Getting that First Love Back

Why does it always feel like we are never quite like we used to be with the Lord?  I have been hearing so much lately at church, in my my quiet time, and at work about getting back to where I used to be in the Lord...striving to be the person I used to be, wanting to be that person....wanting to find that first excitement I had with the Lord when I first realized there is more to being a Christian than going to church, youth group, and praying the prayer of salvation.  I can remember clearly that time in college when I realized there was something about my friends that I didn't quite have, and I wanted it so bad.  I wanted to be like those friends who worship the Lord constantly not just at church or on Wednesday nights.  I wanted to be able to share with whoever I came in contact with.  I wanted to be that friend that others wondered what was different about me and wanted to have what I had in the Lord.  I wanted to be able to share that passion just by the way I lived my life.  I remember that moment that changed my life...that moment I went through with getting baptized again in a muddy cow pond out in the woods with way more people than I expected to be there and that scared feeling of everyone watching me...almost backing out because of there being so many people there, but I remember deciding to make that decision final and doing it.  Sometimes we are nervous about something or scared.  I know my fear of being in front of large groups of people have stopped me several times from going on and doing what I know I am supposed to do, but God puts us in certain situations at certain times in our lives for a purpose and for a reason.  You may not know why at the time, but eventually that time will come when you will know the impact you made on someone eternity.  I remember thinking that night, "I am not letting my life be the same when I leave here.  I am going to serve the Lord like I never served him before.  I am going to change my life for the better...for Him!"  And as I look back over the past 5 to 8 years, I realized how much I have changed.   I remember getting into the Bible...and understanding what I was reading.  I remember those days, I didn't want to put my Bible down.  I remember giving up on dating for a year and growing in the Lord like I never had before.  I can remember how easy it was to share with others my beliefs and how I made that commitment to Him to never let a guy come between me and the Lord again.  I wanted to love Him and spend just as much time with the Lord as I did the guy I was dating and that's what I did; however, here lately, I don't feel like I used to.  I don't feel that passion for Christ like I did at that particular time in my life.  I was involved in my church and loved every minute of it.   I remember youth trips and outings, livewire trips and outings, helping with children's church, and being involved in the woman's ministry and even the excitement of planning for those ministries.  Oh how much I enjoyed those moments.  I can't wait til I get that passion back.  I want so bad to be involved in a church again and become an active Christian. I love how certain sermons can speak to you so much and how everything in your life start revolving around that sermon and saying to you the same thing.

I have been reading Amos in my quiet time...a book in the Bible I have never read completely before because I felt like it never spoke to me, and I couldn't get anything out of it.  I finished the book today and realized there is so much in there that has spoke to me. In Chapter 5, I read, "Come back to the Lord and live." I read this right after I heard the message at church about finding that first love and wow did it hit home.  It's crazy how God uses a small portion of His Word to remind us what we have previously heard.  That's not all. God has really been dealing with me in Amos.  He used Amos' life to remind me of how I used to be.  Amos raised sheep, not an easy job to do for God, but Amos was still used by God for a purpose.  Our jobs may not always feel like a place for worshiping Him and sharing the Good News, but it can be a vital place to be used by Him if you are in the place God wants you to be.  God can use YOU no matter how ordinary your job may seem.  I work in a Christian school where I get that opportunity daily and even hourly to share as much as I want with my students, but sometimes let those moments slip by.  I have made that promise to myself and to the Lord to try my best to use every moment he gives me and to be excited for Him and to share His Word again.   Have you grown complacent in your walk with the Lord and let other concerns that have taken place in your life come first? I know I have.  I love how God can use any situation and any person to do His will.  He used a shepherd, Amos, for a particular purpose, and still uses Amos' life to speak to us today.  We need to be willing to listen for his call and do what he says and go where ever he leads.  I'm up for the challenge....are you?!?!  Don't just attend church, read His Word, help the needy, tithe, etc. just as something to check off your list or because you are supposed to.  Do it because your heart is in it.  Do as your heart leads.  I like how our pastor said, Don't read a chapter because you have to get a chapter in.  Read until you get tired.  Before you open your Bible, pray over it.  Pray that God will speak to you through His Word.  Pray that you will get something out of it.  If you read one verse and feel your heart is in not in it, stop reading and pray for God to speak to you through that verse and that you will get out of that verse what he says through it.  I have changed my outlook on reading the Bible and God is once again speaking to me through His Word.  I feel like I am reading for a purpose again.  One day we will meet God and be held accountable for our life...my mom and I was talking about this yesterday.  God says on that day, (Chapter 2) even the most courageous men will drop their weapons and run.  (Even the toughest people will fear him on that day.)  I know so many people who go through life thinking, they do not need Him or don't take that moment to stop and pray for help.  Even I fall into those life routines when I sometimes forget to stop and look to him for an answer or to help find something I may have lost, or to help my students stop the chattering on those long days when nothing seems to work with them.  It's those times when we need to look to him for help.  So many of us today, me included, think we can do everything on our own and that we don't need the help in fear of we want it done our way and not someone else's way.  Sometimes we think if we ask for help, it will be done wrong, but those are the times God is calling us and we aren't answering our phones. He is wanting us to stop and remember Him, but sometimes we are too busy.  Reading Amos made me stop and evaluate my own life and though I am right with the Lord and plan on spending eternity with him when that day comes, I still have parts of my life I need to evaluate and get right with the Lord.  Sometimes sinful practices become a way of life.  Ignoring or denying these issues won't make them go away. (Chapter 1-2)  We need to give them up to the Lord and really pray to overcome these obstacles in our lives that are keeping us from being the person we were made to be.

I pray right now that I can be that person, Lord....that person you made me to be.  Lord, I don't want to miss a beat of my life not following those plans you have for me.  I pray that I can overcome these obstacles in my life that are keeping me from being the person you have made me to be.  I pray that those wrongs in my life, I will be convicted about and that I will strive to be more like you and the way you made me.  I pray that I will use every opportunity and not let a single one slip through my fingers.  Use me, Lord.  Use me. Use me for your purpose and for your plan for my life.  Use me in my classroom, with my family, at home, out in public, Lord, at my church...use me Lord.  Use me in the way you have fit for my life.  Use me like you did Amos.  Help me to touch others lives and to remind them of your power and your will for their lives.  I pray Lord for those people in my life right now...that you can use them to be courageous and not afraid to speak up for you as well as me Lord.  I pray that not only I get that first love back for you, but that we all can...that we all can be used by you for the purpose you have made us.  Lord, you have a reason for my life and I pray that I can be used for that purpose.  Show all of us Lord your way.  Help us to walk in the right direction.  Guide our every steps, Lord.  Help each step I take, each word I say, be a step closer, a word closer to glorifying you Lord.  I pray that each person that reads this will be touched by you Lord and that each person will be able to find that first love they once had with you. And that if they haven't found that first love, Lord that you will put others into their lives that will be an eye opener for them, like my college friends were for me Lord.   I pray that they will see someone and say, "There is something different about that person and I want to be like that."  Lord I pray this prayer Lord and that everyone that is supposed to hear you speak to them will and that you can not only use me, but all you have you planned to hear this message and want that back.  I know when I hear this message at church, I wanted it back more than ever and God I believe you are getting me back to that point day by day slowly but I know with your help nothing is impossible Lord and you showed me that through a simple story at work...if you could use Helen Keller Lord to be such an inspiration for my life and I am sure for the lives of my students and others who read her story, you can use me and you can use anyone Lord because "nothing Lord is impossible with you".  Lord that is the verse that I have strive to instill in my students this year and I pray that before they leave my class, they will not only know that verse but that they will BELIEVE that verse with all their heart.  Lord I pray that not a single one of  my students will leave my classroom not knowing that they "can do all things through you Lord." I pray that they believe through you that if they set their heart to it that they will believe that "all things really are possible with you Lord."  No matter how hard something may seem for them, they can accomplish it through you.  They can, Lord!  I can, Lord.  I have made it this far, Lord and it has been a tough year Lord, but you knew it would be.  You knew you had me in that place at that time for a reason.  Lord you have given me a reason to teach.  You have a purpose for my life.  You know that my passion and heart to change even one student's life is the reason I went into teaching and I pray Lord now that you put me into this private, Christian setting that you will use me Lord not to change just one student's life but that you will use me to change thousands of students' lives, or even all the students that step into my class.  Lord I want to be used by you like I've never been used by you before.  Lord I want to be intentional about including you into all of my plans.  I know Lord that is easier said than done, but Lord I thank you for my principal's prayer of taking that stress off of us and allowing us to enjoy this time.  For the first time this year, I have gained back my excitement for teaching and my reason for teaching.  Lord I thank you for giving me that passion to be that teacher I was called to be.  Lord, I pray that the rest of this year won't go to waste, but that I will instill in my students all that I am supposed too...don't let a single day, a single hour, a single moment to slip through my fingers Lord.  I want to be used by you this year, this day, this moment and I know you will use me and you will use me in a way that I am passionate about.  Thank you Lord for that passion again, for the joy of children in my life, for the funny moments, the serious moments, the love for teaching Lord is your will for not only my life, but for millions.  Lord I pray that each person you have set for your purpose will be on fire for that purpose that you have planned.  Lord you are my all and I pray for that passion for you to be there like it never has been before.  I pray for my relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and Jason Lord that your will will be done.  You have a reason for each of those people being in my life Lord and I pray that you will use them to open up my eyes and to show me what they are supposed to show me, but also that you will open up their eyes to what you have me to show them.  Lord take the stress of wedding planning, lesson planning, and life in general off of me and help me to enjoy these moments now Lord before they slip through my fingers.  Lord help me to enjoy every moment as if it's my last.  Help me Lord to be used by you and to remember you each and every day, each and every hour, each and every moment and minute.  Lord help me not to take life for granted but to savor every moment.  You are the reason for every season even cold, stuck in doors days when life seems so blah and all I want is to be outdoors to see your beauty.  The truth is Lord you can use even seasons like today.  And I never took the moment to thank you for answering my prayer about having a warm weekend.  Thank you Lord.  You put the joy back in my life and in my heart! I love you. Lord!

Just a thought that I wanted to share...

Just a thought that I wanted to share...

by Kristina Voelker on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at 12:26am

Lately I have been feeling like blah...like I have no purpose here.  I know I do, but I just haven't been feeling it.  I dunno what the deal has been.  It seems like no matter how hard I try or how much I pray to have that passion for Christ, I just can't get it back.  I feel like I can't find that "first love" I had with Him.  I dunno...its a feeling I want more than anything...a relationship like I once had with Christ, but can't get.  I was chatting with a friend I haven't talked to in awhile and she sent me a link to her blog and I am so glad she did because her thoughts and words are so fitting for my life right now.  She starts out by saying:
        "Have you ever felt like the Samaritan woman in the Bible?  Asking yourself why would Jesus talk to me?  And why would he ask me to get a drink of water for him?  Jesus answers the Samaritan woman by telling her of the Gift that God has for her.  'Where can I get this gift?'  Asked the Samaritan woman.  She asks again, please sir…give me some of that water!  Then I will never be thirsty again."
I ask myself that so often ,"Why me?"  or "How can you use me?"  This past week at school, our Bible lesson was all about the angels coming to Mary and Joseph and I have brought up how Mary probably said that same thing, "Why me?" She was a normal girl just like us and yet God chose her for such an amazing, no words can describe opportunity. IF he chose her, he can choose you and me as well.  Just like  Jesus chose to talk to this Samaritan woman.  God has this perfect plan for my life.  I tell my students that all the time.  God has a plan for their lives and it's far greater than we could ever imagine.   I have been reading in James for my devotional group at work and in Chapter 4, it says,
"How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog-its here a little while and then it's gone. What you ought to say is, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."    This reminds us that life is short.  We need to live today for Christ.  We need to enjoy our loved ones today and do what we know we should TODAY not tomorrow! If we put off what we can do today, it may be too late.  Before I ever read this I was reminded that we are all on "borrowed" time.  We are only here for that short time and we need to live for God today! Being a teacher I'm not saying we shouldn't plan, because we should; however, we need to seek God's guidance in our plans and focus on what He has for our lives and our plans.  Our plans should include Him.  As my friend says in her blog, "God wants us to be joyful as we worship Him.  He wants to see smiles upon our faces and loving hearts.  Everytime we worship God we are in awe of everything that he has done in our lives, he gives us the desire to raise our hands and praise his name!  When we focus on God, and take our eyes off of  ourselves we can truly worship our Wonderful maker!"  I love how she put that because honestly raising my hands in church or stepping out of my comfort zone is one of the hardest things for me.  To be able to block everything else out and just really worship God has always been tough for me when I am around others.  Yes, I can worship God and sing and just love on Him when I am alone in my car or in my bedroom at night by myself, but it's different when I am in a church setting and trying to block everything else out and just focus on the Lord.  It's hard to raise my hand and just give it all up to Him.  It's hard to let go and let Him on the things going on in my life, but I know I need I too.  I know that nothing compares to his love for me, and the plans he has for me and right now is the time he had given me and I need to embrace it today and choose to let him take control and be the center of my life not any other relationship or my job or my finances or anything.
        In my personal time with God a couple nights ago, I read Romans 12:12 which says, "Be glad for all God is planning for you.  BE patient in trouble and always be prayerful."  WOW! God is awesome how everything in my life right now is pointing to the same thing he is trying to remind me of.  In Romans 12:6 it also says, "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well."  As I am constantly telling my students, we are all unique in our own ways.  Some of us are good at one area of our lives while others are good at something else.  I use this to help my students realize that God made some of them good at math and others good at sports or reading or whatever it may be.  He made each of us special in his eyes.  He knew us before we were ever born.  He knew why he made us and what plans he has for each one of us.  Now it's our job to focus on him and those plans he made us for.  We have that choice as I was reminded reading that blog earlier.  We have the choice and freedom to worship God with all our heart, to worship him and not have the fear of going to jail for it, but the freedom to worship him how heart desires and to love him and tell others about him freely.  How lucky are we?!?! I mean people in other countries have to hide their beliefs.  We don't! We have that special privilege, therefore, need to share Him with others.  As the Hillsong United's song says, "Tell the world that Jesus lives." And what better time than right now to share what we believe with someone else.  Live today like there's no tomorrow.  Worship God like you've never worshiped  Him before.  Read the Bible and soak in each and every verse.  Don't just read it to be checking off another task on your to do list.  Love others, "Don't just pretend that you love others.  Really love them."  (Romans 12:9) We may never see God's plan for our lives today or what our seeds have done that we have planted today, but in eternity it will all become clear...God's purpose for our lives.  How have you been living your lives lately?  Have you given God your all?  Have you showed others that you really love them?  Have you lived today like there's no tomorrow? Just a thought that I wanted to share...God's been reminding me of this so much lately....everywhere I turn I notice God reminding me in some way or another...the question is though, "Have I been giving God my all and living for Him?"  Have I showed others how much I care?  Do I worship God all the time like no one is watching?  Who's watching me and how I live my life?  Do they see Christ through me?"  This holiday season, I plan on giving Him my all.  I never would have thought spending money would lift my spirits and remind me what Christmas is all about, but today buying gifts for my family and friends made me realize the greatest gift to me has already been given-Jesus Christ!  Who can I share that gift with today?  Just a thought...

MY MOM...OUR MOM! Do you agree?!?!

MY MOM...OUR MOM! Do you agree?!?!

by Kristina Voelker on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 11:26pm

I want to summit the story of my mom. She is a magnificent woman in my life, and seeing her life and struggles has brought me closer to the Lord. My mom has always had health issues ever since she was young such as kidney and thyroid problems. When she was in her mid thirties she became pregnant with my twin brothers after already having five young children. She went into labor early and had a allergic reaction to the medicine the doctor put her on to keep her from going into labor. Her mouth swelled up and she could barely breath. It became so bad that the doctor told my dad he would have to choose my mom or the twins. Our doctor was a Christian and prayed by her side night and day during the whole process and she came out of it healthy and my brothers are now 16 and healthy, athletic, and very smart boys. When my mom was in her upper forties she found out she was a diabetic. When the doctor found this out, she should have been in a diabetic coma and somehow she was still her busy self raising seven children. She has been struggling with this for several years now however still strong. A few years after, she was losing blood and the doctors thought she had cancer. They had found a spot and told her she would have to be tested. However after a lot of prayer and faith, she went in for another check up that showed up perfect. It showed she was not losing blood and there was no spot. The doctors to this day still don't understand how the results has changed, but we knew. It was God! This past summer at age 53, she found she would have to have open heart surgery. She had a heartattack sometime in the past, but did not know. I'm telling you my mom was a strong woman! I don't know how she kept going, but she did. After having open heart surgery she has been in and out of the hospital several times. She is now scared to go back because she never knows when they will put her back in for yet another surgery. She has some rear disease that causes her to have several blockages and clots. She is a small woman around 5 ft tall, but she is mighty. She is the strongest woman I know and will not give up the fight! She trusts in the Lord and my trust and faith in the Lord has grown more than ever watching everything she has been through and knowing that she can still keep going! She still cooks big family meals for us and enjoys time with her children and grandchildren which she just became a grandma to three in the past year and a half! There is so many more stories I could tell about seeing the Lord work miracles in my mom and my family that I would love to share but don't have enough time. I do want you to know that my mom was a stay at home mom with seven children and only worked around holidays and only in the evenings when my dad could be home with us. She is currently looking for a job or trying for disability due to her doctor bills, but physically probably could not do it. I would appreciate prayers and believing in another miracle to heal her from this disease. They say she is a fifty three year old woman in a eighty year old woman's body! Trust me she does not show her pain or hurt and she does not give up! My mom is one-of-a-kind. Even with her health problems and financial problems, she won't stop helping others and being honest. I can remember being a child and hearing my mom tell a woman at a store that she did not ring up a hundred dollar chair. Most people would have left the store and not said a word, but my mom did. This isn't the only time she was honest. I saw several times when she would give back change when she received too much back. My mom was constantly loaning out money to others in need and opening up our house to family members and neighborhood kids. My mom has always been there for us (her children) and everyone else in her life through everything. She has encouraged each one of us and taken up for us countless of times. Yes she knows that we're not perfect but she pushes us to be the best that we can be. She lets us know that she is here for us no matter what. I know that I would not be where I am today without my mom and her encouragement and pushing me out of my comfort zone and constantly cheering me on in all that I do. I always worried about disappointing my parents because they raised us to grow up and reach for our dreams and do what our passion is and I believe that I am where I am today because of my mom always there beside me encouraging me to take the next step. After all this with my mom (her being sick and making it through all these life threatening situations), I realized how much our family relies on her and need her in our lives and I thank God constantly for helping her pull through this and continue to pray for healing on her health. I'm not just writing all this so that my mom wins...I am writing this so that my mom knows how much she means to me and the rest of our family. I want her to know she is the world to us. She truly is my best friend! No one could take her place in my life and I'm sure anyone who my mom knows would say the same about her! She has not only made a difference in her children's life, but in everyone's life that she knows! Mom, if you read this...I want you to know, I love you more than words can express! This is only a glimpse of that love and what you mean to me and everyone else!


With mother's day just being here and all these mother's day contests going on, I wanted to share with everyone how I feel about my mom and a story I entered in a contest! I know mothers are special people and should be recognized all year not just one special day so take the time to think about your mom and what she means to you and others. Feel free to write what you think about your mom! I would love to hear and sometimes mothers need to hear it as well because if your honest with yourself you probably don't express your love for your mom where she knows it! I know I don't express it enough!

"By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue

"By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue

by Kristina Voelker on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 8:59pm

Isn't it funny how a certain song comes on exactly when you need it too? I was sitting in my car tonight and this song came on. I have been praying for direction in life...once again and just really upset about things going on in my life and just really been getting down on myself. Its hard to understand how going to school for five years and getting a degree could get me no where in life. I mean obviously thats not true, but I had some things said to me a few weeks ago that have been getting to me ever since. I don't know why I let certain things I hear upset me so much but I do. But anyway tonight this song came on as I was sitting in my car upset. The first line I noticed was, "why are you crying? LEt me lift up your face just dont turn away." It caught my attention because it made me realize even though I have felt so distant from God lately, He is right there. He knew I was upset. He knew I was crying. He knew it all along. I wasn't alone in my car even though I thought no one saw me. He was there. I have been praying not only for direction but praying and trying to get that "first love" feeling back for Him. And that's when I heard next few lines, "Why are you looking for love? Why are you still searching as if i'm not enough? To where will you go child? Tell me where will you run to where will you run" Through this song, God spoke to me. I always feel like I can't hear God speaking to me, but randomly I hear the same messages over and over or a song comes on right at the right time to remind He is there. That's how it was tonight, God proved to me He was there. "cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall In the dead of night whenever you call." God is there for me. He is right by my side walking each day with me. And tonight He questioned me and challenged me. Why am I looking for love? Why am I searching? He is enough for me. I know that, but sometimes I have to be reminded. "And please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you. cause I love you I want you to know...that I love you. I'll never let you go." God loves us so much...more than we can ever imagine! He loves us so much that He gets jealous for us. This song brought back a sermon I heard at Legacy on God is a jealous God. God really is a jealous God! He gives us so much love and yet we find ways to love this world and things in it more than God himself and sometimes we have to be reminded that God needs to be number one. I realized tonight, I have let my worries, spending time with others, and work take up more of my time than spending time with God. No wonder I have had such trouble finding that "first love" that I once had with God. I know God is in control of my life and no matter how much I mess up or fall away from him, he is there right next to me pulling me back up when I fall. He has never let go of me. I may be fighting his hands that are holding on to me, but he didn't give up and He wont give up. I know that I will never know what tomorrow holds, but that if God is first in my life and I am striving to do as He has planned for me then I am going in the direction he has for me. All I can do is pray each morning that ever step I take is a step closer to the plans he has for me. I may not see those plans now, but looking back on my life...especially my college days, I know that I am on the right path and when I start going on the wrong path, he has pulled me back on the right track. I pray that I can find His will for my life and that I am on the right track, but when I look at my life. I am 25, a college graduate, with a job that pays very little and living with a family and not on my own. I feel like my success has got me no where, but I know there are things in my life that has happened this year for a reason. God doesn't put us in storms, but He allows us to go through them. These storms of life brings us or others closer to Him. We may not see or understand now why we are going thru the things that we are, but someday we will know. We can look back on our lives and see how God had his hand on each situation and how He brought us thru each struggle.

If you haven't heard this song, I encourage you to listen to it. It really is a powerful song and it really challenged me. Although this song didn't point me to a certain direction on life, it reminded me that God is in control. He has been there right next to me all along. He has been holding my hand, directing my path. He loves me and will not let me fall or keep down. If I fall, he is there to lift me back up.

Life really isn't that bad for me. I have an amazing family, a job with great co workers, a great boyfriend, and a place to live. It may not be my own place, but I am blessed to have a place to sleep. Im his timing he will show me the right place for me and the right job. I just have to be patient and let him direct me.


Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if i'm not enough?
To where will you go child?
Tell me where will you run to where will you run?

cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When i drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in and give you life
I wanna give you life

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

cause I love you I want you to know
That i yeah i love you I'll never let you go
No no

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side
My hands are holding you

Once again God answered prayers!

Once again God answered prayers!

by Kristina Voelker on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 10:56pm

It's amazing how God works...I have been feeling like my life has had no purpose lately. I'm at a stand point in my life with no direction as if I am going no where spiritually and in life in general as if I am "going thru the motions" but God showed me today I am exactly where I am supposed to be...doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. During Bible today, I had a little girl asking questions and really interested in what I was saying...at the end of Bible when we were going into phonics, her and another student came up to me wanting to accept Christ into their lives! I felt like God was saying to me after that special moment with two first grade girls, "Kristina, you are right where I want you at this point in your life." As my day is coming to an end, I can't help but thank God for that small moment that answered my many prayers on direction in life. I never knew that God would use just a normal Bible lesson to show me direction in life, but He did an He will use us if we are willing. All we have do is ask...ask to have someone put in our paths that will question. As I told my students, what better time to tell someone about Jesus than right now as we are coming into Easter. If you know someone who is not a Christian or who questions it...dont be afraid to question them. You never know when a small question such as: Why do you celebrate Easter? What is Easter all about? Little questions could make a world of a difference in someone's life. I hope you will take the time to ask Him to lead someone in your path, that you can share your faith with...just sharing your story can make a difference.

Once Again God is Amazing

Once again God is amazing!

by Kristina Voelker on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 4:19pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBfjTDJqngI&NR=1

God is oh so amazing on how he works things out...once you give it all up to Him everything falls into place the way they are supposed too! An amazing job with amazing Christian people to work with...an amazing guy who still seems to be the perfect one for me...the most wonderful parents in the world who I have gotten to spend alot of amazing time with over break, an adorable nephew and cute neice in the same year and one nephew on the way...hopefully within the next month! Friendships between my siblings and our significant others have grown stronger than ever before! My brother accepted Christ and trying to stand out as a Christian in high school! My mom has more energy than she's had in a long time! Plus so much more! All I can say is thank you Lord for working things out the way you have planned and in your timing! GOD IS AMAZING!

I have been reading Job and hearing it (thanks to Andrew sharing it with youth)! It has really opened my eyes to the world and the things around me. Just seeing him and how he has gotton everything taken away from him...even his family, his animals, and even his health. And he still fell down and worshipped God! It made me start thinking about my life and how blessed I am even with everything going wrong this year...one things after another. Somehow I still can't help but feel blessed. I have way more than I deserve. God has blessed me with all the things listed above and so much more...He has given me a boyfriend who has been more of a blessing than I could ever imagine. He has been beyond great to me...I cant even express how he has been for me with everything I have dealt with he has still stuck by my side every minute of it and even done little things for me that he prolly doesnt even realize he has done because it is just him and how he was raised. He has amazing parents who I feel so comfortable around. His mom is the most wonderful Christian woman who really makes me think about the word and constantly encourages me to continue in my walk. And not to mention someone I can go shopping and scrapbook with. I have parents who stick together and grow stronger in their relationship together everyday. I couldnt ask for better role models of a married couple. I have great friends...one moving away :-( and one moving closer to me! I can't wait! I have two jobs with lots of kids to love! I have great Christian coworkers who are constantly asking how I am doing and asking about my family. I couldnt ask for a better atmosphere to work in...specially because I can share how amazing God truly is with the children and also am constantly reminded of that by others around me.

I just wanted to share this because even with everything going not my way this past summer and first semester...I gave it up to God and just told him to take control of everything...my relationship, my job, my eyes, my mom...everything! My eyes finally healed...my mom is doing better...my job is looking promising even with the changes that are going to be happenig in the next week...as far as my relationship goes...we have set a goal on reading the whole Bible together by a certain time and even prayed together giving our relationship up to the Lord...Once again it took all this happening and everything to go wrong before I let go and let Him take control...God can do so much for us if we stay focused on Him and let him have complete control...not just some of us but all of us! He really does work miracles...I have a whole list of things he's done for me in my life...especially since this past May.

Find Your Wings

Find Your Wings

by Kristina Voelker on Friday, May 22, 2009 at 6:00pm

So I heard this song on my way home and I couldn’t help but think how thankful I am for the parents I have. I couldn't have asked for better parents. They truly are amazing and I thank God for them. They would probably tell you that you grew up so quickly and as this song says, "It's only for a moment you are mine to hold. The plans that heaven has for you. Will all too soon unfold." This song sounds so much like my mom when it says, "I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wing"

My mom has always been there for us through everything. She has encouraged each one of us and taken up for us countless of times. Yes she knows that we're not perfect but she pushes us to be the best that we can be. She lets us know that she is here for us no matter what. I know that I would not be where I am today without my mom and her encouragement and pushing me out of my comfort zone and constantly cheering me on in all that I do. I always worried about disappointing my parents because they raised us to grow up and reach for our dreams and do what our passion is and I believe that I am where I am today because of my mom and dad always there beside me encouraging me to take the next step.

After all this with my mom, I realized how much our family relies on her and need her in our life and I thank God constantly for helping her pull through this and continue to pray for healing on her health. I overheard my dad say, "You can't leave us. We need you!" and it hurt hearing him say that because the truth is we rely on our parents more than we think and honestly going through all this with my family has brought us so much closer as a family as well to God. Praying as a family, hearing my dad cry for the first time, and just getting together with my whole family was probably the best thing that has happened to me in a long time (not that the surgery was something I ever wanted or would ever wanna deal with again) but the truth is God has a plan for everything. And I believe that he had a reason for this all happening to our family and I know he will continue to give us insight on why this is happening to us. I love my family to death but in the business of life I have realized how much I take them for granted so much...It is so important to spend time with family. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow and we need to really think about that. This week has brought me back to one of Richie's sermons on 30 days to live...if you only had 30 days to live, what would you do? Would you change how you’re living now? Would you spend more time with family and friends? Would work and school and the hectic of life not seem so important? The truth is we need to spend every day as if it’s our last. Don't take your life for granted.


If you havent heard the song below, you need to listen to it...it is prolly one of the most meaningful songs that I have heard lately...it really got me thinking...We all need to reach for our wings and the plans God has our lives. Our lives are too short to worry about the small things and to take things for granted. Reach for your dreams, remember who are important in your life, and strive to be the best you can be for the Lord and not for yourself!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4NS7gChzvk


Mark Harris
Find Your Wings
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And if I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
[ Mark Harris Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

Send "Find Your Wings" Ringtone to your Cell
Find Your Wings Lyrics

God is in Control

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

by Kristina Voelker on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 8:54am

God is amazing! We are like little specks on this Earth yet God loves us so much! He never stops loving us. I was looking at sunset pictures from Florida and saw the shadows of people on the side of the beach and it made me think that is how God sees us. We may just be small little specks in God's eyes, but yet his love for us is more than we could ever imagine. It's amazing to think about...I was looking back over this past week and just thinking about all the things that had happened to me yet still all the fun I had and how amazing that that trip to Florida was planned the week that it was. It took me away from so many distractions even with the distractions it brought...I would not have traded it for the world. Being away from everything yet being with friends I never thought I could get this close too really was an eye opener for me. I had been praying leading up to this trip with graduation and all that God would just open and close doors as he sees fit in my life and I have noticed so many smal, silly prayer requests that have been answered almost as if God is saying, "Kristina let go of it all. I'm in control." And for some reason its finally starting to click. I feel as if God really is in control! He has closed so many doors this past week, but yet opened so many new ones. I may not always understand why God is letting so many things happen to me all at once, but I know in the end, there is a reason. He has a plan for my life. I feel like this is a new a chapter of my life that he is opening as he is closing the old chapters...I now realize that through all these small answered prayers that he is still right beside me...he has his arm around me telling me he is there and that I need to trust him. I know that he is in control! My mom is having a quadruple bypass this coming Monday and I have been really worrying about it remembering back to when I lost mu grandpa after having open heart surgery. But I realized I cant keep worrying about it, but let God take control. God is answering small prayers to remind me he is there and he is in control and he will be sitting right next to my mom holding her through the whole thing. My mom is tough and has fought through so much with God's help, I know she will come through this with his help! So if you have been praying please continue to pray. God answers prayers! My mom is a living testimony and I know she will be again!

I feel like I had to write this out to actually let God take control and to really give it up to him...if you read this please keep my mom and our family in your prayers...He answered so many prayers lately, I know he is control of this if we let go and give it up to him.

I love you all! Thanks for all your prayers.