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Wow. It has been a long time since I have written. Those of you who now me know how HECTIC my life has been recently between church, school, future plans, etc. God has really showed me who is in control of my life by turning upside down!

I recently (last night) have devoted myself to a nightly Bible study that I will do everynight. It's more like a devotion but I'll be studying AND spending time with God. So I started at James last night, and it was the most amazing devotion I have ever had! I'm kind of weird in that I like all the books that some people find confusing. I like 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, Acts, Galations, basically all of those. So, anyway, it was great. 

I read the first chapter just to start and I also turned my last journal into a "thought" journal to write down notes and feelings on what I was reading. 

The verses that stuck out to me the most were 1:2-3, 12, 19-20, 21, 25-27. So basically all of them. :] But the one that I loved the most was verse 27:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I have such a big heart for orphans. They mean little or nothing to the world so we need to love them! I believe that God has given me this love for a reason and I hope and pray that I will use this love for His glory and honor. 

The next one that stuck out to me, not in a good way, was 26:

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless."

I struggle with holding my tongue. Yesterday was no exception. I feel the need to correct and argue points even when I don't have proof. (PRAY FOR ME PLEASE!) So to me this verse means alot to me and I'm going to post it around everywhere. Along this subject is verse 19-20: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." I have the reference to this verse faintly written on the inside of my hand to remind me to think before I speak in order to live the righteous life that wants me to live.

The one verse I found particularly interesting was verse 15: 

"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death

 I can't really comment on it because it kind of perplexes me. I know the verses previous to this one talk about blaming others for your own actions, but if whoever reading this could maybe explain a little further that would be great!

Well, I need to get started on my schoolwork. Thanks for reading and, Lord willing, I will write again soon!