IT WAS MY SIN
THAT SENT YOU TO THE CROSS
IT WAS MY SELFISHNESS
THAT NEVER TOOK YOU OFF
IT WAS MY SHAME
THAT NAILED YOU TO THE TREE
IT WAS ME
IT WAS ME
IT WAS MY LIES
THAT PUSHED THE THORNS INTO YOUR HEAD
IT WAS MY FOOLISH PRIDE
THAT DIDN'T SAY 'GOD, TAKE ME INSTEAD'
IT WAS MY GREED
THAT POUNDED NAILS THROUGH YOUR FEET
IT WAS ME
IT WAS ME
GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON
TO DIE FOR THINGS THAT I HAVE DONE
I'VE HEARD THE STORIES; READ THE BOOKS
I'VE MEMORIZED THE GOLDEN RULE
IT COMES DOWN TO KNOWING ONE THING
THE REASON JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN
IT WASN'T FAME OR FORTUNE, CAN'T YOU SEE
IT WAS ME
peaceandlove<3
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
LESSONS FROM DAD
Dads are good for LOTS of things. Mostly, for making little girls feel like they are the most beautiful person in the entire world. Also, for fixing things (from broken door handles to broken hearts) and knowing that sometimes its best to not say anything at all. But dads aren't just funny guys who like to grill out and mow the lawn. Regardless of whether your father is an open book or not, if you pay attention you can learn some very valuable lessons from the man.
I am lucky to have been blessed with an incredible father. He is honestly the greatest man I have ever met in my entire life. I cannot count the number of things i've learned from my dad over the years, so in honor of fathers day, i'll share only a few with you. :)
These are ten of the many things I have learned because of the one and only, Kip Gardner. <3
one. It is ok to get frustrated, but it is never ok to be rude.
two. Always follow through (in basketball and in life).
three. I should never let my car get below a quarter tank of gas.
four. Every boy I hang out with should know that my dad owns a gun.
five. I will never get too old to watch the Disney channel.
six. If I think something is funny, I should laugh loudly.
seven. In the end, the only one I need to please is God.
eight. Being anyone other than myself is a waste of who God created me to be.
nine. If I would wake up earlier, I could leave earlier and then I wouldn't need to drive so fast. (Sorry, dad, i'm still working on that one. :))
ten. I am strong, beautiful and talented. I am loved. I am worth it. I am always going to be okay.
Thank you, daddy, for everything you do for me. I appreciate you more than I could ever begin to express in a blog. You are the greatest and I love you. Happy fathers day. :)
peaceandlove<3
I am lucky to have been blessed with an incredible father. He is honestly the greatest man I have ever met in my entire life. I cannot count the number of things i've learned from my dad over the years, so in honor of fathers day, i'll share only a few with you. :)
These are ten of the many things I have learned because of the one and only, Kip Gardner. <3
one. It is ok to get frustrated, but it is never ok to be rude.
two. Always follow through (in basketball and in life).
three. I should never let my car get below a quarter tank of gas.
four. Every boy I hang out with should know that my dad owns a gun.
five. I will never get too old to watch the Disney channel.
six. If I think something is funny, I should laugh loudly.
seven. In the end, the only one I need to please is God.
eight. Being anyone other than myself is a waste of who God created me to be.
nine. If I would wake up earlier, I could leave earlier and then I wouldn't need to drive so fast. (Sorry, dad, i'm still working on that one. :))
ten. I am strong, beautiful and talented. I am loved. I am worth it. I am always going to be okay.
Thank you, daddy, for everything you do for me. I appreciate you more than I could ever begin to express in a blog. You are the greatest and I love you. Happy fathers day. :)
peaceandlove<3
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
redefining beautiful
hey girls...you're beautiful.
even with those extra pounds you want to get rid of or the acne that just won't go away...you're beautiful.
without your makeup and hairspray and hours spent getting ready for the day...you're beautiful.
whether you're 3' 6" or 6' 3"...you're beautiful.
ohh you don't look as flawless as the girl on the cover of that magazine? neither does she.
so you have wrinkles or cellulite or stretch marks or freckles or moles or scars or crooked teeth...you're beautiful.
stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself...you're beautiful.
say it until you mean it and then again until you believe it.
we need to stop letting society define what is and isn't attractive. beauty isn't what you look like...it's who you are. it's about your heart more than it's about your body. you were created by a God who doesn't make mistakes and He thinks you are to die for. we need to stop being defined by worldly insecurities and start redefining beautiful.
peaceandlove<3
even with those extra pounds you want to get rid of or the acne that just won't go away...you're beautiful.
without your makeup and hairspray and hours spent getting ready for the day...you're beautiful.
whether you're 3' 6" or 6' 3"...you're beautiful.
ohh you don't look as flawless as the girl on the cover of that magazine? neither does she.
so you have wrinkles or cellulite or stretch marks or freckles or moles or scars or crooked teeth...you're beautiful.
stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself...you're beautiful.
say it until you mean it and then again until you believe it.
we need to stop letting society define what is and isn't attractive. beauty isn't what you look like...it's who you are. it's about your heart more than it's about your body. you were created by a God who doesn't make mistakes and He thinks you are to die for. we need to stop being defined by worldly insecurities and start redefining beautiful.
peaceandlove<3
Thursday, March 3, 2011
SO INNOCENT
curly blonde ponytail dancing in the wind
pretty blue eyes and that cute little grin
you've got a pickle jar filled with fireflies
that you set free when mama calls you inside
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
because the scariest things in your life
are the monsters under your bed
when daddy says you're the prettiest girl
in the world: you still believe him
you don't know who bullies are
or what temptation is
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
you're staring at the world with open arms
certain that noone will ever do you harm
it's true when they say that ignorance is bliss
because it breaks my heart to know it won't stay like this
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
because the scariest things in your life
are the monsters under your bed
when daddy says you're the prettiest girl
in the world: you still believe him
you don't know who bullies are
or what temptation is
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
peaceandlove<3
pretty blue eyes and that cute little grin
you've got a pickle jar filled with fireflies
that you set free when mama calls you inside
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
because the scariest things in your life
are the monsters under your bed
when daddy says you're the prettiest girl
in the world: you still believe him
you don't know who bullies are
or what temptation is
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
you're staring at the world with open arms
certain that noone will ever do you harm
it's true when they say that ignorance is bliss
because it breaks my heart to know it won't stay like this
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
because the scariest things in your life
are the monsters under your bed
when daddy says you're the prettiest girl
in the world: you still believe him
you don't know who bullies are
or what temptation is
i wish there was a way you could stay so innocent
peaceandlove<3
Friday, November 5, 2010
GOD MADE DINNER
I am awestruck by God. I mean, honestly, I am fascinated by Him. Everything He is and was and does and just...wow. For example, Jesus speaks to us all the time. If you've never heard Him, you probably just aren't listening. It's not like in the movies when people hear this big booming voice coming from the clouds and everyone just goes "is that you, God?" Not like that. But it's in the small things that happen to us every single day. Things that seem so simple. Things that most people call coincidence. But I believe in God more than I believe in coincidences. I believe that He uses what we call coincidences to give us a message in a way that we might actually grasp what He's saying. His intelligence is so far beyond our comprehension, that He tries to simplify it so that we'll listen to Him.
Take for instance, the lesson that God has apparently been trying to pound into my brain for the past few weeks. The lesson? (in the words of Mr. Hayward <3) "DON'T MAKE ME SPOON FEED YOU!"
While I was in Peru, I felt an overwhelming closeness to God. It was incredible. I honestly cannot describe the way that I felt being there. Since I've been home, I've been aching for that feeling again. Christina and I were talking about how, no matter what we do, we can't get that back. Lately God has been asking me this: "what are you actually doing, stef?" I didn't have an answer. In the past week, (yes, I'm talking only 7 days) God has brought this same question to the front of my heart and mind in a few big ways.
1. AN OVER-HEARD CONVERSATION (Just to clear this up...I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping. I work in a clothing store. It's small. If you come in talking on your phone: I'll probably hear every word you say. Just sayin.) So last week, I was at the store and a lady came in talking on her phone. I was behind the desk doing paper work, and she was loud. Not obnoxious loud, but excitedly chatting about worship and church service. She was so excited about sharing her faith during this conversation, that it was impossible for me to not listen. Seriously. Impossible. And I know that God sent her in the store while she was on the phone specifically so that I could over-hear what He had to say through her. "God knows you're hungry, child. That's why He made this call happen. He feels you yearnin, and He's got a feast waitin, but it's up to you to come to the table."
2. EXIT 109 - For the past few weeks, I have been helping to lead youth group at my church. Tina and I (obv. together since we're attached at the hip) guide the high school girls. Right now, there are only 4 of us which is nice because it's less intimidating and we can talk about everything. So Wednesday we were in the hall talking about being a christian and how you can't base your relationship with God on other people. (like I told chels: just because your brother may get an 'f', that doesn't make it okay for you to get a 'd'. even though a d is better than an f...the d is still not your best.) In Christianity terms; just because you aren't partying or sleeping around or cussing all the time like other kids your age, doesn't mean you are on the easy path to Heaven. (FYI: if it's an easy path, it's not headed upstairs.) Avoiding big sins and walking with God are not the same thing. Other people have nothing to do with it. It's you and Jesus. It's a commitment. You have to be actively pursuing a relationship with God every single day.
3. A FORWARDED TEXT - Alright, normally I am not a fan of forwarded text messages. Mostly because they usually end with some form of 'forward this to 12 people or I will show up in bloody ice skates at the foot of your bed, wrap you in moldy cheese and feed you to the neighborhood beast'. Ya know, something like that. =) But today, I got a text message that was a forwarded prayer to send to your girlfriends/sisters/etc. It was asking God to be with the girl reading the text; to protect her, comfort her, and help her shine in the darkest of places. At the end of the text was the following sentence: "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet."
BAM.
game, set and match.
God - 3
Stef - 0
If you think about it, though, how accurate are those statements? How often do we sit and talk about how we just can't seem to get close to God? But if we're not actively trying to build our relationship...what are we doing?
God made dinner. It's ready. Are you coming?
peaceandlove,
Stefani June
Take for instance, the lesson that God has apparently been trying to pound into my brain for the past few weeks. The lesson? (in the words of Mr. Hayward <3) "DON'T MAKE ME SPOON FEED YOU!"
While I was in Peru, I felt an overwhelming closeness to God. It was incredible. I honestly cannot describe the way that I felt being there. Since I've been home, I've been aching for that feeling again. Christina and I were talking about how, no matter what we do, we can't get that back. Lately God has been asking me this: "what are you actually doing, stef?" I didn't have an answer. In the past week, (yes, I'm talking only 7 days) God has brought this same question to the front of my heart and mind in a few big ways.
1. AN OVER-HEARD CONVERSATION (Just to clear this up...I wasn't intentionally eavesdropping. I work in a clothing store. It's small. If you come in talking on your phone: I'll probably hear every word you say. Just sayin.) So last week, I was at the store and a lady came in talking on her phone. I was behind the desk doing paper work, and she was loud. Not obnoxious loud, but excitedly chatting about worship and church service. She was so excited about sharing her faith during this conversation, that it was impossible for me to not listen. Seriously. Impossible. And I know that God sent her in the store while she was on the phone specifically so that I could over-hear what He had to say through her. "God knows you're hungry, child. That's why He made this call happen. He feels you yearnin, and He's got a feast waitin, but it's up to you to come to the table."
2. EXIT 109 - For the past few weeks, I have been helping to lead youth group at my church. Tina and I (obv. together since we're attached at the hip) guide the high school girls. Right now, there are only 4 of us which is nice because it's less intimidating and we can talk about everything. So Wednesday we were in the hall talking about being a christian and how you can't base your relationship with God on other people. (like I told chels: just because your brother may get an 'f', that doesn't make it okay for you to get a 'd'. even though a d is better than an f...the d is still not your best.) In Christianity terms; just because you aren't partying or sleeping around or cussing all the time like other kids your age, doesn't mean you are on the easy path to Heaven. (FYI: if it's an easy path, it's not headed upstairs.) Avoiding big sins and walking with God are not the same thing. Other people have nothing to do with it. It's you and Jesus. It's a commitment. You have to be actively pursuing a relationship with God every single day.
3. A FORWARDED TEXT - Alright, normally I am not a fan of forwarded text messages. Mostly because they usually end with some form of 'forward this to 12 people or I will show up in bloody ice skates at the foot of your bed, wrap you in moldy cheese and feed you to the neighborhood beast'. Ya know, something like that. =) But today, I got a text message that was a forwarded prayer to send to your girlfriends/sisters/etc. It was asking God to be with the girl reading the text; to protect her, comfort her, and help her shine in the darkest of places. At the end of the text was the following sentence: "Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet."
BAM.
game, set and match.
God - 3
Stef - 0
If you think about it, though, how accurate are those statements? How often do we sit and talk about how we just can't seem to get close to God? But if we're not actively trying to build our relationship...what are we doing?
God made dinner. It's ready. Are you coming?
peaceandlove,
Stefani June
Monday, July 26, 2010
BACK IN THE 330
So, I had good intentions about blogging in Peru. I thought that I would blog every night before bed or in the mornings when I woke up. Honestly, I just didn't want to be on the computer. I wanted to soak up every single second of that experience, that culture, that simplistic lifestyle. It was good for me. It was nice to not think about Ohio for two weeks. So I guess if you want to hear about my adventures and how God worked in my life over the past two weeks, we're just going to have to get together for breakfast/lunch/dinner sometime soon and chat about it. =)
Also, God is awesome. We've got some pretty cool things planned and i'm really hoping they work out. That would be fantastic. Well, that's it. God bless yall.
peaceandlove<3
Also, God is awesome. We've got some pretty cool things planned and i'm really hoping they work out. That would be fantastic. Well, that's it. God bless yall.
peaceandlove<3
Thursday, July 15, 2010
PERU BLOG - JULY 13TH
“Hungry, I run to You; for I know You satisfy.”
Satisfying. What is satisfying, really? Yesterday one of our leaders, Dave, was wearing a shirt from Compassion and it made me reconsider my definition of satisfying. The front of his shirt simply said: “the opposite of poverty isn’t wealth”; the back: “the opposite of poverty is enough.” Enough what? Money? Shoes? Clothes? How are we, as Christians, defining our wealth? God will provide. He gives us everything that we need to survive. Are we not called to measure our wealth in faith? Love? Ability to help others? God-given talents? If so, I’m a billionaire! I have riches in the form of love and friendship and family and faith that people dream of. I have never been afraid that there might not be food available for me. Never in my life have I had to wonder where my parents are or whether or not they would be able to take care of me. I have enough clothes in my closet for an entire city. God blessed me with more people in my life than I could have ever imagined I would have; all who love and support and care for me. Who am I to consider myself anything but rich?
I wish you could all be here. I wish you could meet these people and play with these kids and just experience this place. I know we’ve only been here for a few days, but I feel like I’ve been here my entire life. I haven’t slept this hard in a long time (and that says a lot because I’m a heavy sleeper). Maybe it’s getting up early, or maybe it’s because I feel so comfortable here, but this is some of the best sleep I’ve gotten in weeks. And I totally don’t mind getting up early. I actually am excited to wake up in the morning and see what we’re going to do next. I can’t really blog every little detail, because then I would have nothing to say when I get home, but I’ll still fill you in on our daily adventures. =)
Yesterday, I was on paint duty – with Kelly. We may or may not have gotten into a paint fight. We may or may not have involved everyone in the room. It definitely was hilarious, and I’m pretty sure everyone here thinks we’re insane. Matthew, one of the boys here (don’t even start Britani – he’s 11), told one of the other guys here that Ohio girls scare him because they’re crazy! Hahah It was too cute. But we’re really starting to get to know the rest of the team members, and I really enjoy bonding with everyone throughout the day. Yesterday we seriously talked about love stories all day. I asked everyone I worked with about their love lives and how they met/proposed/etc. It was awesome to hear how God works in some seriously funny ways. He’s a funny dude, the Big Guy.
Last night for dinner some of the neighborhood ladies came and made us a Peruvian dish…DELICIOUS! Mmm…it was seriously so good. It was some combination of brown rice, chicken, peppers, egg, idk what else but it was really really good. Then we played the HAHA game...success! I honestly cannot play that game without cracking up. We got quite a few people to play and it was super funny. Then Manny (one of our new friends, who is also a translator) was like, ‘you want a real Peruvian experience? We’re gonna play kiwi.’ So a bunch of us played this kiwi game and it was sweet! (Minus getting a soccer ball thrown at my head and an elbow to the cheek.) After that, we just sat around outside and talked for awhile.
It’s so awesome to see how God works through such a variety of different people. It proves that God doesn’t see your outside appearance; He just sees your heart. He doesn’t care if you’re a 22 yr. old med student or a 9 year old little girl…He can use you. If you have a heart for the Lord and you want to help: He will use you to shine His light on the rest of the world.
p.s. These blogs may be coming later than when I write them, but it all depends on time/internet availability/etc. Keep checking back!
peaceandlove<3
Satisfying. What is satisfying, really? Yesterday one of our leaders, Dave, was wearing a shirt from Compassion and it made me reconsider my definition of satisfying. The front of his shirt simply said: “the opposite of poverty isn’t wealth”; the back: “the opposite of poverty is enough.” Enough what? Money? Shoes? Clothes? How are we, as Christians, defining our wealth? God will provide. He gives us everything that we need to survive. Are we not called to measure our wealth in faith? Love? Ability to help others? God-given talents? If so, I’m a billionaire! I have riches in the form of love and friendship and family and faith that people dream of. I have never been afraid that there might not be food available for me. Never in my life have I had to wonder where my parents are or whether or not they would be able to take care of me. I have enough clothes in my closet for an entire city. God blessed me with more people in my life than I could have ever imagined I would have; all who love and support and care for me. Who am I to consider myself anything but rich?
I wish you could all be here. I wish you could meet these people and play with these kids and just experience this place. I know we’ve only been here for a few days, but I feel like I’ve been here my entire life. I haven’t slept this hard in a long time (and that says a lot because I’m a heavy sleeper). Maybe it’s getting up early, or maybe it’s because I feel so comfortable here, but this is some of the best sleep I’ve gotten in weeks. And I totally don’t mind getting up early. I actually am excited to wake up in the morning and see what we’re going to do next. I can’t really blog every little detail, because then I would have nothing to say when I get home, but I’ll still fill you in on our daily adventures. =)
Yesterday, I was on paint duty – with Kelly. We may or may not have gotten into a paint fight. We may or may not have involved everyone in the room. It definitely was hilarious, and I’m pretty sure everyone here thinks we’re insane. Matthew, one of the boys here (don’t even start Britani – he’s 11), told one of the other guys here that Ohio girls scare him because they’re crazy! Hahah It was too cute. But we’re really starting to get to know the rest of the team members, and I really enjoy bonding with everyone throughout the day. Yesterday we seriously talked about love stories all day. I asked everyone I worked with about their love lives and how they met/proposed/etc. It was awesome to hear how God works in some seriously funny ways. He’s a funny dude, the Big Guy.
Last night for dinner some of the neighborhood ladies came and made us a Peruvian dish…DELICIOUS! Mmm…it was seriously so good. It was some combination of brown rice, chicken, peppers, egg, idk what else but it was really really good. Then we played the HAHA game...success! I honestly cannot play that game without cracking up. We got quite a few people to play and it was super funny. Then Manny (one of our new friends, who is also a translator) was like, ‘you want a real Peruvian experience? We’re gonna play kiwi.’ So a bunch of us played this kiwi game and it was sweet! (Minus getting a soccer ball thrown at my head and an elbow to the cheek.) After that, we just sat around outside and talked for awhile.
It’s so awesome to see how God works through such a variety of different people. It proves that God doesn’t see your outside appearance; He just sees your heart. He doesn’t care if you’re a 22 yr. old med student or a 9 year old little girl…He can use you. If you have a heart for the Lord and you want to help: He will use you to shine His light on the rest of the world.
p.s. These blogs may be coming later than when I write them, but it all depends on time/internet availability/etc. Keep checking back!
peaceandlove<3
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