congestion

There's a little bug going around. It seems like everyone is sick. Most of my friends are sick with something. I was one of the first to be bitten. My eyes have been itchy so I've had visit the doctor and take prescribed eye drops. And I've been so congested that I have a hard time hearing out of my ears. Sometimes I can hear if I get enough of the congestion out. My ears pop and suddenly everything just sounds so clear. Then my ears are congested again and I'm back to deafness. Never heard of ear congestion? LOL it exists.

I think the same thing happens to us spiritually. Let's call it spiritual congestion. You're doing good spiritually. You're healthy and strong in the Lord. Then something bites you and you get sick. The bite is temptation, and the sickness is sin. When you're sick, you try and get better but it doesn't always work, even with medicine. Once you get sick it can be really hard to get rid of. Especially when you don't know what bit you in the first place. You try to fight off the sickness, but your symptoms only seem to get worse. Just like being sick gave me itchy eyes, sin makes it hard for you to see clearly. The fine line between right and wrong becomes blurred. Or you cannot see what you should do in certain situations.  Just like the real icky snot congestion makes it hard for me to hear, sin makes you spiritually congested and hard for you to hear God. Even after I was able to pop my ears and get rid of some of the congestion, it came back because I didn't have the proper medicine. The same thing happens when we try to purge sin out of our lives. We are good for awhile and can hear again. But unless we take the proper medicine, like reading the Bible and praying, we fall back into sin and become sick again.

I was sick before, but slowly I am becoming healthy again.

Are YOU spiritually congested?

With faith.

This morning before I went to the doctor's office I decided to read my Bible. I haven't really just sat down to read it, outside of church, for about a week or two. Just I haven't "had time" because I've been busy doing homework and focusing on school to make sure I get everything done in time for graduation.

So as I was reading my Bible I came across Daniel in the Old Testament. I started from the beginning and got about half way through the entire chapter. So many miracles occurred throughout this book.

There was one specifically that stood out to me. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were put under the rule of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. All four of them were given much authority in his Kingdom. This King became a powerful king because God had allowed it to be so. King Nebuchadnezzar made a decree saying that everyone in his kingdom must fall down on their knees and face and worship a gold statue when they hear all kinds of music. The punishment for disobeying this decree is being thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were brought before the king for not following this decree. The king gave them one last chance to worship the image he made or they will be thrown into the blazing furnace. They responded by saying that God would save them from the furnace if they were thrown into it. Also, if God didn't rescue them then they still wouldn't worship the gold idol. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were bound and thrown into the furnace.
 ²⁵ He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

King Nebuchadnezzar was amazed that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not burning or dying. He opened the furnace and demanded that they came back out. God had sent an angel to rescue them from the fire. Then the King said "No other God can save this way," so he promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and gave themhigh ranking positions in his kingdom.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego trusted in God eve when they were faced with death. They had faith that the Lord wouldn't let them perish in the fire. If He didn't save them,  they would rather die than deny God and worship an idol. They remained faithful no matter what happened to them. They were thrown into the fire but God rescued them because of the faith they had in Him. Because they believed He could do anything, God sent them an angel that kept them from burning. They didn't even smell like fire when they left the furnace. In the end, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were blessed because of their faith. They didn't falter in the hard times because they believed God would see them through until the end.

Imagine if we all had this kind of faith. That AP exam wouldn't seem like such a big deal. Dealing with things would be so much easier. You would believe that God can pull you through ANYTHING. As a Christian, it is okay to be afraid of things and their outcomes at first. But we should be strong and put our faith in the Lord knowing that, ultimately, He is in control. No matter what, if you have faith then you know that God will never leave you. Even if He seems like He isn't there, have faith that He's looking over you and this hard time will pass. With faith you know it'll end soon. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, God won't let you perish in the fire you're thrown in. If you have faith, He will send you an angel to rescue you and it'll be okay in the end.

My question for you: What do you put YOUR faith in?

Angel, Dearest Angel

Words cannot convey

The heart breaking tragedy

That occurred one year ago today.

Angel, dearest angel, you have left me!

A sweet, innocent, pure white soul

Has been freed. The world did shake

When car met pole, when Death stole

What was not his to take.

Cradled in his arms you slept

Unconscious for two days,

While cascading waterfalls were wept

Until we could let you be taken away.

Up! Up! And up you flew

Until arriving at the pearly entrance

Where face to face your Maker stood with you,

Explaining why your life met its advance.

It was time for our angel to return home.

Good things would come of this:

Your life lost saved four lives that roam

The earth you parted with.

Time there was well spent

Even though your absence stings

And they wonder where you went,

We may give our angel back her wings.

Time continued on.

It rained for months, as if the world shed tears

Because it knew you were gone.

The sun refused to shine here

After you said your crowning goodbye.

With closure of a painless last breath,

Forever I shall remember your smiling eyes

Which shall not be clouded by death.

Reminiscing, your loving laugh echoes

Everywhere I wander. In my heart

You will eternally be stowed

For even in death you shall not part.

In loving memory of Allsion Dale Sheffield.
You're always in my heart babygirl<3

The Closet Nerd.

If everyone worked together and did their part, the world would be such a better place. If everyone was selfless then a lot of problems would be resolved. There would be no evil. If I could change one thing in the world it would simply be this:
change all of the hate in this world into love.

There are people who live without ever experencing love. Some people don't even experience the love of a pet or an animal. Those of you who have felt love of some sort, imagine living a life without ever experiencing love. Try to imagine how lonely and depressing that must be.

This is for all the people who are Christians. We are called to love everyone, regardless of whether or not you like them. If someone you don't get along with is struggling with something and you have the opportunity to help them, what would you do? You can either put aside your differences and help them as Christ would. OR, you can ignore them as any other person would. The choice is up to you.

We pass too many chances to help others for a variety of reasons. You might be too judgemental, to selfish, or just too busy. Why are you going to ignore someone because they're a little weird? I bet you're a closet nerd too. If someone needs your help, you should help them. If someone is crying out to you, obviously they need it. Who are we to not offer a helping hand if we have one? Most people have two hands to offer, yet we can't even sacrifice one. If you gave people a chance and looked past your first impression based on your own judgement, you might find a new friend. You might even end up saving a life.

Consider this: one thing that makes a Christian different is that we are supposed to do things that normal everyday people would not even think of. For example, this might be helping someone you truly just don't like. It might be forgiving someone who does not appreciate forgiveness. It might be stepping out of your comfort zone and acting.

Yes, you heard me right. I said ACTING. I bet this is the part where you cringe away at the thought of actually doing something. I think Christians are too comfortable in their own skin. In a crowd of people Christians are meant to stand out in a positive way. We are too comfortable with everyday life. We like to steal, curse, fornicate, judge, lie, covet, and be prideful as much as the next person. But we are meant to be different. So........ why aren't we always different?

Different Perspective.

This is a response to my previous blog Break Your Chains.

"Tears for sure.  Few things to also mention...... An addict does not realize the full affect they have on their loved ones while inside their addiction.  You can express time and time again and they just won't get it!  Why?  I can personally tell you only from my side of an addiction.  Alcohol is an ALLERGY!  When addicted the endorphines in your brain tell you that you want more and more.  It starts out slowly....then the next thing you know you are drinking every part of the day!  Literally, the alcoholic can drink their life away!  And you are right....we hide behind our addiction.  Our feelings about ourselves have to remain buried while the addiction takes over.  We cannot face the shame, the guilt, the fear, nor THE TRUTH!  Just what you said...Until WE change it ourselves.  Some may never make that choice.  Are we unlovable?  No!  Do you have awesome characteristics when sober?  Yes!  In the same, alcohol may also give the addict the "nerve" to actually share their emotions.  May not come out right and sometimes it is finger pointing.  The finger pointing is the alcohol though.  We feel terribly guilty all the time.  All the "should haves," "could haves," "dids," "didn'ts," "wants," and "desires"  HAUNT us.  And that is why many stay within their addiction.  Some just don't KNOW A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE!  We are born with it.  The way you were raised by your parents certainly affects your decision to try it or not.  Once you do, you don't give it up!  (Within that statement, I recognize the guilt I feel as a parent!  Guilt just like a non addict would.)  Even from THE INSIDE OF ADDICTION, it is hard to clarify. 

Steph,  I am sorry for all the pain I have caused.  Knowingly at times, but mostly Unknowing due to my addiction.  It is not ANYONE's "persay" fault.  But yes, there is hope.  And I have a desire to feel that instead of all the detrimental emotions.  Please also recognize that certain disabilities can trigger an addiction.  You know I maintain my sobriety for a long time while you grew up.  Those are the years I keep in my heart.  I need to get sober again so I can look for to the future with the same hopes and dreams.  I choose to take the first step.  I pray for the Lord's guidance along the way.

I love you more than you will ever know!  I am proud of you!  You are truly special!"

Dear Mom,

I love you and no longer resent anything. Even if you never become sober, I will still love you and nothing will ever change that. Not even addiction. I believe there is hope if you try and believe in yourself. I know you can gain your sobriety back with support and help from God. Never give up or let anyone tell you can't, including yourself. Focus on how positive of a decision this is. Don't focus on the past but just look forward to the future. I support you more than you can imagine, and I have a lot of people praying for you. I miss you and you mean the world to me.

<3 stephie-annie (:

Dear others,

Change is possible if you are willing to make it happen.

Break your chains.

There's something I've been wanting to write about for a few weeks but until now I haven't been able to find the words...


Addiction. Not many people understand it, or what it really means. Usually you do not know the full effects that addiction can have on family, spirituality, or even the addict themselves unless you have witnessed it or struggle with it personally.

What is addiction? Addiction is "the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma." Addiction doesn't always refer to drugs or alcohol. For example, someone can be addicted to sex. I am mostly addressing alcoholism and drug addiction though.

Addiction has many sides and many points of views. I cannot speak for an addict, but I can speak for someone who has grown up around one for most of their life. One of the hardest things to understand is where addiction comes from. At first you want to blame the addict for their actions. The fact that they love their drug or Bud more than they love you as a human being is infuriating. Quite frankly, that feeling sucks. But you have to understand that addiction is not just a lack of will power or morals. It's been proven that addiction is hereditary. Lol and my family proves this study. You cannot blame someone for their genetics. Then again, each individual is given a choice on how to deal with the cards they are given.

Even if someone gives up their battle to addiction and becomes its victim, it is your choice on how to react. You can get mad, be upset, throw a fit, or cry all you want, but ultimately an addict is still an addict until they choose otherwise. One of the hardest things about loving an addict is that you always want to blame yourself or question why you are not good enough to keep them sober. Something you need to accept is that it is not your fault. You did nothing to make them that way. Also, even if they blame you for their drinking or drug addiction, it is not your fault either. You are not forcing them to drink, nor are you forcing them to do drugs. Quit putting the blame on yourself or accepting the blame you are given.

How do you accept an addict for who they are then? You love them. That is all you can do. You can tell them that you are there for them. You can pray for them. Do not get angry at them. Fighting with an addict is pointless. Honestly, they probably won't even remember what happened when tomorrow comes around. Have compassion for them. Do not condemn them for their actions, because being angry and blaming people solves nothing. You should have compassion for an addict because of their internal struggles. They often feel remorse about their addiction and they turn to the substance as a way to deal with it. In all reality it just feeds the cycle and makes it worse.

If you are an addict yourself and you know this, then you can change if you want to. There is always hope. You just have to believe in yourself and realize that you are worth something. You have to realize that the change is worth it once you surmount your addiction. It isn't something you can do for other people. You have to do it for yourself. It isn't easy and it takes effort and time and energy. It's going to be painful but in the end you will be so much happier. You need help if you want to do this. Most likely you cannot do it on your own. There are people who want to help you but you have to be willing to help yourself first. Aren't you tired of being a slave to your own habits? Free yourself, because you have the power to do so.

^"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."  1 Corinthians 10:13 

Fork in the Road

Decisions. You make them often. Some are harder than others. Yet some decisions you make seem like a giant fork in the road without a sign telling you what lies on the path ahead. How do you know if something is right for you? Sometimes you delude yourself into thinking that something is good for you, when really it isn't. OR maybe it just isn't what God has intended for you. No matter what you think is right for you, He knows better.

I've learned this from experience. At the time something seems so right, yet later you come to realize it was so wrong.  Right now I'm having this problem with college. I got accepted to Southeastern University with half of everything paid in scholarships. I already paid the enrollment fee and chose which dorm I prefer bunking in. It sounds all very nice and dandy. The problem? It's three hours away from home, away from comfort and everyone I love. I was willing to go away for college because I thought it would be best for me to be independent and on my own for awhile.

The other day in class when someone brought up Southeastern I got a bad feeling in my stomach. They pointed out that realistically I would only come home once in awhile. That's not how I thought it would be. So I prayed about it. Not only did I feel better, but I came up with an alternative. Why not just study at Palm Beach Atlantic, where I won't have to pay room and board? I have an appointment to talk with an admissions counselor. Hope it goes well!

Everyone has had that one hard decision to make. It may be deciding to break off an unhealthy relationship, accepting an addict for who they are regardless of their disease, choosing to give up something detrimental to you, or even realizing that you aren't alone and that people care about you. Choices can be hard to make on your own. It can especially be hard to make a decision if you don't know which direction is the right way to go. Isn't it a relief to know that you don't have to make these choices on your own?

The point of this is that no matter what situation, no matter how small or big, God is ALWAYS in control. If you ask him for help, He will help you. Even if you get a no, then there's a special reason why. There is something better waiting down the road. Until you reach that something, you won't understand why God is saying no. So don't get frustrated right away. Keep on praying, and be persistent. You'll come across your answers sooner than you think. And when you do, it will be better than you ever imagined.