Guest Post By Kendall :)

Hi Guys :)

 So Brianna and I have a lovely friend named Kendall (I would post a picture of her if I had any, but ya know :P), and she has agreed to write a guest post about passion in Christ. I loved this post in how she showed how passion for Christ and living a life for Him could encourage her to have such good responses, and how it could lead her to encourage others through her words. So without further ado, here's a guest post by Kendall :)

   So, I've been recruited to do a guest post on this awesome blog, sweet! I am also supposed to write about a passion for Christ...even sweeter! I've been thinking a lot lately, about why we're here. We're here to spread the glorious new of the gospel. That's the reason for life. Hang on tight, 'cause this is gonna get deep here in a second. Let me tell you about a recent conflict that occurred while I was babysitting my 3 younger brothers. So here's what went down: Ryan smashed Matthew's lego airplane. Uh oh. So Matthew gets angry with Ryan and lashes out with his words. So that's when I walk in. I try to keep a quiet patience as I attempt to fix the problem (being the babysitter, this is my job). I send Ryan out of the room so that I can talk to Matthew alone. Matthew then begins to tell me all about Ryan has done. He continues on and on until it's my turn to make an observation. "Matthew," I say, "I know that Ryan did that, and it was wrong of him, but what did you do wrong in this?" He seems upset at this and replies more about how he had worked so very hard on the plane Ryan smashed. He will not accept the fact that I am trying to confront his own sin and not Ryan's right now. (Keep with me here, it gets better I promise!!) After a little more of this, I remember an illustration someone shared at church that really spoke to me, so I decide to share it with Matthew.

               "Matthew, trying to be perfect is like trying to jump over the Grand Canyon. Even if you can jump 10 feet and Ryan jumps 5, you both fall. So what difference does it make who jumps farther? When you fall, you die, and when you die, you can't explain that you jumped farther than he did. That's why we need a bridge. That's the reason God sent his son to die for us. Because we've all sinned and we've all fallen and we cannot jump across the Grand Canyon. We need a bridge! Jesus is that bridge for us, and he will carry us all the way to the other side. We just have to say 'No. I cannot do it. I cannot jump that far. I need a savior.""


                I left him with that. This was a big step for us and I sincerely hope Matthew understands who Jesus is a little better. Afterwards, I remembered something from the sermon we'd heard that very same day:
(Matthew 10:19-20) "...do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. (20) For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." It really made me think. God was in that moment with Matthew. He used me to speak to him! Matthew came to me later and thanked me for sharing that with him and said that it really helped him. But I know that it was not me who thought of that illustration, and it wasn't me who was speaking to him, but it was the Spirit of my Father speaking through me. What a cool feeling it is!


               Thanks for listening to my crazy rambles. I hope this encourages you guys as much as it encourages me. :)


~ Kendall Hayden

On Growing Up

 My 16th birthday is quickly approaching. My sister (not really blood related, but all the same to me) is graduating next month. Actually, a lot of people are graduating next month and most of them are going away! I got my permit yesterday (finally :P). Milestones, milestones, milestones. Every week it seems like I hit a new one. My little brother is 13. 13!! My baby sister is not a baby, but 10!!! WHAT IN THE FREAK JUST HAPPENED!?!?!?

 Growing up is exciting, and every kid wants to grow up. Until they are grown up. Then they want to be kids again. I personally want to stay a child, but I want high school to be over. I want to have responsibility, but not too much. I'd love to get a job, but I fear I would flounder in the "real world". Growing up is full of fear for me. College is right around the corner. What in the world will I do there?! I can't believe how fast time has gone, the minutes of my life ticking past and I haven't even noticed until now.

 Not only am I growing up in ways like getting older, I am growing up in ways of life. A life well lived is a life in God's service. My life is currently, and will always be, in God's service. I am afraid of what is going to come in my life in the next 2 years. But I am not going to be alone. God is going to carry my through adversity, and bring me out stronger--but still leaning on his grace, as always :) I wouldn't want it any other way.

 Even though growing up is a daunting task, I think I will survive. Even if I can't get the minutes back. I am looking forwards to life ahead, and looking back at memories of time gone. God's been with me the whole time. He is still with me. He will be with me forever.

 Bailey

 P.S. This is post number 80!! WOOT WOOT!!

#27 (i think)- Growing up

Good Friday

    Ah, Good Friday. Easter is probably my favorite holiday. And it's not just because of the candy (although that is a lovely addition). It's because of the true meaning: The death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. How much these things mean to me I cannot say in words. 

    As a child (if I have even moved on from childhood :P), I knew that the meaning of Easter was the day that Jesus rose from the dead, but not until recent years did I take into account what this meant. This meant that Christ had already died for my sins and conquered death, and now he had risen again. He revealed himself to many people on earth so that they could tell others about his sacrifice. Then he ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father, leaving behind hope where there was once was none.

    I thank God that He revealed all this to me. That I have the hope that Jesus died to give: the hope of eternal life to live with him in heaven. He has also given me a light to shine into the darkness of this world. If you are reading this and have never heard this news before, I urge you to find a Bible and read the entire Gospel. See what God has done for you! I wish that I could convey the Gospel better, but I hope that you can at least understand why I love it so much. And why I love Easter and Good Friday so much. On Good Friday he died. On Easter he rose victorious.

    Enjoy your Easter!

   -Bailey

 # 22- Easter
    23- Good Friday
    24- Hope
    25- How much God loves me, and how much He loves you.

   
     

What a lovely season...

Ready for some random ramblings? Hey, look! Alliteration....my teacher would be proud. Anyway, this is amazing. I'm actually writing a post. Oh, gosh....now I've lost my train of thought. I can't actually remember what I was going to write about.

 Ok, now I remember :) I was going to write about the season! We just finished Christmas (which was awesome btw), and all the holiday excitement is almost over. Only New Years remains...sadness. But this is also the perfect time to remember that we don't just have to wait until Christmas or Easter to celebrate Jesus Christ. While everyone would like you to think that Jesus is closest to you when you are having a great time over the holidays, he is closest to you when you need him most. Or when you just ask for him to be with you. Christmas is the time we celebrate his coming with the world, but why not celebrate his coming every day? Why not remind yourself that what he came for and celebrate his life, death, and Resurrection every time you open your eyes in the morning or take a breath during a stressful day?

  This season is beautiful, that is for sure. But we can have Christmas or Easter every day! Doesn't that sound lovely?! With the season of life that I'm in, nothing seems to go horribly wrong. But that doesn't mean that it never will. So I draw close to God when everything is going great, so I know how to draw even closer when things go badly. And being close to God is the greatest thing ever...ever! Knowing that the Most High loves you and cares for you is so amazing. And it seems more amazing every day. Not just at Christmas.

  So, dear readers, I encourage you to make every day a day for celebration. Even when things go wrong...celebrate in the love of Jesus Christ. And if you are reading this now and have never felt the love of Christ, here's what I have to say. Think of the happiest moment in your life...now multiply that joy by a million. That's what kind of happiness God gives you. And feeling his presence, his gentle touch in the dark as you lay in bed thinking of the day to come, that's the most wonderful feeling ever.

   Try to love him like he loves you. You won't succeed...he loves you too much :) But celebrate his coming, and what he did for you, every day. It'll help you love him more.

  -Bailey

When Your Heart Cries

 Last night, I was picking up a book to read. Just a pleasure book that had nothing to do with school or learning about anyhting. A couple of days ago, I had been meaning to do a devotion after I got home from a run, but got caught up in chores and forgot my plans. Then when picking up this pleasure book, I saw my notebook that I take to church with me. In it, it has notes from every message i've attended for the last 2 years or more. I thought for a moment. My heart was crying out for God, and I knew it. Maybe just a few pages of this book then I will study God's word. That was my thought. I opened the book and began to read, but the words were so empty. From there I couldn't wait any longer. I found my bible (I had been taking care of the kids at our church the last few Sundays, so I had left my bible downstairs), grabbed a sheet of prayer requests, and turned on my ipod. I guess most people don't listen to music when they are trying to read, but I find it nice to have something playing in the background. I began reading Proverbs, but upon looking at the prayer sheet, I saw Psalms 68. It was amazing. God is so good to give us books like the Psalms. I couldn't stop reading!! I went all the way through chapter 70. As I was reading the song "I Adore You" by Rebecca St. James came on. I began to tear up as I listened to this song. It was excactly my prayer. God works in mysterious ways. Yet wonderful ways. My heart was crying out for Him, and I couldn't ignore it. "Blesses be the Lord, who daily bears up; God is our salvation, and to God, the Lord, belong deliverance from death." Psalms 68:19&20.

-Bailey

My Parents

         Thought I'd knock em both out in one go :) (Btw: I absolutely LOVE the pictures from these last few posts. And I didn't take them. The lovely Mrs. Prince did: Lillian Prince Photography. She takes some awesome pictures.)

         My parents are well, my parents. I mean I literally can't live without them. But they are more than that. They are caring, motivating, encouraging, loving, inspiring, amazing, and a a few more "ings".

         I love my mom a lot. Like a lot, a lot. But we might drive each other insane every once in a while. I am stubborn and arrogant. She's the one who has to deal with it. You get the picture. But she loves me anyway!! Now that is truly crazy love. She helps me through the trials in life, and encourages me to chase my dreams.

         Dad. He's kinda' like my mentor. I learn so much from him. I mean he taught me how to fish! Beat that! Seriously though, Dad loves to teach Seth, Maddie, and Me about God. It's his pleasure! Mom may be the one I go to with problems, but Dad's wisdom and encouragement mixed with Mom's sympathy and solutions are an unbeatable pair!

 

           Did I mention that when I get married I want my marriage to look like theirs? I do.

           Who wouldn't?! My Parents are pre-marital counselors at our church, and boy do they know their stuff. They have cranked out 8 couples over a 1 1/2 years. That's actually a lot when you are pretty much teaching them how to live.

           There isn't much I can say that could actually do justice to them, or honor them enough. I know that people say these things about their parents all the time, or at least they do in my church. But my parents have affected other people's lives as well.

          They help lead a team called the "Hospitality Team". This team feeds people at our church. Ok, they feed 1000 people at picnics, coordinate events, and devote hours and hours to the church. Needless to say, they work hard. My Mom and Dad contribute so much to this team. They have done a great job :) Trust me I've been there watching.



          My parents make up a whole lot of my life, and without them...who would know where I would be. Thanks guys.
     I love you.

    -Bailey

My Little Sister

     I am going to introduce you to my family bit by bit. Starting with the baby: My not so little anymore sister, Maddie. She's so cute. So the baby of the family. She love baby dolls, hates pink, loves reading, hates brussel sprouts, and loves Jesus.

    She's the sweety with a mischievous streak at times. She's the only one in the family who ended up with green eyes. The rest of us got blue. Not that that's a bad thing, but her eyes are very uniquely shaded and they change colors. Which is awesome.

    I share a room with Maddie, and there is an obvious difference in what is who's. My stuff is the flyleaf poster, the cd's all over the place, and the socks on the floor. Maddie's stuff is the baby dolls and all that they include (clothes and accessories :p), the art supplies, and the stickers.

   My little sister is sweet and gentle. Until she's the only girl :) Then she blends quite well actually. She runs, plays, fishes (I taught her all she knows ;) [yah right]), and enjoys dirt and sticky fingers. Outdoorsy and energetic are two of her best qualities.

  Seth, my brother, are closer in age than her and I (3 years compared to 6). They are very close in the fact that they both love to play. They play Lord of the Rings, Legos, and whatever imaginary things they can come up with. She enjoys talking to me. She tells me about her problems, her triumphs, and anything in-between. She asks me for advice, which is probably bad judgment on her part :p.

  I love my little sister, and there is so much more to her than what I have named. Hopefully one day you will meet her and see what I mean :)

    -Bailey   

    P.S. This is our 60th post!! Just look at how far the Lord has brought us and how much He has blessed us. Thanks for being faithful readers!

The Little Things

 The little things are what make me the happiest...for example, when a friend knows you are struggling with something, and tells you how much she cares for you and that she is there for you. AH so wonderful! That isn't very little to me, but it's just something that helps!

 The little things that God puts into your life are sometimes the things that stand out most. At Advance, a group of people all got together and just sang. Two guys on guitars, and like 6 girls all singing in harmony, praising God. I was one of them, and let me say it was very refreshing just to sit and sing to the Lord with a bunch of your friends.

 The times that I have goofing off with my family. We were riding in the car on Monday, just running errands, and ended up laughing and cracking jokes. Listening to music, dancing around. Those times are great :) My dad loves to listen to 80's music and reminisce....and he loves it when I listen to it as well. I'm not much for it sometimes but it can be fun.

  I could sit and talk all day about how happy I am with just the little things to satisfy me. Love em'! God knows exactly what to throw my way. Love that He loves me. Love that He cares enough to do the little things for me.

  Just kind of rambling right now, and I need to get ready to leave. My mom's car is in the shop, and we are going to pick it up. See ya'!

   -Bailey

 P.S. My spelling is awful!! Tell me if I spell stuff wrong please :)

Love Runs Both Ways...

    Lately, I have been realizing that God loves me. Yah, I know. That sounds pretty typical. Even a 2 year old knows that! But I mean just what I said: He loves me. Think about that for a minute. Why in the world would God love me? What have I done where I would deserve such love?

   We got my Mom the David Crowder Band CD "Church Music" for Mother's Day. We all love it, and there is one song that sticks with all of us. Its called "How He Loves".
 "He is jealous for me,
 His love's like a hurricane, and I am a tree.
Bending beneath, the weight of His wind and mercy."

 We truly are trees. We soak up the living water, we grow only because He shines His light and gives His love, and we bend (not break) beneath His wind and mercy. The fact that His wind and mercy is so much and we still don't break beneath it's weight is amazing! The fact that God loves us at all is amazing! New mercies each morning. Wow!

  The best part about His love, is that He sent his one and only, beloved son, to be the sacrifice for our sins. We should have had the place on that cross. Not Jesus. Yet, He took it anyway. And what did we do? We laughed, and scoffed. But He forgives us even then! He is so merciful and loving. Even when we were scoffing Him, He was thinking, "I love you and I'm doing this for you."

  Yes, God loves me. And do you know what? I love him too. I used to feel like all God expects from us is our respect and reverance. Yah, He wanted love too, but He was always the scary God who scared me into loving Him. Now I know that He doesnt want that kind of love. He wants the kind we give freely. And He wants it because He first loved us. I love Him, because He first loved me.

   God loved me before I existed. Don't you think I should love the God that sent His son to die for me? That gives me new mercies everyday ? I do. And I do love Him. He loves you too. My hope is that I will learn and grow in God. Learn more about His love :) I hope this makes sense...I really want it too! And don't think that this is a brand new discovery, because I figured this out a few years ago. Well, more like God revealed it to me a few years ago.

  Before I go, I would just love to mention how excited I am about Advance 2011!!! It's coming fast! June 2-5. AHH! God meets me and all the other teens in my youth group there, and it is truly amazing. Well, have a great Wednesday!
<3 Bailey

Music, and Just How Much it Means to Me.

   I have 2 ipods, a Grooveshark, a Pandora, a Youtube, and 100's of CD's. All of these are devoted to music. Music, other than God, is my passion. I love it so much! I have no idea what my life would be like without it!

   Last night, I was listening to a song from my new favorite soundtrack: Inception. (Which is also my fave movie) The song was called "Time". I just closed my eyes, and let my thought wander while I listened to it. I know that sounds kinda' cheesy, but I seriously got goosebumps listening to it.

   In the last few years, I have realized that passion in my life that God put there himself. Last night as I thought more about it, I realized that I have loved music my whole life! When I was very little, making up songs on my little keyboard thing (You know the kid version of a xylophone? With the colored keys? Yah I loved that thing :p). My best friends tell me that I have been singing little songs I made up in my head since that time as well. I realized that my music classes have always been the best part of the week. The piano especially. I love the way my fingers move across the keys...the fact that I make that sound is so amazing to me.

     Here is "Time", from the Inception soundtrack. Let it sink in as you listen to it, and you will really love this song. Gosh I feel as if I've written a book! I have a lot of school to finish, so unfortunately I must part from this post. (That was dramatic :p) Anyway, enjoy the music, and really appreciate your favorite song today. Worship God with your music and nothing can go wrong with it.
  -Bailey
 *You will have to pause the music player to watch this video, and the one in the last post. Sorry, I should have clarified earlier.

Friends

  My friends are so goofy. You just gotta love em'. I have all kinds of friends, and I love all my friends. They are so special to me, and they are such a big part of my life.

    I LOVE goofing off and being silly with them.  These girls (and the one taking the picture :P) are some of my best friends. (From left to right: Arianna, Alex, Kaitlin, Sarah, Amanda, and Me.) This was at Advance (our youth group retreat.), as are all the other pics I will put in this post.

   The bonfire. Ahh that was fun. (From left to right: Front row-Melanie, Josh, Grant, James, Josh and Collin [standing]. Back row-Brianna, Kendall, Me, Amanda, Sarah, and Analisa.) It didn't last long for me...I got kinda sick. It's a long story, and I get sick every year on the last day. But I really don't care. My friends make me feel better. :)                                       
          While playing cards. (Left to Right: Kaitlin, Kendall, and Blaise) Egyptian Rat Slap is the name of the game in Relay. We love to play it and get very competitive :)

      There's me with my tongue sticking out, as usual. Arianna (right) and Alyssa (left). My BFF's!! Well 2 of 7. Yah I have a lot of best friends, but 4 are sisters. I feel better if the are all in one family. Idk why, but you know, I just feel a little selfish having 7 bf's! Oh well. 

                  And this is pretty much our whole youth group! Aren't we awesome?! Jk. Well we are, but I don't want to be prideful. Anyway, these people are all my friends. But more importantly, they are my family. These are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love them all like they are my brothers and sisters!! My friends mean so much to me and they don't even know it. You know who you are! So pat yourself on the back, cuz' you're a great friend!! Make sure to appreciate your friends, cuz' they deserve it. Have a great day! -Bailey     

Happy Good Friday

Hello everybody!

   I just wanted to remind you of what took place today 2000 years ago. Jesus died for you and me. He DIED. And conquered sin in the process. Would you die for someone you love? Jesus loves everyone, and he died for everyone. On Sunday, we will celebrate his Resurrection. He rose from the grave, and sits now on the right hand of the throne. Man I love you Jesus! Have an awesome Easter weekend. Remember it's true meaning. -Bailey

 P.S. If you would like to reach me and Brianna, you can email us at littlepurpleipod@gmail.com
Thanks!

Some Food For Thought

    Let me ask you a question: Do you know what is best for you? Take a moment and answer this question. And be honest with yourself. I have answered this question, and I have found that no. I don't know what is best for me. Why? Because I don't hold my life in my hands. God holds my life.


    It is a very common temptation to say, "I know what is best for me. I mean come on? Who's living my life anyway?" I had that temptation, and was saying that all the time. Now, not so much. I have realized that in my pride, I thought I was in control. I had everything right. I realize just how prideful I have been. All I want now is to be humble! I want to learn, Lord! Teach me!  
      

    I have learned that, not knowing what's best for yourself, you have to leave your life up to God. Surrender your life and let Him take over every aspect. In God's sovereignty and love, He gave you your parents. They also know what is best for you because they are trusting the Lord, and love you enough to tell you. I can't stress enough this point. My parents are so gracious to pick and choose what I can and can't do. Ultimately, when I obey my parents, I am doing what God wants me to. Because He knows best. He's never going to do anything to hurt you! So trust him. I thank God for showing me this, and allowing me to share it with you. Because without His hand guiding me, I would be nowhere. Let alone telling you about it. So please, give God the glory for this post. I did nothing here, except convey what I feel God wanted me to convey. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil" Proverbs 3:5-7

  Have an awesome day!
 -Bailey