Do Not Let Your Past Control You

Your past is nothing but a memory that cannot be changed. It is just a story that you tell yourself over and over again. Once you realize that all that it is, is just a story it will no longer have any power over you. 

Why waste your days reminiscing about the past when you can be creating better memories today? 

Look at your past and learn from your mistakes, forgive everyone (including yourself), and live in the moment.

If you find yourself hooked on your past with someone rather than the person that is standing in front of you today, maybe they too should be put in the past.

Do not let your life go back reminiscing on the past and dreaming of the future because you will just find yourself wasting away today... A day you will wish one day you wouldn't have wasted. We do not have much time here on earth and we need to be spending it serving our Lord, so we can spend a happy and eternal life with him. Don't waste a precious minute looking at your past. Pay more attention to the current, because even though you may not realize it, tomorrow, today will only be a memory. 

- Samantha

Motivational QOTD

"Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing the monkey bars: you have to let go at some point in order to move forward." - C.S. Lewis

Our Father's Love Letter

So I had this message forwarded to me as a text and I nearly started crying. Please read this, it is life altering: 

A Letter from our Father -

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.

(Psalms 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