Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. -Matthew 5:44

The bible tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." (Matt. 5:44). This is a very hard thing to do, and especially hard to do it sincerely. These past few days I have really been tried by those who don't believe in God, think it's not cool to believe in God around certain groups of people, and people who are just plain hateful. As Christians, we have to remember that we always have to strive to become more like Jesus. That means loving those who might not love us and praying for those who don't believe in prayer. Several times in my life I've been one of those who didn't stand up for God because I was too timid and/or thought it wouldn't please those around me. I'm happy to say that part of me is dead and gone. No more sitting back and letting others push me around. I've matured enough now that I can stand up for God and what I believe in regardless of who thinks it's the cool thing to do. I'm going to serve as an example to others in hopes that they will come to the Lord and grow stronger in Him.

This doesn't come easily, though. 1 John 3:13 says, "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you." And 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." There are going to be some people who just cannot and will not come to Christ. We have to accept the things we cannot change, but that doesn't mean we should stop praying for those people or serving as an example for them. We can rest assured that God will do the punishing for their behavior, but we cannot fall to their level. "Have a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame, for it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:16-17). We may feel like we are losing "friends" and feel very alone at times, but just remember, God is always there, unconditionally, forever. "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled" (1 Peter 3:14).

As Christians, we know that God is real. We are faithful that He is coming back someday. We just have to endure this world for a short time before His glory is revealed to everyone, including the non-believers. Don't you think it's worth it? I encourage you never to fall in your faith. Stand up for God. It's the least we can do after all. He sent His Son to die for us, so let's give our lives to Him. "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin" -1 Peter 4:1

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." -1 Peter 4:12-14  
     
"Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." -Revelation 2:10

I hope you take these words to heart.

-Brittany
  

Surely resentment destroys the fool, & JEALOUSY kills the simple. -Job 5:2

     It's been one year. A whole year that I have found myself not being able to forget you. I loved you with everything I had & I have absolutely nothing to show for it but some walls I've built & a scarred heart. It's kind of ironic that I woke up this morning completely free from the bondage of your memory. Not that I don't remember you, I'm just finally able to treat this past year as a learning experience. That's what true faith & prayer can do. It took me one year. A whole year to realize that I deserve so much more. Well maybe not more, but something different. Being caught up in someone that only brings you tears is no way to be at all. I deserve someone who makes me happy every day, all day; someone that I don't have to worry about cheating or lying. I will no longer be stricken with jealousy every time I see you with someone else...
     Jealousy. What an ugly word. It's the root of so much hatred & evil. We want so bad not to possess this trait, yet every person falls victim to it at one time or another. As I strive to become more like Christ, this is one of my major speedbumps. Living in this world, it is so hard not to give in to the temptations that surround jealousy. It's easy to say we aren't going to be jealous of people and their possessions, talents, or whatever it may be, but as the cliche goes, that's much easier said than done. We as Christians have to strive every day to put these words into actions, though. I think solving the problem of jealousy would cure many other faults we have in our lives.
     That's all for now.
-Britt

P.S. My sweet grandpa had heart surgery this morning. Thanks to God's blessings & the prayers of family & loved ones, he made it through successfully & is now in recovery. I am truly thankful for my amazing family that God has so graciously blessed me with. I couldn't be "me" without them.

Long time, no talk...

When I started this blog, I told myself I was going to keep it up religiously. Every time I say that to myself, about anything, I always end up not sticking to the plan. So maybe I can just tell myself, "Just do it when you feel like it," I'll keep up with it more regularly. With that said, off to my ramblings...

I am a Christian, as I've stated in my bio and my previous post. However, I've been falling away lately and I can feel it more than ever. It goes without saying that I need everyone's prayers. I also need to do some soul-searching. What I mean by this is that I need to find who I need to be in order to please God. This will make my Lord and Savior happy, and in turn, I will be happy and content as well. But I am not searching for contentment; I'm searching for the me that is always wanting more. Wanting to be more like God, wanting to help others be more like God, wanting to help more people find God... A true Christian always yearns for more.

In my journey for more, I'm going to have to accept less in other areas. Less association with bad company, less cursing, less alcohol, less vulgar music...less of anything and everything that I find brings me down. If anyone is reading this, I'd love for you to pray for me in my time of need but more importantly, I challenge you to take the same journey in becoming more Christlike. It will save your life.

That's all until next time...

---brittany amanda

Whoever says He abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. -John 2:6

what's in a name?

well since this is my first blog post, i thought i'd explain why my blog is entitled "faithful+lovestrong." and tell a little bit about myself. 


~faithful- any loyal & steadfast following~

• i am faithful in my loving GOD & His Son, Jesus. HE is my creator, & through JESUS i am forgiven. i believe in Them, therefore i am saved. 
• i have faith in my loved ones. my parents, my family, my fellow children of God, & my close friends. i know they will be here for me, always & forever.
• i have faith in the genuine goodness of humanity.
• i have faith in my ability to succeed in everything i do. as long as i've done my best, i consider that success.
• i am faithful that i will find my prince charming. i know i will find complete happiness one day. along with my faith in God & prayers, patience is the key.

~lovestrong~
i got this concept from one of my favorite singer/songwriters, christina perri. all of her songs speak to me in a different way. that is why i fell in love with music; its ability to make a connection with my heart & soul. 
as you can probably infer, lovestrong is the combination of love & strength. these are two of the most powerful attributes anyone can have, & i've learned that they are two of the most necessary weapons a person can have in order to make it through tough times. 
i've had my share of heartbreaks & heartaches. but strength has pulled me through them all. as hard as i may try to put up walls, love overcomes this stubbornness & whispers to me, "your true love will find you someday; just be patient..."


now that you know why i've picked this title, i'll fill you in on some details about me. 
i'm a 21 year old college student at arkansas tech university. i will graduate with my bachelors in social studies education with an english minor next fall. i am originally from midland, arkansas, and attended school (k-12) at hartford school district. i was a bookworm but was also involved in pretty much everything the school had to offer, primarily basketball. it was the first love of my life...& that love still remains true. 
i am an only child, & i am very close to my wonderful parents. 
i have many friends, but the two i consider to be more like sisters are miss danielle leigh & miss lindsey nicole. danielle has been my best friend since the very first day of kindergarten. we've had our ups & downs, but we will always be there for each other 100%. i met lindsey a few years ago. ironically we were talking to the same guy at once. ha. we've gotten really close here lately, & i know our friendship will continue to blossom. 
some other random facts about me:
i'm an arkansas razorback fan until i die.
shopping is my favorite. 
i love romantic comedies.
i love cars, anything sports, & good ol' classic rock music. 
one day i'll look like a tomboy, the next i'll look like a princess.
i don't care what people think of me...i'm always myself.
i love to be goofy.
i'm very in touch with my inner child. 


that's all until next time.
--brittany amanda


in 3 words, i can sum up everything i know about life. it goes on. -robert frost.