Archive | February 2014

Love, Love, Love . . .

Feb14

The month of love . . . ahhh . . . there’s nothing like love! We were born to be loved . . . we live to love . . . to love and be loved. Isn’t that what life’s all about?shutterstock_127262711

And what’s so amazing is that love is how we all got here in the first place . . . God’s love. That because of His love, He created you and me.

I love thinking about the ways He loves me . . . they’re like wrapped-up little gifts . . .

  • He’s always with me . . . day and night
  • He will never leave me . . . ever
  • He knows me in and out and knows me better than I know myself!
  • He knows what’s best for me
  • He knows everything I’m going through
  • He’s there for me on my very worst day
  • He’s always for me and is on my side
  • He cares about everything that concerns me, no matter how big or small
  • He comforts me when I’m lonely or sad
  • He protects me and keeps me safe
  • He shows me the way to go
  • I don’t have to be perfect . . . He doesn’t expect me to be
  • He forgives me when I mess up and is there with open arms
  • I can bring every problem to Him, and He’ll tell me what to do
  • I can give Him all of my worries and fears
  • He’s always there to listen, and I can trust Him to work things out
  • He wants me to ask and dream big and to expect Him to answer my prayers
  • He has awesome plans for my life, the desires of my heart, when I turn my life over to Him

I John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.”

Love, Love, Love . . . that’s what it’s all about. He’s crazy about you! He’s crazy about me! Now what is more awesome than that?!

shutterstock_127517594HeartDream Chat – What things do you love about God? What are the ways He loves you? 

A ‘God’s Girl’ Chat with Natalie

Feb1

It’s been awesome getting to know God’s Girl* Natalie M., age 14 . . . (*God’s Girls are those who are happy because God is in their lives!)

Come take a look . . .                                                     

What does it mean to become a Christian, and when did that happen in your life?

Becoming a Christian means that I accept/acknowledge Him as God AND give Him control, living in His ways.  I was pretty young when I accepted Him into my heart, at about 5 years old.  But the second part, giving Him my WHOLE life, didn’t come until just a few years ago.  I had always gone to church and said I was a Christian without really giving Him my all. Everything changed at a youth conference at my church, when I really felt God’s presence for myself.  My whole life was transformed because I felt how great and worthy God really is.

When do you spend time with God, and what is your favorite Bible verse?Bible

I spend time with God in the mornings, and I have LOTS of favorite Bible verses.  These three are themes that come up over and over in my life, and always encourage me:

Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you.”

1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”

 What difference does God make in your life?

God brings me joy!  I feel peace leaving everything in His hands.  Just knowing that I’m NEVER alone makes a huge difference.  And it impacts the way that I can love others.

What desires has God put on your heart? What do you love to do?

Music has always been a huge part of my life.  Ever since I was 3 years old, I’ve been playing the piano.  I am a competitive classical pianist, and I play jazz and contemporary and Christian music.  I’m just now learning to play guitar (and ukelele!) and I love dancing and singing.  I thank God for the incredible gift of music!

What dreams do you have for your life?

Really, I want whatever God has for me.  I’ve always known that I would have a career in pianomusic, and I’m so excited to see where He leads.  I’d love to become a worship leader and/or some kind of music teacher.

What encouragement could you give a tween girl about the challenges they will face in life?

Give it all to God.  If you get in His presence to really grasp who He is, you’ll understand. Every opportunity I’ve had in worship (playing in a great band, getting to be on albums, leading worship, etc) has been because GOD has opened doors, not because I’d been looking for it.  If you trust Him with your life, He will move!

 Natalie’s ‘Favorites’ . . .

Favorite Color – aqua blue

Favorite Food – brownies!

Favorite Animal – puppies

Favorite Place to Visit – anywhere warm!

Favorite Way to Spend the Day – shopping or playing music with my family and friends

HeartDream Chat – Thanks so much for sharing with us, Natalie!  It was awesome hearing about your life! Have a comment or question for Natalie?  She’d love to hear!