Pray For the Children

This week I've been a small group leader at my church's Vacation Bible School (VBS). The kids are so cute! I have a group of first graders, eight adorable kids who are here because God specifically chose them and loves them.  Through the games, art, stories, and more, they've learned about God, the One who will always love them. Today, the fourth of five days, we had the chance to ask them if they wanted to accept Jesus into their hearts!!!!! SO EXCITING!! Jesus has shaped my life so much, and it was such a privilege to be a part of this!! 7 of my 8 kids chose to, and it was really beautiful. 6 of them couldn't read yet, so we had them repeat after us, and prayed. PRAISE THE LORD!!

God, please guide these children in all that you call them to do, and be with them on their journeys, through the rough patches as well as the smooth, just as you have done for people for thousands of years, just as you have done for me. Thank you, Father, for the little children.

Please bless them.

Guys: please pray for them! This is awesome, and we need to support kids!!

Loving and praying,

Turtlesplash

Beautiful You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8NvU9Ah-uY

This is a fantastic song about how God created you with love and care. Everytime you look into a mirror and criticize all of your faults, you're wrong. The mirror lies. Jesus loves and values you. He has a special purpose, just for you. You are incredibly beautiful, and God can heal you, change your heart, and give you his eyes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQwRgXUAk5s) so you can see just how awesome you are. God loves you!
Also, this body is just a shell. It will be shed when you go to Heaven, and God will have a new body all ready for you. To read more about this in the Bible, go to 1 Corinthians 5:1-10. If you want to see a video of just how fake the media is, and how they create these images to look perfect, check out the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U It's a video sponsored by Dove to show how our perception of beauty is so distorted.

Never insult another person or tell them that they're ugly or fat. They are made in the image of God, as are you. You are a wonderful creation. Here's a website about the battle of a little girl named Juliana Wetmore, who is truly beautiful: http://julianawetmore.net/index.php

I'll be praying for all of you. If you have any specific requests, feel free to put them in the comments.

Here are the lyrics to "More Beautiful You" by Jonny Diaz:

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

[Chorus]
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

[chorus]

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
[chorus]

Just ONE more link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C2o0jHNRuU&feature=related It's an excellent song called "Beautiful" by MercyMe. You are so beautiful in His eyes.

Thanks for reading!

Forever praying + loving,

T

P.S. Don't forget how beautiful you are. If you want, write something on a notecard and put it next to the mirror to remind you.

Cheerful Hearts

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." - Proverbs 17:22

So true. When you have a God-intoxicated heart, everything seems brighter. Being a downer is exhausting. Meditate on this verse for a little while. Think about how important it is to have a positive outlook on life.

Ask Jesus to change your heart so you can see beauty through the brokenness all around you.

Always loving, always praying!

TuRtLeSpLaSh

P.S. Check out this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhayBSnG7Xk  Great song "Stars" by David Crowder Band

God is Love

Hi guys-

I'm so glad you're reading this. 'This' is a blog I created for the glory of the Big Guy Upstairs, my Savior, my Love and Only, my JESUS. He is so awesome, and I hope and pray that you enjoy reading this, and that somehow, God will touch your life, and if it has not already, your heart will be opened to the glorious love of the one who is incredibly in love with you.

Love + Prayers,

Turtlesplash