Imagine

Okay, so by reading this we are all agreeing that we are HUMAN and live on planet EARTH, correct? Sheesh. I read something about if it's demonic or not to read the Twilight series. Honestly, good topic. Interesting responses. But we are human. We like imaginary things. We like to imagine being on a beach with the sun beaming on us and the waves crashing while we're in the middle of a Canadian winter (yuck). It's human nature to imagine. I don't think there's anything wrong with liking the Twilight series. This is going to sound harsh and hypocritical, but I don't think that every single thing we do must be focused around God. And here's why: since we have all agreed that we live on this earth, we need to be aware of what's going on around us. I'm not saying that you have to read every book or anything. If you want to read Twilight, go right ahead. If it doesn't appeal to you, that's fine. Who knows, maybe you and your friend will have a conversation about Twilight, then it turns into how it's not real, then there's the question 'why', then it turns into a conversation about God. You never know! I mean, of course we have to have our TAWG time (Time Alone With God--I know, so cool!) God created us to spend time with him. But we also have to get out into the world. He designed us to serve as well. We have to go out into the world and wash people's feet, as Jesus did. He wants us to make ourselves the lowest of the low, to be able to do the lowest jobs because he sees what we do and he will reward us for our hearts. So, I think that we definitely need our time with God, it's something we need to survive, we just can't do without it. But we also need to go serve.
I was fasting from just about everything this past Monday and I had 12 hours of a day to kill. 6 of them were spent reading my Bible and spending time with God, 1 of them spent praying, 1 of them spent napping by accident, 2 of them spent watching tv and the other two, 1 doing homework and 1 sitting around listening to music and chilling. I am not one of those people who can spend their entire day with God. I'm also not the kind of person who likes to even spend an entire day with my friends. I love people, but I also love being alone. There has to be a balance. So I think that it's the same with God. I get super tired from reading, but I read so much and I learned a lot, so it was well worth it. But I did need a balance. I needed to go and do other things and then come back to him, because then I was refreshed and wanted that time with Him. I don't think that unless you were super human that you would be able to spend your entire time here on earth with God. We do need to try and glorify Him in everything we do though.
Does that make sense at all? I home I was not just rambling on and making no sense.
I think that unless it says in the bible that it's a sin, that it's no problem. I don't remember ever reading anything in the bible that is relevant to sinning and Twilight. Feel free to post your views, I'm happy to hear them.
God bless,
Ariel

Devastator

Hell, fear me. I am the one that will bring you down. And when you fall, feel me. You’ll see my face on the battleground.

Let my name be feared at the gates of hell as I exalt the Savior--the one that died to buy my victory, and gave me a new name. Let my name be feared at the gates of hell as I exalt the Savior. In the name of the Holy One of God, I will cast you down at the foot of the cross He hung from. I will stand behind my Savior, as He burns your kingdom down. And I will see you on your knees before the King of Kings. You will lose your throne to the chosen ones. The chosen ones will rise.
Tear it to the ground! This is the army we’ve been waiting for. Tear it to the ground! We will storm the gates of hell and we will tear it to the ground! We stand behind the one that conquered death. Tear it to the ground! And we will stand when there is nothing left. Tear it to the ground!
Justice! God, bring justice! Justice! We will come against the bondage of hell. Justice! And we will take back what’s taken from us. Justice! This is our right as heirs to dominion.
This war will end.
I am the one that will bring you down. And when you fall, feel me. You’ll see my face on the battleground.
Hell, fear me. I am the one that will bring you down. And when you fall, feel me. You’ll see my face on the battleground.

Good for you, those of you who suffered through that music video. And if you gave up on it, I encourage you to watch the video. Really watch the video, even if you don't know what they're saying. You can read the words later. The video is important. Personally, I love this music. For Today is one of my favorite bands, ever. So good. And to those of you who think that God does not like this music or something to that effect, READ THE LYRICS!!! Someone commented on youtube that, "When Jesus comes back, this song is going to be on his iPod!!" YES!!!! So good.
The reason that I wanted to share this song with you is, first, the lyrics. "Hell, fear me. I am the one that will bring you down." Yes. We. Will. You better believe it. Jesus is coming back, and he is going to defeat Satan, and those who stayed faithful to God will live for eternity with Jesus. Jesus!!! We are going to spend eternity with Jesus! How crazy is that?! We already know who won. The trials of this world is just that, they are only of this world. We are going to live in paradise with our Creator, our Daddy, our Savior, our King. I can't wait for this day.
It's just an incredible song with incredible meaning. God is using this man. Mattie Montgomery is an incredible man of God. Go to his website, his twitter, his facebook, whatever. You are able to tell from his words, and I cannot understand his ways, but God has blessed him and he has clearly completely given up his life for God. It's incredible.
Another reason for this song. I really don't understand why people think I'm so nice, so good, so spiritual, so whatever. People think that I'm a good person. For the record: I AM NOT. In any way. Not. No way. Not even maybe. Let's get that clear right now.
As of now, I've realized that I need to clean up my life and allow God to work. I need to forgive many, many people. I have an incredible amount of grudges that are weighing me down, and I need Jesus to take this burden off of my back. He wants it, and I need to let him take it. I have a crazy amount of friends who need God right now. They need Him. But they are stubborn. I need God to move in their lives! I can plant the seed, but it's God's job to water that seed. I also need confidence. I'm seriously lacking right now, and criticizing yourself, your looks, is criticizing God's work, and I don't want to do that. Please keep me in your prayers for the following week.
God bless,
Ariel

Tweet

Okay, so I made a twitter account. Why? Because I'm a dork. That's why. But you all knew that. :)
So, to find me, go to twitter.com/arielmasquerade
This is just another way for me to connect with you. I REFUSE to constantly post on my facebook page status, because that would get annoying. But my twitter account (specifically for my blog) will give you a better, more frequent look into my spiritual/personal life. Follow and enjoy!
God bless,
Ariel

Oh My Dear

I called you up, you were in bed

Could barely make out the words that you said
But you wanted to see me instead, so I got dressed
So I stepped out into the snow
And walked for a mile or so
Felt the rush of blood come from the cold in my chest
Well you finally came to the door
And we talked for an hour or more
Until I asked if you would stay up till 4
You said that's fine
But you said "There's something I have to say
And I can't because I'm just so afraid"
So I held you as you started to shake
That night
Oh my dear, I'll wait for you
And grace tonight will pull us through
Until the tears have left you eyes
Until the fears can sleep at night
Until the demons that you're scared of
Disappear inside
Until this guilt begins to crack
And the weight falls from your back
Oh my dear, I'll keep you in my arms tonight
You slowly lifted your head from your hands
You said "I just don't think that you'll understand,
You'll never look at me that way again
If you knew what I did"
So your tears fell and melted the snow
You told me secrets no body had known
But I never loved you more even though now I knew what you did
Oh my dear, I'll wait for you
And grace tonight will pull us through
Oh my dear, I'll wait for you
And grace tonight will pull us through
Until the tears have left you eyes
Until the fears can sleep at night
Until the demons that you're scared of
Disappear inside
Until this guilt begins to crack
And the weight falls from your back
Oh my dear, I'll keep you in my arms
Till the tears have left your eyes
Until the fears can sleep at night
Until the demons that you're scared of
Disappear inside
Until this guilt begins to crack
And the weight falls from your back
Oh my dear, I'll keep you in my arms tonight
I'll keep you in my arms
Tonight

Oh, yet another holiday. Y'all know how I feel 'bout that. Ick. Valentines. I really don't know the story behind Valentines day, but I still do not care for it. You can love people every single stinkin' day of the year! Why do we have one day designated to show our love? Are we, as humans, incapable of loving unless we are forced or told to?
This song, oh my, I love this song, so much. This gives me hope. Before this summer, I would have said, show me one guy, one guy on this planet who is actually like this. And even if they could, I would not believe a word that they said. Because what I had seen from guys wasn't something I liked. I had seen violence, sex, power thirst, ego, and they didn't treat girls the way they should be treated. But when I worked at camp, I made so many friends. So many. And I love them dearly. They treat you with such respect and love, I didn't know that this existed before camp. That's sad. That we live in such a world that we don't know that this kind of love exists. One day I got a 5 minute lecture from one of my guy friends about how "you are beautiful without makeup". I am so blessed. I find it easier to talk to guys. Why? Because they're just real. They don't try and give you unwanted advice because they think it will help. They're real, they try to help you but they don't tell you what you need to do and how to do it. They're not drama filled, like girls are. You can trust them. I love my guy friends, I am so blessed. If I have something going on, I know I can go to them and talk about it, and they'll listen and give me scripture and examples and truth and prayer. So blessed.
But this song, this is what I want. One reason I hate Valentine's day is because it makes me feel pathetic. I have friends who are younger than me that have boyfriends already, and I can't get a boyfriend?! There's something wrong with this picture. I mean, sure, I don't look picture perfect, but I sure as heck am not ugly! So why do I not have a boyfriend? Well, I think it's because God doesn't want me to right now. He has it all planned out. He knows what I need, when I need it. I've gotta trust him.
But I can imagine my husband. And this song, in a way, represents him. I want him to care about me, and when he knows that something is wrong, I want him to be able to talk to me and listen to me. I want to be able to talk for hours and not get bored. I want to be able to have really goofy, absolutely pointless arguments, or just funny, dumb jokes, or really deep conversations. I want to be able to tell him everything. Everything. There is so much that I've done in my short life, there's a lot of crap. He's going to have to be able to love me in spite of that. Because I can't do anything about my past. But for him to love me and comfort me and accept me, even though he knows what I've done, that is my biggest dream. And when he doesn't know what to say, or when he knows that there's nothing he can say, I want him to just hold me. To hug me and let me cry and not let go. Because I do cry. I hold everything in until I pop, and then it gets ugly. I want him to never ever give up on me. Because I do go through so much, I have my problems, I have my insecurities, I have my break downs, but when someone can stick by me through it all, that's special. I want this man to be a man of God. To put God before me. I want him to treat me like a princess, like I'm so precious. Because not many people have treated me like that. I'm used to being treated like a piece of dirt and being given up on, so when someone treats me differently, it's abnormal, and I love the feeling I get.
I know that God has this all planned out. I know that he's just itching to see me fall in love with the perfect guy, the one he set aside for me. I don't know if he feels as impatient as I do, but I know that he wants it to happen, and I trust that he will give me a husband who will love me no matter what.
But for this Valentine's day, I'm going to do some homework, hang out with my cat (he's my man for now!) and talk to the love of my life: Jesus Christ. He'll always be my perfect man, no matter what.
God bless,
Ariel

Wake Up

Okay, so right now, I am really hoping that you did not watch that with your kids! But you're probably wondering, why the heck did she just show me some atheist smacking God around?! In fact, I know this is what you're wondering, because I would wonder that too. I apologize for the language, but it was a much needed wake up call.

When I saw this video, my emotions were all over the place. He had a couple good quotes, "Suppose they hand you an upside down, backwards, Chinese, braille bible with half the pages missing." That made me laugh. Because I really don't think that there is such a thing. Never mind, we're in the 21st century. I'm sure there's something like that kickin' around this world somewhere. But just picturing this bible, he wasn't making fun of God in this sentence, he was poking fun but I think that it's okay, to a certain point.
I, for one, will not swear on a bible. Why? Because, yes, I am going to tell the truth. But, no, I am not going to swear on my God, because what if I mess up? I'm only human, I could say something wrong. It's possible. Then that's on God's name, and that's not what I want. I can't remember where, but I do remember reading somewhere in the New Testament that you are not supposed to make promises on God's name, because what if you break that promise? Exactly.
"Let's get back to the Bible, America's favorite national theatrical prop." It has become that, hasn't it? It's used to make people look good, without actually having to open it or have a relationship with God. It's become theatrical. If someone has a bible in their hand, they must be a good person! First off, what in the world is a good person?! They don't exist. Have you sinned? Yes. Have I sinned? Yes. There ya go, we are no longer good. God is good. He is good and holy and awesome. People are not good. We do good things, but we are not good.
"They f*ckin' made it up, folks. It's make believe!" AND PEOPLE CHEER. What kind of a society do we live in that people don't even fear their creator anymore? God has destroyed entire cities before, do you not think that he has the power to do the same to you? The tooth fairy, unicorns, Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, they are make believe. God, the one who made us, who knows the very number of hairs on your head, who knew you before you were born, who knows every word before it comes out of your mouth, who put you on this earth for a purpose, is not pretend. What does the tooth fairy do? She collects teeth. We all know it's our parents. Santa Claus? Gives us presents. That is our parents too. The Easter Bunny? Gives us decorated eggs and chocolate. Parents, as well. God? I have shared the miracles I've witnessed before. The wind and waves listen to him, he heals people, he gives us exactly what we need, he comforts us, he protects us, he gives us a place in heaven with Him. Your parents can't do that. There is no possible way.
"Let's leave the Bible aside, we'll get back to the science-fiction reading later." This is what makes people like me want to punch people like him in the face. Yes, we are suppose to love everyone. I realize this. But this angers God as well. Am I not able to be angry at something that a person does that also angers God? We should be angry at the same things that anger God! We should love the same things God loves. Am I going to punch this guy in the face? No! This is my anger speaking. Again, God has destroyed entire cities from his anger. He put his anger into action. But I am not in the position to do that, I don't have that authority. God created us to love, so that is what I will do. But science-fiction, really buddy? Are we going back to the Big Bang theory or what?! Do you not see how complex this world is? How could there not be a creator? An amazing, divine creator who loves us so much.
"I'll tell you about as much truth as the people who wrote that f*cking Bible, how do ya like that?" It's hard to love people like this, isn't it? My first instinct when my dad told me he was dead was, Good, he deserves to be burning in hell. But we all deserve that. I am not proud of thinking that. But guys, if we could have saved this man, that would have been amazing. I wish we could have saved him and he could have been in heaven right now. Because God is a gracious God, and he forgives, but only if we come to him first. We have to take the first step.
"The God excuse, the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument, it came from God. Anything we can't describe must've come from God." Alright, yes, people do use God as a crutch. And it's sad, but it's true. We can't escape that truth. Again, some people use it to look like good people. Good people, that is what's imaginary. But it's true that anything we can't describe must've come from God, because we can't understand his ways or his purposes in the things he does. We can't do it. We can study the bible and pray and learn about Him, but there is no way that in this life time that we will ever know all there is to know about God. And I love that, because then our thirst will never die.
"Personally folks, I believe that if your rights came from God, he would've given you the right to some food every day, and he would've given you a right to a roof over your head, God would've been lookin' out for ya." I've written about this before, too. I hate it when people say this. Blessed are those who suffer, blessed are those who are poor, because they can truly rely on God. You wanna know more about my thoughts on this topic, and if any of you can find where in the world I wrote about this, please comment, because I cannot find it to save my life. (I exaggerate, quite a bit, if you haven't already noticed.)
"But let's say it's true. Let's say God gave us these rights, why would He only give us a certain number of rights?" Because he let's people do whatever we want! Sure, they may be "God given", whatever that means, but they are human created. God doesn't have us on puppet strings, controlling our every move. He lets us do whatever we want, and that's why he is so much more happy when we come to him and love him, willingly. God is not the one who made these rights, people are. He didn't control it.
"And apparently God was doing sloppy work that week because we've had to amend the Bill of Rights an additional seventeen times, so God forgot a couple of things like slavery...just f*ckin' slipped his mind." Okay, first off, GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES. He is perfect in every single way. We make mistakes. Humans make mistakes. God turns those human made mistakes into something he can use, something he can turn into a beautiful creation. God didn't create slavery. His heart breaks for people still suffering from slavery. But he chooses not to control it. Because that way, he can use us. He knows people's hearts.
"Why would God give different people in different countries different numbers of different rights?" He didn't, people did.
"Just when these American citizens needed their rights the most, their government took them away. And rights aren't rights if someone can take them away." True. It's a sad world we live in today. We live in a fallen world. And it's not getting any better.
"They're privileges. That's all we've ever had in this country, the Bill of Temporary Privileges." Yes, privileges. We deserve nothing. Only, and I mean only, because God is a gracious and loving God does he allow us to live. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life." When we sin, as we all have, we deserve to die. But when has God given us what we deserve? Just the other day, I sinned and I knew it, and I found my earrings that I had lost and was so upset about. I did not deserve that. But God, my Daddy, showed me mercy and kindness when I least deserved it. Privileges. We have privileges. It is a gift, not deserved or earned in any way.
"I feel, for instance, I can do anything I please. But if I do something you don't like, I think you have the right to kill me." Yes, we can do anything we please. But when you give your life to God, you don't have that desire anymore. You live your life to do what pleases him.
"So the next time some *ss hole says to you 'I have a right to my opinion.' You say, 'Oh yeah? I have a right to my opinion, and my opinion is you have no right to your opinion.' " It's sad, but it's true. We have no rights. They can easily be taken away. But again, other than the language, this quote made me laugh.
So what do we do? At first when I watched this, I was so mad. But then, I got sad. Sad that this guy doesn't know my God, that he doesn't have a relationship with him, that he would dare talk about the Almighty Lord in this fashion. You guys, we need to save people like this. We need to spread the Good News and tell people about God, because there are people like this man still out there, and they need our help. All we have to do is plant the seed, God will water it. Trust in him, he will do it. This was a good, much needed wake up call. It's hard putting it into action, but I'm trying my hardest.
God bless you guys,
Ariel

Bring It On

Last night, I watched the movie Bring It On-Fight to the Finish. I really liked it, so I watched it again tonight. Movies with dancing always gets me feeling pumped up and confident. I just want to dance and do my hair and makeup and wear clothes that make me feel good. But there is a problem with this movie. It makes me feel incredibly insecure in who I am. Am I sexy enough? Am I supposed to be sexy? Am I supposed to talk like them? Or dress like them? Or dance like them? Can I pull off any of the clothes they wear or the way they talk or the way they dance? Do I have that confidence?
I know better. That's what's so stupid about this. I know that I don't need to be sexy. I know that. I know that if a boy likes me, I don't want it to be for my body or my looks. But is there any harm in making myself feel confident through my looks? Maybe.
I took a jump this year. I had long, long brown hair. I cut it till about shoulder length and dyed it back to blonde. Lighter than my natural colour. I had never taken that kind of risk before, and I loved it. It made me feel confident. I started experimenting with makeup, I love that too, because it makes me feel confident. I started taking more time to do my hair, and I knew that it looked good. And I stopped caring. I stopped caring what others thought of me. Of what I wear or how I walk. I used to have incredible back pain because I was so self conscious when I walked, I didn't like people watching me. Now, that's gone. Why? Camp did an amazing thing this summer, it gave me real friends and real confidence and a real relationship with my Father in heaven. And that is where my confidence should come from. And it did, while I was surrounded by those people.
But then you come home, and you start watching tv and reading magazines and getting pushed to be more like them, to conform to the world. I'm only slowly noticing how I'm buying into this, and I don't like it. This movie made me realize that. I've always loved the ghetto style, and I wish I could pull it off! I've always loved Latin dancing and hip hop, and I wish I knew how to move my body like that. I've always thought that black people are some of the most beautiful people on this earth, and that their skin just glows. I've always loved dark hair, and I wish my skin wasn't so pale so that I could have it. That was all in this movie. And I want it. But that scares me. That I'm buying into that.
I don't like what tv and magazines push at us. That we have to be perfect. That our skin has to be smooth and our makeup perfect and our hair shiny and long and we have to be stick thin. You know what? I want my skin to be smooth and clear and perfect, and when it is, I feel on top of the world. I want my makeup to emphasize my features and make me look beautiful, and when it does, I'm on top of the world. I miss my long hair some days, because there were so many things I could have done with it that I never tried. I want to experiment, but I also want to be safe. In gym, we did a body composition test. And I'm not ashamed of my weight or anything. I'm 110lbs and 5'8", and I always thought I was under weight. And I liked that. But now, I'm "average". I hate that. My stomach dropped when I learned that and I felt so, yuck. I hated it. And I hate that I've gained weight. But I have to accept it. It's a lot harder going through this than I would have thought, because I've always been stick thin, why would I need to worry about my body? But I've noticed that I do worry about it a lot more than I'd like to admit.
Watch yourself, you guys. Don't let that advertising pull you in. No one is that perfect. I need to learn that. This whole world needs to learn that. We just have to be open minded and let our confidence come from God and not this world. Be not of this world.
God bless you guys,
Ariel

Father's Love Letter

This is incredible-and every bit true.

My Child ~


You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty God