There Isn't Words...

Sigh...I don't know where to start today...I went this morning to funeral for a twenty year old guy who I sat in at least a dozen classes in high school with and from the outside everything looked normal...I can't imagine the place he was at to want to take his own life.

This was probably the hardest funeral I have ever attended. The family is heartbroken, his classmates are shocked and no one knows where he is. As I sat in the pew, my thoughts bombarded me of well he is either with Jesus or in reality knows he made the biggest mistake of his life! What an uncomfortable thing for his family! I can't imagine losing someone without knowing they are safe in the arms of Jesus and we will see them again!!!

This is hard because I shouldn't have to go to a funeral of a classmate from high school. I am thinking of conversations I had yesterday with classmates. We all felt sick, numb, and stood in disbelief. As I stood there, I wanted to scream "JESUS SAVES!"

Simple as that. He is the answer! As I think back to high school and since then how many times have I told others about His name? The answer is not enough. We live in a lost and dying world who is in need of a Savior. Without Him we all are hopeless.

I probably will never understand or know why this happened but I know that this has encouraged me in a weird kinda way to be more bold, and take opportunities to share of who the Lord is! Life is precious, time is short and Jesus is coming soon! As Believers, we are called to share about Him! This is our mission!

He is our hope and life! I am resting in His arms!

This n That!

Today, we are getting ready to head north {Kansas} to see my mom's family! I still have lots to do tonight before I get ready to go! It is going to be a great time of fellowship with family that we haven't seen in awhile! We have MANY to celebrate this year! For one, it is my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary!!! How exciting that is!

My sister's graduation {me, Grandma, Beth, Grandpa}

Here is my grandparents with all the grandkids {minus one}

{Grandpa, Beth, cousins-Ella, Cole, Brandon, Grandma, and me}

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Here is my excited face about traveling! :)

My hair is a lot darker than it used to be! I guess that is an advantage of having a sister that is a licensed cosmotologist! :)

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I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cute sign! I saw it the other day and fell in love with it! :)

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Something that I have been thinking about lately is what we allow our minds to focus on and how worldly things can over take us in a heartbeat. As a child of God, we are to flee from sin and sometimes I think we get too comfortable living just a "normal life." BUT God has called us to be more than that!

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light!"

--I Peter 2:9

If we want to lead others to Christ and point them toward the Cross then, our lives have to look like Jesus. We can't expect others to see Jesus in us if we look like the world. WE HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT! Different meaning we are not the same as everyone else and the difference is we know Jesus! If we know Him, our lives should reflect that! And we have to close our eyes to the world and look unto Jesus!

{my eyes}

Briana Kate

Satisfaction

Part of the human race is to seek satification in what we do and glory for what we accomplish. The truth is the our satisfaction can never be found in another human. We fail each other. We forget, we lie, we cheat to get ahead and we just don't care about each other. Harsh as these words sound, it is the truth.

I am a big fan of truth and always deal better with it. And the truth is my satisfaction can only be found in a perfect and honest heavenly Father. He never fails and is always satisfying.

I am learning more to be satisfied in Him. My heart longs to match His heart.

Is this easy? Nope. Is it work? Yep. It is! Is He worth it? You bet.

Oh sweet Jesus, tune my heart to Yours and fulfill me because You are the only One who can!

Just some thoughts.

Briana Kate

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.



Great is Thy faithfulness!Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!



Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!


This is kinda my lifesong...it speaks of the greatness of our Savior and His unfailing love!


Briana Kate

Proverbs 31

is the woman I want to be. I find myself reading this passage almost daily because to me it is just a reminder of who I want to be.

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Just some encouragement! :)

Briana Kate

2008

well, 2008 was definately a year for the books...

I laughed and cried...made some wonderful memories, completed two semesters of college (thats like 36 hours!! :) ), rejoiced in new friendships, laid on the beach, went half way around the world, got the opportunity of tell others about our wonderful Savior, fell in love with the Chinese culture, stood on the Great Wall, held some sweet babies, worshipped the King with many people, took over a thousand pictures, read some good books, and a whole lot more! :)

in 366 days...the Lord has captured my heart even more than years before...He has called me to do things that I couldn't have imagined and led me places I thought I would never go. He has changed me!

My prayer is that 2009 will be even sweeter with the Lord and that He will use me in more ways that can bring glory to His name!


Briana Kate

Merry Christmas...

to all! And all a good night!!!

I hope you have celebrated the King today and thanked the Lord for sending us a Savior.

May you be blessed!

Joy to the World!

The Lord has come!

Wishing you the joy, peace, grace, and happiness that Christmas is all about!

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas!!!


Briana Kate

A Cradle

Oh Christmas time! Oh Christmas time! How do I love thee! There is something about this time of year…December is just special. I cannot explain it in just a few words because there is so much about this time that means so much to me! People seem to be nicer around this time of year as well. Though this does not mean people drive rationally because they have 42 things to do before noon and try to accomplish 17 of them while driving!

When during the year, do people spend $84 on postage to mail cards to all of their friends and family that will get read once then either stuck on the fridge behind all of the other artwork or thrown in the garbage without a second glance?

When do people buy matching paper, ribbon, and bows to coordinate with the tree colors which just happen to match the mantle as well as all other accents around the house?

When else during the year, do we exchange gift cards to all are family members because we cannot possibly come up with anything for a Christmas wish list because we do not need a single dad gum thing?

When else do we go to 8 parties in three weeks and be expected to bring an appropriate gift to meet the requirements for a certain type of exchange?

The list could continue on and on….(and on) of the things that we do during this season!
But WAIT, this is the meaning of Christmas, right? It is all about gifts and getting gifts and making sure we are satisfied, right?

Um, no. Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth therefore it is not about me because I am not Christ. We do may things this time of year that is special and only done during this time. I hope and pray that this time of year God would strengthen me for the New Year and let the celebration of the birth of His Son, be one of great joy, hope and grace.

8 days left in 2008! May these 8 days bring us back to the our Savior and make us hungry to worship Him with our lives because He is worth it all. Now on to the celebration! Here's your invitation!

To: the World

From: God

Who: You

What: A birthday celebration! :)

Where: A stable in Bethlehem, follow the Star

When: Late at night two thousand years ago

Why: He will give you life!

You are invited! Make sure you have made your reservations!

Celebrate Jesus this week with all your heart!

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas!!!

Briana Kate

Long Time No Write...

Hello One and All,

I hope you read this in the middle of preparing your heart for the great things that Christmas brings. Since it has been a little bit since my last post, here's the update...

Thanksgiving... was a great time, though it was really hard to feel like it was actually Thanksgiving. I struggled with it already being the end of November and just not believing that December was already around the corner.

I am really thankful this year; I am so blessed and can't believe even began to recall the blessings the Lord has lavished upon me this year. I have a wonderful family who I love to talk to and spend time with. I attend an outstanding university where I have the privilege of working on my degree! I am blessed with some great friends who encourage me and strengthen my relationship with the Lord. I am a child of the King...it doesn't get any better than that! :)


Well, I can go on forever about things I am thankful for and trying to thank God daily for these blessings because Thanksgiving is not just a one day a year holiday it is a life style and mind set we should live.

Lately, (since Thanksgiving) I have been completing some Christmas shopping, and mostly been finishing studying to finish the semester strong. I am finished with two of my five finals and have three to go in the next few days. This semester has been really great....the Lord is teaching some valuable lessons and I am continuing to walk deeper in a relationship with Him.


As of tonight, I have began my Christmas wrapping and only getting started! Hopefully in the next few days I will get some more done. I have decided to wrap all my gift (that I am giving to people) in black and white...so it is fun shopping for the coordinating paper and such.

I LOVE Christmas time...there is just something about hearing people sing about our Savior, setting aside time to be with family and friends, okay and of course the great abundance of food that is so amazingly delicious, and I could continue to go on... the main reason is the Baby. I love babies, but this Baby has completely stolen my heart for all of eternity! Christmas is about worshipping the Baby and knowing what HE means. In this little baby, God sent the Savior that paid the ransom for all and suffered so that we may live freely with Him.

I am worshipping that Baby and thanking his Father that He sent Him.

May you experience the joy that is meant for this season, the peace that is offered and the grace that is given!

Merry Christmas!

Briana Kate

Listening to the Word...

is a very important thing. Hearing the Word of the Lord preached straight out without over looking sections is what we need as Christians. Unfortunately, it brings out our sins, failures but it also shows a beautiful picture of what are lives should be.


A couple of my favorites right now are from:

Mars Hill Church by Mark Driscoll

Village Church by Matt Chandler


Not to say that these are the only great ones out there, but just two that I really enjoy listening too. Though, I will say this does not take place of daily being in the Word and reading personally; it is just a great way to help strengthen our walk with the King!


Feel free to pass along any great podcasts you have found....


Til Later,


Briana Kate

It has been quite awhile...

Things have been busy but good. This semester is over half way down and there still is so much to do!!! I have been overwhelmed with lots of things but really enjoying life these days.

My heart is continued to be broken for people all over the world to know His name! I just feel so passionately to tell people of His name. We have the Truth that equals freedom. Who will go? Who will make Him known? Who will tell them? Who will pray for them? Who will surrender to go wherever whenever?

Who?

We are commanded to make Him famous wherever. No Christian is exempt. You cannot be apathetic told people if you care about the glory of God.

Just some thoughts from the heart...



Briana Kate

Chocolate Pudding...

is one of my favorite snacks or desserts! I don't know if it is because it is light and refreshing or so easy to make. Think about it...buy a pudding box at Walmart then proceed a remember to buy milk as well and mix together. Once you began stirring you see the flavor (well, chocolate come through...as if there needs to be another flavor!!!) come through and after a couple of minutes you have instant pudding.

Think about how milk and powder become something so great so quick. I wish it was this easy with my relationship with Jesus. I wish I would always mix instantly with Him and not be that stubborn milk on the side of the bowl that refuses to change. Instead I want to be right in the middle of that pudding goodness.

My life mixed with Christ is that He is the powder that changes everything. I am the milk that is changed from being in His presence. I would just be milk if not for Him. But He has made me into something greater and I am complete with Him.

Now that I have scraped the bottom of my pudding bowl, it is time to be more productive. I am thankful that with Christ I am never empty and He is everlastingly satisfying.

Submerging myself in the chocolate pudding Powder,

Briana Kate

Something We All Need...

Silence is...

never

heard

or

experienced

anymore.

It is kinda like

a lost art.

We become

consumed with everything

going on around us

that be forget to

enjoy the moments

and be thankful.

If we are never still,

how are we expected

to hear from our Savior.

If we are too busy with "this life,"

it may just be that we miss

what He wants of us.

I never want to miss

something from the Lord...

so making a point to seek Him

in the silence

is a priority.

I am going to continue

to seek Him in the

silence and let

Him speak!

Briana Kate

Broken, Ready and Waiting...

We are a prideful people. We do not take criticism well nor do we want people to find faults in us...let alone expose them for others to see! We are knotted up, hard, and not flexible to be changed. We get set in our ways and do not want to change.

Pride gets in the way. It eats apart our hearts and make us useless servants for the Kingdom. Pride doesn't accomplish anything, nor does it get us anywhere or change anything.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 16:8

In all honesty, we only should have pride in one thing and that is Christ.

Change My Heart

Oh God Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart

oh God

May I be like You

You are the potter I am the clay

Mold me and make me

This is what I pray

Change my heart oh God

Make it ever true

Change my heart

oh God

May I be like You

I am broken and ready to be molded. I am clay that is ready for the Potter's hands to mold and use me in unbelievable ways. I just beg of Him to change my heart to match His heart!

Briana Kate