Toxic Patriotism vs. Toxic Rebellion

     We live in tumultuous days, though I suppose many peoples throughout history have said the same. Today nations are rising and falling, there are questions about what to do with refugees, when to go to war, who to aid and who to leave to their suffering, and in the U.S we continue to argue over who should be president over the country, who we should ad should not let into our borders and why, what should be legal and what should be outlawed. Among all of these things, I have seen one that disturbs me more than many others... Christians waving the flag of America above the Bible, fighting for, loving, and adoring the country in which they reside more than they fight for, love, and adore God. So what do we make of this patriotism? On the other side of the spectrum, there are Christians who openly rebel against the law of this country, seeking to punish, outlaw, and persecute those who do not claim to be Christian and are following the law of this land. They believe this government should be overthrown and replaced with one that follows only the law of the Bible and reflects the kingdom of heaven. So what to we make of this rebellion? Is there a side in this spectrum that is right and  side that is wrong, or is there a deeper truth we must seek out? I encourage each person to come to their own conclusion by prayerfully meditating over the Scripture, but I will present my own case.
When Jesus is questioned about the morality of paying taxes, which was a trick question to put Jesus on one side of the spectrum or the other, He asked them whose face was on their gold coins, the answer of course being Caesar. In response to this, "Jesus said to them 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mark 12:17) This was a hard answer for many people to swallow, Jesus was not swearing allegiance to Caesar, but  neither was He inciting rebellion against Caesar. We are reminded to respect and submit to the authorities of the lands we live in. Titus 3:1 says, "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work" Everyone that is in power, everything that has ever happened has passed through the hands of God. He has allowed it and in our obedience to Him we are also subject to the authorities He has allowed. However, in Acts 5:27 we are told, "But Peter and the apostles answered 'We must obey God rather than men" So where do we find this balance between submitting to earthly authorities and obeying God? In Genesis, Joseph is ordered by his master's wife, who also had authority over him, to sleep with her. Joseph refused, because he knew doing so was a DIRECT violation of God's word, and so in order to remain faithful and obedient to God, he had to disobey a figure of authority. When Daniel was exiled to Babylon, he was ordered to do many things that went directly against God. He was given food to eat that the Lord had declared unclean, and in response he refused to eat it and requested clean foods. The king of Babylon passed a law that no one was to pray to or worship any god, but must worship the king himself. Daniel refused to follow this law as it went directly against God, and he continued to pray to the only true and living God, and refused to pray to the king. For this, he was thrown into a den of lions, but because he had remained faithful to God, he was kept safe in the lion's den, and this miracle brought the king himself to believe and trust in God. When we are ordered by the law to do something that goes directly against God's law for us, we must disobey the law of the land even if it disrespects our authorities, because "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20)  We should not expect the laws that come from the authorities of this world to reflect the laws of God, but it is not our place to rebel, and try to force those who do not follow the living God to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. They are bound by their own rebellious actions, but our place is to lovingly teach them about the grace and freedom that can be found in Christ, not to force a religion upon them using the authorities of this world. Our concern is not with this world, "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14) at the end of days there will be a kingdom run by Jesus Christ that will be perfect, and will follow the law of heaven, and every other kingdom of this world will fall before then and their authority will be void. "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom of God the Father after destroying every rule, and every authority, and every power," but until that day, we seek to bring people into the kingdom of God by living in a way that honors God, shines His light, and proves His UNCONDITIONAL love to everyone. Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you," because our concern is not for the church to rule over the kingdoms and authorities of this world, but to focus on the eternal, "for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Our allegiance is not to a country, a flag, a president, an earthly king, or an authority of this world, our allegiance is to God alone, and our concern is with heavenly things, with reaching the broken and lost on a personal, one on one basis. Neither are we concerned with changing the rulers and authorities of this world, for God is already in control of it all. They will rise and fall at His command, and it is not our place to force the whole world to follow a law they do not believe in. So when someone tells you that you have to love your country and be a true patriot in order to be a Christian, or when someone tells you that it is our job as Christians to force the law of the land to follow the law or God, remember that "God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men, and sets over them anyone he wishes," (Daniel 5:21c) and "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ," (Colossians 2:8) but instead remember that Jesus lists the most important commandments in Matthew 22:37-39 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself"


~Katie Stone

Live Fearless

In one and a half weeks I have my graduation party, and a week later I move back to my hometown to live with my grandmother. None of my current plans involve attending college, or even trade school. My talent and passion is writing novels. So I'll be spending my days working at Meijer and taking any babysitting jobs I can get while my days off and evenings will be spent writing. This is what I've chosen, this is what I want. I have no qualms with working a day job my whole life, and I have no intention of ever giving up on my writing. Over the past few months I have dealt with many people questioning my decisions. They want to know why I'm not going to college, why I'm moving to another state and in with my grandmother. They want to know why I'm wasting my time on an art. They tell me I'm throwing my life away, and that I'm not going to accomplish anything worth doing. What makes some thing worth doing? Is it money, is it prestige? Do you consider my life lesser because I'm not following the meticulously carved mold that society has created? Now maybe you are attending college or trade school, and I think that's great if that's what you want to do! However, if you're like me and you're taking a path less travelled, don't let people talk you out of building the life you want to live. Don't let them tie your worth to money or acconpkisents or prestige. A dear friend of mine once wrote "even if you never learned another thing you would be perfectly adequate and utterly invaluable" you are enough because God says you are enough for Him. You are far too precious to put any price on your worth, because Christ has made you worthy. When you were formed in your mother's womb, you were enough for God, and before you took your first breath you were more valuable than all the universe in His eyes. So don't waste your time trying to make the choices that other people expect. Don't live in the world that other people have defined for you. Fond your freedom in Christ and use the gifts and talents He gave you. Fearlessly follow the desires He has set in your heart, and never be ashamed of a job that someone else looks down on. Never let them take away your self esteem just because they make a few more dollars than you. Live fearlessly. You know who you are, live in that knowledge.

The Battle

         I’m searching for the perfect words, but they are elusive. What can I say that hadn’t been said before? You are like me. You smile and laugh all the time, your friends say you’re a ray of sunshine. People like to say you couldn’t possibly understand their sorrow since obviously you have a perfect life. How little they know. They do not see the tears behind closed doors, small and silent in the night. They do not hear the heart wrenching sobs that cause you to close your door and turn the music up so you can’t be heard. No one sees you on your knees, pressing your hands to your head in an attempt to squeeze the voices into silence. No one is in your head when you spend half an hour in the morning trying to convince yourself that the days plans are meaningful and y should get up even though everything feels pointless. No one is there in the night when you wake up in a full panic from dream and spend 4 hours trying to calm yourself enough to fall asleep. What’s more, when they do witness the torture in your head, they cannot comprehend. Your co-worker sees you struggling to sign a meeting form with your violently shaking hand and looks with confusion into your perfectly calm face. Your church friends tell you, “When I get anxious I just pray and it all goes away!” but they’ve never heard your raw and bleeding cries sent out to God, begging  Him to fight this battle for you. You ask why. You lie awake at night wondering what you’ve done, what you’re doing wrong that you are still tortured. Some nights your faith wavers and you question whether God is really on your side. Some days you feel you might be sick if you pull one more convincing fake smile. I know. I understand. I face those thoughts too. I’m fighting this Battle as well. My beloved ones, I have no solution, no fix all to take the pain away. However, perhaps the most powerful way we can combat these lies is with the real truth. Prosperity gospel is the worst thing for anyone with a mental disorder to hear. It lays all the blame on you, all the things you already accuse yourself of, and the times you say, “I’m a failure to God and this is my punishment.” Are only encouraged by pr0sperity gospel. Here’s the flat our truth though. Faith does not equal comfort. Not only did God not promise comfort, He promises trouble. When you follow Christ, the enemy will fit endlessly to destroy you. Joseph listened to God and he was enslaved. He rose to power in Potiphars house and was imprisoned because he obeyed what is good and pleasing to God. Job would at first seem to follow prosperity gospel. He followed God and was greatly blessed with health, wealth, and family. Job did nothing wrong, but God allowed him to be tested. Everything was taken from Job even though he remained faithful. God is not looking to give us comfort in this life, but to grow us spiritually. James 1: 2-4 “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” That’s the key, spiritual growth. As w grow through suffering, we can be compassionate enough to come alongside others who also suffer. However, do not think this means you are alone in your head, in the darkness that threatens to destroy you. “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” ~ Psalm 34:18 He will not always deliver us from the darkness, and He will not always make it easy. He makes one promise… to be with us.
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit, or Whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend into heaven though art there.
If I make my bed in hell, behold, though art there.
If I take on the wings of the morning,
Or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there thy hand shall lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, ‘surely the darkness shall cover me’ even the night shall be light about me.
Yeah the darkness hide the not from thee, but the night shine through as the day.
The light and dark are both alike to thee.” ~Psalm 139: 7-12 

                                                              ~Katie Stone~

You Have I Loved

     This is to you, my dear friends who are slowly falling away. We walked side by side in life and faith, but now life is pulling us in different directions. We used to talk all the time, and when we talked there was never an awkward silence, only natural conversation which built on itself. You know who you are. The ones who heard every prayer request, the ones who listened to my midnight musings. When we were together, we were unstoppable. Still today just one word can flood my memory with a hundred inside jokes or deep conversations we shared. We were the ones who were always together, and when people thought of me they thought of you as well. Some of you I called best friends, others I called brothers and sisters.  Now we are just… friends. I hold nothing against you, for there is no one to blame. We didn’t fight, we didn’t neglect one another, but the path split and I took the left while you take the right. Perhaps one day our paths will fold together again, and I have no doubt that we could be as close again, but for now I think this is a small sort of goodbye. Aloha, which means goodbye, hello, and a special kind of love. Please know that when you need me I will still drop everything for you. When you’re sad, I still know precisely how to cheer you, and some days we will still have long and meaningful conversations. Most days, however, we will go about our lives and the thought of you will dance fleetingly across the landscape of my mind, there a moment and onto the memories in the next. I love you, and I always will. You have touched my life and changed me in ways no one else could have. Because for a moment in time our paths crossed, you will continue to change me forever. I am so thankful for the time we had together, and if you’re somewhere in my future then I look forward to that day. Until then “You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I’ll be waiting.” ~J.M. Barrie
                                Grow, change, live, but my darling ones…
                                                           Stay you.
  
"To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace." ~Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
             

                                                       ~Katie Stone~

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When You're Not Smart

      I have a confession. I’m a 17 year old junior in high school and I’m only halfway through Algebra 1… yeah… I’m a 17 year old junior in high school and I’m the self-published author of two full length novels with a third on the way. One of these facts tells you that I am stupid, lazy, and I’ll never get anywhere in life. The other tells you that I am intelligent, skilled, diligent, and already making my way in life. The question is, which statement is true? If you look at one side of me, the mathematic side, you will expect nothing and think nothing of me. If you look at another side of me, the english side, you will expect and see greatness in me. Both points of view are detrimental. Everyone is like this, full of positives and negatives, and everyone seems incapable of seeing more that one side. If you see only the negatives of someone then you will tear them down before they have the chance to begin, and the Bible says, “therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11. However if you only see the good, the second someone fails you can’t believe it. They were perfect, how could they fail at something?! The Bible says, “…no one is good except God alone.” ~Mark 10:18. Instead we ought to be fully aware of one another’s strengths and weaknesses. Where one is strong, encourage them to continue on and do good with their gifts. Where one is weak, react with grace, build them up, and help them overcome. 
      As humans we will always fail; we are all flawed. However, when  our weakness is surrendered to God, we can walk in strength with the gifts and talents given to us, glorifying God in our strengths and weaknesses. Your failings do not make you a failure. Neither do your successes make you a success. You are a whole human being, created, designed, and loved by God with a unique purpose and pattern in the tapestry of His own making. “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for going works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” ~Ephesians 2:10 
        
                                     ~Katie Stone~ 

New Year, Nothing New

         As 2016 draws to a close everyone complains about how bad a year it was and rejoices that a new year is here. One of my co-workers said today, "2107 will be better" but you know what? Last new year we dissed 2015 and swore 2016 would be better. Every year "New year, fresh start" It may be a new year, but do not be fooled.; It is not a new life. The new year changes nothing. It won't change that people are hateful creatures. It won't change whatever problems are in your life. 2017 doesn't renew your spiritual life, it doesn't make you healthy. 2017 wont change you or the world. You have to change your habits. You have to take your stand and change the world. There is no new life at the start of a new year unless you make a new life. You don't even have to wait until the new year to make changes. You want to believe in something new and fresh? Every minute is new and fresh. You can make a choice that changes everything at any given point in time. There is nothing new under the sun. So stop pretending that a new year, a new set of numbers is going to change things. People change things. People with passion and faith who don't stand by watching things happen  and pass the job off to someone else, someone else who never comes along and never changes things. Every year, like every day, and every moment is what you make of it. Make a difference today and every day. Shine your light into a dark, lonely, lost, and hopeless world. Do not say "I can't" because the Scripture says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." ~Philippians 4:13

                                               ~Katie Stone~

The Worth of Wisdom

   As I look around at the state of America, I can't help but wonder how we came to be as we are now, and what happened to a once great nation. As a nation we are entitled, as a nation we disregard the value of human life, as a nation we reject God. We lack wisdom. We have no respect for the elderly, but the Bible says, "You shall stand up before the grey head, and honor the face of the old man." ~ Leviticus 19:32  When we do not respect or heed our elders, we cannot learn from them. The elderly are wise, "Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" ~Job 12:12 As we lack respect for elders, we lack wisdom, and as we lack wisdom we lack respect for our elders... on and on it goes in a never ending loop until we are all fools in our hearts and despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 13:20 says, "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm." Well have become fools and companions of fools, and so spell out our own doom. We scorn wisdom, and take pride in our own limited understanding. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." ~Proverbs 16:18 We must learn to humble ourselves, admit our own folly, and seek God-given wisdom. It is not too late, for we are told, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." ~James 1:5 "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." ~ Proverbs 4:6-7

                                  ~Katie Stone~

Finding Dory and ADHD

   

     Finding Dory is about someone with short term memory loss, which is obviously very different from ADHD, but it definitely has some similarities and, as an ADHD girl, I really connected with Dory on that level. Throughout the whole movie you can see her struggling to remember something that should be easy. Such as "two lefts then a right." or Jewel of California... Something. Even I can't remember. There were several moments I was nearly sobbing, not because of a sad part of the movie because but because I connected so much to Dory's struggle. Such as the line "the thoughts just leave my head." or when she's lost in the kelp with no clue what she has forgotten or where she just came from. All she has is the crushing knowledge that she has forgotten something important, and she's all alone with no one to help her. She deals with kinda an overload and goes into a panicked frenzy until she stops and just figures out things out from what she does know, which was actually a great lesson. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to take it one simple step at a time. Ocean, or kelp? Kelp is better. Rocks, or sand? I like sand, sand is squishy.
    One of the best things about this movie though is that it wasn't a lament, "Oh, poor Dory has to live her whole life with this disability!" but rather an eye-opener. Just because people like Dory, or those with ADHD can't do what others can doesn't mean we're useless. We have our own special abilities no one else has. Like the way Dory always finds a way out because she's willing to believe in an idea so crazy it just might work. Sound familiar? A disability is just a different ability, and that's the message I really got from Finding Dory. She can't hate on herself for forgetting things because she can't help help it. She can, however, find things that work for her.
    Jenny is one of my favorite characters in Finding Dory because she doesn't get frustrated with Dory's inability to remember, but rather helps her overcome it in unique and interactive ways, such as coming up with phrases or songs like "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" These things stayed with Dory even when she couldn't remember where she learned them or why.
    So to all of you out there like Dory, or like me, just keep swimming and know that you can accomplish great things and that you are "Fearfully and wonderfully made" ~ Psalm 139:14
   To all of you who are the friends, family, or significant other of someone with short-term memory loss or ADHD, thank you for staying with us and loving us through it all. Thank you for your patience. We don't say this enough, but we would not have gotten this far without you.

                                                ~Katie Stone~

Empathy vs. Apathy

   

   


      One of my favorite songs is "If We Are the Body" by Casting Crowns, and this has been resounding with me particularly clearly as of late. There's so much happening in the world, and I keep hearing "My heart breaks for our Lord" and "This world needs Jesus!" all good and honest sentiments, but here's what bothers me. We type "My heart breaks for this world" as we sit behind our computer screens scrolling through our Instagram feed or laughing at the newest trending vine. I'm guilty too! We live in a world full of apathy, we say the words we should mean and then move on to the next thing like it doesn't even matter. If our hearts truly broke for the world, we'd be out in it, serving the poor, healing the broken, and spreading hope to the lost instead of clicking a thumbs up and considering our job done. The words we say over the internet cannot replace feet that go to all corners of the earth seeking the lost, arms that comfort the broken and hurting, hands that heal the wounded, and voices that speak truth and grace rather than fingers that type without thinking. This stifling apathy toward everything can never replace the empathy of Christ that feels every heartache and despair alongside the hopeless spirit. If we cannot find it in our hearts to reach out to the hurting, lost, and broken, we have no right to say that our hearts break, or that we feel the pain that God does when He looks at the earth. Today I challenge myself and all of you stop next time you're about to just hit a like button, or post a #cause, and think about what you can do to actually make a difference, to actually serve, and spread the love of Christ. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." ~John 13:35 
  "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." ~Matthew 5:16

                                                    ~Katie Stone~

Sarah ~ A Story of Strength and Need

      I would like you all to hear the story of my friend, Sarah as                                    written by another friend of mine.

             "Hello, everyone. My name is Kara. This is my good friend, Sarah.

Gorgeous, right? 

For the past twelve years, Sarah has been struggling with eating disorder behaviors, and two years ago, was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, binge/purge subtype. 

     She is currently in the worst condition she's ever been, at only 63 pounds. 

She has been living in her car on and off for the past 8 months, and, after blacking out while driving, totaled it. As a result, she has been staying with my family and I for the past week.

                             Here's a selfie we took, because we're cool. ;)

We have been doing everything that we can to get her the help that she needs, which at this point is residential treatment, but we are in Kentucky, and there are no such programs here. Her insurance will not cover out-of-state expenses, and we simply cannot afford to pay for treatment ourselves, as a single month of residential care would cost us at least $35,000, and that doesn't include travel costs. 

In addition to this, she is also currently unemployed, making it impossible for us to switch to an insurance provider that could cover the cost (and even if we could, it could take weeks or months to achieve and we are terrified of what could happen in that time), and until her health improves she cannot work. 

Sarah is one of the most beautiful, faithful people I know. She has shown so much strength and perseverance during this time. Unfortunately, this illness is relentless. It is a very present danger, and I refuse to surrender to it; even so, we are so tired of running in circles, hospital visits and therapy that is ultimately ineffective. We need help as soon as possible and I pray that you will feel lead to assist us.

Please do not be put off by the magnitude of our goal; while we are hoping for at least three months of residential, we will take whatever we can get. Anything is better than nothing, and every little bit counts.

Thank you so much for reading. Your donations, thoughts and prayers are so appreciated. God bless."

                  Please consider donating to Sarah's GoFundMe page:       https://www.gofundme.com/e3vyg9nw 

                    and also share her story with your friends. 

                                            

                                        ~ Katie Stone~

Outside In

     Tonight as I was washing the dishes, I noticed that I tend to wash the outside first, and then the inside, and I was reminded of the time Jesus scolded the pharisees for washing the outside of the "bowl" and not the inside. It's an accurate picture. I wash the outside of the dishes first because it's easier. The outside usually doesn't look too dirty, so I just give it a quick swipe before the real work... the outsides of our lives are easier to give a quick swipe too, aren't they? Not just that, we want to look pristine and perfect on the outside because we're afraid of being judged. That fear isn't unfounded either, because you will be judged. I will be judged. There's always going to be somebody, maybe in your church, or your family, or among your friends who is going to judge you when you don't look like you've got it all together. Sometimes, if you don't have a pristine outer life, people are going to go so far as to say your faith isn't real, and you're a hypocrite. So no, I'm not going to tell you "Don't worry, you just feel this pressure to have it all together, when really nobody expects that of you." cause I'm not about to lie to you. Some people will turn on you faster than lightning. Here's the thing though... we don't have to live in fear of their judgments. The Psalmist says "The LORD is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" ~Psalm 118:6 Choosing to work on your heart, and the inside of you is a scary thing, because when you're working on your heart first, your outside life is going to a mess. Let's be honest, we're always learning and growing, and if we focus on that growing, our outside lives are always going to be a bit of a mess. We don't have to fear the judgments of man though, because God is with us. When we surrender the idea of looking perfect on the outside, God can begin to truly work on our hearts, and change us from the inside instead of us trying to maintain a perfect exterior and hope the inside comes along with time. So let's let go of this, and stop washing from the outside in (this need not apply to the dirty dishes sitting in your sink) and let God work on our hearts, and change us on the inside. Be messy, choose to not always have it together, and above all, just be real. It's not a sin to appear less than perfect. In fact, our weakness showcases the might and glory of God!  "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9  So please, stop fighting this losing battle, and allow His perfect love to drive out all your fear, and give Him control of your messy life, holding nothing back. "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." ~Philippians 2:13

                                                   ~Katie Stone~

You are Strong

    You are strong. Strength is not measured by the number of times that you fall, only the number of times that you decided to get back up again.

Faith is not numbered by what you have accomplished, but by what you believe in your heart

You are one of the strongest people your friends know, and if you need a minute to lay down on the ground, then let them lay there beside you and tell you that your strength is found in Christ alone. That nothing in this world can stand against Him, and that the battle of the kingdom of heaven is what we are all fighting.

That's how it goes. When the lightning flashes, the thunder isn't far behind, and the rains are gonna pour down, cause that's the way of things. But what's the promise?

What promise comes after that storm? It is the promise of hope and a future. It is the promise of provision from God, and it is the promise that you may fall, and suffer, and be betrayed, but there is One who will never leave your side. There is One who calls you worthy. There is One who wipes away your tears, and does not let you wander the night alone

And He is the One! He is the One that will make your heart sing

He is the One who will make every suffering worth it

He is the One who has called you His own, despite every shortcoming, and has loved you enough to die so that you may live.

He is perfection, can you imagine how hard it must have been to live on this earth among such sin and darkness? How it must have broken His heart? He was scorned, and He was beaten in the most horrible ways, and He was hung on a cross and died. He did it for you. You were once the unworthy scum of the earth, but the day that God Himself declared you His? That is the day that He made you worthy! He gave you a crown, and a worth that nothing in all the universe can ever take away.

He is God! And He chose you! He loves you! He died for you! He is always beside you, and He will never abandon you.

"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me." ~Psalm 23:4

"Whither shall I go from Thy spirit?

Whither shall I flee from Thy presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there.

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take on the wings of the morning, or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea even there Thy hand shall lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, 'Surely the darkness shall cover me!' even the night shall be light about me. 
Yea the darkness hideth not from Thee, but the night shineth as the day.
The light and dark are both alike to Thee." ~Psalm 139:7-12

                                                ~Katie Stone~

Because We Can

We prank people because we can.
HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :P

In the Face of Defeat

There are times in my writing when it would be so easy to quit. To close all my files and toss my flash drives in a box never to be opened. Recently, I lost the flash drive that held 2 half-written novels, and several novel beginnings. This was one of those times I wanted to quit. Desperately. What's the point if fate is going to throw it back in my face? There's another question that came to mind though... what if, by giving up my writing, I never wrote the book that could change someone's life? If God gave me a talent, isn't it my duty to use it for His glory, even when it seems like the world is shouting "You can't!" in my face? If I can make a difference, and if I can praise the Lord in my writing... then what excuse do I have for giving up? Aren't these things so much greater than the challenges I face? So here I go. New flash drive. New story. Keep dreaming, keep writing, keep believing.
For me, this has been my writing. The talent I posses that seems too much like a burden at times. It's not the only talent of mine that can be a burden though. Everything that God has given you, the devil despises, because he despises you and he despises God. We are the warriors of God's kingdom! We fight with our prayers, with our words, written and spoken. With our actions, and our talents; writing, singing, acting, science, discernment, comforting, and any. other. talent. that we have been given by God. "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" 1 Peter 4:10 So yes, sometimes it will seem more of a curse than a blessing. A lot of the time you're going to want to give up, sit down, and stop caring. But when we carry the light of God in our hearts, that light spreads to everything that we do. There is a greater battle than the ones we face in everyday life. There is a battle against the powers of darkness "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 and it's not guns or swords that will win that battle. It's light. It's faith. It's perseverance. So come, weary warrior. Come my brothers, my sisters, and take my hand. Let us join together in this fight. Let us stand when we have fallen, and continue on the paths of light. Let us continue to use the talents we have been given to spread light and glorify God. Let us stand, and not despair. To be fought against means that we're heading in the right direction, because the enemy does not want us to use our God-given gifts. He doesn't want us to shine our lights to the reaches of the earth. So if you are facing opposition, keep going, and pray and persevere your way through! Never give up, because all your talents are needed to fight the darkness and shine the light.

~Katie Stone~

A Tribute to our Teeto

Thomas, it's taken a while for me to gather the courage to write this, but I have things I just need to say, and I think they're ready to come out now. I didn't know you as well as I wanted to. After all, we only just met this past summer. But how long you know someone doesn't determine how much you love them. You were my friend, Thomas, and no matter how long you're gone I will always love you, and I will always miss you. You brought light into the lives of everyone who ever met you. Some days I walked into Nehemiah rehearsal feeling like no one wanted me around, but you wouldn't let me believe that. Every smile, every hug, every word that you spoke was full of light, and life, and love. I wish that you didn't feel like you'd be better off dead, and I've thought endlessly of the ways I could have stopped you or changed your mind. I ask myself why. Why would you leave us? But all of these questions are useless. There is an enemy of our souls who fills our heads with lies and deceit, and I believe that you grappled with him every day. I guess the truth is, you're having a much better time in heaven than you ever did on earth, so we don't grieve because you're sad. You aren't sad anymore, you don't have to deal with any of this world's darkness, because you're up there with Jesus, and I bet He's loving your magic tricks! We grieve because we miss you. Teeto, you brought so much beauty to this earth with your beautiful soul. I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you. Thank you for your life, and for being a part of my life. You have inspired me to love more deeply, to always show kindness to everyone I meet, and to make everyone feel like they are important 100% of the time. I guess this is just a random collection of thoughts, messy and weird but I think you understand. I know you're having the time of your life up there and I'm so glad, because you deserve it. Do you see the pink in my hair? It's for you. :) Goodbye. I'll see you again one day, when God calls me home.

                               ~Love, Katie Stone~

The Blessing of Contentment

Today I want to talk about being content. I believe that contentment is one of the greatest blessings in life, and I am amazed at how many people think differently. My life isn't perfect, and by the end of 2015 I struggled with major discontentment. I wasn't enough, my friends weren't enough, my family wasn't enough, God wasn't enough. I was in a self-imposed state of misery. 2016 came and, at first, nothing was different. Day 1: Discontent. Day 2: Discontent. But as I finished going through my blessings jar (You can see my post about that here: http://aditlohp.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-cup-overfloweth.html ) something began to change in me. I wrote 34 pages of notes on each person, place, thing, or whatever else was in that blessings jar, and I was in awe that in a year that had seemed so terribly difficult, I was blessed in such abundance! That wasn't the end of my discontentment though. Many days following were full of feelings of helplessness and loneliness. One day I could bear it no longer, and late at night I sat down and began to cry, pleading with God to do something, to help me. Slowly, my prayer changed from one of begging Him to take away my sorrows, to asking Him to change my heart. I suppose it must have happened somewhat slowly, because it wasn't until just this evening, as I was thinking about a few things that need done, that I realized I wasn't panicky. I wasn't afraid, or lonely, or angry, or miserable, I was content. I am content. Even though not a single circumstance has changed, I feel so... free. There are many forms that discontentment can take. You can be discontent with your money or belongings (or lack of the money or belongings you want) "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" ~Hebrews 13:5   You can be discontent with your circumstances "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" ~Matthew 6:25-26  There are many other things you may be discontent with, but the Bible says "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ~Philippians 4:12-13
   Next time you're feeling discontent, think about all the ways in which you are blessed, and thank God for them, and then ask Him to turn your heart, and train your mind to be content with your money, your circumstances, your relationships, and your life. To be content is to let go of the chains that bind you.

                                      ~Katie Stone~

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~