Thoughts of a 20-Something Woman

I re-opened my journal from last semester (January-June 2012). I was reflecting on all God had done in and through me, so I decided to journey into that journal. What I found...utterly shocked me. Page after page was filled with song lyrics such as these: "Empty my hands, fill up my heart, capture my mind with you." (Empty my Hands by Tenth Avenue North) "Empty me, so I can be filled with You." (Empty me by Chris Sligh) "Holy Fire, burn away my desire for anything that is not of You and is of me." (Empty me by Jeremy Camp) "Break through these walls I hide behind. Come break me down with your mercy again." (Break me Down by Tenth Avenue North) "Make me broken, so I can be healed" (Keep Making Me by Sidewalk Prophets) "I wanna feel like new, I wanna hunger for You. Bring me back to life, like only You can do. Cause I don't want to stay the same." (Rediscover You by Starfield) "I'm begging You to help me ...

For those of you that listen to the Christian radio stations, you'll hear a common theme among some of the top songs. Forgiveness---by Matthew West. Losing---by Tenth Avenue North. Forgiveness---by TobyMac. I don't think that it's a coincidence. This isn't the typical post about how Christ has forgiven your sins---however that is the most important  truth that you'll ever hear in your life. How Christ lived a perfect life, so that you wouldn't have to. How Christ died a painful death, so that you wouldn't have to. How Christ rose from the grave, and in doing so---set you free from all sin, all pain, all hurt, and all shame. If you haven't accepted the truth of Christ's forgiveness over your sin, then the rest of this blog may seem stupid . Irrelevant . Unbelievable . Why forgive others if you haven't realized how much you  need forgiveness. So, this blog is for those that believe that Christ has forgiven them .This blog is for those that have bee...

I had an entire blog written about my summer. It was extremely long and extremely detailed. As I was proof-reading...I thought to myself---God's redemption, healing, grace and faithfulness can't be captured in a blog. So, I deleted it all. However...I will say this: God is more than enough for me. If I had to choose a theme song for my summer...it would be "Carry Me." If there is one thing you take from this blog---take the truths of this song and hide them in your heart--- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy8y6dDzYcE In His love, HG

Warning: What I am about to say will probably offend a lot of people... But I am not here to please the world, but to please Christ.  There is a huge phenomenon sweeping our nation right now. It is filling countless people's minds with images that cannot be erased. The phenomenon is called Fifty Shades of Grey.  As a person that works with youth, I decided to check out the book after hearing many of my students and fellow friends talk about the book. As a youth worker, it is my responsibility to know what this generation of students are putting into their minds. So, I picked up the book and started reading. I was absolutely appalled. What I found were pages filled with inappropriate images of lust, bondage, and manipulation. Needless to say, I never finished reading the book. I respect my future husband too much to continue reading this book. I respect myself too much to continue reading this book. I respect Christ too much to continue reading this book. Here'...

Oh wow. It has been quite a while since I last posted something. Life got super crazy. I moved into my home for the summer. My job kick-started. And I forgot all about this thing!  Guys---God is so ridiculously amazing. I cannot even begin to tell you all the incredible things that He is teaching me and showing me, but I shall try to convey it while catching you up on my life. 1) I feel like Job. You know...the guy from the Bible? Yeah...him. Recently, it feels as though God is letting Satan do everything in his power to try to drag me down. It's almost as though God is saying, "Hey Satan---take whatever you want away from Hayley. Do whatever you want. Say whatever you please. But watch out...she isn't who she used to be and watch---she won't move." And I haven't budged.  I haven't shifted . ...I don't say this to be prideful...I say this to show how amazingly strong GOD is. God is truly the one giving me strength to say no to temptation. God is...

"I've come to believe that in everyone's life, there's one undeniable moment of change, a set of circumstances that suddenly alters everything." That quote comes from the book Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Aka...the best book every written by him. A movie is coming out next February for it. If I could buy my ticket right now---I would. My "one undeniable moment of change" happened at the start of this summer...when all my plans came crumbling down in my hands. So, the past month has been a time full of tears , questions , doubt , hurt , pain , and loss . The past month has been a time of joy , peace , love , laughter , and surrender . A month full of growth . God is so good to me. He has been teaching me more than I could have ever asked for. He has healed me in ways that I never thought possible. He has shown me things that I would have never understood before. Obviously---this all came at a cost. Control has always been an idol for me. I've wan...

I'm sitting in Starbucks. They have started to recognize me. I even got a discount on my drink today! I've been here for a few hours and I'm beginning to wonder if they are going to kick me out soon! I officially spend more time here than I spend anywhere else. I'm okay with that...I just wish the drinks were a little less expensive! On that note....There is a lot on my mind, but nothing that is worth sharing on this blog. Just a lot of unanswered questions. A lot of unexplained situations. A lot of unspoken words. But God is bigger---and I'm waiting on Him to bring everything together once again. A couple things to leave you with: 1) Check out my new favorite song :: 'This Love is free' by Hyland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFgGx7HAK0U 2) One thing that I know without a doubt----God's love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me. 3) As I've been watching people in Starbucks for four hours... (seriously. I told you that I li...