My Heart's Cry

I'm not sure how many of you know, because I don't remember if I've mentioned it... but within my immediate family I'm the only one that is a follower of Christ.

Tell me what do you believe in
Does your life have rhyme or reason
Something in your heart that makes you care
I hope that you don't mind me asking
But I have got a burning passion
I need to know forever you'll be there

The hardest part of my walk has been the constant struggle in my household. There is a battle between good and evil within my home, a battle for my parents' souls. I've cried so many nights, fearful for their eternity. I know God has a plan, but to know that your very own parents' souls may go to Hell... that's one of the hardest burdens to live with.

I can't make it clearer
Put it any other way
If you can't see the simple truth I do
Then there's nothing in this world that's left to say
But Jesus loves you

I know that God has been working on their hearts. Mere months ago they would make me turn off my Christian music whenever riding in the car with me but lately they will listen to it, yesterday even commenting that they liked what was playing (Krystal Meyers.)

I know I don't have all the answers
And I have wasted many chances
To prove to you a faith that lives inside
I'm praying there will be a breakthrough
Cause I can't be the one to save you
God knows how many times I've tried

The end is coming. I'm not the only one who feels this way. So many of my friends, so many of you, notice the signs, feel the urgency. Every minute that passes is another lost moment that I have to share the GREAT NEWS with my parents. Every day that goes by brings us closer. There have been so many times I've tried to talk to them, so many times I've wanted to talk to them, so many times I've had to walk away...

I can't explain
But I can't deny
So many times for you I've cried
And to see you on your knees tonight

If there is one thing I could see in this lifetime, if I was only destined to save two souls. What I wouldn't give to save the souls of my beautiful, loving, caring parents.

I cant make it clearer
Put it any other way
To know you know simple truth I do
And to know that your forever has been changed
Cause Jesus loves you

So, this is my heart cry. Lost souls. First (and yes selfishly) my parents and then the many people around me that do not know Christ. There is work to be done my fellow brothers and sisters. It's time we step out. Before it's too late. The worst thing I can imagine is coming to the judgment that Jesus will give all of us and having Him be disappointed in what little I accomplished. I must step out for Him. I must be strong. I must be courageous. I have to give my inhibitions to my Father and trust in Him. He can do so much through all of us. Alone, we are useless... helpless. But with the strength, courage, and wisdom of our Father we can do great things.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Isaiah 51:6 "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever and my righteousness will never be dismayed."

Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

In His Love,
Samantha Marie

(Song: "Jesus Loves You" by Stellar Kart)
(Verses are English Standard Version)

Beauty.

Today I was eating peanuts. I don't do this very often, but for some reason I pulled out that bag and began taking apart the shells and eating the delicious insides. I got a peanut shell that held THREE PEANUTS. When I was younger, this was THE thing. To get a shell that contained THREE peanuts? Well, that was a mini-miracle. I smiled to myself as I remembered this childhood excitement and then my thoughts were led to a similar topic...

Beauty, magnificence, simplicity v. the outrageous. So often in today's society we are not amazed until something HUGE happens. We have become (in general) so apathetic that it takes something mind-blowing and really spectacular to grab our attention. And this to me, is sad.
Psalm 50:2 says "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth." Therefore, God's beauty is everywhere. He shines forth, at all times, PERFECT beauty. Why does it take a four-leaf clover to make us excited? Why does it take dolphins flipping out of the ocean to make us gasp for breath? Should we not be amazed at the simple things as well? What about the blades of grass that surround the four-leaf clover, aren't they also just as intricate and beautiful? And what about the vast ocean that contains the dolphins? Isn't how much life the ocean holds amazing? Or what about a smile on the face of a child, or the aged? What about the baby kitten? So many things around us are BREATHTAKINGLY beautiful, we must only close our eyes and open our heart to see it. I'm guilty of this as well. I do not appreciate the beautiful world God has created nearly enough. But I'm praying that I can start.

Have you ever noticed something entirely breathtaking, yet utterly simple at the same time? Has God's beautiful world ever made you stop and think? Stop and stare? Stop and love?

"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

(Note: Both Bible verses are taken from the English Standard Version)