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~