Regret, The Monster Inside

         In life, we usually end up having a few regrets, some greater than others. My biggest regret is probably a regret over someone I never got to know. He was the little brother of a couple friends of mine, and he was what I call a beautiful soul. When he smiled, he could light up any room, he was full of kindness and forgiveness. At only 13, he lived his faith every single day. He loved to have fun with his friends, and his joy came from the Lord and not circumstances. A beautiful soul. Late December 2013 he died. It was an accident, he was playing on a rope swing and somehow it got tangled around his throat. By the time his family found him, it was too late. His family and friends were devastated, but they pulled through. Still, I felt guilty every time I comforted someone. Did I really have the right to comfort them when I hadn't even taken the time to know this wonderful kid? Every year late December the regret comes back, and it's a monster. I tears at me and tells me that I'm a horrible person. That I'm selfish and useless, because of one small thing. Regret is not to be taken lightly. If you let it, it will crush your spirit and steal your confidence. A quote from Lion King comes to mind "You can either run from your past, or learn from it." ~Rafiki. Ah, that wise, crazy old baboon. That quote is one of my very favorites, because it can be applied to so much. In the Lion King, after Mufasa dies, Scar tells Simba that it's Simba's fault Mufasa is dead. From then on, fear and regret take over, and Simba runs. He avoids his past, because if he thinks about it, the regret comes back, and all the feelings of uselessness. You can't wallow in regret, it will destroy you. You can't run from your past, it will always catch up with you. But you can learn from every thing that has ever happened in your past. You can't change the past, so letting it determine who you are is a dangerous path of constantly losing your self-worth and climbing down into deeper gutters, because you believe that's what you deserve. Don't. Every mistake, and every shot not taken. Every regret that stains your past is the very thing that enables you to become a better you. Everything you've done wrong is a lesson, so learn it, and let it help you make better decisions in the future. There's a reason I'm posting this today. Starting midnight, it will be a new year. 2016. 2016 is not a new beginning, it not a fresh start, is not a new chapter unless you MAKE it one. So please, let go of your regrets, take up your lessons, and make this a new and beautiful year, because you CAN!!! And remember that in this new year, you can and should make plans, and have hope, but you are not your own master, and greater things are at work. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." ~Proverbs 19:21

                                         ~Katie Stone~

So, About the Refugees...

     Okay, so normally I'm not one to talk on social media about a lot of current events. Who's listening anyway? However, I need to say something now to anyone who might be listening. What is this nonsense about completely closing our borders?! Look, I understand. There are a suspicious amount of fighting age men entering our country from Syria, they probably aren't refugees. I also understand that there are just as many families. Mothers, fathers, children, trying to flee from ISIS, desperate to get their families away from this persecution. I know that it can be hard to figure out who's a threat and who's not, but we live in the 21st century people! Never before in History have we had so much information at our fingertips! Are we really unwilling to try a little, for the sake of these families? For many years, people have viewed America as a place of light and hope. A country based on the Christian faith, full of compassion, mercy, refuge, and morality. Now I know we've been going downhill fast, but how can you pretend to be against ISIS when you're working for them? Some of these people may not really be refugees, but many are, and if everyone closes their borders out of fear and selfishness, then where can they go? They go back to Syria where they will face persecution. They are desperate and alone, fleeing anywhere they can. Weren't we all once? Fleeing from a country, or fleeing from our sin. Is there a difference? Can we call ourselves Americans if we do not accept those who flee as we once did? Can we call ourselves Christians when we will not accept those who are lost as we once were? If there is no hope, no compassion, no mercy, and no willingness to take a risk, then who are we really? Sometimes, not helping is the same as hurting. Above all, remember this... "After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him." ~Matthew 2:13 Friends, Jesus was a refugee. Would you turn Him away out of fear?
                                        ~Katie Stone~

I'll Be Praying for You! (...but not really)

It happened again, you were scrolling Facebook, saw a need and naturally commented "I'm praying for you!" but by tomorrow, you've completely forgotten the person ever had a need, and you're certainly not praying for them. Too often we don't take these words seriously, we toss them around, as if saying you're praying for someone call make their situation or their attitude better. Are you even well-meaning anymore, or just joining the crowd? Among a sea of "Praying!" comments, it would seem heathen not to add yours! But please, if you're not actually going to pray for me, don't tell me that you are. Just don't. Praying for each other is important! "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." ~James 5:16  
      So can can we support one another, and actually pray for each other? What works for me, and for a lot of other people, is keeping a prayer journal.

As you can see, mine is a 3-ring binder. The paper in the front says "Have you prayed about it asmuch as you've talked about it?" Great reminder!

Inside, I have a tab for each day of the week, and a tab for "Daily" My daily includes the needs of my immediate family and myself. I definitely don't want to be pointing out the splinter in my neighbor's eye when I have a log in my own! The other tabs hold different things. Sunday I pray for my church and it's leaders. Wednesday I pray for my friends. And so on and so forth. Of course, I try to pray for every request as soon as I hear it, but then it goes in one of these dandy little tabs, and is prayed for once a week, more if God lays that person or request on my heart. There are many different ways to design your own prayer journal, this is only one girl's way of doing it! I encourage you to explore ideas and commit to pray for those around you, and those in other countries. If you say "I'll be

praying for you, then mean it. 

                                                  ~Katie Stone~

The Search for a Hero

           Somewhere deep inside, we're all searching for a hero. Girls are looking for a hero to sweep them off their feet and make their dreams come true. Guys are looking for a hero to teach them what it means to fight the winning battle. The only problem is that most of us are looking in all the wrong places! We're looking in the movies, books, and video games. We're looking in the world around us, but our hero isn't there. The heroes in the comic books saved the day, Jesus saved the world. The heroes in the comic books fall in love with the pretty girl, Jesus fell in love with each of us before we were born. The heroes in the comic books had flaws to overcome, and fell prey to the desire for power, Jesus is God, more powerful than anyone on earth and He humbled Himself and lived in the filth of the earth. The heroes in the comic books risk their lives, Jesus came knowing He would die. There's nothing wrong with the heroes in the stories, or the real-life heroes around us. They are something to look up to, and we should always thank the real-life heroes for their service. But who is your ultimate hero? Who is the one that your life will revolve around? Who really saved you? 
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.The same was in the beginning with God.All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." ~ John 1: 1-5
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." ~John 1:14
                                                        ~Katie Stone~

Finding Joy in the Crazy

      I'm the oldest of 5 kids, and my youngest two siblings are a 2 year old, and a 4 month old. Needless to say, life gets really crazy sometimes. The house we're renting has crayon all over the walls, and the floor is always covered in something; dish soap, cooking oil, water, you name it! Today I was babysitting the two littlest and the baby was screaming, the toddler was getting into everything, and I was ready to pull my hair out. Sometimes I'm just so done, but then I see the light in my little brother's eyes. To him, all the world is new and exciting! When my baby sister is screaming she'll hold tight to you and nestle her head in your shoulder. It doesn't stop being crazy, but joy is oftentimes found in the crazy. Years later, all the memories will be in the crazy. So don't give up when life is insane, instead open your eyes, keep them wide with child-like wonder and find the beauty in life.
                                   ~Katie Stone~

The Warriors On Their Knees

       The world is a controversial place. Sometimes it seems like it's gotten worse, and maybe it has. But standing for truth is very rarely the popular thing to do. In England, anytime a Catholic was on the throne, Protestants were persecuted. Anytime a Protestant was on the throne, Catholics were persecuted. This is only one example of times throughout history when it has not been safe to stand up for the truth. I guess because America began as a Christian country, we all got too comfortable. Christianity was celebrated in America! It was popular to go to church on Sunday, and wear a cross necklace! However, America has been thrown into more and more turmoil these past few years, to the point where true Christianity is criticized, and Atheism and other religions are taking hold. We should not be surprised at this "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" ~John 15: 19. Now, some are called to speak out, and certainly there are some things that we can do! But I think we've too easily forgotten the most powerful effect we can have. My dear friends, our own strength will never be enough to break through the lies of the enemy. Indeed, we will ourselves fall prey to lies and deceit. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~ Matthew 26:41 The last part of that verse is quoted all the time! But did you ever realize that the answer to the predicament is there too? "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." That, my brothers and sisters, is where our power lies. In prayer. Because we will never be strong enough, the most world-changing, heart-changing thing we can do is pray to the Creator of the universe. The Savior of our souls. The Great Judge. Nothing is beyond His power and His influence! He is the King of the universe, and nothing can stand against Him! It is by Him we were created, and it is only in Him that we are able to learn the truth! So sure, post some articles. Definitely talk to your friends about controversial topics (With love and biblical truth) but brothers, sisters, friends. The winning battles will be fought down on our knees. Pray together “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” ~Matthew 18:20. and pray alone "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." ~Matthew 6:6. Above all, "Pray without ceasing" ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
                                                     ~Katie Stone~

Where Worth is Found

   Hi! My name is Katie Stone and my worth is found in a guy, but not just any guy! See, this guy created me. He fell in love with me before I was concieved. I am sinful, sometimes lazy. I am not in shape,and my Math grades are less-than-impressive. . Sometimes i snap at people, and when I'm having a bad day sometimes I hurt people on purpose cause I want others to suffer with me. I'm far from perfect,but this man called me His princess and died to save me. This man is Jesus, and in Him my worth is found. Nothing that I do will ever compare to Him,. No matter how great I become, I am nothing next to Him, but guess what? He hears my every thought.  I can never compare to His glory,and yet He has given everything for me. I have worth because He calls me worthy, and His authority is above anything on earth. the simple truth is that you're never going to be "good enough" I'm never going to be really good at Math. Sometimes I'm still gonna lose my temper. I am always going to be fighting battles to overcome my flaws, but I can never lose my worth because it has nothing to do with me! in His eyes I am enough, and the day I realize that is the day I make everything about God and start living to glorify the Lover of my Soul instead of the people of earth.  ~Katie~

Later, or Not Ever?

   I'm sure anyone who has seen Disney's The Princess and the Frog remembers this little line

I wonder how often this little scene describes our spiritual lives. How often do we tell God, "I'll read my Bible later. I'll pray later." and those answers soon turn to bigger ones, "I'll stop sinning later. I'll go help the homeless later." Next thing you know, you're miles away from your faith, and telling God, "I'll come back to You later." See, just like in this scene, sometimes we get into the habit of saying "later. Later. I'll have time later. I'll do this later, I'll stop doing that later, etc." I understand more than anyone that some days, you just feel totally swamped. On those days, take at least five minutes to pray, and read at least one verse. When we say 'later' to God, we're turning down a dangerous path of "not evers" Every day that you live is one day closer to when you die. Don't leave the blessed work of God undone! Remember the famous words of the missionary Jim Elliot 

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

                                    ~Katie Stone~

Happy Birthday

Here is just a quick happy birthday to one of the most amazing girls I've ever had the privilege of knowing, my best friend of 8 years! Happy 16th birthday Desh!!!!! Love you!!

Love,

Katie

It Is Finished

    "It is finished" (John 19:30) three incredibly powerful words spoken by Jesus at the end, on the cross. But what do those words mean? Well, we have the obvious answer, which is that his work as a man on earth was finished. What about the less obvious? Those words mean that our sins are forgiven it means that when we come to Him, it is finished. We are saved, and our sin is forgotten in His eyes. The very MOMENT we repent. There is a quote I read once

When we repent and come to Christ, when He spoke those three powerful words, "It is finished" this is what that means! From generation to generation, over the rivers, and above the mountaintops, may those three words reverberate across the entire earth and time. It. Is. Finished. Never doubt the grace of God, beloved. He has taken your sins as far as the east is from the west, and he will not bring them up. Others will certainly try to remind you, and the devil will tell you that your past makes you unworthy of a brighter future. God calls these things out as lies. The Bible says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17. When we become followers of God, turning away from our past sin, it's gone. It's not just forgotten, darling it is nonexistent. Our past is meant to teach us, not to draw us down. "Ah yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it."~Rafiki (The Lion King) We're not running from our pasts because we are not afraid of them. They hold no power over us, because God is the only power over us. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

                                             ~Katie

Iyenna: The Search for Bi Delan

http://www.amazon.com/Iyenna-Search-Delan-Gabriella-Allen-ebook/dp/B00JSBDOS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423856811&sr=8-1&keywords=iyenna
Iyenna, by Gabriella G. Allen is a story of a young adult named Iyenna (Ee-yen-uh) and her friend Yuax (You-ah), who, despite living with their tribe who ever journey onward toward the land of a mysterious, glowing stranger, have always sought after something further. In reading, you will travel along with Iyenna as her tribe comes dreadfully close to the stranger's land, Iyenna learns the Bi Delan about Yeshua, and a battle of faith ensues. Allen's careful description and flowing dialogue brings this story to life, and will keep you turning page after page long into the night. I would absolutely recommend Iyenna to children and teens alike! ~Review by Katie (Author of The Lost Princess and Forgotten Dream)

                                         ~Katie

Proverbs 17:17

     "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." I think we can all agree that everyone wants to know where to find a friend like this. But... what about BEING a friend like this? Maybe you've got this down, maybe you're the greatest friend anyone could ask for. Or maybe not. Do you ever take a step back and realize that all you've been talking to your friends about is your problems? That you've been taking them for granted, or expecting them to initiate everything? I know I can be accused of this on multiple occasions. Now, there are THOUSANDS of ways to be a friend who loves at all times, and a lot of it can depend on knowing what your friend's love languages are    ( http://www.5lovelanguages.com/ ) , so that you can know how best to express your appreciation. However, there's one way that I've been experimenting with lately. The most powerful thing any Christian can do is pray. After all, God is the Creator of the universe, the Savior of our souls! All things are possible for Him, and what better way to love your friends than to pray for them? But with all your many friends, family, and acquaintances, how could you possibly keep up with praying for ALL those people. I would suggest getting a nice journal or notebook. Every. Single. Time someone asks you to pray for them, or you comment on Facebook, "I'll be praying for you!" write it down in that notebook. 
        Something I've been trying lately is to choose five ladies I know (They can be my close friends, moms I know, or just acquaintances) each month. I will write them a little note of appreciation and encouragement and send it in the mail (because, admit it, everyone just LOVES getting letters in the mail, even if they don't want to write back) and every single day that month, I will pray for those ladies specifically, morning and evening, and anytime in between. I go out of my way to find out if they need prayer and/or encouragement for anything at all. Don't keep it secret either! I'm not saying "start bragging to people about what a good friend you are!!!" but let those five people know that you will be praying for them every day. Praying for your friends is probably the number one MOST encouraging thing you can do for anyone. In fact, if they'd like, you might even call them a couple times that month, and offer to pray WITH them, either over the phone, or to meet up at a coffee shop or one of your homes to pray with them. Do you have a special way of letting your friends know you love them, and you're there for them? I'd love to hear about it!!!

                                     ~Katie

My Cup Overfloweth

   Dear friends, with each new year comes a new set of blessings, and remaining blessings you've had for years. "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." (Psalm 100:4) this is only one example of a verse instructing us to give thanks. However, when life gets crazy, school is hard, or the finances hit rock bottom, it's all too easy to just complain, "God, I thought You said You'd provide. God, why is this so hard? God, is there ANYTHING good happening in my life right now?" so here's where we stop. And give thanks. Now, there are about a hundred different ways to give thanks every day of you life, but here's my number one way. 

This is my blessings jar. Every day when you wake up, or every night before you go to bed, write down one blessing you are thankful for that day. Now, you don't have to keep it down to one a day! It's only February, and I have WAY more than 42 slips of paper in that jar. Some days I put 3, 4, even 8 slips of paper in the jar, and that's okay! The point is that EVERY day, you give thanks for at least one blessing God has given you. This can go for the smallest things! That candle you love the smell of, or a phone call from a friend. It can be your parents, or your siblings. It can be a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in! Don't be afraid to repeat blessings either. If one day, you feel really thankful for your car, and two days later you are thankful again, put it in the jar! Any and every blessing from God (yep, even those tough lessons you learn) can all go in that thankfulness jar. The best part? At the end of the year, you get to go back through all those slips of paper. I always try to take a few minutes after each to think how God used that specific person,or thing, or place to bless me, and to help me grow in Him. You'll feel SO blessed by the end of the year, and it's a great way to bring in a new year! All it takes is remembering God's grace in just one thing each day. Remember, all the praise goes to Him! 

                                 ~Katie

Living in Denial

          Dear brothers and sisters, I'm sure you've heard many times the story of Peter's denial of Jesus.
" Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept." (Mark 14:72) Now, as a young child, you probably thought, "That's terrible! I would never deny Jesus!" But here's a question for you today. Are you living in denial of Christ?  When you're with non-Believers, do you conform to their ways? The Bible says, "Do not conform 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). Here's another question. When you're with your Christian friends, and they say or do something that you know is not pleasing to God, do you still follow along? No one wants to be left out, but is fitting into a group in the temporal world worth disobeying our Savior? Dear ones, I speak not from a pedestal, as someone who has kept in righteousness, but as one who has fallen into the very patterns I'm bringing to your attention. It is not easy to follow God in this world of sin and darkness. The more you trust in God, the more the devil will try to bring you down, and tempt you to sin. On our own, we are not strong enough to defy him, but in these times we can call out to God who is our strength. “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”" (Matthew 19:26) So today I encourage you, my brothers and sisters in Christ to stand firm against the torrent of lies, deception, and temptation. Stand firm in Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, and you will not be shaken. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

                                     ~Katie Stone

Love, love, love

I think everyone knows that February is the month of love. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and while all the people in relationships are making plans, the rest of us are all 

Hold up though! Who said Valentine's Day has to be about romance anyway? Here's where my family is super weird. :P On Valentine's Day, we exchange gifts, maybe go out to eat, we spend the WHOLE day together as a family, spending time together and letting each other know how much we love them. Even more though, I wish my friends a happy Valentine's Day, and pray blessings over them. This day is NOT just about romantic relationships, it's about the love between family and friends as well! So purpose to do something different this Valentine's Day. Are you with me?

                                   ~Katie Stone