Eric Ludy - Depraved Indifference

His Hands and Feet...Amazing! God calls us to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ! Just think about that for a moment. It deeply impacts me in a great way! It is so amazing! A tear rolls down my cheek as I watch the little boy (in the video below) flash across the screen, knowing that he has no clothes, food, house, or anyone to love and care for him; realizing that there are many more (more than I probably even know) children out there with no hope for the future!

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It makes me want to run to them, tell them I love them and will take care of them, if no one else will, not caring what anyone else thinks of me, and plant a seed of hope in their heart (the hope only found in Jesus Christ), and watch it grow into something beautiful, something only the hand of God-The God that made heaven and earth, that made everything else beautiful, The one and only true God, MY God-could create!

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Brothers and Sisters, when you share the gospel with other people, there are some that will not take your advice, they will have a hardened heart, and despise and reject you and the truth. But do not be discouraged in the face of ridicule, my friends... Be encouraged by God and His Word which says, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (Matthew 5:10-11)

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He also says in that same chapter, later on, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45)

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So when you are faced with persecution, rejection, and are despised, do not give up hope! Continue sharing Christ's love with them, and most of all pray for them. Pray that Christ will work to soften their hearts, so that they may accept the truth of God's Word. Cause ultimately, He is the One that does the convicting. You would never get through to them by yourself. Jesus Christ is the only One who will soften their hearts, and give them salvation! This video is what made me say all this, even though I did get a little off of where I was going... But I just wanted to share all that with you anyways. This video touched me deeply, and I hope it touches and encourages you to share His Word with people, and bring glory to Jesus Christ with all that you do and say. Have a wonderful day, my Brothers and Sister, Friends and Family, and whoever else may be reading this. :) Enjoy! :)

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~Karissa~

P.S. I am in the process of redoing my blog, as you maybe can tell, so bare with me as I get it all set up to how I want it to be! :) I couldn't decide on a verse, so I did all three. :)

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 115:1

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

My "speech" :)

This was my "speech" that I said in front of everyone at Church a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would share it with you. I hope you all have a great night! :)

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My memory verse for 2010 was Mark 16:15 which says: And He said unto them, go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. This verse was a good one for me this year, and after I picked it out, I kept hearing messages from various people that were talking about sharing the gospel with people around the world! I felt like God was telling me something… This is something I should be doing… Bringing the gospel to every creature… Just like the verse says! I felt like I kept on hearing time after time of how we should be spreading the gospel and sharing the love of Christ. We watched a couple movies that really touched me as well, and made me realize how many people are out there that need to hear the message of Christ, and who need the Saviour’s forgiveness. And I just think how great it would be, and how happy it would make me feel to lead someone to Christ! I just feel like there would be no greater joy than knowing that I lead someone to Him. I should go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature!!!! I don’t know exactly what God has in store for my future just yet, but I know it includes some great things done for the glory and honor of His name, and also bringing the gospel to people for the furthering of His Kingdom!

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~Karissa~

Picnik

Hey there! -- I have some pictures up... Not many but a couple to tide you over 'til I have more time to post some more. :) They are pictures that I picniked, which I love doing! So fun! I hope you enjoy...

---------------------------Myself, Kylie, Kristianna, and Natalee--------------------------

(If you can't see these well enough, click on them to make them bigger) :)

Well, that's it for now, and I hope you all have a great day!

With His Love,

Karissa :)

Hey y'all! Wow! I know I say it every time, but I haven't really done a post in a long time. I really hope that I will be able to now that we are getting internet on the laptop! :) And again, I don't have pictures, but I will soon, again now that we have the laptop with internet (which is where most of my pictures are anyways)! Well, first of all I am going to tell you about last Sunday night. On Sunday night we went to the annual "verse of the year service" at our Church. I wrote a 100 word essay for the verse I picked last year, and said that in front of everyone. I was nervous, but I got through it! Haha. I will put my essay on here sometime too. (I also picked a new verse.... What they do is print out a bunchof verses and put them on a table in front and everyone goes up and picks one, and that is your "verse of the year"). The one that I got last year that I did an essay on was Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. The one that I picked out for this year (well you don't really pick it out, cause the paper is turned over so you can't see the verse, you just pick a random piece of paper) was Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. I really like that verse and I also like the second verse of that chapter which says: looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. They are very encouragin verses to me, and I hope they can be in some way an encouragement to you as well! :) Then Susanna, my dad and I as well as a bunch of other people went up front to say the "chapter of the year." They pick one out every year, and whoever wants to can memorize it throughout the year and then at the service you go up front and say it. It was 1 Thessalonians 4 for 2010 and this year it is 1 Corinthians 5. I also at the service signed up to read the Bible through this year since that was one of my "resolutions for 2011" (they have a paper, and whoever wants to can sign up to do it, and then if you do it, at the "verse of the year service" you can get a prize). Obviously I didn't do it just for that... Lol I wanted to do it anyways, and have been wanting to for a while!!! I hope I am not sounding too confusing. :P -- Well, we are going to a teen activity tonight, so that should be fun! I am sooo looking forward to Winter Carnival. I hope it will be tons of fun! I can't wait to go sledding, snowboarding, and all that other good stuff! We are ALL sooo lookin forward to it! Well, that is all I have for now, and I hope to have some pictures up soon! :) Have a wonderful day!

-- With warmth and blessings,

-- Karissa -- P.S. We got about 20 inches of snow!! The first big snowstorm we had was the day after Christmas when we got about 8 inches... But it was all gone by the next week. And then we had a couple flurries here and there but nothing real big until the snowstorm a couple days ago! So excited! I have yet to go out and play in it, but I'm hoping to soon! :)

One Word

Loooong post :)

Hey everyone,

I am finally blogging again! Oh my! I don't have any pictures at this time, but hope to have some soon. :) Haha. I was going to write the other day but I didn't end up getting to. Oh well! To get on to what I want to blog about...

I am growing to love and look forward to my times with the Lord each day more and more. The other day when I was doing my devotions, I was praying and I just had a great feeling, like I was in the arms of Christ! It was a wonderful feeling. When I was done I had such a joy and peace in my heart, knowing that God is on control of my life, and He will take care of me. I can place my total trust in Him, knowing that whatever happens is all for the glory and honour of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour! I am so excited to continue to learn and grow each day, and see what God has for me to do for His Kingdom.

Recently, I have been praying and asking God that I would be content in the place He has placed me and although it may not be what I want, or I am not happy, that I would have a good attitude, and not be angry or whatever. Philippians 4:11 says I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. So, that is some of the things I have been learning, and God has been teaching me through His word recently! :D

Well, a while ago (almost two weeks now. Wow!), we went to the Deerfield fair. It was really fun. It started out to be a rainy day, but we prayed that God would have it be a nice day, and it was beautiful for the rest of the day. It was nice weather (not to warm, and not to hot), and there was a beautiful breeze! God was very good. (like always!) :) We enjoyed seeing all the animals (horses, cows, pigs, roosters, chickens, goats, sheep, etc), and also had a great time watching the pig scramble, the flying Wallenda's, the horse pull (horse pullin', at the Deerfield fair, you'll see no better, says the guy. Haha), the horse show, and others. Over all, it was a fun day! :)

This past weekend, we went to The Hanson's house for a harvest carnival! I was sick on Saturday, and that was really a bummer, but at least I was better Sunday and Monday, and get to have some fun. So, when we got there Friday night, just Kristi Phipps and Allie were there (and of course the Hanson's. Haha). So, after a little bit, the Johnson's get there, and everyone went crazy ("the bus is at the end of the driveway", "the bus is here"). So then everyone had ice cream, and after a little bit Emily, Thomas, Nicholas, Katie, Uncle Tom and Auntie Heather get there. So, for the rest of that night it was just playing and going to bed.

The next morning everyone had pancakes and fruit, etc. made by Kristi and Allie. I'm not all that sure what everyone did that day, since I was in bed, but I do know that the kids played some capture the flag, and other stuff, and the adults played some volleyball. Mrs. Robin had invited some other people, so there were lots of other "new" people to play and have fun with as well! Auntie Jenn and Uncle Dan came with Nate and Maria (who I didn't get to see :( hopefully next time :) ), and Kelly Poitier was also there. Mr. Johnson, Corbin and Lucas had to go home sometime Saturday to go to a karate thing, and Mr. J had to preach on Sunday morning....but they were back. Lunch that day was by us, sandwiches with turkey breast, bologna, etc. and chips and vegetables. Supper was by Mrs. Robin, which was beef stew. I didn't get to eat a lot of food that day, but I did have some, and what I ate was GOOD (so thank you to Kristi and Allie, Mom and Susanna, and Mrs. Robin for those delicious meals). So, I think Saturday was a good day filled with lots of fun!

Sunday, I woke up feeling muccchhh better, PTL! :) The breakfast was delicious! Waffles, fruit, biscuits and jelly, etc. Then we had a Church service, and Mr. Hanson shared some of his thoughts with us, as well as other people passing around some thoughts as well. After that was just kind of hanging out until lunch which was tacos made by Auntie Heather! They were soooo good (thanks for making that meal Auntie Heather)! After that it was just more hanging out, talking, having fun, playing, etc. The kids played a lot more capture the flag, and more. The Johnson's got back probably at about 3-3:30 I'd say. Supper Sunday night was Stromboli made by Mrs. Johnson (yum! Thanks Mrs. J for making that for us), and salad (I think they may have soup as well). After dinner was a time of singing with Mr. J playing the guitar. I really enjoyed that time of singing, it was just wonderful. You could sense the presence of the Lord in that room, that night!

After that was dessert. Leftovers (cookies, etc), plus apple pie that Mrs. J had made. Yummy! Oh! Mrs. J also made the yummy chocolate chex mix that's so good! :D And again after that it was just playing, and having some more fun before it was time to go to bed. We played some pole position, mappy and pac man on the tv. Caleb and Corbin (as well as Mr. Hanson, Mr. J, and Uncle Tom) played ping pong a lot, and had lots of fun with that. The next morning, last day ( :'( ), we woke up and had muffins made by Mrs. J, waffles, fruit, and a couple other things. After that we played outside for a while, before it was time to pack up. When we were about done packing, we stopped for lunch, which was leftovers (chips, pretzels, sandwiches with whatever meat was leftovers, etc.). Then right before we left to head for home, Corbin made everyone smoothies (either pineapple, strawberry, banana, or any combination with those three things). I had the regular strawberry banana like at the sand box this summer! :) Thanks Corbin for those delicious smoothies. After that, it was time to say our goodbyes and head for home! It was a great weekend, and everyone had lots of fun!

So, thanks to everyone who made it so fun, to all those who prepared the meals, and helped with cleanup, dishes, and anything else that went on. I hope next time, I won't be feeling yucky and I'll be able to help some more!

Well, that is all I am going to say for now. I am out of breath, and this is getting really long! Lol. I hope to get some pictures on here when I get the chance, and I hope you all have a great night! :)

With his Love,

Karissa Noelle <3

1 John 2:15-17 (King James Version)
15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

"Greetings"

Hey everyone! I know it has been a really long time since I have blogged, because a lot has been going on recently, and so I haven't had a lot of time!

First off, I changed my welcoming part (read it if you want), and my profile page a little bit. Like I said in my "greeting" I want to start writing about my walk with the Lord, and what I have been learning, and how I have been growing through reading His word each day! (etc.)! :D And I hope that when you stop by and read what I have written that you will be encouraged! :)

I will still write things I have been up to, and post pictures hopefully, but I will write what I have been saying as well!

Okay, that is all I will say for now, and will probably post something really soon!!!!! :D Have a great night!

Karissa

Psalm 103:1-2

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and forget not all his benefits.

{These couple verses I came across a while back when I was doing my devotions, and when I read the commentary, was encouraged, and reminded that we will always have something to praise God for. We tend to complain about life, but God has given us so much more than we deserve already, that even when we are going through the hardest times of life, we will have something to praise Him for, because He is our Saviour and King who promises to never leave us, fail us nor forsake us! That was really encouraging, and I thought I would share it with you.}