We race towards the Father.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Okay, so a few of my friends are doing this thing on their blogs. And because I'm unoriginal I'm going to copy them. Well, I okayed it with the girl who started it (Kirstin). So I am going to be writing a letter on my blog every day for thirty days to various peoples.
The line-up will be as follows. So keep checking back because you may end up having mail! Lol.
Day 1- Your Best Friend
Day 2- Your crush
Day 3- Your parents
Day 4- Your sibling (or closest relative)
Day 5- Your Future Spouse
Day 6- A stranger
Day 7- Your dreams
Day 8- Your favorite internet friend
Day 9- Someone you wish you could meet
Day 10- Someone you don't talk to as much as you'd like to
Day 11- A deceased person you wish you could talk to
Day 12- The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain
Day 13- Someone you wish could forgive you
Day 14- Someone you've drifted away from
Day 15- The person you miss most
Day 16- Someone that's not in your state/country
Day 17- Someone from your childhood
Day 18- The person that you wish you could be
Day 19- Someone that pesters your mind-good or bad
Day 20- The one that broke your heart hardest
Day 21- Someone you judged by their first impression
Day 22- Someone you want to give a second chance to
Day 23- The person you last kissed
Day 24- The person that gave you your favorite memory
Day 25- The person you know that is going through the worst of times
Day 26- The last person you made a pinky promise to
Day 27- The friendliest person you knew for only one day
Day 28- Someone that changed your life
Day 29- The person that you want to tell everything to, but too afraid to
I know! I know! I'm sorry! I should be a more faithful blogger. BUT HEY! Guess what? I finished NaNoWriMo. I didn't think I would be able to squeeze 50,000 words in one month, but I did! And it wasn't that bad. I actually finished with 50,900. Snap!
But seriously, now that I am trough I want and plan to blog more. This morning I was just wanting to share some really great scripture that I read this morning. Believe it or not...it's from Deuteronomy. I was reminded this morning that God does listen to our prayers because I have been doing this "reading through the Bible plan" and it skips all around like crazy. I was reading 2 Kings, then Jeremiah, then Joel and I just entered Deuteronomy yesterday. Well, I don't know about you guys, but sometimes I feel so discouraged reading through the Old Testament. I especially go through these times where God seems far away and idle in my life (of course, I know He's not! IT'S ME!!). So of course during those times it is that I'm reading this pretty hefty, hard-to-keep-a-two-minute-attention-span-with Old Testament books. So anyways, this morning I just prayed. "God please teach me this morning. Give me some really great verses to chew on today!"
HE DID! yea!
I hope I haven't been missing them all along (which I probably have). But I feel like God led me to the perfect chapters today. They were rich! If you haven't read Deuteronomy 4, 5, and 6. I would recommend it!
Okay, I will only talk about a few of the verses because that's all I really have time for. Chapter 4 was dealing with the subject of idols. We all know that the Israelites were prone to keep returning to idols. I always wonder why, but then, I guess I do it too. (One thing I HAVE learned reading all the OT books is the patience of God! Whooo, I'm telling ya. The nation of Israel was very naughty but God kept sparing them and bringing them back to Himself. If you are a Christian...this should sound oddly familiar.) And I know this is probably a verse that's been beat over your heads. It has mine, but I LOVE about scripture how one verse that you've heard a million times can suddenly hit you home for the millionth time.
4:24 "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."
When I think about that I become really grateful. The God of the universe is jealous. Not of everyone - that's too general. But zoom in a little. *looks through scope* WHOA! There's you and me down there. He's jealous of You and ME! When I stray form God and turn to idols (my mirror, the computer, TV, football, school, monstrous ACT tests, lies, my story world...ect) He is jealous of me. And desires me to toss those things aside and be with Him.
This makes me think about Devos differently. I'll be the first to admit that I approach daily devotions kinda legalistic at times. Thinking, "Well, if I don't do this I'm gonna have a bad day today." or "God's gonna be mad if I don't." or "I wanna be a good Christian."
NO! I need to approach it with this attitude. "God wants to be with me. GOD wants to be with ME. Whoa! that makes me sooo happy that I can't wait to be in His Word and pray this morning." Although, even if we aren't excited like that, it is still good to do it anyways...good practice. God says, "Read the Bible and pray." So do it. Even if it doesn't taste like chocolate at the moment.
And here is another scripture from the same chapter. Vv. 29-31 "29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice 31 (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.
WOW! That is a beautiful promise. If we seek God with all our hearts and souls we WILL find Him. That's a promise. If we are truly seeking Him He isn't going to hide Himself (not saying that it's always a piece of cake to feel His presence - it's not. That's part of the learning and growing experience.).
When you are in distress...when you turn to the Lord and obey His voice...He will not forsake.
Thank you, God.
Now, it is for us to dive whole-heartedly into the Word to find out what seeking and obeying God with all our heart and soul should look like, then DO IT! And stop talking about it. I feel like Christians (me especially) constantly talk about things. "We ought to do this." and "Go thou and do this." and "Be like this." and "Don't do this." BUT WE NEVER DO ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *pulls hair* Why are you like that? Why am I like that? *head bang*
Okay. Conclusion. Read Bible. Seek God with everything. Then do what Bible says. Be changed.
We finally got that. Moving on!
Okay Deuteronomy 5 is about the 10 Commandments. That's good reading there. Just refreshing. Hey, you know what? I found that I kinda forgot all the 10 Commandments. I did. Wellll, I KNOW them, but from five on I can't say them in order. *talks to self* Ash, dear, those are fundamentals. Learn them.
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 "32“Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Just another fantastic promise. Ponder it! More about STOP TALKING and FOLLOW!
As for chapter 6. Maybe this is dumb, but I was rather surprised to see that the greatest commandment in the old testament was to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul and strength. I mean, there isn't anything wrong with it of course. But for some reason it struck me as odd. I've read Deuteronomy a couple times (due to failed attempts to read through the Bible) and it never clicked with me before.
Read verses 4-8. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
I really like what God tells them to do with these commandments. In a nut shell He says, "Live and breath them." He even says to write them on your doors and gates. Hmmm. Maybe we should try it!! I like the idea.
An just a question what is a frontlet? It's giving me some great mental pictures. Lol. Hey, I don't think it's absurd though. God is saying that it should be on the front of our minds ALL THE TIME. We should constantly be thinking about God, His love, and how we can serve Him better.
That's enough of my thoughts for the day. Hope I didn't confuse the heck out of ya!
Yeah. The title says it all. I am currently 4,000 words behind in my nanowrimo. 4000 WORDS! AH! It was easy at first, but all it takes is for me to have one busy day and it's hard to catch up. I can write about 1,000 per hour IF I'm focused. So, i miss one day and I'm 1,667 words behind. This past week I missed two days and had a kinda protective-not- really day. So I'm 4,000 words behind. Pray for me. I think I'm going insane.
I figured I should post a little something. At the LEAST a howdy. I feel bad for not being consistent. My bad.
Truth be told, I've actually been a little down lately. I know I shouldn't be (I mean, I'm a child of God's. How could I be down, right?) but I still am. Don't you hate when that little thing just sets on in this horrible-depressed-ish mood? That is happening to me right now. It stinks.
But I was happy because even thought I've been sad, God has been reminding me that He is the best friend I could ever have and He is the best shoulder to cry on. And even though I'm down He's reminded me that it's okay as long as I am remembering that God's in control and He knows what He's doing. YEAH! I was happy to hear that, when He told me....*thinks* In His cool-God-whispering sort of way.
I'm so glad that He knows what He's doing cuz I totally don't. :)
Here is a great verse. Psalm 38:4 "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
OoO I don't do that enough. I started thinking...how many times do I just reflect on the goodness of God? Often. But not near often enough. I think we would stop complaining and having so many issues if we just realized the sheer goodness of God. God loves us. For real. We can taste it.
Think about that.
We can taste it!
I don't know about you, but I can taste the goodness of God in pizza and mozzarella cheese sticks (with marinara sauce) - both of which I haven't had in an eternity.
And we can see it. Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of god and the firmament showeth His handiwork."
I'm actually watchin my hands typing right now and thinking. God is so good and creative at that. I look at the sky and think about how vast He is. And I watch Him at work in my life. God is good. It's plain to see. I have a life that is the proof. I can walk, talk, dance, act like a crazy woman and God loves me. That's a really cool thought.
I'm just rambling sorry. I guess I'll stop now.
Taste and See. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.
One of my favorite Scriptures is probably Romans 12. It is something that reminds me of how far I fall from the glory of God. These are things that if we are Christians will be coming out in our lives. But it is such a good reminder that we will never achieve it so we must trust God, but it's also a good examination tool. Where am I falling? I encourage you to read this and for each individual thing it tells you to do think of a way that you don't do it and come up with ideas to help you change. Change is the ultimate goal.
Romans 12;9-21
Let love be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what is evil.
Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope,
patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do not set your mind on high things,
associate with the humble.
Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore
“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”[b]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is a challenging passage. I want to be like the Lord. Love like He loved and care for people like He cared for people. I think if we examine ourselves by this list, day by day...wow. The ways we could change.
What would help us even more would be for our friends and family to show us where we are falling in these areas. So, if you guys ever notice me lacking in an area, you have permission to come to me and show me. And I hope that I can do that to ya'll too? :)
Oh my. I have been really challenged. Okay warning: If you are embarrassed by hearing someone talk about sex and purity or anything like that...then don't read this post.
I was on my NaNoWriMo forum and engaged in a conversation about pre-marital and extra-marital sex. I was very disturbed that only a very few actually believed in saving your virginity for marriage and fewer than that saw the value of marriage. I was challenged because I realized that I didn't have an established answer on why I was going to wait to have sex. It disturbed me that I hadn't put the thought into it before. i know why, but I wasn't prepared in the slightest to share why with someone else who disagreed in every way. So anyways, after posting back and foward and few times, watching the other people post and then being convicted of the fact that I wasn't really speaking up about the lord...I developed a portion of my reasons. WHY, I'm waiting. And WHY marriage is important.
I was at first just saying, "I believe in abstinence and marriage" but not really backing it up.
I encourage you all to FIND your answers to these questions. We will face this problem for the rest of our lives. In college, with our children, our friends and family, and even within the body of Christ.
Be ready with an answer.
To top off my conviction, I just memorized this verse about two weeks ago. "but sanctify the Lord God in your heart and ALWAYS be READY to give an answer about the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15
Thanks God. <_<
So I am going to post my post about it here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE feedback. What you all think about it, what you think I missed in my post and how you would answer these questions.
Now here's some food for thought. These are the questions that were being brought up.
Why not if you love them?
Why marry? They never last anyways?
Why do people stake others value on weather they have had sex or not?
Many sexual partners is a good thing.
It doesn't have side effects emotionally or physically.
Everyone else is doing it.
WHy should we wait? Love is love.
If you back up sex with actions, what's the problem?
HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Here's how I did. Tell me what you think.
I think there are a few things maybe some of you guys aren't seeing. I'm not going to try to convince you, but just explain my beliefs in a little more detail.
First off, I believe in abstinence because of Jesus Christ in my life. I'm not a catholic, or an episcopalian, or a Mormon and anything. I am a Christian who believes in the Word of God. The Bible tells me to wait for marriage. And I will becasue God loved me enough to die for me - therefore I'm willing to believe and do anything He tells me to do, without questions. He knows best.
Why did God tell me not to have sex? Because He wanted to destroy my fun? NO! He talks about how people desire each other sexually and that it's a good thing. I TRULY HOPE that me and my husband will desire each other soo much and have a GREAT time in bed. That's a thrilling thing to strive after. :)
One thing I think we are missing is the value of marriage. Marriage isn't a useless ceremony. It's a promise. A covenant that we make with a man before our friends family and God. And yes, a lot of marriages don't make it. It's sad. It's not the way it was intended to be. But I think a big reason they don't make it is because people have a twisted definition of love. Love isn't just gushy sexual feelings and desires. Believe it or not, but when you start getting a double chin, and your butt droops no ones gonna really desire you anymore. If we just base love on how we FEEL about people. LOVE WON'T LAST! that's the truth. Or minds cannot handle a love forever, and neither can our bodies. Our own bodies go through hormone changes that could alter our loves for a while.
That to say, marriage is a commitment you make to be with someone forever. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...till DEATH DO YOU PART.
"Wait!" you say, "You just told us our bodies couldn't really handle the same love forever." Yep, I did. And that is true IF it's based solely on our feelings. True love....is a choice. We have to decide to love each other. And that's the value of marriage that I think you all might be missing.
Let's put away the whole sex thing right now and just talk about loving people in general. Choosing to love someone in a marriage is putting aside your wants and desires to serve them. TRUE LOVE is thinking of the people around you and caring for their needs before you care for your own.
So, think of a relationship where people were constantly trying to do that. If both people were saying, "You first, than me." Than marriages wouldn't have the problems they do today. Cause every fight is selfishness in both parties.
I am choosing to wait for marriage to have sex because I am dreaming of my future. I am dreaming of the husband I will be with one day. I am considering his feeling above mine. The easy way out would be to have sex for the whoo of it, right? Yes. But I am thinking about the day when my husband and I can learn together how to have sex. I don't have to be a pro to keep him. That's not what he will love about me. I am dreaming of a time when I can be in my husbands arms and not have to remember past relationships and partners.
Abstinence dreams of it's future.
I dream of my future. I dream of true love. I dream of a love unmarred by past experiences.
Second (wow, that was a long first), extra or premarital sex is NOT SAFE. There ARE facts and it is dangerous. Here, I have a brocheur on my dresser.
*runs to get it*
Next to the common cold and flue STDs are the most common disease in America. Wanna know why? Because the guys you just slept with has slept with two other people, who have both slept with two other people who have slept with two other people....ect.
1 in 5 Americans are in infected with an STD.
41,000 people get infected in the US every day. 2/3s of them being in people under the age of 25. O.O
80% of the people infected don't show initial symptoms.
Beware because your partner may lie about the fact that they were involved sexually in the past, they may not know they have an STD (80% don't), teens are more physically susceptible, CONDOMS DON'T PROTECT like you think they do. They help sometimes with pregnancies, but do not stop from transmitting STDs.
Beware, because you can be legally liable for giving someone a STD,
Quote by C. Everett Koop, Former US Surgeon General "when you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years. "
Lastly (finally), I want to clear up this whole "purity" thing. Your value is not staked on your virginity. It's not. Period. we all make mistakes. We all do things we shouldn't do, but it doesn't mean that you aren't worth anything anymore. We all have sexual purity, but real purity is a process. It's a journey in our lives. It's about becoming Christlike in our walk and talk. So physically speaking, purity is something you can give away with your virginity, but it doesn't mean it cannot be achieved again.
See, this is the awesome part. If we have had sex (or worse, it was taken from us) God still sees us as someone desperately in need of Him and LOVES US (now, this is the true perfect love). I am in need of a Savior but I haven't had sex or oral sex. I need a Savior because I'm a sinner. I sin all the time. To be honest, I struggle with lust, a lot. I've lied, cheated and hated others. See? I'm not "pure". Physically? Yes. Spiritually? No.
The only REALLY REAL purity is the purity found in Jesus Christ's person. And it is available to each of us. It is available to me, and the only reason I make it from day to day is knowing that Christ is going to help me achieve that purity in the long run if I depend on Him.
My value is found in the God. My value is found in who I am.
I might sound like a loon, but I will choose abstinence because I dream of my future, because it's safe and because i know it pleases my father, God.
God got a hold of my heart. He captured me in his love.
And my personal testimony is about Him. Nothing about me. He got me and has been changing my life little by little since the time. He constantly is showing me how to trust in Him, and teaching me how to be satisfied with just Him.
I think this thing called ,"The Great Exchange" sums up what He does for me on a daily basis. I'm not sure who wrote this. i apologize.
The Great Exchange
My weariness for His strength.
Mt weakness for His power.
My darkness for His Light
My problems for His solutions.
My burdens for his freedoms.
My frustrations for His peace.
My turmoil for His freedom
My hopes for His promises.
My afflictions for His balm of comfort.
My questions for His answers.
My confusion for His knowledge.
My doubt for His assurance.
My nothingness for His awesomeness.
The temporal for the eternal, and
The impossible for the possible!
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; … But as for me, I trust in you." Psalm 55:22 -23
I'll admit, I've been a tad depressed today and I didn't cast my care on the Lord. I was upset but didn't go to Him in prayer like I should have. But thankfully God knew that and sent people to me to remind me to keep focusing on Him - that He knows what He's doing.
I'm silly, thinking I have everything under control.
Word of wisdom that I don't remember myself. "Every time you have the slightest burden - go to God in prayer about it." Seriously,God doesn't tire of hearing your voice. He longs to be by you and help you. So bring you cares to Him.
i love the lyrics from a song we sang at VBS.
Something like: " God speaks, God sees, God loves, God leads, God hears, God cares about me. Yeaaaah, so I will cast my care on the Lord because He cares for me. I will trust in God no matter what cause I know He will never stop - caring for me. He's always caring for me.
Btw, day one of NANOWRIMO is done. And I wrote more than the daily quota. 2,884 words. YEAH! Pray that I'll keep the enthusiasm and persevere.
But - to be fair - I have to tell you guys that I won't be posting as often. Nope. I am starting NaNo on Monday! *screams with excitement* I'll do my best to post every other day. At least a verse or something. Have no fear. I have not died. :)
I have been pondering this verse a lot lately. It really has started to convict me.
1 Peter 3: 15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always been ready to give an answer to anyone who asks of the hope within you, with meekness and fear."
This is a command from scripture! Why do you treat it like an option and not prepare yourself? I've done it too. But recently I have been trying to find answers to common questions about the Lord so when I do come across them, I'll be ready.
Here are so good one's to start with.
Why are you so different?
If God is loving, why does He allow me to suffer?
How are you even sure God is real?
How do I be saved?
Why do you know the Bible is true?
I'm looking into some of the answers to these questions. So as I (hopefully) find answers, I'll post them and all that jazz. I would love feedback!
This is a great video that shows what Jesus did for me. (See post from October 25th)
I sin (though not necessarily the same sins as the girl in the video) and God came and took the punishment for me so I can have peace with Him again. I can be at peace with God because He can look on me ans see someone sinless because of His Son's payment.
A Different Kind of BlindWritten by Ashley Jones and taken from John 9
Man: [ecstatic] Can you believe it? I can actually see! I can’t believe things look the way they look! The colors, the people…the…That man! He healed me. I have to find him…”
Pharisee: Okay, okay…I know you’re excited but give the glory to our God in Heaven. That man…He’s a mere sinner.
Man: I don’t know who He is. But there is one thing I can tell you. [last sentence hang]
Pharisee: Yesss?
Man: I was blind, but now I see.
Pharisee. [rubbing temples] Yes! I know…we’ve established that 29,000 times.
Man: Sheesh! Give me some slack. You’d be excited too, Mr. Anti-Emotional.
Pharisee: Now for the last time, tell me what happened. How did He get you to see?
Man: Well, He was passing by me. I was sitting by that road on the side vineyard at I-40. Ya know where I’m talking about?
Pharisee: [nods]
Man: Well it was a lovely morning. I was just minding my own business, begging. The normal. I could feel the sun shining on my skin. It was so warm. If I could’a picked a day to receive my sight – I would have picked a day like this, with all the birds chirping and people running around the vineyard….
Pharisee: [annoyed] Please, I have a meeting to attend. [pretends to look at watch] Oh, now! Spare me the details.
Man: Oh right. Okay, well basically what happened…to cut a long story short. Jesus passed by me and I heard Him talking to His disciples about me, which I thought wasn’t very nice – I mean, I was blind and all but not deaf. But after I listened to what they were saying I didn’t mind as much. His disciples asked, “Who sinned? This man or his parents that he should be born blind?” Then Jesus said, “Neither. It is so the work of Christ can be shown in His life.”
Pharisee: Is that so? Work of Christ? [shakes head in disgust]
Man: I remember the exact words Jesus said before He speaking to me. He said, “While I am in the World – I am the light of the World.”
Pharisee: He said that huh? Wonder what He meant by that. [calling over shoulder] Bill, take a note of it. Then what?
Man: Then He spit on the ground, mixed the dirt with His spit and said, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam.”
[Man stops]
Pharisee: Is that all?
Man: Yes. I made my way to the pool of Siloam and I see.
Pharisee: Ridiculous heretic! He calls himself the Light of the World!
Man: I don’t see why you’re so upset He gave me my sight! What is there to find fault in?
Pharisee: This ‘Jesus’ has been calling God His Father. He blasphemes. [thinking] What do you think about the man?
Man: I think He is a prophet at least. I think He could be the Mess-
Pharisee: That’s quite enough! Now, tell me one more time what happened.
Man: [motioning] He came. Spit. Put mud on eyes. Told me “Go.” I wash. I see.
Pharisee: I need details!
Man: You told me to cut the details…
Pharisee: Well, un-cut them!
Man: Look I already told you and you did not listen. Wait, do you want to be His disciple too?
Pharisee: His disciple? Oh—I will avoid being seen with that man at all cost. He is a sinner, deserving death! [pointing at blind man] You’re His disciple! I am a disciple of Moses.
Man: Moses? But He-
Pharisee: God spoke directly to Moses. But this man? This carpenter? This magic man? This lowly being with no place to rest His head? Is not from Heaven.
Man: Now that is remarkable!
Pharisee: What?
Man: You are confused about where He came from but He opened my eyes! I see! No one…NO ONE has ever heard of a man’s blind-from-birth eyes being opened. And yet, He’s not of Heaven?
Pharisee: You sinner! You were born in sin and you are trying to teach me? A Pharisee? My position is one of superior knowledge. You have no right!
Man: But why can’t you see?
Pharisee: See? Why can’t I see? Are you suggesting that I’m blind too? You’re one to ask! He breaks the law…healing on the Sabbath, preparing food on the Sabbath and worst of all – eating with sinners. This man is not who you think He is.
Man: Then explain the miracles.
Pharisee: He’s of the devil.
Man: But He casts out demons. What demon would cast out another demon?
Pharisee: You have no right to be challenging me in this way. You’re out of line!
[Pharisee throws Him out]
Man: [struggling to get out] You’re the blind one!
[Man straightens up]
[pause]
Lord, I believe. Though the rest off the world may not understand, I do. You’ve opened my eyes. I know that you are the promised Messiah. It’s plain as day. [looking up and holding out arms] Plain as the sun. Well, it wouldn’t have been unless you showed me. I once was lost, but now I’m found. I was blind…but now I see.
I randomly decided that I am going to post a few posts about what my Christian life is all about. I've been reading about how I need to always be ready to give a defense for the faith that I have in Jesus Christ. So I am going to be posting my testimony, what Christ actually did for us, what He can do for you and what I am trying to do for Him. I am going to be adding videos too. If you're like me....nothing explains how you feel more than a song (bonus points if it's a you tube official music video :p).
This will be good practice for me. i always post about stuff He is doing in my life and stuff but I forget about the most important thing He HAS ALREADY done. The one thing that people will remember till the end of the earth when Christ comes back to reign.
Here goes nothin. I guess I'll start with what Christ did for me and you. That's the best place to place in the beginning...well, in the middle too, and actually...why don't we end there as well? Haha. I guess it all centers around the cross.
Now for a few gooooood songs! That explain it pretty well.
I think these songs do a good job explaining what Christ did.
Here's the story...paraphrased. God, the God of the universe created Man and the world and the stars and the animals. But his greatest creation of all was the first man, Adam, because He made Adam in His image. He also made Adam a partner, Eve. Everything that God made was perfect. There weren't any thorns on the earth, no blood was shed, the carnivorous animals that we know now ate plants. Everything was PERFECT. No death, no pain, no tears.
Adam and Eve lived in a garden where they walked and talked and shared a speial relationship with God. Now, there was only one thing that God told them not to do and that was to eat the fruit from one tree in the garden, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil or they would surely die. That was the only rule! But one day, Adam and Eve were walking through the garden and a serpent was in the Tree of Knowledge and he enticed Eve. He made her question God. He said, "You don't really think that eating this fruit will make you die? Do you? If you eat this fruit it will make you like God - All knowing. That's why He doesn't want you to eat it. He doesn't want you to be like Him."
Eve believed and she ate of the tree.
The first sin had been committed. Nothing would be the same. From then on, the race of man is fallen and sinful. We will never be in perfect communion with God again. If you were born, which since you are reading this post it's safe to say that you are, then are born into a sinful nature.
Sinful nature? Why does that matter? Who cares? Yeah, we sin now and then, but it isn't a big deal right? Because the human race fell, in order to be able to spend eternity in heaven with God and have that communion with Him again a perfect sacrifice had to be made OR humans would have to be perfect - and that just isn't possible. If you have ever told a lie, or lusted, or said or even THOUGHT something unkind....you're a sinner. So that's all of us. We cannot be perfect, so someone had to come and be that perfect sacrifice for us if we were to ever have hope again.
The same God who created the universe, years later, left His perfect home in heaven and became a helpless baby in a virgin's womb. He grew up sinless. SINLESS people! He was the only person to ever be sinless since the fall of Adam and Eve. Can you imagine having a perfect son? One that didn't have temper tantrums or be smart every once in a while?
This boy, named Jesus, teaching the 'teachers' of the land about His Father in heaven. Everyone was astonished, but He knew what His heavenly Father had planned for Him.
At the age of thirty years old Jesus began His ministry. He performed many miracles, healing, baptizing, performing miracles, and teaching the people of Israel about the way to heaven, the Father in Heaven and His will.
The people were taken with His words and many many became His disciples. But the Pharisees of the land were upset. They had heard the old prophesies about man who would be the "Messiah" the "Coming King" and the "Son of God" but they scoffed at Jesus because He came as a lowly servant. The Pharisees were outraged that He called Himself the Son of God because they expected the Son of God to be a rich and mighty King not a servant.
Claiming to be the "Son of God" was a crime deserving of death in those days. So they beat Jesus and hung Him on a cross. On the cross Jesus suffered emotional pain as well as physical. Because God looked upon Jesus and saw our sin. By going to the cross, Jesus took our sins upon Himself. So when God looks at me? He sees a sinless girl because my sin was KILLED that day on the cross with Jesus Christ!
Why does this matter?
Jesus was the only sinless man. And innocent blood was needed to pay for us. The reason Jesus went to the cross was because it was the only way we could be saved and reconciled with God!!!!
ROMANS 5: 12-15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
By one person, sin entered the world, but by one man (GOD) there is now an escape!
This is the best part of the story. Three days after they killed Jesus, he rose again! They buried him in a tomb but He arose!!! HE was the only person who could conquer death! DEATH HAS BEEN CONQUERED! The powers of Satan and the power of evil was conquered! And we can experience that victory in Christ.
If we put our faith in Christ - if we believe that He is Lord and give our lives to Him we can experience that victory. That victory over sin - knowing that it was crucified with Jesus. That victory over death - knowing that because Jesus defeated death, we can spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Isn't that beautiful?
Here is another way to explain it! Ever seen Narnia? My favorite character was Edmund because I feel like I can identify with Edmund. Edmund was the selfish little brat no one liked because he was constantly thinking of himself! He betrayed his brothers and sisters and friends so many times.
He meets the white witch and is taken with her and her beauty. He willingly does anything she asks of him. But soon, the witch's ugliness starts to show and he is afraid because there is nothing he can do.
Soon, Aslan's (the good King, also the lion in the video) comes to save Edmund. They bring him to Aslan. Aslan tells Edmund that He is guilty of betrayal. The worst thing of all. The White Witch (Aslan's worst enemy) comes back to claim Edmund, because according to the black magic of the land all the traitors belong to her and must be put to death on the stone table.
Naturally, Edmund was terrified. He WAS a traitor and there was nothing he could do to save himself.
But, with out telling Edmund, Aslan offers Himself as a replacement for Edmund. the White Witch is overjoyed! She has wanted to see Aslan dead for years. So she gives grace to Edmund and takes Aslan to the stone table to be killed.
But the story ends when Aslan rises from the dead! Because the black magic said that any person who is innocent that is killed on the stone table shall rise again!
That's what Christ did for us, you know. I was a traitor. I had done wrong and thought about only myself, but Jesus took my sins and died with them.
If you are reading this and are not sure if God has taken your sins....be cheered because He can and He will. Believe. This information can change your life.
At the end of the video is my favorite part. You see Edmund and all his siblings recieving crowns and sitting on thrones.
That what is promised those who give their life to Christ. Eternal life reigning with Christ.
And that's just the beginning of the benefits. I'll get into the others in the coming posts.
Yep, it is what it looks like. My own personalized 23 Commandments strictly about NaNo (see previous post). It wasn't until I wrote these did I realize the magnitude of my commitment. Bring....it.....on!
1: Thou shalt leave sanity behind. Embraceth the insanity on thy insane mission.
2: Thou shalt shout on the streets and by-ways what thee are doing.
3: Thou shalt make a covenant with thy mother to finish the novel or wash the dishes every night for a fort-night.
4: Thou shalt reward thyself upon finishing with a new CD.
5: Thou shalt not, absolutely NOT, let thyself think that anything is more important than thy novel.
6: Thou shalt think often of thy finished product.
7: Thou shalt act out the scenes as thou writeth them.
8: Thou shalt never read over what thou hast written.
9: Thou shalt never listen to Eddie.
10: Thou shalt always drink tea.
11. Thou shalt not procrastinate.
12. Thou shalt writeth the daily word count or thee will be smote with fire.
13. Thou shalt keep up with thy devotions and thy homework.
14. Thou shalt write whileist babysitting.
15. Thou shalt write on Friday night until thy glow stick dims.
16. Thou shalt day-dream about thy novel when thee should be doing other things.
17. Thou shalt encourage plot bunnies.
18. Thou shalt be random in all thee writeth.
19. Thou shalt not get on the forum until thy daily word quota is achieved.
20. Thou shalt kill a character with thee traveling shovel of death in some way.
21. Thou shalt write while eating.
22. Thou shalt not forgeteth to exercise or thou willst gain pounds.
First off, thanks for the Post Ryan! That was a fun-sized awesome reminder. We do serve an awesome God. I am so undeserving of Him!
Now, for the real reason I'm posting. For those of you who know me, you know that I'm am stupidly random (an unfortunate family gene - seriously) and do weird things at odd times. If you didn't know that about me....well, welcome to the story of my life.
Okay, I'm exaggerating. I AM random but the real thing is I looove challenges and will take one in a heartbeat.
So, I normally try to post only spiritual related things on this blog but I was told to tell you guys about this, so I have to. It's part of the challenge.
I am doing what many refer to as NaNoWriMo. It's called the National Novel Writing Month. In a nut shell NaNoWriMo is about trying to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. And you can't write any of it until November 1st. Then come the 30 days and night of literary abandon. You write while you eat, sleep, and take a shower. The daily word quota to complete the novel is 1,667 words. Doesn't seem like a lot, but if you miss a few days....*low whistle* You live and breathe your story for one month. about 160,000 people did it last year but only 50,000 succeeded. I'm going to try. I have a complete outline of what I want to happen in my story (see the page on this blog called, "A Piece of My Insanity". It's the first synopsis I'll be doing.). Now, I await the dawn of November 1st.
I know, it's insane. But I'm insane, so it works out.
Plus, meh love to write! *creepy grin*
Why I had to tell you guys is because public pressure helps. It will help me knowing that all my readers know about this endeavor and that they are expecting me to finish. And if I don't....well, who likes public humiliation?
If I don't finish, you each have permission to torment me till I die. In fact, I want you to. That will be my punishment from y'all. Feel free to check on me to see how I'm doing. The more pressure the better. 8)
God is pleased with those who strive to have a relationship with Him and want to live by His word. Isn't that such a wonderful thing to know? That God loves us and is pleased with us even though we have sinned and still fail Him? Wow. What an amazing God!
Prince Charming loves us. It's a dream come true. He is everything we've ever wanted and he constantly pushes and inspires us to be better than we are.
This is true. When we know that someone loves us...a lot. It brings the best out of us. It makes us want to be more than we are.
I know that I lack that steam when it comes to Christ's love for me and my desire to become more like Him. His great inspiring love SHOULD inspire me to become more than I am. And it does, but not liek it should.
This is an area for examining ourselves. How do we react to being 'our best' for other people compared to how we are inspired by God 's love for us?
This is short...but they are jsut my thoughts all compiled into a short little, fun-sized post.
A woman. Is flawlessly faithful with her husband. Perfect. Is everything a man could ask for, works hard, beautiful, submits to him and loves him unconditionally. But tragically, she finds out that her husband has been unfaithful. She is heart-broken. Naturally.
Jesus. Is flawlessly faithful with His bride. He is everything she could ask for. He died for her. He provides for her in a way no man ever could. A constant companion, shelter, protection and lover. Tragically, his bride is constantly unfaithful and disregards the precious gift that He is. She spits on His gift, and doesn't obey His requests. He asks so little. He gave His life and she can't even serve Him. He is heart-broken. Naturally?
Why do I have this mental picture that God doesn't really get hurt when we reject Him?
I'm everything no one would ask for. Not even a human. But God, my God, my Savior, the Lord, the King - serves, loves, protects, clothes, feeds, spiritually nourishes, comforts, helps, teaches, and enjoys being with me.
I have a fantasy-like happiness waiting in the relationship with my God - one many only can dream about. I have someone to run to. I have someone to bear my burdens with me. I have someone to talk to when I'm alone. I have someone who never tires of hearing my voice. I have someone will provide for all my needs according to His riches in glory. I have someone to sing to in the night. I have someone to be close to. I have someone to share my thoughts with - the silly and serious ones. I have someone who will always understand no matter what my situation is. I have someone who embraces me with the sunshine. I have some who kisses me with the wind. I have someone who sings back to me with cricket symphonies. I have someone who has sent me infinite love letters. I have someone who never gets impatient. I have someone who loves me - ME - despite the fact that I - I - put Him on the cross. I have someone who payed for my sin, so when He looks at me He sees Himself. I have someone who lifts my chin when I'm downcast. I have someone to celebrate with when I am happy. I have someone to share my deepest thoughts and desires with. I have someone who calms my temper and whispers "shhhhhh" softly in my ear. I have someone who -even- when I fail miserably will still hold open His arms for me to jump back in.
What am I doing with my life? Why am I holding back? Why am I not giving Him my all? What is so important that I keep hanging on to? Why am I still looking for love?
THIS IS LOVE!
God forgive me. I am a fool.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wow. How many of us are more horrified that other people know our sins than God? Isn't it God that we should be afraid of?
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
I'm posting the lyrics to the Tenth Avenue North Song "Healing Begins". The video was the lead singer of Tenth Avenue...btw.
So you thought you had to keep this up
All the work that you do
So we think that you're good
And you can't believe it's not enough
All the walls you built up
Are just glass on the outside
So let 'em fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now
This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark
Afraid to let your secrets out
Everything that you hide
Can come crashing through the door now
But too scared to face all your fear
So you hide but you find
That the shame won't disappear
So let it fall down
There's freedom waiting in the sound
When you let your walls fall to the ground
We're here now
We're here now, oh
This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark
Sparks will fly as grace collides
With the dark inside of us
So please don't fight
This coming light
Let this blood come cover us
His blood can cover us
This is where the healing begins, oh
This is where the healing starts
When you come to where you're broken within
The light meets the dark
The light meets the dark
What are you trying to hide form other people. Confess to others and God. I know it's hard. But I've been encouraged to do this, and it is very freeing. Try it!
I was blessed with a amazing opportunity to go to a women's conference in Indianapolis. You guys know about Revive our Hearts with Nancy Leigh Demoss? Yeah...it was good.
Well, the first sermon was actually by a guy, Crawford Loritts. I'm going to tell you about it. :) It's been a long time since I heard this...and I can't form the sermon in my head from the notes. I'll just give you the bullet points and you can think on them yourself. they are pretty convicting anyways. And I'm adding some of my words too. Just thought I should let you know so I'm not putting words in his mouth.
1 John 2:15-17 15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
How should we relate to the world? Verse 15 tells us don't love it. Don't love and desire the things in the world. Ultimately they cannot fulfill us. It is like a fire. Hot, attractive, tempting to touch but will burn you the moment you touch it.
How do we relate to the worlds system? See it for what it is. It is a corrupt world needing the love of Jesus Christ!
Worldliness is really 'self-obsession'. The world is worried about one person. "me, myself and I'. If we get involved in the things of the world we are just trying to self-satisfy, self-gratify or identify ourselves. When we love the world God is excluded from our heart, eyes and lusts. We begin to identify ourselves with the world. If we love things of the world we are letting the world define us. What we love will define us!
We must decide who and what defines us! Is it fashion, wealth, prestige, sexuality, possessions, or Christ?
I found this saying very convicting. I have always thought that I have things in my life that I put before God now and then but nothing I would call a serious 'idol'. Well, I did think that until I read this statement that put things in a new light.
"Anything that causes us to lose the enjoyment of the Father's love or the desire to do the Father will is worldly."
Now ask yourself, "What defines me?" I was soooo challenged by this? What does define me? Am I living a Christian life worth exploiting? Am I putting my value in how I measure on the worlds yard-stick?
I found two things that I know pull me away from God and are worldly.Think about it. What are they for you? What is defining you, whether in your private or public life? Hypocrisy? Anger? Bitterness? Lust? The Media? Good novels? School-work (a biggy for us students I know)?
Pray and ask God to reveal those things in your life and to help you conquer them. He will. He is helping me every day. What a mighty God we serve.
Wow. I haven't posted in forever. I'm turning out to be pretty lousy at this. I'm so sorry. I'm going to try to do better. I have sooooo mannnny things to tell you guys. I don't think I'll ever catch up!
*applause* Thank you Ryan for picking up my slack and posting something. :D
I really have been incredibly busy!
But anyways. I guess I'll go post something. Stay tuned....I will be back!
I recently watched a movie called, "To Save A Life". You might have seen it, you might not. It's supposed to be a Christian movie, although when I watched it I was like, "This is a Christian movie?" I mean, the first 25 minutes you would not think this is a Christian movie. At all.
I mean, first there is a suicide scene, although no gore is shown, then the few curse words, the party's and drunkenness, then the main character and his girlfriend have sex. For the record, they kiss and he takes his shirt off and then lays her down, then it skips to later and he is seen with sheets and she's leaving fully dressed, but it's obvious that they did it with his words. Anyhow, I was like, "Christian movie?"
Then the rest of the movie happened. I mean, it was pretty eye-opening. The boy started asking deeper questions, and with the help of a youth pastor, he started to make sense of it all. Now, I don't really want to say anything else if you have not seen it, but what was most prominent about this movie is reaching out to the unlovable, the outcasts, and the forgotten.
I was just smacked in the face when I watched this. I was like, "How many people have felt alone simply because I never took the time to talk to them?" I usually didn't, because those people weren't considered "in". What kind of Christian are we if we can't show God's love to everyone? I was just...Wow. I was sick with myself. I realized I don't know what it means to love people.
What about you? Do you stay away from certain people because they make you feel uncomfortable, or they aren't cool enough, or aren't worth it? How can we as Christians even do this? If we are Christians, the love of God is in us! Why aren't we showing it to the world?
Tonight I was at church, and there's this kid that has started coming recently. He has some problems mentally and physically, but he understands everything you say to him, and he can read, write, and think, but there is something wrong with him. Now, I have not really tried to befriend this kid, because I think he's weird and he wouldn't care either way.
Well, the Lord has been showing me what it means to reach out, and I have asked him for opportunities. Tonight, I won't mention any names, but someone said, "Here comes...Let's get out of here." I was angry. This kid cannot help how he is. He's not right, but one time in youth class I heard him say, "I don't have a family that loves me. No one does." Now that makes me extremely sad, and guilty, because I never even tried to reach out to him.
Most of us stay away from him. I can sort of understand why the girls do, because he is flirty and he says random things, and puts his arm around them, but he can't help himself. He's not right in the head. As the service started, he was in a pew in front of us kids and he was by himself. Then he got up and sat next to his mom, and I felt really guilty. I felt like I was a failure to this kid. Then all of a sudden I felt something telling me to go sit with him. I was kind of afraid, because I didn't know what would happen, or what the others would think, but then I was like, "This it it. These people are back here talking and laughing, not even listening, and that boy is sitting with his mom because no one would sit with him. Who cares what they think? Disobey God or stay in my comfort zone?" So I stepped out. Sure I felt nervous for a second, but then I was at peace. I don't know what the boy thought, but I hope it did something.
I'm not trying to say I'm better than people, or trying to praise myself in any way, because I am just as guilty and would not have done it if I hadn't felt God pulling at my heart, but after I did, I think I understood just a little bit what it means to value all people, and to reach out to others. I hope God does bigger things with me, because I want to please Him and glorify Him as much as I can, even if it's as simple as reaching out and showing God's love to others. That's all that's on my mind as of right now.
Finally I'm back. I've been so busy lately. In fact, I'm so tired I know the wisest decision would be to hit the sack but I...I can't. I'm so disturbed. I have been doing this civics curriculum and it has opened my eyes to the severity of an issue in our country. The issue of religious freedom.
Slowly our country has chipped away religious freedom. It all started with the whole idea of "separation of
church and state" which then lead to redefining of church, redefining of the first amendment, redefining of religion and eventually to freely declaring things unconstitutional.
Our leaders are trying/and have rewritten the history of our country by taking things out of context and twisting the meaning of it. Here is a quote.
William James (1842-1910) The father of modern Psychology "There's nothing so absurd that if you repeat it often enough, people will believe it."
People are claiming that our founding fathers were not Christians. They were actually atheists at BEST deists. I actually googled it "were our founding fathers Christians?" The articles I found were heart breaking. People have mis-quoted and taken our founding fathers words out of context. Don't ever buy into this lie!!! I am going to paste a few quotes for the great men and founders of this country.
Samuel Adams Father of the American Revolution, Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I . . . recommend my Soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.
Will of Samuel Adams
Patrick Henry Governor of Virginia, Patriot
This is all the inheritance I can give to my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed.
Will of Patrick Henry
(Oh yeah you guys, he was an atheist alllll the waaay.)
John Jay First Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court
Unto Him who is the author and giver of all good, I render sincere and humble thanks for His manifold and unmerited blessings, and especially for our redemption and salvation by His beloved son. He has been pleased to bless me with excellent parents, with a virtuous wife, and with worthy children. His protection has companied me through many eventful years, faithfully employed in the service of my country; His providence has not only conducted me to this tranquil situation but also given me abundant reason to be contented and thankful. Blessed be His holy name!
Will of John Jay
Benjamin Rush Signer of the Declaration of Independence
My only hope of salvation is in the infinite, transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His Son upon the cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins. I rely exclusively upon it. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
Benjamin Rush, The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush, George Corner, editor (Princeton: Princeton University Press for the American Philosophical Society, 1948), p. 166, Travels Through Life, An Account of Sundry Incidents & Events in the Life of Benjamin Rush.
Richard Stockton Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the Being of God, the universal defection and depravity of human nature, the divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior, the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit, of Divine Faith, accompanied with an habitual virtuous life, and the universality of the divine Providence, but also . . . that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state; that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either immediately or consequentially, even in this life; that as Almighty God hath not been pleased in the Holy Scriptures to prescribe any precise mode in which He is to be publicly worshiped, all contention about it generally arises from want of knowledge or want of virtue.
Will of Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon Signer of the Declaration of Independence
I entreat you in the most earnest manner to believe in Jesus Christ, for there is no salvation in any other [Acts 4:12]. . . . [I]f you are not reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, if you are not clothed with the spotless robe of His righteousness, you must forever perish.
John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon (Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815), Vol. V, pp. 276, 278, The Absolute Necessity of Salvation Through Christ, January 2, 1758.
These men were not deists. Deists believed that God created man and then left them to do what they please and doesn't have any bearing on our lives now. Clearly, by the men's wills alone we can tell that these men were men of faith that believed in a God who is very much alive and active in our lives and in the world. There are many more documents than these by our founding fathers that will only prove this further.
This hasn't even touched on the political problems in the "separation of church and state" lie. But our fathers dogmatically believed that government and religion and morals and Christ were all inseparable.
I am deeply burdened about this you guys. This will not be my last post on this subject. PLEASE give me some feed-back on what y'all think about this subject...or even good links you may find on the subject. I hope to spend more time researching this. I'm sick of just watching it happen. I'm gonna do something.
Please pray for our nation. We are a nation not under the Lord.
My grandpa had been sick for a while - had bone caner and the other day had a heart attack and a stroke. He was doing really bad but the doctors were predicting he still had a little time left... He passed away this morning. Please be in prayer for the whole family. It's been extremely hard.
I don't really have a life right now. I seriously haven't been home at all. And when I am home (e.g. this afternoon) I crash on my bed. It has been hectic. I will post as much as I can though. Keep checking. :)
The way God has provided is incredible! One little idea gave birth to this huge thing! And we would never be able to do this if it wasn't for Angela Hunter. I'm telling you. She has given so much her time and effort into this. I went to a planning meeting about it last night. There were about 9 churches represented in that one room. And others are rallying together to help us. :)))
Basically, Heartbeat Haven, the pregnancy center, is having this huge fundraiser. Their is a band and orchestra coming, and we are going to have a bunch of different booths. A gift shop, resource booth, lots of concessions, a open volleyball tourny, a silent and live auction, corn-hole tourny, cartoon artist, a bouncy castle, a few guest singers and a youth drama presentation- it's goes on. :)(My booth is the gift shop I get to go online and shop! YAY! Lol.) Like a carnival. Except all proceeds will go to Heartbeat.
Please be in prayer that the Lord will bless this. We've already seen His hand in so many ways, but we are hoping that it will be even more evident as this progress. Praise Him! We are hoping and preparing to have a thousand people there.
I will be posting very soon an invitation or flier type thing for this.If you live in the area and want to help with or attend the concert--CONTACT ME!!!
Okay y'all. How are you guys? I'm good, thanks for asking.
2 things: #1-Look at my new page "Pure Talent Films" and watch our production. LOL
#2-Pray for me. I am trying not to stress out because I'm a little in over my head right now. I have SO MUCH to do. Babysitting, theater, a TON of stuff for the Crisis Pregnancy Center and school work...not to mention piano practice, choir or year book committee. I won't be this busy for very long. Because theater will end soon as will the Pregnancy Center stuff. But these are times when it is tempting not to read the Bible in the morning. Ya know? But now is when I need it most. I need to be in God's Word and resting in Him because I can't do it without Him. So just pray that I would not lose my head and do things to the best of my ability for the Glory of Jesus Christ.
Also the fundraiser for the Pregnancy center is going gooooood. Things are really starting to happen! Praise the LORD!
I was reading about communism on Friday and it brought me to tears of a few times. It is so sad the way things work in a government system like that. The deny everything I believe in, Creation, God, private property, rewarding excellence, immortality...and on. We take for granted all the things we have, and our freedom.
One of the biggest enemies for communists and even socialists are strong families (Correction: I'm now told differently and I could possibly have my info wrong. I want to have it right so I will look into this. Again if you have thoughts on it Id love to hear them.) . People know that they will never be able to tear the USA down until our families deteriorate. The family, church and our free enterprise are the most threatening things to other governments.
More more and more our families are falling apart. And I'm not concerned about this because I'm scared we are going to go all communist or anything (although I wouldn't be surprised) but because strong families and Christian values are what hold together a church, a government and any people in general. I'm concerned because I see a culture that is constantly ripping families apart. The American dream, working mothers, bad values, media that promotes rebelling teens...
I don't have too much to say on this topic because it's just something I have been thinking a little about. But I would love y'alls thoughts and I want to encourage each of you.
Some of us may not have good models. I know that I haven't always had a good family model to look to, but we must try to discover what a strong Biblical family looks like. We can't trust what the world tells us it should look like. Try to find out. Waht role does a father play in a family? And a mother? How should they treat each other? And how involved should parents be in their children and their children's education? How should kids treat their parents and respond to them? And what should their relationship look like? These are good questions for each of us to look into. If you have any thoughts...please post them.
This morning I was drinking hot tea. My favorite in the morning. Not flavored (flavored is dreadful tasting stuff) and with a little bit of honey. I was sitting on the floor by the table and my tea was on the table at my eye-level. It was right in the sunlight, so I had a perfect view on the steam rising from the mug. It was really pretty.
For some reason it just dawned on me that we are a lot like mugs of hot tea. The tea being our lives, and the aroma and steam being the overflow of our hearts.
I don't know if y'all have ever done this, but I have and still on occasion do. I come to these points in my walk with Christ where I ask myself, "Ashley, are you even a Christian? You don't seem like a Christian. You don't stand out." And maybe I'm not even that extreme. Sometimes it's as simple a question as, "Why am I not sold out for Jesus Christ? Why do I not talk about Him more and witness more?"
This is where I look at the glass of hot tea. What did it take for that tea to become tea? It took water-which had to be boiled, a tea bag-which had to be put in the hot water and steeped, then honey-which had to be stirred in.
I feel like Christians (me chiefly) try to make "Christian actions" come. But really it requires work (Aside from the saving grace of God and the love for Him that He puts inside us.). It requires us to work. A Christian life is an overflow from our hearts. Waht are we resting in, dwelling on, and worshipping? Is it Christ? Is He the one we are pouring time into to get to know? A love for God requires us to study and learn about Him. To be in prayer and fellowship with Him. I believe that the more we learn about God, the more incredible He becomes to us (though not changing who He is), and the more we desire to be with Him and live every moment and every heart-beat of our lives for the glory of our Father.
We drink the cold water and think "Yuck! This is supposed to be hot tea!" We first off need to become Christians. If we aren't Christians then it is impossible for us to bare lasting good character. Secondly, if you are a Christian then I would suggest reading the Bible. Really. Their are some times when I have felt spiritually dead and gone through a low-time in my sanctification. This helps. Read the Bible, a rich book that is going to benefit you amazingly! My recommendation is John (my favorite book of the Bible). It just shows us who He is and is stuffed with the direct words of Jesus. There is nothing that makes us fall more in love with Jesus than a revelation of who He is! The other thing I do sometimes is read through hymns! I'm telling ya, hymns are a wonderful way of seeing truth about who we are in and outside of Christ. Lastly, if you are going through a spiritual low, I would tell someone and have them pray with you.
And I'm not saying that we have to "make" ourselves love the Lord so we will do good deeds and be happy. That's not what I mean. Because if you break it down, God is really the only person who can put a love for Jesus Christ in us. Because "There is none who desire God." But it does help to remind ourselves of who He is and who we are apart from Him. Nothing is a better wake up call then a song or verse about Christ and His everlasting love and how He removes our sins from us..."as far as the east is from the west."
So, take this as a reminder to evaluate yourself. Ask yourself, "Where am I on this spiritual journey? Am I in the family of God? If yes, why am I not serving the Lord whole-heartedly without regrets?"
They are good questions to ask yourself. Is ti possible it's because we don't understand who God is and the magnitude of His character? I think so.
Challenge: Before you get up out of bed every day, try to name some of the attributes of God and meditate on them. We have an incredibly lovable God and if we remember that it will be easier to serve Him with every ounce of energy we possess. Just like if your true love is "everything you have ever wanted" and "loves you with all their heart" we will dwell on that. And the thought of who they are will compel us to get out of bed and serve them. :)
