Turbulence

Many people love to travel. I know I do! It is always nice to take a break from "reality" and simply relax.
A lot of people drive to their destination but a higher percentage fly on an airplane.

I have never liked the whole process of flying. First of all, it is so stressful (especially at LAX!) to get over all of the lanes to find the right airline to be dropped off at. Then you have to wait in line to check in. After you have your ticket, you can proceed to the longest line of all. SECURITY! Once you have been patted down and they have put your bags through the screening about 4 times, you can finally go to your gate.

Once you get on the airplane, you realize that because of that process a lot of people are stressed out, cranky, nervous, or snippy.

After putting your bags up or under the seat in front of you, the flight attendant comes over the announcements with what to do during an emergency.

I always look around to see how people are acting during the time the flight attendant is speaking. I usually find one of two things... People reading or people who are extremely nervous (first time passengers!) and the flight attendant is making it worse because they are pointing out the real problems that could occur.

For me, take off always seems to go smoothly. I typically watch a DVD on the ride or sleep when it is a smooth ride.

However, it isn't always a smooth ride.... and you can't control it.

Turbulence is a real heart pounder. It gets your attention and scares you a bit. If you look out your window, all you can see are clouds. That for me is the scariest part. You have no clue what is going on, where you are, and how you could potentially crash.

What do you do when turbulence in an airplane occurs?
What do you do when turbulence in your life occurs?

Turbulence is a violent or unsteady movement.

It tends to occur ALL the time. How do you react?

In the airplane, I grab the arm rest, close my eyes, and all I say is "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus".
In my life, I sit down, (if my bible is near) grab my bible, close my eyes, and all I say is "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus".

God doesn't say following Him will be easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
He puts trials and tribulations in our life for a reason. He wants to see us grow closer to Him, test our Faith, and show us what is truly important.
It isn't to hurt you or make your life horrible. He has a good reason for everything, even if it takes some hurt to get there.

One of my favorite songs, by Mandisa, is titled "Stronger".

Below is my favorite verse and chorus:

"Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vih1xwxQUIo

Just before I wrote this blog, I was reading my bible. In Isaiah 44:8 it says, "Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?" 


God won't leave you stranded, in the air or on the ground. There is no reason to be afraid of turbulence if you believe and proclaim that God is your savior. He will protect you forever and always. 

My Weakness

I started singing in 5th grade as a member of my school choir. I was decent then...but not compared to the professional singers in LA!

My managers and agents are always sending me out on auditions for "singers" or "triple threats". I always do my best with my singing, but I never am fully confident with it.

3 weeks ago, I had an audition for Glee. As we all know, Glee is a full on triple threat show. I immediately started freaking out because I knew they would ask me to sing in the audition.

Then I realized freaking out isn't going to make me a better singer.

How often do we get freaked out? Is it really going to better the situation?

The answer is no.

Only God can better a situation.

Once I realized this, I just started to pray coverage over my vocal chords.

I have never felt that confident singing in front of people. It still may not have been the best singing voice at the audition, but I know my confidence sold it.

God clearly took my weakness and used it for my good.

What is your weakness that God can use for good?

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 32 helpful votes

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

How Are You Using Your Career?

Last night I deleted my Facebook! As many of you know, I have been taking little breaks here and there from it but when I wouldn't be on a break, I was using up almost all of my day on it.

Facebook is a great tool for communication. Along with networking, allowing people to see your pictures of new adventures, and keeping my friends and family updated with what I have been doing.

I loved getting on Facebook in the morning to see if  I had new notifications...that was it! However, I saw that "Brittney" posted new pictures from the other night, which "Sarah" was also at, so of course I had to check them out!! 40 minutes later I look at the clock and see that I wasted 40 minutes that God so generously gave me. Who knows, I could only live for 40 more minutes and I just wasted the past 40 minutes.

I decided to pray about the decision to delete my Facebook and I finally did. People are asking me why...so here is a short answer:

I need to spend more time on God, school, and my career. I have to learn to focus my energy on making myself a better person, through Christ, and I am not doing that by being on Facebook. You never know when your life will be taken away, so go out and live your life!!

Now I will get to the heart of this blog. As I mentioned in the paragraph above, I need to spend more time on God and my career. I began to think that in the end those two go hand in hand.

What is your career? Is your career something that makes you happy? What is your motive to have that career?

For me, my career is acting and dancing. I have been pursuing this since I was 5 years old. It is what I absolutely love!

For that last question, how would you expect a teen (that wants to be an actress) to answer that question?
I have heard so many different answers.
"I want to be famous"
"I want my name to be known in this world"
"I want MONEY"

The list continues. But when you look at that little list above, who are those reasons benefiting?

The answer is easy. You.

God is the one who blessed us with all of our talents and opportunities. Not ourselves. We need to have a career that gives back to Him. Yes, you need to make an income...but when you make your money, how are you spending it? Do you deserve that money?
Why do you want to be "famous"? Just so you can live the lifestyle of the rich and famous?

Think about the people in third-world countries. Don't you think they dream of those things too? Maybe...but I am pretty sure they dream of having food on their table for the rest of the week.

Before you go off and spend your money on unnecessary articles, think of where God would want you to spend the money HE BLESSED YOU WITH. When you think of a career, is it something that glorifies God, or is it because you want to promote yourself?

I guess I should tell you what I want to do with my career.
I don't want to be an actress for the rich and famous lifestyle. My goal is to become a known actress so I can bring our teens to Christ.
Yes, being an actress does pay well. But I don't want the money for me. My goal is to end up sponsoring over three kids in a third-world country, before I am 28. (A little over 10 years from now)

A career is a privilege/blessing from God. Don't abuse it.

Are You Changed....Or Just Adding?

What a week it has been! I am back in school, so that is why I haven't been blogging as much. I apologize! Yesterday at church we talked studied Ephesians 4:17-32. The whole chapter is in regards to the changes you go through once you repent.

When you repent from your sins, you can't just look immediately in the mirror and say "hmm, I don't see anything different!"

When you repent, you are turning away from your sins. Which ultimately comes from the inside. You don't sin unless you think about it...which is inside.

When you confess your sins, God accepts you and his goal is to change you to be as Christ like as you can be. However, he can't do it on his own. You need to help.

How much time do you spend on Facebook?
You need to spend AT LEAST that much time in the Bible.

When you get dressed to go out at night, do you look in the mirror and have question whether or not your top will cover everything?
If you have to question what you are wearing, then you know it isn't appropriate.

When you speak...do your words build people up?
Cussing is a sin. Your words should be full of grace.

When you repent and turn from your old sins, you are supposed to turn from your old ways.  Put on the new clothes and the new life. You can't stay in your old clothes with your old life.

The title of this blog is "Are You Changed...Or Just Adding."
Are you changing your life for God? Are you trying to be more Christ-like in your everyday activities?
OR
Are you keeping your old ways and just adding God into your life?

"Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy." --Ephesians 4:21-24

All that God wants is for you to turn away from your sins. Clean your mind and body from ungodly thoughts and doings. Take off the old and put on the new, once and for all.

The Biggest Complaint

I always have a hard time "not complaining" about things. Don't get me wrong, I am a very happy person. It is just the little things that get me a little heated. 

I think the thing I find myself complaining about the most is school. I go to a year round school. Even though it is summer, I am in school. 

This morning I decided to search the top ten biggest things people complain about. School wasn't in the top ten! Of course I found many lists and they were all different...but what I calculated to be the biggest complaint was betrayers. 

Then I got to thinking, when you meet someone you have 7 seconds to make a good impression. IT IS YOUR responsibility to keep up that good impression. 

If you had the mind set that every time you have an encounter with someone, even if you have met them, it should be like a first impression, then we wouldn't have betrayers. 

However, people like to judge. People like to spread rumors. P E O P L E. L I K E. D R A M A. 

Being a teenager, I have been able to realize why people like "drama" so much. 

It is because the attention is on you.

What if everyone had their attention on God? 

You know, gossip is a sin. 

If we all had our attention on God, people couldn't spread rumors or create drama. 

You know, judging is a sin. 

If we all had our attention on God, people couldn't judge one another. 

Don't you think we would all be a lot happier if we lived through God's light? 

Yes, God does put you through hard times. But he promises a light at the end of the tunnel....if you stay faithful to Him. 

My challenge for you this week is to NOT COMPLAIN. Your life will be much happier. Even if you are going through a rough time, God is there to help you. Turn to him for all of your needs. 

My good friend, Lauren North, posted this the other week:

"If you are going through a rough time, remember... YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IT."

Always remember that if you stay strong in HIM, you will see light at the end of the tunnel. Don't gossip or betray someone to get the attention on you. You already have God's attention....that should be enough. 

"Broken" Hollywood

When you hear about teenage celebrities, you usually hear about how messed up they have become.
Drugs.
Alcohol.
Shop Lifting.

And the list goes on.

Yes, there are the celebrities that work for charities and don't stray from their moral compass...but why don't we hear about them?
That is because in this world scandal is what sells.

That is the main reason I want to be in the entertainment industry is because I want to spread my light. God's light.

I know for a fact that the only reason I am happy is because I am at peace with my life. Even when I see things shaking or crumbling, I am still at peace. I know that God is putting me through it to make me stronger and learn from it.
I want others to feel that peace and to be able to smile because they know that they can't control a single thing in their life.

When I go into an audition or into a pageant, I always say, "God already knows how this will turn out."

The best piece of advice I can give you on "finding peace" is to relax and look at the roof over your head. Look at the food on your plate. Then thank God for another day of breathing!

Don't give into the things of this world. They won't make you happy and they will ruin your reputation just like the teen celebrities. No matter how much more popular it will make you, it will make those kids think you are something....you know you're not.

Be smart. Be Christ-like.

Friday Night

Friday nights are my favorite. No, I don't spend it out on the town.

Every Friday night is youth group at my church. From 6-8 I am able to spend time in the most peaceful building, praise and worshiping our Creator, and being around my brothers and sisters.

Yesterday our message was on priorities. Our speaker kept reflecting back on "the biggest rock in your life".

What is your biggest rock? What SHOULD consume most of your time? What/who is most important to you?

For me personally, my biggest rock is God.

Then you work down the list of what is next and so on.

We only get 24 hours in a day. The worst part is, we never get those seconds, minutes, or hours back. We need to spend them wisely, with our big rock the center of our days.

What if your mom died driving home from work tomorrow and today she asked you to go to the store with her? You said no because you wanted to video chat with your friend.

In my mind, anyone could die tomorrow. That is reality. Who is more important? A friend you have known for a few years and once you are out of school you most likely won't talk to again? ........OR your mom. Who gave birth to you. Has spent the last 17 (for me) years having you being the focus of her days. The one who after you graduate from high school will still be there.

You need to look back on who/what is most important in your life and treat them/it like it is that important.

Our speaker last night shared this:
"Rocks are like priorities. Only so many rocks can fit in a jar. Only so many activities can fit in a week. The issue isn't prioritizing your schedule, but scheduling your priorities."

Put the big rocks first.