One Medium Suitcase

1. The first thing I would take with me would be my Bible: why? Because even when I'm by myself, I need to stay strong with God and read his word everyday. And if I ever met someone who didn't know His word, I would bring them to God.
2. My ukulele: Because even though I may not be able to fit my other musical instruments I can still fit my ukulele that way I have some form of music. And I can always be worshipping.
3. Pencil and Paper: I'm a writer, and I need to express myself. So people can know about my journey with God.
4. A study Bible: The Bible gets confusing sometimes and I want to know what I'm reading about.
5. Katie Still: She'd fit. I need an accountability partner because I need a fellowship partner.
6. Another Bible: Refer to 1.
7. Another Bible: Refer to 1.
8. Another Bible: Refer to 1.
9. Another Bible: Refer to 1.
10. The knowledge that is given with me, the love that is given to me, and plans that are revealed to me: God will show me what He wants me to do, see, and teach.

(Note: I didn't put a Bible on most of them because I wanted to take up space. If I have God and His word, I'll be okay.)

Yellow Star

1. A Christian concert in Springfield: Ten thousand people singing Amazing Grace by ourselves while Mercy Me walked off the stage.
2. March 13: The day I was saved. Actually saved, to where I was born again.
3. The month of October when I walked into Mark Holland's youth group and my life changed forever and now I'm so strong in my faith.
4. The day Shane forced me into the youth band and forced me to make one of the best decisions of my life.
5. The day my brother Joshua, got married.
6. The day I decided to stop listening to secular music.
7. The day I realized who my friends were.
8. When I decided that I wasn't going to date in high school.
9. Any time I ever learned  new instrument.
10. The day I got my drivers license.
11. The first time Brittany ever invited me to her house.
 RANKING:
1. The day I was saved.
2. When I joined the youth group.
3. My brother's wedding.
4. The day Brittany invited me over.
5. The day I decided to stop listening to secular music.
6. When I joined the youth band.
7. When I decided not to date in high school.
8. Anytime I ever learned an instrument.
9. When I realized who my friends were.
10. Christian concert.
11. The day I got my drivers license.

Gone But Never Forgotten

1.  That I tried to bring every person in our high school to God: Haven't achieved it yet, but I hope to.
2. That I talked so much about Jesus that people hated me for it: It says that since Jesus was persecuted, we will be peresecuted too.
3. That I didn't care what people thought and I just glorified God: I'm not supposed to be of the world, I'm supposed to be of God.
4. That I changed and people noticed: I don't want to make subtle easy changes for God. I want to change and people to see that change.
5. That if you needed someone, I would take you and pray with you: Prayer can change things and I love praying for people.
6. That I never strayed: I don't want to be that person who strayed from God. I want to be the person who stayed right with God through thick and thin, whichever one's worse.
7. That God was more important to then anything: Even homework. God comes first.
8. That I was honest and straightforward: I'm not going to sugar coat God's word, I tell it like it is.
9. That I came through: I want to be the person people come to talk to about God.
10. That I held our morning bible studies together: I don't want to graduate and have regrets that the bible study was dropped.
11. That I always had my Bible and read from it everyday.
12. That the things on this list won't be gone when I read it again.
13. That even with teachers, if anything ever went against God, I didn't do it.
14. That I never got drunk: Bible says that it not okay under any circumstance to get drunk.
15. That I could read people easily: I know whether or not you're really a Christrian, so you're not fooling me.
16. That I stayed true to God and not to friends: Friends may and will come and go, but God stays true forever.
17. That I acknowlege what great Christian friends I have: I want to remember my fellowships buddies because they've strengthened me so much.
18. I didn't let anyone get me down in my faith: Nothing can separate me and God.
19. That I was determined: It went from NYU to God, so it doesn't really matter what it is, I'm determined.
20. That I did all things with love: I don't want to be the snotty Christian who did things to prove I was right but to help them get to Heaven.

Personal Metaphors

PERSONAL METAPHORS:

1. If I were an animal, I would be a dog because I'm loyal and like a dog serves a human, I serve God.

2. If I were a car, I would be a Yugo because, well, one, they're awesome, and two, I'm supposed to give a most of my money to glorify God, why would I get a an expensive car.  

3. If I was an article of clothing, I would be a beanie, because I'm there when you need me and well, beanies are good all the time.

4. If I was a day of the week, I would be Sunday, because I'm always preaching God's word.

5. If I were a food, I would be salad because I'm a vegetarian.

6. If I were a color I would be red, because I'm covered in Christ's blood.

7. If I were a movie, I would be The Passion of the Christ because like The Passion of the Christ, I'm one of few Christian things in a world full of non-Christian things.

8. If I were a fragrance, I would be vanilla, because I'm sweet and everybody knows the scent.

9. If I were a type of building, I would be a sky scraper because the city is all I've ever dreamed about.

10. If I were a plant, I would be a flower because I give the beautiful yet hurtful truth: that someone can live a beautiful life but eventually they're gone. I give the truth that without Jesus you can live a good life being nice to everyone, but in the end if you're not following Jesus, you will still wither away and not live an eternal life with Jesus.

11. If I were a musical instrument, I would be a ukulele. Sounds pretty, but also sounds sad.

12. If I were a geometric shape, I would be a diamond, because they are rare and one of a kind.

13. If I were a piece of furniture, I would be a bed because when you need me, I'm there for you to rest and cry. 

14. If I were a song, it would Hush Yael because I want to die by martyrdom.

15. If I were an appliance or mashinery, I would be a lamp because God shines through me.

16. If I were a television character, I would be Ash Katchum because I'm determined to do what I need to in life for God like he was to win the Unava League.

17. If I were a season of the year, I would be Spring. People say it's the right amount of warmness and coolness. I'm the right amount of bitterness and faithfulness.

18. If I were a natural phenomonon, I would be an earthquake because when you hear what I have to say about Jesus, your whole world will be rocked.

19. If I were a cartoon or comic character, I would be Captain America because even though he was just a human, he thought he could save the world. God has called me to save people spiritually so that they won't die in spririt.

20.If I were a word, I'd be follower. Because I am a follower of Jesus.

Synetics

Synetics:

1. Which is wiser? A pen or a pencil?: I think that a pencil is wiser, because well it's just a smarter thing to use. When I think about something that I need to write I think about all the mistakes I make when writing and think that if I was using a pen, I couldn't erase it. Especially when writing notes in my Bible.
2. Which is more difficult? A dream or a nightmare?: I would say a nightmare. Usually nightmares are demonic so yeah. And as a personal victim of night terrors, I would say that they are not very fun. But now I can just cast it out in the name of Jesus and I can sleep.
3. Which is smarter? A clock or a calendar?: I think the clock, because it reminds me that God invented time, although man invented the measurement of time.
4. Which is easier to teach? A question or an answer?: When I think about in bible study, I think that when I'm talking, I'm usually giving an answer to someone else when they don't understand the answer to someone else's question.
5. Which is like a contest? A cloud or a sunset?: I don't think that a sunset would be, because God made it so peaceful. But I would say a cloud because it's constantly fighting with the sun for attention.
6. Which is more fearful? New or old?: Person wise, it depends on how the person changed. If it was for the bad, for instance, if they were a Christian then decided not to be, I would say new. But as for me, since who I was wasn't a very good person before I started to follow Jesus, I would say old. Not to mention the past can come back to bite you.
7. Which has more pride? An entrance or an exit?: I would say an exit, when talking about being a Christian. If you're not a Christian anymore, it's probably because they had too much pride to admit their life wasn't theirs anymore.
8. Which is more useful? A friend or an enemy?: I would say a friend. A Christian friend of course, otherwise friends are not helpful. Well, as a Christian you shouldn't really have enemies.
9. Which is sadder? A seek or a find? I would say a seek. Because when you're trying to find who you are and need God, and can't find it, you tend to get sad. But when you find Him, you are so joyous and happy.
10. Which is happier? Music or art? Personally, as a music fanatic, I would say music. Not to mention if it's not God based then it's a happy song or art piece.

Making Lists

MAKING LISTS:

1. People who have influenced me: 1.Jesus- I live my life modeled after Him so yeah, you might say that He's influenced me. 2.Brittany Bailey-She has really led me in bible studies, and everywhere else. I trust her more than almost anyone else. 3.Zach Bailey- He knows more things about the bible then almost anyone I know.4. Mark Holland- He was my youth pastor and got fired. But guess what? He's still my youth pastor. He's all of ours.5. Lauren Holland- I learned more bible verses on Sunday with her then you can even count. 6.My siblings- Yeah, they're jerks sometimes, but I do love them.7. My mother-Although we disagree a lot, we have had a lot of fun and I still love her.8. Avery Hunt- He's one of the funniest guys I know and he's showed me a lot about music. 9. Vera Haddix- I spend more time with this girl then anybody.
2. Places that make me happy: 1. Brittany and Zach Bailey's house- Five out of seven night a week I stay there and we get some good fellowship in. 2. Lizy Bailey's house- We have a lot of good times here on Wednesday night bible studies. 3.  Mark and Lauren Holland's house- Sunday night youth is very fun. I love being in their house with them hanging out and studying the bible. 4. Vera's house- It's not necessarily the place what who I'm with and what I'm doing. 5. Anywhere it's peaceful and I'm alone- Nature is a nice place for this. It gives me a lot of time to reflect on myself and have a little time with God. 6. My Bible- I know it's not a physical place, but spiritually when I'm reading my Bible I get to a place of understanding joyfulness.
3. Places I would like to go: 1.Heaven- The only place I ever want to go or be. I do things on Earth for God so that I can get to Heaven with God. 2.New York City- There is so many spiritual problems with New York City, that I think that I could really do some good work for God there and bring people to Christ. 3. England/Ireland- The reason I list both is that there is a mission trip with Global Expeditions that would be to England and Ireland like a double trip. 4. Africa-I would really like to go there to live for a while as a missionary to teach people who have never even heard of God about the Bible and everything God does for us. 5. Mexico- I'm actually rethinking my college plans to go and move to Mexico as a missionary with my friends Brittany and Zach. 6. Anywhere God tells me to go- It's not about where I want to go, it's where God needs me to go.
4. Characteristics in people that I like:1.Godliness- You're supposed to surround yourself with Christians. Not with people that will bring you down in your faith. You make friends with non-believers only to evangelize. 2. Loving- Someone that can talk about God in a loving manner is great to have. 3. Blunt/Straightforward- Loving is good, but they can't just sugarcoat God's word. They need to be straightforward with someone and be able to tell them that without Jesus they are going to Hell and do it because they love them. Sorry, but true. Actually, I'm not sorry, it's something everybody needs to hear. 4. Truthful-God is truth, so when you lie, what does that say? Pretty much that you're going against God. Revelation 21:27- Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty--but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. 5.Sarcastic- Since I myself find myself being extremely sarcastic, I tend to like that in other people. 6. Biblical- There's nothing better then someone you can see walk straight out of the book of Acts because they're living their life exactly as the bible says we should. 7.Modest- Things that we wear may tempt other people to think of things they should not.
5. Characteristics in people that I dislike- 1. Ungodliness- Yeah, I wish that everybody had God. When they don't their whole personality is based off of pointless things. 2. Dishonesty- As you can tell from my scripture reference in number 4, we all know why I do not like this characteristic. I mean, a Christian relationship should be built on trust not on lies. 3. Fake- You may have people fooled that you're a Christian, but they don't determine whether or not we go to Heaven or Hell. God does. And guess what God knows who you are so it won't matter that your whole church thinks that you're a Christian, because God knows that you're not. 4. Unbiblical- Those that don't follow the Bible do not live a very Godly life. 5. Prideful- Why would you have pride? You shouldn't walk around like you're better then everyone else because you're not. We all deserve Hell. We are supposed to come to God on Judgment Day broken knowing that we do not deserve anything that He has ever done for us and that we do not deserve Heaven. 6. Jerks- You're supposed to do all things with love, why are you bullying someone?
6. Things that worry me:1.The American Church- Not going to lie to you, The American Church is sucking it up. Churches bring in new people everyday, but don't do anything with them. They don't go and mentor them or help them get on the right track. Not to mention church corruption. People in the church get fired all the time for teaching the bible and not what denominations teach. We teach the bible. 2. Friends that stray away from God-I don't want to lose people when they stray away. I try to get them to stay but I'm afraid that I'm going to lose them. 3. My Life-I have been stressing about what I'm going to do with my life forever. I just need to let God take care of it. But honestly, I'm worried that it will take me too long to figure out what I'm supposed to do. 4. The World- Christians in this world are decreasing very much so. As of this point, there will not be very many people in Heaven. I just want to save them all. 4. School- I don't really see the point of school, because that's time I could be glorifying God. Which I am, by evangelizing to students and by writing these blogs obviously, but I'm afraid that I'm losing my patience. But I know that I have more work to do here, so I will stay. 5. Family- My family disagrees with me on many things, and I'm afraid that I can't save them all in time. 6. America- It shouldn't be too long until Christian persecution just skyrockets here. Soon, this blog would be very illegal.
7. Things I would like to know how to do: 1.Talk to people easier- It's much easier to talk about God to someone when you're good at speaking to people. 2. Evangelize better- I want to have the courage to stand up at a lunch table and tell people what they need to hear about God. 3. Save money better- I'm going on a mission trip this summer and I'm trying to save money for it, but I'm not very good at it. 4. Turn every thing toward God- I try as you can see, but I'm having trouble turning every conversation into a Godly one. 5. Plan- I wish I was better at planning, but honestly I don't have to worry about it because God already has my plan written. 6. Reading the Crowd- When talking to a group about Jesus, I would like to know how to just determine what type of person they are and speak their dialect. I can do it with music people, metal people, gothic people, but other then that I have a hard time speaking their language.
8. Things that have moved me: 1. Jesus- He didn't just move me, he made me new and reborn. 2. Testimonies- Testimonies are when someone tells about their life before Jesus was in their life, how they got Jesus in their life, and what their life is like now they have Jesus. It's great to hear testimonies because they definitely inspire non-believers to do something for God. 3. Conversions- It's always great when new people decide to follow Jesus. 4. Preaching's- Now, don't misunderstand me, not all preaching's are great. Just the truthful ones from the bible not from a denomination or false teachers. 5. Concerts- Yeah, I know it's a little cliché to cry at Christian concerts, but sometimes you can't help it when you hear 10,000 people sing Amazing Grace. 6. When friends make a change for God- It's great to see when your friends step up to make their lives change to glorify God more.
9. Ideas that intrigue me: 1. Living ungodly life- Honestly, now, I can't imagine myself living they way I used to. 2. The idea that Hell does not exist- Yeah, it's there, stop pretending it's not. 3. Time travel- I highly doubt that this will ever happen. It's not in my Bible. 4. Selective memory- I think we remember what God wants us to remember and what will help us. 5. Other Bibles- I don't believe any of them, but it would nice to know what other religions believe so that I know what it right and wrong. It would be a faith booster to read other bibles and see what they have wrong. 6.Dating not to marry- Honestly, what is the point of dating if you're not going to marry them? Otherwise it's just a waste of time.
10. My personal favorites:1.Favorite food- Probably Brittany's spaghetti. 2. Favorite band-Oh, sleeper. Probably one of the best Christian metal bands. 3. Favorite song- Hush, Yael. A song by Oh, Sleeper talks about a Christian family living in Israel, when their home is invaded by terrorists who are there to persecute them. Yael, is hiding with her mother and makes a noise and the mom puts her hand over her mouth and accidentally suffocates her. The four year old daughter and dad are brought down to the beach where they make the four year old watch as they shoot her dad in the back, then they hit her on the head with the butt of their gun and smash her head on the rocks. 4.Favorite Book- The Bible, of course.5. Favorite game-Soul Calibur 4. Although, I haven't played video games in a while. They just seem to be a little pointless and definitely do not glorify God. 6. Favorite catch phrase- It will be legendary. 7. Favorite bible verse- Ephesians 5:6- Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.  

 

Important Life Lessons

IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS

1. Repent or perish: Probably the biggest life less ever. Jesus or Hell. You're either with God or against him. You can't have the world and have God too. Luke 13:3- And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
2. You cannot get into heaven just on your works: It doesn't work that way. 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. So you see, you have to follow Jesus to get to heaven. You can be the best, kindest person in the world, but unless you have Jesus, you will still go to Hell. John 14:6-Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
3. I don't deserve Heaven: None of us do. We deserve Hell. You know why? Because if Jesus hadn't have come and died on the cross for us and went to Hell, that's where we'd be. It says no one can enter Heaven if they have ever sinned. BUT, with Jesus we can have those sins washed away to where when we enter Heaven we can we pure and white and sinless.
4. Worldly things are worthless: On Judgment Day, God will take everything we've ever done or possessions that we have and use "fire" to determine what we did for His kingdom. Everything worldly that you've done or owned will be gone. But the things you did for Him will determine your reward or Heaven. If I were you, I'd stop building my treasures on Earth(which will treasures in Hell) and start building my treasures in Heaven.
5. Check your motives: For instance, biblical arguments. If the Christian side of the argument is just arguing to win, and not because they love the non-Christian, then it's worthless and you're not doing anything for God. You're doing it for yourself. Do all things with love.
6. Jesus died for everyone, not just Christians: Yeah, that's right. He died for the murderers, and the Rapists, and the Satan worshippers. He wasn't just like 'Oh, yeah, I'll for the perfect ones, but the ones who have ever done anything bad will never have the option of getting to Heaven. But that's not true. They can still repent, and stop. But if they never repent... well, you know the rest.
7. This earth is not my home: Heaven will be my home.
8. We were made to serve: We are servants of God, not of ourselves.
9. God's not my first, He's my only: God shouldn't have to race against your girlfriend, your mom, or you child, your career, or your Mercedes. He should be the only one on the track.
10. I'm not living anymore, Jesus is living in me: This is not my life, it's Jesus'.  

My Personal Likes and Dislikes

Likes:

1. Fellowship: Being with brothers and sisters in Christ is so much better then being with people who bring you down in your faith.
2. Worship: Honestly, my youth band, M 7:7, has the best worship that I've ever experienced. We get people on fire and excited.
3. Writing music: To be honest if music isn't Christian music, it's filth that teenagers are putting in their bodies. What goes into the eyes and ears comes out of the heart. So when I write my songs I take pride that it clean and glorifying God.
4. Playing music: Not only do I write music, I play music. I play bass in my youth band, M 7:7. I play guitar, keyboard, I play the Cajon, which is a drum box, ukulele, trumpet and whatever else I can get my hands on.
5. Pastors who actually preach from the bible instead of sugar coating it to make it what people want to hear. My youth pastor actually got fired for teaching the bible instead of denominational beliefs. My whole entire youth group left the church and now we meet on Wednesdays not at the church.
6. Reading: I love to read my Bible and learn more.
7. Writing: As my blog title says, writing is how I can express myself. Writing can influence people and lead to new ideas.
8. Challenges: I love to challenge myself to do things. Or compete with other friends for fun.
9. Bible studies: Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sometimes on Monday and Tuesday if we feel like it.
10. Coffee: I've been told I have a problem, but that doesn't stop me.
11. Heaven: Can't wait.
12. Animals: My animals are my roommates and my best friends.
13. Missions: I'm going to New York City this summer on a mission trip and I plan to go elsewhere. I want to go to a third world country where I'm not living comfortably.
14. Giving: I have this habit where when I go to the store I have to come out with a gift for someone. If I see something I know someone would like I have to get it for them.
15. Prayer: Prayer can do anything.
16. Healings: Hospital? Nope. Prayer. My friend couldn't get her license because she couldn't read the eye chart. Our bible study prayed over her and the next morning she went and passed the eye test and got her license.
17. Faith: I can heal people and cast out demons. What can your logic do?
18. Jesus: He died for me so that I wouldn't and now I can spend an eternity with Him.

Dislikes:

1. Corruption in the church: Things that are not essential can split churches. It's happened to me twice. Why? Because people want the world and not God. You can't have both. You are either for Him or against Him.
2. Politics: They create unnecessary problems and conspiracy.
3. Filth: Not dirt and mud as you may think. Although, that is not very comfortable. No, by filth I mean offensive language, wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. (Romans 1:29)
4. Unbiblical arguments: Those who try to argue with Christians on things they clearly don't know about. For instance, judging. Everyone will say not to judge people. That's not completely true. If you read YOUR BIBLE (guide to Christianity) it says in 1 Corinthians 5:12 that you are supposed to judge other Christians on their actions and call them out when they are doing something that clearly does not glorify God. But Christians are not allowed to judge those that claim that they are not Christians. And just to be clear when I say judge I am not talking about physical appearance.
5. Drama: Unlike most girls I can not stand unnecessary problems. I'd rather talk to them and only them about our issues not the whole school because they like to gossip.
6. School dances: I'm pretty sure grinding in the middle of the cafeteria is NOT glorifying God.
7. Unnecessary grumpiness: Yeah, I'm pretty sure my bible says do all things with love.
8. Impatience: My own is definitely counted in this.
9. Complaining: I do it too, I know that. But honestly I don't think we have anything to complain about if we follow Jesus.
10. Romantics: Oh, really is she your whole world? Jesus is my whole world.
11. Dirty Jokes: If I've read Ephesians, which I have, it says to get rid of all perverted jokes.
12. When things don't work out: I don't like getting my hopes up for something and it not happen. But maybe God didn't want me to go, and I'm okay with that.
13. When people play favorites: You're supposed to love everyone, not just the ones you want.
14. Wasting time: Why waste time watching movies, when you could be reading your bible.
15. When girls lower themselves: I know it sounds weird, but I didn't how to label it. By that I mean when they wear less clothing then they should or wear way too much makeup. When you wear skimpy clothing it tempts guys and honestly if they're on the path of God, it wouldn't be the thing they need.
16. Disagreements: I don't like to argue, but when it's necessary and beneficial to the other person, it's necessary.
17. Satan: He tempts, and he brings people away from God. Doesn't sound very good to me.
18. Not understanding: I don't like when I'm in a bible study and I just can't understand certain things.