Living Above the Sun Ministries

One of my weak points is being overly emotional, and blowing things out of proportion, and I give up. I have frequent anxiety attacks at times, and I can be really messed up in controlling my emotions. This is not all the time, just every once in a while. So because of these factors in my life I have found it effective to form a support group of people who I check in with and talk to often. These people help me see perspective, and help get my thinking back in proportion, they encourage me, and don't allow me to slack off. They hold me accountable to things. I go to them for advise, and guidance; It is wise, I believe, to allow only a few people speak into your life. I use my own discernment, but also like another opinion. These people challenge me, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. They help me when I've run out of gas, or locked my keys in the car. I'm truly thankful for not only the help they willingly give me, but I'm thankful for their influence, an

Since my struggle with this awful problem, and my survival, it is my goal to reach out to those who are in this helpless state of mind and show them the love of Christ, and that hope still exists even when it looks like the darkest hour of life. I struggled with these thoughts as a non-Christian and baby believer. Suicide is a frame of mind, it is more than just an action. The mind must be renewed and changed through the message and Hope of God's word, and His power that is put in us through the Holy Spirit. Can you be a Christian and consider taking your own life? If asked this question, I would answer yes. Though the Bible doesn't give a simple here is what God says specifically answer, the Bible does give helpful principles to stand on. One thing about life and someone contemplating suicide is that it's messy. There is no simple way apart from Jesus to try to manage or explain it. Believe it or not there is a prophet in the Bible who cursed the day he was born,

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet[a] no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people

I do my best thinking in the shower, I do not know why but I have come to decide I'm hanging a white board above the shower so when Jesus starts talking to me and revealing things to me I can start writing! I have so much I want to share! I am also excited to be blogging from my new house in my new living room in the perfect spot, my little thoughtful corner... This semester, more than ever at my school, I have been stepping out boldly in my faith proclaiming that Jesus is the way. This is so important to understand, and I hope what I am about to lay out here will make sense to you. These are wonderful insightful things to think about I feel. Also know that whatever I say, I say with experience; the whole been there done that, learned now I'm teaching you. ;) When we step out in faith God blesses us, and gives us honor. My sister and I were talking about this. This is what she said, "Each time you step out in faith you grow spiritually. Your character grows, your p

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you." -Psalm 84:11-12 Refrain: Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Refrain Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. Refrain Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey. Refrain But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will

Monday I was in a Parade! It was so much fun! I haven't been in a parade before. I was proud to be representing my church, Elevation, and an eGroup of Elevation called, "Vertigo." I held the sign for them, and walked in front as 4 other guys followed me playing their self made instruments. Vertigo is a stomp team, they play drum beats on buckets and whatever they can get a sound out of, and believe me they sound really good. This group originated at First Baptist Church-IT, they went on Mission Trips with Student Worship. Wherever they go, they are a hit! Give someone a beat and they are going to move!! I LOVE IT! One of cool things about this group dropping some beats is that they will always get someones attention. Through this aspect we were able to tell people about Jesus and invite them to church, or just raise their interest in what Elevation Church is. However, it was sad that there were only 2 churches represented at the 4th of July parade in Indian Trai

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go ." -Joshua 1:9 10 years ago or so, my youth leader Mrs. Patsy Surles gave me this little pillow hanger. Mrs. Patsy had a huge impact on my life in the developing years of my life. This verse has meant a lot in my life, this pillow has hung on my door in all the different places we have lived reminding me that "the Lord is with me wherever I go." In the context of this verse we read that Joshua's new job consisted of leading more than 2 million people into a strange new land and conquering it! Without God new things can be frightening. God assured Joshua He would be with him, so He is with us when we face new challenges. It's been challenging for me personally to move as much as we have. I've been uprooted and taken away from my friends and job and home, but through it all God has always been with

"And Isaiah said, This is the sign to you from the Lord that He will do the thing He has promised: shall the shadow [denoting the time of day] go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps? Hezekiah answered, It is an easy matter for the shadow to go forward ten steps; so let the shadow go back ten steps." -2 Kings 20:9-10 Over a 100 year period of Judah's history (732-640 BC), Hezekiah was the only faithful king; what a difference he made! It was because of his faith and prayer that God healed him and saved his city. There are times that our faith can put us in the minority, but you can make a difference and bring change to any situation if your faith and prayers are sincere directed to the One and only God. We see here in the verse above that God made time go back! There are many examples in the Bible where God messes with time, it's so cool! He made the sun stand still one day. There is something my sister told me one day and I have held on to this truth ever s