So Random

REpent

2010-07-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

When you hear the word "Repent" what do you think of? I think of asking for forgiveness of a wrongdoing or sin.

In Greek "Repent" means to "Change how you think and live"

God's Word tells us in Acts 3:19 (NIV) to "Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"

In other words God is telling us to Change our mindset.

Change how you think.

Change how you live your life.

Change and turn to God.

In Eugene Peterson's the Message Remix, Acts 3:19 says: "Now it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour showers of blessing to refresh you,"

REpent: Change your mindset and thinking and turn to God!

REspond

2010-07-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

REspond

Respond: verb; to react to something or someone; to say or do something in reply

When we respond to people or circumstances we are performing an action, we are doing something. The way we respond is so important!

God teaches us in Micah 6:8

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

When we REspond to circumstances (sports, games, school) and people (teachers, parents, friends, coaches) that may seem wrong to us, we need to ACT JUSTLY. In other words we need to do the right thing, act fairly, and be respectful.

We also need to LOVE MERCY. We need to freely give love and compassion even when it is difficult. When that kid in your class will not quit poking you and you are annoyed out of your skin, REspond in Love Mercy. When that coach benches you from a game you have prepared and practiced hard for, REspond in love and forgiveness.

WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD. REspond to praise with a humble attitude. Don't try to take all the credit for what God is working through you. The Spotlight should be pointing on What God did, not Who God used to do it.

REspond: Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with our God!

What Prize Are You Aiming For?

2010-05-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks I was campaigning for Senior Class Vice President at my high school, Forest. I put so much time and effort into my campaign. I worked really hard because it was an opportunity that I really wanted. I felt that if I was Vice President for my senior year, then I would be able to make a difference on my high school campus and that I would be able to put my "mark" on Forest High School. In the end I lost the campaign. I was really disappointed because this was something I had worked so hard for and something I really wanted to experience and be a part of.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14 NIV

This verse kept playing over and over in my head last Monday when they announced the Senior Class officers for 2010/2011 school year. I kept saying but I pressed forward to this goal so hard and so confident, why didn't I win my prize? Isn't this a golden opportunity for me to tell Forest High School that we have Hope in Jesus? Why didn't I succeed?

But as these questions kept hitting me left and right, God began to show me the answer. His prize that He wanted me to win was not the position of Vice President. God wanted me to step out of my comfort zone. His prize for me to win was learning to be confident in myself through my hard work and determination. He wanted me to learn that winning is not just gaining a position or a tangible prize but it is gaining a new perspective on confidence and my life as a student at Forest High School.

Running for a class office is definitely not what I usually would do with my time. But I decided to try it and step out of my circle and put myself out there. I met so many awesome people that I would never have met if I hadn't taken that leap into the unknown.

I pressed on toward the goal and came up with an unexpected prize. I gained a new confidence in myself and as a bonus I made some really cool friends! God works in mysterious ways (:

Organic Love

2010-03-29T17:36:00.001-07:00

"Love comes on its own schedule. It's inconvenient and organic, and that's what makes it real."
- Robin Jones Gunn

God has mapped out Love's schedule for each and every one of us. It may seem inconvenient and organic when it first knocks on your door but God will give you the peace and hope to navigate His love map for your life. Be open to His plan for your life and let your love be Inconvenient, Organic, and Real <3

It's My Life

2010-02-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

For my AP Language class we needed to create a Public Service Annoucement to promote an issue that we strongly believe in. I decided to promote Pro-Life in my PSA. But instead of just creating a standard commercial supporting Pro-Life, I decided to share my personal story about Life with everyone (:

KT Pro Life PSA from Church of Hope on Vimeo.

Dancing in the Rain

2010-02-02T16:08:00.001-08:00

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it is about learning to Dance IN the Rain"

God created us to live life to the fullest for His glory so don't hide from life. Don't wait for the storm to pass, dance in the storm. Learn through the storm. You cant let difficult times in your life control you! Use those hard times to learn and grow. Instead of waiting the storm out, Live through it! Dance IN the Rain
<3

I <3 Gator Football

2009-12-30T07:26:00.000-08:00

I love going to football games. But more specifically I love going to Gator football games. Gainesville is always a sea of orange and blue on game day as fans gather to cheer Gator Nation to victory!

Centerfield or the sidelines?

2009-07-28T06:51:00.000-07:00

"This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines."
-John 3:30 (The Message Remix)

Remember to let God take centerfield in your life and to give Him the credit!

Get Ready! Get Set! DRIVE!

2009-07-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the Ocala DMV with my mom and got my drivers license!!!!!!!!!!

Knock, Knock!!

2009-07-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7 (New International Version)

" Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide- and-seek game we're in." Matthew 7:7 (The Message Remix)

A lot of times we tend to make deals with God. We say "God if you do this for me, then I will pray more, or I will read my Bible more, or I will do whatever you want me to just as long as you give me what I want!!!"
God is not a vending machine! We can't put money in and then press button 8C and expect a new car to come!! God does not work that way. He tells us to ask and He will answer. If we knock on His door then He will answer! God will either answer us with Yes, No, or Wait and we will not alway like His response but we need to learn to trust Him and know that His plan is best for our lives!

Emily Cummins!

2009-05-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

Emily Cummins is my sister and my life long best friend! She has helped me through not only my first two years of high school but has also challenged me and helped me grow in my relationship with God, adjusting to moving to a new town, starting my first job, and so many more things. She is great role model and has greatly influenced my life. I love you Emily!

Love Addict

2009-04-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

"Hold up, wait a minute, put a little Love in it!"

"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. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always 'me first,' Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end." 1Corinthians 13:3-7 (the Message Remix)

Love..... it never gives up but keeps on going! Don't forget to put a little Love in your life!

Just remember that God is your dependable love (Psalm 59:17b the Message Remix)

My Life!

2009-04-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

Growing up in a pastors home, I have always heard about God and the story of Jesus but when I was ten years old I realized that I wanted more than just knowing about Jesus. I wanted to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. So in a Burger King parking lot in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania my sister, Emily, helped me begin my relationship with Jesus. That moment changed my life forever

My life has been a wild roller coaster with lots of twists and turns. Some have been exciting and thrilling but some have also been frustrating and frightening. After my family moved to Hollywood, Florida, I struggled a lot. I didn’t have many friends and the friends I did have were fickle! Then to top that off my family faced trials that really rocked my faith. But I realized through my parents example that this was a growing opportunity and all I had to do was trust God through it.

Then a glimmer of hope came and we began the process of moving to Ocala, Florida. I instantly fell in love with Ocala and quickly made great friends. But once again my boat was rocked. I felt angry with God and many times I would ask “why me? Why my family?” I just wanted to give up. I thought that it wasn’t worth it. But then God placed some awesome people in my life, many of you are here tonight. I could see how real and genuine their relationships with God were. Because of the amazing role models God has blessed me with I have grown so much in my faith.

God also blessed me with some great experiences. I was able to travel to Colorado where I saw the beauty of His creation and to southern California where I discovered my passion for surfing. I know that I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t held on to God through the challenges in my life. God has been shaping me into who He wants me to be. I enjoy all sports and when I have been unable to compete because of an injury it brings an emotional let down. I want to study medicine and become a doctor to help people who have been injured towards physical recovery. As a doctor I would also have the opportunity to partner with people to discover that in Christ they have HOPE.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone! Happy Easter!! If you and your family do not have plans we would love for you to join us at Church of Hope tomorrow morning!
We meet in Wesport High School's Performing Arts center. The service begins at 10:00 a.m.
"When you are at the end of you rope.... There Is HOPE"
For more info: http://www.hopeinocala.com/

I HOPE to see you there :)

Love Life! Love God!

2009-04-09T18:32:00.001-07:00

I love life, life loves me! Everything in this world makes me happy :)

Jesus said "I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of" (John 10:10b -- The Message//Remix)

So often we come up with our own plans of how to enjoy life, but God is offering us eternal life which is better than we can ever hope for or dream of! Are you willing to let God share real life with you? Are you saying I love God, God loves me! Everything in HIM makes me happy :)?