!! <3

Erica did songwriting and advanced to districts!

Erica also did a dance solo to…well I don’t remember the song title, but she’s headed to districts!!

Rosalie also did a poetry entry which is going to districts!!! CONGRATS!!

SEND JUDAH FIRST (consisting of Eden, Erica Shaffer and Jodi) danced to “Beautiful History” by Plumb. They were awesome!! And are also headed to Districts!

Sarah Fullerton did the most amazing stained class piece! It was absolutely gorgeous! You must see it!!! This is also going to districts!!! Congrats Sarah!

My apologies if I have forgotten something! If I did let me know. lol. But it’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. :D

So my final words - I’ll say CONGRATULATIONS to everyone! You were all amazing and I love you all! It is such a privilege to watch you use your gifts to glorify God. Over the years it has been so amazing to participate with you, but this being my first year sitting back, I love how I actually get to see what you are doing and that just really blessed me! Love you all!! Couldn’t be more proud!

Blessings to you and wishing you the best at Districts!!

WE’RE GOING TO HERSHEY!! <3

D.I.E.S.E.L - Fueled by the Spirit!

2011-02-14T14:12:00.001-08:00

DIESEL Youth

Brittany Ketter

February 13, 2011

D.I.E.S.E.L – Fueled by the Spirit - Short Sermon

So I’ve been thinking a lot about this youth group as of late. And originally I had a message that went along with the compelled by love theme with Fine Arts, which seemed like it would fit quite nicely considering tomorrow is valentines/singles awareness day. Either way you see it – spread the love.

But anyways, last week God changed my message up a bit and so tonight I’m going to be talking about what this youth group is and what it means to be a DIESEL. I’ve been in this youth group long enough to see a lot of changes come about. One that stands out to me the most right now is the last winter retreat I went on with you guys – remember Wayne Northup – well that week everyone came back so on fire for God! And so pumped! And youth group was so amazing there! You all came with an attitude of expectancy – you expected God to be here when you came and you expected God to move in mighty ways. And He did. There were healings and baptisms in the Holy Spirit and deliverances. And it was so amazing! It is so awesome to see that and to have that in this youth group…and I can’t say I know what changed, but I believe we need to be stirred up and to get that fire blazing again.

Tonight, I want to talk to you about what I see that it means to be a DIESEL.

Our name says that we are “Fueled by the Spirit” and our verse is Acts 1:8 which says:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

I believe that being a DIESEL means to be radical for Christ. And that’s not just this youth group, but any Christian.

In Revelation 3:15-16 it says:

“¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

A lukewarm Christian is half-hearted and almost going through the motions. They are apathetic and are not wholly devoted to Christ. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be lukewarm. I want to be hot. God would rather you be cold than to be a lukewarm Christian. But ultimately he wants us to reach repentance and to be devoted to him. We should be on fire for God. Do we really live like we believe what we do? You are a Christian. What does that mean to you? What makes you that? “Christian” actually means “Christ follower.” It isn’t over when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior – that is only the beginning. There is more for us. We are called to follow Christ at any cost. We are called to be Radical.

What does that mean for us as DIESEL youth?

Being radical is not compromising. It means believing in something so strongly that you do not back down and you live in a way that shows and fully supports what you believe. Being radical means pushing past our feelings and going out to do the work that God has called us to do. It means to be on fire for God – and to live like it.

I’ve taken our name – DIESEL, and I have made something out of it to show what I feel that it means to be a DIESEL – and to be radical.

D – Die to self.

Matthew 16:24 says: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

~We need to put to death the desires of the flesh and take up our cross to follow God.

I – Invite the Holy Spirit to Interrupt.

So often we can get stuck in routines. Sunday is church. Youth group Sunday nights. Church on Wednesday nights…sometimes we let it become a routine and those days we are here are the days we are here to listen for God’s voice and for some good fellowship with each other. But every other day of the week when you’re at school and work and everywhere else you’re hanging out. Are you expecting to hear God? We need to get in tune with the Holy Spirit and when we wake up in the morning we need to invite the Holy Spirit to interrupt our routine. It could be anything – even just a prompting from the Holy Spirit to go talk with someone who might be hurting or that is having some problems or to give an encouraging word to someone or to pray for them. It could be something that you really don’t want to do…or that will take you out of your comfort zone, but God has given you the power by His spirit to do that. So don’t pass those moments up. Pray for them to come.

E – Evangelize.

The great commission – you probably all know but I’m going to read it anyways.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Reading this we see we are commanded to go and make disciples and to witness. And you have a promise here that Jesus will be with you always. He gives us the power and the authority to evangelize. In our age, it has never been so easy to evangelize and yet so hard to disciple. Like I said earlier, accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior isn’t the end. So in bringing someone to Christ, you don’t just stop there. Discipleship is important! We have so many means of evangelizing these days. Radio, TV, Internet etc. But we need to remember discipleship.

S – Step Out.

Sometimes it’s hard to step out because it’s not a comfortable thing to do. But being radical means that we need to step out – and step out of our comfort zone. This stretches our faith and I have found it to be a place where I completely rely on God. It is time to step out of the crowd and speak not only with words but with actions that we are radical for Christ. Stepping out takes faith. But God will lead us in it. It won’t always be easy and sometimes it can be scary. But it says in 2 Timothy that God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” It’s time that we step out of our comfort zone. Personally, I’ve found that when I do that – God moves in such amazing ways – even in me.

E – Expect God to move.

An attitude of expectancy is something that we should always have. In Acts 1 Jesus commands that the disciples wait for the promised Holy Spirit and they did wait. While they waited, they chose a disciple to replace Judas and constantly prayed. When we continue to Acts 2 we read that:

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. And Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them where filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them to.”

We see here that they waited and even though they were doing other things, their hearts were prepared with an attitude of expectancy as they waited for God to move. We continue in Acts 2 and read how Peter preached a message and about 3,000 were saved that day.

If you come here and expect God to move – He will.

Anywhere you go, if you’re living with an attitude of expectancy – You will see God moving.

L – Love.

Jesus commands in John 13:34:

“Love one another as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

People will know we are Christians by our love. This is what I desire us to be like. What we have here as a youth group is special. I know you all love each other. You know its love when you can insult each other and not be offended. But really, we have something different here. And the way that you love each other is very apparent. We need to take that love we have here out there and show this love to the world.

“God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God in Him.”

This here is what I believe a Diesel to be. It means we

Die to Self.

Invite the Holy Spirit to Interrupt

Evangelize

Step Out

Expect God to Move

Love

I want to challenge you tonight to really think about this. Think about what it means to be part of DIESEL and to be radical and on fire for God.

Where were we as a youth group when we came back from winter retreat last year? What has happened that people aren’t being saved? What has happened that we don’t pray with each other anymore? What has happened that people aren’t being baptized in the Spirit? Have we become lukewarm? I think it is time to stir up that fire and I believe that tonight we need to have a new vision for ourselves as a youth group.

We want to see salvations.

We want to see healings.

We want to see baptisms in the Holy Spirit.

We want to see what it is to be a youth group that is on fire and fueled by the Spirit again.

We want to see God move in this place.

I think it is time that we step out of the familiar and push for the supernatural. It is time again that we come together…When we stop compromising, and when we will start living like we really believe what we believe, that I think is when we are going to see God move in supernatural ways.

Cailee Singing Sweet Sweet Sound :)

2011-01-31T12:23:00.001-08:00

31 Days of Power = A Lifetime of Walking in Spiritual Victory

2011-01-15T17:36:00.000-08:00

Book Title: 31 Days of Power: Learning to Walk in Spiritual Victory
Author: Ruth Myers with Warren Myers
Rating: 4/5

Are you ready for some warfare? Well, whether you are or not you are in the midst of an all out war daily - one that has been going on for ages. This spiritual battle wages in the heavenly realms and not just amongst us. Even more, this battle is over our very souls. Ephesians 6:10 says:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood; but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

31 Days of Power walks you through God's promises that He is victorious and that through Him we have spiritual victory! And we will be, "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37)

Through these 31 days, you will learn to live in "dynamic triumph God offers us in Christ" (Ruth Myers, pg.3) Through prayer, praise and crucial biblical truths, you will learn to approach spiritual warfare in a positive way.

Our goal in warfare is not to defeat Satan, but to serve Christ and bring as many to Him as possible - meaning we must learn to resist Satan and his attacks and to focus on God.

When I first picked up this book, I expected something a bit ore on warfare - what it is and not so much ] how to walk through it. But on reading this, it walked me through prayer and truth to keep in the victory that we have in Jesus.

31 Days of Power gives you insight to Spiritual warfare, and shows you the blessings of learning to walk in God's victory.

I found this book to be uplifting and an easy-to-read devotion. I devoured the truths that were so eloquently written in a matter of hours.

Praise God that the victory is His! And if you agree with me, read this book, read the Word and learn to live in the spiritual victory that God has given us.

Radical by David Platt

2011-01-07T22:13:00.000-08:00

Never have I stumbled upon a book that made me think so much about where I stood with Christ. Radical opened my eyes to what it really means to be a follower of Christ. David Platt's words are undisguised and say it like it is, bringing us to ask ourselves, "Am I radical? Or have a fallen into the trap of the great american dream?

"Radical" is defined in Websters Dictionary as "a person who holds or follows strong convictions" or "A person who advocates fundamental political, economic and social reforms by direct and often uncompromising methods."

So then, that being defined, who can say that they are Radical for Christ? Do you hold and follow strong convictions and do you never compromise? Is Jesus worth everything to you that you are willing to give up everything for Him?

This book challenged me to think about who Jesus is to me. Yes, He is my savior and I cannot fully express my gratitude to Him, but do I live like that? Do I live like He is everything to me? Would I be willing to give up everything in order to go and follow Him? This book made me think about that question, and in the process, changed how I live.

Being radical is not compromising. It is believing in something so strongly that you do not back down and you live in a way that shows and supports fully what you believe.

In reading this book, I learned that to be Radical, that means me pushing past my feelings and doing the work that God has called me to do. God has called us all to witness and to make disciples of all nations. This can be uncomfortable sometimes. But we should impact the world! We have this amazing gift from God, and it is available to all people if they choose to accept it! How can we not spread the Word!? It is time to step above the crowd and speak not only with our words, but with our actions that We are Radical for Christ and that we are taking our faith back from the American Dream!

David Platt challenges the readers of his book to participate in the Radical Experiment. This experiment requires that one does these things:

-Pray for the entire world
-Read through the entire Word
-Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose
-Spend your time in another context
-Commit your life to a multiplying community

I'm going to take this challenge, and I'm also going to challenge you to read this book. It is truly inspiring! In these last days we must remember, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Step up to the challenge, and show that Jesus is really worth everything to you by living radically!

In our age, it has never been easier to convert someone and yet harder to disciple.

The beginning starts at the end of ourselves. I highly recommend reading Radical: Taking Your Faith Back from the American Dream by David Platt. You will be challenged and you will be blessed.

All Things New - 2011

2011-01-01T08:46:00.000-08:00

ALL THINGS NEW

Many people all over joined in the countdown that closed the year 2010 and welcomed the start of 2011. This is a new year we just hit – a new beginning and a fresh start that is laid out ahead of us. So many people see this day as a time to reflect on their life and to make a resolution to live better the next year. They resolve to eat healthier, exercise more or maybe to work harder in a certain area or to do anything to improve themselves or current lifestyle

These resolutions will soon be forgotten – possibly by the end of the month! What then, do these people do? They say, “Oh, well! Maybe next year I will stick with (put resolution here).”

With the New Year, people (generally speaking), start something new. But when they mess it up, eventually, a lot of them quit until the next year. There is just something about having a fresh start that motivates you to do your very best. Having a clean slate just makes you want to push forward.

Well, this year, I’m not going to get into the typical New Year Resolutions that I’ll make, keep for a short time and break. No. What I am going to do this year is, when I wake up every morning, I am going to praise God that He makes all things new.

In Revelation 21:5 it says: “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

I am not perfect. None of us are. That is why I praise God that He makes all things new. I am human. I will make mistakes. I will say things I should not. I will do things that would have been better not to be acted on. I will make wrong or bad decisions. I will fail at times. But God makes all things new. And when He does, we once again begin with a clean slate to work our very best on. “All things new” is having another chance over and over and over again to do what you know is right and true.

“This is what the Lord says, ‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19.

“All things new” is putting the past behind and looking ahead, surrendering your life to Christ and moving forward with perseverance and purpose.

This year, I’m praising God for all things made new and I’m moving forward in Him. This isn’t something I’m just going to do today – but every day. I’m going to love more, hesitate less, and I’m going to give Him everything I got – everyday. We never know what tomorrow will bring, but of this we can be certain.

-Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever

and

-God is always faithful.

This year, what will you do differently? If nothing else, I pray that it will be to put your hope in the one whose love never fails, and whose compassions are new every morning. I pray that you will put your hope in the one who never changes, and who loves you with an everlasting love. I pray that you look to the one who makes all things new – and that by Him, you will be made new. Look to Jesus Christ this New Year, and walk with him daily. He makes all things new. Put the past behind and move forward in Jesus.

What will 2011 be about for you? Don’t let this be just another year that passes by. This year is not going to be perfect. Hard times are going to come. But there will also be times of joy and peace. In all seasons, praise God – for He makes all things new.

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new…”

- Revelation 21:5

Happy New Year everyone! Prayers, love and blessings to all! Have a Happy 2011 in the Lord!

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany L. Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)

FAVORITE EVENTS :D

2010-12-22T18:27:00.001-08:00

View WorshipDancer900's profile on Eventful

Mary Did You Know - guitarrx3girl - Emily & Rachel Bt

2010-12-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

These are friends of mine! They are awesome! Please watch, listen and be blessed!

NaNoWriMo - Getting there! :)

2010-11-18T09:46:00.000-08:00

This is my lovely calender that shows the days I worked on my novel...Sadly there are 3 days that I did over the word count I needed....3 days I wrote a few hundred words, 1 day I wrote next to nothing and 11 days where I didn't write at all. Now the question is....will I reach my 50,000 and finish my book???

Well, you will have to wait and see. Regardless I will finish this book! However, there is much to do with it yet! So prayers would be appreciated! (As would a double mocha chocolate frap! Which have been my favorite drink this month! :D )

The book is entitled: Single Seasons: Becoming a Godly Lady-In-Waiting.

Something that is heavily on my heart, and that I hope to get published!

Well back to class, so that I can write more and then so I can go to work to come home to write more. I need to average 3,000 words a day to finish on time! Thanks everyone!

~Brittany L. Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)

Release Song - Brittany Ketter

2010-11-15T18:33:00.000-08:00

Release - Brittany Ketter

November 2010

Verse 1:

Day after day

trying to hide

holding the hurt

deep down inside

Outside a stone

But drowning within

She wants to find healing

But doesn't know where to begin.

Pre-Chorus: Her heart is drowning in an ocean of tears unshed,

leaving her to be swallowed by the sorrowful depths.

Chorus:

Release the river

cast off the stone.

There is a healing

when you let it all flow.

Let go of the pain

don't let it drown you within.

Find your freedom in learning to live

And release...release the pain.

Verse 2:

Don't know the way

how to get by?

She doesn't know that

crying isn't a crime.

Feeling alone

but doesn't want to forget

the one in her life

that was taken away.

Pre-Chorus 2: She doesn't know there is release in the tears.

And that when they come falling that I will be there.

Chorus

Bridge:

Come my dear child

don't hold back the pain

let it all out and

release it again.

Then stay at my side

look beyond the sorrow,

You will see hope when I show you tomorrow.

Chorus1

Chorus2:

You released the river

and cast off the stone.

You found there is healing

in letting it flow.

You let go of the pain

you're not drowning within.

You found your freedom is

learning to live...

Release the river

let my comfort flow through

I'll give you a peace beyond

what you ever knew

Hold tight to me

I'll carry you through

And I'll bring you home with me

when you finish what you're called to.

Fading out with music:

My timing is perfect, though it might seem too soon,

I had greater plans beyond what you knew

Release....oh....release it all...

~~~~

Still needs a bit of work, but thats the frame for it! :)

~Brittany (1 Peter 3:4)

November 2010 Pure Freedom Update.mov

2010-11-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

Dannah Gresh - Founder of Pure Freedom and Secret Keeper Girl shares a message! Please watch this 2 minute video! :)

Beautiful For Me - Nichole Nordeman

2010-11-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

BEAUTIFUL FOR ME Lyrics
Nichole Nordeman

Every girl young and old has to face her own reflection
Twirl around, stare it down
What’s the mirror gonna say
With some luck, you’ll measure up
But you might not hold a candle to the rest
“Is that your best?” says the mirror to the mess

But there’s a whisper in the noise
Can you hear a little voice
and he says

Has anybody told you you’re beautiful?
You might agree if you could see what I see
Oh
‘Cuz everything about you is incredible
You should have seen me smile the day that I made you beautiful for me

If it’s true beauty lies in the eye of the beholder
What my life and what’s inside to give him something to behold
I want a heart that’s captivating
I wanna hear my Father say

Close your eyes
Look inside
Let me see the you that you’ve been trying to hide
Long ago, I made you so very beautiful
So I ought to know you’re beautiful

Has anybody told you you’re beautiful?
You might agree if you could see what I see
Yeah
‘Cuz everything about you is incredible
You should have seen me smile the day that I made you beautiful
You’re so beautiful
Beautiful for me
So beautiful for me
Has anybody told you?

A Rare Beauty

2010-10-27T07:39:00.001-07:00

Today is one of those rare days where I did everything right.

-My hair went the way I wanted it to go.

-My makeup went on nicely in a fun way I decided to wear it today. (Bonus

Points as it covered up my blemishes and spots on my face.)

-I wore the right outfit that is both modest and complements my looks and personality.

This is a rare day where everything I wanted to go right with my appearance did. But when it came down to it, I remembered my verse I sign next to my name, 1 Peter 3:3-4:

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

In our world, people constantly are saying how you have to look and dress and act. They are constantly pressuring us to conform to what they say is beautiful. Tell me, who are they to say what is beautiful? Who are they to say what is worth more? God’s creation is beautiful, and He doesn’t make mistakes. When you start thinking along the lines of what the world says about beauty and putting your appearance down, you are saying that God did a bad job. That is a lie. God knit you together in your mother’s womb ever so perfectly. From your eye color, to your hair color to your personality, your genes, God purposely created you this way, and you know what? He is enthralled by your beauty. (Psalm 45:11) [Emphasis mine].

Do not believe the lie that your worth is based on your looks. But know the truth that when you realize just how beautiful you are and see who you are in Christ - that is true beauty.

What is the kind of beauty you want to exhibit in your life?

My Cause Today

2010-10-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

Every day in the United States of America over 4,000 American

citizens are silenced against their wills. They have their voices

permanently silenced and they never get the opportunity to speak on behalf

of themselves. Today we stand in silent solidarity with those who have been

silenced. Today we are silent, but by doing this we are being a voice for the

one-third of our generation that will never have a voice. These victims are

not only being silenced; they are being killed. The victims we stand on

behalf of are not going to be mentioned on the news. The victims we stand

on behalf of will not have a funeral. The victims we stand on behalf of were

ripped from the safety and warmth of their mothers’ wombs. The victims we

stand on behalf of were not blobs of tissue, but beautiful human persons,

with hearts that beat, brains that gave out brain waves, and a soul. These

are the victims of the abortion holocaust. Every day over 4,000 babies

have their lives ended in the name of choice. Since January 22, 1973, over

46 million babies have died. The time is now to stand on behalf of

these innocent victims. Visit www.standtrue.com to find out

how to be a voice.

^{Psalm 139:13-16}

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

A Month Without You....

2010-09-01T20:31:00.000-07:00

They say that time is healing
when it comes to dealing with loss.
But I still miss her as much as day one.

I've heard that just because death comes,
doesn't mean you stop living.
But the world is so much different without Nana in it.

But I'm still here trying to get through,
Living with a love that she constantly proved.

I guess I'm afraid to find that life goes on.
Because it just doesn't seem right to with her gone.

I'm going to start living and she would be proud,
cause I'm gonna live with the love that she was all about.

I have mourned my loss and rejoiced in her gain.
I'm always going to miss her,
and some days there will be pain.

But I have to keep living even if it doesn't always seem right
and I'll keep her alive in my memory as I go through life.

Today I will start living again, and of my day she will always be a part.
because I'll keep every memory of her close to my heart.

She is in a better place now
where there is no more sadness and pain.
So although I may mourn my loss,
I will live life celebrating in her gain.

It's only been a month without her,
but seems just like yesterday
that God took Nana away.

This time apart, it breaks my heart,
but I can't wait to see her again someday. <3

~~~~~~~~~~

In Memory of Joan M. Plocki
October 18, 1947 - July 31, 2010

A time for everything....

2010-08-07T19:07:00.001-07:00

"For everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven....a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance....He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiastes 3: 1,4,11

August 2-7 I spent in Detroit for National Fine Arts with Emily, Erica, Rikki, Casey, Eden, Lydia, Jess, Miss Connie, Mrs. Marshall and Pastor Katie. (whew! Hope I didn't forget anyone! That's a lot of people...hrm...didn't seem like it when we were together...) The week itself was amazing, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. i learned so much through that week and God met me in amazing ways!

Having just lost my Nana as she passed away on Saturday afternoon, I questioned if I could even take the trip. By Sunday t was debating on whether or not I SHOULD go. I really felt that I needed to be with my family and also that I should be helping with arrangements. All in all I needed time. But after praying about it, I felt a peace to go. As much as I wanted to stay, I decided to go for three main reasons.

3) I didn't want to let my team down.

2) One of my last conversations i had with Nana was after she watched my dance, and she was so proud that i was going to Detroit for it! She would have wanted me to go. So I decided to go and give God my best in honor of Nana.

1) Ultimately God brought me there for a purpose. And even looking back on the week, I'm not sure that I even see that purpose in it's entirety. God maybe will reveal it to me in the future. But a few things I learned there were definitely reasons God brought me there.

~I have the most amazing friends and church family EVER! No comparison! They can't be beat!

~ There is a time for everything.

~When life is crumbling around you, you got to keep living.

~God orchestrates everything most beautifully! Even if you don't think so at the time, looking back, and seeing how God was in the situation is the most amazing thing!

"He makes everything beautiful in its time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11

A breakdown of the week looks something like this:

Monday, August 2

We drove up to Detroit and had first service. PressPlay led worship followed by an inspiriting message from Robert Madu! This guy was amazing!!! he spoke on Spiritual gifts and using them as well as how to find what your spiritual gifts are. He went even deeper to the dirt of it all! (literally!) His theme being "Jesus <3 my dirt!"

Quote of the night I think had to be "The next time you start thinking that you're all that and a can of pringles...remind yourself...YOU'RE DIRT!"

There was so much more to His message! It was so awesome!

Tuesday, August 3

For the first time, we had ALL events (minus the large vocal ensemble) in one day! It rocked! So we spent the day at the COBO center running from one event to another! I loved seeing everyone using their gifts! I never cease to be blown away by how great they are!

Rikki's short sermon was a knock-out! This girl was born to preach! i see her teaching to thousands! She was just amazing! (And she got SUPERIOR for her short sermon!)

Emily's sermon rocked! She was amazing! I've heard her sermon many times, but it never hit me so hard as this time! Especially on her points with seizing our divine moments and having a willing spirit! (She received excellent on her sermon!)

Em and Jess's duet I missed the first time, but I know they were awesome because 1) They always are and 2) They got a call back and are in the top 16 in the nation!!!! I did get to see their call back, and the anointing of God was just so clear over them! (They also had Superior)

My Worship Dance Solo to "East to West" was...interesting. Really It just felt so great to dance again and share my gift. Just making it there was amazing enough! I'm so blessed to have been there!

Send Judah First - was the most fun I had in my events all week! We weren't perfect, and we had a few mishaps (whoops) but I think that's where we all really got it together...we had fun and were worshiping in dance. I'm so blessed we had the opportunity to dance there! It was amazing! (LOVE YOU GIRLS!) We got Excellent in Worship dance troupe! :)

Emily's Solo brought half of us to tears! her voice is amazing! I loved the song and the message in it! And even more listening to her sing and watching how she connected with the song. This girl got a gift, and she knows how to use it! Emily received a "Superior" ranking in this category.

Jess's solo was awesome! That song is still going through my head! It was pure worship and just...wow! She blows me away every time! I love listening to her sing and play guitar and just watching her worship! She got "excellent" with her solo!

Tuesday night we had a rockin' speaker! She was really good! Julie gave her testimony and taught quite a bit! Loved her! PressPlay led worship again and just all in all - awesome service!

Wednesday, August 4

Hearts Ablaze sang "Still My God". Wow! you should have heard! it was perfection! I love listening to them! They got "excellent!"

After, we took the monorail to Greektown and ate dinner there before heading back to the Joe Louis Arena for The After's Concert! I LOVED them! (but of course before that we had to put up with the trauma of Troma...that was musical torture!) Oh but we also had Michael Jr. That night too! Loved him!

Thursday, August 5

Jess and Em's call back rocked! After, we went back to Greektown for some Mexican!!! And then we went to the GM building to see out the glass elevators to see the city...but that didn't happen...so we just rode th elevator to the 70th floor for the fun of it! :D Waiting for the monorail and in the COBO lobby we were all jamming. Skipped Troma and service and went back to the hotel where the girls were jammin' with the Sherman Mtn Boys! They were awesome! They won nationals last year, and won in 2 categories this year! That's amazing!

Friday, August 6

We had the whole day to chill! Most of it was spent poolside with the Sherman Mountain Boys! Then pizza before the Fine Arts Celebration service! And back to the hotel to jam some more. All in all, amazing week with the girls! (and guys)

Saturday, August 7

Sad to leave Detroit. mostly because this was it! Final year of Fine Arts for me! But it was amazing all the same! In spite of my circumstances, I had a blast with my friends and they really helped me through a lot.

The last four years in Fine Arts have been an amazing time for me and a time of growing. I'm so blessed to have been part of this and involved with my most amazing friends!

This week i also saw something I didn't see as clearly before I guess because I didn't look. But what I saw was how much Miss Connie, Pastor Katie and Mrs. Marshall just pour into us all. And it really got me thinking watching that. All the time and effort that they put into us...just...wow....There is no doubt how much they care and the love of God just comes through! Seeing that really hit me. So, thank you for all the time and effort that you pour into us all. It's not wasted and you are all such a blessing! Praying for you all as you continue to minister!

As for you girls, it's been awesome! I'm really going to miss you! but you've made these last few years just awesome! I love you all! keep using your gifts for the Lord. it brings me such joy to watch you use them for His glory. You all hold a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to see where God will take you in the future. Love you so much! Thanks for all the memories! I will never forget any of this! You have all been awesome!!

To Emily - Keep it up with that voice! Song or sermon, your heart is seen so clearly in it all! you got power girl! I can't wait to see how God will use you!

To Rikki - You have such an anointing on you for speaking! And you really rock it! I know God is going to use you in awesome ways to further His Kingdom! Rock on girl!

To Erica H - Keep dreaming, cause your dreams will take you somewhere. God has gifted you in so many ways! I love watching you use those gifts! God will do great things with you! never stop runnning! He has the best plans!

To Jess - I've been so blessed by your song and musical gifts as well as your dance and your heart. i love your passion and joy! Keep on moving in the Lord and using your gifts. I know it will lift many eyes to heaven and many hearts to Jesus!

To Eden - I don't know what to say, but....KABOOM!! (of course you're the only one that will get that....) You never cease to surprise me! You're always unpredictable! I love the quiet strength that you have about you, and I love it when you sing! You got a voice! (When you have a voice that is....lol) Don't ever think otherwise! I know that God has gifted you in amazing ways! And you're awesome with communication! Keep pressing on! I'm so proud of who you are and who you are becoming!

To Casey - Wow, where has the time gone? I love your ability to make everyone laugh! All around you're great to be with, and I love your heart and seeing how you care for people. God has awesome plans to use you, and I know he has very special gifts placed in you. (more than just the gift of looking good! :D ) Keep going after Him! :)

To Lydia - It seems you've gotten so old! I can't wait to see how God uses you! You write amazing songs and have an awesome voice! And are so musically gifted! Never give up on your music and keep serving God with these awesome gifts He has given you! You rock!

To Miss Connie - Thanks for the last four years! They have been amazing! And thank you for willingly and whole heartedly pouring into us! I hope we make you proud and I pray that God blesses you in all that you do! You've been awesome!

To Pastor Katie - Thank you for all the time and effort that you have invested into us all. I can promise that your investment is not in vain, but will produce much fruit. You're awesome! Praying for you as you continue in God's perfect will! Love ya!

To Mrs. Marshall - Thank you for the support over the years and for all you do and the ways that your pour into u. Praying that God continues to bless you in all that you do!

I love you all!

Thanks for making the last few years so awesome! Prayers and Blessings to you! <3 You're the greatest!

NYC Missions

2010-07-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

When I went to New York, I went expecting to minister and to change lives for Jesus. what I never knew was how much it would minister to me and change my life.

The first night we had orientation and then went to Times Square and got a nice look at the city. The next day, Thursday, we did a VBS for a group of about 20 kids. They were just awesome! This was the best VBS in my opinion. We got there, not knowing how many kids we'd have or what we would be doing. We didn't know if we'd be running everything or just helping out, but it was awesome seeing just how God brought it all together!

Another thing I thought was really cool was the woman who runs the daycare, Mrs. Miller told us how the night before two of her helpers called and told her that they couldn't make it the next day. So she would be alone with all of these kids with no help. So she was praying and as soon as she got up off her knees, NYSUM called her and told her we were coming! So it was a real blessing to her that we were there that day, and the kids were such a blessing to us!

We did some praise and worship songs, puppets, crafts, face painting and played outside. Daniel decided that he would give one of the kids piggy-back rides....and so then **all** the kids wanted piggy-back rides. Some of us had multiple kids on our backs at once! But it was awesome! We had a blast! The kids were amazing and blessed us all. They were so open to us and so hungry for love, that it really touched me.

One of the kids, Xavier really got attached to my brother, Aaron. He was adorable! It was so sad that he cried when we left! Another girl, Brianna, was my little buddy that day. But the others were amazing too! WE did a dance competition and wow! Those kids could dance! Some of them were five or six years old and were flipping all over the place and spinning on their heads! They were awesome!

I was so sad we weren't going back to see them again! that first day I think got me the most. I was so blessed by those kids!

That night we did homeless ministry. We were in New York City and were passing out care packages, water and sandwiches to the homeless people. We got to talk to a lot of them, and that was really awesome! Many of them were so happy just to have someone to talk to! I loved to sit and listen to their story, and while listening, it really opened my eyes to the fact that these people out on the streets actually have family and friends and lives. And it was not their choice to be homeless. Something happened that forced them out on the streets. It could happen to anyone. Some of the people we met up with didn't really want to talk much. I loved being able to minister to their needs, not only physical but to their spiritual needs as well. We had the privilege of praying with several of them. And one of them, who has been on the street for 12 years actually ended up ministering to us! He had his Bible out and was reading verses and wow, that whole ministry just really blessed me!

I also met up with a man who had been on the streets for 7 years. WE talked for about an hour. He claims to be a Christian, but said he wasn't sure yet of everything he believed. Miss Sheri, Eden, Emily, Daniel and Alexsey met up with some interesting people too. All of them had a story, and some of them let us pray with them. I admit it took a few steps out of my comfort zone, but it was so worth it! God did some amazing things through that! That is something I'd love to be involved in more often!

On Friday we went to Terence Cardinal Cooke Chapel - a long-term care facility with over 700 patients. Most of the people there have Huntingtons disease where they slowly lose control over their body. We did the protestant service there for some of the patients who were there. Emily, Eden and Casey led worship and Erica and Sarah did sermons. It was really cool during worship because the people there didn't know all the words to some of the songs, but they tried to sing them anyways. And then the songs they did know they sang with us! It was just awesome! Afterwards we helped the patients back to the elevators to go to their rooms.

To end the day, we went to Coney Island Gospel Assembly for a VBS. Almost all of us were dressed like clowns!

We did water balloons, face paint, puppet ministry and worship songs! It was a great time with the kids!

Afterwards we went to see the fireworks and then headed back to NYSUM. :)

Saturday began with street ministry at Tomkins Square Park. Emily played her guitar and everyone sang. We also got to go around the park and minister to the homeless people there. It was really great to be there! There were a few people there so happy that we were there and playing worship songs. They told us that we were a blessing to them, and that alone blessed us! Just knowing that you blessed somebody really has a way of getting to you! God is so good!

To end Saturday, we visted a Metro Family home that was made up of mainly DV Victims. We got there and had almost no idea what we were doing. We did the clowns again and Daniel, Sarah and Eden went door to door looking for kids there to come down to the VBS. The kids loved it! We did the puppet ministry again, gave out stickers, and did crafts, making necklaces, and another dance-off, worship music! It was all great! Sad to leave so soon! We spent about 2-3 hours with them. :) The kids there loved it!

After ministry time, we had a bit of free time. We went on a cruise and saw the statue of Liberty, and did some sight seeing! It was pretty sweet.

Afterwards we went to Times Square and did some shopping...and went to the M&M's store! :D

all in all, that was a great night! Thank you Pastor Seth, Pastor Katie and Miss Sheri!! :)

Sunday we went to Times Square Church and then we were off to go back home.

Ultimately, I was blessed through all the ministry done. Everyone was so grateful and appreciative that we came and a lot of them were just awesome! I can not wait to do this again! God is so good!

I am certain that God brought us there...this was my favorite pic taken here above! :) LOL.But it about shows what the week was like. Something that we had to keep in mind was that God has us there for a reason. We have a purpose to be there. We may not have a second chance. We were given this opportunity and with it, I constantly reminded myself that having the privilege of being there, meant giving everything I had. No holding back. But going out boldly to do the work that God had set out for us. I think DIESEL did an amazing job of that. Proud to have spent my week serving with you all! You are amazing and I cannot wait to see how else the Lord will use you!

Love you!!

Our totally awesome NYC Missions team! :)

Miss Sheri made a rockin video to sum up our trip...click here to see!

Between the Dreaming and the Coming True...

2010-07-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the hardest place to be is between the dreaming and the coming true. Where you have seen the dream and are going after it, only carrying it with you in your heart as you have not yet reached it. This dream is not yours yet.

Between the dreaming and the coming true is work and obstacles and trials that strengthen us. We don't so much make the dream as the dream makes us. It pushes us to pursue, and if we truly want it, we will go to great measures to gain it.

Right now, one of my dreams I'm carrying is to have a book published but between the dream and the coming true is a lot of work writing, and obstacles that include but are not limited to agents, publishers, time, relations and such. When I first saw this dream,, it seemed so easy, but now standing between my dream and it's reality, I realize just how hard it can be in this place.

Sadly, not everyone reaches the reality of the dream. i see it as God give you a dream to store away and carry and to nurture, but before it can be fully grown, you have to make it to the promised land where it can be planted. The dream needs to take root in your heart so you can make it through the rough season - or through the desert you must pass through to reach the place where your dream will flourish.

Don't lose heart, and don't leave your dream behind in the desert. Doing that can leave you wandering for years. God has a dream placed in each of us. One that we need to take hold of and allow it to take root in our lives. And ultimately, we need to follow where He leads us, even through the deserts to reach the place where the dream will flourish.

But, easier said than done. The dream at first has us excited and on fire, how long does that last in the desert?

But I tell you, keep heart and don't lose faith when you are between the dreaming and the coming true because God is greater, and keep looking to Him and you will find rivers in the desert you're walking through.

Ultimately God is faithful. he has entrusted to you this seed, this dream...let Him bring you to a place where it will grow and spread and where it will thrive and prosper.

Consider a pearl and all the time it takes to be cultured. But in the end it becomes a priceless piece of beauty. The culturing of a pearl is much like standing between your dream and it's reality. It's hard, but it shapes you, and changes you. It makes you into a thing of beauty.

With every dream that God places in our lives, He has a purpose in mind and a person that He wants us to be when we reach it. God equips the called to do His work. this is God's purpose and vision for you....when it seems like you're stuck in the desert, remember that he's preparing you for the dream to come true. And being always faithful, your dream will not die unless it is you who leaves it in the desert as you wander. Looking to God, He will always be more than enough, even when you can't see. We walk by faith, not by sight.

What is your dream?

Where are you on this journey?

Has your dream taken root?

Are you setting out toward the promised land where you will flourish and thrive,

or

Are you wandering through the desert now? Are you worn and weary. Has your journey been long?

or have you reached the place and seen your dreams and the fruit that has come from them?

Is your dream taking root? Go deep.

If your in the desert, have faith and rivers will flow.

If you've thrown your dream in the desert sand. Go and pick it up again. You can still make it. Have faith.

If you've reached the place and have seen the dream flourish - well done. Continue in your dream.

To everyone who is between the dreaming and the coming true:

Be strong. Stay focused. Have faith. Never give up hope. Keep your dream rooted deep down , and trust God to bring you through to where he has a purpose to plant you.

Learn and enjoy the journey. Let it make you. And God through your trials, mold you for the dream he has placed within your heart.

Blessings always,

Brittany L. Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)

Find Your Wings and Live Like You're Loved

2010-06-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

"I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams. And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things. I'm here for you whatever this life brings. So let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings." - "Find Your Wings" - Mark Harris

Upon graduating high school, I've taken a look back at the way I have come the last 4 years. My journey has been one that has shaped much of my life, but even more so, the people that I have come to know through those years have been an influential part of who I have come to be. I think it is safe to say I wouldn't be where I am or who I am without them in my life. Looking back, I see how God had a plan and a reason for each person that stepped in my life. When as well as how long they stayed or if they're still there were all part of God's plan.

Sometimes people are only meant to be in our lives for a season, sometimes longer. But no matter how long they are there, they have a reason to be there. God placed them in your life for a reason, whether it be you help them, they help you, or you help each other. And when they leave, they almost always leave a mark, a reminder of what they did in your life. No matter where we go in life, how close or how far apart we become, we always carry a bit of each other everywhere.

It is those people that came into my life that slowly helped to bring me about. It is those people that came in my life at certain seasons and were always there, always praying, and who invested into me and encouraged me to keep going that made such a difference in my life. And because of their love and encouragement, I am finding my wings. I'm getting ready to fly. Those people were such an influential part of my life and ultimately directed me to seek God in everything.

Under their encouragement and guidance I really began to seek God. And little by little, my dreams of what I would be in the future changed. Slowly what I once dreamed of began to seem empty and meaningless, and God's dreams for me, became my dreams. At first they seemed unreachable. But on more than one occasion, God has proven that He is faithful and that He will bring me through what He has called me to. I just have to listen and obey His voice. All in all my heart is fully driven to achieve the dreams that God has laid in my heart...

"May passion be the wind that leads you through your days, and may conviction keep you strong and guide you on your way. May there be many moments that make your life so sweet. Oh, but more than memories..."

It's my faith that keeps me going after these dreams placed in me. And my faith is the reason that I am still standing. I'll be honest, sometimes it can be easy to forget how good God is, and all that He has done. (Which happens when you give into circumstances and take your eyes off Him). But sometimes I like to look back, because it's the memories of where He brought me from that keep me moving forward. There are times I would love to go back to how things used to be. But that season is over. It was a time of growth, and now it's time to move on. God had me placed there for just long enough, but now a new season has come and looking back, I have far more than just memories from the last season. I have much more that I carry from that time in my heart. And what I carry from that is much of what keeps me pushing forward...

"Visions that can change the world trapped inside an ordinary girl
She looks just like me too afraid to dream out loud
And though it’s simple your idea, it won’t make sense to everybody
You need courage now If you're gonna persevere

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds

CHORUS
Keep the dream alive don't let it die
If something deep inside keeps inspiring you to try, don't stop
And never give up, don't ever give up on you
Don't give up

Every victory comes in time, work today to change tomorrow
It gets easier, who’s to say that you can’t fly
Every step you take you get, closer to your destination
You can feel it now, don’t you know you're almost there?

To fulfill divine purpose, you gotta answer when you're called
So don't be afraid to face the world against all odds."

-Never Give Up - Yolanda Adams

God has given me a vision that I choose to go after with everything in me. It hasn't been an easy journey, and it is not going to be. But It is what He has called me to. It's my destiny, and I'm going to be sure that I am the one who will fulfill it and that He won't have to send another to take my place. Obedience is key. I will not run from the way that God has planned for me. I'm just me. And although it might not always be in the worlds eyes, "just me" is enough for God. But he has to take ALL of me. Not just a part of me. And because I'm giving Him my all, I know that my life is in His hands. And thus, I go after what he has called me to. And I know that He will bring me through. I will have the Victory in Jesus. It will come one day....I heard once that "We are called to be today, what we will be when Christ comes." So I press forward. I want to fulfill the dreams that God has placed in me.

"Go make the best of everything you want to be
With ambition pushing forward
Your dreams upon your shoulders" -"We've Only Just Begun" Run Kid Run

I'm running. I've just hit a milestone. Each day is bringing me just a bit closer. A good friend told me that "We have to be who God called us to be." Those ten words changed my life. With that reminder I continue. Another friend told me to "Call on the promise..." which through that I learned to call on the promiser. These four years, I could never summarize well. It would make a novel just to begin. (Thus this is my terrible summary). There is much written between the lines, and even more written across my heart.

All in all, what I've learned these last four years, I pray that you don't need to see what I write to know what I have brought with me. Because what I have learned, I pray that you see it daily in my life. That you will see how I've learned to love, and how I've learned to give, to sacrifice, to live all for God and to seek and find. I pray that you see daily how my struggles have made me strong, and that God in me who brings me through those trials makes me even stronger. I pray that when the time comes, you will see me fly and as I do, that you will see these last four years through my eyes.

"Live like your loved by the Lord up above. Spread out your wings and never give up. Cause you can do anything, be who you're meant to be. Always remember to dream. Keep your head up, and live like you're loved." - Live Like You're Loved by Mark Schultz.

To all who were with me -- Thanks for coming on this journey. Your influence in my life changed me and made me who I am today. Above all, thank you, Jesus for being my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my savior, friend, help, my light, my strength, my God. Thank you for bringing me here. My life is all yours. Take me as I am and mold me to your dreams for me. I love you, Lord! <3

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany (1 Peter 3:4)

Kidney Transplant

2010-05-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! This is a really good friend of mine. She was one of my youth leaders at church and is simply amazing! God isn't done with her yet! So, please keep her in your prayers and donate if you can. I really appreciate it! Thank you all so much! <3

Here is the link for her story and for more information:

http://www.transplants.org/donate/madeeleombruno

God bless,

Brittany (1 Peter 3:4)

C28 - Not of This World -- Check it out!

2010-05-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

So I came across this site a few weeks back and I'm absolutely loving the clothing line and accessories on it. Check it out! I promise you will all find something just for you! :)

God bless!

Brittany

Ready, Salt....Answer!

2010-03-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

“In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 [emphasis added]

It was a typical day for me. I did school, ran some errands, and then began to get ready for work. The sounds of spring were in the air and the weather was warmer than it had been in weeks. I put my window down a bit as I drove breathing in the warm fresh air. There was feet of snow on the side of the road just beginning to melt, but I still enjoyed the scenery that clearly showed that winter was fading and spring was finally coming. More than ever, I was ready for spring. It had been a long winter that included a record-breaking snowfall and freezing temperatures. Spring was more than welcome to be on it’s way.

Upon pulling into work, I said a prayer for God to use me and that he would shine through me and that he would be seen in me. Just like my typical day, I did my typical work. Notices, processing, shelving, repairing, working at the desk - nothing abnormal for me at all. But then something that was a bit different did happen. I was sporting my Southeastern University shirt which has printed into the design, “Be Salt.” As I was checking out a patron, he noticed my shirt asked me what “be salt” meant.

So many thoughts when through my head at that moment, the foremost being that this was a chance I had been praying for. But then, I realized, how could I explain “be salt” to a non-Christian? This stumped me for a moment and I slowly explained what it meant to me and how in the Bible in Matthew 5 it says that,

“You are the salt of the earth. If the salt loses it’s flavor, how then can it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do you light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and praise your father in heaven.”

I went on to say how salt cleanses, and although it irritates the wound at first, it ultimately benefits you greatly in the end. Salt is pure. We are told to be salt and light in the world.

I grimaced inwardly at my poor explanation. The man looked at me trying to understand what I had said. He made a short reply about that being cool, and then took his books and left. As he walked out those doors I realized something, that I had lost a real chance to be salt and to be a light. And why? Because I wasn’t ready. I was not ready to give an answer.

After that day, I set out to ready myself and to arm myself with answers that I can give to anyone who asks. I came upon 2 Timothy 4 which says, “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.”

We all need to be ready. Whether it is our time to go out or our time for staying where we are. We need to be ready to give an answer. We need to be prepared. How can you prepare yourself today? Are you ready?

~Brittany

Faith that moves...

2010-03-04T08:34:00.001-08:00

"I've seen dreams the move the mountains, hope that doesn't ever end even when the sky is falling. And I've seen miracles just happen. Silent prayers get answered, broken hearts become brand new. That's what faith can do..." - That's What Faith Can Do by Kutless.

That's what Faith Can Do - that song portrays so much. My faith is important to me. I relate with this song so much. I want my faith to be like that. I want my dreams to move mountains, I want to always hope and believe, even when things seem like they will never come to be. I've seen miracles, I want to see God move again and again. I want to see those silent prayers answered, and broken hearts become new. I want everyone to see what Faith can do.

Faith is a powerful thing. In Hebrews 11:1 it says: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see."

Nothing in this life is certain. Nothing in this life is constant. Nothing except for one thing - Jesus. Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is the only constant, the only certainty. That is why faith is so powerful, because it is standing fully on what is unmovable and unchanging. Faith is powerful because it is standing on the solid rock when all else is shifting sand. The power of faith is in God. Everlasting, never changing, and eternally existent. What in this life is there that you can hold to? What stability is there in this world. I am certain and sure that the only answer is Jesus. When you have faith - you know and believe that no matter what comes to pass, that God will always keep you.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.

I know that no matter what happens, no matter what trials that come my way or what storms may come to pass that God will always be there and He will always see me through. I just have to trust him, believe in him, and have faith. My faith is my story. My relationship with Jesus Christ is the theme. And above all, God is writing my story. I know he has plans for me, and I can't wait to see what he will do through me. My life will be all to bring Him glory and it will be in his way and in His plans for me.

One of my favorite verses is in Jeremiah 29:11. It says, "For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.'"

I don't know the plans that God has for me. There have been many times where I've gone to God not knowing which way to go or what decision to make and I'd pray, "Lord, would you please clue me in on your plans a little?" But it doesn't always work that way. I have to believe that when I trust God that He will help me make the right choice. I can't see the road a head of me. I am unsure of where I'm going in this life. But we are meant to walk by faith and not by sight.

I'm not your typical girl, but I am who God is making me to be. I'm shaped by his hands and as he shapes me, he is keeping the purpose that he has for me in mind. I had dreams of my own, but coming to God, my dreams changed. Admittedly part of me still wants those former dreams of mine, but God's dreams for me are so much better, and I know that it is in God's will that I'll be the happiest, and where my purpose will be fulfilled. I also know that the center of God's will is not a destination, it's a journey, and it is a journey that I will take all of my days.

I once dreamed of med-school and being a doctor. I had dreams of being able to help people and save lives that way. But it is so clear to me now that going into medicine is not where God wants me, even when there are still days that I want it. But no, God is calling me to minister. He is calling me to preach the gospel, bring freedom to the captives, and bring release to the prisoners. He has called me to comfort those who mourn, and to declare the year of the Lord's favor! (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Now I dream of ministry. I dream of ministering in a church, and to youth, teen girls and women. I dream of missions to Haiti and India. I dream of ministry with dance and with the arts. God has given me a heart for such things. And although I at times look back at my dream of being a doctor, I don't miss it, although I want it at times, I've recognized those times for what they are -- those times are pure selfishness in me. I wanted to be a doctor to help people yes, and to minister that way -- but also for my name to be known. With these new dreams God has given me, it is not about me, it is all about him. It is about how everything that I do and say glorify Him in every way. This life is my praise, my offering, my everything. God will speak through me, - He's promised me the words. God will go before me - He has already made my way. God will guide me - He is my light and my salvation. God will use me - He's had a purpose for me since before I was born.

You may by now be wondering who I am. I've said much and yet very little. I am servant of the Most High. I am a young woman of Faith. I am a daughter of the king of kings. I am a dreamer holding to God's dreams. I am a sinner redeemed by the blood that poured from Jesus as he hung on the cross, I am a warrior in the Lord's army (by the way we already win.). I am who God the Father calls me to be, but above all - I am His and my life is to bring him glory!

To God be the glory, honor and praise!

~Brittany (1 Peter 3:4)

DIESEL - This is our year! <3

2010-01-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

"Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction..." 2 Timothy 2:2

Diesel, This is our year.

I really believe that this season we have to prepare. This Spiritual battle is real.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

Are we ready? Do we fit into our armor?

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:13-16

We are leaders here. We can start a revolution. There is a war to be waged here. We have to fight. We have to stand. If you were called to go out now, tonight, would you be ready?

This is our year! What are we going to do with it -- or you know what -- What are we going to let God do with it? How are we going to let him work in our lives so we can do the impossible? Are we going to be open to him to let him move?

I believe this is our year. It is time we stand up and take our place on the battlefield. We Are DIESEL - fueled by the spirit---or are we? Consider this - What drives you? Are you fueled by the Spirit? Is it God that keeps you going with every breath left in you? Is it God that consumes your every thought and every motive? Is is the Spirit of God in you that fuels you?

We have so much power right in our hands that God has laid out for us to grasp. Are we ready to take it up? Do we believe? Do we know? Are we fueled by the Spirit??

You are called tonight. Are you ready to fight? Do you fit into YOUR armor? As an individual - are you ready for battle. If no one else were to stand with you tonight -- would you be able to stand your ground?

As a group - are we ready for battle? We could be so much - we have the potential. We cover each other's weaknesses. We are strong together. but if we aren't ready to fight, when will we be?

it is time for us to take up our armor. It is time for us to take a stand. This is our year, Diesel! This is our year to see the impossible. It is our year to move mountains. it is our year to lead - to start a revolution. Are you open to the supernatural? It's time to get out of the ordinary. We are extraordinary.

Do you believe in this year and what it has in store?

One last question,

Will you stand with me??

It is our time. This is our year.

"A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

-giving
-prayer
-fasting

Time for battle. Take up your armor. We're waging war! <3

We are DIESEL - FUELED BY THE SPIRIT!

Who Measures Up?

2010-01-07T07:32:00.001-08:00

I stood against the measuring stick as tall as I could and was disappointed to find that I was still too short. I came to this amusement park every year only to find that I was still too short to ride what I looked to be the best ride in the park, a roller coaster called the Wild Mouse. It was fast with sharp curves and dips and it slammed you around the whole ride. Does this sound like fun? Well it did when I was six. However, once again, I didn’t measure up to the requirements. The only requirement – “You must be this tall to ride.” Well I was not “this tall,” in fact, I came up quite short. And the “shortness factor” would get me a lot in life. I’m not just talking about height either. Back to the park, my older brother got to ride the Wild Mouse while I was watching. The next year, I was finally tall enough –barely that is. (I may have stood on my tippy toes just a bit.) After waiting in that line for what seemed like an eternity, I sat myself in the seat with my brother and waited with anticipation for what was to come. We started moving; up – up –up we went. The car stopped at the top for a few seconds, and I held my breath in anticipation, then all the sudden, we whipped around a tight left bend, and then another, followed by a tight right and a drop, only to go up again and twist sharply. I recall hitting my head of the side of the roller coaster car several times on those turns as I was too small to really stay in place. In spite of that fact, I loved it. I wanted to ride again. It did beat me up a little, but I finally “measured up” to the requirements.

This is how our world today is. We see others doing what we want nothing more than to do ourselves, but we come up too short. We don’t “measure up.” Society today is like that roller coaster. We want to be the ones riding it, but the bar has been raised too high for us to measure up to. We try to stand as high as we can as to look tall enough. The requirements are there because anything less cannot handle the ride. If we stand tall and just barely reach the mark to ride – we might get whipped around a bit. We may get beat up along the way. Will the ride be worth it? Are we riding because it’s where we are meant to be, or because we finally fit the requirement? Is finally making it what keeps us holding on for our dear lives?

“You must be this tall to ride” – These days to measure up, you have to be the best of the best. You have to have a better education, a better job, and even be better looking than the next guy. Not everyone is going to “measure-up” to the world’s standards. It seems they are continually raising the bar, and we just can’t seem to stand to it. We all have standards (or at least I would hope we do.) Some of us have our standards higher or lower than others. It’s the standard that defines what people expect of us. At times we can be overwhelmed by what is expected as what we have to bring is never enough to satisfy the requirement. What we have to bring is never enough for us to measure up to the expectations that are set before us. When we reach that, we just drown in a sea of what we may see as failure. We fail to reach the mark.

Since creation, we've been raising the bar, pushing to do more, to go farther, to reach higher than we ever have before. We’ve been reaching to make ourselves better, or to make a name for ourselves. In the Garden of Eden, Eve was deceived and tempted to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As Satan, in the form of a serpent told her, “…when you eat of it [the fruit of the tree] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Eve wanted to be, “like God.” “Ironically, in trying to be “like God,” humans separated themselves from God Almighty and became false gods to themselves.” (FIREBIBLE Student Edition, © 2007, p. 35)

The Tower of Babel is another example. In Genesis 11: 4 says this:
“Then they said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” (emphasis added)

When we try to make a name for ourselves, we push the limits, we reach as high as we can manage, and when that isn’t enough we stand on our toes hoping that we will finally reach the standard. We can only do that for so long. We’re only made so strong.I find it ironic that what seems to be labeled as the "world's standard," is higher than the standards of the world. It seems that the world expects so much, but they expect it not of themselves, but of others.

Who really measures up? For how long will we continue to raise a bar that we can't stand to ourselves? Standards are good to have - high standards, but when too much is expected - when perfection is expected, who will stand to the bar? We can try and reach for it. Is it worth getting beat up along the way? Will we survive it?

I find that the "shortness factor" can get me quite a bit. I don't always "measure up" to other people. I can't sing like many people I know, I'm not the greatest with drama, and memorization. I'm not good with people all the time. I'm not the best at anything, but I'm good at many things. However, the gifts I've been given and the skills I have acquired still leave much to be desired at times. Sometimes I feel like I have an image to hold that I CAN do the requirement. That I CAN reach the standard, but really, I'm barely making it. I'm not steady. I'm on a roller coaster ride that continually beats on me with every twist and turn. Sometimes I wonder why I put myself in those places. At times, it is to stretch and to grow, at others it is because of what is expected of me, and still others, it is just waiting to be held to the bar so that I can finally step down, be satisfied that I've reached it and go back to where I measure to. Who really measures up?

I thank God continually that He takes me as I am. He made me to be who I am. He takes everything that I have to bring - failures, short comings and all - and he makes them perfect. His power works best in my weakness. (2 Corinthians _:_) In the end, it is not about whether I measure up to the world's standards, but do I measure up to God's standard? No. No one can. None of us are perfect. But he loves us.

Thank you, Jesus for taking me as I am, and loving me for who I have become. Thank you for shining through my weakness.

~Brittany

"Its a fear that keeps me wide awake,
in the middle of the night.
When the expectations are too great,
and the bar gets raised too high.

So I do the best with what I've got,
and hope that no one knows,
that I strain to see how high I can
try to stand on these toes
until I'm measured
but you know better so...

CHORUS:
Thank you Jesus,
even when you see us just as we are
fragil and frail and so far from
who we want to be so
thank you Jesus, even when the pieces
are broken and small
dreams shatter and scatter like the wind.
Thank you even then.

So I put aside the masquerade,
and admit that I am not okay.
Which may not be the thing to say,
but I'm not ashamed to need you,
more each day so

CHORUS

We raise the standard and try to reach it,
but we'll never make it and we don't need to...
so thank you....just as we are, we are fragil
and frail and so far from, who we want to be so...

CHORUS

"Even Then" - Nichole Nordeman

Something Special <3

2009-12-15T05:08:00.000-08:00

So I was going through my stuff and I found my old journal from summer with this written in it and wanted to share. :)

08-08-09

The past week I spent in Orland, Florida with my greatest most amazing friends anyone could ever have! We were in Orlando for National Fine Arts and Convention. It was so amazing and I have so many great times, memories and stories I would love to tell about, but I think I'll tell you about those later. Right now, I want to focus more on what I learned this week down there, and what we got out of this as a team.

I'd never be able to fully express how special our group is. You wouldn't believe if you saw. So let me explain a little bit. In short, we are all VERY different people. We have different dreams, live totally different lives, have different paths we will follow, but what we share is what brought us together. Our differences just make it all the more special. We share a love and a heart for God. We share with each other. We're all so very different, and that is not hard to see, but as I said it's our differences that make what we have even more special and beautiful. I guess I might need to explain a bit (which is the purpose of this...)

Going from oldest to youngest - first there is Vanessa (Ness). She just graduated from high school. Nessa is like the "mother bird" or the "big sister" of us all. She's really sweet and caring. She loves to shop (she's like the fashion queen!) and is almost always smiling. She is quick to take control when a situation starts to get out of hand, and is always there. She's going to be a nurse. (And know she'll make a great one!)

Next is me! And to explain -- I'm just me! I love to dance and worship God and I want to work in ministry after High School. I'm not exactly sure WHO I am in this group. Although, they have described me as a workaholic at times and ambitious...and a brainiac...But I'm just me. I'm different. And I love it! I'm so thankful that God put these girls in my life! I would not be the same without them!

Next is Emily (Emilina!). he is a senior in High School like me. Emily has such a passion for God and worship and has the MOST AMAZING voice! I swear she'll be famous someday! And even if she's not, she's that good and so much better. But even aside from all that - she's real. I love that bout her! She's true to herself and when she's committed to something, she pours her heart into it. Everything she's got - and God always gets the glory. She's so sweet and has a beautiful heart and above all else, trusts God in everything.

Now there is Erica. She is a junior in High School. She loves to sing, dance, and act - she is the greatest when it comes to that! And she stands strong on what she believes in. In everything she trusts God to keep her going and to lead her in his way. She has such passion and heart and strength. She loves horses and has a heart for the lost and broken. God is going to use her in amazing ways.

Then there is Eden (E). Eden is a sophomore in high school. And to describe her well....she's Eden. She's amazing and I know no one else like her. She's real, she's herself. She's different and proud of it. I'd say she's one of the most grounded in our group. She loves Music and is probably going to be a missionary. But wherever God takes her, I cannot wait to see. She's going to do amazing things I know!

Next is Sarah, (Sar-rocks!). Sarah is really sweet, loves drama and is really good at it! (Ok that's an understatement. You ought to see this girl! You wouldn't believe the stuff she memorizes! You'd be blown away! She's def the drama queen-- and I mean that in a good way!) I realize we all have different styles and all, but Sarah stands out as the princess! I rarely see her without a dress. She wears them constantly! She always brings a smile to everyone's face and truly cares for people. She loves music and plays guitar. All out - she rocks! (Oh and she takes around Diego, Dora and Sarah the Mammoth for all of our youth activities! It's the greatest! I believe they are her loyal sidekicks! lol.)

Then there is Jess, ....actually....I think jess is older than Sarah...lol...yeah she is. haha. Jess is all around amazing! She's a gifted musician with a heart after God. Jess is friends with everyone and reaches out to everyone, and has the ability to just pull them in. She never gives up and is always praying for her friends to come to Christ. This girl is gonna be famous someday I just know it! She's amazing with music and dance and with communication. She is sincere and caring, and probably the most humorous of us all...especially when you put her with Emily... (AHHHHHHHH!!!!)

And there is Lydia. She's what i call a diva. Really sweet, spunky, amazing voice, and is gifted. Lydia is our "country girl." She and Erica kind of relate on that level I think. It is really cool though. Lydia loves horses, and music, and well...a lot of stuff! I love this girl! She's got this great personality that just shines through. She loves God with all of her heart. She has a great call on her life and I know that God is working in her in awesome ways! I can't wait to see where He will bring her to!

We all are different ages, and in different places in our lives. We come from different backgrounds, live totally different lives, and yet - we're best friends. What makes us so special is our differences. And we love each other because of them. It makes us strong as a group and it separates us from other groups, out there. We cover each other's weaknesses. There are no limitations. Like i said before, we are all so different - our friendships are unheard of anywhere else, but God brought us together. He is one thing we all have in common. But we're we're best friends, and even though someday we may go our separate ways as we are called, we'll always carry a little bit of each other everywhere. And we'll always be friends.

We've had good times and bad. This week was amazing. Some bits of it got stressful and were hard, but we pull through together. And sometimes things come up or out that shouldn't. It is just the enemy trying to break our unity. We were brought together to glorify God in what we do. Our friendship is from him, bound by him, and all for Him.

This group of girls is special to me. We can all be ourselves when we're together. We're all so different and every one of them is just amazing! I think they'll all be famous someday! haha. It really wouldn't surprise me!

Anyways, I love you girls! Thanks for being such a great part of my life and for accepting me for who I am. God bless you always. I continually keep you in my prayers! I know God will do something amazing with each one of you! Know that you're all very special to me and I love you.

Remember - We'll always take a piece of each other with us everywhere we go. We have so much we share together! You girls make me proud, and it's my prayer that you never stop going after God, that you'll always be who you are, stay strong, be the beautiful, passionate, gifted, uniquely designed and glorious girls that God created you all to be! Don't change for anyone!

Thanks for the memories, the good times and the bad. Thanks for just being there. I know this week in Orlando is something that we'll carry with us. It's part of our journey together. I don't know where the road will take us, and I don't ever want it to end! Thanks for everything. Proud of you all, and I love you dearly.

God bless always!

Thoughts on Writing and Speech (mainly writing)

2009-12-12T20:09:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I've been working on a book lately...well two books really. The first one is fiction - Stars in the Storm - and although it has meaning to me, upon starting my non-fiction book on singleness, I've realized something. Both of these books mean something to me. Stars in the Storm is more about seeing God's light in the midst of the great tempest that may be surrounding you. It has a lot of meaning for me, as I'm making a story and applying how God taught me to look for his light. Although the story is not really about my situation or my life, it's still made personal for me, but it's lying underneath a heavy blanket of dramatics and fiction.

My "Single Seasons" book however, I'm already learning that it's going to be a little harder. Writing this requires a lot of vulnerability on my part as the author. Who honestly wants to make themselves vulnerable to the criticism of others? Any hands here? Hrm. Just as I thought- No one! We don't like to feel weak. We put walls around ourselves. We like to portray a story in our lives that is a fairy tale. Or maybe not even a fairy tale, but what we like to portray is a life that we got all together. Perfection. When it comes to writing, the best comes from the heart. It comes from truth. And it comes with meaning. For years I've kept what I knew to be my best writing to myself. My school papers and such were never as good as what I wrote and never showed. It came down to vulnerability. I never wanted to make myself vulnerable, and that's what true writing does. Consider what comes from your mind to pen to paper. When it is something that no one will ever see, is that not when the words flow the most? We hide inside of ourselves. That's what I've done for so long. But in the process of beginning to write this book, I'm finding that is no longer possible. To write this book and not open up with it, is to write without passion, it is to write in a shadow. I could beat around the bush, and touch up on the bare edges of my heart, but to do that would be to fail. I would fail not only as an author, but I would fail my goal. This book has a purpose. So I must write it with that purpose in mind.

Everyone has their secrets or thoughts that they don't want to come out. Some because they're ashamed of them, and some because they do not want to ruin the illusion of their perfect life that they have portrayed. Good writing gets personal. You can learn a lot about an author from reading their writing. Just as you can learn a lot about a friend just from listening or from watching them.

To make yourself vulnerable is to open yourself to criticism. It hurts sometimes. You keep everything in and nurse your thoughts and plans in your heart, then when you finally open up to show them, sometimes you might get shot down. Sometimes it hurts. But other times it can be very rewarding.

It's ones most guarded thoughts that sometimes really truly get the point across. It is those thoughts that really hit home.

For instance, I've never been a big fan of history. It was a most dull subject for me to endure. But when it came to the books I was reading, it wasn't the normal text book that I remember reading from, it was the personal diaries or works of the people who lived in that day. I believe that there is a power in the passionate vulnerable writing. When all is turned to paper, you get the whole picture. Boarder-line doesn't cut it. At least not here.

The journals of Rachel Scott come to mind here. For those who don't know, Rachel Scott was one of the Columbine Martyr victims. Now, I realize that she did not mean for her journals to become a book, but what she wrote was meant for her and God. She wrote so openly holding nothing back. She was honest in her writing. And I couldn't help but when reading her story and reading her journals to feel inspired. She was transparent in her writing. She was passionate. She was honest. And you know what? Her story is powerful. Her words were powerful.

Where would we all be today if we held nothing back?. If we wrote honestly and if we spoke our thoughts? Words can be powerful. They can build up and they can tear down. One word to encourage one to pursue their dream or to keep going, but one word can also kill a dream.

Vulnerability. Transparency. Truth. Passion. Those are what make up a true power in writing. When we expose ourselves, we may be subject to ridicule. But who are others to ridicule us? What lies behind their portrayal of perfection? I realize that taking down the walls that we fortify around ourselves can be hard to do. I still find it hard today. And I've found that at times, it can make you feel weak, but it makes you stronger.

So from here on, this is how my words will be. Both spoken and written.

My words will be truth. My words will be real. My words will reveal what is in me. My heart, my thoughts. My words will be passionate and spoken from the heart. My words will be kind and gentle and warm. My words will be pure. My words will inspire. My words will be given to me by God. He's promised that He will give me the words - now I just have to listen for them.

This note hasn't quite gone the way I thought it would. I planned to end one place and went to another. But these are my thoughts. And thoughts can take you on a new road every time. :)

~Brittany

Reality's Dreams - Lyrics by Brittany Ketter

2009-10-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

V1:
It’s one of those days,
Where you begin to believe
That you’re not good enough
For your dreams.

They seem so far and
Impossible to reach.
And you’re just who you are
Wondering why you even dream of these things.

Chorus:
What’s the use of dreamin’,
If you’re not believing
If you’re not reaching
For it to come true?
We were made to look up
And dream something new.
See so far from reality,
But it’s what you wanna do.
So why not reach and let
your dream find its way to you.

V2:
It’s one of those times
Where you can’t see
if you could ever be who you dream.
With dreams and reality
It’s hard to find where they can meet.

But keep looking up,
Cause if you believe,
You can make it.
Cause…

CHORUS

Bridge:
Keep dreaming.
Keep reaching.
Keep believing
Dreams come true.
Someday your dream will find its way to you.

CHORUS

Ending:
Yeah, your dream will find you.
When you reach and believe dreams
Can come true…Now it’s all up to you.
Will you reach, or will you lose?

For All of You Single Girls Out There...

2009-10-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

I admit, lately I’ve been thinking about that special guy that God has for me, and honestly – I miss him. Be honest girls, how many of you are home on a Friday night doing nothing while all of your friends are out on a date with their boyfriends? Or maybe your best friend has been hanging out with a guy and you feel neglected – feeling the pain? We all know the feeling.
I’ve set my standards, and I’ve set them high. I know what I want in a guy. I haven’t dated. I’ve made up my mind before that I would not date until:

1. Senior Year (at earliest)
2. I knew the guy who fit my list.

Well, here I am at senior year – boyfriend? No. And that’s cool. I’ve found my season of singleness to be my time for growing and my time for going deeper in my relationship with God. I wouldn’t trade this season for anything God is so good!
However, recently, I find myself thinking more and more about “him.” Who is he? When will God bring him in? How? Will I know right away? I have all of these questions, and yet no answers to be found. The only thing I know is that, 1) God has this all in His hands, and 2) I desire this companionship greatly.

I want someone to love, and to love me, but more-so, I want that person to be who God has for me. You won’t see me rushing in on the dating scene. In fact, I’m a bit more into courtship. And, I find that I really am impressed by the guys who first asked the father’s permission to take out his daughter, before they even ask the girl. It shows maturity and respect.

I can picture my own daughter someday, and I can tell you I would not be thrilled or very pleased at all if some guy just came to our door and picked her up to take her out, without first coming to me or my husband. No. I don’t believe I’d be please, and I don’t believe my daughter would be going out with him that night… (and possibly any night. We’ll see.)

I believe there is a special bond between Dad’s and daughters. I look up to my dad, and I admire him greatly. He’s always been my hero. I rarely find something I enjoy more than a night with my dad. I love being with him. Just me and him – even just driving to the store, or watching the game – I can never get enough of the one-on-one daddy-daughter time. The more I’m with him, the more I see in him that I would want in a husband someday. Some of these big things in my dad are commitment, strength and purpose. His commitment to this family is so apparent. Fathering 5 kids, (3 of them being teenagers, YIKES!) he works hard and long hours every day to support his family. And afterwards, you will find him working on things that need done around the house. He doesn’t work for the fun of it. He doesn’t work just for the money. He doesn’t work to give himself a good name. But he does it for us – to support his family. He does it to the best of his ability, and I admire that quality in my dad – his commitment. Strength and purpose fit into that also. My dad is a family man – strength I see is how he handles his household. He is firm and loving and always makes a point when things aren’t running the way they should be. He heads our household well. His purpose – I see in his stance. Whether he’s in his suit going to work, or in his old worn jeans and t-shirt working outside or fixing cars or doing yard work. My dad is a man of purpose, and his purpose is that of one he knows full well of – the position God has placed him in as the head of this family.

I didn’t just dream this entire up. I had to be taught to see it. But I cannot recall a time ever where my dad wasn’t there for me. Dads are special. And I believe that the Father-daughter relationship is too. There is just a bond there, seemingly from the beginning – my dad’s the reason I’ve gone through most of my teen years without “needing” a guy. I didn’t “need” a boyfriend like some of my friends and many teens my age did. I’d much rather have a day with my dad. As I’ve grown older though, that’s not changed, but I’m starting more to want to find the one that God has for me. I love the relationship I have with my dad, and I don’t ever want it to change – he fills a place in my heart where only a guy could, where only he could. But he’s taught me what I want. I want a man like him.

In a way, I see my mother has taught me that too. She’s taught me to look deeply, see the invisible, and feel the gentlest touches. She taught me to see the world, and she obviously taught me to find a good man (Daddy is exhibit A! ) My mom has also taught me what kind of woman I want to be. She’s raised me right. (Or I think my parents have done a pretty good job, anyway. I mean between the two of them – I turned out pretty awesome, if I do say so myself! – Quite humble too! :P) My mom showed me the kind of woman I want to be. I want to be like she is – a woman of strength and virtue, whose priorities are in line; A woman who watches over her house, and brings up her children in the Lord; A woman who is wise and carries herself with dignity; A woman who is led by the Lord, and who teaches her children to rely on Him.

My mother taught me to work, cook, clean, read, write and all the typical stuff, but by example, she’s taught me the qualities of a godly woman, wife and mother, and I’m proud to be her daughter.

Now girls, stick with me. I’m not as off topic as you might think – remember that longing feeling I was talking about before? The want I have for that companionship and love? My journey with God these last few months- he’s brought me to a place of wholeness – but even so, I still don’t’ feel complete. It’s like I’m missing something – I’m missing him. There is such a mystery about that – only the Lord knows. I was talking with a friend about that, and she mentioned to me how in Genesis, “Adam – even after all the animals, no suitable companion was found. Then God created Eve.” She told me we were born this way – with a longing to have that companion. I chewed on this for a moment, and then it struck me!

Eve was made from a rib of Adam. (Genesis 2:22) There is not something missing in me – I AM the missing piece!

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 NIV

Girls – we are the missing piece. When God made Eve – He made her from a piece of Adam. They were one. The same will before us. God has that special guy out there for you, and someday you will be one. I’m waiting on God, and in the end, I know I’ll be amazingly happy with this choice-because if we’re the missing piece to these guys, girls we don’t want to break ourselves out in the dating scene. Dating just to date, or having a boyfriend just to have a boyfriend or to try to fill that space inside of you or to take away the loneliness you feel for love. Wait on God, because he knows that guy who is missing you. He created them just for you. You’re His missing piece. Preserve yourselves girls. I know it’s hard, especially at this age to be waiting and not going out or getting into these kind of relationships, but you will be so happy later and see how it was so worth the wait.

When I’ve been praying about this wanting in me, I just keep hearing God telling me, “wait.”

Girls, the time will come. The wait will be worth it – but for now, embrace this season of singleness. Let God be your heart’s desire. Get into His word, grow in Him. Listen for His voice and let Him teach you.
Also, your relationship with your parents is important. (God id after all entrust you into their care to raise you up in him) God doesn’t make mistakes. Bloom where you’re planted. You need God’s light to grow, you need times of rain. Sometimes He’ll shade you with his wing. You are where you are for a reason. Make the most of it. Be who you are. Give everything your all. Follow God, learn from your parents, and keep yourself pure. Waiting will be worth it. I guarantee you it will be.

Thinking now, I can’t wait for whoever God has for me to come into the picture, but I will wait patiently, pursue God, and continue to learn. If I’m this guy’s missing piece, I want to be whole myself, and that means surrendering everything in me – even this desire to God. I’ve learned surrendering is a process – not a moment. It’s a daily choice – a daily act.

So, for all of you single girls out there, thanks for reading, and I hope you got something from this. You’re the missing piece. I’m sure you’re going to want the rest of the puzzle to be put together when he comes along, so I encourage you to keep yourself together. Embrace your singleness as an opportunity to work on your relationship with God. Let Him be your everything. Give Him your heart. I know He won’t give it to someone who will break it. He knows who He has for you, trust Him Give your all to Him. You’re the missing piece – but He knows to which puzzle. Just wait until you see the whole picture. That guy that you have your eye on, (come on girls, you can’t say “what guy” you know we all have them,) give him to God. I’ve found the more you focus on God, the more you see from His view.

Giving that up is hard I know. Just keep praying. I pray for my future husband every day. I pray that God will keep him pure and that he will be strong in the Lord and that he’ll be safe where he is. I pray that anything that he may be going through, that God would meet him where he’s at and be there with him. I’ve found in praying for other people, it brings you closer together. In praying for my future husband, even though I may not know him, I believe that God will work something in that.
And you know when a guy comes along, pray about him, and trust your parents’ judgment. Talk to them about it. Don’t toss your other relationships aside just because a new season is in view. You ultimately want God to be your # 1 Priority. As for your parents, they are important too –having a good relationship with them will be of help for you. They’ve been through this before - it’s not so different now as you think. Take some wisdom from them. They know what they are talking about them. If you’re open to receive, you’ll be surprised what you can learn.

So girls, pray and seek God. Work on your relationships with your parents. God put them over you for a reason – learn from them. Keep waiting – God knows exactly what He’s doing. Take this time to grow in Him, and to hang out with your friends. Enjoy this season of life as you wait for the next to come. Something worth it, is something worth waiting for, right? You’re the missing piece to the puzzle. God knows the puzzle, give him all the pieces so He can make it complete.
Love you all so much! Thanks for reading.

Brittany L. Ketter ( 1 peter 3:4)

Through Your Eyes, Through Mine

2009-10-19T09:54:00.001-07:00

Through Your Eyes, Through Mine
Lyrics by Brittany Ketter
10-18-09

Song by Brittany Ketter
10-18-09

Verse 1:

In those quiet moments, that's when u begin to hear it.
the lying voice within you that says you're never gonna make it.
Your dreams can't ever come true.
Just cause you're you...

Lookin in the mirror, you see something different than I do.
You're only seeing on the surface, you're not seeing through.
Don't believe what you're seeing is true.
I made you to be you.

CHORUS:
The world shows you a mirror, a reflection of who they see.
But see yourself through my eyes child, look how beautiful you can be?
Look deeper into yourself and you will see,
the beauty you have in me.
Look in that mirror again, tell me how can you not see what I do?
Oh how do you see so differently when you look at you?
You see flaws, and I see flawless.
You see imperfection, I see perfect.
You see hurt and brokeness, I see beauty brought from ashes.
you see yourself so different from everybody else.
You're how I designed you to be, my child.
I dont make mistakes.
This is how you're meant to be.
I made you to be great.
Now can you see what I see?

VERSE 2:
Another quiet moment. Which voice are you hearing?
the lies that say you're not good enough,
or the truth that says you're gonna be something.
You will be something.

CHORUS:

VERSE 3:
You find yourself in a moment, What lies are you hearing this time?
The lies that say that you'll never be who you should be?
Or the truth that says you'll be that person in time.
You are mine.

CHORUS

BRIDGE:

Don't believe the lies that say you are nothing.
Don't believe the lies that say your dreams can't come true.
Believe in me, you are beautiful. Look at yourself from my view.
Look at what I created in you.

CHORUS 2:

Look in that mirror again, tell me can you see yourself as i do?
Oh do see yourself differently now when you look at you?
You don't see flaws, you see flawless.
In your imperfections, You see my power in them.
No more hurt and brokenness, You see beauty I brought from ashes.
you see yourself so different from everybody else.
You're how I designed you to be, my child.
I dont make mistakes.
This is how you're meant to be.
I made you to be great.
Take a look and see.

ENDING:

There's nothing more beautiful than who I created you to be.
I made you to be you.
Take a look and see,
My child look at yourself,
I've made something of you,
because you believed in me.
I made you to be you.

Lavender Lake and Storm's Eye

2009-10-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

Lavender lake with matching sky, scratched with hues of pinks as the fall of nigh begins. Waves softly lap the shore and the tide begins to rise. Ever so slowly, the light fades to darkness as the sun disappears under the sea. The stars and moon shine down on the beach. A soft breeze comes through and rustles the nearby trees. Everything seems to fall asleep. Looking at the stars shining bright and high, and the dark lapping waters of the midnight sea, I feel the softness of the cool summer night breeze and breathe in deep. This is the quiet my soul now feels, and I am now at peace. Peace where the past and the present meet and peace with the future unforeseen. In this quiet still of the night, I find peace in the midst of what is not right. For coming on from the north and south are storm clouds pregnant with rain to fall in the night. The soft wind will pick up; the waves lapping at the shore will crash on the beach. The still, calm and sleeping nature will wake as the storm passes over this lake. The stars will be covered by clouds, and the wind will howl. A great tempest, a great storm, and yet, I will stand there still warm and at ease, remembering the quiet calm that was before the storm – and be at peace. The storm will pass, the rain will slow, and the wind will not forever blow. The waves will be still, the stars will shine, clouds of grew stay only for a time. The sun will rise and the earth will awaken. My soul will flourish and life renewed will keep on living, though surroundings change, and storms will come and pass again. But what cannot be taken away, is the peace given. Even in the strongest of storms, the eye is always calm. In the midst of a tempest, I will be the eye of the storm, and I will stand strong and be at peace. And in my heart and soul, I will forever be by the quiet waters. I will close my eyes and see the lavender lake and sky. I will not be blind to the storm surrounding me, but simply be the eye.

The Master Potter

2009-09-20T15:47:00.001-07:00

There are times that I might seem weak,
but I'm stronger than I appear to be.

I have this power inside of me,
by the one whose blood set me free.

The one who broke my chains, and gave me my name,
is my source of strength.

He holdds my head up, he guides my way.
He molds me as a potter does clay.

Strong and beautiful, of unique purpose and shape.
The Lord has crafted me in His masterful ways.

Once I was flawless, but I have gone my own way,
every crack has a story, but it makes me stronger all the same.

Don't think that I'm weak, because I know that I am strong.
My brokeness tells where I've been, but does not define where I belong.

Although I may look fragile, the Lord holds my life together.
He holds all the pieces, my creator - The potter.

Things I've learned this summer -- Going beneath the surface <3

2009-09-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

1. Letting go doesn't always mean giving up -- It just means putting it in God's hands.

2. God can use who we may see as the most unlikely people.

3. Be still and wait on God, he will meet you when you see Him.

4. Sometimes you have to let go of what you love in order to take what God has for you.

5. Rest in God --He keeps you in perfect peace.

6. God reveals to heal.

8. Love can be the most powerful force in the world.

9. One person can make the difference of a million.

10. God equips the called for ministry. He wil give you what you need in order to fulfill His work.

11. Sometimes God places people in our lives only for a season.

12. Some moments we hold keep us moving forward and give us hope for the future. Others hold us back from pursuing what we are meant to do. We have to choose to hold onto those precious moments and let go of the ones that hinder us from becoming who God called us to be.

13. God will use what the enemy meant for bad against you, for good.

14. God will never leave you empty.

15. Friendship isn't about how long you've known each other, how often you're together, or even the ability to see the heart by looking in the eyes. Friendship is a shared heart and soul--linked by a chain that no distance can break, and that no amount of time can rust.

16. Time moves fast when you want it to go slow, and slow when you want it to speed by- Time is precious, make the most of every moment.

17. In the midst of storms - God's light always shines through.

18.God's best for you lies beyond tomorrow.

19. My dad continues to be the most important man in my life and he teaches me what a man of God really is, what commitment means, and how I deserve to be treated. He's taught me so much more than that, and I'm watching for someone like him. But he's basically my hero. :)

20. To rest in God doesn't mean the chaos stops-- it just means you can rest knowing that God holds it all in His hands, and find peace in knowing that everything is still in His control.

21. I am my mother's daughter and proud to be so! And it's an honor to be that.

22. I am so blessed!

23. God can't make something of you til you give him all the pieces.

24.You can cspend seemingly forever wishing for something that may never come; or you can give all of your hopes and dreams to God and He will make known His dreams for you-- and they are far better than you ever could hope or dream of yourself.

25. When you're constantly attacked by the enemy, you know you're destined for greatness - Stand strong, God has big plans for you.

26. The simplset things can mean the most.

27. There's ALWAYS a reason to dance!

28. One smile can spark a frienship. (just make sure there's nothing in ur teeth. JK!)

29. What commitment means.

30. God is always moving.

31. There is a light in the storm, you just gotta find it. And when you can't see it...you might be the light in someone else's storm...

32. God is still speaking - Listen.

33. Frienship is 2-way. Both need to want it, both need to strive for it, and both need to listen and talk, and jusst be together.

34. Love NEVER fails.

35. Love is patient.

36. Never compormise what you believe in.

37. Stand when no one is standing. Fight when you're the only one ready for battle. Speak and let you're voice be heard - proclaim Christ to the nations, you might stand alone, but if you dont' stand to lead, who will? And even more - When you stand, how many more will follow?

38. I am not my own.

39. My CAUSE is FOR CHRIST!

40. If you keep things in the dark, they can't be tested by the light of truth.

41. Sometimes, it's not you're place in this world that you need to find, but rather, you need to find yourself to see that you're where you belong.

42. Patience isn't just about waiting. It's the willingness to wait, and finding peace in God's timing. Patience is about submission.

43. Better to have tried and failed, than to regreat never trying at all, and living you're life wondering what would have happened.

44.Sometimes you need to get past your fears, get off the surface, take a deep breath and dive right in.

45. God will always see you through.

46. Love is a choice. Love is forgiving when forgiveness is not deserved. Love is showing mercy, when none should be obtained. Love is void of anger and jealousy. Love is pure and true, tried and undeserved. We are incapable of loving all the time. Love can change lives. Love saved us, made us, chose us, names us. Love never fails us. But sometimes we can fail to love. God is love, we who love abide in God and God in us. Love is bold. Love is true. Love lives in you, love changes you, it changes everything. Share love, you share Jesus. You get past the emptiness and pain that this world bring you down to, and love takes you up, holds you, and makes you feel wonderful again. Love is of God. Love means holding on and nog giving up when the situation seems hopeless. But love is also letting go and releasing to God. Love is the cross. Love is the sacrifice. We are made to love. We recieve love, but do we give it? Do we show love unconditionally? Of course we don't. We are flawed. But love sees the imperfections, and sees beauty in them. Love is always the answer, because God is the anser-and God is love.

Spread the Fire!

Brittany Ketter (1 Peter 3:4)

Surrender All; Follow Me - lyrics by Brittany K

2009-05-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

V1:
I layed it all down
at the foot of the cross.
So hard to not look back
at what I seemingly lost.

Something greater I know,
lies on the road ahead.
Surrendering all, I walk
following God on the road He made,
Listening to Him say...

Chorus:

Surrender what you love.
Leave it at the cross.
Keep your eyes on me and walk.
I have something greater,
I promise you.
Follow me and someday You'll see
what you gave up is not a loss,
what you left at the cross
is nothing comapred to what you now got.

V2:
Along the way I go,
I find new things to hold onto.
Then, I reach the crossroads
don't know what way to go.
Which road to take?
And then Lord, I hear you say

chorus

Bridge:
As I walk along on my way.
Lord I can't help but hold to something.
But in the end I see that It's really you
telling me...

chorus

I should be holding to you. All I need is you.

Defining Love <3

2009-04-30T15:06:00.001-07:00

I Corinthians 13 - well-known as the "love chapter" breaks down what love is.

"Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy. It doesn not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It is not selfseeking. It is not easily angered. I tkeeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails!" 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

As direct as this passage defines love - the greatest display of love defined is Jesus Christ. There is no greater definition of love than Him. God became a man. He took on the sins of the world, and paid our debt - a price so high we could not pay. He who knew no sin, became sin, and he redeemed us with his precious blood.

Jesus took on our sin. He was beaten,whipped, spit on, mocked and had a crown of thorns pushed into His head. He was nailed to a cross - shamed to die a criminal's death - crucified.

There is a scripture that is so well-quoted and so well known, that I think people really don't see the power in it. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

There is such a power in that verse there! God loved you so much that he sent his son to DIE for us! To REDEEM mankind! We were bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ! There is such a power in the love of Christ!

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

Jesus Christ is LOVE defined.

A love so sacrificial, so costly. A love that is never-ending and never-failing!

"God is love." 1 John 4:16

"God is love and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him." - How will you define love through your life? If Christ is in you, so is His love. How will your life define the love of Christ in you?

What's been on my heart...

2009-03-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

Today, I’m not sure why, but I just could not stop thinking about how blessed I am that God put certain people in my life. I know I wouldn’t be the same without them. It was a long thought process ending in happy tears. My thoughts took me back to the beginning – I, at about 13 years of age was pulled from my roots, taken from all I had ever known to wander aimlessly – or so it seemed - for what seemed like an endless amount of time.
I grew up going to Full Gospel Church of Carnegie. I spent just about my whole life there until the summer before my 13th year. That summer, 2005 was well…honestly the least enjoyed summer that I ever lived through. I loved Full Gospel and I loved what I did there. It was home to me. I knew everyone, I had friends there, it was home. Well, saying I wasn’t a happy camper when we left there to visit other churches is an understatement. I complained week after week about the churches we visited, (nothing personal against them – they simply were not home.) It was a miracle that my mother put up with my complaining that summer. Well, we visited New Day Assembly sometime in August – first on a Wednesday night.
I was the only other girl in class besides Erica. Now Erica was only just over a year younger than me. We talked a little but were both kind of shy. The conversation went to horses and we were off instantly. There was just a sudden link between us right there. I loved her right away. It’s amazing how close we are now because oh, if anyone could see what I put her through! And every week! It is purely God we are friends still. Long story short, I was a know-it-all, and if you didn’t know something that I did, well…I was terribly shocked and felt the need to educate on the subject…Well anyways, back to that first Wednesday night at New Day, we did a short class and then leaving that evening I still remember going, “Mom! We have to come back here!” That was something she had never heard me say all summer! A few weeks later, New Day became my second home. Me and Erica – well we were a pair alright. I picked on her mercilessly I’m ashamed to say. That was over with after a few months, but oh what I put her through!
It didn’t take long to figure out that Erica was…holding back…I guess I could say…to me she just seemed so amazing! She could sing and dance and she had a horse and her life sounded amazing! She was everything I had always dreamed of being! I didn’t think she would want to be friends with me. I mean what was so special about me? For the longest time, things stayed the same. We weren’t super-close. We didn’t really know each other. But God worked in both of us.
Then at Youth Convention 2007, the walls came down, and God was really able to move in us. That’s where we first really became friends! That was when things really began to turn around for me. That Convention, Erica and I shared a room, so we were together a lot when we were not in services. Everything really changed there. We learned so much about each other, and even still, there was so much we were both holding back and so much more we still had to learn. At the worship service Friday night, everything changed. There was an altar call, and we all went down, Erica and I together, and I remember singing, “I Am Free.” Hand-in-hand we raised our arms and sang, and that’s when the walls came down. After that night, we were never the same. Gradually after that, we became closer and closer and eventually – inseparable! That’s really how people see us now. It’s like we have always been that way. But really we have had a long journey. There are several dates that stand out in my mind right now…I wish I had time to go into all of them, but I’ll do as many I as I can now. After that February 2007 Convention, next day I’m thinking of would be, June 29th, 2007.
That Friday night we had a speaker at church – Johannas Amritzer. Erica and I were both there, as were the other girls. He was speaking on “Chainsaw-through-the-roof Faith.” Afterward they did an altar call, and then they called up anyone who had their friends up there to come up and pray with them. So we were up there. We went up there for our friends, but we were the ones who ended up receiving. Sue Willis prayed over us, and we both received our prayer language that night! It was just amazing! The Spirit was really moving and really powerful there! I have no words to describe what it was like exactly! We all sat together after, talking and just, WOW! Looking back, I can really see how God was moving with that! We left the church at around 1am. Getting back to the house, I just couldn’t sleep! I was so excited about everything that had happened that night. I listened to the recording I had of the service over and over and over again through the night! Which in listening to it, I found that I had forgotten to turn it off when we went up for prayer, everything was on there! That night was just really memorable for Erica and I.
Those I think were our biggest nights…after that, I think what kept us together and what really helped build the friendship we have, is dance. We could really relate to each other with it. Dance is where we came back to the heart of worship, where we came back to God, and ultimately, where we found each other. I think God used that to bring us together. That was really where we found our unity. And it has been growing and growing through everything.
We have had long conversations throughout the days of what God is doing in our lives, and just about our faith, and it has really brought us closer together, and has strengthened our faith. We have both come so far, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am without her. I think we showed each other what true friendship is. I have never had a friendship like I do with Erica. There is never anything between us. We never leave anything unsaid. When one of us is down, the other is always there and ready to help them. I can’t count the times she has been there for me when I really needed someone. We always know when something is wrong, or just something that is not right, just by looking at each other. The smile can’t fool you when you know the heart.
My friendship with Erica is unexplainable, and there is none and never will be another like it. Strong, built on God, tested and tried. She’s my angel friend. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Us today…well no one would ever know how rough the journey has been…and what is written here, hardly scratches the surface…there is so much more that must be left unsaid…and even more that can’t be put into words…All I can say is,
Erica, thanks for being there when I needed you most, and when I pushed away, and just for everything! You truly are amazing and I can’t wait to see what God will do in your life! I know he’s going to use you in amazing ways! Luv you angel!!!
~Brittany (1 Peter 3:4)

I was decieved...these are the lies I no longer believe...

2008-11-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

I want to be heard,
Yet I cannot speak.

I want to be understood,
But people don’t get me.

I want to live in the way I’m called,
But I do not know the way.

I want to stand strong and fight,
But I’m too weak for battle.

I want to be who God called me to be,
But I feel so unworthy of such a call.

I want to help others,
But I only make things worse, without me they’ll be better off.

I want to let go of the past,
But I’m chained to it.

I want to fly away,
But my wings are broken.

I want to embrace my future,
But there is no place for me there.

I want to be free of the chains that bind me,
But I’ll never be.

I want to dream,
But I have to wake up and face reality.

I want to be me,
But I’m not accepted that way.

I want to know why I believed all these lies of the enemy.
The lies that say I can’t speak, and that people don’t get me, and that I can’t find the way to go.

The lies that say I’m unworthy of my calling and that say I make things worse, and that I’m chained and bound to my past.

The lies that say my wings are broken and I can’t last. The lie that there is no future for me.

The lies that say I have to face reality and that I will never be free.

Well news for the enemy, spread this around your camp, I don’t believe your lies and I’m not coming back!

I can speak. God gave me a voice and he has given me the words to say! I will with my voice proclaim Jesus is Lord and worship his name! I will speak and spread the gospel to the nations, so enemy watch out. God has given me this voice, and over you it’s going to shout!

I am understood. God understands me. And He sent me angel friends that help me through. They understand me unlike most do.

God is leading me a long my way. He is guiding me through. Jesus is the way and the truth!

I am strong enough to fight. God has equipped me and given me the strength for battle. I have the full armor of God. NO enemy against me will prosper.

I am unworthy of this call, but I’m also unworthy of all grace shown to me. God loves me and has called me, so I will go after that. I will be who God is calling me to be. May he be glorified by my life.

I will help others and I do. I don’t make things worse, that’s on you. I only do as my Lord commands – only good comes from doing as He says.

I can let go of the past. It made me who I am, but I cannot cling to it, no, it is not meant to be carried like this. My chains are gone.

I can fly. God made my wings. He gives me strength to rise and fly. I can fly through the storms, and in times of warmth. God will bring me through.

I have a future and God has a plan for me. I have a place and my life is in His hands.

I am free from all that binds me, Christ’s love has set me free!

I can dream. God made me a dreamer.

I am accepted, by God and by some others. I am an outcast to the world, but accepted in the family of God.

Why I believed the lies before and why I was so easily deceived, I do not know. But now that I see the lies of the enemy, I no longer believe.

The TRUTH has set me FREE.

No more, “you’re not good enough” or “you will never make it down that way.” No more, “you aren’t worthy,” or “you don’t deserve this,” Theses are lies I won’t believe because the truth and God’s love sets me free.

I believe! I am FREE.

Meet Me In the Middle...of Nowhere?

2008-10-05T13:29:00.001-07:00

Meet Me in the Middle – of Nowhere?

School stresses, work is work no matter what you do. Home is where you can settle down and just chill for a few moments in this crazy journey we call life. Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it, or so I've heard. What to make of a schedule that is so packed that you forget what a day is like without something to do; it took me a while to figure that out. I won't lie, I actually don't like those rare days that come up when there is nothing that needs to be accomplished. I love my life just as it is with each week flying by as there is always something that needs to be done all around the clock. School, work, dance, class, and the list runs on. I love this crazy life that I live, but I found out over the weekend, that sometimes you just have to stop and take a look at the world around you instead of letting yourself run ahead. I found that you can miss so much if you don't stop once in a while and take a good look around and take everything in. Well, I did that this weekend, and I found something that I probably would not have found if I had not put my life on hold and left to go literally in the middle of nowhere.
This started a few weeks ago when my youth group, Cutting Edge 2, started planning a camping trip to Cooks Forest. We were going to rough it out, sleep in tents, go snipe hunting, cook over a campfire, and let's not even start on singing the campfire songs! There would be no phone service, and no communication with the rest of the world. All we had was the things we brought and each other. Already this sounded like an interesting weekend.
Finally, after three weeks, the day arrived that we would finally leave. Camping I knew would be amazing. There were twelve kids from my youth group coming, five boys, seven girls, five of our youth leaders and me; eighteen in all. We drove to Cook's Forest which is about three hours away. Leaving on Friday afternoon we arrived there around eight thirty that night. It was nothing like we expected. Our cell phones, well, they were useless as we had no service where we were. We had two cabins to stay in while we were there. They were really low to the ground and each had four windows facing the trees. The cabins were clearly made from the trees surrounding us, and were quite small, but creatively decorated. Hunting trophies hung on the wall across from the door. The room was filled with mismatched furniture. There was an old wooden bed in one corner of the room with a quilt covering it. There were two couches one on each side, of the room. In the center of the room was an antique wood burning stove. To the right there was a fireplace with a big shelf above it that lined the wall. On it was an old antique clock, and two lanterns one on either side. Off to the right side of the fireplace was a gas-powered stove, table with chairs made from barrels, a sink and a few cabinets for food. The left wall was lined with a refrigerator and a tall wooden dresser with a round mirror on top. The floor was covered with pink carpeting, and you could see through some parts in the wood ceiling from where bat traps were hung. One lone light hung from the ceiling on the far side of the room, but the cabin was surprisingly well lit. This would be my home for the next two days. Walking outside there was a picnic table sitting under the pine tree, and a wood swing around the other side. We were in a clearing, but looking all around you that night, you could see the tall shadows of the trees surrounding you, and a light through the trees coming from another cabin in the woods not too far from us. In the middle of the clearing was a campfire that one of our youth leaders had already built. After unpacking all of our things, we set them in the cabins, set up the tents and walked up to the fire. You have not gone camping till you have had smores. We all roasted marshmallows and at Hershey chocolate, all the while talking with each other and all excited for the next day.
After we finished with the fire, we all went down to the cabin for devotions. It was an interesting scene fitting eighteen people in a cabin no bigger than sixteen feet long, and twelve feet wide, but we managed and were comfortable. Devotions were short that evening, as everyone was tired and some already falling asleep. After finishing devotions, the boys went outside to their tents, and half the girls to the other cabin about twenty feet away from ours next to the woods.
That first night we went to bed about one in the morning, but the boys and those of us in the first cabin were up at six the next morning. After dressing, and finding that the girls in the other cabin were still sleeping, two of our youth leaders started making breakfast and the remaining six of us and Boo, the dog, went on a four and a half mile walk. We walked passed the lake where we would be canoeing later that day, and the beauty of it all, I forgot what the world was like when all civilization seemed to have never been. The tall trees all surrounding you and the lake and the animals – it was so beautiful there! The mountain was covered in patches of different shades of green and a few red as some of the trees were just beginning to surrender to the harvest time. Sure, I've noticed the trees do this every year around this time, but I never really stopped to look at them, and see the beauty in it all. We walked four and a half miles that morning - the last mile and a half was all uphill. We walked passed a cemetery and I told everyone that I belonged there, six feet under and a stone on top of me.
Running the last half mile back to camp, we were welcomed by the smell of pancakes and sausage cooking. After a quick breakfast, we all went up to sit by the fire as we started on our devotions. Our devotions were focused on choices, and how the choices we make in our lives today, big or small, can change us and affect our future. Thinking on that, my making the choice to go camping did change me. It gave me the opportunity to take a break from my normal, crazy life and relax in the beauty of God's creation. The sky was cloudless and blue like a robin's egg, the tall trees that surrounded us were in many different shades of greens and reds and yellows, as autumn is here, and you could hear the birds singing their sweet song. There were many deer to be seen at the edge of the clearing drinking from the stream that flowed through. Everything around there was so beautiful, and I could not look around seeing and hearing everything around me without seeing God in His creation.
Also seen was a small cabin through the woods hidden behind the trees. It was up high on the hill, but you could see a light coming through the window late at night. In that cabin lives an old, blind man. Every morning he comes out with a long stick and he stands at the very edge of the clearing in the shadows of the trees with his chin resting on his hands which are placed on the top of this stick. He stands there and listens to the sounds of the forest and his useless eyes stare straight ahead. Our youth leaders told us about his man, but we all thought that they were trying to scare us, but we were proven wrong. Some of the girls were so freaked out about him, I found it quite comical. I have to say, the old man on the mountain completed the whole scene for a camping trip. That, and wolves and coyotes howling at night.
During our personal devotional time, I sat high on the hill where I could see everything around me. Away from all distractions of life like phones, books, music, or even other people, I was able to sit back and enjoy God's creation feeling so close to Him, and spending time with Him, reading my Bible, and praying. God met me on that mountain in the middle of nowhere. He took me up in his arms and drew me near to him. He reminded me that he is the master craftsman; he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. A silversmith holds silver in the hottest part of the fire, making it easier to mold, then after forming his desired shape, keeps a close eye on it. He knows that the silver has been refined when he can see his image in it. In this way, God reminded me that he holds me in the storms and trials that I go through, molds me, keeps his eyes on me at all times, and then brings me out of the fire when he can see his image in me. I can see all that in the beauty of his creation. With every season that passes. In the transition from summer to fall, all the colors of the leaves and everything slowly surrenders itself to the time of harvest. When autumn turns to winter and the bare trees are covered in frost and when everything in nature seems to be sleeping, I can still see God in creation. But I can especially see him in creation when the winter fades and spring comes and everything is made new again. Little did I think of this before I was brought to the middle of nowhere and sitting alone up on the mountain. God met me there. I drew near to Him, and then he drew near to me – he met me in the middle, in the middle of nowhere.
If given the chance, I would not hesitate to go there again. That whole weekend I was surrounded by nature, and by close friends. There is nothing that could have made that weekend better. We all spent hours talking to each other, looking at the stars, getting closer to each other and getting closer to God through nature. It was really great.
There was so much that we did there, even more than I mentioned above, but what did not change was, no matter what we did, I could see God in everything. God was there.
That weekend brought me back to where I needed to be. I found my way, and now that's where I'm going. God is calling me down a road, and I may not see where it will lead in the end, but we walk by faith, not by sight. So I'm walking where He leads, and doing as He commands me to. What I've learned is this: to follow God in everything, and when he leads me to a place, to listen for his still, small voice and to look and find him in everything. Every shadow is evidence of sun. When in the valley, look to the mountains, God is there; God is in the midst of everything.

New Day, New Dance, New Life

2008-09-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is one of my papers from English Class @ the community college. Just wanted to put it up on here... :D

When I first started Worship dance at my church, little did I know what a growing experience it would be for me, or how much it would change my life. Some may wonder how something like dancing could possibly impact one’s life as it did mine, but that whole experience changed who I am today, and who I will become tomorrow.

This journey started back in August of 2005. My family and I had spent much of the summer looking for another church, seeking to find the place where the Lord was leading us. He finally led us to New Day Assembly of God in Upper St. Clair. It is a small church of about two hundred people where everybody knows everyone. I can’t say that it became my home instantly, but by and by over a process of time, it became a second home to me, and the people there, like family.

A few weeks after the Lord brought us to New Day, the worship dance team, “Send Judah First,” was dancing. The dance team consisted of about seven girls, ages ranging from twelve to fifteen. They were dressed alike and looking like angels, wearing all white and flowing skirts. As they danced to the song, “He Reigns,” I watched amazed and drawn into every step they took. Their white skirts moved about them gracefully and I had this unexplainable feeling bursting inside of me – excitement, wonder - everything hitting me at once. It was on that day I decided I wanted to join the worship dance team. Immediately after service I told my mother about my desire to join in with them. After getting more information, she agreed that I could. I did not start dancing, however, until September of 2006, the following year. During the time I was waiting, I had the opportunity to see several more dances, some smooth and some very up-beat. They did a variety of different dances, most falling under the categories of ballet or jazz. With each new dance that I saw them do, I became more and more excited and could not wait to start.

Finally September came. At my first practice, I walked into the church sanctuary that Tuesday afternoon filled with thrill and anticipation of what lay before me. During my first year at New Day Assembly of God, I had made some friends. One of whom I was particularly close to, ran up to greet me. To this day I have no earthly friend I am closer to. We exchanged greetings and walked down the center isle of the sanctuary, light-colored wooden pews lining either side of us. Even with the rain pouring down outside and no sun coming through the windows, the room was very bright. The stage lights and the lights from the ceiling illuminated the room. I felt at home. There were at least nine other girls there. We all talked for a few minutes before beginning to stretch, all the while waiting for our dance teacher, who I had yet to meet. About ten minutes later, a woman wearing a sweat-suit and a jacket tied at her waist, walked in coming quickly down the isle and set her bag down on the front pew. She had long dark hair, green-brown eyes, and was of average height. I judged her to be in her thirties. As soon as I saw her, I felt instantly welcomed to the dance team. She smiled brightly and introduced herself to me. I loved her right away. For an adult, she was crazy, fun and encouraging, and loved to be with us. All around, she was amazing! I can’t imagine what my life would be without her in it.

Over the first few weeks of dance, we did the normal floor exercises and learned a few dance steps. Then, we started putting a dance together for the Christmas musical that we do at church every year. Every week we got a bit farther in the dance, and every week, I learned more and more, and became very close to the other dancers on the dance team and to my teacher.

When I started worship dance, little did I know it would be the beginning of a journey, a journey that would lead up to where I am today and one that would change who I am today. In that one hour of dance every week, I learned much, and not just dance. I learned so much more than that. I was taught another way to worship God with everything that He has given me. I learned the importance of unity in the body of Christ, and how there is a power in unity. Included in the lessons that I have been taught at dance over the years are grace, showing mercy, forgiveness, trust, being joyful, the importance of accountability, worship, spiritual warfare, friendship, love, and all the fine character traits of a woman of God. Every week, I learned something new, and every song that we danced to spoke to me in a new way.

The feeling I have when I dance is amazing. No words could ever express the power of it. The feeling that is rushing through me as I dance before the Lord in the power of his presence is indescribable. Dancing in his presence is the most awesome feeling I could ever feel. When I dance, it feels like there is this overwhelming power running over and through me like a rushing river. When I enter into that, I want to stay there forever and give back to God everything that He has given me. Dance is the language of the soul, where each movement is a word. When I dance, I dance for the Lord. I offer Him everything, and hold back nothing. As I worship, I send up my song and my praise. This is what I desire to do for all of my days, to worship God and to be who he has called me to be. This journey that I’ve taken so far is only the beginning. I have so much more to learn, and so much more to do. Everything that I have learned along this way is preparing me for what will come tomorrow.

One of my favorite dances that we did was to the song, “I Will Lift My Eyes,” by Bebo Norman. That song really spoke to me, and was especially powerful to me as it expressed what I was feeling in that season in my life. The song is like a prayer, asking God to come near, and be there in the midst of everything going on, and then having Him pick you up and hold you. That was one of the most amazing dances that I ever did. I remember that as my dance team and I danced to that song, everything came together for me. When I first started that dance, I felt everything that the song was describing. I needed to be near to God, I needed Him to lift me up and draw me close to Him. So much was going on for me when we were doing that dance. I never really admitted it, but I was really stressed out at the time with school and with everything that was going on. As the chorus played, “… I will lift my eyes to the calmer of the oceans raging wild. I will lift my eyes, to the healer…” It was at that moment that I felt closer to God than ever. He met me where I was at and made himself known to me. I knew at that moment that He was holding me, and that he also held my future. This unexplainable peace came over me and I learned in all this, that when life gets at its hardest, to rely on God, look to Him and seek Him first in everything. Even more, I know that He will always be there, and that I have to keep my eyes on Him.

The journey that I’ve made through dance is unique. I’ve learned many things that most would never see in a dance class. I’ve built strong relationships with my dance team, and especially with my dance teacher. She has taught me so much in the short amount of time I’ve been with her. I have come a long way from where I started. I wouldn’t be the same today had I not joined with the worship dance team. In my time with those girls, I also learned responsibility, discipline, and so much more. Those girls that I dance with are like my sisters. We are a family. We hold each other accountable, and push each other forward. We encourage one another and grow together. These friends I’ve met along the way, I will always hold in my heart. No matter where life takes us, we will always carry a little bit of each other everywhere.

This journey has been amazing. It’s funny how something that might seem so little, can change so much about you. God brought me to New Day, taught me a new dance, and from that, I have a new life. Where this road will lead, only the Lord knows; but my life is a dance. You give it your all, sometimes you may fall, but what does not change, is that you get up and keep on dancing for all you’re worth. I want everyone to see this journey that I’ve taken. I want them to see the reason I dance. I want them to see how God has moved in my life though my years in worship dance. To see the road I’ve taken is to see who I am today. I want people to see how I got here. I believe that worship dance was one of the best choices I have made. My heart, my soul, my worship – I give it all to God. He gave me life. He chose this path for me.

Looking back, I see how far I’ve come, and looking ahead, I can’t wait to see where this journey will take me. I may not know exactly where this road will lead me, or what paths I may cross as I continue down, but what I do know, is that I’m going to dance down the way I will go. I’m going to worship God in dance as He leads me down the road which he has called me. This is where the He has brought me so far. I still have far to go, but I know that God will lead me in my dance and in this new life that I have found in Him.

Master Craftsman @ Work!

2008-09-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

For how much I've tried to be on here and keep this updated...it just did not happen as I hoped. I'm still going to be on here...just not as much as planned.

Okay, well God has been moving so much in my life! Just looking back to where I was a few years ago, and seeing where I am today, it is amazing! God has brought me so far. But most of all I've learned to trust God in everything. I know that no matter what comes to pass in my life, that God will bring me through it all. I just need to hold fast to Him.

Malachi 3:3 says that "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."

In the process of refining silver, the silversmith must hold the silver in the hottest part of the fire where he must keep his eyes on it and watch it carefully. When placed in the hottest part of the fire, that makes the silver easier for the silversmith to mold and shape into the form that he so desires. The silversmith knows that the silver has been refined when he can see his image in it...

In the same way, God holds us in our storms and trials. He never takes his eyes off of us. He molds and shapes us, then brings us out of the storm when he sees His image in us.

When storms comes, remember that God is holding you there and that He will never take His eyes off of you. The purpose of the storm is so that He can mold and shape you. When He sees his image in you, He will bring you out.

God won't put you in a storm that He knows you can not make through. If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Trust Him through everything. Praise Him in everything. Come to Him with anything. He can be your everything! Each storm and trial that you find yourself in, God is equipping you for the work He has planned for you. God doesn't call the equipped to a certain ministry. He equips the called. A good friend of mine told me many times before that, "We have to be who God called us to be." The storms make that possible.

In the book of James, the first chapter, it says, "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you will be sure and complete, not lacking anything."

Have joy in knowing that the trials you go through are strengthening you. Today's difficulties are preparation for tomorrow. It is God's way of equipping us for the future that He has planned for us.

Many a time I've been through this process, and many more I will go through this again.

Next storm - remember who is holding you there.

Hold on -- th master craftsman is making a new creation of you yet...

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver," Malachi 3:3

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany - WorshipDancer900 (1 Peter 3:4)

He Was Walking Her Home - Mark Schultz

2008-06-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

I just absolutely fell in love with this song! So I had to put it on here! :D Hope you all like it!

Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

Her dad said son
Have her home on time
And promise me you'll never leave her side
He took her to a show in town
And he was ten feet off the ground

(Chorus)
He was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him
Down that old road
With the stars up above
He remembers where he was the night he fell in love
He was walking her home

Ten more years and a waiting room
At half past one
And the doctor said come in and meet your son

His knees went weak
When he saw his wife
She was smiling as she said he's got your eyes

And as she slept he held her tight
His mind went back to that first night

(Chorus)

He walked her through the best days of her life
Sixty years together and he never left her side

A nursing home
At eighty-five
And the doctor said it could be her last night
And the nurse said Oh
Should we tell him now
Or should he wait until the morning to find out

But when they checked her room that night
He was laying by her side

Oh he was walking her home
And holding her hand
Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end
And just for a while they were eighteen
And she was still more beautiful to him than anything
He was walking her home
He was walking her home

Looking back
He sees it all
It was her first date the night he came to call

A Tribute to My Dad....

2008-05-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while...I know I really haven't been on here much lately...but that's what the end of the school year is like!

A Tribute to My Dad

My dad is the greatest. He is different than all the other dads. There is so much that I admire about my dad, but I especially admire how hardworking he is, and his commitment to his family. Everything my dad does, it all comes back to his family.

I remember growing up; it was like there was hardly a time when my dad wasn’t working. He would be working all day, then at times some nights. On the weekends he would be doing yard work, stuff around the house, and helping out the family in any way that is needed. If anything needed done – he would get it done. My dad is one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever known. He has taught me that hard work pays off, and that what you are working for, is more important than what you do.

My dad’s commitment is I think one of his greatest qualities. I admire his commitment. I think that is part of what makes him so strong. Commitment has a lot to do with how hardworking he is, and the same lessons apply here. His commitment has shown me what makes a leader, and also has taught me to do my best in everything, and never quit. His commitment to his family is apparent, and I know that it is important to him.

My dad is always there for me. He always has been. I am so thankful that God gave me him for a dad. He is the greatest!

I treasure all the times we spent together, going to the zoo, playing at the park, swimming at the beach on vacation, and even the stuff we do at home. Everything we ever did and everything that we do. I treasure every memory of you.

So dad, I just want you to know, that you are the most important man in my life, and that I admire all that you are. I love you dad, and thank God for you everyday. Thank you for being so hardworking and committed and for making my life all that it has been and is. I couldn’t ask for a better dad – I really don’t think there could be a better one. You are everything I could ask for in a dad and more. Thanks. Always remember that no matter where life takes me, or what the future brings, I’ll always be your little girl. I love you dad!

Love,

Brittany

SPREAD THE FIRE - Light up the world!

Dancing in the Shadow of His cross,

~Brittany (1 Peter3:4) WorshipDancer900

Firebrand - May 3, 2008

2008-05-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Recently, the dance group I am part of "Send Judah First" had the privilege to dance with Firebrand - our Dance teachers own group in Empire, Ohio. They are just amazing...well that night. God was really moving! You could feel the Spirit in that place! (I still get chills just remembering that feeling!) The dances they did are powerful! This ministry is amazing! The woman who started this ministry - Lisa Muckle - she is an amazing woman of God. She is actually my dance teacher as well. I've danced with Lisa for about two years now, and it was so clear to me from the start that she was someone special.

Back to Firebrand - this ministry is just awesome! Thdy do drums and dance all for the purpose of doing Worship and Warfare for the kindom of heaven! Worship Dance can be such a powerful ministry - and this group - Firebrand - I really believe that they are leaving their mark, and lighting a fire in the hearts and minds of others.

So to those part of this ministry - You're awesome! Keep praising! There is such a power in what you do!

To everyone reading this, you have got to see this! They really are amazing!

~SPREAD THE FIRE - Light up the world!~

Dancing in the Shadow of His cross,

Brittany - WorshipDancer900 - (1Peter3:4)

~Pure Freedom~

2008-04-28T19:39:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the 18th and 19th I went to "Pure Freedom." Yeah, I know what you're thinking another purity conference. Well before you stop reading - no it wasn't what it may sound to be. Dannah Gresh, author of "And the Bride Wore White" was one of the speakers. She is amazing and has a way that she can really relate to teens. The weekend was amazing! There were a lot of times when we split back into our small groups and talked. During the small groups, we all talked about stuff that well probably normally wouldn't have come up in a normal conversation. We all talked about our lists for what we want in a guy. What we would do in certain situations, ect. We learned a lot about eachother, and all got closer together. We had awesome times in praise and worship, Stephanie Smith was one of the singers! She's really good! This was more than just a purity talk - and there is more to purity than most would even begin to think. Its not just keeping your body pure, but also your mind...and there was so much more. Purity is a process - a lifestyle. I wish I had the time to put more in here - but since I don't here's a few books I'll sugest to you all.

And the Bride Wore White - by Dannah Gresh - This is a must read for all you girls! I really would recomend it. Get into it. The book is really thought provoking, and gives you a new aspect on purity. I just recently finished this book. Actually I read through it twice, and now a third time doing some journal work with it. This really is an awesome book, filled with stories, advice, and more. Go out and get it!

I Kissed Dating Goodbye - by Joshua Harris - This is a must read for everyone, but especially the guys. I read this book over the summer last year, but still find myself going back to it here and there. I highly recomend this book.

I really hope you will check out these books. Any comments on them are welcome.

~SPREAD THE FIRE - Light up the world!~

Dancing in the shadow of His cross,

Brittany ~WorshipDancer900~ (1 Peter 3:4)

Spread the Fire - Light up the World!

2008-04-21T17:53:00.000-07:00

"Spread the Fire" is my own personal motto. I'm a Christian on fire for God with a burning desire to spread this fire that burns within me. One way I see this is I am a lone candle burning in the darkness - but even one candle can light up a room - even in the darkest of the shadows it can shine its light. Now, one candle can burn brightly, but when that flame spreads to another candle there is more light, and when that burns on and spreads to another candle and so on, the more candles burning, the brighter the room. Thus I arrive at, "Spread the Fire - Light up the World!"

Like that candle in the darkness burning bright for all its got - passing the flame on to other candles and lighting up the room, I want to spread this fire I have throughout the world.

How am I going to spread this fire?

I'm going to stand up. I am going to speak out. I'm going to fight the good fight of faith! I am going to SPREAD THE FIRE!

It takes one to stand up - but more will follow. I want to be the first to stand.

It takes one voice to speak out, and to shout out to the nations. To speak of God's saving grace, and his everlasting love. The Bible says that "Faith comes by hearing..." well how will the nations here if no one speaks up. It takes one voice to shout out - that one voice can be heard, imagine one million backing up that voice - everyone will hear.

I want to be the one who stands when no one else stands with me - the one who speaks out, when no one else will. I want to be the one who fights even when it seems no one else is prepared for battle. This is a spiritual battle - a war that goes on even in the heavens. ("For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6: ) I want to be a light in this dark world. I want to spread the fire.

I'm standing now - will you join me?
I'm speaking out - is your voice heard as well?
I'm going into battle - are you prepared to fight? The battle is the Lord's!

Will you let your light shine? Will you spread the fire that burns inside you? Will you stand, and speak, and fight?

Spread it to the nations. Light a fire in every heart. Spread the Spirit's fire - be a light in the darkness.

Spread the fire - light up the world!

"For our God is a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:29

~Dancing in the shadow of His cross, ~

Brittany ~ WorshipDancer900 (1 Peter 3:4)