Awesome Giveaway!

Oh, dear... it's been a while since I've posted something.

Well, I guess I just lost track of time. But hopefully I'll get back into the habit of posting more- we shall see! =)

But enough of that for right now.

Down to business.

There's this great giveaway on a blog I follow... definitely check it out! I've read books by two of these authors (Robin Lee Hatcher and Mary Connealy), and they were awesome. This book should be LOTS of fun!

So go on, don't be shy. Click the link and see for yourself!

http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-bride-for-all-seasons-by-margaret.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChatWithVera+%28Chat+With+Vera%29

God bless, and stay cool!

Elyssa =)

Give Me Liberty...

With July 4th tomorrow, I thought I'd share some thought-provoking quotes with you guys. These just show me that not Deists, Free Masons, or atheists founded this country, but rather many Christians. It's sad to see that the children in public schools these days aren't learning about America being founded on Christian principles, but rather by people that didn't believe in the sovereignty of God- or even if He existed.

George Washington said: "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." 

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a Free Mason to me.

Straight from one of the many men involved in fighting for liberty, Patrick Henry stated the truth that America was founded upon Christian principles: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."


Well, that right there pretty much says it all.


James Madison said: "It is the duty of every man to render to the Creator such homage... Before any man can be considered as a member of Civil Society, he must be considered as a subject of the Governor of the Universe."


And finally, straight from the Declaration itself: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."


Do you think the men that came together to sign this important document that would forever separate them from the British rule would mention their Creator if they didn't believe in Him? Do you think that they just assumed that they could fight that battle by themselves? These men were striving for liberty, for freedom, and the right to be severed from the tyranny of England. They knew that they couldn't do it alone, but only with the help of God. They founded this nation upon His principles, and taught them to their children.

I am truly thankful that I am able to worship the Lord freely without worrying that someone might knock down my door and drag me off to jail. I am truly grateful that our Founding Fathers were brave enough to create and sign the Declaration with the fear of being thrown in jail and killed for tyranny against the king looming in the back of their minds. How many people would do that these days?

Well, that's just about it. I'll leave you with this question: do you think the Founding Fathers would be okay with the way our nation is run today? Honestly, I think that they're rolling around in their graves with everything going on. Sad, but true.

But anyway, I hope that you all have a safe, happy, and wonderful Fourth! May God bless you in whatever you do!

Give me liberty or give me death!
Elyssa =)

Caleb and Sol- Jesus is Better

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." ~Philippians 3:8 

Jesus. Is. Better. 

Word. 

God bless!

Elyssa =)

Food for Thought

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- His good, pleasing, and perfect will."  ~Romans 12:2

This verse has been on my heart a lot these days. I'm not exactly sure why God's been giving this part of the chapter to me lately, but it's been getting me to thinking. As Christians, we are supposed to be non-conformists. This doesn't just mean that by calling ourselves Christians that we are not conforming. No, living this verse is so much more than that.

Think about everything that happens in your life on a daily basis. What consumes your mind? Are you more focused on hanging out with your friends, making sure your car is the one that everyone envies, which person likes whom, musicians, movies, or celebrities than on what is pleasing to God? Do you choose to become so consumed in your life that you don't even realize when you are grieving the Lord? Are you willing to throw your morals out the window to fit in to a group of people?

Sadly, this is true for many people that call themselves Christians. They become so obsessed with their lives, money, social standing, and posessions that they take their eyes off of the Lord. It reminds me of a song by Sanctus Real, called "Things Like You":

Everyone wants everyone else's eveything. Sometimes the more we have the less we really gain. I'm tired of life and all that money has to buy. Get out of my heart, out of my mind, leaving you behind.

Again, I'm not trying to judge here; I'm just voicing what's been on my heart and mind lately. I feel that, as Christians, we should be standing up more and more for our faith and pointing others towards Jesus. We can't show His love to people if we're acting exactly the way the world does. Think about it... as Paul said in verse 2 of Romans chapter 12, we are not to conform to the pattern of the world. We must be IN the world, but not OF it.

So there's some food for thought.

God bless!
Elyssa =)

You've Gotta Love Technology...

Oy, me and technology do NOT get along very well... I accidentally deleted all of my posts, so if you happen to see a ton of posts from me, I'm just trying to get back the important ones that I really hope will encourage you guys. Anyway, sorry if I'm a bother or anything!

Hope your weekend is great!

God bless,
Elyssa =)

Good Friday

What came to mind when you read the title to this post? Did you think of just another holiday on the calendar, did you think "oh, hey, there's only 3 more days until Easter!", or did your mind instantly go to chocolate bunnies, dyed eggs, and dresses? Let me ask you one more question: did Jesus come to mind at all? 

Bear with me here, alright? I'm not bashing anyone or being judgmental or anything. I'm just simply voicing a question that has been on my mind a lot these days. When has Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday become Easter, the holiday for more candy and rabbits? When did it become all about gifts instead of the gift that Jesus gave us that day on Golgotha when He hung on that cross? This is a time to remember the unfathomable love of our Lord and Savior, a time to remember how much He went through all because He wants us to live forever with Him. 

Think about it... Jesus didn't have to come to earth and become a man. He could've stayed in heaven with God and let us continue on in our sin- but He didn't. He loves us so much that He became a man, died a criminal's death when He did nothing wrong, and bore so much pain and affliction. 

The wonderful thing about this story is that it doesn't end there; three days later, He rose again from the grave and proved that not even death could hold the Son of God. He conquered death, rose from the grave, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He wants us to remember that this holiday isn't about spring finally being here, loads of candy that will keep you crazy for weeks afterwards, or the eggs that are hidden in your backyard. He wants us to remember His unconditional love. 

Some of you might cringe at the thought of what Jesus went through, and might not even want to imagine all of it. But you know what? It really happened. Jesus endured much more than what even the movies show. Yet He did that all for you: 

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of many sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him striken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." ~Isaiah 53:3-5

I don't know about you, but every time I read this, the weight of everything Jesus endured hits me hard. Deep, that's for sure!

Well, anyway, I hope that you and your family have an amazing Resurrection Sunday, and that you never forget how deep the Father's love for you is (check out that song... simply amazing!)! 

He is risen indeed!
Elyssa =) 



What mercy was revealed 
What selflessness and peace 
My fate was surely sealed 
Until He rescued me 
His pardon for my sin 
His bounty for my need 
From slavery and shame 
I am redeemed 

And Heaven can't contain 
The glory of the Son 
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One 
His love has made a way 
The grave is overcome 
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One 

No fear can hold me down 
Nor darkness steal my joy 
For blood has been poured out 
The enemy destroyed 
Death could not hold Him down 
The cross was not enough 
To steal away His throne 
For He is God 

And Heaven can't contain 
The glory of the Son 
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One 
His love has made a way 
The grave is overcome 
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One 

Anyone who calls upon His name 
They will be saved 
They will be saved 
Anyone who calls upon His name 
They will be saved 
They will be saved 

And Heaven can't contain 
The glory of the Son 
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One 
His love has made a way 
The grave is overcome 
Jesus is the Christ, the saving One [x2]

Anyone who calls upon His name 
They will be saved 
They will be saved 
Anyone who calls upon His name 
They will be saved 
They will be saved 

Sanctus Real - Forgiven

I've been hearing this song a lot lately (LOVE it!), and thought I'd share with you guys. Always remember: "When I don't fit in and I don't feel like I belong anywhere, when I don't measure up to much in this life, I'm a treasure in the Arms of Christ!"  

Have a great day!

God bless,
Elyssa =)