.picture_perfect.

Love.

2010-10-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

just watch.

break away.

2010-02-04T00:28:00.000-08:00

[i took this picture a while ago]

have you ever felt like you are trapped and there is no hope for you and you feel like you are stuck inside of yourself?

it doesnt have to be the feeling that you are drowned within your sin and there is no way out.

it can be the monotonous day to day life that you are living.

and there will be a point that you really want to get out of yourself, you really want to get a breath of fresh air. but somehow you cant break down the wall you are stuck behind.

the answer is God.

crying out for help is the only thing you can do when you are stuck behind that steel wall.

even though no one else can hear your cries to get out, God can. He can save you through his Son Jesus Christ and anoint you with the Holy Spirit.

but the first step is recognizing that God is the ONLY One who can save you.

and secondly openly cry out to God to help you. get on your knees and cry for Him to save you from whatever is hindering you.

this song was written by a band called Tokio Hotel and i know for a fact that they are not Christians. but they have taken the first step into figuring out what freedom is Christ Jesus is.

just read the lyrics and see if you can relate to them.

and the third and final step to getting out from behind the wall is fall on your knees and give thanks to the One who has saved you! cry out to Him and give thanks to Him for saving you!

World Behind My Wall--Tokio Hotel

It's raining today
The blinds are shut
It's always the same
I tried all the games that
They play
But they
Made me insane
Life on TV
It's random
It means nothing to me
I'm writing down
What I cannot see
Wanna wake up in a dream

Oh
They are telling me
It's beautiful
I believe them
But will I ever know
The world behind my wall
Oh
The sun will shine
Like never before
One day I will be
Ready to go
See the world behind my wall

Trains in the sky
Are travelling
Through fragments of time
They're taking me to parts
Of my mind
That no one can find

I'm ready to fall
I'm ready to crawl
On my knees to know it all
I'm ready to heal
I'm ready to feel

Take me there!

time to get real

2009-08-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

[some apostle figurine i took at a garage sale.]

it is time to set aside any bitterness, hate, selfishness, greed, and quarrels in the church and it is time to focus on the reason we go to church the reason that we are saved the reason we will live eternally in Heaven and that is the Almighty Everlasting God who was, and is, and is to come!

if we dare think that people who go to church are perfect and nothing bad ever happens in the church, then we should be ashamed of ourselves because those who actually think that the church is perfect is blinded to see that we have made the church all about us. its all about what sunday school class we are in, its about caring what other people think if we really worship the Holy God, its about pretending we are okay when on the inside we are broken and needed Christ to fill the void but too stubborn to open up.

enough is enough.

its time for the people of the church who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ to start talking the talk and walking the walk. its time to get real.

as you read over the lyrics meditate on them...i am not going to tell you what i think you should get out of it, i just pray that God will speak to you through these lyrics.

One Faith by Robbie Seay Band

He is the good shepherd,
Laid down his life for his sheep;
So out of many nations
He's gathered one fold in one faith;
And he has built his church
On the rock foundation of faith,
On apostles and prophets
Who shepherd his people in his place.

Chorus:
There is one faith,
One hope,
And one baptism,
One God and Father of all;
There is one church,
One body,
One life in the spirit
Now given so freely to all.

He came to Simon Peter
And to all of the Twelve,
The keys of the kingdom
So darkness would never prevail.
But some of the shepherds,
Have pastured themselves on their sheep
So He has come out against them;
And scattered His people of faith.

But there still is
one faith,
One hope,
And one baptism,
One God and Father of all;
There is one church,
One body,
One life in the spirit
Now given so freely to all.

In good pastures
He will shepherd his people,
On the mountain tops
He is reshaped;
He will lead the
Forever afflicted
To the prisoners
He brings relief

There is one faith,
One hope,
And one baptism,
One God and Father of all;
There is one church,
One body,
One life in the spirit
Now given so freely to all.

But He'll not forsake His people,
He'll claim His sheep for His own.
He'll send out His word to the nations,
Regather His people back home
For He is the good shepherd,
Laid down His life for His sheep;
So out of many nations
He's gathered one fold in one faith,
There is one faith,
One hope,
And one baptism,
One God and Father of all;
There is one church,
One body,
One life in the spirit
Now given so freely,
Given so freely,
To all.

in need of prayer.

2009-03-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

this photo was taken over a year ago when i first met my little siblings...(this is of me and my two little brothers from my birth parents.)

nick (the one on the left) was 11 and josh (one on the right) was 12.

my two little brothers and their step dad were killed in a car wreck this past saturday.

my birth family and i are hurt and in pain from this loss.

all i ask of you is to pray.

please please pray.

if you wanna know more of the details feel free to shoot me an e-mail at seay_pictureperfect@yahoo.com

thank you...

jessica

impoverished.

2009-02-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

here are some songs about homelessness and poverty...i want you to take a good look at the singers/bands that are bringing out the truth about our society and how we view the impoverished.

toby keith-santa im right here

tokio hotel-forgotten children

phil collins-another day in paradise

beastie boys-johnny ryall

candlebox-he calls home

spearhead-hole in the bucket

paul simon-homeless

janis ian-the mission

arrested development-mr wendal

elton john-on the dark street

bob marley-no women no cry

dave matthew band-seek up

tracy chapman-talking about a revolution

stevie wonder-village ghetto land

warren barfield-my heart goes out

ludacris-runaway love

(most of the songs came from http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/arts/class_songs.html)

i would like you to look up some of the songs and listen to them.

but thats not the point of this blog post.

with a few exceptions...almost all of the songs are sung by non christian bands...even some are not christians.

how sad is that?

people who do not profess that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior are getting the point across about poverty.

take bono for example he is getting out there and taking a stand about AIDS in africa.

and what are the christians doing?

NOTHING!

except for the missionaries.

but we are ALL called to be missionaries!

why are we as christians sitting on our butts and feeling bad for the poor and wanting to do something but never get up and do anything?

we are LAZY!

what if we actually stood up for the homeless?

what if we actually humanized the homeless instead of treating them like a stray dog with rabies?

what if we actually took TIME to talk with them and not just throw money at them?

what if we got their name and prayed for them by their names?

what if we loved them?

maybe just maybe we could show them that there is hope from the one who made them Jesus Christ.

what will you do?

will you take a stand for the impoverished?

or will you sit back on your recliner and watch the impoverished become less and less on the humanity ladder?

matthew 25:31-40 (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

think about it.

then do something.

is there a light at the end of this tunnel?

2009-01-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

[taken this past week.]

january 4, 2009
7:37 pm

dear diary,

today it hit me like a ton of bricks.

I AM FAT.

all my life i have been fat. i look in the mirror and see a person i dont even know anymore. i used to be in denial about my weight saying

"inner beauty is what counts the most!"

then comparing myself to other around me saying

"at least i am not as fat as that person."

i have been teased by other about my weight all my life. but this time the tormenting is not from others...its from myself. i am tired of who i have become on the outside. so i do other things to cover it up like coloring and cutting my hair in a cool way, getting my nose pierced, ect...i use my voice to cover up how i feel on the inside. i get so busy that i dont notice how hideous i look on the outside. i use my kindness to kill any false first impressions that one may have of me just by my looks. i hide away when i know that reality is breaking through my false mirror i put up. i keep drowning out reality with art, music, just anything other than the truth. motivation is what i lack. i have never really exercised. my fear of what people think of me is too overwhelming that i become someone that i am not. just to ignore the pain i face everyday by looking in the mirror. i put tons of makeup on to distract from my body. i am so uncomfortable in my skin that as a child i would pray at the alter for God to make me skinny. i have not yet been skinny. i just keep getting bigger and bigger. i want to change. 20 years of this body. i want to change it. the media is not helping either. all i see on tv are skinny girls who get all the guys. i see guys all around me go for the girls who can fit in a size 3. i am tired of being that girl who guys just walk past...or just have a nice conversation with. i am tired of going to stores and finding cute clothes that i like and not having them in my size. i see size 0-5 everywhere...how much more damage can people who design clothes and those on tv do to me...a lot...

i am sick of being fat.

i want to be skinny.

i want to be healthy.

i want to be normal.

i want to change this year.

i want to change NOW!

all i ask is for help.

please send me some encouragement or maybe just pray for me to keep a good attitude and some motivation to lose weight.

i want to change.

i need to change.

will you help me?

please send e-mails to seay_pictureperfect@yahoo.com

thanksgiving.

2008-11-26T18:42:00.000-08:00

[i took this last Christmas]

tomorrow is thanksgiving.

a time to reflect and give thanks for those you love and for what God has blessed you with.

so many of us are blessed to have a loving family, a roof over our heads, and our lives. but we take for granted all the things that God has given to us. we dont even take time to actually thank Christ for all He did for us. He saved us from the torment of hell by dying on the cross and resurrecting three days later. He did the impossible . and we dont even take the time of day to thank Him for that.

here is the sad truth.

those who have nothing, literally little or nothing, are more thankful to be alive than those who have everything they ever wanted.

think about it: homeless people, orphans, third world countries, refugees, nursing home patient have something we will NEVER be able to get in a short time, and that is thankfulness.

its time to stop wanting more and more things and its time to start thanking Christ our Lord and Savior for what He has blessed us with.

think about it.

GOD is in CONTROL!

2008-07-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

[taken june 9 2008 on vacation.]

are we blinded by the world and our own selfish desires? and block out who God is and what God has and is going to do?

I am in summer school and taking Christian Doctrine and something just hit me when i was reading "know the truth" by bruce milne.

God is in control.

yes. i know its simple and slightly "cliche" but God totally opened my mind about the presidential race right now.

God already knows who is going to be president. voting is important dont get me wrong. but i hear people say all the time that if a certain candidate become president they are leaving the country.

well if God already knows who is going to be in office next what gives us the right to complain?

we may not like who will be in office but GOD IS IN CONTROL.

God has a plan.

God appointed whomever is going to be office to do what HE wants.

NOTHING is a surprise to HIM NOTHING!

not even 9/11 caught HIM off guard. or lets go back further, the titanic.

God's hand is in all of this.

GOD is a SOVEREIGN GOD.

get on your knees and pray about who God wants you to vote for.

DONT go with your feelings.

GO to GOD about it.

GOD IS IN CONTROL.

if you say you love God and you say that you are a Christian then get in the Word and find out what it is that God is trying to tell you. if those who actually do go out of the country to get away from the next president, that is telling God that HE messed up and that HE made a mistake.

GOD IS PERFECT!

and again GOD IS IN CONTROL!

your not alone...

2008-06-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

[this was taken a while back at my house.]

have you ever felt like you couldnt move on in life?

have you ever felt like no one could ever understand what you were going through?

have you ever tried to find answers on your own?

have you ever gone through a time when you thought there is no way out?

have you ever felt as though God turned away on you?

well i have...

i am coming to you taking off the mask i hide behind and tell you that i am not perfect and that i have had plenty of moments where i didnt even think God cared about me...

but thats not true....

i found that out the hard way that after all was said and done then i realized God was right with me...

he NEVER left me...

nor will he ever leave you...

here is one of my favorite songs by point of grace...

you will never walk alone by point of grace

Along life's road
There will be sunshine and rain
Roses and thorns, laughter and pain
And 'cross the miles
You will face mountains so steep
Deserts so long and valleys so deep
Sometimes the Journey's gentle
Sometimes the cold winds blow
But I want you to remember
I want you to know

(Chorus)
(Chorus)
You will never walk alone
As long as you have faith
Jesus will be right beside you all the way
And you may feel you're far from home
But home is where He is
And He'll be there down every road
You will never walk alone

never, no never

The path will wind
And you will find wonders and fears
Labors of love and a few falling tears
Across the years
There will be some twists and turns
Mistakes to make and lessons to learn
Sometimes the journey's gentle
Sometimes the cold winds blow
But I want you to remember wherever you may go

(Repeat Chorus)

Jesus knows your joy, Jesus knows your need
He will go the distance with you faithfully

(Repeat Chorus)

cant go back.

2008-04-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

[taken around christmas time...one of the shut-ins my dad and i visit every year.]

lately i have been struggling with growing up. i do not want to grow up, it is very scary to me.

i also dont like change. which probably has to do a lot with not wanting to grow up because everything and everyone will change.

but i was surfing on itunes a few days ago and came across a band called "the weepies" i heard a demo and they sounded great. so i bought their cd.

yesterday i was listening to the first song on the cd and its called "cant go back now".

although the tune was catchy, my mind caught onto the lyrics.

i dont know if it was Gods timing for me to hear that song or if it was just pure luck.

i am going for God on this one.

the title says it all "cant go back now", its true...i cant go back to being a young teen i cant go back to being a child...i have to "walk on".

although life may get hard...we cant stop...we have to keep moving on...and i will be right there with you in troubled times.

"cant go back now"...the weepies

Yesterday, when you were young,
Everything you needed done was done for you.
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone,
What can you do?

You and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now.

You know there will be days when you're so tired that you can't take another step,
The night will have no stars and you'll think you've gone as far as you will ever get

But you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
And yeah, yeah, go where you want to go
Be what you want to be,
If you ever turn around, you'll see me.

I can't really say why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter are the ones you take all by yourself

And you and me walk on
Yeah you and me walk on
Cause you can't go back now
Walk on, walk on, walk on
You can't go back now

lack of love kills.

2008-04-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

[taken march 27 2008 of my nephew.]

poverty kills.

aids kill.

malaria kills.

abortion kills.

cancer kills.

diabetes kill.

pneumonia kills.

heart disease kills.

malnutrition kills.

depression kills.

drugs kill.

alcohol kills.

mental illnesses kill.

people kill.

lack of love kills.

what is the similarity in all of these?

they kill.

well what about the difference?

some can be medically cured. others cant.

well?

the point i am making is that one cannot be cured by medical help.

many children, teenagers, and adults die from lack of love.

whether through abuse, neglect, or loneliness.

this is not something that medicine can cure. only we can.

maybe if we take a moment and take a look around us, we could see strangers and even those we love suffering from lack of love.

well what if we take it to another step. what if we actually go up and talk to that person who is walking alone, or sitting by his or herself, or crying? maybe we could be that person who gives them hope for tomorrow, we may also save their life.

could we try and take lack of love out of those things that kill?

i am sick and tired of seeing this up there with diseases.

will you help in making some ones day brighter?

are you willing to put yourself in a vulnerable situation?

i am.

so lets get out of our self centered world and step out into the real world.

really ask yourself this question...

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

think about it

F.Y.I.!

2008-04-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

[taken march 27 2008]

yes this is me.

i am going to give you random facts about me so you can get to know me a little bit better! enjoy!

-i am a christian, you know the ones that actually act like christ-followers. i cannot
pretend that God is not there because of what has happened in my past and where i am now thats not just luck thats a GOD thing.

-i am a major people pleaser. i will do whatever it takes to keep someone happy. sometimes it can be the death of me.

-i love having intellectual conversations. i can sit for hours and talk to someone with intellectual insight on certain topics.

-i am 100% against abortion.

-i cannot live with out music.

-i am passionate about helping those in need. such as the homeless, mentally challenged children and adults, physically disabled children and adults, and those who are hurting on the inside.

-i love children. i have a heart for them.

-i love serving God, like i love doing missions.

-singing, photography, and art are what i am good and talented at.

-i cant stand seeing someone sad so i have to make them happy.

-i love making people laugh.

-i am a very polite person.

-i do what i say.

-i can be shy when i am in certain situations.

-i like to be that shoulder people can cry on.

-i do text a lot.

-the only change i can accept is my hair color.

-i stand up for what i believe in and what is right. even though it may get me into trouble.

-i get myself in the middle of other people situation to try to stop it but only make it worse.

-i can never stay mad at someone.

-i am protective of my friends and family.

-i sleep with a stuffed animal froggy. i cannot go to sleep without him.

-i love broadway shows.

-i listen to jazz to mellow me out.

-i love cold weather.

-i like sushi.

-i choose to follow where God leads me today and for the rest of my life.

-i like to star gaze.

-if i could go back in time i would be a teen in the 80's.

-i dont really like talking on the phone.

-i am very outspoken.

-my face turns red when i get embarrassed.

-math, to me, is a sin.

-i like to snuggle.

-skittles are my favorite candy.

-i like to listen to music in my car.

-i dont like shopping.

-i like to go out and drive by myself.

-i like my eyes and my smile.

-i love playing board games.

-my sister taught me how to play speed well.

-i have reading glasses.

-i can be a real neat freak.

-i am a band drop-out as well as choir.

-i get distracted easily.

-i do not like reading.

-i was a tom-boy when i was little.

-i dont talk about my problems right away.

-i like hugs.

-smiling is my favorite thing to do.

-i sleep on my tummy.

-i dont like orange juice.

i hope you enjoyed!! if you have any questions feel free to send me an e-mail!

seay_pictureperfect@yahoo.com

peace!

jessica!

light a candle.

2008-04-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

[taken march 27 2008.]

this is something that will not get out of my mind even though i try really hard to make it go away.

i dont really like listening to christmas music any time before christmas season but a song kept popping in my head every time i would look at this photo.

the song is called "light a candle" by avalon.

just read the lyrics and contemplate on what it means because i am not going to say what it means this time because i really want you to think for yourself and get an understanding of what is written with what is taken.

light a candle by avalon

light a candle
for the old man who sits staring
at a frosty windowpane

light a candle
for the woman who is lonely
and every Christmas is the same

for the children who need more then presents can bring

light a candle
light the dark
light the world
light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

light a candle
for the homeless and the hungry
and little shelter from the cold

light a candle
for the broken and forgotten
may the season warm the soul

can we open our hearts to shine through the dark

light a candle
light the dark
light the world
light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

and in this special time of year
may peace on earth surround the sphere
and teach us that there's a better way to live
every (every) thing that burns
we must somehow learn
that loves the greatest gift
that we could ever give.....

light a candle
light the dark
(light the world)
light the world
light a heart or two
light a candle for me
i'll light a candle for you (I will)
light a candle (oh, I will)
light the dark ( because everybody needs a light)
light the world (ohhh)
light a heart or two
light a candle for me (you know I will)
I'll light a candle for you(you can light a candle)
light candle for me
I'll light a candle for you
(i will)
light a
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

musically inclined.

2008-03-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

[taken on march 27 2008 at a robbie seay band concert.]

i am wanting to inform you about a few changes that are going to be happening in my blog.

the first thing is most of my posts are going to consist of explaining the photo through music. i have already done that for a few of my blogs. but there will be a few blogs that will be like my regular ones.

if you have any problems with what i am doing please let me know.

the second change that may come would be bringing more of my life into the blog so you the audience can get a closer look at who i am.

again if you have a problem with that please let me know.

i hope these changes will be for the better.

we just have to keep in mind that God is in control of this blog.

not me.

so here is my e-mail address for you to send me your thoughts and ideas to.

seay_pictureperfect@yahoo.com

so please send me something!

thanks!!!

jessica!

concrete angels.

2008-03-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

[taken december 31 2007 of my niece at my house.]

for some reason God is putting on my heart to write about child abuse and the severity of it.

as christians, no, actually as human beings we need to watch for signs of abuse. when you suspect that someone is being abused you need to say something. if you dont no one will and that person whether boy girl, gay straight, child or adult they all have the right to live. they all are special and they all need to know God. they do not need to die from abuse.

its going to be hard but i urge you to watch carefully for those human beings being treated badly.

open your eyes.

do something about it.

help them.

love them.

show Christ to them.

they need you.

Concrete Angel
by Martina McBride

She walks to school with the lunch she packed
Nobody knows what she's holdin' back
Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with linen and lace

The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask
It's hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete angel

Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbors hear, but they turn out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it'll be too late

[Repeat Chorus]

A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot

[Repeat Chorus]

back the basics of GOD.

2008-03-17T16:52:00.001-07:00

[taken at january 1,2008 at my house.]

i am tired of this generation.

you want to know why?

i will tell you why.

because when i was a child things were so simple. go outside and play only go in to eat then go right back outside.

the children of today stay inside play their "wii" go outside to get something out of the car then back inside to play video games that do nothing for them.

same with the christian life.

i am sick and tired of this generations view on christianity.

oh wait, the reason why i dont like it is because no one cares about other peoples salvation. they would rather watch church on television than get off their behinds and go to church and get involved.

when i was a child i went to church i was involved i was striving to know God.

but i dont see that much anymore. i dont see people striving to be like Christ.

what happened?

is it because of the "wii" games? internet? cellphones? money? movies? music?

whatever the reason is, God has been put second in your life.

why dont we go back to the times when life was simple and witnessing was so easy?

as the world keeps moving forward and changing God is the same as yesterday today tomorrow and forever.

what will it be?

getting back to the basics of life?

or moving forward with this world?

how to save a life.

2008-03-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

this is something way different then before.

just watch and listen. mainly listen.

reflect.

hope you enjoy and get something out of it.

back to the basics of love.

2008-02-28T13:51:00.000-08:00

[this was taken a while back.]

"therefore women please stop obsessive dysfunctional wicked love"

i made that out of those word blocks that you can make sentences out of.

if you think about it, what it says is true.

a lot of women and men do not know how to love. they think love is about having sex.

well thats NOT true.

love is when a mother and father have their first child.

love is watching a parent hold on to their mentally/physically challenged child when they know that the child does not have much longer to live.

love is taking care of the homeless and broken.

love is adopting a child.

love is giving someone a hug when he or she is crying.

love is more than words can say.

love is more than just a feeling.

love is more than you and i could ever imagine.

love is God sending his son Jesus to die on the cross to save our sins so that we may not die but have eternal life.

love is the nail pierced hands.

love is the blood stained cross.

love is the empty tomb.

love is what people long for.

so will you stop this wicked nasty sexual love?

and get back to the REAL meaning of love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

"4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance."

what will you do?

actually its more like "what would Jesus do?"

land of confusion.

2008-02-18T20:22:00.000-08:00

[this was taken in june/july of last year on mission trip.]

so i have been debating on whether or not to post this one. because the lyrics to this song that i want to share may or may not offend people. but i feel like it is time now that i put this up. but first let me share what God has laid on my heart to share.

here we have a torn and tattered shoe, not two shoes, just ONE.
will we ever have enough love to buy a new pair of shoes for someone?
or will we just walk on by not caring?

as christians we are supposed to care for those who are in need.

Matthew 25:40
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

so have you acted like a REAL christian or have you forgotten that this world is so messed up and needs help?

i could not agree more with these lyrics.
a lot of people rather comfort themselves than comfort someone who is simply crying.
i do not know whether to laugh or cry at how blind people are to the pain and destruction of this world.
when will people wake up and realize something needs to be done?
actually the real question is when will people start to CARE?

Land of Confusion by Genesis

I must've dreamed a thousand dreams
Been haunted by a million screams
But I can hear the marching feet
They're moving into the street.

Now did you read the news today
They say the dangers gone away
But I can see the fires still alight
There burning into the night.

Theres too many men
Too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Cant you see
This is a land of confusion.

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

Ooh superman where are you now
When every things gone wrong somehow
The men of steel, the men of power
Are losing control by the hour.

This is the time
This is the place
So we look for the future
But theres not much love to go round
Tell me why, this is a land of confusion.

This is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth living in.

I remember long ago -
Ooh when the sun was shining
Yes and the stars were bright
All through the night
And the sound of your laughter
As I held you tight
So long ago -

I wont be coming home tonight
My generation will put it right
Were not just making promises
That we know, well never keep.

Too many men
Theres too many people
Making too many problems
And not much love to go round
Cant you see
This is a land of confusion.

Now this is the world we live in
And these are the hands were given
Use them and lets start trying
To make it a place worth fighting for.

This is the world we live in
And these are the names were given
Stand up and lets start showing
Just where our lives are going to.

untitled.

2008-02-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

[taken december 26 2007 at lupe tortilla of my niece.]

have you ever felt like you cant see whats going on around you and you feel like everything is backwards?

(if you say no, then something is wrong with you.) =]

as i was standing there with my camera i see my niece sitting backwards on that cow. so i walked up to her and she asked me if i could help her down and so i did. then the question came to mind "who put her on there backwards?"

the point i am trying to make is life can get too hectic to realize where you are and how you got there.

it even happens to me too, like i will get caught up in the world and ending up having a moment where reality will sink in and i would be left with the question "how did i get here?"

i found that when i spend time with God and focus on him and let him guide me where i should go, then i know how i got to where i would be.

so if i am not focusing on God everything goes wrong and everything is backwards and confusing.

so what is it like for you?

if you are confused and lost, try going to God and focusing on him.

he will pick you up and help you if you ask him to.

everything is so much clearer when i let God be God and guide me where i should go.

i just pray that you would do the same thing.

getting caught up in the world is a dangerous thing.

i dont want you to lose your way in the world.

just think about it.

i will pray about it.

the more i seek you.

2008-02-06T10:20:00.000-08:00

[i took this a while back but cropped it to where my eye was showing.]

i am going to do something different.

yes, i have done somethings like this before but this time this is a worship song.

please please contemplate on the lyrics and listen to the music.

please come with a prayerful heart mind and soul.

the more i seek you by kari jobe

The more i seek you,
the more i find you
The more i find you, the more I love you

C:I wanna sit at your feet
drink from the cup in your hand.
Lay back against you and breath, here your heart beat
This love is so deep, it's more than I can stand.
I melt in your peace, it's overwhelming
(From Top)

Chorus:4x

sweet serenity.

2008-01-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

[taken december 25, 2007 at my house, its my moms piano.]

this is my moms favorite instrument, a baby grand piano.

every time i see and hear my mom playing the piano i feel like everything is right with the world because i can tell she is totally worshiping God with all that she has when she is playing and beautiful music comes from this simple yet complex instrument.

but most of us think that singing is the only way possible to worship.

why is that?

is it because we are able to tell that person is truly worshiping by the way they express their emotions when they sing?

worshiping is not just about singing.

it is about doing what God placed in you to be passionate about.

God wants us to worship him with the gift that he placed in us.

God gave some people the gift of musical ability, some the gift of teaching, some with the gift of acting, and there are so many other talents that are out there that God gave to us.

God wants to be glorified by them.

but we have to be careful.

we can sometimes get caught up in knowing that we are good at what we do and end up glorifying ourselves instead of giving the glory to God.

when we are giving the glory to God nothing else matters, we become unaware of our selfish desires and actually praise God for all he has done for us.

i get goosebumps when i am truly worshiping and i know that i am because i can not fake the goosebumps and i can not deny the presence of God surrounding me.

do not be afraid to truly worship.

allow the holy spirit to fill you up.

praise the one who as made you.

God made us to worship him with the talents he placed in us.

what will you do?

will you give yourself all the glory?

or

will you praise God with your whole heart like my mom does when playing the piano?

i can not decide for you.

only you can.

God is so awesome!

2008-01-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

[taken october 8, 2006]

look how beautiful and amazing the sunset is!

God is just totally awesome like it blows my mind!

God forgives sin and loves and cares deeply for his children and grants news mercies every single day!

how can someone not believe in God when this photo shows the awesomeness of God!?

who else can take the sun and as it sets to change it different colors and reflect it off of the lake? NO ONE!

God is just so awesome! not only did he send his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to save us from our sins and give us eternal life in heaven with him for all who believe, he also gave us another day to live. another chance at redemption. another day to glorify him. another day to accept and listen to his awesome and mighty word. another day to grow closer to him. another day to see what he has created. another day to realize how awesome and powerful he is.

God is so awesome i cannot even begin to explain.

God is my Heavenly Father and i love him with all my heart mind and soul.

do you?

do you even believe?

if not, why not?

if you would like to know more read the book or rent the video called "The Case for Christ" by lee strobel, you will not regret it!

shadows of light.

2008-01-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

[taken january 1,2008 at my house]

notice the shadow from the ball it is there because of the way that the sun hit the ball.

i know that everyone knows that and it is simple first grade stuff but please stay with me here.

if the sun had not been shining on the ball then there would have been no shadow and of course no photo either.

lets compare the shadow of the ball to our walk with God.

if we do not get into God's word and do not spend time with him then how can people tell that we believe in the Son of God?

they cant.

but if we stay in God's word and dig deeper into it and allow God to use it in our lives; people can tell that we have something so amazing that they would want to know more.

we do not actually cast a shadow so that people can tell that we are christians. its through our attitudes and actions.

i love being able to allow God to shine through me and use me for his glory.

God does not want us to sit around and wait. he wants us to get into his word and go out and make disciples of all nations! and the only way that we can do that is by learning and having a close relationship with God. if we do not have that then no one can tell that you believe in the one who came to save us by sending his only son Jesus to die upon a cross and raise to life again so that we may live eternally in heaven.

would you rather be like a basketball with no light shining on it?

or

would you rather be like the basketball and give off the shadow showing the world that you are in love with the one and only Savior Jesus Christ.

you choose.

heavenly father.

2007-11-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

[this was taken in mexico on a mission trip in june]

there is something very special about this picture that i took. as you can tell theres a dad and his daughter standing together.

it seems like a normal picture right?

wrong.

this little girl is mentally challenged and does not have that much longer to live.

as i looked up and towards the father when taking the pic he had so much pride and joy in his eyes that it just broke my heart. even though his daughter is special needs, he doesnt have any money to help her, and they live in poverty that still doesnt stop his love for his daughter.

God is like that.

God doesnt care if you are special needs, black, white, red, brown, yellow, fat, skinny, tall, short, smart, stupid, ugly, even beautiful. God has so much joy for you as His child.

just like that father has that pride and joy with his daughter, God is so proud of you that He only made one of you that is unique and beautiful.

God is like a father who just saw his son or daughter for the first time and is too happy for words.

God loves you and wants to be close to you and be your father.

will you let Him be your heavenly father?

God is waiting for you, his child, to come running back into His loving and caring arms.

pro-life.

2007-11-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

[this was taken 10-23-07 for the national pro-life silence day]

pro-life silence day is a day where people choose to give up their voices for all of the 4,000 babies that die each day from abortion.

i chose to be silent because i believe that abortion is murder.

for 24 hours my mouth was duct taped shut and my heart and mind were open to listen to what God was telling me. during the 24 hours there were emotions that i have not felt in a very long time. at first i felt persecuted and mocked by the strangers who did not know what was going on. i began having doubts about this whole thing and wondered if it was the right thing to do. i prayed and meditated on Gods word to regain affirmation that this was Gods will and not mine.

that was only the morning.

as the morning turned into afternoon, God began revealing His plan to me little by little. people came up to me and encouraged me by telling me that they support the cause. i felt in touch with God then satan came and started bringing me down again. there was so much frustration in me that i just wanted to yell and just talk. for a split moment i almost gave up. then i remembered that God is on my side and so are the people that i love. i kept praying and meditating.

that was only the afternoon.

as the sun started going down my heart and mind started relaxing. because i knew that there were only a few more hours left until the day was done. i went to go worship with a group of people and i knew it was alright for me to sing praises to the one who had created me. when i started singing my heart filled with joy and peace allowing me to fully worship God thanking Him for laying on my heart this issue. people knew that i was passionate about life and they began saying to others how i spoke to them by being silent. i felt satisfied that i fulfilled Gods plan for me that day. right as midnight hit the first thing i said was "that was intense". because i wrestled all day long with my emotions and physical wants and desires but God in the end won.

that was the end of the day.

God gives hope, courage, healing, peace, forgiveness, and life to those who seek Him and want a change.

babies are a gift from God.

abortion is murder and murder is a sin and against the law.

do you agree or not?

worry.

2007-09-28T11:20:00.000-07:00

[i took this three weeks ago]

how angelic she looks sleeping.

she doesnt have to worry about tomorrow.

she knows that someone is going to be there when she wakes up.

as adults we dont look very angelic when we are sleeping.

we always worry about tomorrow and the future.

sometimes we have that fear that no one is going to be there when we wake up, but for some of us its true.

how cool would it be to just give everything up to God and not have to have a care in the world? that would be so amazing! but its hard to give everything up and rely on God fully. its like i would give something up to Him but later on take it back as though i cant live without it.

the truth is that God is bigger than any of us and our problems. He can take care of whatever worries that we have. but as humans we think we can handle things on our own. and that God doesnt need to worry about us when there are starving people out there.

i want to be like that baby sleeping safe and sound without worries. but i know that i have to spiritually work on that to even get close to being like a baby.

Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

this is the verse we all should take in and run with it.

will you read the verse and not understand it or will you read it and live it?

your choice.

storms of life.

2007-09-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

[taken like a month ago]

have you ever witnessed a huge storm ahead of you when you are driving and you can see the pouring down of the rain?

it kind of scares me to know that in less than 5 minutes i would be driving through the storm. so i start planning precautions and i know exactly what to do when something like that happens. but what happens when a spiritual storm hits? what do i do? do i know exactly what to do as if i were driving in the rain? the answers are i have no clue and i dont know what to do.

although spiritual storms are not physically seen but is emotionally damaging. this is the time when you wrestle with God and end up in a valley of desperation.

i have heard ways to get through the storm over and over again i hear what they say but i dont act upon it.

here are some of the things that i have been told to do:

1. pray.
-excuse: "sometimes i just dont feel like praying because it takes to long and i just dont want to wait."
-the truth: prayer works even though it may take a while. and patience is a virtue.

2. get in the word of God.
-excuse: "im to lazy and just dont want to because i happen to find something better to do."
-the truth: God can reveal himself by digging in to the word of God. it may not be the first thing on your mind to do but He will show the way to living a pure life.

if we get into a habit of doing this it should be easier to get through the storm. it will become a routine when we see that a storm is approaching we can automatically switch into the gear of prayer and quiet time.

i am learning this as well.

so what will you do when a storm comes your way? will you take this advice and run with it or just be stuck in a rut till the storm passes?

hbu.

2007-08-31T20:41:00.000-07:00

[taken like a few hours ago in the dorm!]

-i did not take this pic, because i am in the pic!-

anyway these are my suite mates and my roomate!

from left to right starting from the top!

amna, erica, sheena, me, raquel, sarah, and molly!

amna and erica are roomates, sheena and i roomates we hosted raquel for the week, then sarah and molly are roomates!

God has blessed me with amazing girls to live with. God is an awesome God. i cant wait till what the school year brings for us and our relationship. i love them all!

hbu is amazing. God is doing amazing things in my life. thank you all for those who prayed for me!

caution.

2007-08-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

[taken last week at the beach]

as i watched him walk on the beach he was so careful about where he stepped. normally little kids would just run or step on anything. but he was being very cautious and safe. how many of us walk keeping in mind that we could step on something that could hurt us? i am guessing not very many of us do.

those of us who dont watch where we are going we become disoriented a little because we thought nothing would be in our way. but then again those of us who watch where we walk just feel stupid by the fact we just tripped over something that we just saw.

isnt that what its like in our walk with christ?

if we follow where God is leading us we will be cautious in what we do we will end up safe and sound. although we may mess up and feel stupid because we knew what was going to happen even before we did it. but if we do not follow Gods way then we will end up angry at ourselves because nothing went right and is still not going right. nothing will get fixed unless you fix your eyes on God. you will keep going in the same pattern of the life you live until you want what God wants.

just think about it.

thank you.

2007-08-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

[as you can tell i did not take these but this is something special i am going to do, so please be patient with me.]

i want to thank my family for giving me a new life. the first pictures are of my siblings and i and the second on is the one of my parents and i.

chris, thank you so much for being my big brother and for actually caring so much about me that you wanted me in the family. thank you so much for everything you have ever done for me. thank you for all the times i have spent with you. i love you so much!

brian, thank you for always spending time with me. thank you for being my brother and for loving me. thank you for everything. thank you for all the wonderful times i had losing at monopoly! (for 10 years!) i love you!

jojo, thank you so much for being like my second mom. thank you for always taking care of me and spending time with me. thank you for getting away all the bad thoughts in my head when i was little. thank you for being someone i can look up to. thank you for loving me. i love you jojo!!

robbie, thank you for being my brother who had the courage to pick on me! thank you for not getting jealous when you were no longer the baby! thank you most of all for caring for me and allowing me to be your little sister. thank you for letting me spend time with you. i love you!

the next picture is where the emotions are gonna come flowing out!

dad, thank you for being the best dad in the world. i know at times you cant tell that i love you but i really do! thank you for wanting me and for taking care of me. thank you for taking me fishing and on daddy daughter dates. those were always so important to me. thank you so much for all that you have done for me! i love you daddy!

mom, thank you for being the best mom in the world. thank you for adopting me. thank you for giving me a new life. thank you for all the time of snuggling with you. thank you for loving me. you saved me from hell. thank you. thank you for not giving up on me when times got rough. thank you so much for giving me hope. i love you mommy!

harley, thank you for being the best dog ever and my best friend!

sorry i had to add the last one in!

there is so much for to say but at this moment i really cant get them out in words.

my family, i want to thank every single one of you for getting me ready for this time in my life. thank you for all of your support and prayers. i love you all!

jessica.

"Love Heals" off of the movie "Rent"

-press play-

for good.

2007-08-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

[i took this picture a while back in my back yard.]

-sorry this is something personal to me. i will get back to my regular posts soon.-

its time to face the fact that i am leaving my life i know behind. i know i am only going to college but still, i dont want to leave all i know behind.

there are so many things i wish i could say but everytime i try i get emotional.

so i tryed my best to find the song that would explain my feelings the best.

"For Good" from the broadway show "Wicked"

-push play-

-push play-

love?

2007-08-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

[taken in new york when i went in may/june]

-i am taking things on a different level now. this song is by the black eyed peas, and there is so much truth in this song that i have nothing else to add. i hope that you will actualyl get this and understand why this song goes with this picture. if you have any questions please ask me.-

"Where Is The Love?"

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love, the love, the love?

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we're spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love?

Sing wit me y'all:
One world, one world (We only got)
One world, one world (That's all we got)
One world, one world
And something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit it (Yeah)
Something's wrong wit the wo-wo-world, yeah
We only got
(One world, one world)
That's all we got
(One world, one world)

random.

2007-08-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

[i took this in new york when i went in may/june]

The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (**if you’re a non-blogger, you can email them!)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

8 Random Facts or Habits about me:
1. i can not go to sleep without my stuffed animal frog, his name is froggy.
2. i listen to celtic music when i have a hard time going to sleep.
3. i have had more than 5 flat tires all within a few months.
4. i have never won monopoly.
5. my favorite movie of all time is "girl of the limberlost".
6. i have over 15 hoodies in my closet.
7. i have broken my retainters more than the average person.
8. i secretly want to be a comedian.
This is the bonus fact:
i am really in like with michael jacksons music!

okay now that, that is over i can tag someone else.

i tag...ummm...i dont know who to tage, so if you are reading this then i guess you just got tagged by me!

baby steps.

2007-08-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

[taken monday of last week]

seeing a beautiful baby boy being born reminded me of how much we as christians are still like babies.

as we accept Jesus into our hearts for the first time we become baby christians. once your a baby christian you grow spiritually within your relationship with Christ. but for some of us we dont want to grow. we still want to be spoon fed and are not willing to take that giant step from baby christian to an adult christian. the baby's foot represents our walk with Christ. we have to take baby steps to learn how to walk then from there you learn how to run. thats just like walking with Christ, you just cant get up and run you have to learn to walk and getting into that habbit of wanting to walk faster and then even running with God.

this is my best friends baby. and it took me until he was born to realize that i still have not grown much from a baby christian.

you choose whether you want to grow or still stay a baby christian.

beautiful.

2007-07-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

[this was taken on the way back from new york when i went in may/june]

can you even imagine how heaven is going to look like when the clouds look so beautiful?

it is hard to think that God made us more beautiful than these clouds. i mean come on, how many of us, meaning girls, think that we could be more beautiful than the clouds better yet even slightly beautiful.

this is a reminder of how beautiful Gods creation is, including us.

never forget that we are beautiful because God made us in His liking and in His image.

something to ponder on:

do you know that you are beautiful?

life in death.

2007-07-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

[i took this picture in new york when i was there in may/june]

this may seem like an ordinary picture of a grave yard. but there is something more that is deeper than anyone could see.

when you look at a tree you dont think its dead you know it is alive and growing. but when you look at a tombstone you dont think it is alive or growing, its dead, and sort of creepy.

the tree in the picture reminds me that since i am not enslaved to sin any more that means when i die on earth that is not the end of my life. its just the beginning. the tree is blocking the tombstone, meaning i can not die to this earth because Jesus has paved the way to have everlasting life. i know that i will not die and stay dead, instead i will die to stay alive.

would you rather die and stay dead, or would you rather die to live.

your choice.

dependency.

2007-07-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

[taken in tennessee last week]

how many times in your life have you ever seen such an amazing example of how we as "children" are dependent on our parents.

as a child you would depend on adult to take care of you because you cant do it on your own. then you get older and there is no one that can take care of you anymore. you take care of others.

but as "children" of God we can always depend on Him taking care of us. we dont need to go looking for that someone to take care of us and nurture us. because God is there to take care of us. He is our father, meaning He will not let anything harm us.

would you rather be the person who always takes care of people and has no one to take care of you, or would you want to be the person that God is watching over and is taking care of you while giving you strenghth to take care of others?

joyfulness.

2007-07-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

[this was taken on the mission trip i went on a month ago.]

this simple, ordinary little girl has something deep inside of her that enables her to be so content with her life and the poverty she lives with every single day.

she is an inspiration to me. she has that one thing in life that so many of us long to have.

she has joy.

many of us do not know the difference between joyfulness and happiness.

she does.

innocence.

2007-07-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

[this was taken on the mission trip i went on a month ago.]

this beautiful baby boy is the prime example of the innocence that we long to gain back.

this picture totally breaks my heart because i know that all of his innocence he has now will soon be gone because this world is so unforgiving.

someone needs to tell him theres a better way.