My All Goes To You

Your body is like a diamond,

It's so valuable and fragile.

I'll never try to cause it harm,

I'll treat it as if it were my own.

If your feet hurt,

I'll rub them with my hands until they're better.

If your body is sore,

Once I'm done it'll hurt no more.

I'll rub your thighs,

I'll massage your neck.

I'll keep you warm,

I'll give you my time and always show you respect.

If you feel alone,

I want to comfort you with my heart and warmth.

I'll never abandon you,

Because you're my good luck charm.

Instead of catering to me, 

I think I should cater to you.

You're an angel from above,

And I want to show you the definition of true love.

I'll give you the clothes off my back,

Just to show you I'm for real.

And if you're hurting emotionally,

I'll comfort you until your heart heals.

If you've had a long, stressful, and hard day,

I'll give you a massage to take your pain away.

I will listen to you cause I want to know what gets on your nerves,

So it will help me to give you encouraging words.

I can't stand to see you cry,

So I'll never bring you pain.

I'll shower you with sunshine,

And try to shelter you from the rain.

Calling you out of your name is something I'll never do,

But if I were to call you a goddess, I'll simply be telling the truth.

As the years go by I won't criticize your body,

I'll hold it as I always have and remind you that you're still a hottie.

Before I try to hurt you,

I'll inflict pain on myself.

You're so special to me, 

And all I want to do is give you my help.

I'll be patient with you and learn all about you that there is to know, 

Because I'm in this for a lifetime and I want our love to continue to grow.

Baby, I promise I'll never let you go,

I'll be here for the good times and bad, sunshine, rain, or snow.

If I were to die today, 

I'd wish to spend my last moments caring for you.

But if your life was on the line,

I'd give up mines for you.

Let me protect you,  and I promise I'll never neglect you,

More than anything I'll try to make you happy and I'll pray with you.

So as long as you're in my life my loyalty will remain true, 

And I’ll always, always give my heart and soul to you.

By: Demanuel Cournell Guice

Finding My Way

     I’m currently a college student pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. Long before I attended college I thought I knew what it was that I wanted to do with my life. Growing up, I worked with my dad with his logging business. While that wasn't exactly what I wanted to do, I did know that I wanted a career that involved working outdoors and with my hands. My father had a big influence on me wanting to pursue this type of career. That’s why I decided upon construction management as my first college major.

  After graduating high school I joined the Air Force, and during this time I began taking college courses. As I began to take more and more courses I began to have a change of heart over time. I constantly thought of changing my major. I wasn’t sure what else that I would do though. I felt that an office job just wasn't for me. One of my biggest desires has always been to help others. In school I always help others with difficult assignments and I just like to show empathy for others who are having a bad time. I thought about teaching and I discussed this with one of my old high school teachers, but I never changed my major. I continued to pursue my construction degree until I was released from active duty. After my discharge, I changed my major to nursing. I know that this job would allow me to help others and I’d also get paid well from it. So I started taking classes in this major, and as I got ready to attend nursing school I was put on the wait list. This along with other things made me begin to think that this wasn’t what I should do. My sister would often tell me about her experience as a nurse and I felt uncomfortable with it. Dealing with patients who have terminal illnesses and seeing people in pain that they may not recover from is something that I don’t want to face. So I changed my major back to construction. I still wasn’t content with this decision. For over a year, I prayed on whether I should do teaching or psychology. This was a hard decision in that I only had one year left to graduate with a bachelor’s in construction, but if I changed majors I’d have at least two. But I prayed about it and the answer that I received was to follow my heart.
The main reason that I was so unsure of teaching is because of the salary. But I was constantly reminded that life isn’t all about money. I think about my legacy and I want it to be one that is greatly admired. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”. We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth, he will always supply. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to live with lots of material things. We often tie money to success. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him. What gives me the desire to teach is to be able to help shape and mold a young impressionable mind. I had some great elementary teachers who had a great impact on my life and I want to have that same impact on someone else. I receive great happiness when someone who I’ve spoken to can come to me later and tell me that my advice really helped. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.

     My time in the military was a blessing in so many ways. Growing up with a father who was present in my life is also another thing that I’m thankful for. I met so many guys who couldn’t do simple things like check oil in a car or change a tire. Not all young males are fortunate enough to have someone to teach them these things. This is what inspired me to be a teacher. A teacher does so much more than provide academic education. A teacher must be a counselor, teach morals and ethics, provide a spiritual influence, and be an extension of he child’s parents, providing love and care to them. So when that young man needs help in tying a tie, treating others with respect, or how to work hard, I can be the example that he needs.

     When you find God’s purpose for your life it will feel natural. When you discover who you were designed to be and live in it, you feel free. When this happens, the money you need to live finds you. Align your desires with your natural gift. God has given seven natural gifts to man. They are: preaching, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy (Romans 12:6-8). Determine your gift by understanding the effect it has in someone’s life. Different gifts cause different effects in people. By identifying with effect brings you the most joy, you can understand your gift. When you identify your own gifts, ask how you can use them to build up God’s family.

Earned, Not Given

Earned, Not Given

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child,

When I became a man, I gave up childish things.

So what gives me the privilege of being considered a man?

It’s not simply just because I’m a male, I must abide by God’s plan.

I believe the title of man isn’t given, it must be earned,

Before I deserve such a title there are some things that I must learn.

I’m not defined by my clothes or the money in my bank account,

My ability and efforts to make a difference in the world are far more paramount.

Just as iron sharpens iron, let me sharpen another,

I want to see us all succeed, and be a blessing to one another.

Let my actions have a positive impact on the community,

So that I may bring everyone together in perfect unity.

Am I a man because I use and abuse what I have in my pants,

Do I need to sleep with plenty of women to prove that I’m a man?

Being faithful to one woman shows the proper self control,

Love and protect that woman and let marriage be the goal.

It brings me great honor knowing that I must protect and lead my family,

I take great pride in knowing that I’m entrusted with the responsibility of teaching my children values such as faith, love, and honesty.

Can I keep my word and do as I say,

Do I respect others and work honestly for my pay?

Mental toughness is mainly what separates a man from a child, 

A man is faithful to the truth, brave in the face of opposition, and persistent through trials.

Focus is key in order for him to endure the storm and never lose heart,

When you allow God to make you a man, times may get tough, but you’ll never fall apart.

More than just a chiseled frame, I have God in my heart,

So when I don’t engage in trivial things, the world can see that I’ve been set apart.

I am strong, but my strength is in my intellect,

You see, God gave me my mind as my most valuable asset.

Most of all, a man must have faith in God and not in his own way,

I can not do any of these things on my own, so I humbly kneel before God, and I pray.

No more childish games, let each new day bring about growth in me,

I am evolving, and I'm striving, to be the best Man that I can be. 

By: Demanuel Cournell Guice

Taken for Granted

"For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries." (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Why do we treat our earthly relationships better than our relationship with God? How can we hurt God but expect Him to readily forgive us but we want to our spouses, family members, and friends to treat us properly? Sometimes I believe we take God for granted. I know that I have taken advantage of His grace too many times. That’s not love. You don’t love someone that you purposely hurt. Why is it that we require consistency, faithfulness, and blessings from God but we don’t do the same in return? We fornicate, lie, steal, hold grudges, and so many other things that we know displease God. We as Christians have to do better. I myself have been guilty of doing wrong and before I do it I say, “It’ll be alright, God will forgive me”, or I hear people say, “God knows my heart.” No one is perfect and never will be, but we could all put forth a little more effort in following God’s Word. God says if you love me then you will keep my commands. Don’t make excuses to fulfill the desires of your flesh. In order for our relationship with God to grow we have to turn from what benefits us and be obedient to God’s Word. There’s no way we should hear the Word on Sunday and on Monday we’re committing a sin that we just were instructed no to. We hate when people take our kindness for weakness but we do that exact thing to God.
There has to come a time in your life where you stop asking what God can do for you and ask Him what you can do for Him. Being a Christian, I had to ask myself this question. So many of us turn to God only when we need something, we want to be spiritually fed or physically blessed with material things. Messages of prosperity are all that we want to hear. We’re quick to say that we’re God-fearing, when in actuality we don’t give God our all. We don’t look for new ways to love God, to grow with Him, to take his yoke upon us and learn. So many things that hurt God that we’ve accepted as right or okay, and we feel its still okay to come to God and ask for blessing after blessing. Why should He continue to bless us if we don’t show our appreciation for what we already have? We attend church every Sunday to hear about the blessings that God wants to bestow upon us, but do we ever think about the sacrifices we must make to have them? As my relationship has grown with God, it breaks my heart to say that I love God but only think of my own selfish needs when I talk to Him. I know that I can’t continually sin and say that I love God. Think of your relationship with God the same as you think of your relationship with your significant other. Is it love if you constantly cheat on this person, disrespect them, and do things that you know displeases them just because you know that they’ll still be by your side? Our relationship with God should be the same way. It breaks my heart that for so many years that I said I loved God, but I’d lie, cheat, steal, fornicate, and do all these other things that broke God’s heart. And the reason I felt I was ok is because I felt nobody’s perfect, we all sin. Sure we all sin, but if I show no signs of repentance and constantly repeat my wrongful behavior, then my love for God isn’t as strong as it should be.There’s no way to justify sin if you truly love God. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). We should challenge one another to put away our sinful behavior and not remain comfortable in it. We often say we make mistakes because we are meant to, but I disagree. God gave us directions for life but we choose not to seek Him by spending time in His Word to learn how we should live. So I encourage you to not try to justify your sin, but ask God to come into your heart and give you the conviction you need to turn away from your sinful ways. The next time you pray for something, ask God what can you do to show that you can handle that blessing. So many of us want the paycheck before we’ve put in any labor. Our God is not a fairy, love is a two way street, and in order to receive you must first be willing to give.
Another reason that led me to share this is the how the way to heaven is portrayed. Is it okay to join a church, get baptized, become saved, do right when I choose and obey the laws that I choose to, and then I’ll be taken to heaven when I die. That’s what I thought as a child. Sometimes I wonder if it’s that easy to get into heaven. Is it good enough to be saved, and only being convicted about some of God’s Laws, but never strive to mature to another level of your faith? Will God accept me if I obey his command to not steal, but I remain disobedient of his law to not gossip? As hard as it may seem I want to live a life that constantly seeks Christ in everything I do and every thought I have. This thought challenges me to continue to grow because I don’t want to take Him for granted. God is plenty merciful and forgiving but I want to be careful not to abuse His kindness. Matthew 7:13-14 says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This scripture comes to me at times and it motivates me to go above and beyond. I don’t want to take God for granted and be denied when my eternal home is decided upon. The ways of the world may be pleasing to man and more accepted but they do not please God. They don’t offer the same promises as God does. We are to seek His approval in all of our deeds.
By no means am I saying that I’m perfect but I do strive daily and I have made progress in my faithfulness. I’m still growing and learning. Just like in a marriage, things aren’t perfect but you never give up. But you never intentionally hurt your spouse. We must do the same thing with God. We must work on the most important relationship which we so often neglect or minimize it’s importance. That’s our relationship with God. Life is hard enough when we sin unknowingly, so we should eliminate the sinful actions that we know to be. Just like you and me, I know God doesn’t like being taken for granted. Don’t let your love for God be just a quote on your Facebook wall or a bumper sticker on your car, but let it reflect in your thoughts and actions in your life. God’s grace and mercy are plentiful, but don’t abuse it. Don’t sin just because you know that He will forgive. Do your part to help the relationship grow. It would be nice to show that we’re grateful for the sacrifice that God made for us of sacrificing His only Son. Don’t abuse the gift of salvation that none of us are worthy of. God’s been by your side your entire life and will continue to be. Someone who has a love like that should be shown a little more appreciation. I hope that this challenges your thinking on sin the way that it challenges me.

Heart Donor

The heart, it’s a muscle, it provides us with life,
It’s condition is affected by everything we do, we should always treat it right.
Trusting the wrong person is usually the biggest mistake we make,
It may not kill us, but it does leave your heart with an awful ache.
Sometimes I wonder, why do we repeatedly give our hearts away when we keep getting let down,
Why do we think someone can love us, when all we’ve experienced is people who never stick around?
What’s the meaning of love, I thought that it lasts forever,
That’s what I mean when I say it, I expect for us to always be together.
Broken, alone, worthless, just a few of the symptoms of losing false love,
They were the very person that you thought you’d never be deprived of.
I give up on love, I can’t keep causing my heart this immeasurable pain,
It hurts too much to care for someone who hates to even hear your name.
To give someone your all consumes you mind, body, and soul,
Because the true definition of love is having someone else with whom you feel makes you whole.
How do you bring pain to someone that you say you love when they’ve trusted you with their heart,
That’s a painful commitment to break when the two are torn apart.

Healing a broken heart, yeah it gets better in time,
But love is forever, so somehow they’ll always find a way back into your mind.
True love has no cure, the wounds are closed but the scars are a painful reminder,
That no matter where life takes you, you left someone in your past that put your heart in a meat grinder.
Why can’t people understand that love is a verb?
All talk and no action is sure to leave someone hurt.
Now I sit here feeling so empty and blue,
I just want to lock the door to my heart forever because of the pain caused by you.
What would it be like to live without emotions, that’s something I never thought I’d ponder,
Will things be better, will they be easier, for the sake of protecting my heart, I really do wonder?
Will I have to hurt from trying to make someone happy who couldn’t accept my efforts,
Would they appreciate me or constantly look for something better?
I’d take away the pain from my heart if I could.
If I could erase the memories from my head, I would.
The hole you put in my heart will forever cause me pain,
And I’ll never forget, it hurts so much just to hear your name.

How do you heal a broken heart, what’s the treatment for a spiritual and emotional wound,
I feel as if I may die if I don’t get help for this soon.
So God, if I lean on you, will my heart be made new again,
Because losing her, I feel as if I can never love again.
I gave you my word that I’d never leave your side,
You gave me yours too, but yours were filled with so many lies.
Each memory of the broken promises cuts deep into my heart,
I’ve been doing my best not to let my life just fall apart.
People don’t value their promises these days,
They love for a little while, not understanding that real love never fades away.
What’s the point of falling in love if people can tell you and just walk out the door,
If love doesn’t last forever, then here, take my heart, I don’t need it anymore.
For you, I was just a chapter,
I was meant to be in your life for only a short period of time.
For me, you were the entire book,
I wanted you to forever be mine.

Being Broken: The Pain of a Broken Heart

     Like many of you, one of the most painful experiences in my life was being heart broken, being left feeling completely empty. Getting your heart broken can damage you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not many people know this about me but I was in a very dark place after the girl that I love left me. I cried many nights, tried to kill myself, and I just lost all enjoyment with life. Pretending to be happy from day to day got harder and harder. We sometimes can love someone so much that we ignore the signs that God gives us but we think that we can plan our own life. When you have to compromise your standards to be with a person, you should have the strength to walk away. It's easier said than done, but it'll save a lot of heartbreak.
     I learned a lot from this relationship. This person hurt me so deeply, but I thank God that I was able to find the blessing in goodbye. This girl meant the world to me. Our relationship ended with her just walking away like I never meant anything to her. I don't understand how can someone promise you the world one day and wake up the next like they never knew you. From the moment we met we told each other how happy we were to have each other, how much we loved each other, and how we'd work through anything to reach our goal of getting married. I was a virgin when we met and I told her that I wanted to wait until marriage but she pressured me into having sex. That was a sign from God that I ignored but I let my love for her overrule what I knew to be right. Most people speak of girls cherishing their purity, but I as a man cherished mine also. That was a special part of me. It was a gift that I wanted only my wife to have, I wanted her to feel special. That's a decision that I have so many regrets about. She pressured me to have sex so as our relationship continued we kept having sex. I felt so special, so loved. I'd always write her poems and buy her things to let her know that my love was real. As our relationship continued she grew more distant from me as I grew closer to her. We broke up and although I fought to keep the relationship she showed no effort but she said that she loved me. I ended up only hurting myself more by asking her why wouldn't she try with me and finding out she had another boyfriend not long after we broke up. She got engaged a couple months later and that just made me feel like I was the lowest thing on the earth.
     So many days I felt broken, lonely, and depressed. I tried to kill myself. I know most people that know me will find that strange, but that's the sad reality. It's painful to lose someone you gave your heart and soul to and I didn't know how to deal with it. Questions used to fill my head such as: "Why wasn't I good enough?', "Why didn't she give any effort?", or "I should've did this or that". But what I learned is that the sad reality is that I should've never began this relationship. Sure it was a learning experience but you should never have to be with someone who makes you compromise your principles. Take time to get to know a person and what they really stand for. Sometimes we fail to wait on God and let our emotions cloud our judgement. Oftentimes the signs were there all along but we ignored them. We find one thing that we like about a person but ignore five things that tell us that this person isn't the one. Although heart break hurts it is a blessing. The sooner in a relationship it happens may be the better.  God has to end relationships for our own protection. This breakup had purpose as I'm sure everyone's does. God knew that the heartbreak would lead me back to him. I talked to counselors, family, and friends, but the pain and brokenness remained. Not until I began to read my Bible did I see the blessing in the pain. I am in no way claiming to be a perfect person. I still make mistakes, but I'd like to share what I learned from this experience.

1. Don't force a relationship. Have your standards and don't lower them for anyone. Sure a person may be charming but make sure you're on the same level mentally, physically, and spiritually before you invest your heart. I speak from a Christian viewpoint so I look to Romans 12:2. If they claim to be a Christian but want to use worldly standards in the relationship you should ask God to give you the strength to walk away from that. The Bible is to be accepted, not debated or subtracted from. If something is from God you won't have to compromise in any shape or form that isn't pleasing to God.

2. STOP having sex. If you haven't I hope you can remain that way. It's easier said than done but I hope this is something you will pray about. Giving yourself to people who haven't committed to you (marriage) will only leave you with regret. Sex is more than a physical act. It connects your soul to a person. It forms a bond. That's what is meant by the term "one flesh" in the Bible (Mark 10:8). Every person you have sex with gets a piece of your soul. You and your future spouse should have something to look forward to. You're worth being honored in marriage.

Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:16-20

3. I never knew how much words meant until I loved someone. When you love someone their words whether good or bad, mean so much to you. Love is a powerful word and so many people abuse it. If you don't love someone don't say that you do and make sure you know what love is yourself. A person that hurts, lies, and mistreats you doesn't truly love you. Lying hurts other people as much as physical pain. This causes some of us to have trust issues and can affect your self-esteem. Speaking from my experience that's the damage that it caused me. A broken promise means a broken trust and relationship. Trust and respect as well as one's honor is the basis of our relationship with God. He expects us to keep our word to others as well.

4. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. ~ 1 Corinthians 7:6-8

Being single is a gift. There's a purpose to being single. Don't spend your singleness searching for a mate or feeling lonely. It's the perfect time to better yourself and serve God in a capacity that a married person can't. You can be more dedicated to Christ than a married person can. Be content in your singleness.

5. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ~ Matthew 6:14-15

One of the most important things that I learned is forgiveness. I was so angry. I wondered how could someone say they care for me but hurt me at the same time. Then I looked at my relationship with God. I sin daily and hurt Him but He forgives me constantly. We have to be the same way. Even though that person may not be sorry we have to forgive. Forgiveness helps the victim more than the accused. Bitterness will build up in your heart and make it hard for you to be open to love. It will cause your heart to become hardened and keep you from being at peace and moving on.

I'm not an expert on life and I don't know it all but I hope that this helps someone. We are put here to help encourage and build up one another. I hope that my story touches your heart and helps you. If you have been hurt or are going through a storm I want you to know that you are worth more than the broken promises, lies, and pain. Joel 2:25 says, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten..." God will fully restore you.Your heart is valuable. The pain you endured had a purpose. Use it to grow. God loves you. Be blessed.

Heart to Heart

I was born on January 2, 1990 to Emanuel and Sylvia in Jackson, MS. My hometown is Bolton, MS where I lived my entire childhood. I am the third of five children and the only boy. Most of my family is from the small towns of Bolton and Edwards. Although these towns are located in the country, I couldn't have picked a better place to grow up.

My childhood was pretty good. I grew up learning the value of hard work and I also was a very good student. My dad was a logger so I would work with him on the weekends and in the summer. I learned how to work for what I wanted and I also learned valuable life lessons as well. Not many people can say that they know how to drive a tractor trailer, operate a chain saw, and use logging equipment. These skills will always be beneficial to me. Academically I did well also. I started off slow in my early years but once I got rolling I made A's and B's all throughout grade school.

I grew up in a Baptist church and my family attended church frequently. I was baptized at an early age but I don't think I knew the importance of this then. At church I would sometimes sleep or play with my cousin, but I can't say that the relationship with God was there. I didn't spend any time outside of church studying the Word but I do thank my parents for raising me in the church and teaching me right from wrong, because when I got older I remembered this foundation and I had something to turn back to and seek that connection with God.

I would like to think that I was a good child. Throughout my academic career I made honor roll, didn't stay in a lot of trouble, and helped out at home. My personality could best be described as introverted. I'm not open to a whole lot of people. Two of my sisters are usually the people that I go to when I need someone to talk to and even then I find it hard to express myself. I don't have a lot to say all the time but there's always something on my mind. I feel this may have helped me and hurt me in some ways growing up. One of the biggest things that hurt me growing up is to not have my dad there for me emotionally. My dad was a great provider and protector, don't get me wrong but I felt like I missed out on having his validation. When I had programs at school he would hardly attend, I wanted to play sports but I didn't have anyone to give me that extra encouragement to try out, and I just wanted him to be interested in things that I was interested in. But all the things that I thought made me a good child weren't enough because I was still lacking spiritually. There were several things that I knowingly did wrong and felt not guilt from it. One problem that I had is that I would steal. I was caught stealing from Wal-Mart one day and I can say that this is one thing that helped to open my eyes.

In high school I continued to make good grades. I had some teachers who had a big impact on my life with whom I still communicate with. I was involved in Student Council, Beta Club, and I played football my senior year. My high school years was pretty good and I can say that they were some of the best years of my life. There is one area that I struggled in during this time. As a teenager I didn't date a whole lot but the few relationships that I did have I took them very seriously. I have always been in the mindset that the goal of my relationship is marriage and I guess that's why I get so hurt when things end. I was dating this girl in the 11th grade whom that I really cared about but we stopped talking. So I just shut down towards relationships for a while. I was open to dating during my senior year but after I made the decision to join the Air Force I changed my mind because I didn't want to have to have a long distance relationship. So I remained single for a while.

I joined the Air Force and left for basic training after graduating high school. This was my first time being away from home and it took me a while to adjust but I handled the transition pretty well. Fortunately for me I was stationed only 10 hours from home so I could visit home occasionally. My time in the Air Force introduced me to all kinds of people with all kinds of backgrounds. This also introduced me to adulthood where I had to make my own decisions. For the most part I hung out with some decent people. Some of them influenced me one way or another. We went out every weekend, I tried smoking and drinking, all things that were so new to me. This was another time in my life that I had to evaluate my actions. I would go to church but I still lacked the consistency of study and prayer to grow with God.

I separated from active duty and moved back home. My sister introduced me to a church that she had started recently attend in and this church really began to change my life. The words from the sermon seemed to touch me in a way that church had never touch me before and I just wanted to study more and do more. I became more involved in church and joined a ministry. I felt like I was finally starting to have a relationship with God not just because my parents made me attend church or just to do it because seemed like the right thing to do, but because it was necessary.

Not long after attending this church I met this girl. I hadn't dated in about four years but when I met this girl I just knew she was the one. We got into a relationship that pushed me away from God that I failed to break off because of my love for her. I was a virgin and she wanted to have sex so I gave in. That was a huge mistake. I would invite her to church but she never wanted to go with me. I didn't realize that her actions showed that she didn't care for me because I believed in her words. She broke up with me and that left me so broken. That was one of the most traumatic experiences in my life. I can truly say that this experience really helped change my life the most and show me that I need to be closer to God. This is one of my biggest testimonies because I dealt with so much depression from this situation but I held on. One scripture that keeps me going and that I refer to daily is Genesis 50:20; "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." I know that God will allow me to use this situation for His glory and to help others.

I am currently in college pursuing a degree in elementary education. Hopefully one day I will be able to serve God through teaching, but if not I will use whatever career path I embark on to spread God's love. I contribute my attitude and respect towards women to my sisters. I don't like to see them hurt so I want to treat someone else's sister the same. I contribute some of my outlook and attitude towards life to my father. My dad taught me to have a strong work ethic and to always do things honestly. I learned a lot of valuable life lessons from him. I thank God that I had a good foundation growing up and I have something to have faith in when times get tough.

The purpose of your time here on earth is not primarily about acquiring possessions, attaining status, achieving success, or experiencing happiness. Those are secondary issues. Life is all about love- with God and with other people. You may succeed in many areas but if you fail to learn how to love others, you'd have missed the reason why God created you.