New Year, New Life? :)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
-- Philippians 4:13 (King James Version)

ALL things are possible with God!

Dear blog readers,


May you go forth into the New Year 2011 with renewed hope, a foundation of faith and trust in the One who made the universe and loves you passionately-- so much that He sent His only Son (Jesus Christ) to die for you then rise again and serve as your High Priest in Heaven. Know that God loves you and that when you put your faith in HIM, all things are possible. 


Ask God to help you make more than New Year's resolutions-- invite Jesus to live in your heart, shine through your life and bring others to know Christ. Know that great things happen when you serve God! He loves you like His own child and He can give you more than the moon-- He can save your soul and give you eternity.


In closing, I'd like to share with you lyrics from "The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets:


"Be strong in the Lord/And never give up hope/You're going to do great things/I already know/God's got His hand on you/So don't live life in fear/Forgive and forget/But don't forget why you're here..."


God has a purpose and plan for every single human living on our planet Earth. I'd like to encourage you to spend time with God this year. He's just a prayer away! :) Ask Him to reveal His will for your life, then step out on faith and let God lead you into a beautiful future.


Best wishes!


Sincerely,


Alexis

Team Hoyt...A beautiful reminder of God's love for us

A beautiful, heroic, real-life reminder of God's heart for humanity and how He's our one constant in life...our one True Friend whose love is unfailing, our Lord whose mercies are new every morning, our Redeemer who forgives and sets us free from our sin, and our Creator who knows us better than we (or even our biological parents) know ourselves.


Be blessed.


Love,


Alexis


P.S._ For more information on Team Hoyt (the father and son team featured in this video), visit their official website via, http://www.teamhoyt.com/

The Great Commission

Dear blog readers,

Did you know that you have a mission in life?

It's known in Scripture as "The Great Commission" and it's from Jesus Christ!

Originally given to His disciples of Bible days, it's a message that still holds true today for all of God's disciples (those who profess faith in Him and are baptized, seek Him and want to do His will).

You can read all about it in the Bible book of Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.

Here's what it says (read in King James Version): "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

~*~

An excerpt from the "true identity: The Bible for Women...becoming who you are in Christ" (New International Version)...

"At Issue: Purpose in life": Jesus' "Great Commission" has four simple points:

1) Go and make disciples.

2) Baptize them to show they belong to God's family. 

3) Teach them to obey God's commands.

4) Know that Christ is with you as you do this. 

This was Jesus' final charge to the followers-- including us. Is this your mission in life? This is God's purpose for you with your children. It's your purpose in your workplace. It's your purpose in your neighborhood, with your friends, in your world. Ask God to show you what part you can have in fulfilling his call.

~*~

Multimedia Message:

Steven Curtis Chapman- For The Sake of the Call

~*~ 

Uplift from Alexis:

A New Year is on the horizon. New opportunities to grow in your spiritual journey with Jesus Christ happen every day. May we learn to truly "carpe diem" ("Seize the day") when it comes to finding, growing and sharing our faith in God. 

The Bible says, "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness." -- Lamentations 3:22-23 (New International Version, www.biblegateway.com).

May God bless you and keep you in 2011 and always!

Sincerely,

Alexis

Another Christmas Wish Come True

A Social Network Christmas

Counting my blessings...

Dear blog readers,


There's this wonderful book on my Christmas wish list which I plan to read. It's called "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are," written by Ann Voskamp.


After reading much great review about it, my mind has been uplifted and challenged to pay closer attention to the everyday blessings in my life. 


There's a song in celebration of this holiday season whose lyrics declare exuberantly, "Tis the season to be jolly..." and you know how the tune goes. But have we paused to ponder a greater truth such as, "Tis the season to be grateful?"


I'd like to leave a few comments of my own on what and who I'm grateful for this holiday season and always...I challenge you to do the same :)...


* Christmas lights-- they're so beautiful, they quite literally "light up my life".
* The Father of Lights (God)...He saves my soul.
* The Star of Bethlehem (Jesus Christ)...He's given me a blessed life.
* The Comforter (The Holy Spirit)...He leads me into all Truth.
* Family who love me (they're the best)!
* Friends who care about me (they're sweet and supportive).
* Holiday movies that warm your heart and make you dream of a better world.
* Innovative blogs by my favorite authors, musicians and Christian speakers worldwide
* The basic necessities of life (food, shelter, love, family, friends, transportation, a j-o-b)
* Adorable animals (deer, cats, doves, etc.)
* Beautiful roses and all florals that soften the heart :)
* The gift of writing
* The heart of teaching
* Church and the Christians who call it home
* God's promises
* The promise of the soon return of Jesus Christ and ushering in of eternity void of strife


What are you grateful for today?


May God bless you!


Love,


Alexis

It Ain't Over until GOD says it's over! :)

A beautiful poem celebrating God's gift to humanity

Into the world came...

God's purest Light to show us the way;

God's perfect Savior to free us from sin;

God's tender Shepherd to care for our needs;

God's sure Foundation to make us secure;

God's fullest Joy to give us a song;

God's broken Bread to satisfy our hunger;

God's conquering King to rule in our hearts;

God's healing Fountain to make us whole;

God's highest Purpose to fulfill our longings;

God's quieting Peace to bring us rest;

God's redeeming Love to make us His own.

They will call him Immanuel, which means "God is with us."

Matthew 1:23 NLT

- Written by Roy Lessin

A Christmas Wish Come True

Dear blog readers,


See how God works?


When you least expect it, He comes through for you.


God is never late in answering our prayers and following through with His promises because He keeps His Word. 


I hope and pray that we all may keep the faith and inspire others to believe in miracles because God still delivers! He is Almighty, Eternal and True!


May your hearts rest in the blessed assurance of His love.


May your minds be renewed (Romans 12:1-2) day-to-day as you experience His endless grace and everlasting love for you.


God rest ye merry gentlemen and ladies this Christmastime and always!


Sincerely,


Alexis

God works in mysterious ways...

An insightful, Bible-based take on weight and food by one of my favorite authors, Lysa TerKeurst:

God knows exactly what we need

Our Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator.

If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need was forgiveness,
so God sent us a Saviour.

-Roy Lessin

JESUS saves!

DeeperStill - Birmingham AL from Rich Kalonick on Vimeo.

Where's the Line to See Jesus?

More than a story

Dear blog readers,


We live in a land of stories and fables taught to us since childhood. Movies are a world-renown, highly favored form of entertainment and everyone dreams of how life "could be" if they were writing the story. BUT have we paused to think about the greatest story ever told?


This story is REAL. It truly did happen and guess what? It's still unfolding AND we each have a unique and valuable role to play in this unrivaled script!


In case you haven't already guessed, the story is Life or Human History if you may. It started with Adam and Eve, the first humans created by God and the Mother and Father (first parents) of all of us in the world. Ever want to trace back your history? Make it simple, read the Bible and see that our family tree begins with Adam and Eve.


I believe that the story of Jesus Christ is the BEST story we will ever hear in our human lives because it's a story with not only a beautiful ending, but a promise of eternity.


My prayer for you this holiday season and always is that you may come to know God for yourselves, accept Jesus as your Savior, Redeemer and Friend. May you realize your vital role in human history and carry it out according to God's will, plan and purpose for your life (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:16).


God LOVES you! I mean it and it's TRUE (Read John 3:16 if you don't believe me).


I pray that God will open your eyes to His care, your ears to the Holy Spirit's guidance and your heart to His Love. :)


May God bless you not only this Christmas, but forevermore.


Sincerely,


Alexis


“[The Word Became Flesh] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1-2, 14

A Wakeup Call

Disturb us, Lord, when 
We are too well pleased with ourselves 
When our dreams have come true 
Because we dreamed too little, 
When we arrived safely 
Because we sailed too close to the shore. 

Disturb us, Lord, when 
With the abundance of things we possess 
We have lost our thirst 
For the Waters of Life; 
Having fallen in love with life, 
We have ceased to dream of eternity 
And in our efforts to build a new earth, 
We have allowed our vision 
Of the new Heaven to dim. 

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, 
To venture on wider seas 
Where storms will show your mastery: 
Where losing sight of land 
We shall find the stars. 

We ask you to push back 
The horizons of our hopes; 
And to push us in the future 
In strength, courage, hope, and love. 

- Poem written by Sir Francis Drake

Reaching hearts with God's love

"To invest in a child is to invest in a better future for everyone."-- ADRA People of Promise. "Present in 125 countries, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency is a non-governmental humanitarian aid agency that provides sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race or ethnicity." 


ADRA is an organization that's close to my heart. 


Consider ADRA when you're giving to those in need during this holiday season and always.


God bless you,


Alexis

The Heart of Christianity

Dear blog readers,

At the heart of Christianity is an altar call.

The Holy Spirit of God calls you to come just as you are to Jesus Christ. Don't try to "have it all together" or be completely pure and spotless. God meets you where you're at and can take you to where you've never been. He LOVES you and wants what's best for you. All He asks is that you accept HIM and have faith in His Word.

Best described by an altar call song by a hallmark of Christian music Crystal Lewis in her song suitably titled, "Come Just As You Are," here's the video:

In the words of Jesus Christ, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." -- Revelation 3:20 (NIV) www.biblegateway.com

Preaching through singing =)

When the ordinary meets extraordinary, beautiful things happen. :)

When celebrating the holiday season, nothing makes your soul smile like "The Hallelujah Chorus".

It was an ordinary day in the food court, until something extraordinary happened:

The Nativity Story

My Grown-Up Christmas List

Dear blog readers,

Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year as it truly is the most wonderful!

A great writer by the name of Hamilton Wright Mable once penned, "Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."

Right on Mable! :)

This holiday season tends to bring out the best in humanity with classic, heart-stirring movies like It's A Wonderful Life, people being nicer to each other in the stores and on the street, kitchens filled with sweet scents of cooking and baking of holiday dinner favorites, school children happily giving gifts of cards and candy to each other and their favorite teacher, not to mention all the engagements, births and marriages which take place on Christmas Day! :)

Unfortunately, we don't always stay in these good spirits after December 25th. Most of us go back to our old routines and the gift of kindness is forgotten.

Enter, "My Grown-Up Christmas List," a song by a woman whom I believe is a kindred spirit :), Amy Grant! Amy's been making music for decades but this song of hers is by far, one of the very best.

Why? Because it engages the audience in a conspiracy of love. :)

Don't take my word for it, see for yourself:

A Season of Thanksgiving

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.  It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.  Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."  
~Melody Beattie

Dear blog readers,

Happy Thanksgiving!

My grandma always says, "Gratitude will change your attitude."

On this Thanksgiving Day, I hope and pray that we will celebrate those whom we are thankful for and embrace the daily blessings God bestows upon our lives.

As you're feasting around the banquet table today, remember to ask God for an opportunity to share your faith in HIM! :)

Love,

Alexis

God made you beautiful

“I Made Her” 
(Poetry written by Author Unknown)

I made her…she is different, she is unique.

With love I formed her in her mother’s womb.

I fashioned her with great joy.

I remember with great pleasure the day I created her… (Psalm 139:17).

I love her smile. I love her ways. I love to hear her laugh and the silly things she says and does. She brings me great pleasure.

This is how I made her… (Psalm 139:17)…I made her pretty but not beautiful, because I know her heart, and knew she would be vain. I wanted her to search out her heart, and learn that it would be me in her that would make her beautiful, and it would be me in her that would draw friends to her…(1 Peter 3:3-5)…

I made her in such a way that she would need me. I made her a little more lonesome than she would like to be…only because I need for her to learn to depend on Me. I knew she would go her own chosen way and forget me…her Creator… (Psalm 62:5-8)…

I have given her many good and happy things because I love her (Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:24)…Because I love her, I have seen her broken heart and the tears she cried alone. I have cried with her and had a broken heart.

Too many times, she has stumbled and fallen alone only because she would not hold my hand… (Psalm 56:8)…So many lessons she’s learned the hard way because she would not listen to my voice… (Isaiah 53:6)…So many times I have sat back and sadly watched her go her merry way alone only to watch her return to my open arms, sad and broken… (Isaiah 62:2)…and now she is mine again...

I made her…and then I bought her because I loved her (Romans 5:8)…I have to reshape her and remold her, to renew her to what I had planned for her to be. It has not been easy for her or me… (Jeremiah 29:11)…I want her to be conformed to my image. This high goal I have set for her, because I love her (Jeremiah 2:9).

~*~

Dear blog readers,

I hope you enjoyed the poetry above this message. I found it online a while ago and thought I'd share it with you.

This one goes out to all the girls...It's important to remember who you are and whose you are. You are a Child of God and you are His uniquely and wonderfully made princess! God loves you with all His heart and He wants what's best for you.

It's not easy to remember this when you're caught up in the standards society sets and how peers pressure you to be a certain way, to live a certain lifestyle here on Earth. When you're being pressured to conform, you need to remember again, who you are and whose you are. You are royalty, one of God's own! Live it!

Don't be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ! He's the one that keeps all of us-- girls and guys, women and men-- breathing, speaking, talking, living! Jesus loves you just the way you are and He wants you to live for Him. He's your Best Friend and Truest Friend, Savior, Redeemer and Creator all in one! And you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13)-- including going against the crowd and countering the mainstream of popular ideas and beliefs!

Know God for yourself--read your Bible, keep a prayer journal, truly delve into God's Word and the more you do, the more you'll see that God's way is perfect and He has the BEST plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11)...and the happier and more content you'll be!

Nothing like a song to drive a point home...Here's the official music video for the song, "Headphones," by Christian artist Britt Nicole:

GOD Always Answers Prayer

Dear blog readers,

Happy Sabbath!

May this message from Dr. Robert Schuller inspire you to pray to God with renewed faith.

GOD Always Answers Prayer

When the idea is not right God says, "No."

No- when the idea is not the best.

No- when the idea is absolutely wrong.

No- when though it may help you, it could create problems for someone else.

When the time is not right, God says, "Slow."

What a catastrophe it would be if God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers. Do you know what would happen? God would become your servant, not your master. Suddenly, God would be working for you instead of you working for God.

Remember: God's delays are not God's denials. God's timing is perfect. Patience is what we need in prayer.

When you are not right, God says, "Grow."

The selfish person has to grow in unselfishness.

The cautious person must grow courage.

The timid person must grow in confidence.

The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.

The critical person must grow in tolerance.

The negative person must grow in positive attitudes.
The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.

When everything is all right, God says, "Go."

Then miracles happen:

A hopeless alcoholic is set free!

A drug addict finds release!

A doubter becomes as a child in his belief.

Diseased tissue responds to treatment and healing begins.

The door to your dream suddenly swings open and there stands God saying, "Go!"

-- Written by Dr. Robert Schuller. 

~*~

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

-- Hebrews 11:1, New International Version(www.biblegateway.com)

Unfailing Love from the Heart of God

God knows us.

Completely.

When you think no one's looking, God sees.

When you think no one's hearing, God hears.

When you think no one loves you, God loves you unconditionally.

So many times, people make the mistake of thinking they must be perfect and "clean" before coming to church or seeking God. It's comparable to trying to achieve physical fitness perfection without ever setting foot into a gym.

Dear blog readers,

You have a Creator. He is God.

You have a Redeemer. His name is Jesus.

You have a Comforter. He is the Holy Spirit.

My prayer for you today and always is that you will rest in God's love and know that you don't have to be perfect to come to Him. He wants you to come to Him just as you are. He knows all about your past, he cares about your present and He's ready to lead you into an AWESOME future!

Come to Jesus. Accept Him as your risen Lord and Savior and trust that the work which He began in you, He WILL perform it (carry it through completion)! :)

The evidence is in God's Word. Read Psalm 139 (http://www.biblegateway.com/) and be blessed!

Sincerely,

Alexis

God is there for you, forever

Remember God

A song originally sung by Mark Schultz and Ginny Owens (sometimes Joy Williams too), "Remember Me" is a melodic duet to remember.


Makes me think-- All God asks is for us to remember HIM and have faith!

God wants us to remember Him before we eat (by saying grace).


God wants us to remember Him not only when we're in church, but when we're out in the world.


God wants us to remember Him when, as the song says, we're "old enough to preach, old enough to teach, old enough to leave."


God wants us to remember Him not only when  we're young and innocent and full of life, but when we're old and gray and feeling disillusioned by life.


Without further ado, please view this beautiful duet to Remember Me, performed by a mother and son: 

God hears your heart!

The BEST is Yet to Come! =)

Here's one of my favorite songs by Scott Krippayne called, "The Best is Yet to Come"...it helps to renew my perspective! =)

God Loves you-- even if you are "not cool" =)

A video to reach out to everyone who struggles with not fitting in! No worries- God loves you how you are-- infact, He's designed you to stand out!

Read 1 Peter 2:9 (http://www.biblegateway.com/) and see why!

Here's a dramatization of a song by Scott Krippayne.

So beautiful...

God's Strength is Perfect

True Beauty...A Set Apart THOT by Leslie Ludy

JESUS is the Lion AND the Lamb

Here's a classic, Bible-based song sung by Crystal Lewis, about Jesus Christ:

El Shaddai (Live) - Amy Grant

I LOVE Amy Grant! The music ministry God has blessed her with is unbelievable! She's been in the business for over 25 years and she keeps growing strong and creating music that makes an impression on your heart.

Here's Amy singing about Someone who will last forever:

GOD completes you

Meet Lysa TerKeurst, one of my absolute favorite authors and speakers!

Listen to her speaking sample about her search for true, intimate, unconditional love and how she realized years later (after being married and having a few children) that only one person could fill her cup and need to be loved completely, make her feel beautiful and satisfy the deep longings of her heart. 

Guess what?

This person isn't human, He's the Creator of the Universe and His name is GOD.

Listen to Lysa share her life-changing story:

for the Love of God...

A beautiful testimony to God's heart of compassion

7-year-old singer Rhema Marvanne beautifully belts out a classic sung most famously by Whitney Houston :)...



In the words of JESUS Christ, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10, New International Version available on www.biblegateway.com).

Miracles still happen today!

"God Always Answers Prayer"
(Poem written by Dr. Robert Schuller)

When the idea is not right, God says, "No."
No-when the idea is not the best.
No-when the idea is absolutely wrong.
No-when though it may help you,
it could create problems for someone else.

When the time is not right, God says, "Slow."

What a catastrophe it would be if God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers. Do you know what would happen? God would become your servant, not your master. Suddenly God would be working for you instead of you working for God.

Remember: God's delays are not God's denials. God's timing is perfect. Patience is what we need in prayer.

When you are not right, God says, "Grow."
The selfish person has to grow in unselfishness.
The cautious person must grow in courage.
The timid person must grow in confidence.
The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.
The critical person must grow in tolerance.
The negative person must grow in positive attitudes.
The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.

When everything is all right, God says, "Go."
Then miracles happen:
A hopeless alcoholic is set free!
A drug addict finds release !
A doubter becomes as a child in his belief.
Diseased tissue responds to treatment, and healing begins.
The door to your dream suddenly swings open and there stands God saying, "Go!"

*Excerpted from the Book: "Positive Prayers for Power Filled Living" Rev. Robert H. Schuller.

Take it from The Prince of Egypt (true Bible story)...Listen to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston sing about there can be miracles-- when you believe.



"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."-- Matthew 21:22 (New International Version).

*All Bible texts are available online via www.biblegateway.com.

Feature story on Rhema Marvanne

Rhema from DFW Reporting on Vimeo.

Talk about a living testimony to Jeremiah 29:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/)!

Led by a child...

You're never too young for God to use you to spread the Gospel!

Listen to 7-year-old Rhema Marvanne preach it:



“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
                                                                                                                         - Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Now Behold the Lamb from The Gospel (movie)

This song from the movie, The Gospel, is a testimony in itself.

Here's to all the prodigal sons and daughters (past and present)...it's not too late to return to God:



My favorite quotes from the preacher in the song:


"As the choir begins to sing, there are some of you who are going through your own storms. Can we talk about it?"

"Don't allow those situations in your life to keep you from having a relationship with God. No, you need to know Him!"


"You know many of us talk about, 'Oh I'm going to get to know God tomorrow.' TOMORROW ISN'T PROMISED and you can have salvation TODAY!"

"There is no perfect church! If there's a perfect church, it stopped being perfect the moment you and I walked in! BUT there IS a perfect God!"

~*~
Can I get a Hallelujah, AMEN? :)

*You can read about The Prodigal Son (true story) in the Bible via Luke 15:11-32 which you can view online (http://www.biblegateway.com/).