True Love.....

In my quiet time this week I'm reading through
the events leading up to Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection...

In Luke 23:4 it says,
'Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,
"I find no guilt in this man."'

I couldn't get over this verse.
I've read it numerous times in my life
but it really stuck out to me this morning.

Christ was GUILTLESS.
Here is the man who LOVED...
He loved so much He was willing to
leave His throne and the Father,
to walk the Earth in the flesh and
take on the sin and shame that belonged to
everyone BUT Him!
He died a sinners death on the cross...
But...it doesn't end there!!!
HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!

SO that,
we wouldn't have to pay the penalty for our sins...
I don't have to pay the penalty...
which is DEATH & separation from Him for
eternity!

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

This just points out WE are NOT Guiltless.
I fall short EVERYDAY!
But by the grace of God, I have a savior
who paid the price for my sin
and because of that...
I don't have to be
separated from
Him!

For God so loved the WORLD (my emphasis)
that He gave His only Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish
but have eternal life.
John 3:16

I put the emphasis on World here because
He came for ALL.

For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once for all,
the Righteous for the unrighteous
(the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty),
that He might bring us to God.
In His human body He was put to death,
but He was made alive in the spirit,
1 Peter 3:18 (Amplified)


If you don't know Christ as
your Lord & Savior
You can...
He did this for YOU!!

What does it look like to receive
Christ YOUR Savior?

I was involved in Campus Crusade for Christ
They have a wonderful tool
The 4 Spiritual Laws
I've used some of that information below
I've linked it above if you would like
to read more.


We must believe in Him

because, if you confess with your mouth
that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him
from the dead,
you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

We must Receive Him

John 1:12
As many as received Him,
to them He gave the right to become
children of God, even to those
who believe in His name.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God,
not a result of works,
so that no one may boast.

The only thing in this process that is left up to us
is the invitation to let Christ in

Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,
I will come in to him and eat with him,
and he with me.
Revelation 3:20

If these words are speaking to you,
my prayer is that you will
invite
Him
in!

Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank You for
dying on the cross for my sins.
I open the door of my life adn receive You as
my Savior and Lord.
Thank you for forgiving my sins
and giving me eternal life.
Take control of the throne of my life.
Make me the kind of person You want me to be.
In Jesus name, Amen

If you prayed that prayer, Christ in in your life!
What an amazing Easter this will be for you!

There is more information
here
If you prefer to talk to someone
Please feel free to contact me!

I leave you with a beautiful song by
Phil Wickham
True Love

Blog Redesign

Thanks to my sweet friend Christa over at One Cheap Mama I was inspired....

I wanted to redesign my blog....

I've been in the mood to redesign a LOT these days!

I found my new blog background and header over at

The Background Fairy

as suggested by Christa.

What's great about The Background Fairy....

she has TONS of designs to choose from

as well as step-by-step instructions

for how to apply them to your blog...

This is PERFECT for the

technologically challenged

like myself!

I also added a few of my favorite blogs

to my MUST VISIT section...

check them out...you will NOT be disappointed!

Hope you get inspired...

Now if ONLY my bedroom redesign

could go this fast!!!

The Fire....

Ok...this is a long one...grab your coffee

and sit for a while...

Don't worry...it's not all me talkin'...

there's a sweet story at the end.

So....

I've been going through Freedom in Christ

a women's Bible study at my church....

The past couple of weeks focused on...

Repentance...

WOAH!

Talk about rock your face off!

This week was the Refiners Fire...

the importance of praising God

during those trials...

Our teacher talked about the

Israelites and how they

were rescued out of Egypt...

and they were STILL MOANING

as they were in the wilderness with

God providing for them EVERYDAY!!

How many times have I been smack

dab in the middle of a trial

and I'm moaning or trying to

tell the Lord how to do things

or to speed up the process...

God has me in each trial (wilderness if you will)

for a specific time...

I can choose to moan about it...

OR...

I could see this as an opportunity

for trusting

and

praising the Lord...

praising Him because He doesn't want

me to stay in this ugly mess I'm in...

Praise Him because He wants to

draw me closer to Him

Praise Him becuase He wants

to make me In His Image

Praise Him because

others may come to know

Him because of the trials

I'm in and how I choose

to handle them.

I embrase these trials and

I want to come out of these trials

like the woman in

Song of Solomon 8:5

"Who is this coming up from the

wilderness leaning on her

beloved?"

I trust the Lord...

I trust His timing...

I know He is with me...

In the wilderness...

I'm thankful I have Him to lean on!

I'll end with a sweet story that was read this evening...

a story about the Refiner's Fire

The passage they refer to is Malachi 3:3

"He will sit as a refiner and purifer of silver;

he will purify the Levites and refine them

like gold and silver..."

Enjoy!

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to

read the scriptures and make them the subject of

conversation. While reading the third chapter of

Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression

in the third verse.
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

One lady's opinion was that it was intended to

convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the

grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a

silversmith and report to them what he said

on the subject. She went accordingly and without

telling the object of her errand, begged to know the

process of refining silver, which he fully described

to her.

"But Sir," she said, "do you sit while the work of

refining is going on?" "Oh, yes madam, " replied

the silversmith, "I must sit with my eye steadily fixed

on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining

be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver

will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort

too, of the expression,

"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier

of silver."

Christ sees it needful to put His children into a

furnace. His eye is steadily intent on the work of

purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged

in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come

at random; "the very hairs of your head are

all numbered."

As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith

called her back, and said he had still further to

mention, that he only knows when the process of

purifying was complete, by seeing his own image

reflected in the silver.

Beautiful example! When Christ shall see His own

image in His people, His work of purifying will

be accomplished.

Author Unknown

The Year of Believing

Yesterday I celebrated my 34th Birthday.
A few weeks ago, I had dinner with a sweet friend.
She asked me if I could come up with one word for this
coming year to describe what the Lord is doing
what would it be?!?

After talking it out a little more with her
I quickly came up with my word...
BELIEVE!

I have some life experiences that have allowed
lies to creep in...Thankfully, He doesn't
want me to live in darkness but to walk in
TRUTH!

The Lord has taken me through this hard
yet beautiful season of healing...
A season of replacing lies about Him
replacing lies about who I am
Replacing lies for TRUTH!

I did grow up in a Christian home and
I've heard many of the things I'll list below...
however...it was all head knowledge...
it wasn't heart knowledge...
I didn't necessarily realize they applied to me!

So....as I continue to walk with Him,
here are the things I BELIEVE...
Thanks to His Word...
I KNOW...they're TRUTH!

God Delights in me...and He sings over me
Zephaniah 3:17

He has great plans for me...not to harm but to prosper
Jeremiah 29:11

He is my Protector!
(Always has and always will be)
Psalm 3:3

He is my Rock & Deliverer
Psalm 18:2

He is enthralled with my beauty
Psalm 45:11

I am fearfully & wonderfully made
Psalm 139:14

He makes life known to me...
He fills me with joy...
I have eternal pleasures forevermore!
Psalm 16:11

I am a tree planted by water...whatever I do prospers
(this was a prophetic word spoken over me)
Psalm 1:3

I can wait in HOPE for the Lord...He is my help & shield.
Psalm 33:20

My prayer....

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:74

Last but not least...

My heart trusts Him.
Psalm 28:7

What will your word be for the next year of your life?

Why Was I So Reluctant Again?!?!

Two years ago today....yes Valentine's Day...I reluctantly followed the Lord from Tulsa to Oklahoma City.

It was a rough transition. I had recently been laid off from what was my dream job,
had to pack up all my things and move away...
from my friends, my family & my church....
all of which I loved!

The one bonus I had was that I would be living near
one of my best friends from college....
however, she has her own family and friends
so I knew I couldn't expect her life to stop or to easily fit me in.

Even though it was hard and I frequently asked God
"why?"...I trusted Him.
I knew He had a purpose for this move and season of my life.

My cousin Rhonda, who is like a big sister to me,
could tell just by our phone conversations that I wasn't doing very well....
needless to say she was concerned for me....
rightfully so...I was concerned for me!

Time went on....I visited a few churches and finally settled on Bridgeway.
This was the BEST decision I could've ever made!

Since I've been at Bridgeway the Lord has blessed me with
the most AMAZING friends...
they love me well...
they point me to Jesus....
they fight for my relationship with Him....
they encourage me....
AND....we have LOTS of fun!!!

I've also been going through a season of healing...
It's painful at times and hurts but it's a good hurt...
you know what I mean?!?!

The Lord has been working in my heart...
He's been revealing areas that need to be addressed...
that I didn't even know where there to be addressed!
He's been revealing Himself to me in ways I've never seen Him...
He's producing new fruit and giftings in my life like never before...
I'm humbled by His love for me and I do believe He had to bring me
here...to OKC...for this to take place.

For that....I'm truly grateful and wonder....Why did I reluctantly go?!?!
Hind sight is always 20/20...if I knew this was ahead I may have jumped on board!
Who knows really....when I know something is going to be painful...
I have a tendency to avoid it...so maybe I wouldn't have jumped on board.
All I do know is that I've been thankful for the Lord and
all that He's been doing the past 2 years...
My life is better...
My heart is better...
My relationship with Him is better...

Thank You LORD for all that You've done
All that You're doing
and all that You're going to do...
May You always receive the glory!

The following passages are ones the Lord used to speak to me
during this hard transitional period…
I knew He brought me here to draw me closer to Him…
THIS comforted me and helped me to stop asking….
Why?!?

Hosea 2:14-15
Hosea 6:1-3
Zephaniah 3:17

My sweet discipleship group

Moriah & Ashley

John & Susan

They have been so sweet to

have me in their home

and love on me.

Some of the many amazing women

that are now in my life!


My dear friend Kristi...
she & her husband Ty have been such
a blessing to me.


More of the amazing ladies in my life.

Snowmageddon!

Apparently we're in the middle of a record breaking snow storm

it stretches for 2000 miles...and apparently it's headed your way...

So....stock up on your favorite things you like to

have when you're snowed in...

sit back, relax and enjoy the Thunder snow as it rolls in..

Happy Snow Day Everyone!!!

Meet Alecia...

Hello Kelly's Korner Readers!

I'm Amy, with permission, I'm hijacking Alecia's Blog

to introduce her to you and to YOU single guys!

Alecia's in her mid 30's and FABULOUS!!!

She lives in Oklahoma City and works at at non-profit organization.

She's been a great friend of mine for over 10 years. We went to OU

together and she loves her Sooners, especially some Sooner football.

Music is a big part of Alecia's life.

She loves to listen to all kinds of music and will never pass up

the opportunity to see her favorites in concert.

She has a HUGE heart for the Lord and for serving others.

She is very involved within her church. Alecia has traveled the world

on missions trips. She'll go anywhere the Lord leads...let's be honest,

she'll go anywhere for that matter!

LAUGH...the girl loves to laugh and she'll make you laugh

as well...Alecia is super fun!

If you or your guy will appreciate Alecia's fabulousness,

leave a comment with a way for her to contact you.

You don't want to miss out on her!!

I LOVE MY HOBBY!!!

I LOVE photography....
I'm still working on angles, editing and staging
but I'm having a blast!
Praying for the Lord to provide me with a camera
so I don't have to borrow from friends anymore...
I'm editing in Picnik right now....one day
I'll upgrade to PhotoShop!

I'm thankful for the friends that trust me
to take their pics.

The family in the above picture are dear friends of mine...
they asked ME to take their family pics this year...what an HONOR!
They were in Tulsa for Thanksgiving so we headed out
to Woodward Park...it was PACKED with people
taking their family pics...
We had a lot of fun and the kids got Slushees for smiling! :-)
Good call Mom & Dad!

The kids did a great job and they're stinkin' CUTE!!!
Thanks for letting me take the family pics this year
and giving me an opportunity to learn more.

Ariella asked me to take her senior pics....
We did 2 different sessions....
One in the summer and one in the fall...
For the summer session we spent some time
in Downtown OKC...
We hit the railroad tracks, Automobile Alley
and downtown...
For the fall pics...we found an open field with
flowers and a pond..

She's absolutely BEAUTIFUL on the inside & out...
AND you should hear her sing!!!

A couple of these aren't edited but they're
still beautiful...

I would love any feedback....or suggestions for editing, tools, camera equipment, etc...

Christmas is HERE....HE's Here!!!!!

This Christmas the Lord has put a longing in my heart like never before....
This song is "Mary's Song"



I can't imagine looking into the sweet face of baby Jesus...
knowing He was here....
knowing He came to save us....
knowing that meant He was going to die....
right before her very eyes....

My heart is longing to see Him like never before....
it ACHES...but in a good way!

Thankful for His PERFECT Gift....
Jesus....
Thankful that He didn't leave us alone...
Holy Spirit....
Thankful that the longing in my heart will one day
be fulfilled!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
May your heart be filled with His presence!

Nichole Nordeman - Every Season (with subtitles)

Sooo....I've never been a fan of Winter...I LOVE Summer, Fall & Spring tie for 2nd...Winter...I could do without.

I've been thinking a lot about the Lord and how He purposly made 4 seasons...that's beyond me because I would have 85-90 degree weather year round if I could :-) My roommate fully embraces all of the seasons....she talks about how in the winter....roots go deep.

There's a significance to each season and I desire to embrace them for what the Lord does in each. We all go through different seasons of life, as well, and the Lord continually works in us and grows us to be more like Him in each of those seasons of life.

A new friend heard this song on her way to work this morning and I LOVED it! It talks about the way the Lord is in each season and what takes place in each...it's really beautiful...and the funny thing is...I LOVE the verse about WINTER!!! It's giving me a new perspective of winter and I may actually look forward to it this year! :-)

I hope you Enjoy it as much as I do.

Blessings