"Learn, Love, Live"

"Live, Love and Learn": A movie made in the 1930's that coined the popular phrase now used in cute little quotes, but I think the movie had it all wrong. One must first Learn, then Love, and then and only then can they Live!

Last weekend a group of my friends and I went to a youth rally in Tampa just for the heck of it, and I'm so glad we did! Obviously it was a great service, but your never ganna believe what Bro. Joey Campatella spoke about!!!!????

"HOLINESS"

1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

The way he spoke about it just made you have so much more respect and love for it!

On the way home we had a discussion about holiness. See I feel like a view holiness differently then most Pentecostals, but truth is I feel the same way. Some people just don't know it yet.

See ever since I was a little girl I've been taught as a pentecostal girl this is what you wear, because the Bible tells you so, which was fine until I got older and read those scriptures. They just talk about modesty, they don't necessarily say "you can't wear pants" and whatever else blah blah, so what did I do, I stopped wearing skirts everyday.

After my little escapade, I came back to church. My outlook on holiness changed. I'm all for holiness. In fact I love it and won't ever change unless its for the better, but I still don't think wearing skirts is a heaven or hell issue. This is what we discussed on the way home.

I do believe holiness is heaven or hell, but unfortunately the Bible verses can be interpreted in any which way. Depends who you're listening to. Are you listening to yourself and what you think, or are you listening to God and what he thinks?

See what I discovered through all my mistakes and praying and discussions was that The Bible talks about holiness, Its a powerful thing no doubt. The bible also talks modesty its apart of holiness just as much as having a right lifestyle is, but here's the thing it takes more then knowledge of the Bible to follow this with a happy heart.

It takes 100% bible knowledge and 100% Relationship with God. Because you see if you have a relationship with God these things you learn in the bible, whether they make sense or not, you love them whole heartily. It becomes a sacrifice your willing to make for God because you love Him so much!

So to conclude, yes the Bible does say one must have modesty, but to the extensity that we Pentecostals take it, its based off a relationship, of love and sacrifice with God. Because once you have that, it doesn't matter what you've been told to do and what you've been told not to do. All that matters is God, and if that means wearing skirts everyday and not cutting your hair that's okay in fact its great and you love it!

"Learn, Love, Live"

With Love,

Ally

Weird Stuff

So, I told you about the lady in Johann's. If that wasn't weird enough I had 3 more people come into my life quit randomly and strangely this past week.

Thursday I had class and after I had planned to go out to eat with my mom then go shopping with some of my girlfriends. Well, my mom and I got done eating earlier then I had mapped out so I had a couple extra hours on my hands before I had to meet up with the girls. I decided I would go to the Books-A-Million in town because I had really been wanting a good student study bible. So, Im standing there, looking at the bibles, minding my own business when this young man, nearly my age asked If I was a christian. I looked at the bible in my hand and then looked up at him and said with a grin, "Uh Ya". This kid starts making conversation with me and Im friendly so I make conversation back. Get this, he eventually tells me his life story. How he hasn't always been in church, but he knows this is where he belongs blah blah blah. Starts telling me about somethings he is dealing with. I do my best to give him some advise. Although Im sure it wasn't all that great he took every word to heart and then asked me to pray for him.

I prayed with him right there in the Bible aisle of Books-A-Million! GO FIGURE!

The day could have ended like that and I would have been satisfied with my weirdness magnet for the day, but of course God had other plans.

Next this older lady, probably late 60's, is standing there in the middle of the aisle reading a scripture aloud. I don't know what scripture it was. Something about anger, but I couldn't help but notice her. So, I decided to ask her if that was her favorite scripture. She says something like, "It's one of them, but I was just reading this one because I need to learn how to not get so angry". She goes on to tell me that just a few minutes ago there was a lady in here bothering her and she got really angry with her and in fact she gets angry a lot. She tells me that it's something God's been dealing her with and she prays about it all the time, but It's still in issue and its the sole reason she is alone and has no friends.

I instantly feel terrible for this lady. So, I start telling her about Jesus and that he's so much more then a picture on your wall, or a cross around your neck, but that he is your closest friend when the rest have gone away, and he'll teach to be slow to anger. ( she was Catholic)

There is a lot more details and things that were said, but I'm giving you the short version. Basically this lady was enthralled my the information I was giving her. She couldn't believe you could just talk to Jesus the way you talk to any normal person or friend and that his spirit could live in you!!!!

It was amazing and I left by telling her I would pray for her and I told her about my church. I just wish I could have done more. ----- First lesson ----- Don't let moments like this pass you by!

SHINE GOD'S LIGHT WHEREVER YOU GO

My week could have ended like that and once again had enough weird, but one more random person came into my life and I don't know if it was God or fate or just mere accident, but whatever It was I can't wait to see what will happen!

I met a guy and not just any guy, but a UPC, aspiring preacher guy lol

We have so much in common from what we want to do in ministry to what we want to do as a career. We even are both huge Cubs fans lol! He lives in TN but you never know...If its God's will he'll make away.

Oh why is this weird, well I met him on...FACEBOOK. hahahaha

I know its strange, but I also know God works in mysterious ways;)

With Love,

Ally