Be An Encourager!

5.7.15
I hope everyone had a great Sunday!!  Sunday is always one of my favorite days of the week because it's the time I get to spend fellowship with my Christian brothers and sisters, which is so important!

Why is it important though? It's important because our Christian friends are the ones who are supposed to be building you up, helping you, teaching you, correcting you, and most importantly encouraging you!

Encouragement..... we all need encouraging, right?

What is the opposite of encouragement? Don't think to hard (;
I know! Discouragement! It is so, so, so easy to become discouraged!

Think back to the last time you became discouraged, how did you react?
It happens to me all the time! I will be trying so hard to do something and when the first thing goes wrong I become discouraged. Before I put my faith, my hope, and my trust in God I would usually quit after the first sign of becoming sad. BUT then I figured out, if I just let God do this then everything will be fine! Discouragement is of the devil! He is always looking for ways to get you down. So here's what you do, when the first sign of discouragement comes along just stop and pray! Tell the devil to go away!! Demand him to leave; you have the power to do so! Its that easy if you believe.

In life I have found encouraging people and then some people who discourage, those are the ones always saying what's wrong and nagging about something, just trying to get you upset. Friends, its not supposed to be that way!! If we discourage fellow Christians then what good are we doing for God? Followers of Jesus live a life that isn't easy, and its not meant to be easy! It is so rewarding though, so don't give up!

Question 1: How does it make you feel to be encouraged?
Question 2: How does it make you feel to be discouraged? Take it a little deeper: How does it feel to be discouraged when you are already having a bad day?

It doesn't feel good to be having a bad day and someone who you don't know or you do know to come and say something rude or discouraging does it? That is why its so important to always encourage one another, whether we know them or not.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. 
1 Thessalonians 5:11

So why is it so important to encourage people? Simply because it's what we are supposed to do! If we don't encourage one another life will become sad and feel pointless. Being a follower of Jesus means that encouragement is necessary. If it wasn't for the encouragement that God has gave me through others I wouldn't be writing this right now. As Christians we all should have one goal and that is saving others through Christ, which can be difficult. That's when we step in and tell people not to give up and to have hope just like Jesus did. He was always telling people do not be afraid, peace be with you, etc. So if we are to live as Christ did then shouldn't we encourage everybody?

I know it can be hard because I fail at this all the time, but through God we can ask for forgiveness and for help! It all comes down to one thing, and that is love! Encouraging someone shows them love Gods love!

Think into your life for a moment, when was the last time you encouraged somebody or was simply nice to someone? If you can't think of anything then ask God to help you start showing his love to everyone, the stranger in the store, or the waitress at the restaurant, encourage them to keep up the good work, even if it isn't good. We have no idea what kind of day others may be having, and it only takes one hurtful action to cause them to become depressed or even harm themselves! As Christians this is our job, it is as important as them all! We must encourage!!

If you are awesome at this then that is great!! I am so happy for you because it can be very hard for others! Don't stop the good work though! You can never do enough encouraging! Pray and ask God to help you show someone how to encourage others through your walk.

God loves you so much! Show him love back and start living a life for him! Start encouraging others to come to church and to keep up the good work. It's the simple things that mean the most, I believe we all can relate to that.

Tomorrow is a new day, lets start it with encouraging words to others!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are encouraged

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy

Sweet happy kids in El Salvador!
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Jesus Christ, so that you may glorify the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind an voice. Romans 15:5-6

Don't Be Selfish

6.4.15

I hope everyone is having a great week!! It has been beautiful weather here in Alabama! I have spent the week spending time with loved ones and just trying to be the best I can be. It's so important to remember that there is always room to grow with Christ, no matter how old you are or how much you know.

Have you ever found yourself being selfish?

Definition: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well being without regard for others.

Being selfish could mean that you put yourself in front of others, you get the best of things while not being concerned what your family has or others, getting upset and causing broken relationships because something didn't go your way, not worrying about those who have nothing, even being selfish with your time, or people, doing works for God but really its only for yourself to shine

Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. James 3:13-16

Friends, scripture says that where envy and selfishness is that there is disorder. Do you have disorder and chaos in your life? If so, it is probably because you are living a selfish life.

I know I can struggle with being selfish. It used to be bad but when I became a true follower of Christ he showed me what was really important in life. You see God didn't send His only Son to give us everything we want and to make us happy! He sent His Son to die for our sins so that we may be free to live for Him, not for ourselves!
For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:19-20
You see if being a true follower of Christ means we must give Him everything, and we can't do that if we are being selfish.

Now this don't mean you won't fail. We are not perfect. Just last night I found myself almost being selfish of Shane. I tend to want no one else to have him! God told me to stop being selfish that what He is doing is for me, and that is what is most important.

Think of someone that is selfless. Many people come to my mind but the two that stand out the most is my mom, and Jeremiah Swaray. My mom because she is always puts others before herself! My whole life I watched her do it. Before she did anything for herself she always made sure my brother, dad and I had the nicest things. Even for those she doesn't know. Just last year when we went to El Salvador and instead of using her hardworking money for herself, she used it to get those orphans and our family there that she had never met shoes, clothes, and even small toys. It is called love, and it is what we were called to do!
Jeremiah is a missionary from Africa who takes care of his wife, his 3 kids, and around 40 orphans. My dad, brother, and friend Pete, met Jeremiah on a mission trip in Sierra Leone, Africa, it was there that Jeremiah practically saved their lives. Jeremiah had the opportunity to come to America in October of 2014, while he was here he showed us what it meant to be a true follower of Christ. While he was packing to leave, instead of packing his entire luggage for himself he stuffed it full of shoes and clothes for his family and the orphans! This showed that he truly loved them! How selfless. How many of you would take in 40 orphans and not know where your next meal would come from?
None of this was to boost them; it was to show that what they are doing is what God told them and us to do!

Now that you have heard of two selfless people I know and have thought of some that you know it's time to examine your own life. Where in your life are you being selfish? I know I can find some places that I am, so I know that you can too! The first step is to admit it to yourself and then ask God to forgive you. He will always forgive you as long as you ask! Now that you are forgiven start living a life of selflessness. At the end of each day examine where you might have been and fix it! Ask yourself what you have done for someone else today? Then ask what have you done for someone outside your family? God will help you if you ask!

Now that you want to live a selfless life, start living in love! We cannot love if we are being selfish, and that is Gods biggest command.
"I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." James 13:34-35
1 Corinthians 13 also tells us that love is not selfish! Love kills selfishness. If we live in love then we will kill two birds with one stone! It's time to start living a life for Christ! I know you can do it! Lets do it together!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are blessed

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy

My mom and I on my wedding day making me pretty

An orphan in Africa that lives with Jeremiah 

We Are ALL Missionaries

6.1.15

It's hard to believe it's already June. It seems like just yesterday it was Christmas! Which is 207 days away for all you parents out there! It's also hard to believe that I haven't been to El Salvador since October! If only it was cheap to fly and I would be there all the time.

I want to tell you a little bit about why my blog URL is fight for every soul. In February 2014 Shane and I had the opportunity to go to El Salvador. Which is located in Central America. Going on a mission trip out of country wasn't something I had thought about as a child but when I was given the opportunity I couldn't pass it up. This trip changed my life forever! It changed my way of thinking and my relationship with God. That week I began to grow closer to God and He told me exactly why HE put me on this earth! It wasn't to be a friend, a daughter, a sister, or a future mom. He told me that all of those things come with the package, but the real reason that he put me here was to help the helpless. To be a voice of those who have none! I had no idea what I was doing; I just knew that God had a plan! We only got to spend one day at the orphanage and that one day was all it took. Seeing those children in their dirty clothes, broken shoes, and hungry bellies killed me. I could only think about what they would give just to have a bowl of that ice cream I had in my freezer. The whole time they did nothing but laugh and love on all of us. Most all of them were so happy! The orphanage is run by a Christian organization so since we knew they were getting to hear the word all we did was play and love on them. As we left the orphanage I was broken, earlier in the week I told God to break my heart for what breaks His and boy did He! Just a warning: don't ask unless you really want to know. God's heart breaks for the orphans. All I could think about is who is going to take care of all the orphans out there, feed them, and love them? Then God answered me saying that He is. He said I will take care of them with your help. I tell you this because now God has took it further and has told me to help everyone, to "fight for every soul." As of now I am not sure what I am going to do, but things are starting to move into place!

It is so important as Christians to fight for every soul. It's our job to! Maybe you're thinking, "well God didn't call me to be a missionary," or "I don't want to be a missionary." I firmly believe God called ALL of us to be missionaries.

The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshipped, by some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:11-20

Being a missionary doesn't mean that you have to go to a different country or out of state. Being a missionary means that you simply tell people about Jesus and most importantly show them God's love. When we step out of our home the world becomes a mission field. School, the mall, work, restaurants, even church, is a mission field. In Romans 10 it says, "how can they believe without hearing about Him." We were put on this Earth to tell the world about God and share His love!! If we don't who will?? We can change the world. If every "Christian" showed everyone Gods love do you know what could happen? There would be peace.

Maybe you are like me and your life was changed when you stepped out of your comfort zone and shared Gods love and his word. Don't quit! Don't give up! I know it is hard. I know it feels like its just you against the world, but its not! You have God behind you. It may feel like you aren't doing anything to change the world but I promise you that you are! Don't become comfortable though, keep expanding and grow with God! Don't forget what is important to you!

Maybe you don't know where to start. You know that you need to be out sharing Gods word and His love, but something is holding you back. If it is fear, abolish it! God is much stronger than fear and once you let go He WILL catch you! If you just don't know how to be a missionary, it's easier than it seems. All you have to do is love everyone, grow relationships with people, and show them how great our God is and how he has changed your life!! It is so simple!! I've been there and once I opened up my heart to allow God to show me what to do, it became so much easier. Don't wait like I did, it doesn't matter how old you are, you have the same power as Jesus does!

Don't forget that every soul matters to God. EVERY soul! Even ISIS and the ones who hate God so much!! Get out there and try it today! I know you can do it because you can do all things through God!! Knowing Gods word is useless if we don't apply to our daily lives. We pick up our cross daily and follow Him!

The path may be hard, but the reward is great! Don't let the devil stop you!! You can do it!!! Fight for every soul, someone fought for yours!

I love you all and would love to hear from you! If you have a testimony you would life to share feel free to send it to me!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are a missionary

His daughter,
       Starla Conroy

El Salvador Orphanage, October 2014

  

 

I Hate Religion

5.28.15

I know, I know, I'm not supposed to hate anything... but if we are being honest, I hate religion.

I was driving down the road this morning and since were in the south there was a church on every corner. Each one being different: "Church of God, First Baptist Church, Church of Christ, Baptist, etc." Each one telling you what you have to do to be a Christian, each one telling you what you have to do to be in good standings with God. But here is the TRUTH, Jesus didn't come to earth to SEPARATE us by religion, he came to UNIFY us as ONE body of Christ. Religion my friends is man made, not made by God.

"In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. (Colossians 3:11)

Take a second to reflect on the last part of this verse, -- BUT Christ is ALL and IN ALL. What about the famous verse John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not persist but have eternal life." It doesn't say that whoever is _______(baptist, catholic, etc. fill in the blank) that believes in Him will have eternal life. It says whoever, meaning ANYONE can have eternal life. Please hear me when I say that you do not have to be a certain religion to have Jesus Christ as your personal savior.

A couple of years ago I read the famous book Jesus > Religion by Jefferson Bethke; it has so many great points and I can't help but share them with you.

One of my favorites is: "What if I told you Jesus came to abolish religion? What if I told you getting to vote Republican really wasn't  his mission? What if I told you religion right doesn't automatically mean Christian? And just because you call some people blind, doesn't automatically give you vision. I mean, if religion is so great, why has it started so many wars? Why does it build huge churches, but fail to feed the poor? Tell single moms God doesn't love them, if they ever had a divorce? Yet God in the Old Testament actually calls the religious people whores." This says it all.

Religion and church is becoming more like a competition. Who is better than who, how many people do you have at your church, type of competition. But if you are a true follower of Jesus you won't care about the petty stuff, you will rejoice and be happy because as Christians we are fighting for the same cause, to save lives, to help others. I love the church, and I'm not telling you to stop going to your church, I am warning you to be careful on what you hear. Not everything a pastor might say is true, before you decide to believe something ask God, He is the one who has the answers, and read your bible, it is the only truth. 

Three more quotes from Jesus > Religion.
1. "When I was trying to earn Jesus by being good, I missed the real Jesus who wants us to love him and serve him not for what he gives but for who he is- dangerous, unpredictable, radical, and amazing." -- Going to church doesn't mean that you are going to heaven, knowing the Bible doesn't either. It is you heart and what you do to glorify Him. It's your fruits you are producing with love and joy. 
2. "One of my favorite things about Jesus is I get to drop the act, admit I'm not good enough, walk in freedom- and that's the good news." I am not perfect, and neither are you. But how awesome is it that God loves us anyway!! Nothing can separate you from His love. NOTHING. 
3. "When I say I "hate" religion, I am not saying I hate the church. I'm not saying I hate commandments, traditions, or laws. I'm not saying I hate organizations or institutions. But what I am saying is that I hate any system that upholds moral effort or good behavior as the way in which we can have a proper relationship with God." -- the end.

Don't let religion keep you from God's power. We have the power to heal; we have the power of Christ!


"But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love of what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!" (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

We are the church; we are the body of Christ. Lets join together as one to further the kingdom of God. He is greater than anything out there. Give Him glory in all you do!


you are loved, you are forgiven, you are blessed

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

 for our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29 

What Is Your Legacy?

5.26.15
Good Morning! I hope you all are having a great week! Shane and I went on a camping trip to Mt. Cheaha, which is the highest point in Alabama, with my sweet family. It was a much needed relaxing weekend! I encourage everyone to take time away to spend with your family, no cell phones, no worldly things to bother you, just you and your beautiful family!






Here's a few pics from our adventures:

"Today I shall behave, as if this is the day that I will be remembered." - Dr. Seuss

Two questions:
1. What is your legacy?
2. How will people remember you?

This weekend I began thinking about my legacy. I kept wondering how people will remember me. This really hit me hard because it made me think about the way I act and what kind of legacy I want to leave. While thinking of this two biblical people came to mind, Judas and Paul.

Lets take a minute to reflect on the legacy that Judas left. Judas was a disciple of Jesus who was known as a thief (John 12:4-6). Judas "A FOLLOWER OF JESUS" was known as a thief, and stole money from Jesus and His disciples. He was a man with his own ideas and motives. It wasn't long before Judas' love for money caused him to betray Jesus to the men who wanted to harm Jesus. All it took was 30 pieces of silver for Judas to betray his own King with a kiss. All along Jesus knew what was going to happen. I asked myself "Why didn't Jesus stop it?" I believe that this shows that God is a God who allows you to choose what you do and what you believe. He didn't force anyone to follow Jesus, it was all a choice. After the betrayal Judas felt remorse and tried to return the 30 pieces of silver.

Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. "I have sinned by the betraying innocent blood," he said. "What's that to us?" they said. "See to it yourself!" So he threw the silver into the sanctuary and departed. Then he went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)

Guilt-stricken Judas went and killed himself! This is the legacy he left: betrayer and thief. He left people wondering where his heart was. It is no ones place to judge whether he went to heaven or hell but the fact that we have to question it shows something. People remember Judas as a betrayer, and not loyal. As one who didn't allow God to have complete control.

Then we have the apostle Paul. In his earlier life Paul was known as Saul who persecuted Christians, but God had a plan for him, as He does for us all. A flash of light from Heaven came down and the Lord asked Saul why he was persecuting Him and then went on to tell him to go to Damascus and he will be told what to do. Saul was blind and ate or drank nothing for three days. Once Saul arrived in Damascus the Lord sent Ananias to heal him and show him the power of God. It was later that his name was changed to Paul. Paul proclaimed the name of Jesus everywhere,  he was so filled with the Holy Spirit that demons feared his name (Acts 19:11-17.) Paul taught the churches who were spiritually dead the power of Christ. He wrote 13 books in the new testament. He teaches us about God's love and how to love. Paul is the one who teaches us how to be a true follower of Christ. He was a man that was relentless, passionate, and filled with love. He dedicated his life to God.  Paul loved God so much that he even died proclaiming His name.  He is a perfect example of how God uses those who are weak and turns them into powerful people to save others in His name.  One of my favorite verses written by Paul:

Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God had chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world, what is viewed as nothing, to bring nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29) 


So what kind of legacy do you want to leave? Do you want to be known as the one who was selfish or mean, one who was a lover of the world, one who craved attention, one who started drama, or the one who hated everyone? OR do you want to be known as the one who was loving, unselfish, kind, and loved God?

Take a deep look into your life... if you died today what would your legacy be? Would you go to heaven or hell? Its not what you leave behind, it is what you did for God while you were here, it is what you proclaimed, and it is how people know you. God wants to use you!!! He doesn't want you to proclaim His name yet show no actions or produce any fruit. Do you want to be like Judas who left a legacy no one would want? Or like Paul, who loved everyone and lived his life out for Jesus?

It isn't to late to change your life around, I know I am going to!! I want to be like Paul! Sometimes I feel unworthy and like I can do nothing to change this world, but then I think of Paul and how God used him and I know that God does have a plan. People may get annoyed by everything I post that is mostly all about God, but this is just one of my ways of sharing how great HE is! It is so easy to forget that. He is all I can think about and I want to live for Him! I encourage you to live for Him to. I am not perfect, I fail everyday, but each day I am made new, and you can be to!!

If you are feeling like you aren't leaving a good legacy ask God to help you and change your life around. Pray to Him! He hears the tiniest prayers. He WILL help you if you give Him control.

If you are feeling like your leaving a good legacy then keep up the good work! Be sure that your actions are for God and He receives all the glory.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so be sure your life is right today!

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are blessed

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy

Feel free to email me and comment! I would love to hear what you all think! XOXO

Brother by Fate, Brother by Christ: A Testimony of Gods Power

5.20.15

Hey guys! I wanted to give you beautiful people a chance to hear from someone else besides me! In honor of my little brother graduating Friday I chose to let him tell you his testimony! If any of you know Trace you know how much he loves our God! Here you go!

WARNING: THIS IS LONG, PLEASE MAKE TIME TO READ THIS 
The Holy Spirit has been really pushing me to share my story of his works in my life. I have been doing this for many years now,  but never uncensored. Many times I have shared my story and it has been ridiculed. I see people with stories similar to mine also getting talked down about. People (in the church) criticizing the way that God has revealed himself to others. I just want to ask that you have an open heart about everything I am about to say. You may not agree with it, but nothing I am saying is made up, it is 100% true. Sometimes God will do something in our lives that doesn't make sense, we may not understand, or we may not agree with. We as Christians must always believe that all things are possible. I know that God has such a mighty plan for each and everyone reading this!!

I grew up in a Southern Baptist church. (Before I say this I want to make it clear that I have such a strong love for this church and I mean nothing I say in a negative.) Growing up in this church gave me such a firm foundation on the Bible and the word of God. I got "saved" and baptized at the young age of 6. At this time, I really had no understanding on the true love of God; I believe that I had not yet fallen completely in love with him. As I grew, I attended church very time the doors were open and I was a good kid throughout middle school. I always said I had a relationship with God, but did I really? What are the true signs of a relationship with God? Looking back now, I see that I didn't have a true relationship with God. God was just a mere acquaintance that I couldn't care much about.

I started high school with most of the same mindset that I had always had. I was what you could call "religious." I was strict and disciplined on my Bible reading and prayer time, I would listen to nothing but Christian music, and I was at the church leading worship and serving every time I could. Many would say I was a "strong" Christian and on the right track. I spent about three years of my Christian walk in this routine. Don't get me wrong, all of the things I was doing were great things, and they continue to be great. The problem is that I had no true love or experience backing that.

As I am writing. the Holy Spirit is speaking to me so strongly. Just know that me writing this at this moment is so prophetic. The events I am about to talk about happened EXACTLY two years ago. It started off just a normal Sunday morning. I came into church, walked into Sunday school a few minutes early and began talking to my friends. Two of my friends had just recently had a strong experience with God's power with another church. They began telling me about the stuff that happened; they talked about miracles, healings, and signs and wonders. Things that I was a stranger to and honestly believed they were only contained to the Bible days. Before they told me these things they said I would probably think they were crazy, I said I wouldn't (mainly so that would tell me.) After they told me the events of that weekend I thought they were nuts. I never told them that, but honestly I did. Church that day went like the normal routine, I got home, ate lunch, then back to church a few hours earlier than usual. The door was unlocked (praise God) and the building was empty, so I walked upstairs to the youth room and just laid there for a couple of minutes. I had no intentions of having an encounter with God or even spending intimate time with him. As I laid there I felt something leading me to worship. I began to sing out a song, immediately something washed over me and I threw my hands into the air and began crying like and ugly little baby. As I proceeded worshipping I felt something physically clasp my hand together. I was then comforted and felt God instructing me to fall deeply in love with Him. It was at that moment that everything changed. The way I expressed myself in worship, the way I lead worship, and the way that I lived my life changed. Whenever you fall in love with God you can do nothing but move, dance, swing your arms, and weep when you enter into His presence.

What happened next was something that I can't explain (I even googled it.) I explained it as one of the signs and wonders. This is something that has been highly criticized and ridiculed by many traditional denominations and theologians. Many people will probably criticize me for saying this now. I feel that it must be said though. I looked down at my hands, clothes, and surroundings, everything seemed to glow and sparkle! I didn't think much about it until I got home. Once I got home I had another time of worship and prayer in my room; remembering what had happened earlier I looked around. My bed, clothes, sheets, hands, and feet were covered in the same thing. I took to google and found out that many people called "gold dust." People mainly experience this when they have had a radical encounter with God. While reading I found where many people criticized it and called it a "false manifestation constructed by Pentecostals to add to an emotional experience." I immediately rejected the statement as bull crap. That night, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit. The gifts and works of the Holy Spirit done in the bible are still happening today! The enemy is using false doctrine to blind our churches to the truth!

I wish could share more with you, but I don't want you to spend all day reading. I really just want to encourage you to not reject anything as false until you actually know where it is coming from. Just because it is something that you have always believed doesn't mean it is right. God is doing mighty works in the Earth today and is preparing for another wave of His Holy Spirit.

Trace Vining

This my friends is a powerful and true testimony!

"And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." Acts 2:17 

I encourage you to read Acts and learn what God does! It is so powerful! I also want to challenge you to take time in that inner room, your prayer closet (future blog), and ask God to show you His power and love! Thank you for reading this!

You can find Trace here : Facebook, Twitter, Weather Blog,

Photo Cred: Leslie Hubbard Photography












you are loved, you are blessed, you are powerful

His Daughter,
       Starla Conroy

Have you Faced Rejection?

5.18.15

Rejection. The word that cause emotions to rise, that causes pain that we keep hidden.

Have you ever been rejected?

Maybe its been by a guy or girl, maybe even your parents or family members, what about the "friends" that didn't accept you or want you anymore. I know deep down we have all felt some form of rejection. I know I have, and it hurts. Thats right it hurts. It's okay to admit it.

Let me tell you about a woman named Ruth who was rejected, and she didn't even know it.
The book of Ruth demonstrates how the Lord shows His covenant faithfulness to His undeserving people. Ruth was a beautiful woman who was loyal to her friends and was a devout worshiper of God. Ruth went through many challenges in her life, but instead of turning her difficulties into mourning she turned them into riches. Ruth's story shows us just how much God works in each of our lives and how amazing His plan is for us if we obey it.

Ruth was a widow who followed her mother-n-law to Bethlehem where she met the love of her life, Boaz. It wasn't long until Ruth made an appeal to Boaz for marriage. However, before Boaz could redeem her there was another man who had prior claim to the land, which included Ruth. He went to him and asked if he wanted to redeem it and he said, "I want to redeem it." (This man has no name)

Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you will also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the deceased man, to perpetuate the man's name on his property." The redeemer replied, "I can't redeem it myself, or I will ruin my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption, because I can't redeem it." Ruth 2:5-6 (HCSB)

It was there that Ruth was rejected, and thankfully she didn't hear this because this could have affected her walk, which was so strong.

How has rejection affected you and the way you walk? Has it taken your happiness and turned it into sadness, has it caused you to put a wall up and allow no emotion to come through? Has it caused you pain and tears? Has it caused you to tell yourself you are not worthy, you are not pretty enough, or good enough. I have been there, and friends, I know it hurts. I hurt for you because though I may not know you, I love you, for God is love. This pain is only the devil squeezing his slimy self into your life. DON'T LET HIM WIN.

This person who rejected you is missing out on your love, and your friendship. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Don't let the world tell you anything else. This person that rejected you was not your redeemer! Just like the man was not Ruth's redeemer. Ruth did however have a redeemer named Boaz. Her story ended just like a fairytale.

God allowed Ruth to experience pain and heartache because that is what it took for her to get to Boaz. He had a plan for her. A perfect plan. At the time Ruth didn't know that she would soon be the great grandmother of the great King David! Yes, thats right the mighty David. All because God had a plan.

Just like Ruth, God has a plan for you. The people that rejected you could have been God's way of protecting you from making a mistake. People are going to reject us but our God is fighting for us, and is protecting us! Turn that rejection to God and understand that He has a plan!

Don't forget that God understands your rejection. He was and is rejected by many. So lean on Him, talk to him. He is your friend, and a good, good father. Let God be your Boaz and let him redeem you! It feels amazing when you just let go of that rejection. He will never reject you and will always love you. The next time you are rejected, thank God and allow His will to be done and not your own.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him. Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. (Isaiah 53:3-5 HCSB)

you are loved, you are forgiven, you are redeemed

His daughter,
      Starla Conroy




an orphan in El Salvador who was rejected 

you don't miss a thing: Bethel Music/Amanda Cook