Satisfaction Guaranteed

You know you've heard it.  It's in commercials on the TV and on just about every label in the grocery store.  Don't like what you get?  You can return it for a full refund. How crazy is that?  It's like we've gone back in time.  You know, before we picked the item up off the shelf.

Don't you sometimes wish you could go back and fix something?  To get that full refund.  You know, since life doesn't always guarantee satisfaction.  I'm pretty sure it actually only guarantees obstacles (and I mean a LOT of them...).  

So why doesn't life always bring good with the bad, and the sad, and the difficult?

Well let me stop you there.  Yes, I know that you have every right in the world to believe the above statement is true.  However, I think it should be made clear that there is never just the bad, sad, or difficult.

I'm sure lots of you reading this have had times in your life that you felt like all you could see was the negative.  All your thoughts circle around things that have gone wrong.  

But through it all there was still a sun, a moon, and a whole day full of glorious things.  When we feel low, it seems hard to focus on the beautiful things life offers us.  All those things made to cheer us up and make us smile are gone to waste.  But I know for sure that one of the best ways to get your mind off of something is to just sit outside and watch the world take care of itself.  You can tell that you'll be alright.  The sun's still up, the birds are still chirping and life moves on with or without you.  If anything, it'll give you some relief.

As humans, we don't really need satisfaction 100% of the time.  A little bit of happiness can go a long way.  So in your pursuit of happiness, know that there will be challenges, but it is through those challenges and how we choose to face them that we get where we're really going.

So don't let anyone tell you that you've lost the battle and that God's not right there with you.  As easy as it may be to believe, it's not the facts.  If you're ever in doubt just open your eyes.

Now, to end our little 'sermon' I'd like to leave you with a song.  It's called 'God's Not Dead' by the Newsboys.

I know you may have heard it before, but make SURE you watch the video.  It's one of my all time favorites.  Like ever.  The message is just like what we were talking about.  In everything, there is God.  He's not just some myth or fictitious character.  He is alive and present in your life.  No matter what anyone says to you.  Can't you tell?

Much Love,

Back to School

As much as it hurts me to even think about going back to school, it's going to happen.  Like, tomorrow.  Darn.

Every year I get so excited for the new school year.  There are new friends, classes, teachers, pencils, and opprotunities.  But for some reason this year, I haven't been excited.  At all.

It got me thinking why I really don't want to go back.  It could be that I can't sleep in, or that I just don't want to work.  Maybe even that I can't blog as much.  Or that I have to think.  Well, it's all of that.

I've gotten so lazy lately and I'm so tired of it.  Even right now, I'm sitting in my recliner.  I know that I'm capable of so much, but for so long I've trained myself to be just plain lazy.

Even God tells us in Luke 12:48.  "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

I'm pretty sure all of you reading this have been given all you need to succeed.  That is His plan.  You are His child and He will not abandon you.

I know that if I've got to start sometime, why not now?  Care to join me?

Here's a little song to get you excited...

Yes, it's The Script.  They're possibly the most wonderful band in the world!  They came out with a new single that inspired this post.  Get excited!!!

I love this song not only because it's catchy, but because it carries a different kind of message.  It gives me a little hope for the future.

"You can be the greatest, you can be the best..."

It got me thinking about the opportunities I have to be a success!  Most of the time, I choose to do the bare minimum, but when I really dedicate time and effort, I can make a true masterpiece.  This is all thanks to those wonderful gifts God has given me!

"Cause there's gonna be a day when you're standing in the hall of fame..."

It's hard to see past those 12 stressful years of work, then college, then a JOB.  But I promise you that God has a real plan for you.  You'll be on the walls of His Hall of Fame.  

"Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself standing in the hall of fame..."

I know that there are so many things I can do with my life!  So many times I've been told I can be anything that I want, and I still believe it.  As my good friend Tim Tebow says... "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

"Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke..."

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.  Surprise everyone and give them something to cheer about!  Do the impossible.

"Do it for your people, do it for your pride..."
"Do it for your country, do it for your name..."

Be the best you can be because you represent something bigger than yourself.  You represent the country and God himself.  Make Him proud.

"You're never gonna know if you never even try..."

Can't do it? Who told you that?

"And the world's gonna know your name..."

So let's sharpen our pencils, have a seat, and make it a great year!

Much Love,

Proof of Your Love

Some of you may have already read this post when it was on my other blog, so you don't have to read it again.  I promise, there will be new stuff soon!  I'm already working on it!

When I decided to create a new blog, I needed a name.  After playing with all kinds of different combinations of strange names, I decided to hunt down some inspiration.  I knew that I needed a little refreshing spritz of creativity.  Even when I have a block of some sorts, I can always count on music to produce new ideas.  The web address from this blog actually came from the song "Already There" by Casting Crowns.

That's when I started humming,"Let my life be the proof, the proof of your love!"

That song had been stuck in my head for ages.  What better way to let it overtake me than to let it inspire me?  It was absolute perfect timing.  The only problem was that I had not yet come up with a good  name.

I pulled up the lyrics, the video and even an interview to get a real good look at the song.  However, I eventually came back to the first verse.  Personally, I think this is one of the most brilliant songs I've heard in a long while.  Even at the beginning, you get a powerful message.  Here's how the verse goes.

"If I sing but don't have love

 I waste my breath with every song

 I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise

 If I speak with a silver tongue

 Convince a crowd but don't have love

 I leave a bitter taste with every word I say"

That was it.  No Wasted Breath.  It was everything I had hoped for, but more.  I loved how it played in well with this particular song, but also as a blog.  I thought it was kind of clever, since I don't talk or "waste breath" to write and create these posts.  Since people won't automatically think of For King and Country or this song, it's good to have a meaning that still makes sense.

As I said previously, I'm in love with this song and the band, For King and Country.  Luke and Joel, these talented musicians, are just plain amazing.  For starters, they're from Sydney, Australia.  See, my name is Sydney, so that's pretty cool :).  I love how they are so unique and original.  Aside from their beautiful voices, they use and play all of these different instruments like the "Magic Box" and the glockenspiel.  The different elements make their music so much more fun and add really cool layers.

One last thing is about the monologue in the song.  It is the verse that, I suppose, inspired this piece.  That would be 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.  It goes like this.

"If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.  If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.  If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."

Isn't that so overwhelmingly powerful?  Even better, it's straight from the King, my King.

I would definitely recommend checking them out if you haven't already.  I'll link a lyric video below, so go listen to it!  I hope you enjoy it as much and thoroughly as I did.

Much Love!

Don't Ever Grow Up

Okay, so first of all I'd like to point out that I am in love with this picture!  Plus, it ties in well with today's post! That's a win - win!

~~~~~~~~~~~

I wouldn't call it a fear.  I would call it an obstacle.  As adulthood approaches, time changes into a list of priorities.  We become more responsible for ourselves and conform to society.

  We see people in the streets, eyes glued to a phone, head down, swiftly walking to a destination.  In response, we put our heads down.  Eye contact can be a fatal mistake.  It could lead to a conversation.  How can we get to this so called 'destination' if we take time out of our day to talk to others?  We need to stay focused, keep track of time and think ahead.  We don't know and don't ask.  

We've trained ourselves not to care about the world around us.  Life speeds up and our original instincts are left behind.  

Well what, may I ask, is the fun of that?  No new friends, no smiles, no curiosity or conversation!  

I don't understand how people can change so drastically.  We can start out so innocent and full of life.  After a few years we become serious, 'mature', and sensible people.  Too bad that makes no sense.  

I know I'm guilty of it too.  I hate what I'm becoming and stopping cold in my tracks.  I want to stay that little girl who people want to be.  I want to be a fresh life and live with no worries.  

I think our society today is going in circles.  We don't really know what we want (or need!).  We try new things but end up where we started.  

By the time our life is over, there are still regrets.  We really did want to eat that chocolate cake and ditch the meeting for a family vacation.  We did really want to look up from our phones and smile at the man sitting next to us.  

Do you know that little part of you that hinted at the idea in the first place?  That would be the old you.  The fun-loving, gentle, caring, compassionate soul you were born with.  How can we share love by always avoiding 'akward' situations?  

So, by all means, get up and sing, dance and have a great big laugh.  Hug someone special (who doesn't love a hug?)!  Unleash that little kid inside of you! 

Let every little thing amaze you.  Slow down and just relax a little.  Loosen up, take a joke and live your life!

You may think you're old but you are God's child.  You'll never be too cool for Him.  Lift up you're hands and let Him sweep you off your feet.  He is strong!  Do your part and show some love.  We're all here on Earth, so why not make it great?!  

Never ever grow up.  Ever.  

Here's a little something to entertain you for the next few minutes.  It's a song (of course) that ties into this post.  It's a little song called Forever Young.  I chose to include the One Direction version, because I personally like it better (don't judge!).  I hope you enjoy it!

I'll leave you with a bible verse that I personally adore.  Flipping through my big fat bible last night I came across this verse in particular that really struck my fancy :)

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." ~ 1st Corinthians 13:11

Much Love!

A Dare.

Yep, a dare.  And don't worry, this dare is far from impossible.  It isn't unapproachable or even unattainable.  It isn't a dare your friends give you to ask out a crush, or prank call Dominoes.  You shouldn't be afraid of this dare.  It could be one of the best things that ever happened to you.

What is it?  I dare you to move.  If no one else in this world will dare you to take that extra mile, it'll be me.  If I dared you to be the best you can be, would you consider it?  Are you up for the challenge?

Just between you and me, has anyone every dared you to move?  Maybe not to run the last lap or get up out of bed.  Perhaps to move away from a bad influence towards something better.  Something that could make you happier.

I know that a friend is really there for me if they are always on my side.  They will always be on the sidelines cheering for me.  They care about me and my future.  They love me.

As a friend, I am daring you right here and right now.  I dare you to move.

How you interpret this dare is entirely up to you.  Whether you decide to go win an Olympic gold or just get out of bed and start your day, I will support you behind this curtain.

Right now I dare you to listen to this song by Switchfoot.  It is called 'Dare You to Move.'  Convenient, huh?

I did find out that this song was actually intended to be taken literally.  It is about someone in a car accident, and his friend dares him to move.  But that's okay, because I'm bending the rules and changing the meaning :)

So just remember, everyone is waiting for you to make the first move.  Don't be afraid of what other's will think.  Live without fears.  Take risks.  Be fearless.

Be. A. Daredevil.

Much Love,

Road Map

Everyone says that your life is just one narrow path.  Whether you choose to take it is up to you.  What's been prepared for you is completely different than the final outcome.  Well, instead of thinking of some plain old pathway that looks meant for hiking, I tend to think of a more intricate road map.  A number of small exits leading to trashed towns or broken, unpaved roads.  The only problem is that we can't see this map.  Only God knows what we will become and where we will go.  He knows exactly what road will take you back home.  If you put your faith in him, then life will move smoothly.  If not, it'll be pretty bumpy along the way.

We have billboards lined on the sides of these roads.  Propaganda like, "You'll be the prettiest one if you take this road!" painted in black letters.  Of course, people will get off and fall for one of these crazy tricks.  One thing is more than obvious about these kinds of people.  They're lacking a certain navigation system.  They need someone to keep them aligned and moving straight towards the finish line.  Things in life have cluttered their road.  It could even be other cars.  Sometimes, we feel like we get nowhere with our lives.  As if were stuck in a massive traffic jam.

One of the most amazing inventions in modern technology is the backspace, reverse, do-over or whatever you prefer to call it.  But pretty much, at any point in life, you can be forgiven.  Sure, the memory will still be there, but it's much smaller now.  It is all less significant than before.  That's the great thing about life.  No matter how many times we slip up, there's always someone to pick you up.  He will stay by your side wherever you may go.  He is sitting in the passenger seat holding your map.  He reads out where to go if you listen closely and pray often.  Of course, it is up to you which path to take, but with His guidance, you know you're in good hands.  He's your insurance.  If you crash, then you're guaranteed a full replacement.  As long as you keep paying those monthly fees, everything will be okay.

So don't be afraid what people will think if you turn around.  No popularity or pressure should influence your love for God.  He loves you faithfully and unconditionally.  Don't be afraid to do the right thing.  In heaven, are you going to want to say that you made the wrong choice?  Will social rank have any significance anymore?  If it is like God promised, the answer is no.  So don't feel bad or scold  yourself.  Just grow and turn around.  Go ahead and get a head start in the right direction.  You'll go big places!

Here's a song called "Turn Around" by Matt Maher that inspired this whole blog post.  I hope you like it as much as I do.

Love,

Magnet

As humans, we are drawn to Your every word and movement.  You serve as a magnet.  We will follow You.  I've been thinking about the way humans always want to be part of something.  They want to follow the crowd and belong somewhere.  Since our cliques at school and other more "visual" aspects of belonging get in the way of God, we become distracted.  We are convinced that the right way to go is in our friends.  I have to ask myself sometimes why I want to please everyone.  Why should I try being something different?  Something I've recently learned about God is that with Him, you don't have to change.  Just the way you are, you fit in.  He doesn't try to change and manipulate You like a peer, but merely helps guide you.  He supports decisions and serves as aid.  Why are we scared of God, but not our peers?  He is a perfect being.  God makes no mistakes and knows what's best for us!  After all, He did create us.  Who would know us better?  The great thing about God is that not only are we intrigued by Him, but He wants our presence.  With God, there is no sometimes, maybe or after lunch.  He lives off of our love and compassion.  The magnet He has become is stronger than any other force.  You may think you know everything about physics, but you haven't even begun to comprehend this bond.  The crave we have for Him.  We feed off of Him.  We wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Him!  And what do we give Him?  Sometimes?  Maybe? After lunch???  This is absurd!  Humans have become more powerful than we can imagine.  All we use our power to do is sit around and watch TV.  We eat, work, sleep, and entertain ourselves.  We miss out on some of the most important things.  We think that the magnet is pulling us to be more like our friends, but really it is to show them our individuality.  Some people can't accept you.  You think your alone?  What about Jesus?  He was called names, made fun of and put through more things than me and you combined, but what did He continue to do?  Praise the Lord.  Not because it was right, but because He wanted to.  He didn't fall for the clever tricks and lies they tried to pull on him.  He stayed firm to the ground and did not anger.  Of course we all slip up now and then, but to be able to pull yourself back together is the best part.  Only the Holy Magnet can heal your wounds and leave scars.  Scars that let you know you were the better person.  You relied on God to fix the mess you made.  Keep spreading the word, little magnets.  Not for me, but for Him.  Let the world know His love!  Recruit!  

"But you know all about my teachings, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance." - 2 Timothy 3:10

See the little birdies in a line?  They follow each other...