"..He loves us, not only when we do right..but always.."

...I heard this today, and it was one of those sentences that made me stop what I was doing and really think on what I had just heard. "God loves me, not just when I do the right things, but always." Today I realized, I have to stop myself and remember that even though God wants me to go and do "works" for Him, He is never changing and His love for me is always going to be there. So today, as I go throughout this BEAUTIFUL Saturday I will continually stop myself and remind myself that through my mess-ups and my triumphs God loves me the same. What an awesome God we serve.

SNO.

candid [[free from reservation, disguise, or subterfuge; straightforward]]

..anyone who knows me well, knows that I have always been someone who journals, a lot. It's a way to get my thoughts, experiences and goals down on paper. I guess it's been my safe place throughout the years to get all those thoughts bouncing in my head out. One of the sweet things about journaling is to go back and read how I have changed, grown and gotten through different things throughout the years. This past year I began journaling my prayers to God. Going back and seeing all the answered prayers -- wow, it's amazing.

I say all of that to say this.

I know what it's like to be scared to make life changing decisions...

I asked God to never let me forget what those first few steps were like, so looking back in my journal I got to revisit those thoughts and feelings...

"9/30/2008...So Sunday I rededicated at church. I'm scared because for the past 7 years all I've really done on the weekends is party. I feel like I'm making a good decision -- it's just going to be a totally different life -- I really want to have a positive impact on people and hopefully lead people to God......I just don't really know what I'm doing, but I do know I'm changing and I'm letting go. ....I am letting go of my old ways. I am trying.

-SNO"

...sharing parts of my journal makes me feel a little vulnerable, because as I said earlier, my journals are my safe place...

..but I want to get candid because I understand what so many people are struggling with! I know what it's like to want to make that jump for Christ, but to chicken out and not do it for a long time because of the fear of the unknown.

Oh, but if I would have only known earlier how awesome being soldout to God truly is.

It's not weird, it's indescribably amazing.

If you're wanting to go to that next level with God, if you're wanting to give your life to Him {the true giver of life}, just do it.
Dive in to the unknown and trust Him.
You won't be disappointed.
I can honestly say, everyday is an adventure with Him.

SNO.